Something must be done about Manchester United, and preferably before the New Year. The Premiership is in danger of becoming a one-party state ruled from Old Trafford. The opposition is already a confused coalition.

The problem is not that United are likely to win the championship for the fifth time in six seasons. There can surely be no objection to such a prospect. They have the best manager and the best team and are at present producing some of the best performances in Europe.

Champions should set standards, and the football now being achieved by Manchester United bears comparison with the succession of outstanding Liverpool sides that won nine titles between 1975 and 1988. Few English teams have passed the ball better, and, at Old Trafford, it is young Englishmen who are providing most of the passes.

No, the thought that nags is not that United will stay top, but that nobody will be able to give them a decent run for their money between now and next spring. When Liverpool were at their peak, there were usually one or two teams still snapping at their heels as the clocks went forward.

What is happening now should give cause for concern. Manchester United's domination of the Premiership may not be as absolute as Rangers' nine-year monopoly of the Scottish Premier Division - and even that is being challenged by Hearts and Celtic - but the growing sense of hopelessness among their pursuers still has its echoes north of the border.

Blackburn Rovers, United's closest challengers, are four points behind and were roundly beaten 4-0 at Old Trafford three weeks ago. Roy Hodgson has taken over the cadre of the Blackburn side that had won the championship in 1995 and given it a fresh sense of adventure, but, against United, Hodgson sandbagged his defence and waited for the tide to come in.

Chelsea are the only team to have out-passed Manchester United this season, but they lost their rag at Old Trafford and were held to 2-2 when they had played well enough to win. Of the two teams who have beaten United in the Premiership, Leeds have thrived on the experience, but Arsenal seem to have been drained by their efforts, good though it is to know that Ian Wright is willing to share his disappointment with the fans.

For Ferguson, even apparent setbacks have had their positive side. Arsenal lose Dennis Bergkamp to a suspension and the subsequent slump in form is only briefly halted by David Platt's late winner against Manchester United. On the other hand, Paul Scholes' three-match ban brings an unscheduled rest for Ferguson's best player and re-emphasises the strength in depth of the United squad.

Newcastle United lose Alan Shearer and the season at St James' Park is virtually over before it has begun. A cruciate ligament injury ends Roy Keane's season at Old Trafford and, while the loss to Ferguson cannot be denied, the Irishman's absence has enhanced the strength and influence of Nicky Butt.

It would be nice to think that Blackburn can hang around in second place long enough to get into next season's Champions' League qualifiers as runnersup. Under Hodgson, Rovers would surely make a better fist of it than they did last time.

Then again, Chelsea's prowess in the Cup Winners' Cup suggests that Ruud Gullit's polyglot side are ready for a tilt at something more demanding. Yet even now, being chased by Chelsea is still akin to being stalked by men in brothelcreepers. At the last resort you can always tread on their toes, which is roughly what Leeds did last Saturday.

Meanwhile, Newcastle, who take on Manchester United tomorrow, must be wondering if it is really only 14 months since the champions lost 5-0 on their previous visit to St James' Park. Two of the scorers that day - David Ginola and Les Ferdinand - are no longer there, while a third, Shearer, is laid up. Kevin Keegan is now trying to revive Fulham. Sir John Hall is tending his garden.

Yet the Premiership will be looking to whatever motivational powers Kenny Dalglish can bring to bear on his team to deny Ferguson his 10th win in a dozen matches. Last season, Manchester United approached the weekend before Christmas nine points behind the leaders, Liverpool, and still retained the title by a seven-point margin.

This time, they could be that far ahead by the New Year - and after a while, processions become boring.