It's Man U's to lose (again)

With Chelsea stumbling amid injuries and Arsenal perpetually inconsistent, Manchester United's six point lead in the EPL table has created an interesting scenario, one we lacked last year as Mourinho's boys ran away with the lead early. While United have certainly looked the ones to beat this year, they only seem to be getting stronger as many key players are returning to fitness or just getting better with age. Rooney has perhaps been a disappointment this year, but he still is influential in the scoring opportunities the Red Devils have.

Yes, it's chaos at Stamford Bridge, but there's always drama surrounding Abramovich, Mourinho and all the superstars in that squad. When Old Trafford is calm, after the Glazer takeover, the Roy Keane's retirement, even the unremarkable in the squad play a little bit better. Fergie is smart, and lucky, to have a defensive-minded midfield and the versatile weapons of Giggs and Scholes, the creative threats of Rooney and Ronaldo and whoever sits at the top, where he can choose from Henrik Larsson, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Louis Saha. Is anyone talking about the loss of Ruud van Nistelrooy anymore?

Perhaps it's the most important difference between Manchester United and Chelsea that will affect the outcome of the season, the difference in depth. Some think it's ironic that the deep Chelsea squad is riddled with injury, but when key players return may be at the right moment to make a run for the title.

United ready for New Year cheer [UEFA]

-bl