Merry Christmas

The United response to the holiday fixture list has been fantastic, with consecutive 5-0 thrashings of Fulham and Wigan inside a week despite the growing list of causalities.

Consider these trends…

Nani scoring on a header – a freakin’ header – while the away supporters work all the way down song sheet into a Georgie Best World at Craven Cottage.

Today, there’s Carrick as a center-half, Valencia at right back, a Darron Gibson sighting in central midfield, plus a hat trick for that the seldom used reserve, Dimitar Berbatov.

Add to the mix Chelsea, Liverpool, and Man City all drawing and dropping two points, and welcome to your own personal Winter Wonderland tied a top of the Premier League.

Perhaps only the most optimistic Red Devils envisioned United level with City before the New Year. Well, here we sit tied at the top of the table only separated by a goal differential reduced from the high teens to five in a month.

Ferguson’s men won eight of their past nine to reach this point, with the only dropped points coming from THAT penalty decision against Ferdinand. One corrected call and United would sit top by two points.

You simply wonder what City must be thinking, as the pressure mounts on the blue half of Manchester.

Consider United’s accomplishment up against the injury list, which includes Anderson, Cleverly, da Silva twins, Ferdinand, Fletcher, Jones, Smalling, and Vidic, with the Captain and Fletcher likely lost for the rest of the campaign.

Pinch me, I must be dreaming, as United will only get better when players start returning from the hospital ward.

Now, let’s think about the team sheet just before kickoff.

If you were the gaffer, would you play Carrick in defense and give a run out for Gibson today? In reality, what other choice did Fergie have?

Maybe play Evra central and give a starting nod to the young Fryars or bring back Rafael a bit too early from injury. Actually, the Carrick call looks more reasonable against the options available, as the Frenchman is way too small to play central.

Wigan can be a dangerous side, as they have skilled-but-inconsistent players that can be easily overrun by truly committed side. Yet, if you give them hope, miraculously they’re capable of playing some entertaining possession-football – a real Doctor Jeckll and Mr. Hyde side.

Thankfully, the Latics were in a giving mood today. Hopefully, Fergie returns the favor and breaks deep into his wine selection to treat Roberto Martinez. Afterall one good deed deserves another. Merry Christmas.

-----

Back at you after the Blackburn match. Cheers.