The pressure is on Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney and new signing Michael Owen, to offset the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, who went to Real Madrid and Manchester City, respectively.

The loss of the former might have a bigger impact on United's attack style, but the latter is of more significant and immediate importance given the local rivalry and City's stated ambition to become title contenders as early as the coming season.

Rooney was quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph that now, it was up to the three established senior strikers at United to do the business for the Red Devils

"With Cristiano leaving, it does leave a huge hole when it comes to goals and that is why it is important that the likes of myself, Berba and Michael chip in. We all need to score more goals than we managed last year, especially me and Berba, and hopefully we can do that.".

"I've played with Michael for England many times, though, so I know him well and he has looked really sharp in training. I'm sure he will get goals this season and I am looking forward to playing with him," he said.

Indeed, Owen is already showing indication that he has a lot of bread left in him, still. Just like scoring a goal in his Liverpool debut at the tender age of 17, Owen did it again for United, at his first appearance during the club's Far East tour, with an 84th-minute winner in a 3-2 victory over a Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur.

Owen appeared on the pitch as a second-half substitute and was on hand to slot home a loose ball spilled by United's Serbian youngster Zoran Tosic in the penalty area.

Berbatoiv and Rooney are expected to take centre stage at United this season. However, the Bulgarian must be on his toes if he wants to retain his first-team place. Owen can be deadly if he manages to stay injury-free and, given his experience of playing in tandem up front with Wayne Rooney, the competition will be stiff.

Regarding United's new striker, manager Alex Ferguson said, as quoted by the BBC: "He's different from our other players, he's always searching for space, he's always in and around the box. He reacted well for his goal."

Meanwhile, Owen told the club's website: "It's just nice to play with players who are on your wavelength, spotting your runs - they are just class players".