Bring it on!

I have to say this is one of those times that I really wish I hadn’t hung up my boots! Players, like supporters, go to the ground on the first Saturday of the season thinking that this could be their year. Reality frequently sets in by 4.45 – but for that one moment you’ve got your hands on the trophy!

This year’s Premiership looks like it could be a humdinger. I’m tipping Manchester United to nick it from Arsenal by the odd point or two. I suspect it’s going to be that close.

Winning nothing last year will have given United a serious kick in the pants. Add to that the gee-up they’ll be getting from Alex Ferguson and I think you’ll see them coming out of the traps roaring.

If they want to win against such strong opposition they’re going to have to keep mistakes to a minimum – and I don’t just mean on the pitch. You can only afford a couple a season and United made their first on August 10th. Who on earth thought that playing Boca Juniors in their last friendly was a good idea? Everybody knows that if you’re playing an Argentine side, the tackles are going to be flying in and, sure enough, Rio Ferdinand got a clatter that’s going to keep him out for who knows how long. Whoever okayed that one needs his head examined.

The whole pre-season thing’s got completely out of hand. You have to play games to be fit, sure, but jetting half way round the world to be in some tournament is more about money than anything else. You can’t go to the league bosses and say, “Look, the season’s too long”, when you’ve already played six or seven games prior to it starting!

Do United have the necessary talent, and in every position? To be honest, I’m surprised there have been so few transfers in and out of Old Trafford. Barthez probably cost them the title last year with his little eccentricities, but Alex – possibly through stubbornness – is sticking with him. The onus is now on him to deliver. Juan Veron, though he was spectacular in some games, was too sloppy and inconsistent for my liking. He’s a quality player with a lot to prove after a disastrous World Cup, so maybe he’ll come good. United certainly need more from him, if he’s going to stay.

People are saying Man U paid too much for Rio Ferdinand but, having watched him in Japan, I think he’s worth every penny of that £29.5 million. In fact, give him a couple of seasons, and it’ll seem a bargain.

Ferdinand’s injury may open the door for John O’Shea, who is beginning to look like a real prospect. I’m amazed he didn’t make it into the squad for the Ireland/Finland friendly. Mick McCarthy can’t put it down to a lack of first-team football, when Colin Healy isn’t getting a look-in at Celtic. The big question is whether or not United have enough fire-power up front. Ruud Van Nistleroy had a great first season and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer can be relied on for a bagful of goals. But they do need Diego Forlan to start hitting the target with regularity. He got off to a shaky start last year – but so did Juan Pablo Angel when he arrived at Villa. Once Angel had settled in, he started to put them away and I think the same will happen with Forlan.

If not, then we’ll see Alex reach for the chequebook – or Arsenal will take full advantage. Though the Community Shield is only a friendly, I thought Arsenal were magnificent against Liverpool. It says a lot about the strength and depth of their squad that it wasn’t till half way through you remembered that Robert Pires and Freddie Lundberg were both missing.

Thierry Henry demonstrated yet again why he’s the most complete striker in the Premiership – even from midfield his ability to pick up the ball and beat people is breathtaking. Arsenal have spent well too. I hadn’t heard of Gilberto Silva until a few months ago but he’s a fine player, who’ll be making headlines this season. Another who caught my eye is the Ivory Coast lad, Kolo Toure. He was only on for a few minutes but he had a look about him that suggested he’ll be pushing for a regular place.

Hanging on to Patrick Vieira is a big plus and I thought he responded well to being given the captaincy. The fact that Arsene Wenger turned down the French manager’s job will have shown everyone at the club that he’s intent on retaining the Championship. I don’t think they’ll do it – but Arsenal will be with Man U every inch of the way.

Don’t expect the same of Liverpool, though. They’re a good side, but not a championship winning one yet. I know everybody raves about Michael Owen – rightly because he’s a fabulous player – but I don’t think he does enough work outside the box. The same goes for Emile Heskey whose shortcomings were obvious in Japan. Their new signing El Hadj Diouf, from Senegal, did one or two things in Cardiff to suggest he’ll be a handful, but I can’t see him making that crucial difference.

Liverpool missed out big time in not signing Damien Duff. He’d have given them the width that they lacked last season and grabbed a few goals himself into the bargain. But I think that’s dead now with Damien, rightly in my book, opting to stay at Blackburn. He recognises that he’s still on a learning curve and needs week in, week out football which he’ll get at Blackburn. I tell you what – if he plays as well for his club as he has for Ireland, he’ll be going for as much as Rio Ferdinand next season.

Keeping Duff might be the most important piece in the Blackbourn jigsaw, but bringing Dwight Yorke to Ewood Park was marvelous business on Graeme Souness’ part. I know there’s a perception that he comes with a bit of baggage, but I was with Dwight for seven years at Aston Villa and he was one of the most popular fellas in the dressing room. He maybe likes going out a bit too much, but as a footballer he’s fantastic, and I think he’ll rise to the occasion.

At the other end of the table things will be as fraught as ever. Another friend of mine Steve Bruce will be involved here but I fear for his prospects. Birmingham City did well to win promotion and they’ll give it their all but, along with West Bromwich Albion – who also came up from Division One – my hunch is that they’re simply not good enough to avoid relegation. Manchester City will do okay which leaves the usual suspects – Bolton, Everton, Sunderland and Southampton – battling it out to beat the drop.

As for who’ll be replacing them come the summer of 2003, my money’s on Coventry City to win the First Division. It’s a big season for Wolves, who were very shrewd in signing Denis Irwin and Paul Ince – who, even as we speak, will be taking over in the dressing room! – and I think they’ll make it.

There’s only one winner for me in Scotland, and that’s Celtic. Martin O’Neill will want to do the business in what I’m pretty sure will be his final season at Parkhead. As long as he’s not phased by the prospect of Alex Ferguson breathing down his neck from upstairs, he’ll be the man taking over at Old Trafford next season.

Whatever way you look at it, it’s going to be a cracker!

The Premiership: The McGrath Verdict

Winners: Manchester United

Runners-Up: Arsenal

Third: Liverpool

Fourth: Leeds United

Fifth: Newcastle

Surprise packages: West Ham United and Manchester City

Relegated: Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland

First-Division Champions: Coventry City