Big Match Facts
In each of the last three years, Manchester United have finished
the season in the position they entered the year; third in 2004-05,
second in 2005-06 and first in 2006-07. They go into this game
trailing Arsenal by two points and will be wanting a repeat of the
2002-03 campaign when they were five points behind the Gunners at
the outset of the year and won by the title by five.
Birmingham go to the Theatre of Dreams in search of their 50th
all-time Premier League victory.
The Brummies may feel the backlash of Saturday's defeat at West
Ham, as United endeavour to claim their 10th successive league
scalp at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have not suffered back-to-back defeats in 101
Premier League matches since April 2005.
Manchester United have lost a New Years Day Premier League fixture
only once; they went down 4-1 at Tottenham in 1996.
Birmingham began 2007 with 2-0 home win over Wigan; they were the
first Premier League points the Brummies had gained from the first
fixture in a new calendar year.
It's 30 years since Birmingham last won at Old Trafford; Kevin
Dillon and Trevor Francis were their scorers in a 1-2 triumph on 2
January 1978.
Birmingham have never beaten Manchester United in the Premier
League, and have lost all four visits to Old Trafford, without
scoring a single goal.
This Season's Reverse Fixture
Birmingham City 0-1 Manchester United
29 September 2007 - Ref: Steve Bennett
Man Utd scorer: Ronaldo 51
