Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that Manchester United will be among five or six teams challenging for the Premier League title this season.

The Red Devils slipped to seventh under former manager David Moyes in the 2013-14 campaign, but expectations have been raised following the appointment of ex-Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal.

Last season, Manchester City took the crown by finishing two points ahead of Liverpool, while Chelsea and the Gunners were also in contention in the closing stages of the campaign.

"It could be more competitive, yes," Wenger said in today's press conference. "Man United will certainly come back into it, so if you have six teams to fight for the championship that would mean that every other game will be of a huge importance.

"It means there could be even more importance not to drop points against the teams who don't compete for the championships.

"When you look at the Premier League last year, it was down to one or two games won or lost and nobody can predict it. I think there were four teams in the race last year and there could be five or six this season."

Arsenal will take on Man City in this Sunday's Community Shield clash ahead of the start of the new season next weekend.