Fabulous Result

A tasty tie on paper became largely tasteless in product, an unfortunate consequence of Champions League group play between the two heavy favorites. United's recent history of goalless draws in Spain looked set to repeat itself tonight.

Both sides played cagey, conservative, and often sloppy football for most of the match, as there wasn’t a shot on goal during the first half and only two prior to Chicharito's 85th-minute winner.

Surprising that Valencia didn't send more players forward until late, and in the end, they got what they deserved for their lack of ambition.

Initially, United supporters worried about the form and flow from the starting eleven, given the insertion of Carrick, Anderson, and Rio fresh off injury, the limited minutes of Park and Rafael thus far, and the lack of Rooney, Scholes, and Giggs for creativity.

Many changes. Many questions.

The midfield looked very rusty with the first touch but largely disciplined defending. The backline once again appeared largely solid with the addition of Rio Ferdinand. But the creativity, oh the creativity – where for art thou creativity?

Fergie made two fortuitous substitutions in Javier Hernandez for Anderson and Kiko for Berba, as possession went tic-tac-toe from Nani to Kiko to Chicharito for the game winning goal for the precious three points.

When we look back on tonight, after some distance, we'll eventually forget the poor quality of the match and only remember Chicharito's coming out party. A huge goal from the Mexican.

His incisive run, quality first touch, and deft finish placed an emphatic stamp on his intent at United, if you couldn't tell from the badge kissing that followed his joyful, Christ-like pose after the goal. He simply “has it” – THAT striker electricity, a deadly combination of quick thinking, timing, pace, touch, and finishing. United certainly need this dimension, with Rooney expected to be out for three weeks.

Thus far, we've learned that the Red Devils do have strength in depth and quality across the front line. And after today's much calmer and impressive back line performance, let's all pray for Rio Ferdinand's good health continues.

We knew one goal would settle the night for whomever netted it first. Thank God Fergie possessed the faith and magic touch to include Kiko and Chicharito during today's festivities. What a fabulous result, one that puts United back into the driver's seat in Group C.

Back at you after the Sunderland match. And the Reds go marching on, on, on.

Point Gained, Opportunity Missed

The open, entertaining match for the neutral observer followed United's away-form script perfectly: missed chances, shocking defensive miscues, and a somewhat unfulfilling draw.

Credit to Bolton's play, but clearly, the Wanderers have nowhere near the technical ability nor fluidity of the Red Devils. United must put away this type of team in this type of game to regain the title.

Once again, basic mistakes led to United's downfall.

First, on a corner, there's Jonny Evans letting Zat Knight back flick a ball past the nowhere-near-the-far-post Evra, who must have had momentary illusions of playing keeper such was his positioning. The alliteration-brothers – Evans and Evra – make news for the wrong reasons.

Later, Petrov – yes, the aged Bulgarian – turned the too-hard-working-in-this-case Park inside-out on the counter, hitting a right-footed shot from 10 yards out off Fletcher and into the United goal.

Not holding your post. Keeping your opponent in front of you. Simple, simple stuff. And, the Reds played well enough to win all three of these away encounters.

What happens if-and-when United hit a major injury crisis or United aren't firing on all cylinders moving forward? Shudder at the thought now.

On one hand, you simply can't rely on scoring two or three goals every away match. Dreary days mid-season insist that you grind out results – something lacking at the moment.

You feel that the team's chemistry needs time to mature, with Rooney out-of-form, Rio and several central midfielders coming back from injury, Scholes and Giggs logging too many minutes too early in the season, and a lack of playing time for bench players, until this past week's Carling Cup action.

On the other hand, it's great to see Nani running at defenders for the first goal and Michael Owen score his 200th Premier League goal with his first touch today – the two delightful moments of this match.

Full credit to Sir Alex for throwing caution to the wind and playing with three strikers, losing shape, and tempting Bolton to open up play. You sensed that someone would score a third, but it never came - despite both sides missing excellent chances. Ultimately, United took the point gained on their rivals and move on.

Looking ahead to midweek, we know that SAF will field a largely different line-up than today, as Giggs has already been ruled out of the traveling side. You suspect United will employ a Christmas tree-like formation that plays 4-3-3 or 4-3-2-1 in attack, yet defends somewhere closer to a 4-5-1 without possession.

The dilemma now is who will lead the attack?

Berba lacks the pace to stretch defenses and Rooney's out of form. Will Fergie throw more caution to the wind and play Hernandez alone up front? Kiko alone? You suspect SAF may employ Berba alone with Park and Nani pushing forward, or possibly, Rooney replacing Park on the left-hand side.

Hmm... decisions, decisions. Can't wait to find out.

Back at you after the Valencia match. Cheers.

Berba-Wonderland

Berbatov once, then twice. Brutal Liverpool. More defensive miscues. Another two-goal lead blown. Hat-trick! United 3, Liverpool 2!!

Any questions?

While there will be much rejoicing amongst the Reds and a temptation to remember the Cliff Notes version of today, it can't take away from another nervy performance by United's defense. The fan in me doesn't want to analyze the longer term trend here, as how in the world United didn't just simply maul this pathetic Liverpool side is beyond me.

Granted, it's a derby game. Granted, a single goal can change everything in football.

And yet, I completely agree with consensus that Liverpool have no width, no creativity, and no serious prospects for a title challenge this term. When you start Maxi Rodriguez and Joe Cole in wide positions against United, you're in serious trouble in my book, especially with David Ngog and Ryan Babel available. Btw, what exactly does Maxi do for Liverpool?! It's beyond me.

When I look objectively at the performance, the Red Devils were once again on thin ice against a vastly inferior team. Yes, you heard me: vastly inferior team. All you have to do is ask the Pool players themselves, as they mutter in the press about how difficult it will be for them to land in the top three.

United were within a referee's yellow-versus-red-card decision from pulling up lame and dropping points at home in the most cherished derby game of the year. The lapses in concentration which gave the penalty and free kick for the second goal are utterly shocking. And, once something goes bad, you can clearly see the players’ posture on the pitch transform.

Borrowing from last week's glass half full or half empty premise, there are three very clear outcomes from this match:

First, United cannot win the title without Rio Ferdinand. When Rio and Vidic combine in the center, it seems to have a calming influence on everyone around them both wide and directly in front of them. Calmer heads need to prevail across the backline, as Jonny Evans needs more time to mature.

Second, United clearly need more energy and cover from the midfield in latter stages in these matches, especially after watching Everton and Liverpool gain a firmer grip on possession and tempo late-on. This clearly isn't lost on Fergie nor United, but what other prospects are available? Most options are out of form or injured at the momentum, while Darren Gibson isn't the type of engine needed, as he plays a specific role moving forward, not covering for anyone.

Last and most important, of course, we should let go of our worries and savor the afterglow of an extraordinary victory. Today the bottle of bubbly goes to Player of the Match, Ditimar Berbatov, to whom Fergie noted earlier "you must have faith and we are being rewarded this season for our confidence in a player who has a touch of genius about him".

Thus, United brethren:

We're walking along, singing our song – walking in a Berba-Wonderland.

There's only onnnnnne Ditimar Berbatov!

Half Full or Half Empty?

It's always a matter of perspective.

Living in Minneapolis, there's a sportswriter named Sid Hartman, who's still writing pieces for the main, local paper at the age of 90. The man's a legend both for his ego-centric personality, name-dropping, AND for his general unwillingness to criticize sports athletes.

Essentially, he's developed fantastic relations with, and gained access to, even the hardest-to-reach athletes, as they know he'll likely write something positive about them or allow the athletes to answer their critics through quotes in his column. Readers either love him or hate his work.

So, how do we view United's first four matches?

The glass is half full when you consider:
- The performance of, say, Berbatov, Scholes, Giggs, Vidic, Fletcher, and van der Sar.
- United have largely played well, overall, especially looking dangerous in attack.
- You knew United's World Cup contingent would need time to find form this campaign.
- United employ Sir Alex Ferguson, arguably the best man-manager in the modern game.

The glass is half empty when you consider:
- Select performances of Evans and Evra or the absence of Anderson, Hargreaves and Ferdinand.
- United's sudden lapses of concentration amongst the backline during away matches.
- Four valuable points given – and I mean given – away in four matches.
- United's manager can not lead this club forever, as the drop-off is almost inevitable.

Thus far, the central questions with this club aren’t whether they'll score goals or about the depth in midfield. Rather, it’s “How many will United concede late-on the road this term?”

Upon reflection, after reading a number of articles, blogs, and posts amongst United supporters, I'm coming to my own conclusion: United supporters are spoiled when critiquing individual defenders.

I make no excuse for the mental collapses at Fulham or Everton; both are utterly shocking and inexcusable. Not up to standard. No way; no how.

But are they a momentary aberration or a trend? Are the issues fixable?

It's all your perspective.

United rightfully maintain exceptionally-high standards under Sir Alex Ferguson. Principally, the defense has become a cornerstone to United's success, especially the last four years. The Red Devils have been treated to arguably THE single best defense in the EPL over this four year stretch. Our perspective is born from watching United shut-up-shop repeatedly against the competition.

Thus, when I see people coming down full-throttle on Jonny Evans and some speculating that he's not up to United's standards, that's when I have a problem.

Yes, Jonny has been inconsistent at times and has looked out-classed during high-level Champions League matches. No argument here.

But go back to just prior to SAF purchasing Rio Ferdinand for a minute. Remember that defense?

Within that club, a player such as Jonny Evans at the tender age of 22, would have been better appreciated amongst supporters for his effort at learning his craft under fire. From that perspective, United supporters would have been overjoyed to have a good center-half with tremendous upside playing arguably the toughest position in football.

But not today. On the individual level, if your point of comparison is the Ferdinand-Vidic partnership, then your perspective toward player evaluation will be inevitably skewed.

On the collective level, however, in terms of team defense, the two late collapses are much more disturbing, especially the two injury time goals conceded yesterday.

Collectively, you don't want your club to focus on avoiding the negative from happening in matches. In the team psyche, you don't want any attention paid to your past performances. That's what's at issue here: the possibility of building up some late-game nerves and giving opponents more hope during the latter stages of matches during this campaign.

On a day where Sir Alex pulled a masterstroke of man-management by simultaneously protecting Rooney and reminding him of what he could throw away in one fell swoop, all while allowing the club to get on with the difficult match at hand, the conceding two late goals feel like an ominous sign, much like the early season loss to Burnley. Possible regrets duly noted.

Obviously, much remains to be seen, as you can line-up all the old cliches about this being “early days” and the like.

Yet, on a day where I feel the Sid Hartmanesque need to sing Fergie’s praises for the umpteenth time, here, with a seriously-disappointing outcome, it feels strangely off.

Unlike that same sports writer, this glass seems half empty. Let's hope we don't look back with another regret duly noted.

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Back at you next weekend after the Rangers and Pool matches. Cheers.