CHOOSE ONE

See now, i put before you: England or Europe, domestic or continental, the Premiership or the Champions League. Choose one.

Following Man Utd's fall at the hands of Celtic this midweek, the signs are becoming increasingly ominous for English teams who dare to dream of transcontinental success. It seems like English teams can only choose one: succeed at home at the expense of a faltering campaign in Europe, or go for broke in Europe while everything crumbles at home.

For the past two seasons, that was every bit the trend, with Chelsea wiping the tables and plates clean in the Premiership back to back while their wonky European form persisted. While that was happening, Liverpool and Arsenal took turns to finish fourth in the Premiership, but both scaled the dizzying heights of European glory.

This year, the trend seems to be again at work. The same two, Liverpool and Arsenal, who carried England's flag so well in the Champions League continue to do so, with both teams walking away as group leaders, confirmed of their place in the second round with two games to spare. At home, both teams have been troubled with inconsistency, and are seeing their title hopes fast fade. But they've still got a good shout in Europe.

That's more than what league leaders Man Utd can say about their continental campaign. Their form domestically seems to be nothing short of remarkable, rekindling comparisons to the United of old. But their form on the Europe has been disappointing. After three wins in the group stages, they have lost twice - first to FC Kobenhavn and now to Glasgow Celtic, leaving them the awkward tie with Benfica on Matchday 6, the team who knocked them out last season at the same juncture.

Can an English team succeed in both the Premiership and in Europe in the same season? For the other European giants like Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Lyon, performing well in both competitions is their bread and butter. And none of these teams, bar Lyon, have much room to slack off and drop points here and there. But in England, it's always different. In England, something always has to give. Why?

It's been almost a decade since United's very own treble season. While this season's competitions are still midway - and anything can happen yet - it's hard to imagine any English team proving that glory in Europe can come as icing on the cake of domestic success.

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