25 Predictions for the Rest of Alex Ferguson and Manchester United's Season

Twenty-five years deserve 25 predictions.

Sir Alex Ferguson marks his 25th year as manager of Manchester United on Sunday. To mark the occasion, we're making 25 predictions for the rest of Ferguson's and United's season.

The premise is pretty simple, really. These 25 predictions represent what we think will happen between now and next May. The hard part is getting it right.

What's easier is looking back on Ferguson's first 25 years at United. In those 25 years, he has won 12 league titles, five FA Cups, four league cups and two European titles.

He's criticized referees, kicked shoes at players and feuded with other managers. Most of all, though, he's sustained success.

What will the future hold? There's only one way to find out.

OK, so that trophy is from the MLS All-star game. But United will win some real silverware before the end of the season.

Why? They always do.

United's last season without silverware was 2004-05. Before that? Only heaven knows.

They'll win something this year, even if it isn't the league.

April 28 at Manchester City, to be exact.

United entered the weekend five points behind leaders Manchester City.

That gap might or might not remain the same over the next few months. But United and City will be close enough that their match April 28 will be a title decider.

City will win the match, but it won't be 6-1 this time.

Yes, that means City are going to win the title this season.

Actually, they'll finish in the Top 2.

United and City are England's two best clubs this season by a big margin.

The final table will reflect that.

Finishing second will be important as United will qualify automatically for next season's Champions League group stage.

They might go even further.

United already clinched first place in their group, so they'll be seeded in the draw for the knockout stages.

As long as they avoid Barcelona and Real Madrid in the Round of 16, United will be favored against anyone they play.

Since United won their last FA Cup in 2004, they've followed a strict pattern.

They reach at least the semifinals in odd years. They don't in even years.

Look it up: United made it to the semifinals or further in 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2011. They did not make it that far in 2006, 2008 and 2010.

We detect a pattern: 2012 won't be United's year in the FA Cup.

Or two or three.

After the 6-1 loss to Manchester City, Ferguson will have to strengthen his side. The defense and offense both need reinforcements.

The Wesley Sneijder deal might or might not happen. But United will sign at least one big-name player in January.

It's a ritual of English football: Manchester United performs badly and Ferguson blames the refs.

It's happened several times before. Here's just one recent example.

Remember the Beckham incident?

If United keep up their bad form too long, another incident is on the way.

It'll probably work, too. Nothing gets players motivated like screaming and kicking.

This is almost too easy to predict.

United trail City by five points in the Premier League table. That means Ferguson has Roberto Mancini right where he wants him.

Ferguson has never been able to resist taking a good shot at a fellow manager. It's easy to see why. The strategy often ends with the opposing manager in shambles.

We're counting on you, Bob.

David De Gea had a rough start to his United career. But he's quickly rounded into form.

We think he'll finish the season as one of the league's best and most respected keepers.

Of course, he'll have to stay away from the Krispy Kremes.

By now you've heard about it, and you're probably tired of it.

Patrice Evra accused Luis Suarez of making a racist comment during a recent game. The FA are investigating.

The matter will go on and on. It won't be resolved for several months.

He has to recover from a lingering toe injury first, but Ashley Young will be a force this season.

Young scored a gorgeous goal in the 8-2 win over Arsenal. Not coincidentally, United's glorious form at the start of the season coincided with Young's.

He can dribble with the best of them. And when he's on his game, United purr.

If United want to get their season going again, getting Nani going is a good place to start.

Say what you want about Danny Welbeck. He's almost always in the right place at the right time.

He's already got five goals in all competitions for United this season. Most of them have come from being, you know, in the right place at the right time.

Hey, they all count the same.

Yes, we know Wayne Rooney is on the team, too.

Yes, we know Rooney has already scored a bunch of goals.

But we think Chicharito will still be United's top scorer this season, barring injury of course.

We just have a feeling.

Rooney scored 11 goals last season in the Premier League. The previous season, he scored 26.

He already has nine this term.

We think he'll finish somewhere in between the last two seasons.

How about 20?

He probably never lost it, but Vidic did spend quite a bit of time on the sidelines with an injury.

He's back now, though, and he's showing why he's one of the best in England—and perhaps the world.

Ferguson never seems to want to let Park play.

When Park does play, though, he always plays well.

And in big matches, he's clutch. Think about the winner he scored against Arsenal last season.

He'll do something like that again this season. Count on it.

Berbatov did something to tick off Ferguson, because it's clear he's in the Scot's doghouse.

It's a shame, too, because Berbatov is an outstanding player.

In January, he'll be an outstanding former Manchester United player.

He considered it, again, last season.

He'll do it this time.

Duckie has lost a step or two, and it's shown this season.

He won't feature in United's backline next term. That's a guarantee.

Fancy a move to MLS, Rio?

But it won't be 8-2 this time.

The teams meet Jan. 22 at the Emirates, and we think Fergie will come up with a way to beat Arsene yet again.

The return fixture is scheduled for Feb. 11 at Old Trafford.

Last time, United fielded a weak squad and still drew with Liverpool at Anfield.

Speaking of that…

Remember when Ferguson selected seven defenders against Arsenal?

(Umm, United won that game.)

Remember that mediocre team he picked against Liverpool a few weeks ago?

Yeah, that's Fergie. He hasn't survived for 25 years by playing it by the book.

He'll keep on being Fergie this season, and it'll probably keep on working for him.