So Gary Neville isn’t writing Chelsea off completely for next season and the press are interpreting that as him bigging us up as United’s ‘main challengers’?

The Manchester United right-back doesn’t think the loss of Tevez and Ronaldo will be that big a deal for them in the coming season, stating “A short-sighted observer who perhaps hasn’t followed United over the last 20 years will say that we won’t be able to recover, but I’ve always found big-name departures present an opportunity for somebody else to step up to the plate and deliver.  I think that’s what will happen this season. You might see a slightly different style of football and you’ll definitely see players coming to the fore.”

However, Neville doesn’t think it’ll be a mere formality for United next season either, saying “They’ll (Chelsea) be right up there, for sure. But I think Liverpool and Arsenal are just as strong.  Manchester City have obviously spent a lot of money and they’ll be looking to be competitive, as will Aston Villa. But there’s no doubt Chelsea are a strong team and will push us all the way.”

I’m not quite sure how Neville saying Liverpool and Arsenal are ‘just as strong’ as us leads the press to headlines singling us out as the main challengers for United’s crown, but will loss of Tevez and Ronaldo make as little difference as the Reds seem to think?

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