Liverpool are title challengers: Rooney

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney believes a rejuvenated Liverpool can emerge as genuine contenders in this season's Premier League race.

The England striker, who fired a hat-trick for United this week during their tour of the United States, said that Liverpool's summer transfer activity would leave them better equipped to challenge for the title.

Liverpool have spent nearly £50 million in the close season, acquiring midfielders Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing as well as Scottish playmaker Charlie Adam from Blackpool.

With manager Kenny Dalglish also preparing further signings, Rooney thinks that the Reds could emerge as title contenders.

"I think they will challenge this time," Rooney was quoted in British media reports as saying.

"They have made some really good signings, British players, and under Kenny Dalglish I'm sure they will be trying harder than they ever have done, fighting to be up there.

"They will think they have a chance of winning the title next season."

Rooney also feels that United's cross-town rivals Manchester City will be a more potent force after a strong finish to last season.

"They've obviously got a lot of good players now and they had a big push towards the end of last season," he said.

"The main ones ‘challengers to United’ will be Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and City. I think one of them will push us as we try to defend our title."

Rooney, who threatened to leave United last October after accusing the club of lacking ambition, has also been impressed by United's transfer dealings, which have seen the arrival of Ashley Young, David De Gea and Phil Jones.

"There have been a lot of changes this summer and, when you look around the dressing room now, suddenly it's a lot younger place," he said.

"But the manager is bringing in players who have not won a league title before and they all have that hunger and desire to want to win trophies."

Park to stay on

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said Thursday he expects South Korean midfielder Park Ji-Sung to sign a contract extension that will keep him with the club for two more years.

Speaking at a news conference in Chicago, where United will face Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire in a friendly at Soldier Field on Saturday, Ferguson said Park has been offered a new deal and is certain he will sign.

"He has been offered a new contract, yes," Ferguson said. "I'm sure he'll sign it. His career at United has been nothing but excellent, a tremendous professional.

"And I'm sure he'll accept the new offer, and tie himself to the club for the next two years."
Park, who joined the English Premier League giants in July 2005, scored a goal in United's 7-0 friendly rout of the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday.

Ferguson and his team had spent almost a week in Seattle, training at the facilities of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks before playing the Sounders of MLS.

After the moderate summer weather of the US northwest, arriving to the heatwave that is gripping America's midwest was something of a shock.

Temperatures were hovering near 100 degrees Fahrenheit (above 37 degrees Celsius) as the team arrived at their hotel.

Ferguson said the conditions will test his players on Saturday.

"We've come from the nice, cool atmosphere in Seattle to a furnace," he said.

Fire interim coach Frank Klopas joked that he was going to find a way to turn up the heat even more for Saturday's game.

"I think I'll just stay in the hotel, then," Ferguson quipped.

If the heat and humidity keep up, Ferguson said he might make changes to the team's training session on Friday as well as his substitution strategy during Saturday's game at the home of the NFL's Chicago Bears.

"In the game itself, we'll have to make the appropriate changes," Ferguson said. "Probably quite a few at halftime, and some beyond in the second half."

Ferguson said he and his players are enjoying their US tour.

"So far, the atmosphere of the stadiums has been fantastic," he said.

"Yesterday in Seattle was absolutely wonderful. The great thing for me was supporters mixing with one another. It was a throwback to the old days, really. Now we have segregation (between home and away fans) in English grounds, which makes a total difference."

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