Manchester United still getting the job done

Their midfield is shaky and away record is nothing to write home about, but they top the table.

Manchester veterans Ryan Giggs, left, and Paul Scholes, are close to the end of their careers.

Before his side's four games over the Christmas and New Year period, Sir Alex Ferguson said that it would be a "great achievement" if Manchester United headed the Premier League at the end of the first week in January.

United go into tonight's home match against eighth-placed Stoke City in first position, level on 41 points with neighbours Manchester City but with two games in hand.

Arsenal are two points behind, with Chelsea, the champions, in a seemingly implausible fifth place behind Tottenham Hotspur, a full six points behind United, and both London clubs have played a game more.

United's position means they are favourites for a record 19th league title, though many of their fans can scarcely believe it for their team are a side in transition and have been less than spectacular for large swathes of the season.

The hard fought and fortuitous victory at West Bromwich Albion on New Year's Day was only their second away win - Blackpool have won five times on their travels.

The only other victory not at Old Trafford came against a Stoke City side, who arrive for the return fixture buoyed by a 2-0 victory over Everton on January 1.

Ferguson hoped that United would be in contention by the turn of the New Year because he has faith in his side's ability to improve as the season wears on.

United are experienced campaigners and thrive when the key moments Ferguson refers to as "squeaky bum" time come around in April. Realistically, the current line-up has overachieved and United fans remained underwhelmed by their performances.

The defence is little cause for concern, with the peerless central partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic having already played more games together this season than last.

It is in midfield where United's squad raises so many doubts. There is no shortage of players, but each divides opinion sharply.

Questions remain whether Darron Gibson has the talent for a long-term future at the club and if the injury prone Owen Hargreaves will appear for United again. A fit Hargreaves would have no problem regaining his place.

Darren Fletcher's progress has stalled, while Michael Carrick has found some form after a mediocre 18-month spell. Antonio Valencia, the injured Ecuadorian winger, is not expected back until March and while the prodigiously talented Nani has been afflicted by minor injuries, he will return tonight.

Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs are edging closer to the end of their glorious careers. Giggs has started seven of United's 19 league games so far, Scholes nine.

Ji-Sung Park, who Ferguson favours for his indefatigable energy, has started just nine and will be absent in the Asian Cup throughout January.

Ferguson has said that he has no inclination to use the January transfer window to bring in new blood and has been boosted by the return to form of Anderson, the Brazilian who has started the last six league games in midfield.

Another option for Ferguson is to recall Tom Cleverley, the on-loan attacking midfielder who is excelling with Wigan Athletic.

If Ferguson is looking for an edge up front, he hopes that Wayne Rooney's first goal at the Hawthorns on Saturday will restore his form to the level he was showing a year ago.

Rooney has just three goals to his name from 13 appearances this season.

Tonight could be a good opportunity for United's strikers, of whom Dimitar Berbatov is by far the leading scorer with 15 goals - 10 of them coming in just three games.

United have won all five games against Stoke since their return to the Premier League, scoring 14 goals and conceding just one.