Come Out, Come Out Wherever You Are

That's the pivotal point, really, when United play mid-table-or-lower opposition at home: are the opposition willing to play?

You expect the 4-5-1 formation and the majority of possession, but would this be “one of those days” where scoring becomes difficult, the game becomes nervy?

At kickoff, West Ham did employ the predictable formation, but sought every opportunity to push Kieron Dyer up the left flank with Carleton Cole. Credit to West Ham for attacking when the opportunity presented itself.

Also at kickoff, much too much had been made of Wayne Rooney's goalless streak in the British media, which was going on something like 12 or 13 games.

Last Spring, astute United supporters worried the physical and mental strain of carrying United would come back to haunt Rooney at some point, as the cumulative knocks and minutes proved Wazza's human after all.

Fast-forward to the present; it's with joy and delight that we watched a trademark Scholes pass switch the point of attack, travel just inches over Spector's shoulder and land comfortably at Giggs' feet. Quickly and decisively Giggs tears apart Spector. Penalty.

Up steps Wazza. It's one-nil to the good. Streak broken.

But, much more than Rooney's own personal duck were broken during this comfortable match:
- United proved yet again their focus only sharpens after disappointment.
- The back-line were solid, with another vintage performance from Captain Vidic.
- Nani and Berbatov were constant threats, as their confidence continues to grow.
- Scholes and Giggs were immaculate in attack.
- Rooney showed signs of getting his legs, touch, and feel for the game.
- Owen, Carrick, and Smalling got a run out as substitutes, while Park and Valencia rested.

As the commentator said after Nani's exquisitely-taken goal, “Just another picture-book goal at Old Trafford.”

And that's the point: expectation.

Sir Alex and the senior players instill an aura of belief in this club that cannot be underestimated, as we've seen it repeatedly at Old Trafford: almost-ho-hum brilliant football.

Each year, I always enjoy the over-reaction of the media in England to the early part of the campaign, as you know Tottenham will be obliterated for losing at home today to a suddenly-plucky Wigan.

But this result shouldn't surprise us entirely, as Wigan are a bit schizophrenic and Spurs fell prey to the inevitable hangover match after a massive result earlier in the week. It's a straight, one-off bad result for Harry's Spurs, plain and simple.

Each year, people love to question United.

Yet United's propensity to play compelling football so routinely after dropped points demonstrates that belief, that confidence that prove Fergie's men haven't lost anything at all. These games also provide a wonderful opportunity for player development without pressure for those like Chris Smalling that need first-team football.

Thus, the cycle continues: points earned, confidence gained, and expectations continue from one generation to the next. That's the United way.

So, after all's said and done, West Ham did come out to play and the result was a comprehensive 3-0 United victory. You just gotta wonder what type of tabloid-headline-play-on-Hammers awaits Grant's men as they return to London at the bottom of the league. Have fun looking it up, United brethren.

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Next report will be after the Everton match. Cheers.