Chelsea man backs United to win the title..

Gianluca Vialli former Chelsea player and manager has tipped Manchester United to snatch back the title from his old club.

He told the BBC "I wouldn't be surprised to see Manchester United win the Premiership and Chelsea win the Champions League.

"I think both clubs, both managers and their players would settle for this.

"Chelsea have a squad big enough with so many quality players that Jose Mourinho can rotate the team depending on whether they are playing in the Premiership or Europe, the opposition or the physical condition of his players and their squad is big enough to try to win both competitions.

"But the competition in the Premiership is stronger. Manchester United are firmly determined to win the title after a few years and Chelsea are more focused on being the best in Europe."

While I'd love to agree with Vialli, I'm not sure he's right, the former Juventus star has ignored one important factor, which is United's lack of strength in depth up front, this has been highlighted with the news that Rooney is United's only available striker for the visit of Everton on Wednesday night as Saha and Ole are both injured and Smith isn't 'match fit'. Rooney isn't an out and out centre forward and so United are in a real mess. IF Saha picks up a long term injury United have no chance of winning the title - not unless Fergie buys another top striker this January and that is highly unlikely, the best reds fans can hope for is a makeweight arrival.

So while I really admire Vialli - man of style and speaker of much sense, I cannot agree on this occasion. United's title abmitions are real enough, but the reality is our hopes rest on Saha staying fit and the actions or in-actions of our management team to strengthen this January. WE have a better chance than many but don't put your mortgage on the red devils. And anyway now isn't the time to make rash predictions, if we are still top come Easter then maybe I'll be agreeing with Gianluca.