Their rivals will fail to see the irony, but the New Year could usher in the same old story at an alarming rate -- Manchester United top of the English Premier League.
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"Bobby Robson has done a fantastic job there and I think he takes a lot of credit for what's happened up there."
Ferguson has Ryan Giggs flying and Ruud van Nistelrooy gobbling up chances in front of goal, and their defence, while still shaky at times, is much improved.
"But we're at the right end of the table and there's no need to get despondent about (losing to Chelsea)."
Robson's side edged a thrilling match against United at St James' Park in September 4-3, with Shearer grabbing the winner after Ferguson's team had recovered from 3-1 down to level the score at
For by the time the reigning champions run out at Old Trafford against second-placed Newcastle United on Wednesday, they could have a chance to assume the league leadership, for the first time this season, on goal difference.
It would take a remarkable set of poor results for Arsenal, who lead by three points, Leeds United and Liverpool on Tuesday to let United through that early in 2002.
But as their confidence soars on the back of five straight wins, the growing feeling is that United's assault on this season's summit is a matter of when, not if.
British bookmakers installed fifth-placed United as clear 6-4 favourites for the title following their 3-2 win at Fulham on Sunday and Newcastle, who have never won in seven premier league visits to Old Trafford, face a difficult task in bucking their opponents' upward trend.
Yet manager Bobby Robson has invigorated the north-east club in startling fashion, and their lofty position, built on a sound defence and the dovetailing partnership of Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy, is no illusion.
"It will be a fantastic game, I'm really looking forward to it," United boss Alex Ferguson told the club's
Ferguson still urges caution when it comes to United's chances, but he knows that United's suitors to the title are doing exactly what he had hoped for earlier this season -- "cutting each other's throats".
He said: "We've got an uphill fight. You see the way the League is now and we can't afford to make any mistakes.
"I said that our opponents have got the best chance of winning the league now and I think that's still right. They recognise that and that's why it's such a fantastic league at the moment."
Ferguson could have Juan Sebastian Veron available again after injury, and must decide whether to bring the Argentina international back at the expense of either Nicky Butt or Paul Scholes.
Newcastle's 2-1 defeat by Chelsea at St James' Park on Saturday ended a run of five straight wins and dented the sense of anticipation on Tyneside.
Robson insists his side will not win the league, but he is nevertheless relishing his Old Trafford test.
"It's come at just the right time," he said after the Chelsea match. "I always thought that the second half of the season would be difficult.
3-3.
The sub-plot to Wednesday's outcome will again feature the personal battle between Robson, 69, and Ferguson, who turns 60 on Monday.
"Being 60 doesn't bother me," Ferguson told British newspapers.
"I have still got an enormous appetite for the job, and when I look at someone like Bobby, you can only marvel at the way he keeps going.
"I always say when you look at a team you look at a manager. He has done a fantastic job and keeps on doing it...you can't buy experience. That is what we have both got at the highest level."
FIXTURES
(Kick-off 1500 GMT unless stated)
Tuesday: Charlton Athletic v Ipswich Town, Chelsea v Southampton, Leeds United v West Ham United (2000), Leicester City v Arsenal (1730), Liverpool v Bolton Wanderers, Middlesbrough v Everton, Sunderland v Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspurs v Blackburn Rovers.
Wednesday: Derby County v Fulham (1945), Manchester United v Newcastle United (2000)