Gearing up for the Xmas calendar

December has traditionally been when the season comes alive for Manchester United. Past seasons have seen United hitting top form around this time while the earlier months tend to be more about staying fit and blooding youngsters.

This season seems to be the most promising for silverware in a while as United have already reached the summit with a game in hand without really hitting top form.

This time last year, Alex Ferguson was sweating on the fitness of the defence as both Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand were out with injury.

Remembering Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher lining up in defence still sends a shiver down any Manchester United fan.

This season’s schedule has also been particularly kind as they face an off-form Chelsea on Sunday before seeing out the year at Sunderland and Birmingham.

Against Arsenal earlier today, United showed resilience and steel in defence as they overcame a determined Arsenal side who sat pretty at the top of the table.

Despite missing the playmaking genius of Paul Scholes, United suffocated Arsenal’s offense through the combination of Anderson, Carrick and Fletcher in the centre of midfield.

Scholes was sorely missed as United struggled to get their usual passing momentum going.

Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher were particularly culpable as they lost possession cheaply on a number of occasions.

United should have gotten a few more goals but for poor finishing and an in-form Wojciech Szczęsny between the sticks making his debut.

For this tussle, Sir Alex decided to go with a 4-5-1 and preferred Wayne Rooney’s work rate upfront, to the casual brilliance of Dimitar Berbatov.

Questions still remain on when Wayne Rooney will reverse his current slump, as his lack of confidence was particularly telling when he ballooned his penalty attempt midway through the second half.

All in all, United continued in the same fashion as they have for the first part of the season, in second gear. With the defence looking fit and solid, it could be the bedrock for a fine season once Wayne Rooney finds his golden touch.