Can Anyone Stop Manchester United Now?

You can't score past them, let alone defeat them, so how do you stop Manchester United from winning the Barclays Premier League now?

United have gone 11 games without conceding a single goal — just take a moment to dwell on that, it is something quite special for a team with such attacking principles.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are going backwards. It’s hard to imagine they have not won since the performance of the season in hammeringNewcastle 5-1 on December 28. They haven’t won a league game since.

The decision to take off Steven Gerrard — who was not injured — at Wigan is confusing. What message does it send out? Gerrard will win you a game standing on one leg, so I don’t understand what was behind the change.

It is four games without a win now and Chelsea up next. This is their biggest fixture of the season. Win in front of Sky’s cameras and the confidence will return, but if they are beaten it’s hard to see how they can challenge for the title. That’s how important Sunday’s game has become.

Now United, with Rio Ferdinand back from injury and Wayne Rooney still to return, appear very focused and moving towards their best form. They have an annoying ability to find their top gear as the season approaches the business end of proceedings.

Carlos Tevez, with his loan contract running down, has rediscovered his touch in front of goal and with Rooney absent through injury, he is seizing his chance back in the spotlight. United’s players seem to be coming to the boil, while Liverpool’s seem to be falling away. Torres has yet to rediscover his touch (he will, but it needs to be quick) and unless Gerrard is winning matches, they are lacking others who can.

They play Chelsea next — who have slipped quietly into second place. Frank Lampard has scored in six of his last eight games and while they, too, are far from their best, there are signs of recovery.....Back To Home Page...