United on the brink of title success

Manchester United can secure the Premier League title today if they get a point from their match against rivals Arsenal. United will be looking to rapidly wrap up the league to then turn all of their focus and energy towards the Champions League final on May 27.

It would also be fitting for them to take the title in front of their own fans, but Arsenal will be looking to do any thing they can to spoil the party and leave Liverpool with the smallest bit of hope they could still intervene.

United captain, Rio Ferdinand, seems to be the only major injury worry for the current champions who look set to name an otherwise full strength side. Arsenal on the other hand have their work cut out. Manuel Almunia is suffering from an ankle knock, Tomas Rosicky, William Gallas and Gael Clichy will all join him in the stands for the match.

It has been clear this season that United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, has not lost a single bit of his hunger for the game and will be looking to secure this title as though it were his first domestic success in charge of the club.

Speaking ahead of the game, he said: “We have another opportunity to win it in front of our own fans - it would be nice to do it. My first intention was to win one and break the stranglehold Liverpool had on the title. The big challenge was that first one.”

“They have had a bit of criticism recently and they will want to register their abilities on a day when everyone expects Manchester United to win the title.”

You cannot really argue that United have not been the best team this season, at various points they have proved that they have everything needed to grind out horrible points and victories and never really looked threatened when Liverpool had their spell at the top of the league.

If they win today then it would mark another success in the book of what Ferguson has called his best ever team. Their focus may well be on the end of the month and Barcelona but everyone at United will know that if you win the league then it proves you are a better team over a longer period of time as opposed to winning a one off match.

Once the success is secured the close season drama can begin and the club can enjoy the remaining games they have this season. The destination of one or two in the current squad is still unknown e.g. Carlos Tevez. Accompanied with the ongoing saga that is Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo, the title success could just be the backdrop to a lot more important drama about to unfold at Old Trafford.

United have proved they are by far and away the best team this season and a lot of work will have to be done over the summer if other clubs are going to get closer and make more of a challenge in the next campaign.