Mind the Gap

Looking at the team sheet prior to kickoff, many United supporters at the pub grumbled about setting up for a point at Anfield.

Welbeck alone upfront?! Jones in a five-man midfield?! It’s surreal to see such quality sitting on the bench, surly. No Anderson, Chicharito, Nani or Rooney.

On one hand, you could argue, a point could be seen as a moral victory, given the Red Devils track record at Liverpool the last three years. Apparently Ferguson believed Rooney’s temperament warranted too much risk to start him.

On the other hand, it seemed overly cautious, or as one of the commentators mentioned that Kevin Keegan said Fergie’s starting eleven was an insult to Pool. Point taken.

Both sides of this argument, however, knew the match would be industrious and intense, yet likely lack any flow or flair.

Rarely does this contest finish nil-nil, but that appeared increasingly possible after a largely uneventful first half, as neither side created much.

You knew this derby could come down to a single mistake, but who could have guessed it’d come from Father Time, as Giggs’ lack of wall discipline allowed the space for Gerrard’s set-piece opener. Ironic that the Welshman moved away from the shot to protect his groin, a fact duly noted across the pub on slow-motion replay.

Now had Ryan held his position and stopped the free kick, would we arrive at exactly the same net-result, with the first nil-nil score line in this derby since the Seventies? Or, would United’s plan work to perfection with a 1-0 Chicharito smash-and-grab job?

We will never know.

As the United supporters departed the pub, most left grumbling about playing for the draw, which typically would provide more satisfaction away at Anfield, especially after going a goal down.

Ah, but every Red Devil knows that City will likely win at home today, as the Blues sit 2-0 up to Villa at home at the time of this posting.

Mind the gap, gentlemen. We’re in for a long ride indeed.

---------

Back at you later, after the Champions League match on Tuesday. Glory, glory.