Birmingham's Lee Bowyer should have been sent off, says Alex Ferguson

The Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said the Birmingham City goalscorer Lee Bowyer should have been sent off for his first-half challenge on Darron Gibson during the 1-1 draw at St Andrew's. Bowyer received a yellow card from the referee Lee Mason after a late lunge at Gibson, who was starting his first Premier League game since April. Ferguson felt Bowyer, who is 34 next week, should have been given a red card and he took advantage of staying on the pitch by scoring a last-gasp equaliser.

The United manager said: "The Bowyer tackle in the first half, I thought it was a red card. He's gone over the top of the ball. Bowyer has been given a yellow card so nothing can be done about it [retrospectively]. But it's a dangerous tackle.

Ferguson's sense of injustice would have been increased when replays suggested the Blues striker Nikola Zigic was guilty of handball and committing a foul in the build-up to Bowyer's goal, which earned a point for the Midlands side.

But United head into the new year top of the table. They have lost only two league matches during 2010 and remain unbeaten in the top flight this campaign. Ferguson said: "I always say if we get to that top position on New Year's Day, then we've always got a great chance. There's five or six teams who are all contesting that area towards the top of the league."

With Wayne Rooney still without a club goal from open play in nine months, Ferguson will be relieved Dimitar Berbatov continues to sparkle. His 15th goal of the campaign at St Andrew's means he has already passed his totals of 12 and 14 for his previous two campaigns at Old Trafford. Ferguson said: "Dimitar is in great form and it is good to see that. His confidence is high too – and that is important."

Ferguson will hope that Arsenal find it as difficult as the other leading teams when they visit Birmingham on Saturday. Alex McLeish's side have already beaten Chelsea and drawn with Tottenham at home this season in addition to gaining the point against United, which moved them out of the bottom three.

Ferguson said: "Maybe it will be seen as a good point in the long run. Absolutely. Birmingham is a very difficult place to come to. You see their home record in terms of goals against them. Very few teams score goals at Birmingham. That has been going on since Alex [McLeish] came here as a manager. They set their stall out very well."

McLeish was full of praise for the resilience shown by his team and their never-say-die attitude surfaced once again in thwarting United. But the former Scotland manager is aware of the need for his team to be more clinical in front of goal if they are to climb away from the relegation zone.

He said: "Why are we near the bottom? We haven't scored enough goals. That is the bottom line. We've not been battered in any game this season and the players can be proud of that.

"I heard David Moyes talking the other day about the reason Everton are in their position they are because they haven't scored enough goals. We haven't done that either. The thing which has let us down is we've not scored enough goals. It will take us up the table if we score the chances we create."

McLeish believes United and Arsenal are the favourites to win the title. He said: "I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be United. Chelsea are still a wee bit away now. United and Arsenal are favourites now but we say that at different stages of the season and then a couple of results go against you and it changes.

"It has been such a topsy-turvy season. It has been a strange one, teams in the lower half beating the top teams. Even the top teams have been a little inconsistent but United's recent form has been great."

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Don’t worry Manchester United, no other big guns beat Birmingham City at home either

Forget Anfield, Eastlands or Stamford Bridge, Birmingham City's St Andrew's is the true Premier League fortress. Unbeaten by a big six side at home for 18 months, Alex McLeish's men held on to the record on Tuesday night thanks to a controversial 89th-minute strike that had Rio Ferdinand calling foul and Edwin van der Sar offside.

Lee Bowyer's intervention at the back post not only brought the Blues' support to their feet but injected new life into the title fight. Although United return to pole position, the fallibility of the early months of the campaign made a welcome return in the eyes of the chasing pack. Before Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur get too excited, however, they should all look at their own recent history in the second city.

While Carlo Ancelotti's charges are the only heavyweight to fall to defeat, critical points have been dropped by all. The Gunners' faltering challenge fell apart thanks to a Manuel Almunia gaffe in March, while then City boss Mark Hughes' fatal run of stalemates included one at the ground.

Arsenal are next in the firing line on New Year's Day, with City to follow on February 1.

Since promotion back to the top flight in time for the start of last season, Alex McLeish has imbued his team with a desire unable to be stamped out by the big guns.

Certainly, St Andrew's imposing - and decaying - exterior is a culture shock to the visiting superstars spoiled by the exclusive facilities on offer at the likes of Old Trafford. Its location within a tough Birmingham neighbourhood must also unsettle the nerves.

Pin-ups such as Cesc Fabregas and Wayne Rooney play within sedate 60,000-plus crowds at the Emirates and Old Trafford. No such timidity is present at St Andrew's.

The 30,009 baying Brummies create a tinderbox atmosphere hard to match in the division. While this can certainly - and unforgiveably - step over the mark, such as the ugly scenes in the recent derby with Aston Villa, big egos from visiting stars can be shrunk to size with a choice chant.

A tussle between Anderson and Barry Ferguson was greeted enthusiastically in the terraces. Wayne Rooney's repeated efforts to find the back of the net were met with a humour likely to further rile the Scouse firebrand.

This further ensures that McLeish's watertight tactics are given the backing they deserve. From every towering header from Roger Johnson, to each snapping tackle from Ferguson and a round of applause for each run down the channel from shot-shy striker Cameron Jerome, the pressure on the chalk board is carried through by the fans.

The Scot himself took the chance to bemoan the lack of goals from his side in his post-match press conference. While this slackness was an Achilles heel during the recent defeat to lesser lights Wolverhampton Wanderers, a rigid 4-5-1 against potential champions acheived the desired effect. Even attacking outlets Craig Gardner and Sebastian Larsson put in a shift for the team. Anyone who shirks responsibility, no matter reputation, will get an earful.

This was exemplified by Gardner's attack on Alexander Hleb after the mercurial summer signing failed to track back once he was thrown in to the action as a substitute. Never mind that the Belarus international can point to spells at Arsenal and Barcelona on his CV. This team spirit and commitment has ensured the Premier League big dogs now fear the trip to St Andrew's. Arsenal, you have been warned.

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Manchester United have history on their side as they protect unbeaten record at Birmingham City

Sir Alex Ferguson’s team, unbeaten in the Premier League since a 2-1 defeat against Chelsea at Old Trafford last April, travel to St Andrew’s as the only team in England yet to lose a league game this season. And only Sheffield United, who led the old First Division with an unbeaten record on Dec 31, 1899, have failed to win the league after starting the new year undefeated. On that occasion, the Bramall Lane club finished second to Aston Villa, despite not suffering their first league defeat until losing to Bury in mid-January.

Ferguson has repeatedly dismissed the prospect of United emulating Preston in 1888-89 and Arsenal in 2003-04 by sustaining the unbeaten run throughout an entire season. The United manager, speaking earlier this month, said: “It won’t happen again. The time Arsenal did it they had 12 draws. It was a great achievement, but in this present league, you cannot think for a minute you will go through undefeated.”Leeds United (1973-74), Liverpool (1987-88) and Arsenal (1990-91) all survived defeats in the second half of the season to win the league having been unbeaten at the start of the new year.

Yet with United, who have won just once away from Old Trafford this season, due to visit Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool in the second half of the campaign, the difficulty of avoiding defeat appears to justify odds of 11-1 for Ferguson’s team to remain unbeaten for an entire league season.

But Ryan Giggs, who is chasing his 12th league title this season, admits that United’s traditional improvement in the new year ensures that the squad expect to sustain their form. Giggs said: “We hope to get better in the second half of the season, but our form over the last few weeks has been really good. We looked sharp against Arsenal and Blackburn, and it was the same against Sunderland.

“You are obviously wary, though, because of the way the league has been this year. Anyone can beat anyone. We are thankful that we remain unbeaten and confidence is high, but we realise that nothing can be taken for granted. It is a tough league and we need to be at our best in every game.”United winger Antonio Valencia has revealed that he is unlikely to return from ankle surgery until March after being told not to rush back to action by the club’s medical staff.

Valencia, who was given permission to spend Christmas with his family in Ecuador before returning to Manchester early next month, had been expected to make his comeback in mid-February after having his recovery accelerated with work in a Nasa-developed underwater treadmill at United’s training ground. But he now admits that he is targeting the final three months of the campaign for his comeback.

Valencia said: “The injury was very hard. It has taken three months so far, but my recovery is well under way and I hope to be 100 per cent within three months. Last week, I was able to run and I felt very well, but I just need the swelling to go down now. “The team have told me that there is no rush because I have three months to recover and I do not need to take risks.”Unbeaten runs that have mark of champions

If United avoid defeat at Birmingham, they will become only the seventh team in history (dating back to the inaugural season in 1888-89) to enter the new year unbeaten in the top flight (Football League and Premier League). Only once, Sheffield United in 1899-1900, have a team reached that stage unbeaten and failed to win the league. Here are the teams who have achieved the feat, when they suffered their first defeat and where they finished.

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson to use part of £50m funds to bring in Liverpool's Pepe Reina

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is believed to be in the process of receiveing over £50 million to splurge on the transfer market. And the Daily Mail claims that the Red Devils boss is targeting a £20m move for Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina, as a replacement for Edwin van der Sar.

The Dutchman is widely expected to hang up his gloves at the end of the season, but it has been reported that Ferguson is willing to wait until the summer to swoop for the Spaniard. United have also been linked with a move for Atletico Madrid's young shot-stopper David De Gea, who has been appreciative of the interest that the club have shown in him.

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Manchester United consider Barcelona clash in July

United, who prepared for the current season with a five-game tour of Canada, the United States and Mexico in July, are due to make a decision within the next month on their plans for next summer. But the prospect of United and Barca meeting on July 30 for the first time since the 2009 Champions League final in Rome, which United lost, is likely to prove hugely lucrative for both clubs due to the growing interest in the game in the United States.

With Sir Alex Ferguson’s tour squad expected to be at full-strength due to the absence a major international tournament next year, the club have also received money-spinning offers to tour the Far East, with fixtures in Malaysia, China and Indonesia under consideration.

United’s most recent tour of the Asia in 2009, when they played in Malaysia, South Korea and China, was marred by the cancellation of a fixture in Indonesia due to a bomb attack on the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Jakarta, just 24 hours before the team were due to check-in to that hotel.

It is understood that a return to the USA next summer is most likely, however, with Ferguson being impressed by the training facilities throughout the trip, plus the competitive nature of the friendlies played during the three-week tour. United’s close ties with kit manufacturers Nike, and their Chicago-based shirt sponsor Aon, are also set to influence where the club chooses to tour in preparation for the 2011-12 campaign.ends.

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Premier League preview: Manchester United v Sunderland

Both sides come into the festive period in good spirits. Manchester United find themselves top of the Premier League and with a relatively kind draw in the last sixteen of the Champions League. Meanwhile, Sunderland harbour genuine hopes of a European spot themselves and should Steve Bruce's side carry their form into the second half of the campaign, there is every chance that it might just happen.

Having said that, the statistics indicate that the chances of Sunderland pulling off a famous victory are slim. The Mackems have not won at Old Trafford since 1968 and last beat United ten years ago in a League Cup tie. Last season, Anton Ferdinand's late own-goal denied Bruce's side a memorable win in the corresponding fixture.

The Black Cats will also have to contend with the fact that Manchester United remain the only unbeaten team in the country. Sir Alex Ferguson's side have rarely hit top form this season, but have yet to lose in 16 Premier League games and will feel that there is little reason not to extend that run on Sunday.

United are sitting pretty at the top of the table, two points ahead of Arsenal with a game in hand. Ferguson will be aware that perhaps their main danger on Sunday will be a sense of over-confidence and should they suffer from complacency, Sunderland have shown that they have enough quality about them to take advantage. However, Bruce looks like he will have to contend with a number of absentees from his squad as he returns to the club at which he made a name for himself as a player.

The Sunderland boss has taken a realistic approach ahead of the game, saying "We know what to expect, it will be difficult. But I always enjoy going back, even if I do come back with my backside kicked."Certainly Ferguson will hope to send his former captain back to Wearside nursing his wounds.

Manchester United – Hoping that they don't slip up Sir Alex Ferguson will go into Christmas a happy man. Not only are his side in an excellent position, but importantly, they exude an air of stability and consistency somewhat missing from their title rivals. Ferguson's team has begun to more or less pick itself. Edwin Van der Sar continues to be an enormous presence in goal and will be sorely missed once he retires. Brazilian youngster Rafael Da Silva has made the right-back slot his own while Patrice Evra continues to impress on the other side of defence. Much of United's solidity is down to the fact that they have been able to call on the partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic for a prolonged period this season, a luxury over the past couple of campaigns.

In midfield, Ji-sung Park has been in excellent form, including scoring the winner against Arsenal last time out. Anderson has also earned high praise from Ferguson while Michael Carrick should continue to patrol the middle of the park. Portugese winger Nani will be asked to continue impacting games to good effect.

All eyes though will likely be on the front two of Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney . The Bulgarian is the man of the moment, having hit five goals recently against Blackburn in United's 7-1 romp. The England striker though has still not found his scoring boots this season and will be anxious to hit the back of the net. Sunderland will hope that they are not on the receiving end of Rooney's return to form.

Sunderland – Down to the bare bones As if a trip to Old Trafford weren't difficult enough under normal circumstances, Sunderland will take on an in form Manchester United with up to seven players unavailable for selection as Steve Bruce looks to cobble together his starting eleven.

At least he knows that Scottish goalkeeper Craig Gordon goes into the match with plenty of confidence, having pulled off a sensational save against Bolton last week to help ensure a 1-0 victory for the Black Cats.

At the back, Sunderland will be without Titus Bramble and Michael Turner with knee injuries, while John Mensah is out for three weeks with an ankle knock. Expect either Argentinean Marcos Angeleri or 'the Egyptian Beckham' Ahmed Al Muhammadi to come in as cover.

Meanwhile, controversial midfielder and Black Cats' captain Lee Cattermole is suspended having picked up his fifth booking of the season. Youngster Jordan Henderson and Kieran Richardson more or less pick themselves, providing incisive running from out wide. Steve Bruce will hope that David Meyler is fit to take his place in the centre of midfield, particularly with Cattermole missing. The young Irishman suffered a knock at Fulham and it is unclear whether he is available for the trip to Old Trafford. Both Steed Malbranque and Boudewijn Zenden will hope that they can be accommodated in an inevitable midfield reshuffle.

Up front, the in-form Danny Welbeck is unavailable as a condition of his loan deal from Manchester United . The responsibility for breaching United's back four will rest upon Darren Bent and Asamoah Gyan.

Steve Bruce will be hoping that a rather makeshift side holds its own at Old Trafford with a thin looking spine to both midfield and defence looking somewhat suspect.

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