Without Sneijder there's still a vital chink in Man United's armour

Not until the transfer window has closed will we have a clearer idea of how the major contenders in this season's Premier League title race are shaping up; not until the last deal has been done, the final few millions spent, will we get a sense of where the trophy might end up come next May.

Right now, the advantage probably remains with Manchester United. The defending champions are serial winners and Sir Alex Ferguson has responded to that chastening Champions League final defeat by Barcelona as he said he would that night - by trying to recruit players who can add an extra dimension to his side in the hope of closing the gap on the classy Catalans.

So far, so good. Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David de Gea amount to good business, even if it remains to be seen if the 20-year-old Spanish goalkeeper can cover immediately for the loss of the marvellous Edwin van der Sar.

Extra dimension: Manchester United fell well short against Barcelona in May

Certainly, De Gea did not enjoy the most confident of games on Sunday and Ferguson has had his problems with goalkeepers in the past. The search for a successor to Peter Schmeichel proved difficult until he eventually recruited Fabien Barthez and he followed that with the capture of Van der Sar. But one crucial area has not yet been addressed by United and Ferguson must realise his side is still crying out for a player of Wesley Sneijder's ability - a player who can fill the void left by Paul Scholes and reduce United's reliance on a 37-year-old Ryan Giggs when they need a bit of invention in midfield.

Young will provide an extra attacking threat to add potency to Wayne Rooney and his fellow strikers. There is a sense that in Young, while a different kind of player, there could be echoes of Dwight Yorke; a talented professional at Aston Villa but someone who only realised his full potential once he began working with a superior breed of footballer.

In Sneijder, however, comes the solution to the deficiencies that were exposed by Barcelona. There is a need for more creativity ahead of Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher; someone who can establish an effective link between midfield and attack and complete United as a team.

Missing link: Wesley Sneijder would add creativity to Man United's midfield

On Saturday, United woke to headlines in Italy that Sneijder was leaving Inter Milan not for them but for Manchester City.

It was a story that would have amounted to Ferguson's worst nightmare; a further example of those noisy neighbours making a serious nuisance of themselves and exactly what United do not need when the alternative target has his heart set on Chelsea. Luka Modric was the other player identified by Ferguson for the role, but the Croatian has publicly declared his desire to move to Stamford Bridge should Tottenham crack and finally let him go.

While Gazzetta dello Sport insisted a deal had been agreed between Inter Milan and City for Sneijder, City said otherwise. Sneijder does not appear to be on their radar, perhaps because they think the Dutchman would prefer to join United.

He's behind you: Sir Alex Ferguson now recognises Man City as a real threat

Even so, the challenge from City is going to be stronger this season. Perhaps stronger than it will be from Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool or Tottenham.

They secured their first trophy under Roberto Mancini with victory in the FA Cup final and there is a sense that the momentum is building despite issues surrounding Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli.

The deal with Etihad is a staggering one, not to mention timely given the financial fair play regulations on the horizon. And the signing of Sergio Aguero is exciting - a massive coup. Stefan Savic and Gael Clichy should be useful additions, too.

Exciting addition: Man City's Sergio Aguero

Mancini has acknowledged that City need to score more goals this season and Aguero should certainly assist them in that department. But, like United and no doubt the other main contenders, their spending may not be over yet.

That they have spent as much as United this summer - a cool £52m so far - underlines how determined City are to go toe-to-toe with United and it will be fascinating to see how much of a fight they can make it in their bid to knock United off their perch.

Ferguson is 70 midway through this season and he might have retired before City succeed in doing so, but such is the wealth now at Mancini's disposal it is a good bet it will happen in his lifetime.

Ferguson must realise as much. He tried to get under Mancini's skin again last Friday by suggesting that only with time and success does a manager gain control of a club, but dismissing their chances is something he now avoids. He knows he now has to take City seriously.

Sleeping giant: Chelsea have been quiet in the transfer market so far

Events at Chelsea are sure to intrigue him as much as the rest of us. They have been relatively quiet in the transfer market so far, despite their attempts to lure Modric. But far more important is how 33-year-old Andre Villas-Boas deals with a dressing room that has not always been an easy place for managers with far more medals, not to mention experience, than him.

Chelsea kick off their campaign with a trip to Stoke on Sunday. Not the most glamorous of fixtures but the pick of the weekend games because it represents a tough introduction to Premier League management for Villas-Boas.

This, of course, remains a strong Chelsea side and one that is sure to benefit from the emergence Daniel Sturridge and Josh McEachran. They will challenge Manchester's finest, just as they will make it difficult for the other clubs vying for the four Champions League places.

With Arsenal destabilised by the Cesc Fabregas saga, it will be interesting to see if there is another change at the top. Liverpool have invested an enormous amount to secure their passage back to the Premier League's promised land and backing Kenny Dalglish to guide them there at Arsenal's expense looks a decent bet.