by Tom Allen
Manchester United ended up convincing Premier League winners in May, the
margin was nine points when captain Nemanja Vidic lifted the trophy, and I
expect the Red Devils to follow up in style in 2012.
Having seen his side triumph for the third time in four seasons, and
significantly on the 19th occasion in the club's history, manager Sir Alex
Ferguson then witnessed Barcelona embarrass the Premier League winners at
Wembley to claim the Champions League crown and that clearly made a big
impression on the Scot.
Fergie has spent £50m this summer with the promise of more to come, probably
Wesley Sneijder, in a bid to close the gap on Barca and he'd have been hugely
encouraged by what he saw in the Community Shield on Sunday.
United were more comfortable winners than the 3-2 score line suggested over
rivals Manchester City, despite having to rely on an injury-time Nani strike,
and Ferguson now has at his disposal a squad full of young talent not seen since
the glory days of the mid-90s when David Beckham, the Neville brothers and Paul
Scholes burst onto the scene.
Much was made in the off-season of Scholes' retirement and United's necessity
to replace the midfielder but it has escaped some that he started only 16
matches in the top flight last season and his influence on games was diminishing
as the campaign wore on after a blistering start.
Finding a suitable replacement for goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar, who has hung
up his gloves, was far more important and despite David De Gea's lapse for Edin
Dzeko's goal at Wembley I think Ferguson has got it right.
The recruitment of Ashley Young and Phil Jones looks excellent business too
while the likes of Chris Smalling and Tom Cleverley, two more English stars of
the future, should continue to flourish this term.
Having triumphed relatively easily last time out given that Wayne Rooney
didn't play anywhere near his best football for the first six months of the
season indicates United's strength in depth and I think they, and rivals City,
can put a sizeable gap between themselves and the rest.
There are question marks surrounding all of their title rivals credentials
and I wish I'd snapped up some of the 2/1 on offer a few weeks ago about United
defending their title.
The 7/4 available with Blue Square still represents value however, I'd be
inclined to be closer to the 5/4 mark, and it's a rare punt in the Premier
League outright market for me. The Red Devils are very much the team still to
beat.
Manchester United 2011-2012 Premier League Odds and Best Bets:
Premier League Odds: 7/4 (Blue Square)
Top 4 Finish: 1/16 (Bet 365)
Best Bets: Back Man Utd to win Premier League @ 7/4 (Blue Square)
Prediction: First
