United On The Front Foot
Henry Kibirige
I think that after recent performances, it’s fair to say that United are back and rapidly edging towards their best.
After the 4-0 win over Wigan, United have put four past Villa, Kiev and recently Middlesbrough, which equals a 100 year old club record for scoring four in four consecutive games.
This is absolutely brilliant and our campaign to retain the title has truly started now, but the coming weeks will be a test to really see how far the reds have come. Starting with Arsenal away, United will then welcome Kiev in the Champions League return leg. Then it will be a tough home game against a rapidly improving Blackburn side. United have to travel to Bolton before Sporting Lisbon visit Old Trafford.
I have to say that the United squad has impressed me very much in recent weeks and I can already see little partnerships and co-ordinations that ensure that I have every confidence the reds will continue their rich run of form.
No-one has impressed me more though than the Argentine upfront. When Tevez signed, the majority of United fans and pundits predicted that his partnership with Rooney simply wouldn’t work, as they play too much like each other. People preferred to see more of a goal poacher upfront -someone who you would expect to be challenging for the long Rio Ferdinand passes from the back.
Rooney and Tevez knuckled down in training, and some of the stuff they have been playing recently is pure class. They are already showing a unique understanding between each other, and at these early stages, one seems to get the ball and know where the other is in a split second.
This isn’t just luck or determination. It shows that they are both great players. You can practice and practice partnerships, but there are some that you simply cannot coach. There is something unique in partnerships like Cole and Yorke, and Hughes and Cantona. That’s why they stand out from others.
Rooney and Tevez are similar in many ways. They are both strong and aggressive, and they are ready to chase down defenders and midfielders all day long. Their finishing and first touch is sublime and they link-up brilliantly with the midfield.
They are both probably the ugliest players in the Premiership too but their combined force will give defenders nightmares. The last thing an opposition player wants is getting the ball, turning and realising that a raging Argentine bull is coming full force at him, hastily backed up by Shrek.
While United are playing well now, it will be interesting to see how they both cope when United are in a bad patch. That will be a test to see whether they really are that good, but I have every confidence that they are and will go through that patch smoothly…Why does the name Saha keep popping in my head? -Never mind.
