Manchester United sit 5 points back (with 1 game in hand) of Chelsea at this very moment - andf I think if you would have told Sir Alex this to start the season - he would have said perfect.

The Red Devils are trying to make this a 4th consecutive Premier League title - and they do not look like they have even started to play well up to this point.  This team looks to me like they are still trying to figure out who they are.  They lost the best player in the world this past off season in Cristiano Ronaldo.  They are also figuring out on the fly exactly what I said about Antonio Valencia - he is not a replacement for Ronaldo - they overspent big time for this guy.  Outside of Wayne Rooney - the only consistent offensive threat is the ageless Ryan Giggs, who arguably could be having his best season yet.  Yes, I know Giggsy has only scored twice, but he is making every player better with his play.  Rooney leads the team in goals with 13 - the next closest is Berbatov with 5 and Valencia with 4 - but both of those players aren't guaranteed starting spots from week to week.
                                                                  

Now the big reason why Fergie is a okay with being a few points back at this stage of the season.  Chelsea loses the League's leader in goals, Didier Drogba to the African Cup for the next month or so, plus Anelka has suffered a groin injury.  So now the Blues are relying on Kalou (ha) and Sturridge to get them through this stretch...that's not good.  Fat Frank (Lampard) has really regressed and looks to me like he might be fighting for a place on the England squad, rather than a key to the team.  I will say this about Chelsea though, how good is Yuri Zhirkov?  The guy is as good, if not better than advertised - he is dangerous going forward every time he touches the ball and is a brilliant defender at the back.

Last, but not least, The Blues do get a break in January with their schedule.  They travel to Hull City to start the month and end the month at Burnley, with home games against Sunderland & Birmingham sandwiched in between.  So even without their 2 starting strikers - Chelsea should claim all 12 points in the month of January.  But we all know that Manchester United really starts to make their move for the League title once the calendar hits Christmas - so everyone better be paying attention...

Oh yeah - just something to think about - this is not a 2 team race - because if I was a betting man (and we all know that I am), if Cesc Fabregas stays healthy - my money is on the Gunners.  What do you think?  Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!

Have a Happy New Year everyone - and thanks for reading the Goalmouth Scramble Blogcast!