Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson labels Champions Chelsea as United's greatest enemy
The Red Devils’ legendary manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has confirmed that title holders Chelsea are their biggest threat for the coming season. The manager believed that United would be looking to restore domestic dominance when they play Chelsea in the Community Shield on 8th August.
Looking at the Premier League teams this season, Manchester City have been the busiest in the summer transfer window. The team is looking to establish itself as a brute force in Europe and have bought some of the most exciting talent available in the continent. Rivals Liverpool, meanwhile, have hung on to their best player this season, despite finishing 7th in the league. The team, under new manager Roy Hodgson, has managed to persuade Spanish striker Fernando Torres and Captain Steven Gerrard to stay at Anfield, at least for this season. Liverpool has also signed up England international Joe Cole.
However, Ferguson is resolute on the fact that double winners Chelsea are the team to beat this season. Chelsea has signed Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun along with agreeing to an 18 million pound fee for Benfica midfielder Ramires. There are, however, speculations over the futures of Chelsea’s two key defenders, in the form of left back, Ashley Cole, and centre back Ricardo Carvalho.
While talking to the press, United manager stated that Chelsea are their biggest threat, owing to the experience and talent Chelsea currently employs. The manager stated the team won the Premier League as well as the FA Cup last season and doing that is no easy job. The manager didn’t, however, dismiss the dangers of other teams. Ferguson has claimed that over the years, the class of the top half of the table has constantly improved. The manager confirmed that the competition keeps on improving each season and the ‘Big Four’ monopoly was broken last season when Tottenham Hotspur finished fourth in the league. This signified that other teams are also progressing and Spurs are expected to progress further. The manager added that Manchester City have again spent a lot and cannot be ignored while Everton would also be coming at it owing to a strong squad.
However, a closer look at the results of last season would signify that Chelsea won the Community Shield on penalties last season and managed to lift the Premier League cup by a single point. The manager emphasized on the fact that players should have had enough practice and training before the start of the new season. Many of United’s key players have recently returned from their respective post World Cup breaks, and getting back in shape and form would be crucial for the new season.
The manager pointed out that he always looks at the long run and therefore admitted that it would be pointless in playing the World Cup players too early. The manager added that the club will reap the benefits of the players no sooner than the third week of the season, as it will give these players time to get their minds straight and physical form back on track.
"It does mean early in the season there is a little bit of risk in terms of knowing players are 100% ready to be involved in these games,” claimed the Red Devils’ manager. Star players Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic have played a few minutes for the club in the pre-season friendlies, along with fully recovered Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia. Owen suffered from a hamstring problem, ending his season pre-maturely. Valencia on the other hand, played a full season, but suffered from a calf problem. Both of these players scored a goal each in the 7-1 win against Airtricity League XI.
French Captain Patrice Evra only just joined the Red Devils a few days back and is not likely to feature in the upcoming matches. Midfielder Anderson recently survived a brutal car crash in Portugal and is likely to join the squad as soon as he recovers. This is Manchester United’s most crucial season, as many of its long serving players are expected to retire next year. Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Van der Sar and Gary Neville have all been speculated to finally leave the club and Ferguson would be looking to give his all to win the league this year, making a new record of 19 league titles.
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