Fiscal stimulus has City booming

Manchester United FC are aiming for an unprecedented fourth straight English title when the Premier League kicks off this weekend. That achievement would take them one clear of the record total of 18 they share with Liverpool FC, but among their challengers this season are a revived force from just across the city.

Heavy spending
After being purchased by the Abu Dhabi royal family last summer, City have spent heavily in the hope of breaking into the 'big four' of United, Liverpool, Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC. City paid out around €100m on players last season and have already gone past that mark this summer with Carlos Tévez their most expensive acquisition at €25m. He arrives from United and City quickly rubbed salt into their rivals' wounds by putting up a poster of the Argentinian in the city centre adorned with the words "Welcome to Manchester". It was a dig that did not go unnoticed by his former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who was already adapting to life without Cristiano Ronaldo.

Top-four aim
Despite finishing tenth last season, 40 points adrift of United, a top-four finish at least is now City's clear ambition. It is notable that many signings have come from their direct rivals for UEFA Champions League qualification; Arsenal FC duo Kolo Touré and Emmanuel Adebayor, and Aston Villa FC pair Gareth Barry and Stuart Taylor, with Everton FC defender Joleon Lescott also the subject of more than one rejected bid. Manager Mark Hughes is certainly impatient to get going, with Saturday's opening fixture a visit to the club he left for City in 2008, Blackburn Rovers FC. "The excitement is tangible," Hughes said. "We are at a point now where everyone just wants to get down to real stuff. We are in good shape for the first game of the season."

Usual contenders
Of course, most observers still expect the same teams who have competed for the title lately – European as well as English – to continue to do so. United may be without Tévez and Ronaldo, but Antonio Valencia and surprise signing Michael Owen have taken their places. Chelsea are again under new management with Carlo Ancelotti aiming to continue the momentum from Guus Hiddink's impressive caretaker spell. The former AC Milan coach has already got his hands on some silverware with victory over United on penalties to win the FA Community Shield last Sunday. Liverpool, second last season but still without a title since 1990, have added midfielder Alberto Aquilani following Xabi Alonso's departure, and also bought right-back Glen Johnson. Arsenal, meanwhile, have largely stayed out of the transfer market as Arsène Wenger continues to show faith in his young squad.

Burnley promotion
City are not the only challengers to the top four. Everton have finished fifth for the last two seasons, Villa put up a decent challenge last term and Tottenham Hotspur FC have spent heavily on players including Peter Crouch. As the demotion of Newcastle United FC last season proved, the relegation battle is far from predictable, though romantics may hope that 1960/61 European Champion Clubs' Cup quarter-finalists Burnley FC are spared in their first top-flight season for 33 years. They are joined in the Premier League by West Midlands duo Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Birmingham City FC.