Manchester United are still the team to beat in the new English football season, observes espnstar.com's Ian Griffiths.

It may well have been a rather tepid affair, but Manchester United’s success at Sunday’s Community Shield was undoubtedly a case of normal service being resumed.

The Red Devils’ penalty shootout defeat of Portsmouth not only ushered in another season of top-flight action, it also showed the watching masses that the reigning Premier League and UEFA Champions League champions already look destined for glory.

Despite the loud noises emanating from Stamford Bridge, Anfield and Emirates Stadium, the classy side from Old Trafford undoubtedly remain the team to beat.

Last weekend’s victory showed us just why Sir Alex’s men are on track to land England’s domestic crown come next May.

With Carlos Tevez – leading the line in a 4-4-1-1 formation - at his rampaging finest for the men in red, United looked at ease throughout the showpiece Wembley event.

United’s dynamic forward play, in which the speedy Nani and evergreen Ryan Giggs also starred, coupled with an ever reliable defence and a midfield that displayed grit and flair in equal amounts, must have left Messrs Scolari, Benitez and Wenger feeling a sense of déjà vu and quaking in their boots. The also-rans look set to remain just that.

Yet again United are a team that oozes class, a team that has what it takes to scale the heights they reached last time around. Don’t forget Sunday’s canter was achieved without the services of both Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, extra firepower that will only enhance the chances of silverware winging its way to Old Trafford.

Added to this, Ferguson’s determination to rely less heavily on Ronaldo’s goal scoring exploits by bringing in an out-and-out striker such as Dimitar Berbatov or Thierry Henry to bolster his attacking options, will only increase the likelihood of United conquering all.

It has often been said that any team hoping to finish top of the pile must, when placed under the footballing microscope, be able to satisfy two prerequisites.

One, that they have a strong spine running through the middle of the team – United do with van der Sar, Ferdinand/Vidic, Scholes/Hargreaves, Rooney/Tevez – and that they have strength in depth. Again United tick the box.

Owen Hargreaves and Brazil ace Anderson were – like Ronaldo and Rooney – star names missing from the Pompey clash. Wes Brown, a gem last season, was unlucky to lose his place to returning captain Gary Neville, whilst John O’Shea and Michael Carrick will also, once again, spill blood for the cause.

Then there’s twins Fabio and Rafael da Silva – top notch Brazilian youngsters, not to mention Park Ji-sung, Danny Wellbeck and livewire attacker Frazier Campbell. The list of highly rated squad members at United is indeed an extensive one. Quality galore.

Okay so Liverpool may have recruited Robbie Keane, Chelsea may have signed Deco and Arsenal may have retained the services of Emmanuel Adebayor, but pound-for-pound, man-for-man, United remain light years ahead of their rivals.

Glory, glory, Man United? You bet.

* The Barclays Premier League kicks off on 16 August 2008. Get your live scores, updates and match reports here on espnstar.com