Last season the Premier League title race went down to the last day of the campaign. This time around, it could be a very similar story, according to Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher, who says that he "wouldn’t be surprised" if it all goes down to the wire once more.

The difference this time, though, is that there could be more teams involved come that vital day in May. Along with Manchester United, Fletcher obviously believes Chelsea will be there or thereabouts, but he has also been impressed with Liverpool and Arsenal in recent weeks. Therefore, it could be four teams going for glory as the season reaches its climax – that would be quite something, wouldn’t it?

Speaking of Liverpool and Arsenal, these are the teams that have played a huge part in Manchester United sitting eight points adrift of the league leaders. Sir Alex Ferguson’s men have, rather uncharacteristically, lost to both these members of the Big Four already this season.

Rafael Benitez guided his team to a 2-1 triumph at Anfield back in September and last weekend, Arsene Wenger’s side recorded a crucial victory as far as their title hopes are concerned - by the same scoreline. This means that United have taken just one point – achieved at Chelsea – against the other top teams so far this season.

Such statistics aren’t phasing Fletcher, though. He isn’t convinced that the games between the top four decide where the title is heading. The Scot says there is a long season ahead and that there will be "a lot of twists and turns." He is also confident that United can go on a long, unbeaten run of games that will put them right back in contention.

It has to be said that as far as the football odds are concerned, nobody is yet ruling out United. Given their ability in the past to turn it on just at the right time, it would be foolish to write them off when it comes to your football betting. As Fletcher mentions, their game in hand, in theory, means that the gap is only five points between them and the leaders.

Therefore, it would only take one slip up from either of the top two for United to be back within touching distance. One thing is for sure in my opinion, though. Whoever goes on to to win the title can’t afford to lose many more games this season. In fact United and Arsenal – who are also a few points behind – probably can’t afford to lose any more.

As for Fletcher himself, he is likely to have more than his fair share of games over the rest of the season, especially now that Owen Hargreaves will be out long-term with a serious knee problem.

This is no bad thing, though, as I see the Scottish midfielder as one of the most under-rated players around. Perhaps he will emphasise this even more as he helps the Premier League champions defend their title. We’ll have to wait and see.