Regaining No.1 status from the 'Noisy Neighbours'

The most popular topic of discussion amongst Manchester United fans is how United will react to the unimaginable end to the last campaign. With City snatching the title from United's fingers on that exhilarating final day of the premier league season it hurt many United fans including myself. This poses the question can Manchester United reclaim the top spot in English football and win a record 20th premier league title?

Many in the footballing world doubted the strength and depth of the united squad even during the 2010/11 season which resulted in their 19th title and another Champions league final appearance against Barcelona. However, the point was brought into light once again last season after early exits in the Champions league and league cup. It has been an ongoing problem that United have been prone to injuries amongst the back four and haven't had a stable back four for some time. I'm sure everyone will agree that United's biggest loss was losing Nemanja Vidic for the rest of the season during United's visit to Basel in the Champions League.
As a result of this injury to Vidic and Ferdinands difficulty to stay at full fitness, United became substantially short handed at the back and in some crucial matches weren't defending like United teams of the past.
One major example of United's occasional leaky defending was the 4-4 draw with Everton at Old Trafford. United seemed to have comfortable leads multiple times but poor defending in the latter stages of the game proved to be United's downfall and I believe that match twinned the loss away to - on form Wigan were the two games that lost United the title. However It has surfaced that Vidic is to return to the squad for the tour of Europe which Sir Alex is optimistic that he may feature in the back four away to Everton in their opening game.

Due to City and Chelsea's spending power it is important that United keep up with the two big money spenders of the premier league. As a United fan myself it is incredibly frustrating to see United linked with numerous players throughout the transfer window but for there to be no foundation of the rumours and/or no action is taken to bring in top class players. Countless Names including: Ganso, Sahin, Javi Martinez, Iker Muniain, Kaka and Sneijder were bound around Old Trafford last summer but yet no action was taken to bolster our weakened Centre Midfield. Also the loss of Darren Fletcher, our big game player, to a form of inflammatory bowel disease took it's toll in the centre of midfield especially in the away fixture to Manchester City a team where he has a surprisingly high goal rate and really shines in those crucial games.

In contrast, signing bright prospect Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund is supposedly the beginning move in United's spending spree and transfer rumours including the names of Luka Modric, Lucas Moura and Robin Van Persie have surfaced. This sort of intent from Sir Alex is very promising but these layers aren't going to come cheap and we may be forced to take gambles on the likes of Brazilian starlet Lucas Moura with Sao Paulo asking for a very steep fee to lure Lucas away form Brazil. To see Chelsea's intent to bring in players continuing to be as formidable as ever it is crucial that we make some BIG signings this summer. There are many positives to take from last years campaign and imagine how formidable Rooney and Van Persie could be with Kagawa behind them, that partnership spells goals and that is exactly what United are in need of.

So with Vidic hopeful to start the new season back fit and with big names and a signal of intent from 'Fergie'
it can easily be United's year and I for one am looking forward to what could be the most exciting Premier league season yet!