For the first time this season, I'm glad that we can reflect on a United victory whilst all agreeing that United played like United for most of the game. The clash with Spurs yesterday was supposed to provide us with a stern test that would be a yardstick for many as far as United's title credentials are concerned. I have noted a few United blogs that have failed to come to terms with the departures of Ronaldo and Tevez, let alone the manager's failure to significantly improve the squad.
This is my take--- we all know that Fergie has taken a big gamble over his summer transfer dealings but I doubt 'crying' over the Internet will do much to solve the problem. Why not get on with it and support our team through the season and see where we need to improve without speculation!
I mean if anybody supported United through 2004, 2005 and 2006, then they shouldn't really have a problem with it now--besides, we are way better than we were in those seasons.
Anyhow, back to the game yesterday, Spurs took the lead before I could take a seat in my living room so you can imagine how heavy my body was when it made contact with the sofa.
I turned my eye to the clock and I still saw '0' minutes gone. This is the part where you start to think that --if it's going to be a defeat, let it be decent. I mean what should we expect if it means conceding from kick-off.
Luckily for us, there is something about Spurs scoring against us that doesn't really bother us. I mean even if Spurs had gone 2-0 up, you'd still expect United to come back and at least snatch a draw. This is why we have remained unbeaten against them since 2001 and yet they seem to to take the lead against us more often than not.
It was encouraging, from a United perspective to see that the goal did not actually shake us. The team just remained composed and passed the ball with such flair that you could see a goal in them. After missing several chances to notch the equaliser, Ryan Giggs, on his 700th start for United pulled us level with a sweeeeeeeeeet free-kick that should go an extra inch in burying the ghost of Ronaldo. That's 20 consecutive seasons in the Premier League with a goal in each of them---a true ambassador of United and indeed the Premier League!
United continued their flawless passing game after that and appeared to gain more confidence. Berba had two chances to score minus a goalkeeper in the way, but he blazed over after failing to find a way past the defenders in goal.
United, however, did take the lead through a most unlikely source in Anderson. The Brazilian has been subject of strife with the manager in the dressing room but his tireless input, alongside that goal was exactly what the fans have been waiting to see from him since his debut season. It gave us the edge going into half-time. Suddenly, the wonderful goal Defoe scored was a distant memory. Scholes was harshly sent off just after the break to restore hope among the home fans but United steadily kept defending in numbers and probing to find the killer goal that Wayne Rooney did find 13 minutes from time. It was his fifth in the league and boy we hope his scoring run never ends! Did I mention that it was a fantastic goal? --well it was given the amount of work he had to do.
It's hard to pick out outstanding performers when United play like that. Evra had a blinder and even managed to finally find a remedy for Lennon who, going into this game, was the most terrifying news for any left-back in the country. Fletcher did impress yet again, and I'm beginning to think that Hargo has got work to do to get in the groove that Fletch is in.
Giggs linked up well with Berba and Rooney. Berbatov was yet again dangerous in possession and I'm still wondering why Fergie will not play him in the big games. He should partner Rooney all season in my book, regardless of the opposition.
Next in the league for United is the City derby--a match that will provide an even bigger test for United and is sure to be explosive. Before that, there is the small matter of a Champions League group game in Turkey!
Labels: REVIEWS
