Rio laughs off the doubters

United have dominated the Premier League over the last five years, with only Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea having interrupted their stranglehold on the competition in 2009-10, and last season's triumph saw them overtake Liverpool's 18 titles.

Even so, some have expressed doubts over United's squad in light of their comprehensive Champions League defeat to Barcelona, but Ferdinand feels it is the result of rivals clutching at straws.

"It is ridiculous," he said. "It makes me laugh. We have won the league four times out of five. Half of it is that people want someone else to win it.

"Before I came here, Manchester United used to win the league and I would think it would be nice from a fans' point of view to see someone else putting up a challenge. Your heart rules your head sometimes. Not that it bothers me.

"There is a challenge every year. You have to rise to it. Each year we have risen to it and come through.

"We have won four out of the last five leagues. It has not been easy and it will be another tough season this year, but we are looking forward to it."

He added: "It was a weird summer. We won a 19th league title, which was obviously fantastic, but we lost the Champions League final.

"When you dust yourself down and analyse everything, it was a successful season. If someone had said at the beginning we would reach the Champions League final and win the league, we would have accepted it and I am sure the media would have thought we had done quite well. That is how you have to look at it."

The Champions League final was a re-run of the 2009 event in which United were beaten 2-0 despite entering the game as favourites, and Ferdinand says that was far tougher to take.

"The time before in Rome, I spent my whole summer moping around even though we had won the league," he said. "I just think you have to savour moments like that. The 19th title was a big event. We should enjoy it."

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City expect to win title'
Yaya Toure has revealed Manchester City are expecting to win the Premier League title for the first time since 1968 this season.

They are going to walk the league.

Immaculate_Mole wrote:They are going to walk the league.

Their record shows why they are the best in EPL, but this year things will change, I hoping for a new champion to make things exciting.

No special mention for Clattenwebb? Instrumental in their success for the last few years

Lex wrote:No special mention for Clattenwebb? Instrumental in their success for the last few years

I'd have to disagree.

Should be interesting this year.

hes right

with de gae, jones, and young only a fool would doubt them

plus theyll probably get a cm too

english_jewel wrote:hes right

with de gae, jones, and young only a fool would doubt them

plus theyll probably get a cm too

If we get Sneijder too we'll be a tough team to beat.

I think United will be challenged good this year not like what happened last year.

RedDevilForLife wrote:

english_jewel wrote:hes right

with de gae, jones, and young only a fool would doubt them

plus theyll probably get a cm too

If we get Sneijder too we'll be a tough team to beat.

but you arent getting him

RedDevilForLife wrote:

english_jewel wrote:hes right

with de gae, jones, and young only a fool would doubt them

plus theyll probably get a cm too

If we get Sneijder too we'll be a tough team to beat.

Yes if Sneijder does come to United, god help us all.

Utd are getting stronger, but so are other teams, especially midtable ones like sunderland and tottenham if they do get few players in and keep modric.


Rio has a point, and hes right. Utd will go in with being favourites, but its about u being consistent more then anything


points against fellow top 4 matters little at the end when u cant even beat the likes of west brom at home...

Love the sly dig at Sp*rs RG.

RealGunner wrote:Utd are getting stronger, but so are other teams, especially midtable ones like sunderland and tottenham if they do get few players in and keep modric.


Rio has a point, and hes right. Utd will go in with being favourites, but its about u being consistent more then anything


points against fellow top 4 matters little at the end when u cant even beat the likes of west brom at home...

West Brom was the only game where we dropped points all season at home though....

Funny thing is, the only team United couldn't beat at home last season, was West Brom

Manchester Utd will be as strong as ever. Sneijder coming will be a bonus.

Chelsea will also be right up there. They have a strong squad and with Modric likely coming, they are favourites for the title!

If Manchester City want to win the PL, they will have to replace defensive Mancini first.

If Van Persie can stay fit, Arsenal are also favourites, but as you all know, that is a BIG IF.

I will reserve judgement about Liverpool till they begin the season. But they put on some excellent performances at the end of last season!

ronaldo__9 wrote:

RealGunner wrote:Utd are getting stronger, but so are other teams, especially midtable ones like sunderland and tottenham if they do get few players in and keep modric.


Rio has a point, and hes right. Utd will go in with being favourites, but its about u being consistent more then anything


points against fellow top 4 matters little at the end when u cant even beat the likes of west brom at home...

West Brom was the only game where we dropped points all season at home though....

was talking about arsenal mate

RealGunner wrote:

ronaldo__9 wrote:

RealGunner wrote:Utd are getting stronger, but so are other teams, especially midtable ones like sunderland and tottenham if they do get few players in and keep modric.


Rio has a point, and hes right. Utd will go in with being favourites, but its about u being consistent more then anything


points against fellow top 4 matters little at the end when u cant even beat the likes of west brom at home...

West Brom was the only game where we dropped points all season at home though....

was talking about arsenal mate

I thought you were taking a cheeky dig