Fear Factor

Would United look refreshed or would the Reds succumb to a banana-skin match?

It's an unlikely slip-up would be the initial thought, with the United defense looking water-tight and Sunderland missing Bramble, Cattermole, Turner, and Welbeck, to name a few.

But, some concerns are justified, given the long layoff for Fergie's men.

Early on, you could tell United were up for the match, as the Reds pressed forward.

In the fifth minute, Anderson sent Giggs through on a Route One counter, with the Welshman looking decades younger while charging forward. A subsequent pass to Rooney on the right, who hit a beautiful far-post cross for a Berbatov back door header: one-nil to the good.

Easy enough. Might be gifts aplenty this afternoon.

Not long after the goal, though, there were two shots off the woodwork – one post, one crossbar – and one-sided possession through much of the first half. The outcome already appeared certain, as United maintained complete control.

But, as half-time arrived, the scoreline remained one-nil, with Steve Bruce the happier of the two managers, relieved to have not conceded any more goals. Wasteful, and at times, unlucky finishing for the Reds.

And, as the second half began, Sunderland looked more organized and poised enough to move forward, causing some unease to begin to descend upon Old Trafford. All that was required was one slip-up for a smash-and-grab job for Sunderland.

Predictably, United regained whatever modicum of control lost over the match, but still no goals were found. Would it be “just one of those days” after all?!

Not today.

In the 57th minute, Berbatov's second came from the most innocuous of attempts stationed on the right-side, at the top of the box. Wayne Rooney's overlapping run around the outside brought Anton Ferdinand tighter to Berba's mark, Phil Bardsley, just as the Bulgarian tried bending the ball with the outside of his right boot toward the far-post, but instead the shot ricocheted off Ferdinand's hip past the wrong-footed Craig Gordon to the near post.

Finally, a break. It's game, set and match United.

The rest of the afternoon allowed both sides to rest key players ahead of midweek fixtures, with any atmosphere quickly escaping Old Trafford, as occasional songs from either the Stretford End or the away end punctuated silent spells where you could clearly hear players yelling instructions to each other on the pitch.

This allowed other questions to emerge in Red Devil minds, such as “Would Berba net another hat-trick?” or “Would Wazza break his duck from open play?” Such was the comfort level.

Neither would come today, as more references to Rooney's nine month goal scoring drought continues in the football media. Tedious commentary, as far as I'm concerned.

This goalless spell includes multiple injuries and two months off after the World Cup. Guess how many EPL games Rooney's played this campaign after today? Six of seventeen, I believe. That's hardly worth a cumulative time tally in my book.

Yes, Wazza is pressing at the moment, as he positions himself predictably, at times, to play the ball to his favored right foot, has an overly-anxious first touch, or shoots straight at the keeper. Today, Wayne was quite unlucky not to see his superb chip drift just away from the far post early in the first half. His time will come, inevitably.

You got the feeling that if the Number Ten broke his duck, the flood gates would surely open up, as it would be a huge relief to the team as well as the individual player.

But, who needs Wazza's goals, when Berba's scored 13 before the New Year?

Actually, the answer's right there in front of us, if we simply look back in time.

Rooney's goals come in bunches and suggest a long-term trend in form, thereby one seems to inspire better play from the rest of the lads.

On the other hand, Berbatov's goals can also arrive in bunches, but they can also disappear as quickly as they come. There's a fleeting quality here, one which doesn't seem as contagious to those around the Number Nine. At least up until now.

Now picture this: both Berbatov and Rooney in-form simultaneously, with one goal from either talisman inspiring not only confidence in each other but the rest of the team as well. A daunting proposition for opponents, especially at Old Trafford. You concede and you're done, goes the psychological pressure.

I know the rest of the league has improved markedly.

I know United still can show very uneven finishing form.

I know any run by the Red Devils relies heavily on the health of the Rio-Vidic-van der Sar partnership at the back.

But, when I see United on top of the league, with games in-hand, and Rooney's form and partnership with Berbatov improving markedly, opposition fear akin to a 90's edition of United isn't entirely beyond reach here, as we've never witnessed both Rooney and Berbatov red-hot simultaneously, which appears more likely by the match.

Seventeen unbeaten, without hitting top gear, without Rio and Wazza for large stretches, astonishes most football observers.

United's rested and well-poised for a trademark, second-half run at the title, one that re-ignites old fear in the opposition.

Let's raise our glass to that glorious fear factor. May our opponents feel their beaten the moment they go down one-nil. Cheers.

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Back at you after the Birmingham match.