Get the day's biggest United stories delivered straight to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Former Reds forward Louis Saha says there's no reason why Louis van Gaal's new look Manchester United can't land the title this season.

Saha, who scored 48 goals in 121 appearances during his four-and-a-half year spell with United , said his ex club will be dangerous without the distraction of the UEFA Champions League.

Saha, who also played for Newcastle, Fulham, Tottenham, Everton and Lazio, believes new recruit Radamel Falcao will notch 30 goals if he stays fit.

"I'm confident about United because of the quality of the players they have signed," Saha told the M.E.N during the Soccerex Global Convention in Manchester.

"Yes you need a good start and they (United) haven't had that, but there is no reason why they can't finish at the top.

"If Falcao stays fit he will score 30 goals and compete with Diego Costa to be the league's top goalscorer."

He added: "The midfield is now direct with Di Maria and Herrera and with Wayne Rooney maybe playing deeper."

See what the fans think of the summer transfer activity in our survey results

Fearing possible defensive frailties Saha said of his new-look former team: "When you lose Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand it is a big blow.

"So we will see if they have enough experience to go on a run of games and defend well.

"Maybe signing a defender would have been a perfect combination. But they have what they have now."

He said: "The Premier League is very competitive and hard to predict.

"Tottenham is growing, Everton is trying to reach another level and then there are all the teams we know who can win it.

"I think Louis van Gaal has the right plan.

"We will see if United can produce the same season as Liverpool did without the Champions League."