But Rio Ferdinand insists the champions are content with their current status in the title race.
After drawing at Newcastle on New Year's Day 2007 the Reds were six points clear of rivals Chelsea and the 2-2 result at St James' Park meant an unbeaten four-match Christmas and New Year effort. United are the only title challenger to have lost during the holiday schedule.
The West Ham defeat last Saturday was righted with the Old Trafford win against Birmingham on Tuesday but Arsenal and Chelsea both gained an extra point from their unbeaten quartet of games.
Ferdinand admits his festive season has been one to forget, not least on the field.
"Nine points from four games is not satisfactory at all," the defender says.
"I have had an awful Christmas period, losing to West Ham and my brother Anton scoring as well. But you have to take results on the chin and make sure you don't drop points in the next game. To lose that game was very disappointing. But we got a response against Birmingham and got the result we needed. If we had dropped points on Tuesday we would have been in a bad position.
"We are still there or thereabouts in the league. If you had offered us this position at the start of the season, we would have taken it."
Mean
United may have lost some ground in terms of points and position compared to 12 months ago but they are proving a much meaner outfit.
Up to the turn of 2007 United had nine clean sheets from 21 matches in the title-winning campaign. This term they have blanked out opponents 12 times in the Premier League.
Eight of those have come at Old Trafford and the toughest rearguard nut to crack in the division has only conceded three times at home.
"It is a good record defensively at home. Long may it continue," added Rio.
"We have a good defensive record. That is the platform we can build on to be a championship-winning team. It happened last year and if we can do it again, it would be great.
"We take pride in keeping clean sheets. We always harp on about the fact if we keep clean sheets, we have players capable of scoring goals. It is down to us lads at the back to make sure we put ourselves in front of the goal and make sure the ball doesn't go into the back of the net. If we do that, we will be a successful side."
Knocking Arsenal off their perch is the target for the champions as they look to retain their crown.
"There are a lot of games to be played and anything can happen," says Ferdinand.
"The scenario at the top can change in the course of a week. If we continue winning, it doesn't matter what Arsenal do.
"We are not looking at anyone else's result. It is down to us. We know if we win games, we will be a successful team."
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Comments
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Yes I do. Scholes coming back will be huge & as long as we can avoid a pairing of Fletch & Carrick in any game we're strong enough. I'm happy for Arsenal to come 2nd they play good stuff but it would fantastic if the Scousers didn't make the top 4.
Where is Si 4 Kop?
Titus Bramble? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...
We shouldn't tease the Scousers, they've obviously been gearing up for the weekend, they've got a big cup game which might just save their season. AGAIN!!!!
The scousers are where we were in the 80s, and I love it!
Steve, chances are their place would be taken by (eek!) Citeh! Putting my money on Everton.
Realistically it's between ourselves, the Gunners and Chelsea. You can not take City and Liverpool seriously from here on in, they're out of it.
I think Chelsea will do well to stay in it with their present injuries and their players commitments to International competitions, so I see Arsenal as the danger.
I've said before, they're the real deal and I can see this going to the last few games. I think our stronger squad will seal it, especially if we can get Scholes and The Nev back to their best. These two could just seal it for us.
Gerry you are spot on even myself have discpounted City out of the race but it is nice to realise a United fan like yourself recognising our ominous threat. Next season will be our challenge but in the meantime I expect my team to complete the double over United on Feb 10th finish in the top six and hopefully achieve a long FA Cup run all generating confidence for the coming seasons.In SVEN WE TRUST!!!!!
Ted I think you are being a little over-optimistic about talking of challenging for the PL next year, it definitely takes a few years to get the team and consistency together, ask Rafa.
That said, Sven has done a great job with the players brought in, but most impressively with existing players (8 of the 11 vs. Liverpool were there last year), and a good cup run and CL place would be an amazing achievement. Plus it would be hilarious if 'we've won it 5 times' came in 5th!
Right back, left midfield and a lack of goals from central midfield are our weak areas. If we don't improve on these areas we'll have a real fight to finish ahead of Arsenal. I think we are now starting to miss Neville and Scholes a bit too much.
Sagnol and Berbatov would be two great signings. I'm convinced Berbatov would turn into a new Cantona, he has the class and arrogance.
Don't worry Gerry, nobody else interpreted your post as recognising City's "ominous threat", which I think very few of us would be willing to concede just yet.
we could still have been top if rio wasn't ball watching at west ham.
Good to see Rio has taken a break from partying to analyse, so perceptively, the state of the Premiership race.
In your dreams Mr Ted Knott from Droylsden.You'r used to dream coz you have been dreaming about City winning something for these last 40 years approx:So keep on dreaming my friend :)
Hi! Ted from knotty ash. You seem to be aiming somewhat low at present, only doing the double over my beloved United, only having a nice long FA cup run and finishing in the top 6! Well there you go. I would have thought you projected forward to the CL final, the PL championship and the FA cup winners. Strange how a little bit of light at the end of the long tunnel can create visual aberration within the gullible mind. It remains to be seen of course, but you will have to wait and see,as indeed will all of us!!
I've said before I like the idea of City displacing Liverpool in the top four (although Everton or Portsmouth will do as well). Cannot see Chelski sustaining a challenge, not with the loss of key player over the next 6-8 weeks. Essien and Drogba have been crucial in winning games for them, and their absence will be sorely noticed.
Arse on the other hand have shown what an ecxcellent second string they have - hats off to Wenger for his ability to get the best out of his youngsters. Don't know what his secret is, but we're certainly lacking in that department at the moment. Still, he will miss Toure in particular (like us not having Vidic or Rio for an extended period). So I'm expecting them to drop points over the next two months.
Yes, I agree this is going to go to the wire between the two of us - a good thing for football as we are the two most positive sides. Our position at the moment is not a bad one - we have had our dip but we must be in a better position with the players coming back in. Lets see how we fare at Villa - an excellent ground for us in the past.....
i see mr knott is back expecting miracles to happen in february, again i will ask (but never get a reply) how much are you prepared to wager on yhat statement, i will cover any amount, so i repeat put up or SHUT UP
Rio
Perhaps you could have a word with that tackless, ignorant bitter old has been of a manager about his choice of remarks, for example saying the ground had the atmosphere of "A funeral" just minutes after the fans had paid respect to a young man who had died on the football pitch, leaving behind a young family. For some reason most people bow and scrape to this old fool, but some times he needs someone to tell him his remarks were out of order, way out of order.
Shame on you
City have done alot better than anyone imagined considering Sven had to gel more or less a new team instantly.
They definitely have a chance of booting out Liverpool if they can improve their away form.
Rio shouldn't have let the loss to West Ham ruin his Christmas, as losing is part of any game, and can occur at any time, especially over the festive period when the games come thick and fast. 9 points from 12 wasn't too bad, and we're only 2 points behind, which we can put right when Arsenal come to OT.
Hey, just noticed he's back - glad to see he made it through Xmas - a tough time for many & renowned as a period when bitter old men in dark rooms, feeling sad & lonely finally bring it all to an end!