Every game after this is a must win game.
I like the optimism here.........
Manchester United Don't Have To Dazzle in Route to Third Straight EPL Title
by Brandon Bohning (Scribe)
March 31, 2009
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Manchester United have just nine games left in the final run-in of the Barclays Premier League. While they have lost their last two, they still hold a one point lead and game-in-hand advantage over closest chasers Liverpool.
A 1-4 drubbing from the Liverpool, followed by a shocking 2-0 loss to Fulham at Craven Cottage just under a fortnight ago has the critic's pen active.
While you certainly can't judge United's chances of winning their third straight Premier League title based on their last two performances, United will need to get all three points against Aston Villa on Sunday to avoid even more criticism.
Typically, one loss hasn't meant much to Manchester United or their boss, Sir Alex Ferguson. United almost always responds to losses with convincing wins.
When they didn't do that at Craven Cottage on March 21, it opened up chances for both Liverpool and Chelsea to stay close.
Certainly United must get a convincing victory against the ailing Villans at Old Trafford come Sunday, but they don't need to repeat last year's 4-0 drubbing of Martin O'Neill's side in the corresponding fixture.
I think 1-0 or 2-0 will be the popular scoreline. United are one of few teams in the league that can win 1-0 and claim a complete victory over whomever they play.
United's last nine games include home fixtures to Villa, Arsenal, Portsmouth, Tottenham, and Manchester City. They face Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Wigan, and Hull City away from Old Trafford.
The game against Portsmouth at Old Trafford will be played on the 22 of April, and that will be their game-in-hand.
United must find a way to grind out two results, first on Sunday against Villa, then the next weekend at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland before they get that game in hand.
If United take those six points, they will be in good enough form that I think they will have a great chance of beating Portsmouth and climbing back to a lead of at least four points.
While the eight and nine games of the season should provide great theatre, I think United have the capability of grinding out results and winning their 18th league title.
Liverpool fans are loving their team's chances to get their first title in nearly twenty years, but if recent (or not so recent) history proves true, Liverpool fans will be disappointed once again.
For United, their last nine league fixtures must be dealt with diamond cutting precision. Forget style and flair, United fans will want three points every weekend, and they'll take utility over vanity so long as the season ends with their 18th title.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...o-dazzle-in-route-to-third-straight-epl-title