Both Manchester United and Newcastle United go into the new season with something to prove. Sir Alex Ferguson’s 11-time Premier League champions are desperate to regain the title and have looked in imperious form during pre-season, while Chris Hughton is aiming to consolidate his side’s status as a top-flight club on the Magpies’ return to the big time.
Having relinquished their crown to Chelsea, and narrowly missed out on a chance to overtaking Liverpool’s total of 18 league titles in the process, Ferguson’s side have plenty of motivation ahead of the new season. They made a statement of intent in last Sunday’s curtain raiser – beating reigning champions Chelsea 3-1 in the Community Shield – and with Wayne Rooney ready to be unleashed – the stirker looking to atone for a poor showing in South Africa – it could be a case of wrong place, wrong time for newly-promoted Newcastle.
Hughton has thrown out the big egos and sculpted a squad that is low on narcissism and high on team spirit. But having strolled to the Championship title, Newcastle can take nothing for granted on their return to the Premier League. While the signing of James Perch raised some eyebrows, the arrivals of Dan Gosling and Sol Campbell could prove astute and the key for Hughton is motivating the players who remain from the club’s last stint in the top flight to prove they deserve to be back at English football’s top table.
Hughton was certainly dealt a cruel draw by the fixture computer, and without a win at Old Trafford since 1972, the Magpies will have their work cut out to improve on a record of three victories from their last 11 Premier League opening day fixtures.
source: www.soccernet.com
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