Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp believes there is no chance Manchester United will remain unbeaten and emulate Arsenal's 'Invincibles'.
United went back to the top of the Premier League and kept their unbeaten league record intact following a goalless draw against Tottenham at White Hart Lane in which United full-back Rafael was sent off.
But after a match of few clear-cut chances Redknapp said: "I couldn't say they (United) are on another level and are going to walk away with the title. I can't see them going the year unbeaten. There are lots of teams who could beat them on any given day.
"You can't be as good a team as you were a year or two ago when you had (Cristiano) Ronaldo and (Carlos)Tevez.
"I think other teams have improved and got closer to them, but at the moment they are still top of the pile after losing players like that."
Redknapp admitted Rafael's sending off, for a foul on Benoit Assou-Ekotto in the second half after receiving a yellow in the first, was harsh.
He said: "He's just run in and clipped his (Assou-Ekotto's) heels. He hasn't stuck his leg out. It was Mary Decker and Zola Budd wasn't it? What can you do about that? He hasn't broken his stride.
Sir Alex Ferguson, however, refused to comment on the sending off by referee Mike Dean.
Ferguson said: "I'm not going to discuss it. It's not worth discussing because everyone can see that. It's out of my bounds."
The United manager preferred to concentrate on the form of his defence which was back to its best with Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic back in harness.
Ferguson said: "We defended very well, they never gave us any trouble with their attacking. We had one or two good opportunities at times when we got to the last third of the field but we just didn't quite have the cutting edge.
"The kind of pressure we were under was just long balls into the box really. With Ferdinand and Vidic as your centre-backs you know you can cope with that. They were fantastic. The whole back four did really really well.
"We showed good possession but were also careless in possession at times. In the context of Tottenham's home record this season and the performances they have given, we have got to take it as a good point for us. It's about winning games and keeping your nerve and today, defensively, we kept our nerve."
The game was Ryan Giggs' 600th league appearance for the club and Ferguson said of the veteran Welshman: "He's an incredible human being and an example to anyone that wants to use him as a role model."
Redknapp was also pleased with the point which sees Tottenham stay in fifth place just behind Chelsea in the race for the Champions League places.
Redknapp said: "What it does to me is show we are not a million miles behind the other teams. We played United close, we battered Man City here first game of the season and drew.
"We have to believe we are not inferior to anyone. We are getting closer and closer. The top five teams are getting closer and closer. We are outsiders, but the favourites will be Man United still."
Redknapp also admitted that time was running out in his bid to sign David Beckham on loan.
He added: "David has to be back there (America) in February and there's not a lot of time, which is a shame."
He also appeared to rule any chance of landing Newcastle's Andy Carroll.
"He's a good player, he's a handful, you'd like to have him in your team," Redknapp said. "But we are nowhere near getting Andy Carroll. How much is he? You are talking £30m to £40m."
