Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester United invincible? Sportsmail asks whether Reds can stay unbeaten
You would have thought after the conveyor belt of trophies rolling into Old Trafford over the last 25 years, Sir Alex Ferguson would have seen it all in his reign at Manchester United.[LNB]But with the Premier League past the halfway point his United side remain the only team unbeaten and Fergie is entering uncharted territory.[LNB]This despite having no Cristiano Ronaldo, a hugely out of form Wayne Rooney and a reliance on old favourites such as Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.[LNB] Pure drama: Dimitar Berbatov's two goals at Blackpool last week kept United unbeaten - and top of the Premier League table[LNB]Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham (twice) have all failed to beat the United this season, but there are still tougher tests waiting including two games against the champions Chelsea.[LNB]As they aim to achieve a feat nobody thought they would see again when Arsenal's 'invincibles' went the season unbeaten in 2003/04, Sportsmail looks at the Red Devil's 15 remaining Premier League fixtures and assesses how likely they are to slip up.[LNB] Aston Villa (H) February 1In the past two seasons Villa have become United's bogey team. The Red Devils have not won any of the last five league encounters including losing this fixture 1-0 last season thanks to a Gabriel Agbonlahor strike, who often proves to be a pest for Fergie's side.[LNB]Banana skin rating 3/5[LNB] Will history repeat itself? Gabriel Agbonlahor celebrates his winner for Aston Villa at Old Trafford last season[LNB]Wolves (A) February 5Not many teams go to Molineux and take Wolves apart but for all the spirit that is often displayed by Mick McCarthy's side, Fergie's men should come through unscathed if they bring their A game down the M6.Banana skin rating 3/5[LNB]Manchester City (H) February 12This match could be the defining moment of City's season, they were simply too negative in the reverse fixture and with their title ambitions on the line will have to attack, and that is where Roberto Mancini's side are at their best.Banana skin rating: 4/5[LNB] Stalemate: November's Manchester derby at Eastlands finished goallless[LNB]Wigan (A) February 26United on any day should at least take a draw off the Latics and even that would be disappointing as they have won all 12 games played against them. Only thing is this match comes three days after a Champions League trip to Marseille.Banana skin rating 2/5[LNB]Chelsea (A) March 1Judging by the champion's dramatic mid-season decline they could already be out the title race by the time this takes place. But the Blues on their day are almost unplayable in full flow and United will have to be at their best to avoid defeat.Banana skin rating 5/5[LNB]Liverpool (A) 6 MarchGreen shoots are already appearing in Kenny Dalglish's second spell as manager and there is no limit to how much the Reds can improve by the end of the season. United are unlikely to turn up and grab an easy three points against their bitter rivals.Banana skin rating 5/5[LNB] Old rivals: Will Kenny Dalglish get the better of Sir Alex Ferguson this time?[LNB]Bolton (H) March 19United have won their last seven at home against the Trotters and for all the good work Owen Coyle had done at the Reebok Stadium, his side are unlikely to come away from Old Trafford with three points.Banana skin rating 2/5[LNB]West Ham (A) April 2They may be bottom of the league but so far this season the Hammers are the only side to defeat United in any competition. Relegation is likely to be a prime concern at Upton Park and they will be scrapping for every point they can.Banana skin rating 3/5[LNB]Fulham (H) April 9Whether it's Alex McLeish, Steve Bruce or Mark Hughes, Fergie tends to get the better of his former players. The latter's Cottagers would cause an upset of massive proportions should they steal all three points from Old Trafford.Banana skin rating 1/5[LNB] Early blow: Brede Hangeland scores Fulham's late equaliser in their 2-2 draw with Manchester United in August[LNB]Newcastle (A) April 16Home form was the problem under Chris Hughton and although it's too early to tell if Alan Pardew has addressed the issue, the St James' Park showdown will not be a walk in the park for the Red Devils.Banana skin rating 4/5[LNB]Everton (H) April 23The Toffees have had an inconsistent season but have picked up results at Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City and certainly won't lack the fear factor when they go to Old Trafford. A dark horse to end the unbeaten run.Banana skin rating 4/5[LNB]Arsenal (A) 30 AprilOne of the hardest games United will face and it looks set to have the added bonus of being pivotal towards the destination of the title. The Gunners have a poor recent record against United but judging by their style of football this season may even come into the match as favourites.Banana skin rating 5/5[LNB] Heading for victory: Park Ji-Sung scores United's winner against Arsenal in December[LNB]Chelsea (H) May 7The same fixture last season ultimately cost United the title when they lost 2-1 and despite the Blues' trouble this season, they have enough world class players to once again topple United and maybe keep their own title hopes alive.Banana skin rating 5/5[LNB]Blackburn (A) May 14Providing they do not go into free-fall Rovers should at least be comfortable in mid-table by the time this fixture is played. It's hard to see how the inexperienced Steve Kean is going to get one over Fergie. What a story it would be though if he was the first this season with just one game remaining!Banana skin rating 2/5[LNB]Blackpool (H) May 22Holloway's side may not be the push-overs everyone expected them to be but even with that in mind they will be lucky to escape Old Trafford with a draw. You can bet they will have a go though and their survival may even depend on it.Banana skin rating 1/5[LNB] Owen hopes for bigger United role after goalscoring return in FA CupTheatre of dreams! Minnows Crawley handed FA Cup trip to Man UnitedAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Steve Bruce, Ryan Giggs, Mark Hughes, Alex McLeish, Wayne Rooney, Mick McCarthy, Roberto Mancini, Owen Coyle Places: Newcastle, Liverpool
