The League is Manchester United’s to Lose

Manchester City assistant manager has said that the Premier League title is Manchester United’s to lose.

Manchester United standing top of the Premier League with neighbours City but with two games in hand. They are two points ahead of Arsenal with a game in hand and four points ahead of Chelsea with a game in hand.

Chelsea have a chance to turn the corner in 2011 having recorded their first win in seven games in their final game of 2010; a 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers. They open new year with Aston Villa and have a favourable run of fixtures in January to get on a winning streak to give them a chance of closing the gap on the current league leaders.

Arsenal dropped points at Wigan in the final minutes was further proof of their inconsistencies and left them in 3rd position as we head into the new year. They start 2011 off with a tricky trip to St Andrews against a Birmingham side who drew with Manchester United last time out. With Manchester City hosting Blackpool on new year’s day, dropped points for Arsenal would likely see them slip further behind Roberto Mancini’s side.

Heading into 2011 as joint leaders may see Roberto Mancini’s side open the cheque book in January to bolster their chances of winning their first ever Premier League title. They had a good Christmas with a 3-1 victory at Newcastle followed up with a 4-0 route of Aston Villa. They were the only top 4 side to pick up maximum points in their final 2 games of 2010.

Manchester City have already been linked to signing Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko despite their formation only fitting in 1 striker. That man currently being Carlos Tevez. The signing of another striker may only add to speculation that Tevez could be leaving Eastlands in the near future. Mario Balotelli fitted in nicely in Tevez’s absence midweek as he scored a hat trick against Aston Villa. 2 of these came from the penalty spot, and the other an open goal tap in from a couple of yards out. The young Italian is still yet to prove himself in the Premier League, but has plenty of time to that.

Manchester United are unbeaten in the Premier League at the half way point and start 2011 with a trip to West Brom, a game which they have a good chance to pick up their 2nd away league win of the season given West Brom’s form and defensive absentees. Three days later they host Stoke City before a trip to Tottenham comes after an FA Cup tie with Liverpool.

White Hart Lane is not the only tough trip on Manchester United’s cards. Manchester United still have away trips to Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal on the cards, amidst trips across Europe in the latter stages of the Champions League. Expect more twists and turns as we always get through the Premier League season.