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Wigan
Soccer: The Premiership: Man City, Man
Utd
Manchester City
Ground: City Of Manchester Stadium
Capacity: 48,000
Manager: Stuart Pearce
We say: 9th 750-1
FOR a small man, the departed Shaun Wright-Phillips will
cast a long, long shadow over Eastlands if City don’t
kick-on after narrowly missing a Uefa Cup place last term.
The £21 million brought in by the England wide-man’s sale to
Chelsea and the subsequent signings of Andy Cole and Darius
Vassell have not been enough to persuade Fulham outcast
Steed Malbranque of City’s ambition.
If Stuart Pearce’s side don’t make the most of a gentle
August schedule - West Brom, Birmingham, Sunderland and
Portsmouth - there are unlikely to be many worthwhile takers
and the fee may be absorbed by the Citizens’ massive debts.
Pearce got the City job on the back of eight games
unbeaten after Kevin Keegan’s departure and the maintenance
of a surprisingly well-drilled defence. Sylvain Distin and
co. will be key players again.
Man Utd
Last year: 3rd
Ground: Old Trafford
Capacity: 68,174
Manager: Alex Ferguson
(225 months: W586, D256, L 195)
We say: 4th 4-1
THE SCHISM at Old Trafford caused by Glazers’ arrival in the
boardroom is nothing compared to the task of catching
Chelsea.
The Red Devils must fInd 23 points from somewhere in order
to recapture the title for the first time in three years,
not previously having missed out on the domestic game’s top
prize for more than a season in the Premiership era.
So far however, Sir Alex Ferguson has not opted for major
re-constructive surgery on his squad. The unflappable Edwin
van der Sar has been brought in from Fulham to solve
residual goalkeeping worries - although 19 clean sheets is
no mean starting point - while energetic midflelder Park Ji-Sung
is far more than just a gimmick to sell shirts in the Far
East.
But more goals from the three Rs, Ronaldo, Rooney and Ruud -
will be key to bridging the divide.
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