• Manchester United lead by three points and must play at City
• T-shirt says: 'Money only gets you so far'
There are eight games left and Manchester United have only just moved to the top of the league – yet for some of their fans it is clearly enough to assume a record 20th league title is now a fait accompli. A three-point lead ahead of Manchester City has seen the first T-shirts appearing this week commemorating another league triumph for Sir Alex Ferguson's team.
"Champ20ns" is the message, despite the fact we are still six weeks away from the end of the season and one bad result for United could see City replace them at the top. The accompanying message is aimed directly at City: "Money only gets you so far."
The stunt opens United's supporters to allegations of premature triumphalism when the title race is still open and they have to play at the Etihad Stadium on 30 April. Many United fans may also be concerned it proves to be a jinx. However, the company behind the T-shirts insists it has no reason to doubt the title will find its way back to Old Trafford when United's next four opponents are all against teams from the bottom six of the league.
"It may be squeaky-bum time, the managers may be busy playing mind games, there might be eight league games left but we think we've already done enough: we're three points clear, and there will only be one winner now."
There will not, however, be a refund to any buyers if United blow their lead and City have the last laugh.