Manchester: Manchester United closed the gap on Premier League champions Chelsea to eight points last season and will not want to be second-best much longer.
United won the League Cup, a competition they normally regard as the least of their priorities, but that was small consolation for a club desperate to reclaim the title they last won in 2003.
The time has come for manager Alex Ferguson to deliver again or face fresh questions about staying on beyond his 20-year reign at Old Trafford.
Big-spending Chelsea, who have again invested heavily over the close season on Michael Ballack, Andriy Shevchenko and United target John Obi Mikel, will take some catching as they pursue a hat-trick of championship wins.
Ferguson believes he is in charge of a developing squad and by starting the season better aims to put pressure on Chelsea.
However, hopes of improving on last season's injury-marred start have already been hit with new signing Michael Carrick likely to miss the opening couple of games with an ankle injury.
England centre back Rio Ferdinand is one of a number of United defenders who have sustained injuries in pre-season, while the threat of bans for Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes after red cards in a warm-up tournament have not helped preparations.
Big Spenders
Carrick's move from Tottenham Hotspur in deal that could add up to 18.6 million pounds ($35.48 million) has proved that United, under the Glazer family, can still spend big.
The 25-year-old will fill the holding role left vacant by the departure of Roy Keane last year, following a number of disappointing midfield buys, and United should be defensively sound, especially if Gabriel Heinze returns to full fitness.
But it is in attack where question marks remain. Cristiano Ronaldo's commitment will come under close scrutiny when he is targeted by rival supporters in the aftermath of Portugal's World Cup win over England.
The winger's part in the dismissal of Rooney during the quarter-final may no longer be a problem in the United dressing room, but speculation over a move to Spanish football lingers.
With Rooney around United will always be capable of winning matches and the return to fitness of Old Trafford stalwarts Scholes and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a plus.
The departure of Dutch striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid leaves a huge hole, though.
If United can make up for his absence in front of goal they should be equipped to compete for the big prizes. If not then Chelsea will remain out of sight.
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