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Past performances (78-3rd, 77-3rd, 83-2nd, 89-1st, 87-1st)
Rear View Mirror - Manchester United established a new defensive club record for league play conceding only 22 goals.
Top scorer last season – Ronaldo (31).
Significant Moves
In – None so far.
Out – Piqué (Barcelona), Simpson (Blackburn), Eagles (Burnley).
Win the title? – 11/8.
Fire the Manager! – Sir Alex Ferguson 25/1.
Synopsis – The word is that United is still interested in bringing in another striker but so far it has been an-as-you-were-summer as the players exiting Old Trafford could be regarded as squad players at best. The most significant departure is that of assistant manager Carlos Queiroz - again.
This time Queiroz has taken over from Luiz Felipe Scolari has manager of the Portugal national team and it seems certain that his term will last longer than his less-than-twelve month sojourn with Real Madrid in the 2003/04 season.
That spell set off a span of three successive seasons that first saw Arsenal (03/04) and then Chelsea (04/05 and 05/06) win the Premiership title. Whether this was a pure coincidence or cause and effect at work is still a point of conjecture.
As United go for a third straight title finding demonstrable weaknesses in the squad is difficult. Van der Sar has given United their most consistent goal keeping since the departure of Peter Schmeichel. Club captain Gary Neville missed almost all of last season through injury and his return should only add to United’s defensive strength. Evra is coming off a career best season at left back – quick in the tackle, great raiding forward and with an ability to recover quickly should anyone get past him.
Vidic and Ferdinand constitute the most reliable centre back partnership in the Premiership with Vidic’s willingness to sacrifice life and limb contrasting and complimenting Ferdinand’s composure and reading of the game.
Two seasons ago Scholes and Giggs enjoyed Indian Summers and were key factors in the Premiership trophy returning to Old Trafford. Now each is well into his 30s and game winning performances are going to be fewer and further between - the younger generation needs to pick up the slack.
Ronaldo upon his return will score goals a plenty once more although perhaps not in the 40+ range we saw last season. In attack Rooney and Tevez combined as a potent attacking partnership and with a year under their belts United fans can look for even better performances this season.
Who will fill in for the pairing remains an unanswered question. Frazier Campbell who spent a productive spell at Hull City on loan last season has made a case for inclusion and there are indications that Ferguson sees the 21-year-old as a player with an Old Trafford future. However, the future is not likely to involve big-game appearances this season unless injuries decimate the squad.
The tall and rangy Angolan striker Manucho was signed earlier this year but had to be farmed out to Panathiniakos in the absence of being granted a work permit. The 25-year-old has been part of the pre-season preparation and United has applied for a permit for him.
If successful Manucho will provide United with an attractive option for their arsenal – a striker who can win balls in the air and pose a physical threat to teams defending deep.
If there is a doubt about United it might be how they will cope during the early part of the schedule. Ronaldo will be out until at least the end of September; Anderson is playing for Brazil at the Olympics; Rooney caught a virus in Nigeria; Hargreaves is injured once again.
If United can battle through the first dozen games and stay in touch they will feel confident that experience and Ferguson’s ruthless drive to win more trophies can see them through.
Season’s narrative – Do you honestly think it over? Ronaldo blah, blah blah, Real Madrid blah, blah, blah.
Prediction – 2nd
Rear View Mirror - Manchester United established a new defensive club record for league play conceding only 22 goals.
Top scorer last season – Ronaldo (31).
Significant Moves
In – None so far.
Out – Piqué (Barcelona), Simpson (Blackburn), Eagles (Burnley).
Win the title? – 11/8.
Fire the Manager! – Sir Alex Ferguson 25/1.
Synopsis – The word is that United is still interested in bringing in another striker but so far it has been an-as-you-were-summer as the players exiting Old Trafford could be regarded as squad players at best. The most significant departure is that of assistant manager Carlos Queiroz - again.
This time Queiroz has taken over from Luiz Felipe Scolari has manager of the Portugal national team and it seems certain that his term will last longer than his less-than-twelve month sojourn with Real Madrid in the 2003/04 season.
That spell set off a span of three successive seasons that first saw Arsenal (03/04) and then Chelsea (04/05 and 05/06) win the Premiership title. Whether this was a pure coincidence or cause and effect at work is still a point of conjecture.
As United go for a third straight title finding demonstrable weaknesses in the squad is difficult. Van der Sar has given United their most consistent goal keeping since the departure of Peter Schmeichel. Club captain Gary Neville missed almost all of last season through injury and his return should only add to United’s defensive strength. Evra is coming off a career best season at left back – quick in the tackle, great raiding forward and with an ability to recover quickly should anyone get past him.
Vidic and Ferdinand constitute the most reliable centre back partnership in the Premiership with Vidic’s willingness to sacrifice life and limb contrasting and complimenting Ferdinand’s composure and reading of the game.
Two seasons ago Scholes and Giggs enjoyed Indian Summers and were key factors in the Premiership trophy returning to Old Trafford. Now each is well into his 30s and game winning performances are going to be fewer and further between - the younger generation needs to pick up the slack.
Ronaldo upon his return will score goals a plenty once more although perhaps not in the 40+ range we saw last season. In attack Rooney and Tevez combined as a potent attacking partnership and with a year under their belts United fans can look for even better performances this season.
Who will fill in for the pairing remains an unanswered question. Frazier Campbell who spent a productive spell at Hull City on loan last season has made a case for inclusion and there are indications that Ferguson sees the 21-year-old as a player with an Old Trafford future. However, the future is not likely to involve big-game appearances this season unless injuries decimate the squad.
The tall and rangy Angolan striker Manucho was signed earlier this year but had to be farmed out to Panathiniakos in the absence of being granted a work permit. The 25-year-old has been part of the pre-season preparation and United has applied for a permit for him.
If successful Manucho will provide United with an attractive option for their arsenal – a striker who can win balls in the air and pose a physical threat to teams defending deep.
If there is a doubt about United it might be how they will cope during the early part of the schedule. Ronaldo will be out until at least the end of September; Anderson is playing for Brazil at the Olympics; Rooney caught a virus in Nigeria; Hargreaves is injured once again.
If United can battle through the first dozen games and stay in touch they will feel confident that experience and Ferguson’s ruthless drive to win more trophies can see them through.
Season’s narrative – Do you honestly think it over? Ronaldo blah, blah blah, Real Madrid blah, blah, blah.
Prediction – 2nd
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