One Step Forward Again? (and THE Clasico)

I'm going to rein myself in and be very temperate in my praise.

Por que?

Because a la Ygritte, "You know nothing, Jon Snow..." Nuff said.

It was a very pleasing and comfortable performance against Burnley on a bright and sunny day in Lancanshire. This display however created a few headaches for me by the end of the game. Could Darmian actually deputise as decent left full back? Does Ashley Young, in whatever capacity, still have a role to play in this team? Could Fellaini one day be nominated for the PFA Player of the Year? Ok, no, I kid. We all know the answer to that one. But apart from some expected bone-headed moments earlier on, he had a very effective and efficient game, a number of them he has now been able to string together. Persist with Captain Rooney as an able lieutenant goal-scorer till contract-end? (No). Is the £44.5m (and counting) Martial back? Perhaps just one crack striker is needed?...

Before I remind myself that the victory was against 'ordinary' Burnley, I am also self-prompted to recall that United's last victory on this ground was in 1976 and the home team had won 32 points out of its current total of 36 on its turf. With the accumulating injuries and abject finishing, this could have been a stickier situation than Sticky the Stick Insect getting stuck on a sticky bun. 

Alas, it was a game so tranquilly navigated that even Captain Edward Smith could have managed it. For the 2nd game running, De Gea did not have a single save to make. Again, kudos must be given to Mourinho for his ability to extract the maximum results from his limited available personnel in the past 3 potential banana peel match-ups. The team has not only won those games but has done so wearing house slippers.

Does this mean that Mourinho (and his team) are now settling into a definitive pattern or system which runs functionally on auto-pilot? Take out Ibrahimovic and Rashford scores. Rashford rests and Martial scores. Mikki takes a breather and Rooney can be depended on. Fellaini can actually be useful in the middle. The substitute full-backs can do a job as good as the starters. But God forbid anything happens to 'King' Eric Bailly. Irreplaceable. The best centre-half in the Premiership for me. Could this really be the new beginning? Could it?...

Screech.

Even as I remain optimistic in theory, I know we've been in this position of false dawns too many times this season that I can't but cast a wary eye at our seemingly improving circumstances. We have consistently looked the gift horse in the mouth and played with its tail too. Liverpool's home loss to Crystal Palace means attaining a top 4 spot is firmly in our own hands. Manchester City's loss to Arsenal in extra-time (Cheers to weary legs! Hurrah!) means we also have the psychological edge going into the derby on Thursday (So much so that Manchester United ex-lover, Yaya Toure has suggested that the game should be played without a referee.). We know that form goes to the toilet in such contests but just one point behind City and coming on the (massive) back of a now 23-match unbeaten stretch, we have a good chance, yes?

You know nothing, Jon Snow...

I just wish we didn't have to go through this M. Night Shyamalan-type drama all the time. I like the idea of contesting till beyond reach but what if...no, don't be negative...but...gulp...that Michael Ballack spirit...what if...

“If we beat Celta Vigo in the semi-final, we go to the final...Yes, it is important for us to play in the Champions League but this club wants trophies. We cannot give the club the Premier League trophy but we have a 25 per cent chance to win the Europa League..."

Don't be afraid to fall...and with all these mounting injuries and inconsistency...the journey is as important as the destination...

...It would be nice to come 3rd and win the Europa League Cup. 😀. Yes, I'll leave it at that.

Pogba has hopefully only a minor knock and should be available for Thursday's blockbuster. Long (in more ways than one) term injuries aside, everyone else should be available for selection. The belly-fire for this fixture does not require any stoking. Judging by the ingenuity exhibited by the bench in the recent games, we can afford to feel very positive going into possibly our most critical game this season. Etihad, here we come!

You know nothing, Jon Snow...

Signing Out (Kinda),

B.L...

The El Clasico:

There are some moments in football, not necessarily genius but indisputably impactful, that remain indelible in memory. You remember exactly where you were and exactly what you were doing when they occurred. Not a series of plays but one particular instance forever framed in time. Solskjaer's 93rd minute special. The Zidane Champions League final volley. The Hand of God. The Terry penalty slip. Stevie's too. Yekini celebrating Nigeria's debut goal in the 1994 World Cup. Agueeeeeroooooo. 😡. The list is lengthy but luscious.

The fantastic El Clasico played yesterday added another image to that list. Like the musical genius with an album of same name, this is it:

Close to a billion people watched the game as I expect you did. If unfortunately you didn't, you can watch the highlights on YouTube or any free video sharing network. Every decent sport website must have put up a match report or article on the spectacle. The magazines eventually certainly will. So that's not what this is about.

I am genuinely amused that a (small) section of people only now seem to want to grudgingly recognise an unrivalled greatness that may not be seen in many a forthcoming generation. With the advantage of its excellence transpiring in a technologically and physically advanced era, it is also safe to say it has never been seen before.

Its not about the goals even though only few have scored more. Its not about the assists even though he ranks higher than almost anyone in that category, certainly in his domestic league, at least. Laurels? He's yet to win a senior national title (but he's led his team to 3 successive finals and won everything else including all FIFA age-grade competitions). I'll give no serious regard to those who think greatness can only be attained when you excel in another league albeit a possibly inferior one. It would be the ultimate disservice as has been mentioned several times to limit this greatness to mere statistics and votes. The genius in the 'eye-test' - There is no other player in the modern era that combines the entire skill-set of attacking menace at such an optimum level.

I may have a Manchester United bias but I'm not a stupid person. I'm not going to call 'black' 'white' just because of club tribal allegiances. I consider myself first a football purist and fan and have enjoyed the game immensely by adopting this stance. I was fortunate to have been indoctrinated with the beautiful game right from infancy and the love has only continued to balloon. 1986 was my first 'proper' world cup. I've done my extensive and detailed research on all the football that happened in the preceding years. Video clips, articles, documentaries and even first-hand witness interviews. I'm not going to pretend that it gives me a 100% bird's eye view on this issue but I guarantee you it means my perspective is well-informed.

I simply haven't seen anyone like the man holding the shirt above.

The game could have gone the opposite way yesterday but it still wouldn't have changed a thing about the concrete body of work already cached in golden history. The events of yesterday merely solidified an incontestable legend.

You know his name. Mr. 500 and counting.