The 90th minute “Hand of Scholes” and subsequent sending off exemplified both the indifference and frustration of United on Friday night. Apathy dripped from each defensive lapse, each muted attack and each wasteful cross, culminating in a final, disinterested walk of the pitch. Irritation grew from the game’s real meaninglessness combined with bruised ego from being outplayed by a team that didn’t qualify for last year’s Champions League.
It wasn’t anything near a good performance, but looking back, Reds will fondly remember the game for its comic value. The squad’s tired performance in-and-of-itself isn’t troublesome, yet concerns grow from the overall trends and developments thus far.
First, Hargreaves declared himself unfit at the eleventh hour even though Fergie forecasted that he would play. Last year you could write-off these flare-ups, assuming a summer of rest would bring the knee back to normal. Unfortunately, chronic tendonitis is normal. The value of Hargreaves’ bite, experience, and versatility cannot be underestimated, as evidenced by his set-piece strike against Arsenal and massive performance on the right side during the Champions League Final.
Second, a tighter fixture list is less forgiving to injuries – you can’t help but wonder if last year’s good fortune is a repeatable phenomenon. There were no irreplaceable injuries, as Rio, Vidic, and Ronaldo all largely kept their health. Will this hold true? Time will tell.
And finally, last year’s three-game suspension and this year’s injury-absence show how overly-reliant we are on Ronaldo for width, running lanes, and key goals. Nani’s immature decision-making demonstrates he’s not ready for consistent wing play, while Park and Giggs remain injury-prone. Rooney and Tevez look lost without quality service and linking play. An offensive catalyst remains missing.
Well, not for long.
Saha leaves for Everton. Pavlyuchenko moves to Spurs. Berbatov has been seen bidding farewell to Spurs teammates. Finally!
As our desperation for a true striker nears an end, let us rejoice that the Give Berbatov a home campaign (1-800-SAVE-BERBA*) has finally come to fruition.
I wonder if I’ll get my commemorative headband in time for the Pool match. Fingers crossed.
* * See the I'm on Setanta Sports clip Jose gives his take on the transfer talk at http://www.setanta.com/en/UK/IOSS/.
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