'Never write Manchester United off' has been a phrase used more often than most this season.

But surely not even the might of United could bounce back to claim a record fourth successive Premiership title if they were to be defeated at Leeds today.

Six games is seen by many as the maximum number of times a team can lose in one season if they are to finish top of the League.

The Red Devils, currently in second place behind Liverpool, have already lost on eight occasions during the current Premiership campaign.

And what were Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren's words after Boro recorded number eight with a marginal 1-0 victory at Old Trafford last Saturday?

"You still can't write off Manchester United," said the former assistant manager at United.

But should Leeds claim the points at Elland Road today, even the most loyal of United backers would concede the League title is heading somewhere other than the Theatre of Dreams' trophy room.

McClaren also said after Boro's success: "I'm glad we're not the team playing them next week."

And maybe he has a point as United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to bring back in-form striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and skipper Roy Keane.

And more bad news for Leeds is that leading scorer Ruud van Nistelrooy has also recovered from a groin strain which forced him to miss this week's Holland versus Spain match.

Whatever the result at Leeds, perhaps United are already out of the title race.

Arsenal, in third, are just a point behind Ferguson's men with two games in hand, so clearly the Gunners have success within their grasp.

The Highbury outfit do not have the distraction of Champions League action - Manchester United and Liverpool do - and they have not lost domestically since Newcastle's victory in North London on December 18.

Arsene Wenger's squad, who go to Old Trafford on April 13, are in great form and they are understandably the bookmakers' favourites to claim the title.

Today Arsenal entertain Sunderland, who are in desperate need of points themselves with relegation a serious threat.

Wenger's side may look the most likely to take the honours this year, but is it little wonder Liverpool are so confident?

The Reds take on Charlton at Anfield today and then their remaining five matches are all against sides struggling against relegation.

Newcastle's comprehensive victory over Everton at St James' Park yesterday has kept up their hopes but a Champions League place is surely the best they can hope for.

Logically the 2001-02 Premiership crown should be heading to Highbury - but since when has there been any logic in football