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Doing things the easy way has not been the United way for quite some
time. Under Ferguson, you think we'd have gotten used to it. Not so.
From losing at Portsmouth to destroying Roma, from a disappointing draw
against Middlesbrough to a stunning turnaround against Everton, the
class of 06-07 rarely make it comfortable viewing.
I
write this after the most inconsistent month of the season, and perhaps,
of recent years. A makeshift defence, as Chelsea found out so crucially
at Christmas, has proved a major factor in the recent drastic change in
results and performances in games just four days apart. Tiredness is
beginning to play a part undoubtedly, as United have not had a midweek
free since the international break. That however is no excuse for the
dreadful display and the laidback attitude of some of the players in
Milan on Wednesday night. If a Manchester United player cannot get
themselves motivated for a Champions League semi-final and the chance to
play in a showpiece final against Liverpool as a prize, then perhaps
they should contemplate changing careers.
Back
at the start of the month, United's commanding six-point lead was cut on
Easter Saturday by a hungrier Portsmouth team who fought for every ball
as if their lives depended on it. The likes of Carrick and Scholes were
not afforded the time and space to get the ball down and play the
allusive passes of which they are so capable; Portsmouth stifled this to
near perfection. Van Der Sar's error, following a similar one three days
previously against Roma, let in Matt Taylor for the first, before Rio
Ferdinand extinguished any hopes of a point after an embarassing mix-up
with Van Der Sar.
It
was soon time though to put the Pompey debacle to the back of minds and
focus on what was (supposedly) a big task against a Roma side holding
the advantage from the first leg. Big task it most certainly wasn't,
United showing just what happens when they go for the jugular rather
than trying to play it patient in Europe. After eighteen minutes and
three goals of the highest quality, it was all over. Old Trafford has
not seen a European night like it for quite some time. An exhibition of
attacking football leading to the 7-1 humiliation of the team who are
runners-up in Serie A left everyone who was privileged enough to see it
in no doubt that a European Cup was not beyond United's reach.
The
FA Cup was next on the busy agenda, and a comfortable 4-1 win over
Watford set up the crunch final the new Wembley so richly deserves,
between the two teams who have fought neck and neck for this season's
major trophies.
In
the League, Chelsea were not letting up on their pursuit of regaining
the title, and two home games in four days was the opportunity to take a
major step forward towards ensuring the title heads back to Manchester.
Sheffield United, with their minds on a key game with West Ham, rested
several players for their trip to Old Trafford, and United ran out 2-0
winners with plenty to spare.
Middlesbrough, however, having nearly caused an upset in the first game
in the FA Cup, were to be a different proposition. In a similar style to
Portsmouth, they snapped at United's heels and got a crucial equaliser
from Mark Viduka's header with Rio Ferdinand hobbling and unable to
clear the incoming cross from which Viduka scored. Ferguson's decision
to wait until half-time to substitute Rio was to prove costly, as
Middlesbrough now had a foothold in the game which they were not to
surrender. United struggled to create chances, with Rooney's second-half
chip over the bar from close range the main opportunity to win the game,
in a frustrating afternoon which everyone believed had handed Chelsea a
foot back in the door of the title race.
Chelsea's stalemate at Newcastle, followed by Kevin Davies' equaliser at
Stamford Bridge, however, has meant two points out of six for Mourinho's
men, and, coupled with United's remarkable comeback to take all three
points at Goodison Park on Saturday, leaves United in a seemingly
unassailable position at the top of the Premiership with just three
games left. There was a slice of luck to be attributed to the Everton
win, with the two goals to get United level coming from defensive
mistakes (thanks Phil), moments on which seasons turn. Yet it could be
argued that you create your own luck, and the determination of the
players to push for a win when it seemed lost is the type of attitude
which has put United on the brink of the Premiership title.
It
was the manner of the Champions' League defeat to Milan which let so
many people down. It was a slim lead to take to the San Siro, and Rooney
and Scholes were the two players who put United into that lead with
their creativity. Rooney drove United on in the first leg, he carried
the team in parts in his lone striker role. Gattuso's departure eased
the pressure on Carrick and Scholes in the first leg, and his acting
skills apart, his return for the second leg gave Milan an added impetus
and wore down our own midfield.
Ferguson decided to play Rooney up front on his own again; it did not
work this time. Rooney was unable to get the support he needed and the
early away goal, which United needed to get to give themselves a chance,
was never going to materialise in that situation. Why not play Alan
Smith, who had shown what he could do against Roma? Why leave it so late
to bring on Louis Saha? Sitting on the lead was a risky tactic.
The
defence was always going to struggle, given that Vidic had not seen
competitive action for a month, and Rio Ferdinand's pace and composure
were sorely missed. What could not be legislated for were the basic
errors, no lesson was learnt from the calamitous mistake which led to
Milan's crucial second away goal, whilst the communication between
defenders and goalkeeper made the heart skip a beat on a few occasions.
The mistakes were repeated, and once Milan had fired themselves into a
2-0 lead, heads dropped.
Some
of the players, however, such as Giggs most notably, gave off bad vibes
from their body language, somehow demotivated given all that was at
stake. That is why Alan Smith's presence would have made a difference.
5% of his commitment shown by the rest of the team and we might have
seen a different outcome. The players let us all down on Wednesday;
Milan were deserved, if a little too easily, winners, but now they have
four games left in which to remind us that they want to win this
potential Premiership and FA Cup double.
The
manner of the defeat aside, not even the most optimistic United fan
could have predicted the finish to the season now awaiting us back in
August. Injuries, particularly defensive, have had a massive impact and
that has to be taken into account. We just have to hope that there is
enough depth to see United through the next four games. United have been
the better team this year and deserve to win the double.
To
win the title this year has been described as being Ferguson's finest
hour; to lose it from this position, with three games left, would be his
greatest disappointment.
Until next month,
Here's hoping,
John
Monaghan |