Man United looks set to win three-horse race

By Vic Mills

LONDON (JP): With a quarter of the season left to play, the English Premiership is looking more and more like a three horse race. Manchester United currently stands a point clear of Liverpool and six ahead of Newcastle United, which has a game in hand.

The ominous news for would-be challengers is that for the first time this season Manchester United has the look of champion. There is an air of inevitability about its play. It is almost as if a space is being cleared in the trophy room.

As in other years, the second third of the season from November to February has been immensely significant. They have done the damage in this period, taking advantage of other sides fallibility.

More importantly, the recent victory at Arsenal and the draw against Chelsea were achieved without the services of Eric Cantona. Two seasons ago when Cantona was suspended after the Selhurst Park incident, United fell apart. Not anymore.

The likes of David Beckham, Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs have now come of age and United is no longer so dependent upon Cantona--as Coventry City will discover tomorrow as it journeys to Old Trafford.

While the Frenchman's contribution may not be as great as it once was, manager Alex Ferguson will not hesitate to select him, his suspension served, in place of Brian McClair. Cantona apart, United is likely to field the same side that played Chelsea with Ole Solskjaer and Andy Cole to continue its partnership in attack.

In the Sunday match, second place Liverpool travels to the Midlands to take on sixth place Aston Villa. Both teams have at various times in the season looked to mount a serious title challenge. Liverpool may still, but both have failed to maintain the consistency so essential to winning a championship.

With little to choose between the two sides, the result is set to hinge on the shoot-out between the respective forwards, Dwight Yorke and Savo Milosevic for Villa and Robbie Fowler and Stan Collymore for Liverpool.

Having been caught and passed by Manchester United for the title last year, Newcastle United now finds itself in pursuit. With time of the essence, new manager Kenny Dalglish has already made changes.

He showed a little of his hand last week at Middlesbrough, albeit a local derby, by leaving Faustino Asprilla, David Ginola and Peter Beardsley on the substitutes bench and opting for a more cautious approach with Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand left to make things happen up front.

A second groin operation of the season in mid-week has robbed Dalglish of the services of Alan Shearer for the next month. His seven game absence will include the UEFA Cup quarter-final against AC Monaco. The loss of Shearer notwithstanding, Dalglish is likely to select a more attacking formation for the visit of second to bottom Southampton tomorrow.

Arsenal is another side which has lost its way in this second third of the season. The Highbury problem has been one of indiscipline with Ian Wright, Dennis Bergkamp, Tony Adams, Patrik Vieira and Martin Keown all receiving suspensions during this period.

In fact Wright is about to start his second suspension after receiving a booking against Manchester United. There may be repercussions too following his flare-up with Peter Schmeichel in the tunnel after the game.

On a more positive note, manager Arsene Wenger has already began to plan for the future with the signing this week from Paris St Germain of French teenage prodigy Nicolas Anelka. The 17-year-old, a striker in the mold of Andy Cole, has been signed on a five-year contract.

Arsenal travels to mid-table Everton tomorrow with fitness doubts remaining over David Seaman, Tony Adams, Martin Keowin and David Platt.

Having taken the points against Arsenal last weekend, Wimbledon now stands fifth after a nil-all draw at Southampton on Wednesday evening.

In what amounts to a dress rehearsal for its Coca Cola Cup semi-final, Leicester City travels to Selhurst Park tomorrow. This is Leicester's second visit to the capital in four days following its controversial F.A. Cup defeat at Chelsea.

The disputed extra-time penalty kept Ruud Gullit's side on target for Wembley and a possible date with its Premiership opponent Derby County. Fatigue may play a part in this game as Derby was also involved in the mid-week F.A. Cup action, beating Coventry City's 3-2 to earn a home quarter-final tie against Middlesbrough.

Good news

After a creditable draw at Liverpool last weekend, there was more good news for Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday with the announcement that Internazionale manager Roy Hodgson will be joining the club at the end of the season.

With Sven Goran Eriksson staying in Italy, Rovers acted quickly to confirm Hodgson's appointment on a three year contract. His departure will heighten speculation on the future of Paul Ince. Linked in recent months with Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and now presumably Blackburn, Ince is contracted to Inter for another 18 months.

Having got its man, Blackburn must now look to retain Premier League status. Sunderland visits Ewood Park at the weekend in a game that neither club can afford to lose.

Sentiments that were abroad at Upton Park on Monday evening as West Ham United returned to form with a sparkling 3-3 victory over Tottenham. Manager Harry Redknapp will look for more of the same as the Hammers travel north to play Leeds United.

In other game involving relegation candidates, Nottingham Forest has enough talent to take a point at Tottenham, while improving Middlesbrough have the unenviable task of facing Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Draw

FA Cup quarter final draw (matches to be played on March 8 and 9): Saturday, March 8: Derby County v Middlesbrough Sunday, March 9: Chesterfield v Wrexham; Portsmouth v Chelsea; Sheffield Wednesday v Wimbledon