We Take What We Want

Birmingham City had one eye on the present, one on the future, with Garnder, Jerome and Larsson starting on the bench today ahead of their Carling Cup Semi-Final against West Ham later in the week.

United, too, face the prospect of a midweek fixture thanks to a frozen pitch at Bloomfield Road last December.

Any analyst worth a grain of salt knew this would be the most unlikely of banana skins for United, as you doubted lightening would strike twice for the Blues given their horrible goal scoring this campaign and Red Devils defensive form.

Rather, in the build up to this match, the ongoing conversation was about the Reds unbeaten run and whether United have another gear at their disposal.

The not-firing-on-all-cylinders criticism must drive Sir Alex nuts, but really, it’s a compliment to the history and expectation people have from these shirts.

Our collective view of United is simply scarred by success, as the club and the league have changed dramatically. It’ not enough for United to go unbeaten, but we must analyze how the results were achieved, as I too fall prey to this perspective.

Today it would be too easy to say the 5-0 thrashing of Birmingham sends a “message” to the rest of the league about intent, as it’s a fabulous result, one that’s beautiful to watch, pads the goal differential and puts Fergie’s men solely on top of the table.

However, any real message will come on the road in the weeks to come, especially in the make-up fixture with Blackpool, who will surely attack United as they have done brilliantly at home for a newly promoted side.

This Red Devils squad has shown some weaknesses, especially defending late on in missing that killer punch the road. But the simple fact we’re accustomed to Premier-League-Leading-United without any holes whatsoever clouds our view.

Just ponder what’s transpired this season:
- Valencia’s been out since mid-September
- Rooney’s transfer request and one goal from open play
- Park has been absent for nearly a month
- Anderson, Carrick, Ferdinand, Rooney, and Scholes have spent significant time out injured, while Hargreaves remains out indefinitely

Despite everything, United are one controversial road goal away from being considered very, very comfortable leaders of the Premier League, which is an amazing testament to the managerial nous of Sir Alex Ferguson.

With one eye on the past and one on the present, consider that…

THE number nineteen remains within grasp despite everything that’s happened over the past couple of years, ranging from Ronaldo’s transfer to Tevez’ betrayal.

THE number nineteen awaits United regardless of the club’s massive debts.

THE number nineteen sits reachable despite Rooney’s horrible dip in form and flirtations elsewhere, threatening to break hearts and derail the club’s entire season.

Now reflect upon the reasons United sit in pole position….

Every measured moment the evergreen Giggs and Scholes play and mentor young lads is a testament to Ferguson’s loyalty to long-standing servants of the club, when at one time, it would have been easier to give up on these players.

Every goal lazy Berbatov scores is a testament to Fergie’s belief in a player’s class, a player that would have been too easy to sell this past summer.

Every goal Chicharito scores is a testament to Sir Alex’s eye for talent and value, despite the criticism that United didn’t land more spectacular transfers this past summer.

And of course, every game Rooney plays, after handing in his transfer request, is a testament to the respect for and “one-off genius” of Ferguson.

No way, no how Rooney is with United without Fergie.

Let us be crystal clear that this year, out of all the years in the EPL, there’s only one reason United remain on top of the Premier League, and that’s due to the long-term confidence instilled and nurtured in the players by one Sir Alex Ferguson.

Let us be crystal clear that this year, out of all other years, Sir Alex deserves to crown his career with the beloved nineteenth title.

After all, we’re Man United and we take what we want.

-----

Back at you after the Blackpool match. Cheers.