An old myth resurfaces this week. As Manchester United travel to Liverpool on Saturday for their first big game of the season, you may hear the line that, since they've still not met a direct rival, we still don’t really know how good they are. The argument plays on the old adage that you’ve "got to win the big games" to take the title.
All of this is wrong. The importance placed on the Premier League’s titanic clashes defies both logic and the new financial reality. United sit joint top with Manchester City with six wins and a draw in seven games, yet the modest status of their opponents so far appears to have devalued their results, as if they hardly matter. “They are yet to be tested,” we hear. But recent history disagrees.
Over the last four years, the champions have not done well in the big games at all. The key quality for title aspirants has instead been overshadowed by talk about wins that make "big statements" and "send a message". Though it might not look like it, United have already passed the biggest test.
The results of recent title winners suggest Manchester United can stumble at Anfield and still be in good health.
Last season Chelsea lost to United, Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool. In the top-six ‘mini league’ they came second, just ahead of Spurs. High above towered unbeaten Liverpool, who according to the adage should have coasted to the real title. Instead they came fourth, 17 points behind Chelsea.
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Falling down: Liverpool's record against lesser teams cost them dear last season
Chelsea were actually one of the better big-game champions of late. Leicester lifted the trophy by winning four of their 12 games against the top six – merely a third. They drew five and lost three. A year earlier, in the era of the top four, Chelsea won just two of their six clashes with direct title rivals. It proved more than enough to win the league.
In 2014, Manchester City won it by losing three of their six games against the eventual top four. That season, the big-game experts were Chelsea, who won five and drew one – an impressive record, though in the real table they came third. The reason was that, like Liverpool last season, they lacked the main ingredient of which champions are made.
‘Secret’ formula
This not-so-secret factor is a formula that consistently beats the smaller teams. Find it, and evidence suggests you may only need the odd victory against your closest rivals.
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