We’ve already tipped Arsenal, and Chelsea – so now let’s go with United to make sure we’re not wrong. And our reasoning? Read on to find out…
It’s not their form – although convincing against an (albeit dreadful) Everton side, United have yet to hit top gear this season. And their performance against Sunderland, where stealing a point was daylight robbery, was one of the worst I can remember United producing.
It’s not their players – they have lost Ronaldo and Tevez and replaced them with Owen and Valencia (and I suppose Obertan) – a bad swap in anyone’s books. Rooney aside they lack invention, and with Owen yet to convince in front of goal, a goalscorer.
It’s not their rivals – admittedly Liverpool are nothing short of disastrous, but Chelsea look as convincing as any side have for years, steamrollering the opposition. And Arsenal on their day can beat anyone – until their recent setback against Sunderland they were really pushing themselves into contention.
Of course their manager is a factor – however much you hate Man United, you have to admire Alex Ferguson and all he has achieved. If you don’t you are either incredibly blinkered or downright retarded. But Sir Alex can only do so much.
No – what could win United the title, is their next ten games. Look how easy they are:
28-11-2009 Premier League Portsmouth (A)
05-12-2009 Premier League West Ham United (A)
12-12-2009 Premier League Aston Villa (H)
15-12-2009 Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers (H)
19-12-2009 Premier League Fulham (A)
27-12-2009 Premier League Hull City (A)
30-12-2009 Premier League Wigan Athletic (H)
09-01-2010 Premier League Birmingham City (A)
16-01-2010 Premier League Burnley (H)
26-01-2010 Premier League Hull City (H)
Incredible hey? Apart from Villa at home, and perhaps Fulham away, you would expect those games to be a cakewalk. And in that timespan, Chelsea face Arsenal, Man City, Everton, and Sunderland.
Alex Ferguson himself has said that if United are as close as one point behind come the New Year, he would be not only delighted but confident of retaining the title for a fourth season.
And there is no side in the world that, once the momentum is with them (a situation these ten games should create) are better at chasing down a lead.
If United get within a couple of points, Chelsea will be looking nervously over their shoulders – and you wouldn’t bet againt them being overhauled.
Man Utd have yet to convince this season, and this far in to the campaign that should be a real concern to all Manx fans in the home counties. Your right about the up and coming league games being there for the taking, even when The Villa come visiting. But over the last month Chelsea have started looking like a team that knows what it is doing all over the park, and without doubt are the form team, where as Arsenal made a pigs ear of their chances by not taking the Black Cats by the scruff of the neck and putting them out in the rain. Seems like Wenger is determined to do it his way, when everbody else can see that they need a midfield enforcer. I do wonder though how Chelsea will cope in January with a number of key players away for the African Cup, and will they be able to rediscover their rhythm when they return? I think that it’s then that Utd need to turn up the heat.
Sorry to disagree but I don’t have any admiration for ‘Fergie’ (Sir ! what a joke) biggest club in Britain, maybe the World, and the budget to go with it, was blessed with the emergence of ‘The Kids’ all at once. He’s a flat track bully who lacks grace and humility, also it was he who instigated the demise of the FA Cup.
[...] As we wrote here, Man United are in the midst of a tremendously easy run of games (although they have already contrived to lose the only difficult one, against Villa). It’s certainly not a time to go with a United defender, as ‘makeshift’ is generous for the four they’re chucking out at present – and their midfield is ever-changing and unpredictable. So, somewhat obviously, the name that stands out is Wayne Rooney. His goal against Wolves made him the first player to reach 20 calendar goals in 2009 (ahead of Drogba, Torres, etc) and none less than Patrick Barclay was moved to describe his performance against Villa as one of the best he had seen in the history of the Premier League. Jump on that bandwagon. [...]
United for the Title? http://bit.ly/92WyxL
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RT @footballsup: United for the Title? http://bit.ly/92WyxL
This comment was originally posted on Twitter