Changes afoot for United

The 2007-08 Premier League is but a match old and already we have new title favourites. Changes are, quite literally, afoot in the outright market following the misfortune that befell Manchester United and more specifically Wayne Rooney at the weekend. Rooney sustained his third broken foot in as many years during United's anti-climactic 0-0 draw with ten-man Reading and is expected to be out of action until October. The result made a mockery of United's £50m-plus outlay on players this summer, particularly as defender John O'Shea was told to play up front in the second half. To add insult to injury Sir Alex Ferguson's side have been deposed as favourites by Chelsea, after their 3-2 win against Birmingham on Sunday. The Londoners are a best-priced 13/8 to reclaim the crown they have won twice in the last three seasons, although if their five-goal thriller at Stamford Bridge is anything to go by, the new cavalier approach insisted upon by Roman Abramovich should make them more beatable this term. Both Liverpool and Arsenal left it late to complete 2-1 wins against Aston Villa and Fulham respectively and have consequently seen their odds shorten. The Reds are into 5/1 from 6s while Arsene Wenger's men are now 9/1 from the 12/1 tipped in this column last month. Tottenham's last-gasp defeat to Sunderland, meanwhile, has seen them drift out to 150/1 with Stan James. Rooney's injury also raises concerns about England's chances of qualifying for Euro 2008, although somehow they remain a resolute 7/2 to qualify for next summer's championships. Given that Steve McLaren's men are dropping like flies at the moment, this impasse can only be due to two things; either a) blinkered patriotism or b) nobody really giving a toss. Rooney joins captain John Terry, Aaron Lennon, Ledley King and Wayne Bridge on a crowded casualty list, while Peter Crouch is suspended for the Israel match, Jamie Carragher pondering international retirement and David Beckham uncertain to be in contention. With McLaren likely to have to depend on Michael Owen (remember him?) on the Astroturf of Moscow against a Russia whose players will be in peak fitness, laying England at 1.86 on Betfair is a strong temptation. Andy Johnson is favourite at Evens to start in next Wednesday's friendly against Germany and Portsmouth's David Nugent makes moderate appeal at 9/2. Owen is 15/8, largely because he tends to miraculously recover from career-threatening injury in time to close in on Bobby Charlton's scoring record. The 27-year-old turned out twice for his country last season compared to just three times for Newcastle. Little wonder why he is hardly the toast of the Toon. Premiership title odds: Chelsea @ 13/8 (Better, Betdirect, Ladbrokes); Man Utd @ 7/4 (Better, Betdirect); Liverpool @ 5/1 (BetFred); Arsenal @ 10/1 (BetFred, Skybet); Tottenham @ 150/1 (Stan James). England to qualify from Group E @ 7/2 (Coral/Skybet). To start up front for England v Germany: A Johnson @ Evs; P Crouch @ 11/10; M Owen @15/8; A Smith, D Ashton @11/4; J Defoe, D Bent, K Nugent @ 9/2 (Bet365).