Advantage Man United

There are still 270 minutes of action between now and 9-30 p.m. on May 11, when the whistle will blow on the season, but Manchester United must be favourites to do what had looked impossible just five months ago. A poor start to the season became worse following a string of bad results, compounded by the absence of key players, including Roy Keane and David Beckham.

All along, Arsenal played the kind of football rarely, if ever, seen in the Premiership. The sublime skills of Thierry Henry and Robert Pires, the strength and guile of Gilberto and the wisdom and patience of Arsene Wenger seemed to be propelling them — effortlessly — to their second title on the trot.

But United found their form in late November and, racking up stunning wins over Liverpool and Arsenal, eventually wiped out a points deficit that was at one time in double figures.

The focus is now on the next 15 days, in which Arsenal would appear to have the easier matches. Two are at home, their last away to relegated Sunderland. Yet their home matches are intriguing; the first is against Leeds, who will be determined to make up somewhat for a disappointing season. They then host Southampton in a preview of the FA Cup final on May 18.

United have two tricky away games, at Tottenham tomorrow and Everton on May 11. White Hart Lane has usually been a happy hunting ground for United but Everton, with Wayne Rooney keen to show off his skills, will be tough. In between, they host Charlton, which is when they should look for goals.

The most exciting Premiership race in four years — when United won, on the last day and on their way to the Treble — isn’t over but the Reds of Old Trafford will have only themselves to blame if they don’t lift the silverware.