United Fall Fulham 3-2

The starting eleven sees Rooney and Welbeck on the bench, with Nani dropped altogether, and Robin van Persie making his first start for United. Ferguson demonstrates his meritocracy in full measure.

All I’ve got to say is thank God.

The match didn’t start well, with Carrickbauer, as his teammates tease, giving up a free kick just outside the box to betray his new moniker. Set piece along the floor to Dunn from ten yards and it’s 1-0, with Ashley Young getting picked to leave the Irishman WIDE open.

Old Trafford went from season-opening good cheer to tensely quite in a flash. And then, up steps a certain Dutchman.

Evra’s innocuous cross short-hops van Persie, who hits a sublime volley from twelve yards and we’re level. Just. Like. That.

Afterwards, United upped the tempo and played like you’d expect, with possession and a 3-1 half time lead thanks to a tap-in from Kagawa and far-post header from, yes indeed, the thumb-sucking celebrant, Rafael.

The party mood left everyone feeling like that match’s in the bag, with a two-goal lead and lop-sided possession. Valencia looked like his brilliant self on the right, with Rafael overlapping wonderfully, a real pick your poison dilemma for Fulham.

Sir Alex’s men kept up the tempo and worked the ball wide for a few excellent chances in the first 18 minutes of the second half.

And just like that, up steps sloppy United.

From nothing, a routine long ball cross leads to a keystone cops moment, a needless own-goal from Vidic, as he collides with De Gea and a Fulham forward, the ball bounces off the Captain's heal, everyone falls and the ball crawls into the net. Game on.

Now we move from a potential thrashing to a competitive match, as I delete the blog title “United Flatten Fulham” from my memory.

Again, we’ve witnessed the sense of impending drama descend upon Old Trafford. Thankfully, United held on for the first victory of the season.

Given SAF’s age and likely near-term succession in about 2-3 years, I keep analyzing this club against the bar of winning the Premier League and being much, much more competitive in the Champions League.

That’s the lens through which I’ve been viewing the performances thus far.

With that said, the squad still looks as thought it could use another couple of weeks of pre-season fixtures, with the injuries, new players, and poor form in stretches thus far.

It’s still VERY early days, but here’s what causes concerns after two matches.

First, let’s start with the deeper lying, center of the park, where Anderson’s still a shadow of even his first year and Cleverly shows ring-rust from hardly playing much of last term. The other primary options, as we all know, include the evergreen two-some and Carrick.

Far too frequently United were outmuscled off the ball and lack a certain ball winning bite – I know, I know – since Keane left. You can just see glimpses of Cleverly coming good, with his ability to cover space, quick darts forward and penchant for turning players. He doesn’t worry us, as his best form will come back, but Anderson does concern the faithful.

As a youth, Anderson appeared as a bright part of United’s future. His bite, tenacity, pit-bull ball strength, and ability to cover the ball caused a certain glint in Ferguson’s eye. Everything appeared set with Anderson and Hargreaves.

Looks can be deceiving, as the Red Devils still miss tenacious cover in front of the back four. It’s anything-but-certain Anderson will realize his potential, as the rumors around his departure will continue unless form returns.

Second, Sir Alex must be baffled with his defense, as it seems some dubious demon controls a kill switch to the collective brains in the defensive third, selecting the most inopportune times to reek havoc on this ground.

The own-goal aside, we’ve witnessed Rafael getting caught in possession or beaten unnecessarily, a continued failure to cover short corners, poor clearances, or marks getting picked to allow an easy opportunities. Both Cottager goals involved poor concentration and communication.

THIS is precisely what cost United the title and must infuriate gaffer, as at times the Reds look as solid as a rock, then boom: brains off. How do you coach that? We'll see.

Last, the club’s strength lies in attack, with RVP and Kagawa added, it’s a real embarrassment of riches when Berba’s relegated to Carling Cup matches.

However, this apparent potency is not certain, on the contrary, there are two possible problems involving egos and playing time.

You could easily argue that the 1999 squad had a rare combination up front, as both Sheringham and Solskjaer kept brilliant form almost regardless of playing time, the rarest of traits from strikers.

Currently, Chicharito seems like the only true candidate for super-sub, but one look at his face on the bench these days indicates otherwise.

Hernandez needs some consistent starts to empower his super-sub role, as his form dipped in correlation to Welbeck’s increased playing time would indicate.  Add Kagawa along with RVP and Chicharito seems destined to a Berba role up front. All other forwards, plus Kagawa, need minutes primarily at only two positions.

Which leads to my final thoughts about egos and chemistry.

When Rooney came in, he immediately pointed to van Persie that it was HE who would lead the front line, assuredly with Sir Alex’s blessing, with some added body language emphasis. Hmmm...

Although we didn’t see much Wazza, he still seemed labored until he left the match in injury time on a stretcher with a nasty gash above his right knee. With his fitness/from already in question, this is the last thing United need at the moment.

Or, is it?

Maybe 3-4 weeks out could provide the ideal window to help van Persie and Kagawa gel with the squad, without the distraction of the number ten.

But, how do you think Rooney would deal with a United succeeding without him? How would he deal with RVP overshadowing him?

We will always remember Rooney’s flirtations with life beyond Old Trafford. Would he try to pull the ripcord again, if things don’t go his way?

We will also wonder if Wazza will keep in immaculate shape like Giggs or Scholes as he ages, given his holiday celebrations with Gibson last term. 

Getting RVP might just be the ideal tonic to motivate Wayne or it could simply beget more frustration leading to England-Rooney showing up more consistently in a United shirt. Only time will tell.

As always, we trust alchemist Alex’s superb man-management skills, especially this term with two 30-goal scorers vying to lead the line. 

But now, we also need Fergie’s master electrician skills to finally disable that infuriating kill switch, especially with Europe looming in the not-too-distant future. Otherwise, it won't be pretty yet again.