Thank god for that, won't have to hear about the ashes every minute on sky sports news, i'm looking forward to the new season as i usually do but this time it'll be different, there'll be no Fergie as our manager, also Mourinho has gone back to Chelsea and Pellegrini is the new City manager, also Everton have got Martinez as their new manager and Stoke have Hughes, who i think given time will do well there. my prediction - table 1. United 2. Chelsea 3. City 4. Spurs 5. Arsenal 6. Everton 7. Swansea 8. Norwich 9. Liverpool. 10. Sunderland 11. Aston Villa 12. Stoke 13. West Brom 14. Newcastle 15. Cardiff 16. Hull 17. Crystal Palace 18. Southampton 19. West Ham 20. Fulham
The Tennisball prediction table 1. Manchester United 2. Chelsea 3. City 4. Arsenal 5. Spurs 6. Swansea 7. Liverpool. 8. Everton 9. Norwich 10. Fulham 11. Aston Villa 12. Southampton 13. Newcastle 14. West Ham 15. Sunderland 16. West Brom 17. Stoke 18. Cardiff 19. Hull 20. Crystal Palace
They have more chance than the teams you mentioned. All the teams you mentioned have better squads and managers.
I normally have United favourites in every season (have done so for 25 years!) but the SAF factor and uncertainty around a new manager means that there is very little to choose between the top 3. If DM manages to successfully navigate the first 10 matches, I think we should win it. But that start is tough!! This season, I am keeping an even closer eye on the scousers (more than in previous seasons - longstanding "affection" for them). Rodgers is in his second season and the excuse of needing time no longer applies. He has got rid of Carroll and downing but he may also lose Suarez. Gerrard is still key and they have not found a replacement for him. If he gets injured, they are stuffed and I can see them in mid table - not seventh or eight but 10th or 11th. Wouldn't that be sad.. As for the relegation candidates, Cardiff (like Swansea) could well escape. the local rivalry will mean that they cannot afford to be complacent.