United throw down the gauntlet
2006-08-10 10:02
Manchester - Manchester United
closed the gap on Premier League champions Chelsea to eight
points last season and will not want to be second-best much
longer.
United won the League Cup, a competition they normally
regard as the least of their priorities, but that was small
consolation for a club desperate to reclaim the title they last
won in 2003.
The time has come for manager Alex Ferguson to deliver again
or face fresh questions about staying on beyond his 20-year
reign at Old Trafford.
Big-spending Chelsea, who have again invested heavily over
the close season on Michael Ballack, Andriy Shevchenko and
United target John Obi Mikel, will take some catching as they
pursue a hat-trick of championship wins.
Ferguson believes he is in charge of a developing squad and
by starting the season better aims to put pressure on Chelsea.
However, hopes of improving on last season's injury-marred
start have already been hit with new signing Michael Carrick
likely to miss the opening couple of games with an ankle injury.
England centre back Rio Ferdinand is one of a number of
United defenders who have sustained injuries in pre-season,
while the threat of bans for Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes after red cards in a warm-up tournament have not helped preparations.
Big spenders
Carrick's move from Tottenham Hotspur in deal that could add
up to 18.6 million pounds has proved that
United, under the Glazer family, can still spend big.
The 25-year-old will fill the holding role left vacant by
the departure of Roy Keane last year, following a number of
disappointing midfield buys, and United should be defensively
sound, especially if Gabriel Heinze returns to full fitness.
But it is in attack where question marks remain.
Cristiano Ronaldo's commitment will come under close
scrutiny when he is targeted by rival supporters in the
aftermath of Portugal's World Cup win over England.
The winger's part in the dismissal of Rooney during the
quarter-final may no longer be a problem in the United dressing
room, but speculation over a move to Spanish football lingers.
With Rooney around United will always be capable of winning
matches and the return to fitness of Old Trafford stalwarts
Scholes and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a plus.
The departure of Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real
Madrid leaves a huge hole, though.
If United can make up for his absence in front of goal they
should be equipped to compete for the big prizes. If not then
Chelsea will remain out of sight.