Some Respite...

Whew.

Rain is liquid. Blood is red. Smoking kills. 'Illmatic' is the greatest hip-hop album of all time. Bryan Cranston can act. Cristiano scores penalties. Reality TV is fake. Dogs are man's best friends.

That's just the natural position of things. Any alternate claim would be highly doubtful and an aberration to the existing order. But when you've had as topsy-turvy (not to mention, 'weird') a type of season as we are having, you can be forgiven for exhaling loudly in relief when you spell your own name correctly.

Manchester United dutifully beat David Moyes' Sunderland 0-3, a scoreline which nevertheless did little to mask the now obvious deficiencies in this team in utero. There is still an over-reliance, or Ibra-dependence, on Zlatan, Mkhitaryan's form, in spite of the goal, has dropped a couple of notches, Pogba is going from bad to worse (I'm now actually concerned as to whether he would ever be able to justify his transfer fees, football-wise), the midfield was too mechanical and there was no synergy in  the attack. Whatever. At this stage in the season, the points are all that matter and there were 3 goods one obtained on Sunday.

The manager, part rabble-rouser, part humour merchant, selected Marouane Fellaini as the team captain for the day. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Robson. Bruce. Cantona. Keane. Neville. Vidic. Rooney *. These have been the established captains of United in the Premier League years. Indeed, there have been sub-captains, honorary captains and injury/suspension enforced captains of varying quality during these periods but where, for whatever reason, a Marouane Fellaini has to don the arm-band, you must admit that we are scrapping the bottom of the leadership barrel. United has lacked a leader both in on-field persona and quality (No slight to Wayne but he assumed the role well past his sell-by date) and it is imperative that this is addressed, void sentiments, over summer.

Some statistics have been passed around suggesting that Fellaini had a 'productive' game. Something about completing passes and successful tackles...which of course would mean that Mikel Obi has been the best midfielder in the Premiership for the last decade. We actually watched the game so that stat sheet can better serve as wino tissue. There's a general air of depression that pervades when such decisions are made that transports one back to the Moyes' era and the worst of LvG's and it would be in Mourinho's best interests not to agitate the fans. Eccentricity is better tolerated when there's a fair level of excellence attached to it. For a manager who is still struggling with performances and even results to a certain extent, it is never advisable to provide the very rod that would be used for your  own back.

Rashford came on to score the 3rd and final goal in the last minute of normal time. His first league goal since November. It would do his confidence a world of good and I do not anticipate that it would take him a similar period to score the next one even though none of the remaining opposition are half as charitable as Sunderland. This season has been a steep learning curve for the lad and it should prepare him better for the next. There's a useful engine and brain box in that long wiry frame.

De Gea sat this one out due to a "hip injury" according to his manager. Romero is also supposed to reclaim his Europa league starting position against Anderlecht on Thursday. Could it be that it was the goofs of the previous 2 games that necessitated this rest? Perhaps. Perhaps not. But everybody needs clear-head time. De Gea has earned his.

The match was of course made easier by Seb Larsson's red card in the 43rd minute. He lunged into Herrara's shin, not particularly viciously, but you can understand why the referee sent him off. Playing against 10 men could be a nuisance at times but thankfully, the team was able to comfortably manoeuvre past this crop-circle. United was always in control and had several chances to butter up the scoreline. While I do not think goal difference would be a factor in the 4th place pursuit, it is certainly healthy to get a bit more numbers in the 'Goals For' column.

Arsenal have extended their yearly February/March capitulation and any team can have reason to applaud when Bravo's in goal for City. Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool (?) look assured of at least 3 of the 4 Champions League spots but there's still a viable battle for that last one. Practically speaking, is the foot race still worth it? I don't think so. It would be excellent and probably be Mourinho's biggest achievement in his first season but I'm not keeping my fingers crossed - The Europa route is much easier. Unto Thursday we go then...

Signing Out,

B.L...

In Other News:

* Breaking!!! FBarcelona is out of the UEFA Champions League. Nowhere was it written that Lazarus was resurrected twice. The manager with one talent was also rebuked by his employer and shown the door. The parable still holds good.

* Vvrrrroooom! Red Bull gives you wings! And Max Verstappen. One to watch on the Formula 1 circuit. He's 19 years old and drives like a seasoned pro. Ran a race over the weekend that can aptly be described by this song. It's King Hamilton's to lose this season though.

* Brodie makes history. With his 42nd triple-double (50 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists) of the season, Russell Westbrook is now the sole record holder of most trey-deuces in a season. He hasn't done his MVP prospects any harm (Still Harden, for me) and did I mention that he came clutch in that game too? The first round play-off tie with Harden's Rockets will be legendary box office. Congratulations, Adam Silver. Congratulations, fans.

* Lukaku or Kane?