Liverpool collapse leaves United praying for a miracle

There was certain inevitability about the Liverpool v Chelsea game last Sunday. The mood among the Liverpool supporters before the game was either ambivalence towards the result or, for those who couldn't hide their true feelings, hope of a defeat purely to derail Manchester United's title ambitions.

Liverpool duly rolled over as Chelsea strolled to one of their easiest wins of the year. But United fans, instead of joining in the mudslinging targeted at the Anfield club after the result, should concentrate on the final home game against Stoke on Sunday.

A win is essential if United are to have any chance of nipping in front of Chelsea to grab top spot, but even then the destiny of the title is not in their hands.
Wigan Athletic travel to Stamford Bridge and are United's last chance of Premier League victory. A win for the Latics is unlikely, though Roberto Martinez leads an honest bunch of players so you can guarantee they will put more effort in than Rafa's men did last week.

But regardless of effort and commitment I sense Chelsea will be too strong and will claim the three points they require to secure the title. The Premier League betting does make them firm favourites.

A summer of what ifs will follow as we ponder where exactly the title was lost. Two defeats against the Londoners didn't help, but costly slip ups against Villa and Everton meant it was always an uphill struggle and many fans have expressed surprise that the club was still in the title race despite so many poor results.

With the emergence of Man City as a financial powerhouse in the Premier League, as well as talk of busy summers at Chelsea and Arsenal, this close-season could prove to one of the most pivotal in United's recent history. Aging stars like Giggs and Scholes cannot go on forever and if Fergie is to win one more title before he bows out he needs the funds to able to strengthen the squad.

So while United fans watch current stars helping their respective nations justify their World Cup 2010 betting odds this summer, they will also be waiting for major transfer news.

Over to you, Mr Glazer.