Premier League

Can Manchester United bounce back stronger?

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Prediction

Either way, Manchester United are this summer transfer window splashing the cash and it may well be in retaliation to the accusations and/or in stark realization that City can buy success where United have chosen to harvest it over two decades: “We can play 18-year-olds because it’s part of our history,” explained Ferguson, “No other clubs can do that. City won’t do it. They definitely won’t play any young players who have come up through their system.” But what City have done is force United to swing the balance slightly towards outward investment rather than inward investment in the short term and the signings of Nick Powell and Shinji Kagawa illustrate this. The return of Nemanja Vidic will buoy Manchester United’s defence, but further acquisitions must be made if United are going to continue to compete. Their central defence simply does not have the strength in depth required and neither does the centre of midfield.

Preseason spending must continue if United are to go for the title once more and the calibre of player they are being linked with -Robin van Persie, Robert Lewandowski, Lucas Moura and Fernando Llorente are the ilk of player that Manchester United need to be acquiring. Fortunately, it looks as if more names will be joining the ranks at United: chief operating officer, Michael Bolingbroke said that United’s net spend over the last 10-15 years had averaged out at between £20-25 million but stated that “[United are receiving] guidance at the moment that the current transfer period could result in net expenditure nearer £40 million.”

Even so, if that is the case, Chelsea have already spent £20m more than United’s projected total and one of either Arsenal and City are likely to surpass it, too. If this is the case, expect City and Chelsea to finish above United and Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger to go head-to-head once more, but this time for third place.

If United are to surpass our prediction of 4th place, Sir Alex Ferguson will be the difference: Manchester United hired him because he was special – he broke the SPL duopoly. Since he’s been at United, he has: consistently won titles with lower than most net spend; has won 12 Premier League titles despite spending the same or less than frustrated rivals; has managed United in such a way that they habitually live within their means; which has led to United almost always making operating profits; and has done so with the odds against him, in a financial sense, due to wealthy-backing owners of rival clubs.

We fear, however, that the odds might be too great this season.

Prediction: 4th.

Written by Jordan Florit for www.maycauseoffence.com/ For more articles visit my website or my Twitter @JordanFlorit

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Budding Football journalist who blogs at www.maycauseoffence.com/ daily as well as writing here for ThisisFutbol and on www.onehellofabeating.com/ the England fan's page. Outside of writing is more football. I work at Southampton F.C and I manage a men's football team on Saturdays.