It hasn't happened often in the last two decades, but I can't but help wonder if we're about to witness a Manchester United mega-implosion. From possible treble winners a couple of weeks ago, to a summer of soul searching and wondering how it all slipped away.
The FA Cup, Premier League and Champions League titles - gone, poof, disappeared, all within the blink of an eye.
Neighbors City ended the FA Cup interest and yesterday, with the BPL crown within touching distance, Arsenal threw a surprising spanner in the works. Sir Alex Ferguson sent out a team at the Emirates that barely whimpered let alone played like champions elect.
It appeared as though they'd set their stall out for the draw and that they'd be happy with a point, which in my book was a huge tactical error. In a campaign where Ferguson has barely put a foot wrong, this was especially head scratching when you consider the following:
Before kick-off, the Gunners were a club that was there for the taking. Their confidence was lower than a snake after a paltry two wins in their last 11 matches had seen their own season implode. If you then took the Londoners recent record against the Red Devils (one win in their last 11) into account, we're now almost talking about a three point ATM, and yet United barely troubled Wojciech Szczesny. It wasn't as though Arsenal bossed the match.
Throughout the 90 minutes, United looked a little tired in both action and thought. It was though the effort they've put forth to get to this position had finally caught up with them. After all, I think we're all in agreement that this has been far from a vintage Manchester United campaign.
The squad is where they are through grit and determination rather than flamboyant, exhilarating play. For sure there have been moments of brilliance but nothing to compare to the sides of the mid-to-late 90's, let alone the brutally efficient machine that claimed three successive titles in the last decade.
With the one-nil loss to Arsenal, the lead that looked so secure a few weeks ago has been cut to three points, and with the visit of Chelsea to Old Trafford next Sunday, the title race has pretty much come down to a winner-take-all situation.
In United's favor is their home form, which is by far the best in the division; however, three times in recent memory, a visiting side has gone to the Theater of Dreams and basically won the title under their very noses.
Sunday's victors, Arsenal twice went North to seal the deal while fellow Londoners Chelsea achieved the feat under Jose Mourinho. These defeats still hurt Ferguson, and he'll be well aware that the Blues will arrive as the in-form-team.
Defeat to Carlo Ancelotti - who thrives in set piece matches - would then put them under incredible pressure as they head to Ewood Park, where their record in the last nine years is nothing to write home about. Since the 2002 season, United have only come away with a victory twice against their local rivals. Given their abysmal road record this year, I can guarantee they'll be some sweaty palms if Chelsea do take all three points next weekend, because that will signify that the title is slipping away.
That would leave the UEFA Champions League as the last piece of silverware up for grabs. I have no doubts that the Red Devils will make the final, as Schalke should be swept aside with a ‘B' team, but can anyone honestly say that they'll beat Barcelona?
Right now the Spanish team are on a different level, and regardless of the home support they'd naturally receive playing at Wembley, I can't see this United team beating the Catalans. If that's how it plays out, it would leave the club empty handed for the first time since the 2004-2005 season.
Impossible, I hear die-hards say, but judging from Sunday's limp, uninspired performance, unless Ferguson can rally the troops and split resources, United's season could end up resembling that of another United back in the ‘70's.
Leeds United were the poster boys for 2nd place after spending many a campaign in pole position. Can that happen again? Well, history loves to repeat itself.
Nick Webster is a senior writer for FoxSoccer.com covering the Barclay's Premier League and the English national team.
