Manchester United will not finish their Premier League campaign unbeaten, according to West Ham boss Avram Grant.
United romped to a 7-1 victory over Blackburn at the weekend that sent them top of the Premier League, and they are the only top-flight team who has not yet tasted defeat.
But Grant believes the Red Devils will not be able to match Arsenal’s incredible run which saw them complete the 2003/04 campaign without a defeat in the league.
The Israeli, whose side faces United in the Carling Cup quarter-finals tonight, said: “What happened with Arsenal was exceptional. I don’t believe there is a team which can last all the season without losing.”
He continued: “When I was at Chelsea (United manager Sir) Alex (Ferguson) described that season as the best ever – but even then they did not start so well.
“You don’t need to be at your best in the first few months, but at the end of the season.
“Alex is very clever. He does it every year. I can’t remember one season when United started with full power.”
And when speaking about tonight’s cup tie at Upton Park, Grant added: “It is not very often that West Ham comes to a quarter-final of any competition, so we will try to win this game.”
Watch West Ham v Manchester United live on Sky Sports 1 and live at bet365, kicking off at 19.45 GMT.