The Mancunian Reds kicked off this year’s campaign with a disappointing home draw to Newcastle United and recorded only 5 points from a possible 12 in their first four matches.

Man U also failed to win any of their encounters against the rest of the big four; something that has cost them their current 3rd place in the Premiership standings. The titleholders also lost points to Everton and Aston Villa, and this is what Fergie had to say about their sluggish start:

“You look at the first half of the season and we’ll have played away to almost every team who finished in the top 10 last season.

“That’s incredible. I have to say having home advantage against those teams at the end of the season should help us,” Fergie said to The Sun.

Manchester United indeed played nine of their fourteen matches away, amassing no more than 15 points out of a possible 27 in those games. On the other hand, statistics also show that the Red Champions lost only two points at home this season – and that was in their opening game against Newcastle United.

This gives Fergie the right to feel somehow confident and relax.

“This season if we can get to the New Year and be within two or three points of the top we would have a great chance.

“Traditionally we are always better in the second half of the season.”

If tradition does exist this year as well, the defending champions will cause a great threat to their archrivals and leaders Liverpool.
Someone who is well aware of this possible threat is Liverpool’s number 9 Fernando Torres:

“Manchester United are pressing us and if they win the league they will have the same number of titles as us,” the striker said before his team’s match at home to West Ham on Monday.

“That would be a small tragedy for us all.

“We are playing game by game but if the truth be told the club and the fans are more aimed at winning the Premier League.

“The title has not been won for 19 years and there is a lot of excitement at the moment. We will never give in and we will fight for the title until the last minute.”

Just as the Merseyside Reds, Manchester United are also willing to fight until the very end to retain their title.

Written by: Angela Asante

Now, retaining the cup for the third time in a row is not an easy task for the European winners.

This new generation of players – with Ronaldo being at the centre of attraction – have raised standards to a much higher level.

Last season, the Reds set amazing records, such as netting the highest number of goals (88) in 38 matches, which helped them win on the final day of the league.

If it took Manchester United the strength of an army to win the double in dramatic fashion, it takes them even more to defend these titles.

Other clubs have watched Manchester climb to the top of the hills, waiting impatiently for the start of another season to engage in new battles and dethrone the reigning European and English Champions.

One team who looks to have swallowed enough anxiety, misfortune, bitterness, and deception to pour it all out this year is Liverpool.

It has been over sixteen years since the Merseyside Reds last won the Premiership, and while Ferguson plans of equalizing Liverpool’s 18 EPL titles record, Benitez’s side have one mission: to bring back the cup to Anfield.

Liverpool are really looking like serious challengers for the title, and their victory on Sunday that ended Chelsea’s unbeaten home record, has lifted up their hopes of clinching the EPL title for the first time since over a decade.

Liverpool are the new league leaders, with 8 points ahead of the reigning champions Manchester United who missed the chance to be only 5 points behind with a game in hand.

Manchester United’s fine form suffered a shock in the hands of the Toffees on Saturday and this draw could cost them dearly.

The Champions have earlier been beaten by Liverpool this season, and that should be enough to give woes to Ferguson.

Manchester United lie only 6th in the league standings and with the EPL taking more shape after 9 weeks, there’s a sensation that the challenge for the title is getting tougher than ever.

Manchester United should be on their guards: Fergie’s Red Army could see their title slip away from their hands to be in those of their bitter rivals Liverpool, who will then be crowned the next Red Champions of England.

Written by: Angela Asante