Manchester United Fans Club

Owen Hargreaves convinced the Red Devils will prove beyond doubt they are England’s top dogs when Manchester United go to Emirates Stadium next weekend match against Arsenal.

After a slow start to the campaign, United have now reeled off eight successive wins.

Their latest success saw Wayne Rooney score for the seventh straight game for club and country, providing more evidence his partnership with Carlos Tevez is virtually unstoppable and allowing Sir Alex Ferguson’s team to equal a 100-year-old scoring record by hitting four, four times on the bounce.

It is irresistible form in anyone’s book and while Hargreaves, happily restored to the United starting line-up after finally overcoming a long-standing knee problem, accepts Arsenal have been effective this term, he feels United are better.

“Arsenal have played extremely well and are playing some lovely football but I still think we are the top team in England,” said the former Bayern Munich midfielder.

“It will be a fabulous game for the fans to enjoy but we are very confident going into it.”

Considering Ferguson is currently without eight senior internationals, United have every right to feel optimistic about mounting a successful defence of their title.

Thanks to their surprise Carling Cup loss to Coventry, the Red Devils even have the rare luxury of a full week to prepare for their trip to north London, which already is looking like one of the key fixtures of the entire campaign.

And, judging by Hargreaves’ assessment of their win over Boro, Arsene Wenger should be a worried man.

“We have a chance to look at some videos and see what Arsenal do well but we also have a lot to work on because at times against Middlesbrough we got a bit complacent,” he said.

“If we had wanted to, we would have definitely scored more than four. But in a way, that is a great thing. We are winning games comfortably and we are not even in top gear yet.”

United have now emulated a scoring feat last achieved by Billy Meredith’s side in 1907. And while it is highly unlikely they will be celebrating another four-timer at Arsenal, in Tevez and Rooney they have a burgeoning partnership capable of wreaking havoc on the best.

For all Ferguson’s caution - and the Scot continues to insist the duo’s relative youth means they are still far from the finished article - goals such as the one they crafted between them to see United score for the third time yesterday explode any myth they cannot operate in tandem.

In six games together, the pair have scored eight times. And Rooney is loving it.

“It is an honour to play in this team and having Carlos alongside me is just brilliant,” said the England international.

“He is such a clever player, really intelligent, and we are working well together.

“The best way to play football is to pass and move and I saw him start his run out of the corner of my eye, so I just gave him the ball.”

Rooney’s explanation of his audacious back-heel was about as concise as the time he took to bury his latest goal after Stewart Downing had dwelled in possession far too long inside the area, allowing Nani to nip in and feed his goal-hungry team-mate.

It was a catastrophic error, especially as Jeremie Aliadiere had already brought Boro back on level terms after Nani’s explosive effort had put United into a third-minute lead.

Once Tevez had netted for the first time, Hargreaves was relieved of his duties and watched the Argentinian complete the rout late on.

After so much time out with injury, Hargreaves was thankful to feel a part of the action again. And this time, he hopes it lasts a while.

“I felt a bit stiff and sore afterwards but that happens with injuries like this,” he said. “It has been a frustrating time, very stop and start.

“I have spoken to a lot of doctors and specialists who have explained it is not really a problem with the knee, it is more a structural problem.

“I have been trying to play through it but it has been difficult at times. “Now I am fit, I just want to try to remain that way for the rest of the season.”