Manchester United required only 80 points to claim a record 19th championship last term, by an impressive nine-point margin from Chelsea and Manchester City. But boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes a points total in the high 80s could be needed this time around.
They have already reached 45 from their first 20 games but the Scot is not convinced any club will be able to maintain that momentum over the arduous second half of the campaign.
"Two or three years back there was definitely a tightening up of the league.
"It became a bit harder and instead of four teams battling for the top positions, you had six, with Manchester City and Tottenham coming into the reckoning as well.
"That makes it far more interesting for the spectators and neutrals."
"I don't think it is impossible for the final totals to be double the number of points we have now but it is unlikely," he added.
"It would be a hard task for the three of us to maintain that kind of consistency and get another 45 points.
"We have very difficult games away from home; Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City. That is four massive games.
"Points will be dropped on the run-in. That is the nature of the league and how competitive it is.
"You just hope you don't drop as many as the rest." "It could be the high 80s the rate it is going, which is surprising," said Ferguson.
