United prevail after a season of twists and turns

Having essentially clinched the title from Chelsea with a 2-1 victory in early May,United go head to head with Barcelona in the Champions League final on Saturday for the double. Full marks to the red faced ScotsmanAlex Ferguson,managing to get the best out of an ageing team. Vidic,Rooney,Giggs,Nani and Berbatov all stand out. But the teams wonder boy is Javier Hernandez with a 20 goal haul in his first season. United are unlikely to lose it any time soon.

Chelsea

Roman Abramovichs hundreds of millions couldnt get anything in the cabinet this year apart from former King Carlos head,but the anger at a second place finish obscures Chelseas precarious position at the turn of the new year,when they earned only 11 points from as many games. Still,although Ancelottis sacking seems harsh to a manager who fans still respect for the 2009-2010 double,this is the reality of the short term outlook produced by Abramovichs cash culture. Being pipped to the title this year,along with a new manager,is likely to reinvigorate Chelsea in the next season. Lets hope Fernando Torres cost to goal ratio improves 50 million:1,though.

Manchester City

City have booked a place in the group stages of the Champions League and the FA cup. Tevezs finishing proved an invaluable asset for the team,with a total of 23 goals,whilst the Tower of Power Yaya Touré has taken well to his increased attacking role. Still,one cant help but wonder if,for all of Mancinis assets,his defensive mindset hasnt held the club back from even greater success,given Citys attacking strength. With Ronaldo in the sight of the richest team in the world,Champions League football may well draw the Portugese midfielder to Eastlands. Mancini is probably right,in claiming this is just the start.

Arsenal

From dominating early to mid season and being in the running for four cups,Wengers 6th season without any silverware has left fans disgruntled. Showing poor defence,and with much left to be desired from Akineevs keeping,Wengers stated plan of a summer of change is necessary. Arsenal also need to avoid complacency next season; its all well and good beating United and Chelsea,but the loss of 19 potential points in the last 10 games,many against weaker teams,is not on for a team that aims so high. Good on field leadership would help too.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenhams foray into top-tier European football for the first time in decades produced stunning performances,demonstrating them as amongst the most exciting teams in Europe by beating not only current title holders Inter Milan,but Inters arch-rivals AC too. Whilst their eventual loss to Real Madrid was understandable,league losses to,amongst others,West Ham,Blackpool and Wigan were not. Indeed,as with Arsenal,an inability to take out weaker teams has been Spurs problem,not aided by sub par strikers and butterfingers Gomes,the keeper. Whilst much credit must be given to manager Harry Redknapp,under whom Spurs have blossomed,Redknapp needs to get a world class striker over summer,to keep Tottenham near the top,and their absence from top-tier Europe brief.