It’s Not All Doom and Roon
Redville
After two months of fever-pitched anticipation, the bubble burst quite horribly on the opening day of the season for United fans everywhere.
Whilst on Saturday, it seemed like the dawn of a new era, the beautiful culmination of the most recent tinkerings by Sir Alex, by Sunday teatime, it felt like United had already admitted defeat in the title race. How feelings can change!
But, whilst the loss of Wayne Rooney is a painful one for club and country, things are surely not as bad as they seem. Here are six reasons why:
1. The Top 4 all flailed
Whilst United were the only team from the top four to drop points over the weekend, they arguably played the best football. Whilst Chelsea nearly lost to Birmingham and Liverpool and Arsenal needed last gasp interventions, United dominated their match like they had never been away.
Sure, there was rustiness and the obvious lack of a finisher but there will be few games this season that are more one-sided. If United had scored early, we would surely have seen a similar result to the opening day of last season (United 5 – Fulham 1). I would have been much more concerned if we had played badly but the performance was generally very good.
2. At last we can cope without Rooney
It’s his third broken foot in as may seasons but United is surely the only team in the land that can actually succeed despite the loss Wayne Rooney.
During close season, all the talk was about how on earth United would squeeze all that class into one team. The reason we bought all that class is so that we could cope with the loss of one or two big players and there is no reason to think otherwise now that this theory is about to be tested. It’s the perfect stage for Carlos to win over the fans. Furthermore, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Wayne is gracing the turf within 5 weeks.
3. Tevez Is The Man
On Wednesday evening we all held our breath as Carlos Tevez made his debut for United. We saw glimpses of his bullishness and technique at West Ham last season but just how good was he, we all thought. Is he United class?
All those questions were answered immediately as he slotted in perfectly, as all top players do. Considering his lack of match fitness, he was a bundle of energy throughout and was even chasing down balls in injury time at the end of the game. Sure, he tired toward the end, but he can definitely make the grade at Old Trafford.
His touch and awareness were superb. He didn’t waste the ball once and, with a sublime piece of control in the second half, he almost became an instant hero with a volley that flashed over the bar.
It’s going to be a tough game at the weekend, but I’ll bet anyone a fiver right now that Carlos will open his goals account and give City the blues!
4. The Midfield General is reborn at OT
Owen Hargreaves will soon add steel and composure to the midfield. Carrick was near his best on Sunday. Let’s get Owen in there and give The Ginger Prince a little more time to get back to his peak.
4. Brother Louis
He has his detractors, even within Old Trafford but this boy is class. He’s back in full training and has never taken long to find full form after an injury in the past, so this time shouldn’t be any different. He is the perfect partner for Tevez and, if he stays fit, he’ll score a dozen goals before Christmas.
5. It’s not April yet
One of Fergie’s favourite lines is that the league isn’t won or lost until Easter. Sure, we are a couple of points of the pace but, at this stage of the season, it’s pointless looking at what other sides are doing. But if you do look, you will find Chelsea wobbling, Liverpool crawling and Arsenal looking more like a stand up comedian than a team with title aspirations. United need only concentrate on building on good, if frustrating performances.
Anyone writing off United at this stage is a fool indeed.
