There has been the odd blip here and there, twice against Arsenal and, unexpectedly, at West Ham and Portsmouth, but largely it has been success all the way.

Here, we look back at six pivotal games which shaped the Red Devils' season.

August 20 - Manchester United 5 Fulham 1

It took Sir Alex Ferguson's side precisely 20 minutes to declare their intentions for the season ahead. Fulham arrived at Old Trafford on the opening day full of optimism and left battered and bruised by a vicious mauling. Louis Saha started the scoring and then, after Ian Pearce had netted an own-goal, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo maintained the offensive. Fulham were shattered and with Rooney adding another near the end, United were top and determined to stay there.

October 28 - Bolton Wanderers 0 Manchester United 4

The opening half an hour at the Reebok Stadium was as near to footballing perfection as it is possible to reach. Bolton's notoriously mean defence was ripped apart time and again by Ferguson's rampant attackers. After a 10-match drought, Rooney ended up with a hat-trick and Ronaldo added another at a time when it seemed Chelsea were about to gain control at the Premiership summit.

February 4 - Tottenham 0 Manchester United 4

A victory mired in controversy but a spectacular triumph nonetheless. United were still searching for a breakthrough when Ronaldo went down in the area under minimal contact just before half-time. The winger netted the penalty himself, then played his part in a landslide second period in which Nemanja Vidic, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs also scored.

February 24 - Fulham 1 Manchester United 2

Trailing to Brian McBride's opener and totally outplayed, United had done well to scramble their way back into the game thanks to Ryan Giggs' well-taken leveller. On a weekend when Chelsea's attentions were diverted by the Carling Cup Final, it seemed Ferguson's men would drop two very precious points. Until that is Ronaldo picked up possession inside his own half, drove into the Fulham box and flashed home an 87th-minute winner that brought huge celebrations from the visitors' bench.

March 3 - Liverpool 0 Manchester United 1

Always a tough fixture, the Red Devils had been outplayed at Anfield when Scholes was sent off for taking a swing at Xabi Alonso four minutes from time. Down to 10 men, virtually any other side would have clung on for a draw. Not United, who won in injury-time after John O'Shea pounced on Jose Reina's blunder.

April 28 - Everton 2 Manchester United 4

With their lead trimmed to three points already, it was looking bleak for United as they found themselves two adrift at Goodison Park. Once again O'Shea led the rescue mission after Iain Turner dropped Michael Carrick's corner at his feet. Within minutes, the game was transformed as Phil Neville netted an own goal before Rooney and Chris Eagles sealed an amazing win which, with Chelsea failing to beat Bolton, ultimately proved decisive their war of attrition.