Manchester United go to Arsenal with a point to make ahead of title defence

24Apr 2013

England - Premier League

With Chelsea's Premier League record in sight, Sir Alex Ferguson won't go on easy on the Gunners - but he's got work to do to keep the pack at bay next season, writes Hannah Duncan.

With Manchester United having sealed their 20th top-flight title last night - and Sir Alex Ferguson's 13th league crown - it might seem daft to ask where the club goes next.

But, although they have won the title at a canter with just four Premier League defeats all season, there is one big question that seems to produce conflicting answers. Is this really one of the strongest United squads in recent times? Or is that everyone else in the league was weaker?

There's no doubting over the summer that Chelsea and Manchester City will bolster their playing staff with big-money acquisitions, with certainly the former - and possibly the latter - also bringing in a fresh manager with fresh ideas (or maybe even an old face).

Rafael Benitez is an enormous outside bet at 34.0 to remain at Stamford Bridge next term, and for many Chelsea fans even those odds aren't long enough.

So with changes afoot elsewhere, Fergie and the United board can't rest on their laurels.

Paul Scholes, having not been seen since January, may well retire for a second time this summer and Ryan Giggs, while being instrumental in their 3-0 win over Aston Villa to clinch the title, isn't getting any younger.

There's also talk that Javier Hernandez could seek pastures new for guaranteed first-team football, while Rio Ferdinand's injuries could finally catch up with him. And there are still question marks over the (admittedly improving) David De Gea.

Radamel Falcao is the latest in a string of names to be linked with a summer move to Old Trafford, which if they pulled it off, would certainly help keep Chelsea at bay.

United have also been linked with a long-anticipated move for Borussia Dortmund hitman Robert Lewandowski, who they tried to sign last summer.

They are two big names which would certainly do no harm in the Old Trafford dressing room. But whether signing either or both would spell the end for Wayne Rooney's United career, or enable him to play more frequently in a deeper role - in which he has flourished - remains to be seen.

While strengthening their attack wouldn't hurt, goalscoring hasn't been a problem for United this season. But their defence, particularly at the start of the season, has looked very shaky at times.

Of course they can blame injuries, with Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans all missing periods of the campaign. But that would be papering over the cracks, and that's not Fergie's style.

The Scot said last night - possibly in a moment clouded by euphoria and champagne - that Phil Jones could be the club's greatest ever player. Well he's good, but he's got some stiff competition.

And with him only really being utilised at centre-back in an emergency, the former Blackburn man isn't about to solve their defensive concerns any time soon.

Centre-half is certainly an area Ferguson will need to address in the summer and it wouldn't be surprising if he plumped for a new goalkeeper too.

As much as De Gea has improved on his turbulent debut season, he still has too many flappy moments - and Ferguson hasn't won 13 league titles by being sentimental.

But before the worries of next term, United still have four more games to play this year - with Chelsea's record points tally of 95 in sight.

They begin their latest challenge with a tough trip to Arsenal on Sunday - where Robin van Persie could be afforded a guard of honour, along with his title-winning team-mates.

That alone is bound to spur on the Gunners, who are 2.24 favourites to beat Manchester United, with the draw looking a good outside bet at 3.65.

But while Ferguson may not view records in the same manner as a manager such as Jose Mourinho, he'll demand his players carry out a professional job for the rest of the campaign and send out a message to those eyeing up the Premier League title next year.