3. An Iron Will To Succeed
Manchester United have conceded more goals this season (31) than any other side in the top five of the Premier League table. Their fans have also bee forced to endure nail-biting moments as United rescued results from the brink of defeat with late, late goals like Robin van Persie's 90th minute strike against West Ham United in the FA Cup to salvage a replay and save Ferguson's side the ignominy of falling at the first hurdle of the competition. United have always had an iron will to succeed, illustrated perfectly by their treble-winning season of 1999 when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rifled a last-gasp winner into the roof of the net in the Champions League final to send Bayern Munich player's crashing to their knees in depressed agony. They have continued to demonstrate that iron will this season with late winners, and despite their dubious defensive frailties, there is no arguing that they are a force to be reckoned with going forward, and another 90th minute winning goal from Robin van Persie, this time against Champions Man City at the Etihad last December, may yet prove to be the difference between the two sides.