MANCHESTER United will stand just 90 minutes away from retaining the Premier League title if they overcome West Ham United at Old Trafford this afternoon.

Victory over the Hammers, followed by three points at Wigan Athletic in eight days time, will ensure an unprecedented tenth Premier League crown will be squeezing its way into the United trophy cabinet.

The destiny of this year's competition is very much in the more than capable hands of Sir Alex Ferguson's Champions League finalists.

And few would bet against United rubbing Chelsea noses in it when they meet in Moscow on May 21.

In both competitions United are favourites, but is the Premier League as sewn up as so many seem to think?

Thanks to a superior goal difference all United have to do is win their remaining two games.

Like Middlesbrough, the equally unpredictable Hammers seem to thrive on clashes with the big guns, in particular Manchester United. Alan Curbishley's men have come under fire from their own fans in recent weeks and last weekend's draw with Newcastle, after leading 2-0, shows that all is far from well at Upton Park.

But they will arrive at Old Trafford under considerably less pressure than their opponents and with nothing to lose.

Given West Ham's recent hiccups, it would be easy to predict a comfortable day at the office for Ronaldo and co. However, if they can stem the red tide for the first 20 minutes, the Hammers will have every belief that they can cause an upset the longer the game goes on without a goal.

Only Manchester City have left Old Trafford with three points in the bag this season and, with that in mind, it is difficult to see the Hammers blowing the title race wide open.

However, West Ham were one of only two sides to claim victory in United's own back yard last year. In fact, on their last four visits to the Theatre of Dreams, West Ham have recorded two victories.

It was on the final day of last season when the title had already been won by Ferguson's men that West Ham won, thanks to a certain Carlos Tevez.

There is much more to play for on this occasion and United will be no soft touches with so much still at stake. Anything less than a win will hand Chelsea the advantage at St James' Park on Bank Holiday Monday and, with that in mind, it's difficult to see the Red Devils coming a cropper.

West Ham will no doubt have other ideas, even if it means doing rivals Chelsea a favour.