As the curtain prepares to rise on the 2011-12 Barclays Premier League campaign, expectations in and around Old Trafford will be sky high, and United will be brimming with confidence, having ultimately silenced their ‘noisy neighbours' at Wembley.
Big spending Manchester City took a two goal lead into the break, somewhat undeservedly, most people would say, and yet were undone by a spectacular second half resurgence from Sir Alex Ferguson's men, with all the summer signings making a significant impact.
Ashley Young was industrious and effective, and displayed plenty of the versatility that has made his ‘best position' difficult to categorise, while Phil Jones looked very solid at the back, and keeper David de Gea, despite possibly being at fault for City's second goal, grew in assurance as the game progressed.
The revelation however, was Chris Smalling, who looked ‘to the manor born' at right back, and could well have solved one of Sir Alex's niggling problems in the space of 90 very accomplished minutes.
There should be honourable mentions as well for Tom Cleverley who showed just how useful a loan spell and regular first team football can be, by stamping his mark on the second half, and showing Michael Carrick a thing or two about central midfield dynamism, and Danny Welbeck, another loanee who appears to have learnt well under the tutelage of former Old Trafford stalwart Steve Bruce.
Perhaps the most satisfying aspect of Manchester United's overall performance is the fact that the average age of the 11 players who featured in the second half at Wembley, was 22.
Having achieved the highly unlikely last season - winning the title with not the strongest squad in the world, and after some seriously mediocre performances - United have already laid down a marker for this upcoming one. They are the defending champions, and they are the team to beat, a message that Roberto Mancini would have received loudly and clearly on Sunday.
Manchester City did what they had to do last season, in light of the enormous amounts of money the owners have put into the club. A top four finish was mandatory (most pundits suggest that Mancini's continued tenure was dependent on it) and the FA Cup was something of a bonus.
Clearly City are headed in the right direction, and they ought to be a force to be reckoned with this time round, simply in terms of their playing personnel.
In my opinion though, they still have a way to go before they can do what United did last season - play badly and win. More importantly perhaps, City are even further from displaying the indomitable spirit and self-belief that characterised United's performance on Sunday - essential ingredients when it comes to mounting a genuine and sustained title challenge.
While Chelsea went toe to toe with Manchester United for much of last season, they fell away when it mattered most - testimony to what most pundits suggested was a lack of squad strength in depth.
This summer, the club has spent little on new talent, and the lack of faith put in Chelsea's youngsters last season, means that the likes of Josh McEachran, Ryan Bertrand and Patrick van Aanholt have had insufficient top level experience to hit the ground running in the forthcoming campaign.
In Andre Villas-Boas however, they have a dynamic young manager who, seemingly, has everything going for him. Having been mentored by the late Sir Bobby Robson, and Jose Mourinho, he simply oozes confidence and composure, while his fluent English and good looks will instantly endear him to the English media.
What may delight Chelsea fans even more is the fact that he has a reputation for demanding attractive football, while never losing sight of the ultimate prize and the ultimate objective - winning games. His, and Chelsea's progress this season, will be fascinating to behold.
And whether Arsenal?
With no silverware for six years, the pressure is certainly on Arsene Wenger, and with the apparently impending departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, the Gunners will be losing their two best players.
It's been a troubled time for the football club who may head into the new season with the prospect of having to build a team around the relatively inexperienced Jack Wilshere, and Wenger's future will be speculated upon from their very first kick of the ball. It would take a brave person to back Wenger to confound us all.
Last season's top four prepare to do battle once again, knowing full well that Liverpool and Tottenham have every right to include themselves in what must now be referred to as ‘The Big Six'.
Liverpool have been big summer spenders, and have a plethora of midfielders, although their back line remains somewhat suspect.
Tottenham seem to have been linked with almost everyone who's ever laced up a pair of football boots, and yet have still to make a significant purchase. It's easy to see them struggling to compete for honours if they don't ultimately find someone capable of hitting the back of the net on a regular basis. The Luka Modric situation remains ‘fluid', although I have a feeling he'll be persuaded to hang on for another season.
Savouring the anticipation of a new Barclays Premier League season is always one of the delights of summer. The BPL is the best league in the world, and I don't say that simply because I have the privilege of presenting it.
Stories are everywhere; drama abounds, and the wait is finally over. Like an avid reader picking up a book he has been dying to get his teeth into, it's time to turn to the page that reads ‘Chapter One'.
Well whom are you supporting???
Big spending Manchester City took a two goal lead into the break, somewhat undeservedly, most people would say, and yet were undone by a spectacular second half resurgence from Sir Alex Ferguson's men, with all the summer signings making a significant impact.
Ashley Young was industrious and effective, and displayed plenty of the versatility that has made his ‘best position' difficult to categorise, while Phil Jones looked very solid at the back, and keeper David de Gea, despite possibly being at fault for City's second goal, grew in assurance as the game progressed.
The revelation however, was Chris Smalling, who looked ‘to the manor born' at right back, and could well have solved one of Sir Alex's niggling problems in the space of 90 very accomplished minutes.
There should be honourable mentions as well for Tom Cleverley who showed just how useful a loan spell and regular first team football can be, by stamping his mark on the second half, and showing Michael Carrick a thing or two about central midfield dynamism, and Danny Welbeck, another loanee who appears to have learnt well under the tutelage of former Old Trafford stalwart Steve Bruce.
Perhaps the most satisfying aspect of Manchester United's overall performance is the fact that the average age of the 11 players who featured in the second half at Wembley, was 22.
Having achieved the highly unlikely last season - winning the title with not the strongest squad in the world, and after some seriously mediocre performances - United have already laid down a marker for this upcoming one. They are the defending champions, and they are the team to beat, a message that Roberto Mancini would have received loudly and clearly on Sunday.
Manchester City did what they had to do last season, in light of the enormous amounts of money the owners have put into the club. A top four finish was mandatory (most pundits suggest that Mancini's continued tenure was dependent on it) and the FA Cup was something of a bonus.
Clearly City are headed in the right direction, and they ought to be a force to be reckoned with this time round, simply in terms of their playing personnel.
In my opinion though, they still have a way to go before they can do what United did last season - play badly and win. More importantly perhaps, City are even further from displaying the indomitable spirit and self-belief that characterised United's performance on Sunday - essential ingredients when it comes to mounting a genuine and sustained title challenge.
This summer, the club has spent little on new talent, and the lack of faith put in Chelsea's youngsters last season, means that the likes of Josh McEachran, Ryan Bertrand and Patrick van Aanholt have had insufficient top level experience to hit the ground running in the forthcoming campaign.
In Andre Villas-Boas however, they have a dynamic young manager who, seemingly, has everything going for him. Having been mentored by the late Sir Bobby Robson, and Jose Mourinho, he simply oozes confidence and composure, while his fluent English and good looks will instantly endear him to the English media.
What may delight Chelsea fans even more is the fact that he has a reputation for demanding attractive football, while never losing sight of the ultimate prize and the ultimate objective - winning games. His, and Chelsea's progress this season, will be fascinating to behold.
And whether Arsenal?
With no silverware for six years, the pressure is certainly on Arsene Wenger, and with the apparently impending departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, the Gunners will be losing their two best players.
It's been a troubled time for the football club who may head into the new season with the prospect of having to build a team around the relatively inexperienced Jack Wilshere, and Wenger's future will be speculated upon from their very first kick of the ball. It would take a brave person to back Wenger to confound us all.
Last season's top four prepare to do battle once again, knowing full well that Liverpool and Tottenham have every right to include themselves in what must now be referred to as ‘The Big Six'.
Liverpool have been big summer spenders, and have a plethora of midfielders, although their back line remains somewhat suspect.
Tottenham seem to have been linked with almost everyone who's ever laced up a pair of football boots, and yet have still to make a significant purchase. It's easy to see them struggling to compete for honours if they don't ultimately find someone capable of hitting the back of the net on a regular basis. The Luka Modric situation remains ‘fluid', although I have a feeling he'll be persuaded to hang on for another season.
Savouring the anticipation of a new Barclays Premier League season is always one of the delights of summer. The BPL is the best league in the world, and I don't say that simply because I have the privilege of presenting it.
Stories are everywhere; drama abounds, and the wait is finally over. Like an avid reader picking up a book he has been dying to get his teeth into, it's time to turn to the page that reads ‘Chapter One'.
Well whom are you supporting???
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