The Scot regards being top at New Year as one of the season's significant milestones and that position is now occupied again by the Gunners, who won 4-1 at Everton to go two points clear after United had stumbled to a 2-1 defeat at West Ham.

He said: "I always feel if you reach New Year on top you have a massive chance. We still have a great chance but obviously it was disappointing to lose the way we did."