Confident Carrick gunning for Arsenal

EVEN during the darker moments of recent seasons, Alex Ferguson has always clung to the undeniable fact that Manchester United raise their game after the turn of the year.

The worrying news for Chelsea is that, once again, the trend appears set to continue.

Facing Aston Villa for the third time in three weeks, United contemptuously backhanded their opponents, dealing with the routine business of securing three points in 35 exhilarating first half minutes before casting their minds forwards to next weekend’s pivotal double bill that could go a long way towards determining the eventual destiny of the Premiership title.