Followers of articles on this blog will soon get tired of me calling games crucial as I've branded about 5 games already as crucial to our season. The reality is that as the team goes on chasing silverware, especially on all fronts, games continuously become crucial. For instance, by this time next week, we could be talking about United being in just two competitions rather than three at the moment and a day later, we could be talking about the Premier League only! So unforgiving is the schedule for Manchester United this term that games are not only too many but also must wins.
Failure to beat Newcastle tomorrow could breathe new life in the title race and suddenly a trophy that looked as good as won last weekend could slowly but surely slip away. Those who doubt the impossible can glance at the Spanish Primera League table 2 months ago and then look at the current one. It's incredible how football can kick you in the teeth so I really do hope that United can maintain their concentration at least for another week. We play in the league tomorrow and then have an FA Cup last 8 tie with Fulham away before the biggest of them all--Inter Milan at OT! Such is the task ahead that you can bet that Fergie will try to rotate his team alittle bit. If I were him, I wouldn't take so much of a risk as far as rotating the team is concerned. Fulham have only lost once on their home turf so that could be an interesting game. Newcastle are the only team to deny us three points at OT so we shouldn't take them lightly. At least I'd assume that the side going to St. James' Park will be stronger than the team that started at Wembly. For the likes of Rooney, it's almost as if he's injured. Seven minutes at the San Siro and then no appearance in a Cup final that would eventually take 2 hours! Hopefully, he'll be given the chance to burn all that energy tomorrow. He has a good record against Newcastle and so will have goal in him throughout the match. This Newcastle team no longer has Shay Given in goal so a repeat scoreline of last season is very much possible if the lads can battle complacency all the way! Ryan Giggs has done well to remind them of what football can do to you.
Then there is a joke in the press today about AC Milan wanting to sign Nemanja Vidic--well, and I thought lazy journalism is saved only for the off season!
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