Of the current Big Four in English football, it is Chelsea and Manchester United who are currently challenging for both the Premier League and Champions League crowns.

Sportingo authors (including myself) have exhausted the numerous reasons for Arsenal's highs and lows this season. All I will say is that if Arsene Wenger adds a no-nonsense leader of a centre-back and a penalty-box striker, coupled with keeping the fantastic talent that he has, then next season could be their year.

Liverpool's long-running sideshow this season has involved everyone from CEO Rick Parry to the American money-mad clowns to poor Rafael Benitez. Some shady characters have also helped to hinder Steven Gerrard and perhaps his constant neck injury this season has been caused by constantly looking over his shoulder. It's better than Brookside used to be - and a serious and embarrassing situation for a very prestigious and proud club to be mixed up in.

'In terms of experience, management, youth, ability, longevity and attitude, I believe Manchester United tick every box'


Manchester United and Chelsea fans have taken great pleasure in Liverpool's abject failure to sustain even a vaguely dangerous threat to the Premier League crown. In such trying times for the Anfield club, it has been a massive achievement to climb as far as they have in the Champions League.

If two finals and one astounding win had not been achieved, then the Merseyside club's supporters would have had nothing to hit back with. For many a season now, especially at this time, the Scousers have begun their predictions for the following term and who Liverpool will bring in to help them reach the summit. Hope, as they say, springs eternal.

Sir Alex Ferguson has seen and done it all before, while Chelsea have Jose Mourinho's legacy and spirit still with them. I do not rate Avram Grant and cannot see him being at the helm next season. With the players at his disposal it would have been an almighty disaster if Chelsea were not where they are right now. Grant didn't really have anything to fix after Mourinho's departure because nothing was broken. He has stabilised Chelsea but not tinkered too much. He hasn't needed to.

Chelsea have tasted Premier League glory recently and may grab it again this season; this Sunday will/should resolve everything. With the modern demand of leagues in Spain, Italy and Germany it is extremely difficult for teams to win domestically and also lift the Champions League, AC Milan and Liverpool being prime examples.

At this stage both sets of fans, Chelsea and Man United, will be foaming at the mouth with the prospect of winning both. If given the choice of one or the other, I do not see how any fan could choose. Perhaps some United fans would sacrifice the Premier League this season for Champions League glory. Ditto Chelsea. It is an intriguing question.

It is rather easy for Liverpool supporters for obvious reasons. Arsenal fans would have been going through exactly the same as the fans of the top two only a few short weeks ago. If you can't have both, one must weigh up the options of which one is wanted more.

If Liverpool were challenging on both fronts, would their fans' attitude change due to the years piling up since they were England's top dogs? Would Arsenal fans gladly take any one of them?

There is no doubt everyone would take both - but who is really equipped in terms of experience, management, youth, ability, longevity and attitude? As much as it pains me to say (and I support no English team) I believe Manchester United tick every box.

In terms of footballing ability, out of the top two in England and top four in Europe, United just shade Barcelona as the team who deserve to win the Champions League - for playing football how it should be played.