One of Those Days

You knew the Reds risked a match where the defensive miscues, like today, could leave the offense with too much to over come, yet you never-ever suspected the disappointment would come against Blackburn at home.

First, Berba gives up a penalty to make it 1-0 Blackburn. Why is Berba marking Samba? Probably it’s our best match-up, given the injuries.

Second, you find the Yak stumbling, bumbling his way to a 2-0 Blackburn lead well against the run of play.

United would draw level, as one thing you can count on from Sir Alex is if it’s not working, he’ll change shape at half time. The substitution of Anderson for Chicharito after the break put Welbeck, Valencia, and Rafael back in their natural positions; no more duplicate runs from Berba, Welbeck, and Hernandez.

Valencia was marvelous on the flank, providing high quality service to get around the edge of the bus parked in front of goal.

With the score line level, you’d still bet large sums that United would win, let alone draw today. The stats point to a relative siege for large stretches of the match for Sir Alex’s men.

But it wasn’t to be, as the ultimate coup de gras finds a feeble De Gea’s clearance gifting Blackburn the lead and victory. Game, set, and match Rovers.

This loss demonstrates how tired the squad look, how desperately they need two healthy center halves and Carrick returned to midfield, and how Fergie now has a full-blown keeper controversy, with Lindegaard’s five clean sheets in five games contrasting sharply with De Gea’s poor performance in this match.

This result guarantees City will sit top of the table at the turn of the year. The Red Devil’s ascent fell one game shy of the 2011 Premier League summit.

United must simply write this one off and use it as motivation in preparation for Newcastle midweek. Get well boys. Cheers.