Title Review: February 2013

ManUtd.com's review of the Reds' enthralling run to a 20th title continues...

Overview: Four wins from four leauge games: you can't ask for much more. The Reds' charge towards a 20th title gathered pace with home wins over Everton and Reading sandwiched between victories at Fulham and QPR. Sir Alex's men weren't exactly free-scoring but the team's professionalism was admirable, particularly when faced with Everton – spoilers of the 2011/12 campaign – at OT.

Key moment: Memories of opening-day defeat at Goodison Park and the previous season's crushing 4-4 draw were dredged up in the days preceding Everton's visit, but United, marshalled superbly by Nemanja Vidic at the back, showed steely determination to collect all three points. And all with the lingering prospect of a Champions League trip to Madrid three days later.

Star man: February's push for the title was built on solid foundations at the back and David De Gea was key. The Spanish goalkeeper kept three clean sheets in the four league games, making superb stops in each match to preserve United's advantage.

State of play: Sir Alex's men finished February top of the league on 68 points, 12 points clear of Manchester City, who suffered a surprise defeat away at Southampton.