Fair enough, the lads went out on Tuesday night and got the job done. We beat West Ham at home and in more ways than one, managed to recover from the setback at the weekend.
However, we have not altogether forgotten that reverse at Goodison Park. United have impersonated 'unpredictable' this season. I mean, we have been beaten 6 times in the league already and yet we're still in with a shout at a fourth league title in a row. We're well poised to reach the last eight of the Champions League but I doubt any Red has a hope of lifting the giant trophy for a fourth time at the Bernabeu come May. The reality is that we could actually achieve it (stranger things have happened). We might also have the first silverware of the season in the trophy cabinet before Monday. Hell, we could even win a treble this year despite all our problems heading into and during this season.
As a fan, you get the feeling that its turning out to be a season of 'so near and yet so far'. We might lose the Cup final this weekend, Chelsea are certainly the best placed team in the league, and the Champions League is the Champions League. Yes, we can talk of a treble but what about ending the trophy empty handed? Why wait to talk about it in May when we do it now.
Now I'm not saying that United are going to finish empty handed but I feel that there are certain issues that we need to address at this point of the season if we are to maintain our form into the run in. It's unusual that at this stage of the season, many things are going against us instead of vice versa. I mean, you thought that at this stage Rio Ferdidnad and Nemanja Vidic would be playing together. As it stands, Rio;s back problem, which the manager said was solved, has recurred again. We now face a Cup final and the visit of AC Milan without him. The mos disturbing aspect is that it almost seems like he's aggravated his injury whilst serving a 4 match ban. It;s hard to comprehend really. We Brown and Jonny Evans appear tired. On the bright side, Vida is back but again, it's fingers crossed that he doesn't get injured again this season.
Last season at this stage, we had scored just 48 goals but had 66 league points. This season, we've hit the back of the net 68 times but we only have 60 league points. It really means that but for the problems we've had in defence this year, we would be top of the league by a mile.
Now we all know one excuse in case....
Anderson had been in Brazil all along (albeit illegally), but he returned for the game against West Ham in midweek. Unfortunately for the lad, he injured himself and will now be out of action for 6 months. It's always heart breaking when you are ruled out of the World Cup so you can only feel for the lad. As far as United is concerned, it means that we are dry to the bare bones for the visit of Milan. With both Carrick and Anderson out, it might means the likes of Gibson could get a call up for such a high profile game.
Again, it's one of those things working against United in the run in. We've not had it fair with injuries but given the size of the squad, I'm afraid that only a few fans will lower their expectations for the season.
It's lifting the Carling Cup on Sunday and then pushing on in the League in pursuit of Chelsea as we await the draw for the Quarterfinals/Semifinals of the champions league! Is that too much to ask?
Labels: MANCHESTER UNITED
