Sir Alex Ferguson will turn 85 on New Year’s Eve. Which, apart from a cause for celebration for many in the Manchester United family, could seem a reflection of failure if this season follows the 13 that went before. United have not mustered a proper title challenge since Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 and, in most cases, it has been evident by the end of December that they would not become champions for a 21st time.
They can look at one table to imagine this year will be a break with the recent past: the Carrick table. After Michael Carrick’s return to Old Trafford in January, they played 17 games and took 39 points: three more than Arsenal, four better than Manchester City, some 14 more than Liverpool, a massive 18 clear of Chelsea. United could say they were the best team in the league for half a season, albeit when the stakes only involved Champions League qualification and when their peers’ calendars were crowded by European and cup games.
