None of the top three has been truly convincing but whoever claims the title should be making a move now

Manchester United interrupted the mediocrity last weekend. It came as a bit of a shock. The dismissal of Arsenal at the Emirates was brisk and few had anticipated that show of strength. Until then there was an assumption that the Premier League had been relegated, with La Liga unquestionably the best domestic competition in the world. Barcelona and Real Madrid may yet prove that to be the case but we have come to the stage of the programme in England where the main rivals will have to reach peak form.

United, as befits a club that has taken the title for the past three years, seem to be finding a rhythm as they pursue the leaders, Chelsea, in earnest. On 19