Former Chelsea boss Gianluca Vialli has tipped Manchester United to pip the champions to the Premiership title.
Vialli says Chelsea’s desire to win the Champions League could see them struggle to retain their league crown.
He told the news media: “I think United are going to be slightly too strong. They look really determined to win it. Probably the distraction of wanting to win the Champions League will be too much for Chelsea to compete with Manchester United.”
The two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday to leave United three points clear in the title race.
“I think a draw was a fair result,” Vialli added. “Manchester United were better than Chelsea in the first half and Chelsea came back strong in the second half. I think everyone will be happy with the result. Chelsea are still in contention and Manchester United are still top so both managers will be very happy with what they saw on the pitch.”
But Vialli, who spent over four years with the Blues as a player and manager, believes his former club have the better chance of going all the way in Europe.
He added: “I wouldn’t be surprised to see Manchester United win the Premiership and Chelsea win the Champions League. I think both clubs, both managers and their players would settle for this. Chelsea have a squad big enough with so many quality players that Jose Mourinho can rotate the team depending on whether they are playing in the Premiership or Europe, the opposition or the physical condition of his players and their squad is big enough to try to win both competitions. But the competition in the Premiership is stronger. Manchester United are firmly determined to win the title after a few years and Chelsea are more focused on being the best in Europe.”