Though they only missed out on the Premier League title by a single point to Chelsea last season, it was the number of games that Manchester United lost along the way that is worrying. United lost eight times - their worst total since nine defeats saw them finish third in 2004 - including successive defeats to Chelsea and losses at Liverpool and relegated Burnley.
The 2009/10 season was notable for the emergence of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Aston Villa increasing competition at the top of the table. Michael Carrick, United's England international midfielder, said that if they make the same kind of slip-ups as last season, the title will again be out of their grasp. Tonight, Sir Alex Ferguson's men open their quest to reclaim the championship against Newcastle United at Old Trafford, already playing catch-up on Chelsea, who registered a big win over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
"The way it looks, you cannot afford to drop too many points," Carrick said. "Last season was a bit of a freak in terms of how many games both us and Chelsea lost and how many points were dropped. The previous few years there wasn't much margin for error and competition is pretty fierce again now. "Teams who have finished around the Champions League places are looking to break through and you really have to start firing from the off."
The sheer weight of City's spending marks them out as a danger, while Carrick also feels Liverpool - who drew 1-1 with Arsenal at home last night - will be striving hard to make their mark under Roy Hodgson, their new manager. Hailing from Wallsend, just 6km away from Newcastle, a meeting with the north east club is always a special day for Carrick. He recognises the fact Chris Hughton's side will be fuelled by the confidence of last season's triumphs, when their stay in the Championship was far more brief that most pundits expected.
"They are back in the Premier League and what better place to start than Old Trafford," he said. "They obviously want to get off to a good start and build up some momentum themselves. It is only two years ago that we played them in the first game at Old Trafford and drew. Hopefully it will be better this time." Meanwhile, Steven Taylor's agent has admitted the defender's contract talks with Newcastle have become "difficult and drawn-out".
The 24-year-old, who will miss the start of the season with a dislocated shoulder, is in talks over a long-term deal. And Paul Stretford, his representative, told The Mail on Sunday: "Matters are not progressing as I would like them to or would expect, but I am hopeful there will be some movement in the near future. In the case of Steven it is typical of modern contract negotiations; they can become difficult and drawn-out. From our point of view we are keen to try to conclude matters in the near future."
* Agency Manchester United v Newcastle, United, tonight, 11pm, ADMC Sports 3 & 5, to order: 800-2388 or www.admcsport.com Key Battle Wayne Rooney v Fabricio Coloccini United's striker was prolific last season, scoring 34 goals. Tonight, he faces Coloccini, below, a player perhaps more famous for his giant curly hair than his defensive ability. But the Argentine, who was poor in his first season in the Premier League, improved last year and now has a second chance. Tactics After Chelsea's 6-0 opening day win, United will also hope to rack up a big score. Newcastle will expect to defend for long spells, but don't forget that they took a point from their last visit to Old Trafford. Previous meetings Despite taking an opening day point at Old Trafford in 2008/09, Newcastle's recent record against United is poor. Their last win was a 4-3 triumph at home in September 2001, and three seasons ago they were thrashed 5-1 at home and 6-0 away. Line-ups (Probable) Man Utd (4-4-2) Van der Sar; Rafael, Evans, Vidic, O'Shea; Fletcher, Carrick, Valencia, Giggs; Berbatov, Rooney Newcastle (4-5-1) Harper; Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Enrique; Guthrie, Barton, Nolan, Jonas, Routledge; Carroll Facts ? Newcastle have not won at Old Trafford since February 1972. ? United have lost only once on the opening day in the past 14 years - 2004 to Chelsea. ? Ryan Giggs, the United winger, has scored in all 18 Premier League seasons.