Blue Moon is rising in Manchester but likely to be miserable for now

With London, Manchester and Birmingham – cities that provide almost half the 20 member clubs in the 2011-12 top flight – still smouldering after the anarchy of the past few days and the population trying to pick up the pieces, asking whether Chelsea will prosper under new manager Andre Villas-Boas or Manchester United can be toppled by their noisy neighbours seems almost obscene.

Even Sky, that most dedicated user of hyperbole when it comes to covering the Premier League, would surely not consider how Arsenal get on against Newcastle United tomorrow or Liverpool versus Sunderland being of any real importance when compared to the devastation that has been wreaked across the country.

But, as these are the sports pages of the Yorkshire Post, I suppose anyone turning in the direction of this column will be looking for some form of sporting distraction from the depressing events so, here goes:

Expect Morrissey’s home town to dominate proceedings this season with City, following the stellar capture of Sergio Aguero during the summer, looking the most capable of maintaining a challenge to the red half of Manchester’s supremacy.

Having overcome the psychological barrier of winning a first major trophy in 35 years last May, City fans are in giddy mood ahead of the coming season. Such a feeling is understandable, especially with the Champions League about to make its debut at the newly-christened Etihad Stadium.

A summer where the club have spent heavily once again is another reason for the growing belief that this really could be a case of the Blue Moon rising above Manchester.

Not, of course, that United fans will see it that way – and, in my opinion, with plenty of justification.

Last season’s Premier League may not, in terms of quality, have been a vintage one.

But Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were worthy champions. Add to that the loosening of the purse strings at Old Trafford to bring in Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David de Gea plus the on-going attempts to sign Wesley Sneijder, and there can be little doubt United are much stronger this time around.

It is why I believe they will, come May, still be considered the cream of Manchester and, therefore, champions.

As for the rest, Chelsea, even if Fernando Torres rediscovers his form, will have all on to finish higher than third, while Arsenal seem destined for another ‘if only’ season even allowing for the signing of Gervinho.

Bold noises have been coming out of Anfield after a lavish spending spree since the turn of the year but a lack of value in the transfer market plus failure to sign a truly top-class defender means it is likely to be the Europa Cup at best for Kenny Dalglish’s men in 2012-13.

Down at the bottom, the fight for survival is unlikely to be anything like as dramatic as last term when the final day saw no less than five teams occupy the bottom three places during a captivating afternoon.

Swansea City, whose attacking style lit up last season’s Championship, look the most vulnerable of the three promoted sides, especially after a summer that has seen Brendan Rogers bring in journeyman pros such as Leroy Lita and Wayne Routledge. Danny Graham, despite his 24 goals in the second tier last term, is also a big risk, while Darren Pratley’s exit on a free transfer to Bolton leaves a big hole.

Blackburn Rovers, and owners who promised Ronaldinho in the transfer market but instead delivered David Goodwillie, look to be an accident waiting to happen, while the departure of Charles N’Zogbia to Aston Villa and Tom Cleverley, who returned to Manchester United after a successful loan spell, mean Wigan Athletic will kick off in a weaker state than 12 months ago.

After a week that has, to quote the prescient words of The Smiths’s frontman Morrissey, seen “panic on the streets of London, panic on the streets of Birmingham”, the start of a 20th Premier League campaign is hardly the enticing prospect of norm.

But, even so, in terms of who is going to dominate the title race, it is surely going to be another of Morrissey’s great lyrics that is most appropriate in summing up the feelings of fans up and down the country.

Oh Manchester, so much to answer for...