United and City lead the way in the Premier League after five games played – but both have got a long way to go before they can match Arsenal’s incredible achievement during the 2003-04 season.
Arsene Wenger’s side went an entire campaign without defeat in the league – earning the crown of champions, as well as the tag of ‘Invincibles’.
United came close to emulating that feat last season, before seeing their unbeaten record fall at Wolves in February.
Five straight wins so far this term is their best start to a campaign since Ron Atkinson’s team won their first 10 matches in 1985.
Meanwhile, City are also unbeaten, dropping their first points this term in last Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Fulham.
But who, if any, of the Manchester clubs can extend that run until the end of the season?
Legends of both clubs are torn as to whether Arsenal’s record will ever be repeated.
Colin Bell, city’s most famous player, told MEN Sport: “The way it’s going someone’s going to replicate what Arsenal did.
“You could say I’m biased so I’m not going to say I think it could be United. You could toss a coin between City and United at the moment about who is the best.
“Let’s just say it was the right way round in 1968 when we won the league and they were second. The two clubs at the top, it’s great for Manchester.”
United’s 1968 European Cup-winning goalkeeper, Alex Stepney, is less convinced: “I’d love to see it happen, but I can’t realistically imagine it.
“Records are there to be broken and it’s definitely feasible, but the game has changed a lot since the Arsenal side of 2003-04 did it.
“The referees also have a lot to do with it and it’s to do with luck as well.”
City hero Georgi Kinkladze believes his beloved Blues’ defensive frailties will cost them any hope of maintaining their undefeated start.
“Mancini’s attacking policy is magnificent,” he said. “But they will not go undefeated or win the league unless a suitable partner is found for Vincent Kompany.
“Joleon Lescott is the weak link in the whole side. If a centre half could be found in the Terry Butcher, Tony Adams mould, Manchester City could be the best team on the whole planet. They would eat Barcelona for breakfast.
“They are the best attacking side on the planet but until someone is found to replace Lescott they will finish behind United and definitely not undefeated.”
Dennis Tueart added: “I don’t think it’s possible, basically because of the stress on both the City and United squads, which would take its toll over a long season. The challenge to the managers is to rotate the teams to keep everybody fresh. But the Premier League is tougher than ever and the Champions League represents one huge challenge.”
Wilf McGuinness believes that if anyone can do it, it’s United. But the Busby Babe says the sheer number of games involved makes it highly unlikely.
“It is possible, but I would say highly improbable,” said. “The Arsenal side that did it were unbelievable. It would definitely take some doing to emulate their achievements.
“The game’s got harder since then – there are more players from abroad and more competitions. Obviously I’d love to see one of us do it, preferably United, but I’m not sure. If I was to pick the most likely side to go undefeated it would have to be United.”
Former United star Lou Macari added: “It could happen for either side, but it will take a bit of luck as well as playing good football. It will be tough but both sides are capable. It does just take one hiccup in one match it to ruin your run.”
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Whoever does it will have to play as well as Arsenal did and frankly have the luck Arsenal did. Of course, you have to place yourself in a position to be lucky. That requires great effort, team spirit and the qualities to match. However, whether it's winning leagues, cups, long unbeaten runs or all three, you need a fair bit of luck.
The way the league is now, you'll need plenty of it.
Yeah its a real shame Arsenal lost 7 games that season in other competitions...hardly invincible.
Utd can go the whole season without losing a single game, city thou cant as come the derby, we will repeat the one-way demolition job we dished out in the shield.....oh thats right, their already lost a game this year hadnt they, so nope not undefeated and wouldnt be for much longer in the league neither.
On another note, hargreaves- what a sad lil bitter he really is, blaming utd staff...yeah nothing to do with you just be a soft wimp then is it.....joke.
I think the negativity about Joleon Lescott is unfounded - he is seldom flustered, reads the game well and plays in the Mancini way - for me, a better bet than Toure.... Is he the best centre half in the world? no but it's much more about the team and how defenses gell together, how much protection they get from midfield and confidence - not really helped by this kind of criticism of a much improved player
yes united can but city wont
not a cat in hells chance ! and i hope we dont can you imagine the pressure on the team ?like last season untill we lost at wolves
Not a chance.
It does not sound as if Georgi rates Lescott very highly! The bookies made a fortune last season when the top teams came unstuck against some of the lower placed clubs such as Wolves who beat both us and United.
Deflected shots, dubious penalty's, dodgy refereeing decisions will all play their part in who finishes top!
Cant see it being Nited as City will do the double over them
Sounds like Kinkladze has lost a few marbles since retiring. Tell us how you really feel Georgi. Jeez..
Things haven't changed that much since arsenal did it have they? Can't see it happening myself. We've had more periods of dominance in pl than any other team and yet never managed to do it.
Probably but not likely
It is possible but very unlikely. Even that great Arsenal side needed a few slices of luck in the season and since then the league has got even stronger. Even mid table teams have players capable of punishing an off day.
Obviously a slow news day.
This article is a bit like me in the sack..... premature.
It also leaves out .....Newcastle, also undefeated after 5 games and 33 to go.
I'd say that if City or United were to win or draw the next 33 leagues games then yes they can do it!
I hope that helps
I wonder what Joleon Lescott has done to upset Kinkladze?? lol Kinky we love u and miss u!!!
We COULD BOTH go through the season unbeaten
We COULD BOTH remain unbeaten in all our matches except the derbies, which we draw
Mind you, that wont happen, of course, because we will trash United twice
I remember last season when Chelsea made similar start in their first 6 games.....suggest you look what happened before building up both Manchester teams up too much.
I will also say that IMO, the defences in the premier league are of an average standard which is why, when Enlgland play a Brazil, Spain or Holland, they look far inferior.
Kinkladze is an idiot.....
Arse's invincibles in 2003/4 entered 4 competitions lost 7 games in all and won one trophy a fantastic achievement.=invincibles!!
United entered 4 competitions in 1998/99 lost 4 games and won 3 trophies the "Treble"
an amazing achievement= IMMORTALS...
Enough said.
Did Gio really say that? I've not heard him expressing that many opinions about City since he retired, but if so, I'd have to say I agree with him, although the way he's expressed it has probably not gone down to well with the City PR machine (or the Lescott household!) He is right that Lescott is currently the weakest link in the team - the mistakes he made against Bolton and Spurs could, if being kind, be put down to odd moments of lapses in concentration, but he was found truly wanting against Napoli and their manager spotted that. In the second half against Napoli whenever Lescott had the ball he had one or two players close in on him very quickly because they knew that he is uncomfortable with the ball at his feet under pressure. He can only pass with his left foot, and if it is on his right side he is lost. He also seems to have lost that knack he had at Everton (which is what probably attracted Hughes to him) of scoring headed goals from corners. Maybe the injuries last year have affected him, or the transfer fee saga, or the fact that he is a smaller fish in a much bigger pond now. After his successful comeback on Wednesday against Birmingham I think Kolo may be ousting Lescott from his place sooner than later. I also agree with Gio that perhaps we need one dominant centre back (Chiellini, Van Buyten, Vidic?) to make our team 'invincible'!
Still very early days so it's a bit daft even entertaining the idea yet. However I think in order to go the whole season unbeaten you'd definately need a bit of luck from referees etc so I'd say united have the better chance.
After October 23rd, only the club that actually is based within the City of Manchester will be able to achieve the feat.
Wanting to go the whole season undefeated is pure vanity! Surely having the largest amount of points is what truly matters and hence winning the league. It's better to finish the league with 100 points and a couple of losses than to finish the league undefeated with 90 points! I believe United will finish with a greater number of points than City and probably win the league.
Nope.
Arsenal was that undefeated they lost 7 games throughout the season, the reality is Arsenal did NOT have an undefeated season as they lost in both Cups, Shield and Europe and if not for some bad decisions by officials and cheating they would of lost in the League. I am sick of this media myth they was undefeated, the season is more than just the Premier Lge or do the Cups and Europe not count, all because the London darling of the press had 38 League games without a lost they were somehow "undefeated", it is a load of bs. Anyway, Manchester United can go without a defeat, City has already lost as the CS is part of the season, it is the season opener and they will lost to Manchester United in both encounters in the League and anyother game if comes to be and that my friend is the truth. Manchester United are the greatest football club this world has ever seen and the only thing we are missing is an undefeated season to go with our unique history and only one club can acheive that.......Manchester United. Bring it on I say, the challenge is a good one.
Talk about getting carried away. Let's start wondering about this is United pass 30 games unbeaten. Arsenal's achievement was remarkable and they did it with style as well.