Giggs warns Chelsea: We want the title back

Ryan Giggs has predicted one of the closest Premier League title races for years and said Manchester United are determined to reclaim their domestic crown.

Chelsea foiled United's hopes of winning an historic fourth successive title last season and a record 19th in all, and Giggs said Sir Alex Ferguson's players have made winning it back their top priority ahead of the new campaign.

But Giggs admitted traditional title contenders United, Chelsea and Arsenal face stiff competition from the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham and Aston Villa, all of whom are determined to make a sustained challenge on the top four.

"My main aim is to win the title back," said Giggs. "United are always there or thereabouts, but winning it is the important thing and we want it back.

"I think the league is going to be very competitive again. Teams have got a little bit closer together - those that were on the fringe of things have got better and caught up.

"Manchester City obviously have a lot of money to spend, Spurs did well last season, as did Aston Villa. So it'll be interesting to see who's in the top four at the end of the season.

"It's always difficult after a World Cup because the players who have been involved in the tournament have time off.

"You just hope there's no hangover from the World Cup and everyone can hit the ground running. Hopefully our players will come back refreshed and we can get off to a good start."

United midfielder Paul Scholes echoed team-mate Giggs, admitting Fergie's men need to get "back on track" next season by reclaiming the title.

"As far as next season goes we want to get back on track," said Scholes. "Hopefully we'll have better luck with injuries and win some more trophies

"Pre-season is always a busy time of the year for us because we're focused on getting set for the start of the season.

"We are doing lots of training in very hot conditions, but hopefully that will stand us in a good stead for when the season begins."

United, who are on a pre-season tour of the US and Canada, begin their build-up to the new season with a friendly against Celtic in Toronto tomorrow, before taking in games in Philadelphia, Kansas, Houston and Mexico.

Their pre-season plans have been hampered by the fact that no fewer than 12 first-team players will not be on the tour, through a combination of injury and the World Cup.

Rio Ferdinand, Michael Owen, Gary Neville, Antonio Valencia and Owen Hargreaves, are all recovering from injury, while Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, Nemanja Vidic, Ji-Sung Park and Patrice Evra will not return for pre-season training until July 28, following their participation at the World Cup.

New signing Javier Hernandez, who also featured in South Africa, will join United for the Mexico leg of their tour, for the game against his former club Chivas in Guadalajara.

Paul Scholes, 35, who signed a one-year contract extension last season, claimed he may carry on playing for United beyond next season.

Scholes, who is fourth on United's list of all-time appearances, said: "I don't know if it will be my last season. I will just take every game as it comes.

"If I'm feeling okay and doing the job that the manager wants me to do then we will see how things are at the end of next season. Hopefully next season will be another good one for me."

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