Man United favourites, close fight in prospect

By Timothy Collings

LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester United may be the bookies' favourites to defend their Premier League crown but after a summer of big spending there are no safe bets this season.

Instead, once the action kicks off on August 11, the only secure prospect is that the title will be won by one of the 'big four' - again.

United won their 16th title last season and have spent around $75 million on reinforcements, including England midfielder Owen Hargreaves.

Liverpool have spent a similar sum to United in a bid to add to their record 18 titles while Chelsea, by their own standards, have laid out only a modest $20 million.

Beaten in the European Cup final by AC Milan last May and without a championship triumph since 1990, Liverpool are expected to mount a more powerful domestic assault than for many seasons.

Manager Rafa Benitez has added competition to his attack with the acquisitions of Ukrainian striker Andriy Voronin and Spaniard Fernando Torres.

But many observers feel they will fall short of the ever-rising standards set by United and Chelsea, both of whom have formidable squads packed with quality.

Arsenal, champions in 2004, have endured a period of turmoil following the departures of influential vice-chairman David Dein, captain Thierry Henry and stalwart forward Freddie Ljungberg.  Continued...

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