Powell Already Catching the Eye

While this summer may not have been the busiest in terms of arrivals at Old Trafford, one new signing has already got a lot of United fans on Bet365 excited about the future.

Nick Powell arrived at the club from Crewe in the summer, earning a contract at United after a sensational season in League Two.

The 18-year old is not expected to be a major part of Sir Alex’s first-team squad this season, but Powell has been tipped to cause huge waves at the club in the future.

The midfielder has only been a United player for a matter of weeks, but he has already caught the eye of a number of senior players at the club.

The latest of those to be impressed by the attack-minded youngster is Rio Ferdinand, who believes Powell has the ability and self-confidence needed to succeed at the biggest club in the world.

"He has an unpredictable style and can play off-the-cuff. He can pull things out the hat that you don't expect.

"For a young lad to come into an environment like Manchester United  from a lower league club, you have to say he walked in with his shoulders back as if he's meant to be here,” said Ferdinand.

It will be interesting to see how the United manager uses Powell this season, whether the midfielder will be used in the cup competitions and sporadically in the league or sent out on loan in order to continue his development.

Powell has joined a club bursting with young, exciting talent. Not all manage to break through and establish themselves in Sir Alex’s first team, but Powell has all the attributes needed to be one of those that do succeed at Old Trafford.

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League priority exposes United problems

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has recently come out to assure fans that winning the Premier League is his “top priority”, after their grasp on the title slipped away in the final seconds of last season.

Ferguson was speaking in South Africa during United’s pre-season training tour, and with a bank of new signings expected to arrive at the club, his determination to win back the Premier League title is clear, even if they remain behind rivals City in the premier league betting.

Shinji Kagawa looks set to make a huge impact in the English top flight after his £17 million move from Borussia Dortmund, a transfer that confirms Ferguson’s desire to win the league yet again.

But to come out and state that the Premier League is his top priority is an odd move for a manager so well versed in claiming the domestic title. Having won the Premier League 12 times with United, it should be assumed that another title success is the minimum the club requires.

However, in claiming the league is his top priority, Ferguson has indirectly confirmed that other goals may be beyond his reach. Manchester City have certainly raised the bar after their last-gasp title win last May, and United will need to up their game just to match them.

What Ferguson is saying when he claims the league is his priority is that European success is currently out of reach, while any FA or League Cup win would merely be a bonus, not a goal – something betfair betting markets will no doubt react to.

This will be frustrating for United fans so used to being top dogs across Europe, but if the club can’t remain champions of the English top flight, they have no chance of doing so abroad.

Nani Going Nowhere

Manchester United winger, Nani, has revealed that he is still hopeful of agreeing a new contract with the club, and ready to help his team reclaim the Premier League title this season.

An impressive Euro 2012 campaign only enhanced Nani’s reputation, with a number of clubs thought to be interested in taking the Portuguese star.

The 25-year old had been linked with a move away from Old Trafford, this summer, with rumours that talks on a new contract had stalled. Those stories appear to be wide of the mark, however, with Nani insisting that he is fully focused on the upcoming season with United.

“I am very happy at Man United, and have been there five years and won every title. The manager has great faith in me and that's what is important. My agent is negotiating and we'll see what happens.

"It hurt to miss the league title in the last minutes. City had incredible luck that day. Hopefully, next season is our turn, and it's up to us to make that happen,” insisted Nani.

The former Sporting Lisbon star has racked up nearly 200 appearances for United, establishing himself as an integral part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s plans. The team would definitely be weaker without the Portuguese flyer in it, and the United fans will be desperate to see a deal for Nani finalised soon.

There still looks as though there is plenty of work left to be done by Sir Alex before the new season starts, but tying down Nani to a new deal will be high on the list of priorities of the Scotsman.

After a relatively quiet summer so far, Ferguson will know that he needs to bring in another couple of fresh faces, in order for United to secure some positive football scores, and wrestle the title back from the club’s noisy neighbours.

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