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Relentless, but often ragged; record-breaking, but seldom ruthless - there have been two quite distinct faces to Manchester United's 2012-13 Premier League championship success.
On one hand, United's dominance of this season's title race has been exceptional.
The 25 wins they accumulated in their first 30 games broke a Premier League record and they have left their rivals trailing to the extent that Chelsea's record tally of 95 points from the 2004-05 season is now within sight.
They have also scored at a rate of 2.29 goals per game, which makes them more prolific than 11 of manager Alex Ferguson's 12 previous title-winning sides, with the 1999-2000 squad (2.55) the only exception.
And yet, the suspicion persists that this is a far from vintage United team. Their signature performances have been improbable victories, many snatched with goals in the dying stages of matches.
United are on course to finish a season without having put five goals or more past an opposition team for the first time since 2006.
And there was little dissent when Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini claimed earlier that the 12-point gap between the sides was not an accurate reflection of the balance of power.
The narrative that emerges is one of triumph through dogged determination, but United left-back Patrice Evra believes their resilience has been unfairly undersold.
"The funny thing is, because it is Manchester United, people don't give us a lot of credit," he said. "Because it is Manchester United, they just say we have escaped. We did not escape. This is character. This is personality. This is why we are here."
Few English league champions have amassed quite so many heart-stopping last-gasp wins in a single season.
Prior to Christmas they seemed particularly impervious to discouragement, winning at Chelsea and City with late goals, rallying from two goals down to win 3-2 at Aston Villa, and edging Newcastle United 4-3 with a last-minute Javier Hernandez goal.
According to Ferguson, his side's hunger took hold as a direct response to last season's final day, when United had the title snatched from their grasp by Sergio Aguero's stoppage-time winner for City against QPR.
"We had a big job to do. The way we lost it, and the fact it was City, gave us an incentive," said the United manager. "You have to admire the focus we have shown this season. We are resilient and the consistency has been good. Like all the previous teams, they never give in.
"It is the history of the club more than anything. Once they have been here two or three years, the players buy into it. These are the qualities that have helped them to be where they are just now."
United's success has been built on a collective will, rather than individual brilliance, although Robin van Persie's 24 goals have included crucial strikes.
David de Gea, Rafael da Silva, Danny Welbeck and, in particular, Michael Carrick, have also impressed, but Wayne Rooney's future has been the subject of speculation ever since he was dropped to the bench for the bitter loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League.
It remains, nonetheless, a young squad, with Hernandez, De Gea, Rafael, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Alexander Buttner, Tom Cleverley, Shinji Kagawa, Nick Powell and Welbeck all still below 25 years of age.
Ferguson can also look forward to the arrival of livewire English winger Wilfried Zaha, who joined United in a deal reportedly worth up to £15 million (HK$177.5 million) in January before being loaned back to Crystal Palace.
Ferguson will be determined to avoid the mistakes made last year by City, who failed to substantially improve their squad, to Mancini's displeasure.
What is certain is that Ferguson will waste little time looking back at the current campaign.
Never one to stand still, he will already be plotting United's assault on title number 21.
 

Five Key Players
DAVID DE GEA 
	Spain, goalkeeper
	Occasional high-profile mistakes, but also some outstanding performances. United manager Alex Ferguson recently said he had developed into "a really first-class goalkeeper".
RAFAEL DA SILVA 
	Brazil, right-back
	After inheriting Gary Neville's No2 shirt, he has shown he is capable of becoming the long-term successor to the former England player. Doggedly tenacious and capable of the odd goal too.
MICHAEL CARRICK 
	England, central midfielder
	Most accomplished season since his 2006 transfer from Tottenham. An unflappable presence in front of the United defence and described as "a Rolls Royce of a player" by no less than Paul Scholes.
ROBIN VAN PERSIE
	Netherlands, striker
	Took to life at United like a duck to water after transfer from Arsenal. Went 10 games without scoring in spring, but has been on fire again recently and his tally of league goals is now 24.
DANNY WELBECK 
	England, striker
	May have only scored once in the league, but his industriousness and versatility have made him a key element of Ferguson's squad. Quick, hard-working, and blessed with a marvellous deftness of touch.


United show two faces as they dominate title race

Manchester United's Robin van Persie celebrates scoring his team's first goal against Aston Villa. Photo: AFP

Ferguson hails van Persie's impact as striker seals title

Van Persie celebrates Manchester United's 20th league title. Photo: EPA

Alex Ferguson celebrates another title. Photo: EPA

Robin Van Persie celebrates his third goal against Aston Villa. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Football

Despite their relentless amassing of points and record early run of wins, Alex Ferguson's side have lacked a cutting edge and were often ragged


Relentless, but often ragged; record-breaking, but seldom ruthless - there have been two quite distinct faces to Manchester United's 2012-13 Premier League championship success.
