They have done so only fitfully so far at Everton in the Premiership and at home

They have done so only fitfully so far; at Everton in the Premiership and at home to Juventus. Yet still they seem untouchable, the midweek win over Feyenoord, coming after the 13 goals against Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday, another example of their imperious form. “They are in an ideal period,” the Arsenal coach, Arsene Wenger, admitted.Thus Arsenal are probably playing for the rest of the Premiership this afternoon. These may be early days but if United begin to stretch into the distance, it is unlikely they will be caught, given their depth of squad and experience of title run-ins. This season’s would be their fifth championship in six seasons. And while they may have been a little fortunate to win the last two, thanks to the shortcomings of Newcastle United and Liverpool, it could even have been seven out of seven but for late failings of their own.Consider these words: “In these days of over-pitched evaluation, any team which, in the space of five years, won the championship of the First Division of the Football League twice and the FA Cup once would be hailed as the team of the century – or thereabouts. The startling achievement of the United after its inclusion in the premier Division, in establishing that list of awards, tends to be overlooked.”They were written of the early 1900s by Percy Young in his 1960 book Manchester United.

The modern team under Alex Ferguson, with two Doubles, has gone way beyond even that as they begin to assemble a record in domestic competition to match, even surpass, Liverpool’s in the 1970s and 1980s.But there is one important difference from that era where one club also dominated, an ominous and almost sinister difference with serious consequences for the foreseeable future.In the days before marketing men thought of making money out of players’ pictures on duvets, some clubs were plainly more equal than others, because of gate receipts Not to the extent of United now, however. Six weeks ago they announced record profits of pounds 27m, up 80 per cent. “What Tim and Greg have done is great for the British game,” Lee said. “It’s also very useful for me that they get all the headlines while I can concentrate on improving my game without distractions But most of all they are an inspiration. Before they made it, it was hard to believe that a Brit could get into the world’s top 20, ten or five. Now it is possible to believe that I can achieve it as well.”. The CIA may not have caught on yet but right under their noses, barely a mile away from spy headquarters in Langley, Virginia, a small group of well-heeled Washingtonians are engaged in an act of dastardly subversion.

Thomas Enqvist, for example, was a great junior and then achieved next to nothing for three years or more – now he is in the top ten.”Martin has had a tough time in the last couple of months – it’s not easy trying to qualify for tournaments when you are constantly playing people who are ranked higher than you are. But there are a couple of players from his age-group who are now in the top 50, and I am sure that sooner or later Martin will join them.”While he is climbing the ladder, Lee can be reassured that he will be shielded from too much public attention by the exploits of his elders and (for the time being) betters. “He’s the most senior of the boys here and he has been the most successful, and there is nothing for building up confidence like having a group of people around you who look up to you and admire you. Martin is a grown- up now, a professional player in his own right who can make his own decisions. He is now the one who rings me in the evening to know what the next day’s programme is going to be.”Barclay is guardedly optimistic about his charge’s prospects of success at the highest level. “Most of the good juniors come through to success in the end,” he declared “Though in some cases it takes longer than others. I would find that after just a couple of matches I would be just dead in the head.

That’s why time off is important for recharging the batteries.”That takes place at Bisham, where Lee has lived, somewhat surprisingly, for the last five and a half years. “People do sometimes think that it’s a bit strange to live where you train,” he admitted “But honestly, it’s great fun. Quite a few of the other lads here I’ve known for years, and when we’ve finished our work for the day we can all relax together. I really enjoy my time here, and my coach even manages to make the training enjoyable. Quite often you’re laughing so much that you don’t notice how long you have been working.”That coach, Ian Barclay, believes the Bisham experience is responsible for Lee’s mature outlook “It’s great for Martin,” Barclay explained. “My first four months on the senior circuit were pretty hard work.