Premiership: Unwritten rule could cost Utd - Stapleton

If Manchester United do relinquish their grip on the Premier League trophy after three years, Frank Stapleton believes it will be because of their eight defeats.

Stapleton feels the Premiership’s unwritten rule about not being able to win the title having lost more than five games is returning to haunt United.

League leaders Arsenal have only lost three times and second-placed Liverpool five and Stapleton claims this will be the key statistic if, as he expects, the Gunners emerge triumphant.

‘‘Arsenal have performed very well this season and they’ve only lost three games,’’ said the Irish international and ex-Arsenal and United striker.

‘‘It looks like it will still come down to losing less than five games.

‘‘It’s amazing that United are still in contention having lost eight, but it’s Arsenal who are in the driving seat.

‘‘Arsenal have drawn more than United and that can equal two or three defeats, but the important thing is they are winning at the moment.’’

Stapleton feels Arsenal could strike a huge blow in the title race if they could win their game in hand over United and Liverpool against West Ham at Highbury on Wednesday.

Victory would put them four points clear of Liverpool and five of United with just three games remaining.

Stapleton feels this would be too big a gap for United and Liverpool to bridge.

He also claims a win for the Gunners over West Ham could make their clash with United at Old Trafford on May 8 irrelevant to the outcome of the title.

‘‘If Arsenal beat West Ham on Wednesday, that would give them a four-point cushion,’’ he said.

‘‘Even if they went to Old Trafford and lost they would still have a cushion going into the final game against Everton.

‘‘Normally in situations like this you would always fancy United because they have been in this position many times before and know what it takes.

‘‘Their wins over Leeds and Chelsea, which I thought were games they might struggle in, have fine tuned them.

‘‘They’ve got an edge to their game and I can see them winning their remaining games.

‘‘But that, of course, will not be enough on its own and they need Arsenal and Liverpool, don’t forget, to slip up.

‘‘Although I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion, the way Arsenal are playing it’s hard to see that. Arsene Wenger is very confident and he’s quite right to be.

‘‘His confidence has given the team great belief and you can see that every time they come on the pitch.

‘‘It’s in their hands and that’s what any manager wants at this stage of the season.

‘‘So far they’ve proved capable of handling this pressure and they are winning game after game.

‘‘Liverpool are also playing well and really they are well capable of winning all their games as well.

‘‘Really when you look at it, it’s hard to see any of the three teams faltering which means it should be Arsenal’s title.’’