Kevin McCarraon how the Premiership is still Manchester United's to lose but a good finish is needed to deny Chelsea's bid
The Premiership's home straight looks more like a detour today. Manchester United and Chelsea players, for all their professionalism, would be automatons if they were not obsessed by the thought that the opportunity to reach the Champions League final lies before them next week. Neither, however, can afford to be careless this afternoon and United, especially, have hit a hairpin bend on the road to the title.
Alex Ferguson's team must give comprehensive proof that they are a changed side. Were United and Chelsea both to repeat last season's results against the opponents they meet in the run-in the title would stay with Jose Mourinho's squad.
United beat today's challengers Everton at Goodison and won at home to West Ham, but lost at Manchester City and Chelsea.
The reigning champions took full points from home games with Bolton, who arrive at Stamford Bridge this afternoon, as well as United and Everton. Arsenal were vanquished at Highbury. A string of victories is conceivable again, although the sole away fixture takes Mourinho to the Emirates for the first time and it would cheer up Arsene Wenger's disappointed side if they could, to all intents and purposes, strip Chelsea of the title a week tomorrow.
Those who aim to seize the Premiership know they cannot allow themselves to falter as regularly as most of their predecessors did. At the end of season 1996-97 the champions United had a mere 75 points. They have seven more than that now, with a dozen more to be pursued. Since Arsenal's year of invincibility in 2004 the winners have harvested a minimum of 90 points.
The reasons for that shift are disturbingly obvious. Virtually all the exceptional players are to be found within the stockade erected by the major clubs. It is disconcerting to think that once those who have had injury problems, such as Michael Owen or Jonathan Woodgate, are set aside and youngsters of Aaron Lennon's potential are disregarded there might be only one footballer in England who could radically improve any of the four Champions League sides. No wonder there will be large bids for Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov this summer.
For the time being United have made a virtue out of playing with no recognised centre forward. With injuries ruling out Alan Smith and Louis Saha for long periods, while Wayne Rooney is happiest in the deepest positions, Ferguson has achieved a mercurial style in which his interchanging players are seldom pinned down by defenders. United have already scored half a dozen goals more in the Premiership than they did in the 2005-06 season.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, as the spearhead of a Real Madrid line-up now in mystifyingly close pursuit of Barcelona for La Liga, can hardly be a spent force, but letting go of the Dutchman was liberating for the Old Trafford side.
United have come up with answers from all areas of the line-up and Ferguson needs to see that knack flaunted over the next fortnight if a lead that has slipped to three points is not to vanish entirely.
The manager must, over all, have been taken aback in the happiest manner by the vigour of so many players. His veterans, in particular, have had an unexpected relevance and the 3-2 win over Milan illustrated that fact. Paul Scholes (32) may have faded a little since the turn of the year, but it was the midfielder's deadly through ball that set up an equaliser. In stoppage-time, the 33-year-old Ryan Giggs won a tackle in midfield and sprinted on to feed Rooney for the winner.
That sort of gusto is not apparent at Chelsea, who were husbanding their strength and largely hitting on the break against a trundling Liverpool in the other Champions League semi-final. Nonetheless, Mourinho's team will probably have to rediscover verve against Arsenal and United if the fixture with Everton at Stamford Bridge on the final afternoon is to hold any relevance.
Although the away games that are left puts pressure on United, Ferguson's players seem to have a greater supply of energy than Chelsea. Ronaldo, having flagged in last week's draw with Middlesbrough, roused himself against Milan. Perhaps he and the other creative players know they cannot afford to wane when the defence is deteriorating.
The manager himself was alarmed enough to bring back Rio Ferdinand prematurely after a groin strain, only for the centre half to suffer a recurrence that assisted Mark Viduka as he headed the equaliser in Middlesbrough's 1-1 draw.
The return of Nemanja Vidic and Gary Neville would be a comfort but, without them, United may require small-scale recreations of the Milan match, outgunning opponents whose own firepower can blast a hole or two.
With superior goal difference in effect giving the Old Trafford side a four-point lead, the Premiership is theirs to lose but unless they peak in the next fortnight Chelsea, instead, will be delirious over one of the most famous comebacks in the history of English football.
Guardian Service
