Goodison trip could set tone for Ferguson's bid to regain title
The new English Premiership season kicks off tonight, and Manchester United and Liverpool cannot afford any opening-night nerves for their tough matches at Everton and Middlesbrough respectively.
It is too early to be talking about must-win games, but Sir Alex Ferguson is well aware that his United team gave up too much ground in the opening weeks of last season and that Everton (who took four points off them last season) are the sort of side United must beat this season if they are to make a serious title challenge.
United were 11 points off the pace after 12 games last season, and were always fighting a losing battle from then on. Gone are the days when United could start slowly and pick up the pace after Christmas - the standards set by Chelsea and Arsenal in the past two seasons mean the race is on from the very beginning. Chelsea and Arsenal both won at Everton last season, which emphasises how important it is for United to show immediate improvement on last season's patchy away form.
They did win 2-0 at Everton in the FA Cup last season and their overall record against the Toffees is exemplary - until their 1-0 league defeat at Goodison late last season, United had won eight and drawn one of their previous nine league visits.
United should win, but they don't rate as an odds-on shot, even if a decline in Everton's form is factored in, and this match is best watched for signs of how the two teams compare against last season's form. Liverpool have an even bigger gap to close on the top teams, and major improvement in their away form is crucial if they are to build on their amazing Champions League triumph.
They face a tough start at Middlesbrough, however. Steve McClaren's side were not far behind Liverpool last season and could improve again now that they have added another high-quality striker in GBP7.5m signing Aiyegbeni Yakubu. On last season's form, Boro should be favourites and they look too good to miss.