Title race wide open since Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United, says Nicolas Anelka

Nicolas Anelka claims that Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from Manchester United has blown the title race wide open.

Anelka admits reigning champions United were in a class of their own last season - but he believes selling Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez will prove a mistake.

Chelsea striker Anelka also warned his partnership with Didier Drogba can fire them to the title, but backed Manchester City to be a major threat.

Last night Anelka declared: "I don't think Manchester United will be as strong this season because Ronaldo has gone, Tevez has gone and maybe that will give us more chance to win this title and to be stronger than United.

"But United are still a strong team, Alex Ferguson is a good manager who knows how to do it and they will be like they are every season - very strong.

"But maybe this season because we have a strong squad and everyone is together we have a better chance. It is going to be a tough title race. They are all very strong, even Manchester City have some good players.

"And because United lost two big players it gives everyone else, including ourselves, a big chance to win it. We will have to wait fight until the end and see."

Anelka admits he was "surprised" that Emmanuel Adebayor quit Arsenal for City in a £22million move.

But the former Gunner suggests Adebayor could see more potential at Eastlands than the Emirates. He said: "Maybe Adebayor thinks with City and their big money and buying a lot of players he has more chance of winning the title."

Drogba and Anelka have struggled to form a successful partnership in the past. But they have worked well during the club's pre-season US tour.

Anelka added: "We can be the best partnership in England because we are strong together as a pair.

"I always want him to score, he wants me to score and we like to play together and we will get chances."