Manchester United legend Roy Keane is convinced that Sir Alex Ferguson’s team will retain the Premier League “comfortably”
London: With EPL new season starting soon, former stars are convinced Old Trafford remains the hot place to be once again. ManU legend Roy Keane is convinced who starts as favourites again. " Sir Alex Ferguson said the other day the league's getting tougher. But I don't think so. If United are really at it, which they will be, they'll win it comfortably," the Sun quoted Keane, as saying.
"Even last year when United were slipping up, no team was strong enough to take advantage of it," he added.
The 40-year-old further dismissed talk of United lacking enough experience following the retirements of Edwin van der Sar, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville.
"United have bought well. People talk about losing experience and I appreciate that Van der Sar, Neville and Scholes have all retired. But they have good young players coming through -- and Wayne Rooney can play better than he did last season," Keane said.
"When you look at the players they have left behind, they have Vidic, Rio, Darren Fletcher -- these are all international players. And Giggsy is still there, too. United don't let players go unless they know they have players coming through to replace them," he added.
Ex-Manchester United star Gary Neville has told old rivals Liverpool that their desperate 21-year wait for the title is set to continue. Neville knows all about the longing, as Manchester United took 26 years to secure its first title in 1992-93.
Neville, 36, who hung up his boots last season, said: "Liverpool are getting to that point where they need that success now. The club demands it. Going back to 1992-3, you just become very desperate and very wanting. You become needy."
The Sun further quoted him, as saying: "You feel like it's a goal, it's a challenge, rather than something to get excited about. You can see exactly what Kenny Dalglish is trying to do there. He has brought an identity back to the club. Whether they can go on and win the title... I''m not sure whether that will happen this season." (ANI)
Chelsea step up their hunt for Neymar
Chelsea has stepped up their pursuit of Brazilian strike ace Neymar. Blues coach Roberto di Matteo watched the 19-year-old play for his country against Germany in Stuttgart. Chelsea are long-term admirers of the Santos star, who has a 40-million-pound release clause in his contract.
But they face stiff competition from former Stamford Bridge boss Jose Mourinho, now in charge of Real Madrid. Manchester City, Barcelona and Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala are also Neymar fans. Di Matteo''s report will determine Chelsea's next move, the Sun reports.
Meanwhile, Manchester City are ready to sign Italian winger Alessio Cerci if they fail to land Arsenal's Samir Nasri. According to the Sun, coach Roberto Mancini has confirmed he wants a right winger and central midfielder to complete his summer spending.
Nasri is City's top target with the transfer deadline in three weeks'' time. But talks are progressing slowly and City are aware Gunners have registered Nasri for their Champions League qualifier against Udinese.
The FA Cup winners would be happy to call Arsenal's bluff knowing they could get their man much cheaper in January - or for nothing next summer.
If both players do join City it would push Shaun Wright-Phillips closer to the Eastlands exit as Bolton, Wigan, Stoke and Sunderland are queuing up to sign the winger.
City are also keeping a close eye on developments at Inter Milan with Carlos Treves's future still up in the air. The Italians are weighing up an offer to sell striker Samuel Eton's to ambitious Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala. That could help them finance a serious bid to sign Tevez.
Source: ANI