Are You Alan Shearer in Disguise?!

I know, I know, United supporters loathe that man that spurned Fergie many years ago. And if you believe this, you might also feel that Shearer’s relative lack of silverware was a deserved consequence from that decision. Fair enough.

But all animosity aside, don’t you feel like Rooney’s channeling the EPL’s record-setting goal scorer?!

I mean, c’mon, Rooney’s drifting slightly deeper in the box and taking positions where his first-choice is a header on goal. And from distance, mind you. No more one-dimensional crashing the near or far post. Now defenders need to take heed even when Wazza drifts ever-so-slightly back in the box.

Today’s Cup-winner came from a deeper position and the end-product, a perfectly placed, looping header, was the only-possible way to beat Brad Friedel from a distance.

His inch-perfect match-winner makes five headed goals in a row, an utterly remarkable stat for a man now clearly in ascendency for the Golden Boot and World Footballer of the Year honors.

But these are individual accomplishments.

Looking from the team perspective, we shouldn’t get too caught up in Rooney’s raging form, as United couldn’t be happier with the recent developments on the wing as well.

We’re watching Valencia’s crossing and confidence grow, given a short break earlier along with the added incentive of competition with Nani after his recent resurgence. Is this a coincidence? I think not.

Valencia’s improved service reinforces Wazza’s newly-found aerial prowess, as clearly Wayne expects and often gets pin-point service. Obviously this adds another dimension to Rooney’s menace, which makes him even harder to mark in and around the box.

Yet the improved crossing ultimately makes Valencia more difficult to stop as well, as defenders need to close down the increasingly potent crosses and risk being beaten by Antonio’s quick footwork on the carpet, an unenviable pick-your-poison proposition that clearly demonstrates why Valencia won Man of the Match honors today.

Sir Alex now has three potent wingers, all of whom are all elevating their form simultaneously with Rooney. A fourth consecutive EPL title and magic number nineteen are clearly within reach, especially if Rio and Vidic can get healthy for the run-in.

So, do you ever wonder what Mr. Newcastle thinks while watching United win trophy after trophy? Cheer up, Alan Shearer! Oh what can could have been indeed.

Poor, Poor Pompey

Early on watching today’s match, I had “A Few Minutes of Silence” from Paul Westerberg’s 14 Songs running through my head, an appropriate choice for the minute’s silence in honor of the Busby Babes and the ground’s atmosphere early in the match.

You could simply feel the impending doom amongst the compact Pompey formation while the crowd quietly waited for the inevitable thumping.

But, for all the United possession, the attack petered out in an over-reliance on tricks and unconnected crosses. How could it still be scoreless after nearly 40 minutes against the bottom-dwellers?

We all know Pompey will go down this season, with four different owners in six months, threats of administration, massive player turnover, and finally, the new manager caught at a brothel. Oh, you must feel for this club.

Poor Pompey indeed.

You knew the flood gates would open at some point, especially while watching the center backs arguing with the midfield about who should pick up Rooney when he drops back, for example. And, it’s absolutely no surprise that one Wayne Rooney would nod-home the goal that would break Portsmouth’s back. That’s 8 goals in 5 ½ games, bringing his tally to 23 on the season and keeping Wazza front-and-center in the Player of the Year debate.

This game was soooo anti-climatic that the only drama involved whether United would keep a clean sheet and what would be the ultimate score line, hoping Owen and Diouf would add to the growing goal differential on the season.

Today’s match goes down as an easy 5-0 victory, with three own goals perfectly symbolizing the struggles faced by Portsmouth on and off the pitch this season.

You just have to wonder, if on the team bus to the airport, somebody might slip in a copy of a certain Westerberg song.

A moment’s silence, please, in honor of Portsmouth’s fate. We feel for you.

Champagne Football

First and foremost, after halting this blog for nearly two months, I wanted to share the reason behind my absence before reacting to United’s 3-1 victory over Arsenal.

Early this past December, my wife, Jill, was diagnosed with breast cancer, which came as a total shock after her first mammogram. Understandably, my focus turned to supporting her and subsequently stopping my weekly United post.

Fast-forward to the present and the diagnosis couldn’t be better. The cancer was removed, it hadn’t spread, and the survival odds are 97% to the good. Jill still faces 6 weeks of radiation after we take a much-deserved vacation to Mexico in mid-February.

Thus, the blog’s back.

And what an incredible, welcome-back match, one with headlines such as “Rooney and United Run Riot” (Soccernet) and “Slick United Punish Sloppy Arsenal” (BBC Football) attempting to capture the game’s essence.

From the United perspective, the six-pointer provides precious relief from building anxiety surrounding the club’s financial debts and moves it to within one point of Chelsea.

From the Arsenal perspective, the game feels a bit like U2’s “Stuck in a Moment”, one they can’t escape and one eerily reminiscent of the last two encounters with United and Chelsea at the Emirates. Or past title campaigns for that matter. Take your pick.

While there’s so much to relish here, from the devilishly-delightful counterattack led by Rooney and his 100th Premier League goal to the midfield genius of Fletcher, Scholes and Carrick playing in space behind the front three, my focus today centers on the tactics that involved none other than Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha’s coming out party.

Suffice it to say that through December, Nani had disappointed everyone, including himself. After United’s very uneven performance and fortuitous draw at home with Sunderland last October, I wrote:

“As we’ve seen all too often, Nani kills off attacks with wrong decisions that can lead both strikers to a self-fulfilling, downward cycle where frustration begets more frustration. All-too-inferior defenders can play Nani straight up as they stay goal-side and wait for him to inevitably show too much ball or hit an absurd cross. Right now, his play seems to infect the entire attack.”

Today, Nani infected the entire attack alright, but this time with the menace and electricity desperately needed to play effectively with one lone striker against top-level competition.

Such a threat had not been seen in a United shirt since the departure of his fellow countryman, and with all the deference in the world to Rooney’s superb play today, Nani fully deserved his Man of the Match honors, since his dribbling and darting opened the scoring.

Fergie’s 4-5-1 formation, one that becomes 4-3-3 in attack, demands exceptionally athletic, fit, and gifted wing play to work properly, as it allows United to absorb pressure, quickly transition into the counterattack, and create gaps of space just behind the front three for the central midfielders to weave their passing magic.

We know Park’s full of industry, but can lack a clinical edge in the area.

We know Valencia’s been impressive in stretches, but is still learning how to use his speed and strength to his maximum advantage, and at times he seems to want to become the second-coming of David Beckham – cross after predictable cross – but without the pin-point delivery.

That’s what makes Nani’s technical trickery so important.

United desperately needs someone with pace and the ability to dribble through opponents to pull apart defenses and create space for others. Today’s match clearly demonstrates what happens when you add this dimension to the wing, one I’m sure Valencia duly noted given his ability and reluctance to run at defenders.

One game doesn’t make a season, but you couldn’t help but feel as though Nani turned a huge developmental corner in the past fortnight, one which will bring him the confidence to turn in more electric performances in the future.

Well done, Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha. Enjoy the bubbly, the first of many yet to come.

Back at you after the Pompey match. Cheers.

A Make-Shift Mauling

Manchester United’s recent form at Upton Park and improvised backline caused concern just before kick-off today. United’s defensive fortune would rely on Kuszczak, Fletcher, Neville, Brown, and Evra, with Vidic a late scratch due to illness.

And later, when Gary Neville pulled up with what looked like a groin injury in the 34th minute, Carrick was inserted as a center half. Thus, United played a lengthy spell of the match with eight midfielders populating positions on the pitch.

What a glorious opportunity for West Ham to continue their run as a bogey opponent for United. What a chance to gain vital points and confidence to begin climbing the table from the relegation zone.

Chance wasted.

Today’s victory, when combined with the Pompey drubbing last week, demonstrate that this-year’s edition of the Red Devils has the metal for a serious run at the title, including a budding propensity for lethal goal scoring in bunches.

The early knock against United was that it’s impossible to replace the previous Number Seven’s goal scoring. True enough. Yet, we all wondered if United could source more goals from evenly distributed team play.

The answer is playing out in front of us now.

We all knew that Rooney would relish leading the line up front. What’s impressed me most this year is the evident maturity that’s growing in his game. Sure, he may still have the occasional boil, but he’s learning more and more to channel his energy into more productive pursuits at goal than opinions about refereeing. Was it any coincidence, then, that Mr. Rooney was nowhere near the referee when Vidic was curiously called for a penalty and subsequently netted a hat-trick? I think not.

Rooney’s tallied eleven goals and you still feel that his better form lies just in the future, not in the present. Excellent signs for both England and United.

Shifting back to today’s match, the goal scoring is so apropos on so many levels, with two lasers from central midfielders – one by the seasoned servant to the club, the other by his protégée – and two tap-ins off a clinical tic-tac-toe undressing of the Hammer defense.

Scholes, Gibson, Valencia, and Rooney: exactly the type of score line we had all hoped for and envisioned from this club. Attacking football, the United way, is unfolding right before our eyes, even from the most unlikely, make-shift of squads. Points taken. Bogey ground conquered. More justification for Fergie’s knighthood. Brilliant.

Back at you after the Villa match. Cheers.

Pompey Penalty-Fest

The string of strangeness surrounding United away matches at Pompey continues, albeit this time with an excellent-but-misleading 4-1 score line.

Today’s action included three penalties, thirty-eight shots at goal, seven yellow cards, a Rooney hat trick, and Giggs’ 100th Premiership goal.

So many intriguing subplots to this story, but first, let’s start with poor Pompey.

Not long ago, Pompey celebrated a FA Cup triumph and faced a remarkably sunny future. Maybe a spot in Europe, the supporters must have dreamt during that off-season.

But oh, football can be such a cruel mistress.

Soon Harry Redknapp departs, serious financial turmoil sets in, and a talent exodus from the club leads to seven points from thirteen matches, complete with The Grim Reaper returning to manage their football fortunes.

And then today’s match kicks off.

Pompey looked nothing like a bottom-dwelling club, as they hit twenty-four attempts at goal, forcing seven, often excellent, saves from Tomasz Kuszczak, who made a strong case for the number slot behind van der Sar.

Only poor quality finishing, especially from Aruna Dindane, kept the score line from becoming a nip-and-tuck goal fest. If, and it’s a big “if”, Pompey can find any finishing to accompany such spirited efforts, they will avoid the drop. But, what are the chances they’ll unearth this elusive goal scoring form? Not good.

Beyond my obvious soft spot for Pompey supporters, the United side of this drama was no less intriguing. But first, the refereeing takes center-stage, as much will be written about the curious penalty decisions given by Mike Dean.

When did you last see three – count ‘em – three penalties in the same match?!

Both sets of supporters were absolutely incredulous after the match. In my humble view, the Rooney penalty would be called in a typical match, but surely none thereafter, especially the astounding call against Vidic. It’s the type of argy-bargy that occurs during each and every corner. So, why call it now?! Guilt is no excuse, Mr. Mike.

Football pundits will question Dean’s decision making over and over again ad nauseam in the coming week, which only stirs up more vitriol and ultimately places more pressure on refereeing. Which is too bad because it could overshadow some remarkable performances by four United players.

Kuszczak was brilliant, as mentioned earlier, in keeping United from falling behind, as were Rooney, Giggs, and Valencia.

Rooney’s second hat trick in the Premier League will likely be viewed as extremely easy, since he netted two goals from the spot and the third was a mere tap-in. Rooney will quickly point out the critical role his teammates played in the goals. But regardless, Rooney led the line well today and his performances clearly demonstrate how he relishes leading the front line. This form bodes well for United and England in the coming months.

Next up is our Evergreen leader, the man pushing hard for a knight-ship, the future Sir Ryan Giggs.

How fitting that Giggs’ 100th Premier League goal should come off a set piece that showcased that magic left boot of his. He’s almost thirty-six years old and still routinely outclasses almost everyone on the pitch, almost everyone except Antonio Valencia.

Valencia was electric today, as the ESPN commentators noted throughout the match. It is indeed rare today to see a player with so much pace and such a willingness to run at defenders. Valencia is emerging as the critical wing presence for United, one sorely needed to open up play from the more traditional formations employed this year.

Today’s 4-3-3 in all reality played much more like a 4-4-1-1, with added pressure on Valencia to link play from a forward wing position, a feat more difficult than linking play in the hole behind Rooney.

Early on, the formation seemed to play into Pompey’s hand, with United finding the link forward difficult, but that gradually changed with each and every ball played into space for, or each run around a defender from Valencia. Giggs and Valencia on the wing has quickly become Sir Alex’s favorite combination, whether employing a 4-4-2, 4-5-1, or 4-3-3 of sorts, such as today.

Now, we look to see who will emerge as an heir-apparent for our Welsh Wizard on the left, that’s the next question to play out over the remainder of the season between Obertan, Park, and Nani. Consider the right-side taken by Antonio Valencia.

It wasn’t easy today, but it never really is for United at Fratton Park, with a hat trick, three penalties, three points, and a plus-three goal differential to create a curiously odd symmetry to ponder until next week.

Back at you after the West Ham match. Cheers.

Bounce-Back Ability

Who’d ever want to play United after a loss?!

David Moyes must have rued watching Terry’s goal beat United a fortnight ago, as he feared facing the Red Devil’s almost trademark ability to play their best football immediately after such disappointments. Surely, this apprehension led Moyes to employ a defensive diamond formation in the midfield. Meanwhile Fergie called for “a clinical edge” from his players, as any seasoned United supporter knew that today’s performance wouldn’t disappoint.

There’s so much to savor here – let me count the ways.

First, join me, if will you, in a song in homage to our fine Frenchman, the only United player to start every Premiership game thus far this year: “Paa-trice Evra, Superstar.” A giant “S” and cape seem quite fitting, as his constant forays forward created impossible match-ups and threatened Everton all day.

Second, all three goals came from the midfield today, each one fittingly representing the character of the goal-scorer, with Fletcher’s superb volley demonstrating his profound ascendency as a world-class biting-midfielder, Carrick’s cool, side-footed goal exemplifying his sublime-and-measured control, and Valencia’s relentless pressure being rewarded with a fortunate deflection.

Third, despite the midfield-only scoring, the Rooney and Owen partnership looked menacing throughout, with Rooney’s relentless runs forcing the center halves apart and leaving pockets of space for Owen and midfield runners. How lovely to see Owen’s smiling face much of the day, as he’s enjoying his football at United and provides the much-needed, Solskjær-like poaching ability off the bench. This additional cover and unique dimension will surely come in handy throughout the season much as it did today with Berba sidelined.

And finally, there’s much to look forward to in the coming days, with good news on the injury front and the evergreen two-some closing-in on 100 Premiership goals.

It appears there’s a breakthrough in Rio’s treatment for the interrelated back-and-calf problems, while Park and Hargreaves appear on-track for a return to football in the not-too-distant future.

Arsenal’s injuries and loss today, when combined with a City-Liverpool draw, seem to indicate that there’s another two-horse race in the making. Let’s hope that today’s bounce-back signals another historic run from United.

Back at you after the Portsmouth match. Cheers.

Unlucky

The Stamford Bridge hoo-doo remains in place after today’s United’s 1-0 loss to Chelsea. Physical play and drama reigned supreme, with both sides feeling aggrieved by controversial calls in a tight, edgy contest.

Chelsea felt hard done from Jonny Evans’ lead-with-your-studs, leg-first header and wonder how he remained on the pitch, let alone how Drogba retained a yellow card for the collision. (From United’s and Atkinson’s perspective, Drogba was late and attempted to run through or undercut Evans without a realistic effort at ball.) I’ll concede that whenever studs are shown, in whatever capacity, the player runs risk of serious punishment, with Evans and United fortunate to escape punishment.

Meanwhile United can’t understand how advantage only applies to Chelsea, as Martin Atkinson had several occasions to either allow the Red Devils to continue play, or once Chelsea lost possession with advantage, he’d blow the whistle and attend to an injured player and slow United’s forward momentum. All in all, it was ridiculously one-sided.

But the pen-ultimate controversy from the match will be both the foul called on Fletcher, after arguably winning the ball against Ashley Cole, and the subsequent and resultant Terry goal, which included a Drogba throw down of Wes Brown, one worthy of the World Wrestling Federation.

I’m actually bothered less by the Drogba take-down than I am the original foul called. Whenever there’s a set-piece, there’s always wrestling in the box. Whether it’s called or not, you’ve got to learn to live with it, as its part of the game.

But, the Fletcher foul – you’ve GOT to be joking.

I’ll grant you that Fletcher goes in hard; a regular stuck-in-type player with bite whose tackles often border fouls. Yet, in this case, when two players go for a fifty-fifty ball from opposite sides and both players make contact with ball first, it’s almost never a foul, as Fletcher out-maneuvered Cole superbly.

To get in position to push Cole away with his arm, as claimed by Atkinson, Fletcher needs to come through the ball to do it – thus, ball and possession first. This is precisely the type of physical play Atkinson let go throughout the entire game, thus giving the call added cruelty.

But lest you think I’m a total homer, I’ll admit that United lived dangerously throughout stretches of the second half, conceding too many set-piece chances, Chelsea’s primary threat. This could influence Atkinson’s decision, so goes the logic, thus making the call somewhat self-inflicted.

Regardless, United feel aggrieved and are unlucky to leave Stamford Bridge without a point, as the 4-5-1 that quickly morphed into a 4-3-3 with possession did a marvelous job of shutting down the Chelsea attack. Now, if only United could capitalize on such a strong effort with some clinical finishing. Let’s hope this storyline doesn’t repeat itself too often during the rest of the season, especially during the knock-out phase of the Champions League.

Back at you after the Everton match in two weeks. Cheers.