Class signings put United in a different league

Simple logic dictates that Manchester United will retain the Premiership this season. The side that had effectively sewn the competition up by Christmas of last year has signed the only two players of genuine world class to come into the league.

Although money is increasingly of no object in the Premiership, Manchester United have evolved into an entirely different proposition, capable of generating the requisite £50 million to bring in Juan Veron and van Nistelrooy.

But for all their money and glamour, I think United's great defining quality is they are the only team that can consistently "win ugly". Away games at Charlton or Leicester are routine to them and week in, week out, they grind out results with the tenacity and discipline that Alex Ferguson brings to all his teams. Heady as their ambition is, they remain attentive to the bread and butter details. That is why they will win again.

I think the fact there are four Champions League places on offer makes United's task even easier because the three chasing teams will be more readily appeased with the consolation of Europe.

A cursory look at the contenders and the same old flaws come to the fore. Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea will need to improve their away form dramatically.

Liverpool will, I believe, build on last season in that they will finish with a higher points haul in the Premiership but they definitely will not replicate the extraordinary run of cup form. I fear the crunch is coming with Robbie Fowler. The problem with the rotation system is they have seen that Michael Owen has to play each week to deliver. Heskey gives the battering-ram option and returned 22 goals last season. So Robbie - the best natural English-born finisher in the league - will want to go somewhere he can play regularly.

Arsenal have potential but the emerging dynamic is unproven. Jeffers is one of the players to watch this season. Joe Royle waxes lyrical about his maturity and knowledge of the game. Giovanni van Bronckhurst looks a good signing but has go show it on the field.

Petit will bolster Chelsea but the jury remains out on Frank Lampard - as it does on Chelsea. The London side have flattered to deceive so much in recent years you are inclined to just sit back and see if their performances can ever match the potential on their team-sheets.

David O'Leary bought in nobody; Leeds are not swimming in cash and he is probably quite happy with his squad but they remain at least two players short of real title contender status.

The Premiership is essentially a three-tier structure now. You have the big five and then below that another five or six teams - Aston Villa, Ipswich, Tottenham, clubs of that calibre - and beneath that another 10 sides that are totally interchangeable.

Bolton will be rock bottom when the season finishes but above them is a series of clubs that could finish anywhere from 10th to 19th.

Leicester's season will be interesting to observe, for instance. If they fail to keep Izzet and Matt Elliot, they are in for a tough season. West Ham are also in a precarious state. If they don't start well, Paolo Di Canio is liable to walk. Kanoute has already had his head turned by other clubs and I feel with the slightest encouragement, Di Canio could pack his bags. It is a critical season for Glenn Roeder and I can see them being the spectacular casualty of the season. They received £30m for Lampard and Rio Ferdinand and are ploughing much of that into ground redevelopment. All very well, but the players they expect to pick up the slack - Rigobert Song, Titi Camara - are just not good enough.

Southampton will suffer without the emotional comfort of The Dell. Their home form has been their saving grace over the years and it will be fascinating to see if they have managed to transport it to the new ground. Everton simply need Gascoigne and Duncan Ferguson to deliver big in at least 50 per cent of their games or relegation will become a problem again. Derby's dilemma is simple; Ravanelli has a good year, they survive.

I foresee many sleepless nights for Roeder, Stuart Gray and Sam Allardyce of Bolton United, while I expect Alan Curbishley at Charlton and George Burley at Ipswich to consolidate the brilliant managerial performances they turned in last year.

Overall, I believe the league will be more competitive this year but Manchester United will obviously generate inescapable hype, 24-7. The good news is they will probably be worth it. If Alex Ferguson had pursued Lilian Thuram and paid out for him, I think the club would start favourites for the Premiership and Champion's League trophies. As it is, they are up there. No Dutch footballer is a bad signing and van Nistelrooy will thrive. The prospect of studying Veron each week is thrilling. I was watching Ryan Gigg's testimonial - sad, I know - and even then you could understand what Ferguson is trying to achieve. With Keane driving him on, Veron will roam free at midfield and Scholes will push forward a bit. It will be less predictable than the four across the middle they have employed. When this team gets in a groove, they could honestly batter a few opponents at Old Trafford. It may take them until April this year but once again, United will reign supreme.