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Arsenal and other contenders given hope by retirement of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, says Martin Keown

The new season has been billed as one of the most unpredictable

Simon Stone
Thursday 15 August 2013 12:25 BST
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Wenger was speaking ahead of his side's match against Manchester City in Helsinki
Wenger was speaking ahead of his side's match against Manchester City in Helsinki

Martin Keown can see a “chink of light” for Manchester United's Premier League title rivals following the summer exit of Sir Alex Ferguson.

After a tricky pre-season campaign, dominated by talk of Wayne Rooney's future, the clock is ticking down to David Moyes' first competitive game in charge.

That Saturday's trip to Swansea is followed immediately by matches against Chelsea and Liverpool, with Manchester City to come only two games later, Moyes is facing up to the most difficult of starts to his Old Trafford career.

Keown knows he has the ability to make a success of the job.

But it is doubtful anyone could emulate the sustained trophy gathering that became such a hallmark of Ferguson's tenure.

And that, according to the former Arsenal man, will give all United's rivals a little bit of hope.

Speaking at the 2013 FA and McDonald's Community Awards, Keown said: "David Moyes is an outstanding manager but he is not Alex Ferguson.

"If you are a competitor, you see a chink of light.

"Before you felt you were playing as much against Sir Alex as you were Manchester United because of his status in the game."

Keown is as interested to see the reaction inside the United dressing room and the response from Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal.

"The biggest thing for me is how will it affect the Manchester United players," said Keown.

"They have worked with Sir Alex for a lot of years. He would have met their needs, re-assured individuals, found the neccessary words to motivate them when he needed to.

"He isn't going to be there now and there is uncertainty in any workplace when a new boss comes in.

"If they get the wrong results, they might end up leaving a big gap which they are not able to close."

Moyes will attend the official Premier League launch in London this morning before returning to Manchester to continue planning for a tough trip to south Wales.

He will be wanting to check on the eye infection that ruled Michael Carrick out of England's friendly with Scotland as the midfield options he was so keen to bolster have still failed to materialise just two weeks from the transfer window closing.

Mention has been made this week of moves for Gareth Bale and Luka Modric, although the club insist no bid has been made for either player.

Martin Keown was speaking at the 2013 FA and McDonald's Community Awards.

The annual awards recognise and celebrate the thousands of volunteers who dedicate their time to grassroots football each year - everyone from coaches and officials to groundsmen. Visit mcdonalds.co.uk/awards for more information.

PA

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