Van Persie hungry for success

Robin van Persie says Manchester United are hungrier than ever to win silverware ahead of the new season.
The Dutchman moved to Old Trafford last summer and made an immediate impact, firing a total of 35 goals in all competitions as the Red Devils reclaimed the Premier League title from local rivals Manchester City.

Although the Manchester clubs have largely dominated English football over the last two years, the latest Premier league  betting suggests the upcoming campaign promises to be one of the most intriguing of recent times following the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson from the United hotseat and the return of Jose Mourinho to Chelsea.

David Moyes has been handed the task of replacing Ferguson and it’s been suggested by some punters who bet on football  that the Scot’s failure to win a major trophy during his time at Everton could see United lack the killer instinct that they always had under his compatriot.

Despite being yet to do any real business, the Red Devils are expected to bring in a number of new stars to Old Trafford in the next few weeks in a bid to build a side capable of competing in Europe.

Van Persie is likely to be at the forefront of their challenge this season and says he and his team-mates are hungrier than ever to win yet more silverware for the club.

“I still have more years left and it's not like I'm saying, 'Yes, we won the league so that's me done'. I want more now. It makes me hungrier,” he told the Sun. "I was hungry last year but now I'm more hungry. We have a great bunch of players so we can win more and do better.

"Last season we won the league and that was great but this time we want to win the league and more as well."

Where do United go after Fergie?

With the news Sir Alex Ferguson will be calling time on his spell at Old Trafford this summer,
Manchester United are set for what could be their most turbulent time for over the 26 years.
By turbulent, that does not mean the Premier League giants are set for a dip in form or success in the coming years but having had so much stability at the helm under Ferguson, it’s going to take some time for adjustment at the Theatre of Dreams.
The combination of the Scottish tactician and chief executive David Gill, who is also set to step aside this summer, has brought about so much success for United on and off the field over the last few decades.
Ferguson has by no means left his beloved United in the lurch and having claimed the Premier League title from rivals Manchester City this season, the Red Devils are very much in a good place.The only issues to deal with will be the Wayne Rooney transfer saga. The England man has requested to leave for a second time and although that had been turned down, it remains to be seen whether he will be in a red shirt at the start of next season.
There will be plenty of speculation as to who will take over from the 71-year-old this summer but again stability has to be the key for this club.
The football betting odds  suggest Everton boss David Moyes is the frontrunner to take over. He has long been tipped to succeed his fellow Scot and the pair have had a close relationship ever since Fergie tried to employ him as his assistant way back in 1999.
Continuity in management has been a key factor in United’s success over the years and just because Ferguson enjoyed a reign which started in the mid-eighties until now, does not mean that like many of their rivals they must go through a host of managers in a few-year stints.
The selection of the next manager at Old Trafford is undoubtedly a huge decision but whoever is given the chance to take the helm at one of the biggest footballing institutions in world football, he will have all the tools and the infrastructure to continue where the great Sir Alex left off.

Fergie expects tough Villa test

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is expecting a tough test when his side take on relegation candidates Aston Villa on Monday.
A victory could see United crowned Premier League champions, depending on if Manchester City lose at Tottenham on Sunday, but it certainly won’t be easy for the Red Devils, with Villa having just as much to play for at the other end of the table. That said punters who bet on Premier League games have probably had their title bets paid out such is the dominance of Fergie’s men this season.
With five games to go Paul Lambert’s men currently sit 17th in the Premier League standings, three points above Wigan but at this stage of the season every point matters, especially with them still play Chelsea before meeting the Latics on what promises to be a dramatic final day of the campaign.

Having lost just once in the last five, confidence is also high within the Villa camp and they certainly won’t be afraid of United, having opened up a 2-0 lead during the teams meeting earlier this season, only to eventually lose 3-2. Some brave punters who bet on football have already backed a shock result at Old Trafford.
Ferguson knows his team won’t have it easy against the plucky Midlanders and expects his players to come under plenty of pressure against one of the country’s most exciting young sides.
"We expect a scrap," the Scot told reporters. "The least you expect is for a team to fight for everything when they're down there.
"Villa showed against Stoke that they have a bit of life about them and they should have won their game against Fulham last week.
"When I saw the structure of those teams, they looked really positive selections. A lot of teams in that situation may pick a team to get something out of the game. Paul Lambert picked a team to win. There is a distinction," he added.