Premier League big guns battle again

MANCHESTER UNITED

Boasting both the most potent attack and the meanest defence in the league last season, United were worthy winners of their 10th Premier League crown.

The Old Trafford club have now amassed 17 league trophies, meaning that success this year would draw them level on titles with arch-rivals Liverpool, a factor that should motivate Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

However, it is the swashbuckling style of play that continues under the Scotsman's stewardship that must strike fear into the rest of the Premier League. United scored 80 goals last term and each of their regular outfield starting line-up, except left-back Patrice Evra and young midfielder Anderson, managed to contribute to that figure.

It is little wonder, then, that Fergie has been reluctant to bring new faces in. A striker to lead the line is the only position needing attention, with Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov high on the manager's wanted list.

Spurs are playing hardball regarding the transfer fee, but the move is expected to go through before the close of the transfer window at the end of the month.

If the club retain the services of Cristiano Ronaldo – top scorer last season with 31 – it could prove to be Fergie's best bit of business. The Portuguese winger is vital to United winning a third successive title.

Star player: Wayne Rooney

It is hard to imagine that the 22-year-old was subjected to criticism in his side's double-winning year, when the burly forward contributed so much on both fronts. Eighteen goals and 15 assists prove how valuable he was in leading the Old Trafford club to domestic and European glory.

Fergie has admitted to playing the ex-Everton star out of position too often and has hinted that a big striker is required to lead the line and help get the best out of his young No10.

Rooney has exceptional close control, a fierce shot and a superb awareness of those around him, making him almost the complete player. He may not have developed at the same speed as team-mate Ronaldo, but with the winger distracted by transfer rumblings throughout the summer, it may be Rooney's chance to shine again this year.

Red Devils' stats

- Founded: 1878
- Home: Old Trafford
- Capacity: 76,212
- Chairman: Joel Glazer
- Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson
- Honours: 3 European Cups, 17 League titles, 11 FA Cups, 2 League Cups
- Highest PL finish: 1st

CHELSEA

The London club will have to hit the ground running as new boss Luiz Felipe Scolari makes his Premier League bow.

The former Portugal coach has not managed a club side since leaving Cruzeiro for the Brazilian national team in 2001, but he did go on to win the World Cup in Japan the following year.

The colourful coach will be eager to start the season well. The Blues parted company with the popular Jose Mourinho after an indifferent first five weeks of the 2007/2008 campaign, despite clinching the league in successive seasons in 2005 and 2006 under his tutelage, and it is clear owner Roman Abramovich has lofty expectations of his employees.

The Russian billionaire was again quick to dismiss Avram Grant, Mourinho's successor, in May even though the much-maligned manager took the race for the title to the final Sunday, and just missed out on winning the Champions League.

Unsurprisingly, Scolari has been given funds to stamp his authority on his new side, returning to the Portuguese national fold to snap up right-back Jose Bosingwa from Porto and Barcelona playmaker Deco.

More are sure to follow if the Brazilian deems necessary, but two major moves have come from within in the club with Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba – both integral to how Chelsea play – deciding to stay for a least another season.

Only Tal Ben Haim and Steve Sidwell have left so expect Scolari to attempt to work magic with the current group of players at his disposal.

Star player: Michael Essien

The Ghanaian has played at right-back, left-back, centre-back and all across midfield since joining from Lyon for £24.4m (Dh178m) in August 2005, but it is Scolari's decision to play Essien in the centre of the pitch that could bring the club success again this season. Nicknamed 'The Bison' because of his formidable strength, powerful running and competitiveness, Essien is everything a modern midfielder should be. Tough in the tackle and always available for the pass, he also possesses a vicious right foot that helped chip in with seven goals to push United to the wire in the race for the title.

If Essien has a settled run in central midfield he could become Chelsea's most influential player, offering determination and dynamism from the heart of the team. He also allows Frank Lampard to get forward, but is culpable to some rash challenges, having been booked 27 times and sent off in five games during his three years at Stamford Bridge. However, when on the pitch Chelsea look like a much more dangerous team altogether.

Blues' stats

- Founded: 1905
- Home: Stamford Bridge
- Capacity: 42,055
- Chairman: Roman Abramovich
- Manager: Felipe Scolari
- Honours: 3 League titles, 4 FA Cups, 4 League Cups
- Highest PL finish: 1st

ARSENAL

Written off at the beginning of last season because of the departure of Thierry Henry, club talisman and record goalscorer, Arsene Wenger quickly defied the odds as his Gunners side led the table by five points in February.

A series of draws curtailed their title aspirations – Arsenal finished four points off the top in third place – but with Wenger saying he will spend to challenge United and Chelsea, a new sense of optimism is evident at the Emirates.

Highly rated youngsters Aaron Ramsey and Samir Nasri have joined the club for £5m and £12m from Cardiff and Marseille respectively, while the club are reportedly in the market for a new striker.

Eduardo da Silva sustained a horrendous broken leg at St Andrews in February and will struggle to return to first-team action until the new year. Emmanuel Adebayor has opted to stay in north London despite public interest from Barcelona and AC Milan for the Togo hitman.

Fans will hope the arrival of Amaury Bischoff from Werder Bremen can fill the void in central midfield created by Mathieu Flamini's move to AC Milan and Alexander Hleb's transfer to Barca. The French-born Portugal U-21 midfielder is something of an unknown quantity, but Wenger is used to polishing diamonds from apparent rough cuts.

Star player: Robert Van Persie

After starting the season well – Van Persie scored seven goals in 10 games up until October – the Arsenal striker missed most of 2007/2008 through injury but has shone again in pre-season. He is crucial to the club's title assault this year as he often provides assists for team-mates with his neat link-up play as well as offering a formidable goal threat himself.

A £3m signing from Eredivisie side Feyenoord in 2004, the 25-year-old has the sweetest of left foots – dangerous from set-pieces – and a penchant for the spectacular, highlighted by his acrobatic volley against Charlton at the Valley in September 2006.

If he stays fit, Van Persie offers Wenger options with his ability to drop off the front or play out wide. He is lightening fast and slick in possession, and could be the perfect foil for frontman Adebayor to play off. Wenger will be cautious of overplaying his No11 though, knowing an injury-free Van Persie is one of the best in the business in the Premier League.

Gunners' stats

- Founded: 1886
- Home: Emirates Stadium
- Capacity: 60,355
- Chairman: Peter Hill-Wood
- Manager: Arsene Wenger
- Honours: 13 League titles, 10 FA Cups, 2 League Cups
- Highest PL finish: 1st

LIVERPOOL

Rafael Benitez faces a big season ahead. The Spaniard may have delivered the European Cup in 2005, but back in the 1970s and 1980s Liverpool were famed as the best league side in England and dominated domestically.

Their record of 18 league titles was expected to stand the test of time, yet nobody envisaged Manchester United's unrivalled Premier League success. That record could be equalled this season.

Liverpool's agitation has been apparent. The club have led a relatively frugal existence in recent years yet American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett smashed the record transfer fee – £14m for Djibril Cisse in 2004 – last summer when they parted with £26.5m for Atletico Madrid star Fernando Torres. The 24-year-old was a revelation in his first season in England, scoring 33 goals in 46 games.

The Anfield club will hope Robbie Keane, their second most expensive signing when he joined for £20m from Tottenham last month, can have a similar impact as his new strike partner. A boyhood Reds fan, Keane will guarantee extra graft and guile in the final third this season.

Gareth Barry, the Aston Villa captain, is believed to be close to signing and the England international would slot into midfield alongside Javier Mascherano to give Steven Gerrard greater licence to roam.

David Ngog (PSG), Andrea Dossena (Udinese) and Philipp Degen (Borussia Dortmund) are other new recruits, but may have to be content with warming the bench.

Star player: Steven Gerrard

Who else but the influential captain who is, quite simply, Mr Liverpool. A driving force from midfield or just behind the main striker, Gerrard boasts a powerful shot, sublime passing skills and tenacity in the tackle, making him one of the greatest ever to have graced Anfield.

His performances in the 2005 Champions League final – where he lifted his side back into the game that AC Milan were running away with – and a year later in the FA Cup final win against West Ham demonstrate just how valuable the 28-year-old is to the Merseyside outfit.

He seems to have established an almost telepathic understanding with lead striker Torres and will look to link up with new signing Keane just as effectively.

However, Benitez must play Gerrard in a central midfield role.

Reds' stats

- Founded: 1892
- Home: Anfield
- Capacity: 45,362
- Chairman: Hicks & Gillett
- Manager: Rafael Benitez
- Honours: 5 European Cups, 18 League titles, 7 FA Cups, 7 League Cups, 3 Uefa Cups
- Highest PL finish: 2nd

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