HE WAS so good last season, surely Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United could not do it again.

That is at least what Chelsea skipper John Terry believes.

Ronaldo's stunning 42-goal haul last season underpinned United's Premier League and European Double and Old Trafford now awaits to see if his brilliance was a one-off.

Terry insists he will fail to scale those heights again, that it will be impossible for him to sustain such sensational form for another season.

In fact, he believes Sir Alex Ferguson's whole team have peaked and cannot improve.

'I don't think United have another level to go to. They had a lot of players who have been at the peak of their form for the last two years,' he said.

'Rio Ferdinand has been awesome for the last two years and Cristiano Ronaldo was unbelievable - I don't think you'll see that again.

'Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Ryan Giggs - they have all been fantastic.

'I think we can close the gap because United were at the very top of their game last season.

'But we've been very close to them and we had injuries and a change of manager.'

The Chelsea captain is still clearly tormented by the memories of finishing runners-up to United in the Premier League and Champions League and does not want the season to end in tears again.

'Seeing them win the (league) trophy was frustrating. It doesn't get any better seeing them lift the trophy that we made ours when (Jose) Mourinho first took over,' Terry said on Tuesday.

'We want it back and that's what we're aiming for.

'With the injuries we've had, as players we can all raise the bar a little bit.'

CONFIDENCE

Adding to the Blues' confidence is the fact that Ronaldo will be sidelined until October after his ankle surgery.

Ronaldo's form last season also led to Real Madrid's summer pursuit of the winger that threatened to destabilise the club.

When he does return he could face a hostile reception from United fans because of his part in Real's bid for him.

'(Ferguson) realises we weren't too far from them when they were at the very top of their game,' Terry added.

'With it being that close in the Premiership and Champions League, they know we'll give them a big run for their money.'

However, the Community Shield win against Portsmouth did show that United's defence is as solid as it has been for the last two seasons. -- Wire Services.

Vidic: We can do even better

ONE of the key reasons behind Man United's success in the past couple of seasons has been the defensive partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

The partnership only allowed the defence to be breached 22 times in the league last season.

And one of the bedrocks of that defence, Vidic, believes the champions of the last two seasons, not to mention the European Cup winners, are ready to kick off their campaign on Sunday against Newcastle at Old Trafford.

He said: 'We are ready because in every pre-season game we have looked stronger, sharper and quicker.'

The Serbian defender hopes United start better than they did last season when they had to settle for a home draw with Reading on the opening day.

'The first match against Newcastle is very important. We hope to do better than last season and get three points with our first game,' he said.

Despite winning a glorious Double, Vidic is far from satisfied and wants even more silverware next season.

'We would like to do better,' he said. 'I hope we get to be the best.

'We want to play well and to win trophies. With a bit of luck we will win more than one.'

- PA Sport.