Preview: United v Reading …
And so, after the summer hurrahs, let the real work begin.
Sir Alex has done everything that might have been asked of him when the last season ended and awaits proof of his decision-making later this afternoon when United take on Reading, the first test in the manager’s pursuit of a 10th title in 15 seasons.
“This summer is the first I’ve had a holiday when I didn’t need to worry about signing a player,” he said.
United are expected to beat their Berkshire opponents who have been strangely inactive this transfer window. Steve Coppell is a good manager and is right to be wary of the curse of indulgence to which teams are prone after surviving the first Premiership year following promotion.
But as other teams above and below submit to the current spending craze, Coppell risks the accusation of being over-confident in his charges’ ability should the wheels come off the Reading caravan this autumn.
The team is now a very familiar quantity to the coaches at work in the country’s top division. Full back Nicky Shorey and striker Leroy Lita are said to be unsettled, while the loss of Steve Sidwell, always on the cards, is nevertheless a blow to a squad which now needs all its leading lights to shine more often.
United will hope to add to the doubts about Reading’s future with a good performance reminiscent of last season’s opener against Fulham. This is all the more necessary as Liverpool have won their opening match and next weekend’s derby no longer looks like a stroll against strangers.
There is too a creeping suspicion that Sir Alex is looking more towards European glory this year, taking his eye of the bread and butter domestic tournament. A thumping display against a team which has shown tenacity in previous meetings with the champions would allay such fears.
Rooney looks in the mood already to justify the manager’s hype of his expected form this season after a long summer break. A cameo from Nani might offer further evidence of his accelerating progress towards first team selection, in what was expected to be a settling-in year.
Attention will focus on Owen Hargreaves too. After waiting so long to join United, the defensive screen has been struck down by untimely injury. Press reports suggest he will not start today.
However, midfield metronome Paul Scholes is said to be back in contention for a first team berth after knee surgery, hoping to school new and old in what is expected of United on opening day. It should be enough for United to emerge victorious.
