Manchester United striker Michael Owen has brushed off the idea that the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool will challenge for the Premier League title this season (United 9/4 – Premier League outright).

Last season saw Chelsea pip United to the title on the last day of the season after the race for top spot developed into a two-horse contest.

The likes of Arsenal and City had been up there at times but eventually fell away as the two sides who have dominated the league for the last five years continued their stranglehold on the silverware.

Chelsea claimed a domestic double by winning the league and FA Cup, while United took the honours in the Carling Cup.

Speaking ahead of United’s first game of the season against his former club Newcastle (12/1 – 90 minutes) Owen said he expected the same sides to continue their dominance of the English game for another year.

“I see United and Chelsea as the two teams to aim at,” he told the Daily Mirror. “If someone else wins, then obviously they would have had a fantastic season.

“But between us we’ve won it over the last half a dozen years and it would take a very good team to have a very good season to finish above us.

“Every season you look for new challenges, to see who could emerge from the pack. But Chelsea have to be the benchmark. They won the league last year and they’re the champions. If anyone finishes above them, they’ll win the league.”

Owen’s point about Chelsea being United’s only challenger was emphasised by results at the weekend when the Blues hammered West Brom 6-0 while the other contenders could only draw.

While the likes of City, Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal faced tough games against one another Chelsea laid down an early-season marker with their demolition of the newly-promoted Baggies (3/4 – to be relegated).

United will be looking to do the same against Newcastle at Old Trafford on Monday as they look to keep up their impressive record against the Toon.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side haven’t lost to the Tyneside-outfit since 2001 and will be confident of recording another victory over last year’s Championship winners, who are missing a host of first-team players.

Newcastle will be without Leon Best, Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor and Dan Gosling, while Alan Smith is also a doubt.

United have a few problems of their own with Rio Ferdinand, Anderson and Owen Hargreaves all missing out.

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