By EmptyRed
August 19 2006

In his third ManUtdWeb column, messageboard regular 'EmptyRed' looks forward to the new Premiership season and is optimistic about our chances. Can the Red Devils challenge Chelsea for the Premiership crown as we look forward to another new campaign?

The new season is nearly upon us. The excitement begins to build.  There is nothing like a new season, the hope, the optimism and the pure flights of fancy. What will we win this season; can we reclaim our Premiership crown?

This season, I feel somewhat more hopeful about how will do than I have for a while. We haven't finished with all our transfer dealings, but things are looking positive. Yes we have sold Ruud, but just remember how well we played in the second half of the season without him. I am aware, that Carrick most definitely and Rooney will probably miss the opening game, but not to matter. We have reason to be optimistic.

The emergence of some of younger players like David Jones, Giuseppe Rossi et al gives cause for excitement. There is nothing better in football, than seeing one of your own come through the ranks and make it into the first team. And this season Jones and Rossi will get their opportunity. The return from injury of Scholes, Solskjaer and the hardest man in football Gabriel Heinze, can only strengthen the team and the squad. We certainly missed both Scholsey and Gabby and just think what we could have done with those two firing on all cylinders, in the second half of last season. Football has always been full of "what might have beens"!

Our defence and goalkeeping situation looks as good as Chelsea's, upfront we are still as good as anyone, if not better than most. It has been the midfield that has always caused us concern over the last 2 years. But, I feel the Wizard of Old Trafford, may have pulled a masterstroke. Richardson has impressed this pre-season; he is starting to fulfil his potential. Fletcher was pulled out of the firing line last season, as he was bearing the brunt of fans criticisms for our poor performances, when other more established players were playing just as badly and getting far less slack. A re-invigorated Fletch might just surprise us all. Then there is David Jones who had two loan spells last season and received rave reviews, this boy has the potential to be a big star.

This season, we will make more of a fight of the title than previously. We have had a good pre-season and we will hit the ground running, the squad is looking stronger and with a few more additions by the end of August, we will be able to fight Chelsea all the way for the Premiership crown.