Wayne Rooney believes Chelsea will once again be the main Premier League title threat to Manchester United next season. Although United's campaign ended on a low note with their chastening Champions League defeat by Barcelona at Wembley, they have been able to celebrate a record 19th league title.
But Rooney is expecting a sterner test next season and it is anticipated Sir Alex Ferguson will rebuild. "Chelsea will be our main rivals for the league next season," Rooney told talkSPORT. "They are so strong and powerful and ended the season so well." A summer of change was expected at Old Trafford even before Paul Scholes announced his retirement on Tuesday.
Edwin van der Sar has hung up his gloves, Owen Hargreaves has been released, while there are major question marks over the futures of Wes Brown, Michael Owen and the club's record signing, Dimitar Berbatov.
Rooney is concerned about the possible improvement of the group of teams who will be vying for Champions League qualification. "Chelsea, Manchester City, Spurs, Liverpool and Arsenal will all be fighting for top four," he said. "It makes it even more intense. It wouldn't surprise you if any of those teams finished in the top two. The teams in the lower half have improved. Going away from home was so difficult this season."