Keane still wary of Gunners

Roy Keane still believes Arsenal will be the team Manchester United have to beat to reclaim their Premiership title.

A combination of Chelsea’s summer spending spree and the possible departure of Patrick Vieira from Highbury has led some to suggest the major capital championship challenge will come from Jose Mourinho’s men this season.

Chelsea have not won the league since 1955 but with Mourinho’s managerial skills allied to Roman Abramovich’s vast wealth, the Blues will have a major say in this year’s title battle.

For Keane though, it is Arsenal who remain the major threat. Between them the two clubs have won all but one of the 12 Premier League titles and the Irish midfielder is not buying talk the Gunners may be on the wane.

“Arsenal are still the team to beat,” he said.

“They have proved over the past year that they are the best team. They are up there to be shot at now and we will give it a good go.”

Keane was part of the United squad that flew back to England on Sunday morning from their three-match tour to the United States, which did not go down quite as well as their previous visit 12 months ago.

Three successive defeats and just two goals in open play contrasts sharply with their 14-goal, 100% record on last year’s four-game tour and with a number of key men struggling for fitness, there are fears United have crammed too many games into their pre-season schedule.

With Vodafone Cup duels with PSV Eindhoven and Urawa Red Diamonds to follow tomorrow and Thursday, plus the Community Shield encounter with Arsenal, the Red Devils still have plenty of work to do before the Champions League qualifier against either Dinamo Bucharest or FC Zilnia on August 11.

But Keane is adamant United will be ready for their European test.

“We will be ready for August 11 without a doubt,” he said. “The Champions League game is our priority and we should be okay.

“Only time will tell how good the preparation was on tour. Last year we came away with four good performances and four good results. You thought we would go on to conquer the world but it wasn’t to be.

“You have to look at the bonuses. Some of the younger lads have done well and Alan Smith has settled in, not just in games but also in the dressing room and in training.”