Soccer: Lattek - United are no-hopers

Former Bayern Munich coach Udo Lattek has written off Manchester United's chances of winning in Germany.

Lattek is the man who led the Bavarians to a hat-trick of Bundesliga titles from 1973-75 and steered Bayern to a European Cup triumph over Atletico Madrid in 1975.

He believes the English club's lack of competition in the Premiership has not prepared them for the rigours of European competition.

United clinched the Premiership title on Saturday with five games to play.

Bayern, conversely, lost to Schalke, who leapfrogged them to go top of the Bundesliga.

In his Welt am Sonntag column, Lattek said of United: "The club dominates the English Premier League to such an extent that they've won it again in second gear.

"But only very few teams can suddenly turn it on when it matters. I'm convinced Manchester won't be able to shift gears."

Lattek also cited past failures of English clubs in European competition, and said he expects veteran experience to help the Germans.

"They fall flat on their faces when they play on the continent," he said.

"The moment they leave their island, English teams are only half as good.

"I'm prepared to bet that Bayern will get through, largely because the older players have one last chance to win a major title, and they will give their all."