Three wise men divided on which Manchester side will rule in Premier League

It hardly qualifies as a scientific survey but the consensus among three wise football men is that the Premier League trophy will return to Manchester at the end of this season.

Ah, but will it be Jose Mourinho or his bosom buddy Pep Guardiola celebrating? On that point, a division emerged in the pre-kick-off views of John Hartson, Kevin Kilbane and Pat Nevin as they engaged in lively discussion in Dublin yesterday to help launch Newstalk’s coverage of the new season in England.

For the record, Hartson and Kilbane are going with City and Nevin with United but, after last season’s spectacular turn-up for the books and this season’s changing of the managerial guard, there’s general agreement that this will be an open title race, albeit one likely to be dominated by a more familiar cast.