Manchester United might have won their 13th Premier League title in style last season, with 11 points between them and second placed rivals, City. But this year it might become tougher for the club to emulate such a feat, given it is their first season in the Premier League without their legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Stepping into the shoes of the Scot has always been a big responsibility and incoming manager David Moyes would hope to do justice to the position.

The fixtures for the Premier League 2013-14 have been released and the Red Devils kick off their campaign, yet again away from home, this time at the Liberty Stadium – home of Swansea City – on the 17th of August. Michael Laudrup’s side might prove to be formidable opponents on their day, but the following week’s fixture is bound to be a cracker with United hosting Chelsea at Old Trafford on the 24th of August. The encounter with Jose Mourinho’s Blues would be just the beginning of a vehemently competitive series of fixtures with the club due to face Liverpool at Anfield, on the 31st of August.

When David Moyes took over at Old Trafford one thing was clear. He was going to mould the club in his style. Not the style of his illustrious predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson. The changes have already started coming in with the departure of key members of the backroom staff including Mike Phelan, Eric Steele and Rene Meulensteen, as the incoming Scot wants to bring his Everton team to work with him. Another trait that Moyes is probably not going to let go of when he arrives at Manchester is his signing of small names for a larger cause. If reports from the Daily Express are to be believed, then the wheels are already in motion to make Uruguayan right back Guillermo Valera the first signing under David Moyes at Manchester United.

Valera, 20, is a little known name outside Uruguay and recently had a trial with Manchester United. The player bonded well with Javier Hernandez and was surprised to get a chance to train with the Premier League champions. The player was also grateful to his club Penarol for allowing him leave for his Manchester sojourn.

Manchester City are all set to compete with their local rivals Manchester United and favoured raiding club Arsenal for the race to bring Cesc Fabregas back to the Premier League, reported The Daily Mail.

Fabregas is reportedly unsettled at the Camp Nou after having to play second fiddle to the likes of Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets. Though the Spaniard probably knew that it was going to be a big challenge to break into the established starting 11 at Barcelona, the player might have expected to achieve more in the past two years than he has. Still 26, Fabregas would obviously want to play at a club where his talent is done justice with a regular starting spot, something which can’t be obtained as of yet at the Barca.

Monaco seems to have commenced the trend of breaking English hearts, courtesy of their coffers that are overflowing with gold. The cash laden club is reported to be on the verge of signing Radamel Falcao and Victor Valdes, after the dual coup of James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho from Porto, reported ESPN.

Falcao and his agent Jorge Mendes are reported to be scheduled for a meeting today with Monaco owner Dmitry Rybolovlev to discuss his future at the club. There were reports previously too, of the Colombian being linked to the club, which he had himself dismissed as baseless. However, with winds of change favouring the French, Falcao was reported to have travelled to the club yesterday for his medical, which in turn means that a confirmation of his deal in the near future is almost assured.

Arsene Wenger is keen on giving a considerable boost to his squad over the summer and the latest player on the Frenchman’s wishlist is Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, reported the Sunday Mirror.

The 20 year-old has been exceptional for the Turin giants after his move from Manchester United last summer, making 36 appearances in his debut season. The French international has started on a promising note for the Italian champions and Sir Alex Ferguson would undoubtedly rue letting the youngster depart.

In a dramatic turn of events, that is sure to take the football world by surprise, Sir Alex Ferguson has declared he is keen on keeping Luis Nani at Old Trafford, and would not like to see him leave the club this summer.

The Portuguese winger, is yet to agree on a contract extension at Old Trafford, and Manchester United were speculated to be ready to offload the 26 year old during this transfer window; Turin being his most likely destination, with Juventus willing to offer United upto ₤20 million to do business, amalgamated with a salary of ₤127,000 a week, to lure Nani to Italy.

Both Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger are unconvinced with their existing stock in goal and want a new man to take up the gloves next season. Their search will see them come face to face in France as both clubs hold a strong interest in St Etienne’s in-form goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier.

A product of Monaco’s academy, Ruffier has been the first choice stopper for St Etienne since moving to the club in 2011. The stopper has been in sensational form this season playing an integral role as St Etienne sit in third place in Ligue 1. The club have the second best defensive record in the league and are strong contenders to make it to next season’s Champions League.