With the Premier League season just a few sleeps away, many are starting to make their early predictions of which team could possibly win the league, get relegated or for that matter, which manager will be sacked first.
But the one that stands out, though, is how many people believe that Manchester United can’t go back to back.
Agreed, Manchester City have spent big money and that Jose Mourinho is back at Chelsea.
Agreed that Sir Alex Ferguson has retired and with the aforementioned points, their cautious approach is valid.
But surely, those statements don’t bridge the 11-point gap United had on the rest last year.
United won 28 of their 38 games last season, with what many described as the worst midfield in their history.
They were a Sergio Aguero stoppage-time winner away from winning the league a year before with what many described as their worst squad on Premier League history.
Let’s get a few things straight. Firstly, they have the best striker in England in Robin van Persie. 26 goals to help win the title basically by February, there is no match for this man.
And then there is want-away Wayne Rooney, who is slowly hunting down Bobby Charlton’s all-time goals record. Add in Javier Hernandez, Danny Welbeck, Shinji Kagawa and Wilfred Zaha and there isn’t a better strike force in England.
United scored 86 goals last season. That is 20 more than City and 11 more than Chelsea.
Chelsea have youngster Romelu Lukaku, who returned from a season-long loan from West Brom, along with the most overrated player in world football, Fernando Torres, and Demba Ba in their ranks.
Until they sign more strikers, not even a midfield of Juan Mata/Eden Hazard/Oscar/Frank Lampard can match the Red Devils at scoring, which don’t forget is the name of the game.
There is a famous saying that goals win games, but defences win trophies. United conceded four more goals than City and nine more than Chelsea.
Five of these however came in the last game of the season against West Brom after the title had been won.
Nemanja Vidic has played only 25 games in the last two years while Rio Ferdinand isn’t getting any younger. Injuries have curtailed United’s centre-backs and yet they have still coped fine.
If the argument is that their defence is too old, experience is key. And if the duo can stay fit, their back-four will be hard to preach. Jonny Evans, one of United’s best players last season is an able understudy.
Patrice Evra, who has been rather indifferent of late, now has strong competition from Alexander Buttner on the left.
Right-back Rafael has grown leaps and bounds, and with Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are capable of playing in right-back and in the middle, United have ample back-up.
David De Gea also found his feet after a shaky start, and will only get better at 21.
City’s signings on paper sound fabulous, but they aren’t hardened enough to grind out results during an English winter.
Manuel Pellegrini already had a lot of egos to manage before he spent millions on Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo, Fernandinho and Stevan Jovetic.
They are fine players in their own right, but they are all used to being stars at their club and it won’t take long for the frustration to kick in at being left on the bench.
Many are basing United’s projected downfall on the pure fact Sir Alex is gone. He was a legend and a key figure no doubt, but let’s not forget that David Moyes was handpicked by the great man himself.
Moyes has Premier League experience and the change will be refreshing, not hindering.
United’s midfield received plenty of criticism last season, but it will only improve. Michael Carrick showed at Wembley during the Community Shield against Wigan Athletic that he is at the peak of his powers and can control big games.
Tom Cleverley, at 24, will only improve, and Kagawa now has a year of Premier League experience under his belt.
Add in the fact United that the formation and strategy remains the same, and that Moyes, like his predecessor likes width, there is plenty of improvement to come even without any new signings.
United may have not got anything from their three wingers in Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia and Nani last year but that shouldn’t be the case this year.
There’s still plenty to happen in the transfer market, but let’s not write off the champions before the seasons even begun.
The key will be handing not only the league, but the other competitions these sides must play all over Europe. Squad strength and momentum will be vital.
So are you a believer or a doubter of this great club? Will they go back to back, or will blue dominate this season?
Perhaps you think one of Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur can lift the trophy. If so, please visit the nearest doctor.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Manchester United have survived one of the most astonishing FA Cup semi-final comebacks to beat second-tier Coventry City 4-2 on penalties after a chaotic…
Erik ten Hag hopes Manchester United's nail-biting last-eight win over arch-rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup can prove the turning point in a challenging…
Phil Foden has led Manchester City's fightback - even despite an astonishing miss by Erling Haaland - as the champions beat Manchester United 3-1…
Arsenal remain just two points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool after trouncing Newcastle 4-1 to continue their rich vein of form. Rebounding quickly from…
Watching Manchester United trip, stumble and struggle in English Premier League football is compellingly appealing, satisfying and almost comical for those of us who…
It was a move retro by comparison to much of the Premier League, and indeed modern football: a natural right-footed winger stationed on the…
