Manchester United - Typical starting XI - Van der Sar; Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Heinze; Ronaldo, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs; Saha, Rooney.

Strengths - Playing like Arsenal circa 2004. For Henry, read Ronaldo, a marauding gladiator terrifying defences and scoring a wide variety of goals. In Alex Ferguson, they have a motivator like no other, who could install a 'them against us' mentality in a monastery. They have an almost fortuitous disposition in defence at the moment, with players like Ferdinand and Vidic getting away with schoolboy stuff, only for Van der Sar (read Seaman) bailing them out of trouble. Also have potloads of dollars to spend this summer from their new US based owners. However they'll need to buy big time (see weaknesses). They have at least two able, experienced players per position. Man Utd have a huge fan base, ensuring sell-outs and vast revenue. They play with a solid, Euro/English style, capable of both shut-outs and thrashings.

Weaknesses - This is a team at its peak. Only Carrick, Brown, Ferdinand, Ronaldo and Rooney really have top-level playing time on their side. Giggs, Scholes, Neville, Van der Sar, Saha and Heinze are peaking and can't carry on for ever. Wholesale changes will be needed in the near future, and those players will have to gel. Players like Park and Evra aren't quite world class. The youth element seems to have dried up - there doesn't seem to be a golden generation waiting in the ranks if Fletcher is the best of the bunch. Ferguson too cannot go on forever, and heir-apparent Queiroz has, in the past, been found wanting in top jobs (Real Madrid). Ronaldo may well be tempted by the bright Iberian lights and Ferdinand could be tempted by Chelsea. The debt that Glazer has imposed upon Man Utd could have worrying repercussions in the future. Up front, Man Utd actually look weak, hence 35+ year old Larsson being parachuted in. Rooney is an enigma, destructive one game, anonymous the other. Saha is hot and cold personified. Smith now part midfielder. Investment needed. Man Utd have in the past paid well over the odds to secure a player, and these have been hit and miss - Ferdinand (£30m), Veron (£28m), Carrick (£18m)...

Chelsea - Typical starting XI - Cech; Bouhlarouz, Terry, Carvalho, A. Cole; Ballack, Makelele, Lampard, Essien, Robben; Drogba.

Strengths - Almost unlimited cash for transfers (for now). In Mourinho, they have a gifted, if unlimitedly annoying manager/motivator. Their set-up can tempt players from rivals in a way no other team has done in England for decades (A. Cole, Gerrard (almost)). They have a mix of Iberian skill, African power and English grit. Plus the cash in reserve could feasibly tempt players such as Villa, Torres, Adriano, Alex and Lucio to add to the mix this summer. They have at least two highly experienced players per position (see weaknesses). In Terry, they have arguably the best CB since Baresi in their squad. They are not afraid to play route-one football to get results, and to their credit, are also more than willing to try shooting from anywhere (see Shevchenko, Drogba, Lampard and Essien for proof) to get a goal.

Weaknesses - They'll never be Real Madrid or Barcelona. They will never have that standing, that prestige, that class. And that is why Lampard, Mourinho et al will be tempted by the giants in Spain. And now it seems they can only tempt ageing superstars (Shevchenko, Ballack). Both Walcott and Diaby allegedly turned down Chelsea, and Gerrard too has rejected them. Their playing style is restrictive, with flair players either loosing their flair (A. Cole) or losing their place (Ferreira, Wright-Phillips). Lack of first choice roles breeds contempt (Gallas) and careers have slipped dramatically upon signing for the nouveau riche (Parker, Kezman, Wright-Phillips, Bridge, Veron). Plus, if Abramovich ups sticks, Chelsea could find themselves in deep mire in terms of funding their expensive wage habit. Their stadium is rarely sold out and the fan base is not at the scale, Liverpool, Newcastle, Man Utd and Arsenal can boast. The internal wranglings of Kenyon, Arnesen, Mourinho, Abramovich and Buck will not end happily either. Mourinho's verbal outbursts are at best ill-thought ('Voyeur') and at worst, life threatening (Frisk). Willingness to pay exorbitant transfer fees (to both clubs and agents) to secure a player does not endear them to anyone, including the powers that be at FIFA...

Arsenal - Typical XI - Lehmann; Eboue, Toure, Gallas, Clichy; Hleb, Gilberto, Fabregas, Rosicky; Henry, Adebayor.

Strengths - -Arsene Wenger. He brings more prestige and class to a club already oozing prestige and class. He has lured players to the club on his reputation alone (Pires, Henry). His bias on youth could potentially give Arsenal the edge in years to come, and his scouting is methodical. Arsenal, when on form, play superb, flowing, undefendable football (see weaknesses). Henry, in the past, has been the planet's best player. Arsenal combine European skill and technical ability with African pace and power, whilst also allowing Latin skill its place (Reyes, Fabregas, Denilson). The training facilities and playing arena (both Wenger visions) are capable of tempting superstars from around the globe. Increased revenue from Emirates/Nike sponsorship as well as the fan base (both new and old) ensures finances are there for spending. The youthful showing in the Carling Cup hinted at greatness to come. Walcott could become the next big thing since Rooney. Fabregas is indispensable and the Gallas/Toure partnership has the potential to be better than any other in the Premiership, if not Europe.

Weaknesses - Arsene Wenger. It has been speculated that tactics are not high on his agenda. Certainly, attacking and defending set-pieces don't appear to be! He has a set style, a set 'genetic-player' for that style and this effects the way Arsenal play. At the moment, the team is like a big dog; all bark and no bite. Teams with title and cup aspirations need four or five goalscorers who'll hit double figures and at least two who'll get 20+ goals a season. Henry appears to be a shadow of the layer he was a couple of years ago, and is constantly injured. Fabregas, the next star, could be tempted by Barcelona. Van Persie and Adebayor may self-combust with their suspect temperaments. Gallas is potentially a dressing-room stirrer, who could create factions. Ljungberg, Lehmann and Gilberto are approaching the end of their careers. Youth is the future, but it may not be the present. The finances, although seemingly stable, may not be able to compete with the foreign ownership the three main rivals to Arsenal have. Star players may move elsewhere (Cole, Overmars, Petit, Anelka, Vieira), or plain not come to Arsenal altogether (C. Ronaldo - who Wenger spotted before Sir Ferguson, Essien, Wright-Phillips, Cech...). Arsenal's ability to break down mediocre teams has been a common problem now for a couple of seasons (West Ham, Bolton, Sheff. Utd, Blackburn, PSV...) and too many late goals have been shipped recently, resulting in cup exits. Henry's influence could potentially alienate unfavoured players - Reyes being a prime example.

Liverpool - Typical starting XI - Reina; Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Riise; Gerrard, Sissoko, Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia; Kuyt, Bellamy.

Strengths - Benitez is a very good manager. His Champions League victory in his debut season was extremely unexpected, but deserved after some fantastic victories in previous rounds (Barcelona, Juventus...). They play with an unusual mix of Iberian skill and English determination, which can, on their day, beat anyone. Their new US backers could potentially pour millions into new players and facilities (Stanley Park). Gerrard, Alonso and Kuyt are quality players, and the traditions the club invokes in its players usually commands loyalty - Gerrard choosing Liverpool over silverware at Chelsea being a prime example. The club is huge and arguably is actually a sleeping giant.

Weaknesses - For every Sissoko, Alonso, Reina, Hyypia, Finnan and Riise, there is a Kewell, Aurelio, Meijer, Camara, Westerveld or Dundee. Liverpool are usually woeful in the transfer market, so there is no regular team that has had years of playing together. Their big players can't seem to turn down big paydays over club tradition; Owen and Fowler being examples. Benitez's game plan often falters away from Anfield or against rivals in big games. Arsenal and Man Utd can usually beat Liverpool, whereas in the past, this was not always the case. Liverpool may be in the money now, but it doesn't mean they won't squander it on players who don't settle into English life/football. Only players in Spain seem to tempt Benitez (Villa) and they have turned Liverpool down in the past, plus, players bought from smaller English sides in an attempt to strengthen the side have often floundered in the Kop-Red spotlight (Bellamy, Zenden, Heskey, Pennant and Carson). Benitez is clearly tempted by his old employers Real Madrid, and who else is out there good enough to replace him? The same question the Arsenal board may be asking themselves about Wenger. Liverpool don't appear to have a local spine anymore, and players like Hyypia can't carry on forever.