I don't think we're falling behind. It's just that there is a real lack of feasible signings out in Europe that would a) come to us and b) make us amazingly better than we already are.

I agree Robb, I don't think there are many players out there who would be a huge improvement on what we have (at least none that are available).

Obviously there's a lot of desire to see Fabregas or a similar marquee signing, but it's not like we won't compete without a player like Fabregas.

I think that should we get Fabregas, we'd go from being 1 of 3 who could win the league, to probably favourites (though not by much)

Ignore the idiots. There is a Liverpool fan at work convinced United will be mid table at best next season

I think that should we get Fabregas

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I'm not sure you will find many United fans who don't think we should get Fabregas. I think actually getting him is a whole other issue entirely, and unlikely if you ask me!

French

He meant if we get Fab we'll be favourites...not he thinks we should.

Thanks Pat

Yeah, if we were to get him ^^

Clverson there's Tottenham fans on this site that seem to think they'll finish 3rd ahead of you if they keep Bale now

That's one thing that truly confounds me is how people expect the same team that walked the title last season to fall to 8th place with the same players...

Is it entirely due to the manager, because considering the same manager has been regularly finishing 6th/7th for the past few years with an inferior squad it would be truly shocking if he did worse with better players...

Spurs at best will be 4th, imo. Chelsea, City and United all have far too much quality to finish out of the top 3 next season. Spurs have strengthened, but not anywhere near as much as they'll need to.

I think if Spurs keep Bale they will be in with a shout of finishing 3rd actually, but I doubt at United's expense. Consider a spine of Lloris, Kaboul & Vertonghen, Dembele, Sandro & Paulinho, Bale & Soldado. That's not bad at all.

If ever there was motivation for our players it's proving everyone wrong.

We will win the league

Patriarch, if you think Spurs would finish 3rd I would be interested to know your favourite to drop out? City and Chelsea both have incredibly good squads with their new additions. Some might say better squads than United.

Every year we hear Spurs will get into the top 4 and when it comes down to the business they bottle it. They'll never be a threat for anything, and Bale will be leaving them this window and no one will be able to replace his quality. They shouldn't even be discussed.

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Dunno about that RVPLF, right now I would fancy them to topple Arsenal at a canter.

What some people seem to forget is that we have alot of room for improvement within the current squad, on last season's showing.

The following players have the potential to be much better, be it form, fitness or finding their position:

Rooney, Young, Valencia, Nani, Kagawa, Welbeck, Ando, Cleverley, Jones, Smalling, Buttner, Vidic

That's a pretty formiadble list... Add to that Fabio and Zaha and we could take the league by storm.

Sure, it works both ways... RVP, Rio, Carrick etc could play worse. But if you average it out, there are more players that underperformed than overperformed.

Chelsea and City might have been poor, last season... But we were too.

Frenchie since 2011 they've been pipped to finish ahead of Arsenal and they bottle it, twice in a row now they've had a significant lead over them in the season and in the business end of it they bottle it.

Do we have a good enough squad as it is to compete with Chelsea and City?
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maybe

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Thanks for the insightful reasoning, I guess we can all stop discussing this now

interesting that wherever this came from the First X1 seems to be in line with the general consensus on here too. Hopefully Moyes thinks so too.

Well I said they will be in with a shout of finishing third. But unless Arsenal get their fingers out then I would put them as favourites to finish 4th anyway.

However, there is usually at least one of the big teams that doesn't perform they way they should. On paper we should have a three horse race for the title. When in reality I strongly doubt that that will be the case because it so very rarely actually happens!

You're right RVPLF, but on those occasions they had an inferior squad to Arsenal. Now I think the opposite is true.

JSPC I agree, so many poor performers last season that surely can't be as bad a second time around.

Personally think that Moyes will utilise Anderson and Nani far better than SAF ever did

I cannot believe the confidence in this group of Utd players.

I been saying for years that this squad needs a major overhaul and Utd won the league last year beacuse the chasing pack were not consistant when it mattered.

as good as Fergie was, i do believe certain players like Anderson, Nani and maybe even Rooney now ( if he stays) will have far better seasons under moyes ( ando and nani) than they ever did under Sir alex.

although SE ( and maybe a few more) will disagree for me Anderson is the most complete midfielder at utd ( maybe not the best, but the most complete).

People will say he's had years blah blah, but he has been injury free for a while now, and has completed more minutes on tour than any other player.

he also looks in great shape ( for him).

Moyes taking over could be a huge turning point for Anderson.

Spurs had a better team than Arsenal in 11/12 and last season too, they still bottled it. I predict a 5th place finish for them, bookmark that saaaan