While United is my favorite team, and while there is no doubt in my mind that they will reclaim the Premiership title this year (another topic for another blog post), I do not believe they will be able to share in the claiming the name “The Invincibles.”
The Invincibles is a moniker reserved for a team who manages to complete an undefeated season in England’s top division. The first Invincibles were Preston North End in 1888-89 who won the league with a record of 18 wins, 4 draws, and 0 losses. The second team to be “Invincible” was the 2003-04 Arsenal squad, who went 26-12-0.
With about 60% of the season behind them, United seem to be on pace to emulate those two remarkable teams. Currently at the top of the table, United’s record stands at 14 wins, 9 draws, and 0 losses. Historically United’s game gets markedly better after the New Year as the season progresses and they always finish strong. So why does this avid fan believe that United does not have what it takes to be the third team to be dubbed Invincible?
The answer is the competitive nature of the Premiere League this season. In years past it was apparent who would finish at the top of the table. The “Big Four” of United, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool were all but a lock for one of the top four spots in recent years, but this year sees a much more wide-open competition. This season teams like Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Sunderland are all fighting for a top four finish along with the aforementioned teams. As I have previously stated, I am all but certain that United will be crowned League champions for the fourth time in five years. But their remaining schedule includes all the other top five teams in the standings. Here is why each of those teams has a shot at knocking off United.
Arsenal. Currently second in the standings and 5 points off first. United will face Arsenal on their home turf, the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal are impressive at home this term, with a record of 7-1-3. The youthful Gunners are beginning to live up to their vast potential, and with the likes of Cesc Fabrigas, Robin Van Persey, and Samir Nasri, they prove to be a formidable opponent.
City is new to challenge for a top spot, and thanks to the backing of the billionaires at the Abu Dhabi United group they have been able to assemble an all-star line up that includes the Toure brothers, former United striker Carlos Tevez, Gareth Barry, James Milner, David Silva, and the recently acquired Edin Dzeko. A team with firepower like that will always have a chance to win, and United will have their hands full when the meet at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Then there are the defending champs, Chelsea. While they are a little off their game this season, sitting in 4th with a record of 12-5-6, their veteran roster lead by captain John Terry and forward Didier Drogba can never be counted out of a match.
Tottenham has been an exciting team to watch this year. Harry Redknapp’s team currently find themselves in 5th, one off their number 4 finish last season. Spurs handling of the defending champions of Europe, Inter Milan, in the Champions League earlier this season, led by the heroics of the sensational Gareth Bale, proves that they have the capability to beat anyone anywhere.
United are not without weapons of their own. Dimitar Berbatov leads the league with 19 goals thus far, and keeper Edwin Van der Sar has posted 10 shut outs. The team is set in all positions, but it is not their weaknesses that will cost them the title of Invincible, it is the strength of the English Premiership as a whole that will lead to their downfall.
For an article that is of the opposite opinion, click on over to Fox Soccer Channel to read what Nick Webster has to say on the matter.
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