MANCHESTER: They've hired the two most coveted coaches in world football. Their spending on new players this offseason has almost reached the $400-million barrier. Their stated aim is to win the English Premier League.

Make no mistake: The Manchester clubs mean business.

It was clearly an affront to United and City that they ended up fighting it out for fourth place in the Premier League last season. Standards slipped, rivals stole a march, a big reaction was needed.

At least one of these two superpowers will come up short in the Premier League this season. Maybe even both, considering Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and even Liverpool are live contenders for the title, not forgetting defending champion Leicester.

Reputations are on the line, but United and City couldn't have done much more to get their teams in the right shape for the new season.