Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has suggested his team will prioritize securing the third European Champions League title of his reign this season despite his desperation to dethrone Chelsea as champions in what he says will the most competitive EPL campaign, which begins this weekend, for years.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea finished ahead of Man United by one point last season. Says Ferguson:  "I think when you lose the title by a point you do ask yourself where you lost the point that mattered. You could examine many games that way. But for me, during the history of this club, the European Cup is a big attraction. For me, anyway. That must be a priority.

"But you cannot help but go for the Premier League, because the Premier League is such a tribalistic competition. Every game is so competitive, with six or seven rivals, so you cannot help but go for it."

Ferguson said Manchester City's summer spending of $155 million means Coach Roberto Mancini's team "has to challenge" for a Champions League place. Ferguson believes Liverpool will improve under new boss Roy Hodgson, and that Everton, with all its players back, "could be an interesting prospect. I expect the top four to be competitive again after Tottenham broke the monopoly of ourselves, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal last year."