United star sets himself new goal

England soccer international Teddy Sheringham arrived in Hong Kong yesterday with the rest of his Manchester United teammates for tomorrow's exhibition match against South China.

He was last in Hong Kong 14 months ago with the England squad. That tour created headlines after trouble on a Cathay Pacific flight.

Sheringham, 31, United's major close-season signing at GBP3.5 million (HK$45 million) from Tottenham, was bought as a replacement for the controversial and enigmatic French star Eric Cantona.

What's on your mind? Playing well for Manchester United and getting ready for the new season.

Do you think the players appreciate what this tour means to their Hong Kong fans, with some sleeping out for tickets? I don't think we do, to be honest. We know that it has been a sell-out but I don't think we realise how big it is. It is really another pre-season game for us. The big stuff comes when we start the season.

How do you feel about stepping into Eric Cantona's boots? I can only be myself, and hopefully that will be good enough for Manchester United.

There are always pressures. I have followed players like Lineker into Tottenham and Beardsley into England. You can put whatever pressures you want on yourself.

I came to Manchester United because I want to be up there challenging for trophies, and hopefully I will be doing that.

Have United got their work cut out next season with so many other teams emerging with strong squads? I think the season will be very close. People say that every year, but I really do see five or six teams up there and two or three more outside chances. There're a lot of good players coming into England and it makes it very difficult to win the league.

Arsenal, I think, will be up there, although it hurts me to say it being a Tottenham man. Liverpool obviously, Newcastle again, and then you've got the likes of Chelsea buying big as well at the moment, and one or two others who are just on the periphery.