MANCHESTER UNITED are 80 PER CENT certain to win the Premier League this season, according to the statistics.
The Red Devils went three points clear of arch-rivals Liverpool at the top of the table after Paul Pogba’s volley led them to a 1-0 win over Burnley on Tuesday night.
Teams top of the table after 17 games in eight of the last ten seasons have gone on to win the Premier League title
Pogba’s volleyed goal at Burnley fired Man Utd three points clear of Liverpool atop the Premier League on Tuesday nightCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
United are battling to win their first league crown since Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in 2012-13.
Since the legendary Scot left, the Old Trafford clubs have been mired in mediocrity, limping into the European places in a far cry from their teams of yesterday.
But the stats suggest they’re overwhelming favourites to win the Premier League.
Incredibly, the team top of the table after 17 games has gone on to lift the trophy in EIGHT of the last ten seasons.
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Only Liverpool – in 2013-14 and 2018-19 – have surrendered a lead after the same numbers of games.
Both seasons they finished second and were forced to wait until 2019-20 to break their Premier League title drought.
But every other year since 2010-11, the team top after 17 matches has lifted the famous trophy, including United in 2011 and 2013.
Man Utd next face Liverpool in an almighty six-pointer at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
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Should Jurgen Klopp’s Reds win, they would go above United on goal difference.
But if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Co leave Merseyside triumphant, they will be six points clear of the reigning champions with 20 games to play.
However, there is a slight catch: United’s tally of 36 points after 17 games is the LOWEST of any team top after 17 games in the past ten seasons.
Liverpool in 2013-14 – with their fearsome ‘SAS’ partnership of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge – also racked up 36 points in the same span, ultimately finishing second in a thrilling season finale.
For context, last season the then-league-leading Reds had racked up 49 points, 13 more than United this season.
In 2018-19, Liverpool were top again with 45 points, while City were top on 49 points after 17 matches in 2017-18.
Man Utd last won the Premier League in 2012-13, with the club enduring some tricky years since thenCredit: Getty Images – Getty
United did win the league with just 37 points on the board from 17 games in 2010-11.
But that year, Fergie’s men were unbeaten from their 17 matches, compared to this year’s crop who have already lost three times.
Solskjaer recently urged his Man Utd stars to keep their focus and not believe the job is done.
But a win over Liverpool this weekend would solidify their standing atop the Premier League, with the glory days on the brink of a return.
Lose at Anfield and it recently is anyone’s game, though…
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reacts to Man Utd’s 1-0 win at Burnley which sends them top of the table
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
