MANCHESTER UNITED
Manager: Alex Ferguson
United could face a bumpy ride after the sale of striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid and their failure to land young Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel.
There will be questions over striker Wayne Rooney's rapport with winger Cristiano Ronaldo after their World Cup spat, while Michael Carrick's big-money arrival as a holding midfielder is unlikely to transform things.
United need a target man to fill the prolific boots of Van Nistelrooy if they want a bigger prize than last season's League Cup. Chelsea should be beyond reach but United look destined for another top four finish and ought to make amends for last season's shock Champions League exit at the group stage.
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