In English football, the Treble presents as big a challenge as the Double used to. For more than half of the 20th Century, winning the championship and the FA Cup in the same season was regarded as the stuff of dreams. Now another prestigious prize, the Champions' League, represents the supreme test of a team's talent and durability.

Twenty-one years ago, Manchester United denied Liverpool a unique triple triumph when they beat them in the 1977 FA Cup final. Bob Paisley's team were league champions, and four days later they won the European Cup for the first time, but at Wembley Tommy Docherty's unfancied United side won 2-1.

Having completed the Double twice in three seasons, Manchester United may have given a passing thought to going one further this time. But in reality Alex Ferguson is not looking far beyond winning the Champions' League and retaining the Premiership title.

In the FA Cup, a comprehensive win at Chelsea followed by an easy home win against Walsall have offered United the prospect of a fourth final in five seasons, and with a fifth round tie at home to Barnsley tomorrow it remains an offer Old Trafford finds difficult to refuse. But the further Manchester United go, the greater will be the threat of the fixture congestion Ferguson is keen to avoid.

As it is, United are about to play three Premiership games in 11 days before they go to Monaco for the opening leg of their Champions' League quarter-final on March 4th, with the match at West Ham they were due to play this afternoon having to be rescheduled. The worst thing Barnsley could do to Manchester United tomorrow is not to beat them but to force a replay.

Danny Wilson's team might, just might, do better than that against a Manchester United side lacking the suspended Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, and doubtful about the fitness of David Beckham and Andy Cole. There is also the matter of the champions' recent form: three defeats in five league matches and a scrambled draw against Bolton. Either way, a repeat of United's 70 frolic past Barnsley at the end of October is unlikely.

Arsenal and Leeds should win their home ties against Crystal Palace and Birmingham City. Palace will visit Highbury tomorrow still chastened by the 3-0 defeat against Wimbledon last Monday which has brought a third relegation from the Premiership that much closer. Birmingham will be without the suspended Paul Furlong at Elland Road today.

West Ham are looking an increasingly good FA Cup bet and Blackburn Rovers may do well to force a replay at Upton Park. Only Arsenal have lost as few league matches as Rovers, but Roy Hodgson may be without Tim Flowers in goal and Stuart Ripley on the right wing.

The FA Cup is all that is left for Newcastle United to win this season and that should be a sufficient stimulus for Kenny Dalglish's players against Tranmere Rovers. Much the same goes for Aston Villa and Coventry City, whose tie guarantees the Midlands a representative in tomorrow's draw.

Wolverhampton Wanderers could cause a mild upset at Wimbledon, who are still without Marcus Gayle and have Carl Leaburn cup-tied. Wolves may have Steve Bull on the bench after a threemonth absence following a knee operation.