Following my rather damning view on Manchester City’s chances of success this season, I thought it only fair I redress the balance by taking a long, hard look at my own club, Manchester United and be as honest as possible in my assessment.

We’re three games into the season now and, as ever, United sit comfortably just behind leaders and reigning champions Chelsea. Two comfortable wins against Newcastle United and West Ham have been countered by a 2-2 draw with Fulham, fast becoming our bogey club.

Having attended both the Newcastle and Hammers games (thanks to @naturalbornred), my initial view of the United team and squad is this; it’s as good as ever but is becoming increasingly reliant on veterans Giggs and Scholes as there appears to be a gap between them, the young talent, and the lack of highest quality from those who should be doing better.

Now, I’m not complaining. Giggs is and always will be my personal favourite and watching Paul Scholes is a joy. They cannot, I’m sure, play a 50+ game season, however, and as it stands they are the only ones providing the real guile and creativity to create goals.

Nani is getting there, Valencia stars in patches, Carrick appears to have forgotten how to play, Park is a battler and Anderson is yet to return. Only Darren Fletcher currently deserves a permanent place in the team alongside Scholes. We’re not short of players in the midfield, far from it, but none of them are as good or as consistent as the old men.

Returning to that Fulham game, it shone a light on a certain fragility in the United squad. The defence is not as settled as I would like. They days of Bruce, Pallister, Parker and Irwin are long gone but I look back at those times with fondness. I would love to have that stability right now.

I’d also like to not see Jonny Evans so often too, his positional sense is appalling. Thank God for the rock that is Vidic. Evra is right up there with the best left backs in the world, so no worries there but the choice for Vidic’s partner and a right back really is up in the air. I fear for Ferdinand’s footballing future, though it looks like he’ll be back very soon, and we need him. Chris Smalling, signed from Fulham last season, is promising so maybe there is reliable, solid cover there. At fullback either of the Brazilian Da Silva twins are great going forward, not so much defending. The less said about John O’Shea the better. Do we have to hope for the return of yet another veteran in Gary Neville?

Right now, I’d take it.

Finally, up front, where we are supposedly blessed with an embarrassment of riches. If Rooney was fit and in form, Owen could find his golden touch (and stay fit) and Hernandez prove to be the star we think he is capable of, we are indeed blessed. But right now, the only in form and reliable striker is…wait for it…Dimitar Berbatov!

This is a pleasing thing for me. Berbatov is a footballer to be indulged, no question, but such is his talent he should be and I’m pleased to see Ferguson trusting him.

And then there’s Bebe, who has made the 25-man squad despite not having played a minute of football for us, either at reserve or first team level. A £7.5m gamble of epic proportions…

That’s the team and I am naturally pessimistic when it comes to my club. I know full well this is a squad that is perfectly capable of challenging for honours on all fronts but you can’t ignore the weak spots. It was those that cost us the title last season, after all.

So how do I think we’ll do? Well, the League is Chelsea’s to lose, it really is. They are powerful, clearly full of goals and have the belief of champions. United will run them down, right to the wire and MAY pip them to the title should they suffer injury or crisis of confidence. But in all honesty, I think we’ll finish runner up to Abramovich’s toy once again.

In Europe we need Rooney back to his best to really challenge for the Champions League. His form will come as the season progresses, but he’ll need a rest at the right time – around Christmas, no doubt – and when it does I think we’re capable of reaching the semi finals. From there on, a huge slice of luck is required. Win it? No, probably not, not when Barcelona and Chelsea are looking so very strong.

In the Cups we’ll be looking to retain our League Cup with a combination of youth and a sprinkling of experience. Entirely possible while the rest of the Premier League dismisses the competition as a training ground or a distraction. The FA Cup is, of course, taken more seriously and is therefore harder to win. Chelsea will want to retain it and they consistently play a strong side in it. The likes of Spurs, Everton and Villa will want to win it too, so it’ll be a tough one. Possible…but unlikely as we chase the League and Champions League as a priority.

Fact is, we have one of the best teams in the country but it’s a fragile one with Rio made of glass, Rooney so vital and the world class players now facing their 40th birthdays in the not too distant future! There’s a slim chance of winning the League, but that’s more of a chance than Arsenal, Manchester City or Tottenham have.

One thing is for sure, United will be fun to watch. This is not a team or squad either used to or even capable of playing defensively so I expect goals at both ends, last gasp winners and a breathless end of season chase that will, sadly, end in disappointment. It’s all part of being a Red. And I love it.