The Red Devils have been by far the most successful clubside in England since clubs in the old First Division resigned to form what we now know as the Premiership in 1992. For a club that had not tasted league success in 25 years of asking, 1993 saw many of the clubs younger fans witness their heroes lifting a league trophy for the first time. As unbelievable as that experience probably was then what was even more amazing has been the swash buckling manner the club has brushed aside rivals since then. With 10 wins out of 16 to date, United definitely have been the undisputed kings of the Premiership. While Arsenal provided some competition in the 90s, Keane,Cantona, Beckham, Scholes, Giggs et al ensured it was not nearly enough as United still took 5 out of 7 titles during the period . And a Champions League trophy to boot to end the old millennium!

The New Millenium
United continued the seeming vice-like grip it had on the trophy winning 2 straight (2000 and 01) in the new millennium. Many feared that United were about to continue from where they stopped in the previous century. Arsenal’s win in 2002 was a welcome relief (to neutrals) and many hoped that it would signal the end of that era. Arsenal had over the years under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger gradually emerged as truly credible contenders to United. With players like Thierry Henry, Bergkamp, Vieira, Campbell, Parlour, Overmars, and co the Gunners were not in short supply of talent or experience in every square inch of grass.

Lapses of concentration, fatigue, (whatever the pundits feel comfortable with) saw the Gunners squander a comfortable lead in March (a la Newcastle) and surrendered the title to a resurgent United. Harry Kewell and Leeds probably hit the final nail on a campaign that faltered at the very end. United, always waiting in the wings waved thank you sir and simply cruised by.

It was back to business for United but not for long. After that painful lesson the Gunners were not to lose a league game for another 15 months. That was how vicious their response was! United surely were no longer undisputed lords of the manor.

But even more was to come. And still in London. Where Chelsea was undergoing a revolution of sorts. Roman Abramovich, the young Russian billionaire had injected so much money into Chelsea that by 2005 the club was able to win its first title for 50 years in style. Chelsea retained the trophy the following year and Jose Mourinho was fast becoming a legend not just at the Bridge but arguably also in the
Premiership.

Chelsea not United had suddenly become the force in English football and during Mourinho’s time they remained unbeaten (in the League) at home. Chelsea also had a better head to head against the big 3(during the period) especially Arsenal who never won a match against Chelsea during Mourinho’s time.

But you cannot put a good side down, not for too long at least and United came back with a vengeance beating the new kids on the block (Chelsea) in a tightly contested race for the Premier League in 2007 and repeating the feat in style the next year in one of the most exciting finishes to a Premier league season. With the Champions League crown won also in sensational style, United were back! 2 Premier league titles in 2 seasons!

Question is will it be 3 straight this term ? Are United going back to the days of dominance of the domestic league. Can we? Or will any of the other ‘big 4’ members have a say. Or maybe a dark horse.

The Contenders:
Liverpool:

Based on their form during the first half of the season you have to say Liverpool are strong contenders. They are the current league leaders and have had their brightest start to a season in a long while. They have conquered their big 4 fear (not lost in 3 encounters) and together with Arsenal have the best head to head to date. So what is the problem?

1. Kid gloves. They have not been ruthless. Not the way Chelsea was in 2005, United in 2007 or indeed Arsenal in 2003/04. For a side that has not won the League in almost 2 decades there is no ruthless streak in their performances to whet the appetite. Despite being on top, supporters of Liverpool and many watchers of football are still not very confident of their position. The jury will be out on this and opinions will be divided. Truth be told those currently behind Liverpool in the standings feel a lot more confident of catching up than if a United or Chelsea were ahead. Even Arsenal’s run last season was more solid and clinical than the current league leaders.

While they may have lost just once all season, it is their inability to kill off certain games that have called to question their championship credentials. Selection blunders and injury to arguably their best player Torrez have made Liverpool look a lot less convincing than they were in the first third of the season. His quick return may spark a strong challenge but they may already have been out of it.

Chelsea:
Currently second. Have since been demystified since the departure of the “Special One”. Indeed that United won the first of 2 league titles whilst the Special One was still very much around is instructive. The proud home record (very awesome indeed) has finally gone and clubs feel they can come to the Bridge and go for maximum points.
Injuries to key players, Drogba, Essien, Ballack Carvalho, have dealt a blow to the team.

While they may not have been convincing early on at home (and really they haven’t) their away form has been awesome. Losing only 2 points from a possible 27!

So what is the problem?
1. The manager? Many feel he simply does not make the right calls before or during games. If dressing room rumblings are true that may pose even bigger problems. In front Scolari is torn between gratitude to Anelka who has so far delivered albeit unconvincingly, or gambling on a dreaded Drogba who sends chills down opponents but can be such a baby. He’ll give you your goal this game but could miss the next 3. At times his body language suggests that he’d rather be elsewhere.

2. Home form has been worrisome. Against the big 4 they have lost to Liverpool, Arsenal and barely managed a draw against United. Apart from draws against Spurs, West Ham and Newcastle. The proud home record which was an unnecessary burden has gone but has not been replaced with a new burning fire. Your home form should be solid because you cannot always guarantee results away from home. Neither can you really at home but shouldn’t it be easier to get points at home? Will they stop dropping valuable home points? They no doubt have their work cut out but still seem the best equipped to halt a United treble.

Arsenal:
Never write off the Gunners. That’s what an Arsenal friend of mine always says. But it’s safe to say they have but an outside chance. So what’s the problem?
1. The endless rebuilding.
Even die-hard Arsenal fans now know that they are in a perpetual rebuilding whose time frame is known only to their manager. While there is talent in the squad, it is the strength in depth that has been missing since their “Invincibles” heroes departed that has been the problem. Henry, Vieira, Bergkamp, Reyes, Pires, Campbell have all left, joined lately by Hleb, Flamini and Gilberto. Replaced by whom? Good players no doubt but not of the same depth/experience to address deficiencies in specific positions. Today’s Arsenal does not command that same depth as then and coupled with long term lay-offs can only grow weaker. The transfer window will not see much activity if Arsene Wenger’s recent antecedents are anything to go by. If he does there’s no immediate guarantee of a successful blend.

2.3points=3points. A win against the Top teams is good but when it is frittered against the smaller sides it is neutralized. Arsenal remains the easiest side for the smaller teams to beat amongst the big 4. Arsenal play only one way and are easily (harried) off by more physical sides. Losing 5 games before the half way mark may be one too many to counter in the second half. Whilst they can still finish in the Top 4 it would take every one of the current leaders to fumble for Arsenal to grab the title. Knowing their second half form is suspect, their chances definitely are as well.

Aston Villa
The first real threat to the big 4 since the cameo appearances of Everton in 2005 and Spurs in 2006. Over the years Martin O’Neal has gradually built a team that is seen by many as the truly credible big 4 threat. Villa’s current form is the best in the premiership. With 14 points from their last 6 games (United are second with 11). They have by far one of the best goalkeepers in the League and hot young prospects in Agbonlahor, Young and a hunger for success.
So what is the problem?

Probably staying power. The premiership has seen its fair share of first half wonders. Newcastle, Wigan, Charlton, even Arsenal. Can Villa last the distance? What will be the response to a string of poor results (that will come sooner rather than later). Capitulation? Or defiance? Will they burn out like the Gunners did last season? Injuries? If young or Agbonlahor were to be out for 6 weeks what will the impact be on their season(especially at this time) Only time can answer those questions but of the four they are the least likely to win based purely on recent pedigree, team experience and depth.

So what are United’s chances?

Some Positives:
1.United is known to rally in the second half. With 2 games in hand and 7 points behind the leaders, United is still very much within touching distance.

2. We have played 9 of the Top 10 teams (last term away). That means the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, Villa, Everton, Portsmouth, Blackburn, City will be coming to Old Trafford next year. If the current home form is anything to go by (lost only 2 points at home all season), then there is sound basis for confidence.

3. The win at the World Club Championships can only make the team hungry for more glory. Whether we are indeed “World Champions” does not matter here. What matters is the significance of yet another trophy to a hugely successful year and the ripple effect it will have on the current season. Seeing youngsters like Rafael and “not-so-youngsters” like Nani, Anderson, hugging their medals in Japan makes one wonder if they or indeed any of the “oldsters” will be content with only that piece of silverware. I doubt.

4. The gaffer. He is as hungry as ever. He’s been there and knows it all. If anyone can do the magic he can.

5. Strength in depth. Wenger would really love to be in Fergie’s boots. There is virtually a solid replacement for every position on the field save maybe for the full backs. Each position is also manned by highly rated and effective players(whether young or not too young) . This will be critical when games come thick and fast and injuries begin to take their toll.

Negatives:
There are no negatives. Of course there are! Else the FA and UEFA should just give United the trophies today. Just a few of the many though.

1. Fixture overload?
Will United rue playing in the Super Cup and the WCC? Already Vidic is a serious doubt for the first leg against Jose’s Inter courtesy of a red card in a match which even Scholes felt was not as important as the EPL. Only time will tell but if we go far in the FA Cup the effect of too many fixtures might begin to tell.

2. Balance.
Sir Alex is yet to strike the right balance in his team. Dimitar Berbatov has not looked an inch the player he was in Spurs, Rooney has blown hot and cold, and the Ronaldo soap opera has not reached its final season. Tevez has not reproduced the form that saw him leave West Ham or even that of last season. Players like Neville and Giggs seem past it while Nani does not appear to be stepping into the fray quickly enough. Van der Saar seems to have regained his form but for how long in this campaign. How soon will Fergie strike the right mix and start the blistering run that has defined ALL of his winning campaigns?

3. Carlos Queiroz.
While no one is bigger than United I must say we have missed something in the man. His presence was definitely calming influence on our Iberian imports. I just think we might miss him more than we presently think.

4. Good Old History.
The last 4 seasons have seen the Champions League winners eliminated in the first knock-out stages; Porto,Liverpool,Barca,Milan were all sent home at this stage of the competition the year after winning. A mouth watering clash with Inter can go either way and should the United lose would there be negative consequences for the League?

More questions than answers but no doubt there will be twists and turns in the New Year. Can we win it? You bet.

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is not worried with the fact that bookmakers still rank him third favorite in the premiership, behind Manchest United and Chelsea.

Liverpool have made their best ever start to any premier league season. They are comfortable on the top of the premiership table with a diference of three points after playing their first 10 games without a single defeat.

They have beaten both Manchester United and Chelsea who are interestingly rated ahead of them to win the premiership.

Despite Liverpool’s outstanding run of form, bookmakers still tip United and the Blues for a title tilt ahead of the Anfield side but Rafa Benitez insists that such statistics do not concern him.

He declared that he expects a strong challenge from all other members of the ‘big four’ as well as dark horses Aston Villa.

He told Sky Sports: “I don’t care about this [bookmaker odds]. I just concentrate on our football and try to be there as much as we can. You can see that Chelsea are very, very strong, United and Arsenal as well.

“Aston Villa are pushing, so we have some strong teams and it will be the same until the end of the season.”

Liverpool may welcome back Robbie Keane into their starting line-up for the weekend league clash with a resurgent Tottenham Hotspur.

The ex-lilywhite will be making his first return to White Hart Lane since his £20million summer switch and Benitez expects the Irishman to be well received at the London venue.

He continued: “He is available so it will be my decision. He wants to play every game.

“He was a key player for them for many years. He was a fantastic professional and always gave 100 per cent so I think the fans will appreciate this.”

The Reds could also see Fernando Torres make a return to the panel after missing the last four weeks of action. The Spaniard may sit on the bench as he seeks to be fit for the midweek clash with Atlético Madrid in the Champions League.

The press asked if Torres was match-fit and Benitez replied: “Nearly. We have to check today. It will be the last training session and we have to decide. It is very close.”