London: With most of their title rivals toiling over the Premier League's traditionally busy holiday period, Manchester United have found an extra gear that seems likely to take the team to the top of the standings heading into 2012.
United have wiped out the five-point lead held by Manchester City at the start of December and are seeking a sixth straight win when they host bottom side Blackburn on Saturday - the day manager Alex Ferguson celebrates his 70th birthday.
That would leave City in the unusual position of being behind in this season's title race when Roberto Mancini's team visit Sunderland on New Year's Day.
Even a mountainous injury list - currently featuring 11 players - hasn't yet upset United, the reigning champions seeking a 20th English championship success.
"The experience that the manager, the players and the coaching staff have of what's required in the second half of the season, as well as the overall hunger and desire to win competitions, will help us," said veteran midfielder Ryan Giggs, who recently scored for the 20th straight season in the Premier League.
"Big players can't wait for big games. Toward the end of the season the games just get bigger and bigger. For me personally, you want that in the run-in - you want to be involved in big games and going for the title. That's why you become a footballer."
City go into the latest round of fixtures over the festive period ahead of their fierce rivals on goal difference but, without an English title since 1968, they don't have United's experience heading into the run-in.
The leaders have dropped five points in their last four matches.
Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool seem to be out of the title picture, leaving Tottenham, who have won eight of their last 10 matches, looking like the only side capable of breaking the Manchester duopoly at the top of the table.
Seven points behind the pair with a game in hand, Spurs visit Swansea on Saturday where in-form Wales winger Gareth Bale will return to his native country.
"It's great to be up there but we know ultimately that we have to keep concentrating," said Bale, who scored both of Tottenham's goals in the 2-0 win over Norwich on Tuesday.
"It's not even halfway through the season, there's still a lot of games to go and nothing's achieved at this stage of the season. Hopefully we can keep the form that we're in and keep pushing ourselves up the table."
Chelsea - four points adrift in fourth after a run of three straight draws - host Aston Villa and fifth-placed Arsenal are at home to Queens Park Rangers.
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