Of course United have two games in hand over the other top four or should we now say top five teams , an enviable position for the English, European and now World club champions.

What an unpredictable season it is turning out to be. Manchester United have the possibility to unnerve Chelsea at Old Trafford in the first weekend of the 2009 Premier league fixture list, where a win for the champions would put them one point behind last years runners up and still with those two games in hand.

While each of the top clubs have had games where they look unbeatable, none has managed to look convincing enough on a long term basis, but as they say winning points when performing badly is the sign of champions. Of course on that basis the title would appear to be wide open but at present my money would be on Manchester United prising the lead from Liverpool by the end of the season.

While Chelsea remain in with a shout, the promise of samba football at the bridge never lasted more than a few games, almost as long as the rise and fall of Deco as the new messiah. Arsenal too lost focus of their vision of total football as another season looks set to implode, the injury to Euro 2008 winner Cesc Fabregas being the last straw.

Liverpool have also struggled to look convincing title chasers on a regular basis and have rescued games through sheer good luck on a number of occasions already this season, then again the same can be said of any of the contenders. Of course Fernando Torres is fit again and we may yet see that partnership with Robbie Keane being more fruitful. A lot may also depend on the outcome of Steven Gerrard’s arrest in the premiership news yesterday.

And Manchester United are also starting to fit together nicely, even if the strike force that Fergie rated as the best in the world are not scoring for fun, they are still winning games when it counts.

If I were to stick my neck out I expect a tougher second half to the season, remaining close at top and bottom of the table, Manchester United sneaking it at the death from Liverpool and a real possibility of Aston Villa finishing above Arsenal.

I remember how talented Anderton was as a youngster at Portsmouth and when he moved to Spurs he appeared to have the world at his feet. His being prone to injury earned him the nickname Sicknote, but also robbed him of long spells of his career.

When he was fit, he could marshall the midfield in spectacular fashion, but an out of sorts Anderton could be equally frustrating and tiresome. He played a big part in England’s Euro 96 campaign reaching the semi finals and played thirty times for his country, scoring seven goals.

I read that Anderton intends to travel around the world now that his football career has ended, so good luck to him and thanks for the memories. I feel sure that his feat today will ensure his place in Bournemouth AFC folklore.