Bounce-Back Ability

Who’d ever want to play United after a loss?!

David Moyes must have rued watching Terry’s goal beat United a fortnight ago, as he feared facing the Red Devil’s almost trademark ability to play their best football immediately after such disappointments. Surely, this apprehension led Moyes to employ a defensive diamond formation in the midfield. Meanwhile Fergie called for “a clinical edge” from his players, as any seasoned United supporter knew that today’s performance wouldn’t disappoint.

There’s so much to savor here – let me count the ways.

First, join me, if will you, in a song in homage to our fine Frenchman, the only United player to start every Premiership game thus far this year: “Paa-trice Evra, Superstar.” A giant “S” and cape seem quite fitting, as his constant forays forward created impossible match-ups and threatened Everton all day.

Second, all three goals came from the midfield today, each one fittingly representing the character of the goal-scorer, with Fletcher’s superb volley demonstrating his profound ascendency as a world-class biting-midfielder, Carrick’s cool, side-footed goal exemplifying his sublime-and-measured control, and Valencia’s relentless pressure being rewarded with a fortunate deflection.

Third, despite the midfield-only scoring, the Rooney and Owen partnership looked menacing throughout, with Rooney’s relentless runs forcing the center halves apart and leaving pockets of space for Owen and midfield runners. How lovely to see Owen’s smiling face much of the day, as he’s enjoying his football at United and provides the much-needed, Solskjær-like poaching ability off the bench. This additional cover and unique dimension will surely come in handy throughout the season much as it did today with Berba sidelined.

And finally, there’s much to look forward to in the coming days, with good news on the injury front and the evergreen two-some closing-in on 100 Premiership goals.

It appears there’s a breakthrough in Rio’s treatment for the interrelated back-and-calf problems, while Park and Hargreaves appear on-track for a return to football in the not-too-distant future.

Arsenal’s injuries and loss today, when combined with a City-Liverpool draw, seem to indicate that there’s another two-horse race in the making. Let’s hope that today’s bounce-back signals another historic run from United.

Back at you after the Portsmouth match. Cheers.