Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes defending champions Chelsea must be considered favourites for the Premier League title.
The Red Devils finished one point behind the Blues last season after an epic tussle which went right down to the wire.
Chelsea's success brought an abrupt end to United's top flight dominance, with Ferguson's men having taken the title in each of the three previous years.
Between them, United and Chelsea have now shared ownership of the Premier League crown for the last six years, with no other club able to get a look in.
Many expect that trend to continue in 2010/11, with it difficult to see where a sustained challenge is going to come from.
Ferguson accepts that United and Chelsea will be among the frontrunners once more this time around, but insists that it is the men from Stamford Bridge who are under the most pressure to perform.
"My thoughts are not necessarily on the top four, because we've got to think about how we're going to win this league," he said.
"You have to think that Chelsea - having won the league last season - are going to be the favourites. That's what you have to think - the team that won it the previous season, you have to try and knock off their perch."
Ferguson, who stopped short of suggesting that 'noisy neighbours' Manchester City could be potential challengers, feels the battle for a top four finish will be as intense as ever this season.
He added: "The interesting one is Everton. They have got all their players back. The first half of last season was a nightmare for them, with the injuries for major players like (Mikel) Arteta and (Phil) Jagielka - they were big losses to them.
"Now all these players are fit, they could be an interesting prospect for the season.
"I say that with the events of last season, when Tottenham got into the top four, so they broke that monopoly of established teams like ourselves, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. I expect Everton to do very well this season."
And Ferguson is also expecting Liverpool, who finished seventh last term, to be back in the mix after drafting in Roy Hodgson to succeed the departing Rafa Benitez.
"You would expect Liverpool to improve with Roy. Tottenham are on the upswing, with Harry's (Redknapp) experience," he said.
"It tells you the top four is going to be a competitive four again, because that's what we're all aiming for - to be in the Champions League. That's the priority for all these clubs."
The Red Devils finished one point behind the Blues last season after an epic tussle which went right down to the wire.
Chelsea's success brought an abrupt end to United's top flight dominance, with Ferguson's men having taken the title in each of the three previous years.
Between them, United and Chelsea have now shared ownership of the Premier League crown for the last six years, with no other club able to get a look in.
Many expect that trend to continue in 2010/11, with it difficult to see where a sustained challenge is going to come from.
Ferguson accepts that United and Chelsea will be among the frontrunners once more this time around, but insists that it is the men from Stamford Bridge who are under the most pressure to perform.
"My thoughts are not necessarily on the top four, because we've got to think about how we're going to win this league," he said.
"You have to think that Chelsea - having won the league last season - are going to be the favourites. That's what you have to think - the team that won it the previous season, you have to try and knock off their perch."
Ferguson, who stopped short of suggesting that 'noisy neighbours' Manchester City could be potential challengers, feels the battle for a top four finish will be as intense as ever this season.
He added: "The interesting one is Everton. They have got all their players back. The first half of last season was a nightmare for them, with the injuries for major players like (Mikel) Arteta and (Phil) Jagielka - they were big losses to them.
"Now all these players are fit, they could be an interesting prospect for the season.
"I say that with the events of last season, when Tottenham got into the top four, so they broke that monopoly of established teams like ourselves, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. I expect Everton to do very well this season."
And Ferguson is also expecting Liverpool, who finished seventh last term, to be back in the mix after drafting in Roy Hodgson to succeed the departing Rafa Benitez.
"You would expect Liverpool to improve with Roy. Tottenham are on the upswing, with Harry's (Redknapp) experience," he said.
"It tells you the top four is going to be a competitive four again, because that's what we're all aiming for - to be in the Champions League. That's the priority for all these clubs."
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