We needed the Special One back, but it's insulting to write off Moyes already

It is always a sign of a classic team that you can name the full line-up without pausing for thought. I am still able to automatically reel off Jose Mourinho’s great Chelsea team of 2005 — Cech, Ferreira, Terry, Carvalho, Gallas, Makelele, Essien, Lampard, Robben, Drogba, Duff. They were possibly the hardest opponents I ever faced at Manchester United, a real dog of a team.

When Jose Mourinho won the league title for two years in a row, I did start to wonder if we’d ever get it back at Old Trafford, which is why stopping him from winning a third in 2007 was so special.

There is no doubt Roman Abramovich and Jose Mourinho raised the bar in English football at that time. At Manchester United, we eventually rose to the challenge they set and so did other Premier League clubs, making the league the strongest in Europe in that period.

The Special One: Jose Mourinho took the Premier League by storm upon his arrival Classic: Frank Lampard and Arjen Robben were part of Mourinho's memorable side

And whoever you support, everyone should be delighted to have Jose Mourinho back for the new season.

The Premier League is about passion, excitement, never-say-die spirit — and big personalities. With Sir Alex Ferguson retired, and uncertainty surrounding the futures of Gareth Bale, Wayne Rooney and Luis Suarez, the league requires a Jose Mourinho character more than ever.

He is the biggest signing of the summer for English football, more than that of any player. You can’t ignore him, the way he challenges people, works the media or celebrates on the touchline like a fan. Understandably, there is a lot of hype surrounding Jose Mourinho’s return and many experts make Chelsea their choice to win the title because of the Mourinho factor. But I’m yet to be convinced about them without a world-class forward.

Jose Mourinho’s first great team were physical, strong, mentally tough, had pace in wide areas and strong characters all over the pitch. Ricardo Carvalho and Michael Essien were infectious characters, John Terry and Frank Lampard were magnificent and in their prime. Didier Drogba was a huge personality.

The Chelsea team he inherits today is full of promise but not as good as first time round, at least not yet. It has a great deal of potential with young players like Eden Hazard but it hasn’t yet demonstrated the same air of authority or sheer bloody-mindedness to win a title.

In addition, Abramovich can’t or is choosing not to blow every other club out of the water financially like he used to. While financial fair play is hard to enforce, it is one issue to take into consideration. The other is that Abramovich has put the reins on. This summer, they were linked with Edinson Cavani and Radamel Falcao but failed to sign them. I think a decade ago Abramovich signed everyone he and the club wanted.

The competition is fiercer, too. When Jose Mourinho first arrived, United were in a transition period compared to today’s squad, who have just won the league by 11 points. Back then Arsenal were the only other serious contenders, now you’ve got additional threats such as Manchester City, who are backed by wealthier owners than Abramovich.

Lavish spending: Man City owner Sheikh Mansour (centre) and others like him have changed the game

Looking at the title race, I’ve never heard of a team winning the league by as wide a margin as United did and still only being ranked third-favourites the next season. Knowing the lads in that Old Trafford dressing room today, they will be using that as motivation.

They haven’t lost any key players in the meantime, so the only explanation is that people are sceptical David Moyes can replicate the success achieved by Sir Alex Ferguson. In contrast, Jose Mourinho is regarded as a surefire winner.

I find the anticipation that David Moyes won’t get a response from his players slightly baffling. He’s a proven coach, knows the league well and, most importantly, has players at his disposal who have won time and time again. Men such as Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic.

If I was a United player, I’d feel slightly insulted to only be the third-most fancied team, having won the league so convincingly. It could fire up the United players — I know from my time you’re happy to use any little motivational edge you can, including things from outside. When Rafa Benitez read out his famous ‘facts’ during a title race, we were delighted. We were ice-cool and had a manager who was in control.

Years before, there had been a player — from Aston Villa or Liverpool, I think — who said in an interview how good he’d look with a Premier League winner’s medal around his neck on the beach. Sir Alex Ferguson was fantastic at using things like that to cajole the players, and we didn’t leave anyone else with a medal that season.

Legend: Sir Alex Ferguson, who retired in the summer, was superb at cajoling his troops Don't write him off: David Moyes is a proven coach who knows the league well

The Moyes-Mourinho comparisons, with the speculation around Wayne Rooney adding to the spice, mean I can’t wait for the United-Chelsea game in a couple of weeks. Neither manager can afford to blink. Jose Mourinho has got to attack because that would be the biggest statement he could ever set. David Moyes will not want to lose at home against Jose Mourinho so early in his United career.

The way the fixtures have been arranged, Chelsea have an extra midweek game beforehand and know they could go at least six points clear with a win.

First, though, United have to win Sunday’s Community Shield against Wigan. You can’t turn form and results on and off like a tap, so a good result is necessary ahead of their Premier League opener at Swansea on Saturday. Of course, we shouldn’t forget Manchester City. They are big players and may be the biggest beneficiaries of all from the United-Chelsea rivalry. Their manager, Manuel Pellegrini, has been the biggest spender of the big clubs and completed business early with Fernandinho, Stevan Jovetic, Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo arriving.

He’ll tighten the City defence and if Chelsea and United don’t add new players, he could have the strongest squad of all.

Usually, I’d have a strong hunch who will be champions. This time I haven’t got a clue, though United’s experience and know-how does give them an advantage. However, the bookies have gone for Chelsea. That has to be the Mourinho factor.

The Mourinho Factor: It looks tight at the top but the bookies have made Chelsea favourites

Hazard warning - new stars needed

At one time, most foreign players signing for Premier League clubs seemed to be household names, like Dennis Bergkamp and Jurgen Klinsmann.

It feels different now. I was looking through a list of players signed in this window and even though I like to think I am pretty well read on European and world football, I’d be struggling to tell you much about half of them.

Even though there is more money being spent at this stage than in any other transfer window, I don’t think any magnificent world-class players have arrived.

Fernandinho and Stevan Jovetic at Manchester City are maybe closest but it was disappointing to see Edinson Cavani and Radamel Falcao end up in France with PSG and Monaco.

Prospect: Gary Neville thinks Eden Hazard (right) can be the world's best No 10

What needs to happen now — and I think it will — is that some of the young, talented overseas players already here step up and become genuine international superstars. Top of my list to achieve that would be Eden Hazard, who has the potential to be the next ‘Best No 10 in the World’.



I look at Sergio Aguero at Manchester City, who is still young at 25. His goal won the league in his first season but he didn’t have the same impact last year. If he can stay injury-free, he has the ability to be the best centre-forward in the world.

We have players here who can provide the wow factor. David Silva at Manchester City dipped a bit last season but we know what he can do. And any league in the world would want Robin van Persie.

Time to tighten up in Europe

In the recent past, there seemed to be an English team in the Champions League final every year. In 2008, we had both finalists in Manchester United and Chelsea.

Last season was disappointing — no English club in the quarter-finals — as German football came to the fore and challenged Real Madrid and Barcelona.

One explanation for me might be a lowering of standards of defending in the Premier League.

I realise it’s harder than ever for defenders given changes in the offside rules and frequency of yellow and red cards, but I still think English clubs as a whole could tighten up.

Tacticians: The likes of Manuel Pellegrini can iron out wrinkles that stop Man City succeeding in Europe

I think the arrivals of David Moyes, Manuel Pellegrini and Jose Mourinho at the top three clubs will help with that; all are good coaches who will iron out any organisational problems.

When I look at teams like Juventus, they defend better as a unit than our teams. And Bayern became the best in Europe last season for their great defensive play and desire to win the ball as much as anything else.

We like goals but it’s more rewarding to see a team having to work to score than given it on a plate. Maybe it’s the full-back in me but I hope to see better defensive play this season.

Team to watch: Norwich City

Chris Hughton is an organised coach but Norwich flirted with danger last season because of an inability to score goals.

They have worked hard this summer to put that right by paying a club-record £8.5million fee for Dutch striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel and signing Gary Hooper from Celtic.

I’m not predicting Champions League football for Norwich but I expect them to do better than last year.

Goal machine? Ricky Van Wolfswinkel could help Norwich overcome their scoring problems

I'd like to see: England in Brazil

Better defending, greater success among our Champions League clubs, but above all… England reaching the World Cup.



It’s not even something I want to think about, not being involved next summer against the best footballing nations on earth in Brazil.



England qualifying and then doing well in South America would have a massive impact on the whole national game. We’ve enjoyed Andy Murray, Justin Rose, the Olympic legacy — it’s time for football to make the country feel good.

Time to shine: Neville hopes we can watch England at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil

I fear for: The North-East

I love watching football up in the North-East; Newcastle and Sunderland fans are among the best and most passionate in the country and they deserve teams to live up to that.



But I worry about the direction the clubs are going and what’s going to happen next.



Newcastle have been slow out of the blocks in terms of new signings and appointing Joe Kinnear to work with Alan Pardew is one that has to be explained to me.



Sunderland are the opposite, a whirlwind of ins and outs under Paolo di Canio.

It won’t be dull at either club but after last season’s struggle, I’m not certain there will be improvement.

Trouble: It won't be dull with Paolo Di Canio involve... but will Sunderland improve?

Player to watch: Gerard Deulofeu

My choice may surprise people but I saw this fantastic prospect at the Under-20 World Cup this summer.



Gerard caught my eye playing as an outside-forward, left or right, for Spain and I hope he gets a chance to play at Everton.



The fact Roberto Martinez beat clubs from all over Europe to sign him from Barcelona on loan suggests he will get one.



I was in Turkey for the World Cup as part of my Pro Licence and was struck by his movement, and how he plays and receives the ball at the right time.



I hope we see one of the world’s great young talents develop here.



PS … I went to Old Trafford on Friday for Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial against Sevilla and United’s best player was a young boy, Adnan Januzaj. Love to see more of him this year.

Watch out: Gerard Deulofeu impressed at the U20 World Cup and can grow in the Premier League

My summer boost: Christian Benteke



It was really good news for player and club that Christian Benteke signed a new contract with Aston Villa. The young striker had a great debut season and it was assumed he’d be on his way to a so-called bigger club.

By staying, Benteke has given himself a chance of developing further in an environment he’s already comfortable with. He has time on his side and I hope Paul Lambert and Aston Villa continue to put faith in young players.