SIR ALEX FERGUSON'S PRE-SEASON CANDID IDEAS (2011/12)

Sir Alex Ferguson, 69, has been Manchester United's gaffer for the last 25 full seasons. The boss has taken time out of his busy schedule to speak on a number of issues, including Manchester City's season prosects, Barcelona's brilliance and going head-to-head with Andre Villas-Boas, the new Chelsea FC manager.

The Scot's thoughts on the season 2011/12.

Q: How do you view the new season and challenges ahead?
SAF: We've lost five experienced players who has given the club a great service
Wes Brown, John O'Shea, Edwin van der Sar, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville. At the time you look at it and think it's a big slice out of the cake, but we have replaced them by bringing back Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley and adding Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David De Gea which we think fills the gap. We've actually got 11 players aged 22
and under with us, so it could be an emerging team again.

Q: The record 19th league title was such a big deal, wasn't it?
SAF: I never thought it was a big deal until the last few weeks when it became more of an attraction as we got closer and closer.

Q: You turn 70 at the end of the year. In your mind, have you got a time and date when you might retire?
SAF: Absolutely none. Not at all. I'm not even thinking about it.

Q: Is the number of teams capable of challenging for the title getting bigger?
SAF: Manchester City and Liverpool have spent [money]...

Q: What do you make of Chelsea's decision to give the job to a manager who is so young?
SAF: Well, it was a surprise, he's just a young lad. Istarted at 32 but all I had was a physio. The difference is that he can choose a staff of whatever he wants. He can bring a good assistant and good coaches with great experience.

Q: Finally, is FC Barcelona a completely different challenge to any you've had?

SAF: We will try to move on and get above them, but the target is to be in Munich (for the Uefa Champions League final) in May next year.

In, conclusion with Manchester City's slow progress, Arsenal FC having learnt from their past mistakes,  Liverpool FC slowly building momentum from their last season and  Chelsea FC's faith in their new inspirational manager this is definately going to be the best Premiership season.