Weekly Tip by: FG
Will Man United be able to make Premier League history by being the first team to win the title on four consecutive occasions? I think so and here's why.
Yes they've lost their best player and with that their main source of goals, but they have also received a big bag of money and still have a deeper squad to call upon than fellow title challengers Liverpool or Chelsea. Although having said that, I've no doubt Liverpool will run United close, as they did last season, but they just don't have the squad depth to compensate for the inevitable injuries.
Chelsea will compete, but I do-not believe Ancelotti will have
enough about him to win the league in his first season. His recent
record at AC Milan will not fill Chelsea fans with optimism either,
seeing as he has not won anything for two seasons (Champions League
06/07) and failed to win the Italian Serie A in the last 6 years!
I don't particularly rate Valencia as a player, but I believe United will sign another genuinely world class winger and/or a striker, and now that Ronaldo has gone, that may allow United to adopt a more unified and tactically balanced team. Allowing Man United's players to flourish now that their play is not dictated by Ronaldo.
United have always gone on to better things whenever they've lose the supposed stars of the past: Robson, Ince, Cantona, Schmeichel, Keane, Stam, Beckham and Van Nistelrooy to name a few. I see no reason why they won't do the same again, although how much they have available to spend, who they bring in and in what positions will obviously have a large bearing on how much they miss Ronaldo's presence.
It is imperative they do get access to a large chunk of the Ronaldo money and bring world class players in, as Man United's record without Ronaldo at the start of last season does not make for good reading.
Seven games with only the one win, four draws (3 at home) and two losses:
10-08-2008 Charity Shield Manchester United 0–0 Portsmouth
17-08-2008 Premier League Manchester United 1–1 Newcastle United
25-08-2008 Premier League Portsmouth 0–1 Manchester United
29-08-2008 Super Cup Manchester United 1–2 Zenit St Petersburg
13-09-2008 Premier League Liverpool 2–1 Manchester United
17-09-2008 Champions L Manchester United 0–0 Villarreal
21-09-2008 Premier League Chelsea 1–1 Manchester United
Also money needs to be invested in the squad as United's youth players although admittedly talented are not ready to be relied upon full-time when cover or inspiration is needed. So players need to be added so that the youth can play bit part roles and develop without the pressure or weight to perform and uphold a title challenge..
I see Liverpool as United's main challengers, (who if they were to win The Premiership, would make history themselves by winning their 1st Premiership trophy) but I am of the opinion Liverpool still do-not have enough cutting edge when attacking, as they rely upon Torres and Gerrard too much and as seems to have been the case for as long as I can remember (which is a about 5 years) still don't have real quality in the wide areas to finish off teams who choose to stifle their play by staying deep and narrow. Such as last season's games at home to Everton, West Ham and home and away to Fulham and Stoke, to name a few.
Arsenal will be lingering around 4th as they do, but not worth talking about as challengers.
The best price available on Man United to win the 2009/2010 Premiership is 7/4 at Coral here.
