United Road Take Me Home

Feared by the blues...

Admit it, you were worried when you saw the team. It’s taken a while, but you’ve finally come round to the fact that Michael Carrick is the creative pivot of the United midfield. Anderson might have the power, the hair, and the song, Scholes the vintage pedigree, but Carrick is currently the one with best passing range. So to discover that Fergie had seen fit to leave him on the bench and start with Giggsy in central midfield…against Lampard, Ballack and Deco. Optimism levels crashed quicker than the exchange rate.

You were probably less surprised by the inclusion of Fletcher. After all he’s Fergie’s equivalent of your Mum’s best cutlery, only brought out for special occasions like Christmas Day and playing Arsenal or Chelsea. Now you bow to no-one in your admiration of Giggsy, reckon the lad deserves a statue on the forecourt for all he’s done in a red shirt – though the statue should be made of him without one, twirling it above his head at Villa Park, every strand of chesthair loving crafted from marble – but anyone can see that these days all he’s up to is the odd run-out for sentiments sake, and Chelsea with this much at stake is no time for sentiment.

And so, as if we haven’t had enough down the years, here was yet another salient reminder not to doubt Sir Alex. If anyone looked drained of drive and inspiration in that midfield, it was Ballack, all £120, 000 a week of him. Ryan on the other hand, was at his sprightly best, haring all over the place, going on runs that made the years fall away, and leading by example at every turn.

With Benitez having gone into King Kev meltdown mode, it felt like the season finally clicked into focus this weekend. Suddenly the prospect of reeling Liverpool in and then unequivocally surpassing them when they come to OT in March, gives meaning and purpose to what had hitherto seemed a bit flat. Factor in Mourinho getting a well-merited spanking, not to mention the ongoing farrago at Middle-Eastlands and it all looks very tasty indeed.

Coda: Obviously a picture of Ryan would have been more appropriate in the circumstances, but that image was just too good to resist. And obviously Wayne played a blinder as well; when doesn't he?

posted by Royton Red @ 9:16 PM