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Red revival United favored again as new recruits boost lineupPosted: Thursday August 14, 2003 11:56 AMBy Charles Froggatt, CNN LONDON, England (CNN) -- Despite losing Juan Sebastian Veron and David Beckham, English champion Manchester United still start the 2003 Premier League season as favourite to defend its title as Sir Alex Ferguson's summer signings bolster a squad already rich in talent. United have won eight Premier League titles since 1992 under Ferguson but, following Beckham's departure to Real Madrid and Veron's sale to Chelsea, the squad seemed irreparably weakened. But after signing Kleberson from Atletico Paranaense for US$9.5 million and Cristiano Ronaldo from Sporting Lisbon for US$19.7 million Wednesday, United goes into Saturday's opening league match against Bolton with new optimism. Kleberson has been on Ferguson's shopping list for months. Since making his international debut in February, scoring in a 6-0 win against Bolivia, the 23-year-old has made 15 appearances for Brazil including five during last year's victorious World Cup campaign. He is also the first Brazilian to have played for the Red Devils. Ronaldo has U-15, U-16 and U-17 international caps for Portugal, and comes with a reputation as one of the most exciting strikers that Sporting Lisbon has ever produced. But it was United's recent 3-1 defeat to Sporting Lisbon that heightened Ferguson's interest in the player. "We had a tough night against him. He's two-footed, he's quick, he's brave. He's tall, he's good in the air and he can play either side, wide right or wide left, he can play through the middle," said Ferguson. Ferguson has even given the 18-year-old the No. 7 shirt -- previously worn by Beckham. "There have been some famous players at this club -- Eric Cantona, Bryan Robson, David Beckham have held the jersey in my time at the club. I think it was appropriate that a young player like Ronaldo should take it because hopefully he's going to be at the club for a long, long time," he added. Although Chelsea's summer spending binge of over US$100 million pushed up market prices, and United lost out to Barcelona in the race to sign Brazilian striker Ronaldinho, Ferguson is confident he has spent United's money wisely. "I'm delighted that it's all over and done. We are adding two fantastic young players to the club," said Ferguson. United's other pre-season recruits include U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard, Cameroon midfielder Eric Djemba Djemba and young French striker David Bellion. Those three have already had a taste of success with United after featuring in Sunday's penalty shootout win over archrival Arsenal in the Community Shield, the traditional season-opener. United's coach has been renowned for nurturing some of the country's biggest talents over the years, not least David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs. Just as those players benefited from playing alongside the likes of Eric Cantona and Paul Ince, the new recruits will undoubtedly draw from the experience of the established players, as well bringing a few tricks of their own to United's star-studded lineup.
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