A Double Treble, Larsson and Hargreaves

Manchester United currently stand six points clear at the summit of the Premiership, in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a home tie versus Portsmouth to come and with Lille between them and a spot in the last eight of the Champions League. It's a far cry from what anybody expected, following predictions of Fergie's days being numbered and United to go into free fall after the Glazer takeover.

With Grand Slam Weekend coming up we could gain a bigger idea at where the title will end up; if Chelsea drop points and United win in my opinion, it's pretty much United's but if United lose and Chelsea win United will have to tread carefully and will be put under enormous amounts of pressure. Two draws and it's business as usual, it'll still be game on!

Arsenal inflicted United's only home defeat in September with a 1-0 victory thanks to Adebayor's goal and the Reds will want revenge this weekend. Gilberto will be sorely missed by Arsenal as he has been their one consistant players this season, whilst on the other hand United have a full squad to choose from following Brown's recovery from a virus.

Victory for United on Sunday and we're in pole position for the title and victory is what United should go all out for regardless of the result from Anfield - that's the only way Manchester United play and we shouldn't discard that because of any other results.

Because of the way United play because of the "Manchester United way" anything is possible and eight years since that unique season of 1999, Ferguson dares to dream, "We have to go for the treble, there's no point in being negative. Let's enjoy it!"

With Portsmouth in the Cup, Lille in Europe and our league position with a bit of luck and the spirit of '99 we could reach the Promised Land again - of course it's a long way away though and that side of '99 was something special but you never say never especially with United and Fergie's track record.

Ferguson then went on to say that questions about his squad were unfounded his squad was good enough to challenge on all three fronts and to be honest who are we to argue?

Yes, we know the squad needs signings and players but the acquisition of Larsson on a short term loan deal has so far seemed to be a good move by Fergie - 2 games, 1 goal and lively performances from the legendary Swede - the acquisition could prove a massive one on all three fronts as fatigue and injuries take it's toll.

In Ronaldo, Scholes, Carrick and Giggs - United have one of the best midfield quartet's in Europe. The defence is thriving on the competition for places and now the same can be said as the front line: Rooney, Saha, Larsson, Solskjaer, Dong & Smith all fighting for a place.

United's squad and injury levels (touch wood) are at a healthy state and if this remains until the end of the season United will not be far off in terms of silverware come May, that's a cert.

Some have compared Larsson's arrival to that of The King Cantona's and if he scores the goals which seal the title then few will argue. His effort, motivation, link up play and with one goal to his name already he has started his United career brightly.

Another player who would love to start his United career is Owen Hargreaves, the Bayern Munich midfielder today (19th January 2007) claimed "It's been official today that Manchester United have made an offer for me. For a club like Man Utd to make an offer is something I appreciate."

Sky Sports claim the offer is in the region of £20 million and Bayern Munich's board will discuss the offer over the weekend, which shows that their resolve is cracking and they are now ready to accept an offer, whether this one will be is yet to be seen as they have lost two or three midfielders through retirement or transfers. They will also have to consider whether they will get £20m in the Summer transfer window - the answer is clearly "No".

Hargreaves, for me, will be the final piece to United's central midfield jigsaw. Carrick with the vision and creation, Scholes the dynamo, the goalscoring midfield player, Hargreaves the engine. A perfect all English combination. A combination I'm sure if brought together this January would strengthen United's title challenge and a combination that if brought together in the Summer will mean success in the future.

On a whole things are looking good for United, Treble chasers and Premier League favourites things couldn't be better. Three points on Grand Slam Sunday and we'll be even further to gaining our trophy back, anything other than and it'll be a straight fight to the finishing post and in the Red corner we have Ferguson, experience and youthful exuberance something which will surely bring us through victorious.

United never do things easy and it'll be a surprise if we do anything but easy in the 2007 chase for a second unique Treble!