Manchester United

Champions Manchester United started badly, drawing at home to Newcastle on opening day and then losing to Liverpool at Anfield in September. They went on to drop points at Chelsea and Spurs and all three at Arsenal. Recently they laboured to victory over managerless Sunderland - Nemanja Vidic slotting in a 90th minute winner - and have closed the gap on Liverpool and Chelsea to a manageable number, but now they are in Japan and could find themselves well behind when they return.