Premier League title is heading to Manchester United

This weekend should prove to be pivotal in the outcome of the Premier League title. In the early kick off on Saturday Manchester United found themselves two goals down only to win 4-2 after an incredible second half display. Their closest rivals Arsenal then entertained Blackburn in the late kick off but failed to win; the gap is now 7 points with 7 games to go, it is surely over.

There is almost something inevitable about Manchester United; their ability to fight back has separated them from the pack for many years now. As soon as they scored their first goal you just knew they were going to fight back and that is exactly why they will be champions this year.

Whilst there has been renewed optimism surrounding Arsenal’s title challenge in recent weeks they have failed yet again at the crucial stage of the season. Their performance yesterday was abysmal; they lacked the cutting edge and speed to create anything against a very average Blackburn team. It is genuinely quite mystifying after seeing them against Barcelona a month ago when they were outstanding and looked to be serious contenders for all 4 trophies.

It could not have been better for United, who are now able to focus on their Champions League games with Chelsea. It is by no means a vintage United side we have seen this season but they have still done enough and should surely now become England’s most successful club with their 19^th domestic title.

Rangers financial crisis highlights serious problems in football

The announcement today from Alastair Johnson, the Rangers Chairman about the possibility of the club going bust should set alarm bells ringing throughout the football world. Although the majority would have no real concerns about them going out of business it is an incredibly alarming scenario the Scottish champions face.

The club play at Ibrox stadium which seats 51082 supporters at every home game. On the assumption that tickets are £20 it still means they are taking over £1 million gate receipts from every match. It seems staggering that their debt only stands at £22 million when the current Premier League leaders are £800 million in debt. Even though the Scottish club are not quite the side they were it demonstrates the depths this game has fallen to with all the debt issues.

In recent years Fifa have acted to put a stop on huge spending but it seems to have had little impact on the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City. Whilst I am no fan of Arsene Wenger or Arsenal he must be applauded for his attitude to the huge spending and salary figures quoted in recent times. The Premier League has become a playground for foreign investors to play their roulette against others equally as rich whilst the little sides slowly go out of business.

There have been issues in Spain this season with many clubs threatening to boycott La Liga as the share of TV money goes almost entirely to Barcelona or Real Madrid. These issues are becoming more and more frequent and in my opinion Fifa and Uefa cannot halt the inevitable implosion in the future.

Whilst I accept that football is now a business where the side with the most money usually win it is ruining the game at other levels. It used to be the lower league sides that would struggle but in the coming years we will see more cases similar to Leeds United. Football initially was about local rivalry and enjoyment; Fifa need to act fast to ensure the beautiful game can survive these financial constraints before it comes to a premature end.