Manchester Strong

“Come gather ‘round, people,

Wherever you roam/

And admit that the waters

Around you have grown/

And accept it that soon you’ll be drenched to the bone/

If your time to you is worth saving,

Then you better start swimmin’ or you’ll sink like as stone,

For the times they are a-changin’…”                                       - Bob Dylan 

Finally, the league season is over and it's time to review the happenings of the last 9 months.

Not so fast perhaps. There’s still the small matter today of that UEFA Champions League launching pad, the Europa League Cup final, to attend to before appraising holistically.

However domestically speaking, it has been 38 games, 18 wins, 15 draws (league leading. And by ‘league-leading’, I mean European league-leading), 5 losses (same as Champions, Chelsea), 54 goals scored (4 more than Sunday’s opponents, 14^th place Crystal Palace), 29 goals conceded (2^nd best in the league after Spurs), there have been highs (Chelsea (H)), lows (Chelsea (A)), good consistency (25-game unbeaten run), bad consistency (6^th position for an eternity), moments of brilliance (Mkhitaryan’s stinger, Zlatan’s winners), moments of bone-headedness (Fellaini's Goodison Park cameo, Smalling on the pitch), vintage Mourinho (the badge-thumping sneer, tactical lock-down of opponents) and 'vintage' Mourinho (touchline ban, the negative persona).

Final position? 6th. 

24 points behind the 1st team, 7 points away from the 4th.

In paradoxically keeping with both the manager's approach to the last couple of games and Manchester United's youth traditions, the club fielded its youngest ever side in the Premier League era (average age of 22) in Sunday's finale at home against Crystal Palace granting full debuts to goalkeeper Joel Pereira, left-back Demi Mitchell, midfielder Scott McTominay and goal-scorer Josh Harrop (Whatever happened to James Wilson??). Axel Tuanzebe, who also only recently made his first-team debut, continued his run in the team with another fine performance while the bereaved Pogba brought some relative maturity into the midfield.

Thankfully, in spite of Jose Mourinho's ill-considered pre-match comments (“It’s frustrating for me. I hope you don’t kill me when you see my team. I hope the fans at Old Trafford support the team, they forgive some naivety, they forgive some lack of confidence. And I hope that Big Sam shows he’s a good friend and he goes slow. He tells to Zaha to go slow, he leaves Benteke at home. I hope he goes soft on us"), Palace manager, Sam Allardyce fielded the strongest possible team at his disposal and at least tried to make a game of it.

Well-taken first half goals from Harrop and Pogba meant that the second half ended up being a procession. I only wish the youngins' had been gradually introduced all through the season rather than collectively rolled out like some valedictory Ringling Bros. acts. 

A post-mortem shall be carried out on the league much later. Right now... 

THERE'S BIGGER FISH TO FRY

The die is cast. 7.45pm GMT. Today. Stockholm, Sweden. The Europa League Cup final. Manchester United v Ajax. Experience v Youth. Pressure v Permission. Consequence v Care-free. 

We know what is at stake. This has been put into even sharper context with the comments and events of the last couple of weeks. 

Winner takes it all. Take me 'Holm. The difference between an annus horribilis and an 'accomplished' , even if not 'progressive' year.

For many reasons, condemnation swords would be sheathed on this day. Management and players must stand up and be counted. More power to you, Darmian.💪 Go and get yours, Phil.👍 Master your full height, Marouane.👤 Let your football be as colourful and flamboyant as your haircut and dabs, Paul. There's a reason you cost more than any footballer in history. Pepper dem.💃 Jesse, I've always known you were made for critical cup finals. Give our captain a befitting send-off. 👏Mikkkkkkkyyyyy! This is your favourite competition...you know how we do. 👌

Jose...3 European Cup finals, 3 wins. Make it 4. The legacy continues.

See y'all on the other side of the celebrations...Cheers!

Signing Out,

B.L... 

In (the only) Other News (worthy for today):

Football is Football. Life is Life. There may sometimes be an intersection in the sets of both dealings but they are ultimately mutually exclusive.

The local community of Manchester was rocked by a terrorist bomb blast on Monday night after an Ariana Grande concert in the Manchester Arena. So far 22 people are dead and several others injured to varying degrees. 

It is almost inevitable that a Manchester local, Red or Blue, would have had a loved one at least traumatised by the incident. My sincere condolences go out to the Manchester populace and like it says in Tony Walsh's poem, 'This Is The Place':

"...Because this is a place that has been through some hard times: oppressions, recessions, depressions, and dark times.

But we keep fighting back with Greater Manchester spirit. Northern grit, Northern wit, and Greater Manchester’s lyrics.

And these hard times again, in these streets of our city, but we won’t take defeat and we don’t want your pity.

Because this is a place where we stand strong together, with a smile on our face, greater Manchester forever."

Stay strong. #ManchesterStrong

Lame At The Lane

Move along now...there's nothing to see here.

It's that however brief window period in this very peculiar Manchester United's league season where it is corporately acceptable for management and team to dial in their performances for the singular reason that 38 games must be concluded by each team before the league officially draws to a close.

2 more games to go then. Thankfully, no extra times (Not like any of these testimonial showings would merit it).

Tottenham Hotspurs beat Manchester United 2 -1 in the White Hart Lane grand finale yesterday. Victor Wanyama and Harry Kane scored for Spurs from well-worked set pieces. Wayne Rooney scored the last goal at the Lane. Rashford gave the Spurs faithful a rightful fright when he came on even though the game should have been long dispatched by then. Perhaps a fairer fight would have involved the attendees of the after-match celebrations, David Ginola, Chris Waddle, Ledley King & Co. against our team. 1-0, I'll wager still.

The manager has now made it blatantly clear that everything rests on the result in Stockholm. Yes, this was what we wanted due to the ongoing situation of injuries, lack of quality players 'fatigue' and the significance of winning the Europa. But...without sounding too contradictory...err...could we just tone down that impression a little bit? When you say to millions of fans and viewers after a loss to a rival that "There were no injuries and it's one less match to play because at this moment the Premier League matches for us are matches we don't want to play", you send a very strong wrong message.

"To tank" means to lose deliberately, or fail to finish. See Aussie tennis maverick, Nick Kyrgios or most National Basketball Association teams already assured of Play-Off placement. A cynical person may include West Ham United to that list but I would never have imagined in my lifetime that it is something that would be in anyway even remotely associated with Manchester United. For any reason whatsoever.

This is not about 'losing' simplicta; it's about intentionally setting out to lose or surrendering from competing. It's simply unethical behaviour. Instead play a bulk of the U-23s. They may yet be defeated but it would offer them 1. experience in a big game situation 2. A hint at the possibility of making the big leagues. They would also approach the game in a much more competitive spirit because there would be a point to prove. But to field De Gea, Bailly, Jones, Smalling, (Tuanzebe, who even had a decent game in an unfamiliar position, is excused) Blind, Carrick, Rooney, Mata, Lingard and Martial, all experienced, all multi-millionaires, all internationals, all, if it weren't for certain over-enhanced reputations, should be able to challenge for the league title as is, to put out that kind of performance is disheartening, unfair and ultimately detrimental to the interests of the club. I still retch when reminded that this is the most expensively assembled team ever in the history of football. 😱  

While the circumstances of making the Europa League Cup a priority have since been noted, offering full baby-diaper exhibitions of this kind is unacceptable. No one becomes depraved in a day. Clubs who are today maligned and mocked for setting mediocre parameters did not become like that in one season. It was a trend of decisions and directions that led them to that harrowing regrettable path. It's never OK to 'not compete'. You can and should rest players but those available should never take to the field without fire in their belly. Not least well-paid professionals.

The manager, by his statements, is also unwittingly putting immense pressure on the players leading to the Europa final. True, the importance of that match cannot be understated but it has been made to be "the mother of all finals". To put in perspective, this is still the final of Europe's 2nd tier competition. Knowing also the calibre and make-up of this squad, do you reckon it's the kind of pressure they'll thrive under? Judging by the after-effects of the very public flaying of Shaw, Mkhitaryan and Martial, I'm not so sure.

I really hope the team develops some level of competitive spirit before the final. Like Ryan Giggs mentioned yesterday, form is not a switch you suddenly turn on in a final. There should be some sort of confidence build-up culminating to the required performance, desired rest notwithstanding. It's the manager's job to find this balance. If it wasn't, I could as well be occupying on his seat. (Quite literally)

At least I know what my definite transfer list is.

Please let's see some more ambition/effort is the remainder 2 games. The club deserves much better than this.

Southampton (A) on Wednesday is next. Amen to that.

Signing Out,

B.L...

In Other News:

* As predicted since December, Chelsea has been crowned 2016/17 English Premier League Champions. Deserved. Antonio Conte has been successful in stabilising a previously fractured and unsettled but talented team while also moulding them into a functional unit. I imagine that next season will call for even more expertise from Italian with the added 'distraction' of the Champions League but that bridge would be attempted when encountered. Congratulations, Roman's Army...

* ...speaking of which, another set of Romans ensured that Serie A Champions, Juventus, would not be officially crowned till weekend. Not in the home of Il Re Di Roma, Francesco Totti. It was bad enough that his team lost his last Derby Della Capitale but that was a local civil war. There can only be one sovereign in Rome. And he is not an old lady however advanced in years he may be.  3-1 was the final scoreline. It should be noted however that Juventus rested a number of players in advance of the Copa De Italia and Totti only came on in extra time but still...

* ...time stood still as King of Clay, Rafael Nadal showed all his characteristic resilience and doggedness to win his record equalling 30th ATP 100 Tournament in Madrid by beating Dominic Thiem  7-6, 6-4. The greats are rolling back the years...

* Monaco has now scored over a 100 goals this season. Cristiano has now scored over 400 for Madrid. Animals.

*Some-What-Good News: Feyenoord Rotterdam, the 1st team to ensure Ajax comes second in a major competition this season has won its first Erevedisie title since 1999 when one Ruud van Nistelrooy was in their books. Not-So-Good News: One 36-year old Dirk Kuyt scored a hat-trick to seal the deal.

* Olden is golden?

      

And Then There Was One...

"They were closer now Fernando(Mourinho)/

Every hour every minute seemed to last eternally/
I was so afraid Fernando(Mourinho)/
We were young and full of life and none of us prepared to die/
And I'm not ashamed to say/
The roar of guns and cannons almost made me cry..."                       - ABBA, 'Fernando'


Whew.

Manchester United is (finally) through to the final of the Europa League taking place in Stockholm, Sweden on 24th May, 2017. Our opponents are Dutch giants, AFC Ajax.

It was only right that United made it to the final stage of Europe's secondary club competition in the most 'United' way possible - with suffering and drama. When the otherwise unflappable Eric Bailly was not seeing red in more ways than one, his defensive partner, Ajax agent alumnus, Daley Blind kept surrendering the ball to the Vigoans in precarious places. The team went from being composed and in control in the 1st half to defending deep and dangerously in the 2nd (I see you, Mourinho!).

Fortunately, none of this mattered - The job/mission was accomplished.

It certainly wasn't pretty and the quality was well short of the expected standard but we've 'wobbled and fumbled' into "qualification for possible Champions League qualification."

The tie should have been effectively settled in the 17th minute when Marouane Fellaini headed the ball into the near post from a Rashford laser-guided cross. If you've listened to Dave Chappelle's philosophical and comedic take in one of his recent Netflix specials on morally appraising the Bill Cosby situation, then you'd have a fair idea of where the afroed-one stands with a lot of fans. Only without Cosby's excellence in his craft (And by 'craft', I mean his 'comedy'. Thanks). 2-0 on aggregate. Celta Vigo needed at least 2 goals to go through. It didn't look at all likely in the first half even though United willingly surrendered possession to the Spanish side. One header flashed wide aside, it was still generally comfortable and smooth sailing.

But as we are wont to do under this dispensation, we tried to defend a 1-goal lead in the 2nd half which is OK if you have the personnel to adequately execute this strategy but also like this season has consistently shown us, there is usually egg residue to be wiped off our physiognomy by the time 90 minutes and whatever extras were added must have been completed. This ended no different in terms of the scoreline - a contemporary Old Trafford result. Good luck with that in the future.

Nonetheless, any endeavour that can scuttle a Scouser's (Iago Aspas) and Citizen's (John Guidetti) best laid plans and reduce at least one of them to tears, is a good one. 👏  

There are 4 games left in the season, 3 in the league and the increasingly crucial Europa final. One more home game (on the final day too), 2 away games starting with the White Hart Lane encore on Sunday and then final in Zlat-land. The debate over what matches constitute a 'priority' is archaic at this point. We know what we need to do and how to get it. There's only one more performance this season which would ultimately be the difference between this season and the last. Again, this does not need to be spelt out. 

It is eerily amusing that I feel almost exactly the same way I did at the end of last season and the reason is simple in retrospect - there's been too much sour predictability in performance and results even the most important victories have been achieved without a certain 'United' joie de vivre. I remain positive for bigger things next season. In spite of all the excuses, real or imagined, currently offered this term, a club of United's stature and resources just has to do better navigating multiple fronts next time around. 

"Knowing me, knowing you (ah-ha)/
There is nothing we can do/
Knowing me, knowing you (ah-ha)/
We just have to face it, this time we're through/
This time we're through, this time we're through/

This time we're through, we're really through"               - Agneta, Bjorn, Benni and Anni

A more than cursory look at most of the major football sites over the week provided a certain vindication to long-held positions which have always been hinged on facts/the 'eye-test' and nothing else no matter how critical they may have sounded or seemed - There is an almost unanimous agreement that there has to be a clear-out at Carrington for the club to move forward. Tables and performances do not lie. The reason we are 'best of the rest' on the league table and hustle even in the Europa League is because that is the quality we currently provide. It's that basic.

For the last two seasons, we have blamed Louis Van Gaal, who was indeed not without his failings both in the transfer market and in his muddled philosophy but has Jose performed any better? He also had the advantage of seeing all that was wrong before he assumed the reins but have are our performances been vastly different this year? Yes, there have been tactical improvements and a more dogged approach but have these been exhilarating Manchester United/top team performances? I honestly do not believe Jose and Louis suddenly became managerial relics incapable of stringing together some form of consistency from their players. Like I often say, no manager can 'coach' a professional to make an accurate pass or kick the ball into an open net. That's all on the players. It's time to refresh the pool at Old Trafford and for a bit of dark humour, we may keep the core of this team and see if the next manager can do any better. 

However, it seems the Journos and analysts (even the infamous propagandists) now concur that wholesale changes are required next term. As it is said that the moment of realisation is one's dawn, I say to 'em, "Good morning."

Congratulations on reaching the final, Mancunians!

To the club and fans alike, no pressure on Sunday. Play the kids if need be. Prevent injuries. Enjoy the remaining games. Relax. Hold your head up high. Be Manchester United.

Signing Out,

B.L 

In Other News:

* By the time you're reading this, Chelsea would probably have been crowned English League champions. Congratulations to them. 

* It's a Real Madrid v Juventus Champions League final. Advanced attack (Sorry, Monaco) v Advanced Defence. Juventus put up another tactical masterclass to defeat Monaco 2-1 (4-1 aggregate) in the 2nd leg of their semi-final tie. Barcelona reject,.  Dani Alves for the Balon D'or. Real Madrid baited Atletico Madrid into believing there was a possibility of overturning the tie by conceding 2 early goals but they had too much firepower to allow the match slip. Final score 2-1 (5-2 aggregate). The ballet from Karim Benzema leading up to the Madrid consolation killer goal was particularly impressive. The Millenium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales is the venue. 3rd June, 2017 is the date. Bombastic.

* Warriors swept the Jazz. Cavaliers swept the Raptors. The Beard fell (very) short in his quest to take the Rockets to the Western Conference Finals in a stinking Game 6 performance. Still shouldn't detract from a MvP worthy season. So it's Warriors v Spurs in the West and Cavaliers v the Celtics/Wizards winner in the East. I wonder who gets to play the Cavs in the NBA finals...

* And how was your week? 

What Did You Expect?

Really. What did you expect?

Fireworks? A feisty encounter with each combatant intent on laying psychological (and physical) markers on the opponent? Pizza kung-fu in the tunnel? A Hack-a-Fairy marathon? Eye pokes or ungentlemanly shoves? A title decider?

No, no, no, no…

Yesterday was not the day and now is not the time.

In the most underwhelming episode yet of the Manchester United vs Arsenal chronicles, both teams played out a rehearsal of Michael Carrick’s testimonial with the maker of the $50,000 half-time half-court lucky shot going away with the spoils. Granit Xhaka won the sweepstakes in this competition and as a bonus, former Mancunian, Danny Welbeck had the opportunity to make an uncontested lay-up to double the earnings which he did to general applause and good feeling. Everybody went home amused and untroubled. Arsenal gave itself a glimmer of hope in its top 4 pursuit. Extra-special was the fact that this was Wenger’s 1^st (2^nd? The Community Shield is often over-looked as a competitive game. Why? It is. You win a trophy/shield/cup) win against Mourinho in a competitive fixture for a period dating back to 13 years. For United, it was pretty much as you were all season – potential 6^th position with a loss of points when a win would have done a world of good.

Shame about the end of the 25-match unbeaten league run though. Nonetheless, while admirable in its length and stamina, it may have masked a lot of persistent issues which I am hopeful the management will aggressively address before the coming season.

As I had exhorted in my previous post, the responsible thing to do at this stage (and situation) in the season is to prioritize. Even before yesterday’s game, it was clear that the Europa League Cup had become priority and with good reason – However it is spun, a pathway to the UEFA Champions League of Celta Vigo (H) and probably (barring a PSG-ish sized collapse) Ajax is more viable than an Arsenal (A), Spurs (A), Southampton (A) and Palace (H) corridor. 2 games v 4. The former also brings the added benefit of an European trophy, the singular one missing from the team’s impressive cabinet while the latter gives you the O’ Wenger 4^th Place trophy, which if things were normal, we shouldn’t even be competing for as a target, in the first place.

This is not astrophysics. For a still unbalanced team that has scrapped its way all season with major challenges in the goal-scoring department, the significance, value and straightforwardness of the Europa route should be a no-brainer. Mind, there is at all no guarantee that this so-called ‘easier’ route is a foregone conclusion but if ‘calculated risk’ is “a hazard or chance of failure whose degree of probability has been reckoned or estimated before an undertaking is entered upon”, then I estimate that this danger has been well gauged.     

                                                       ♬"You're all I need...to get by..."

There’s been a lot of chirp and vitriol on Mourinho playing a ‘weakened’ side against Arsenal which ‘goes against United traditions’ and is ‘self-defeatist’ but I think that’s absolute bollocks. United’s ‘traditions’ involve competing (Note to Any Wone: not ‘participating’) in the biggest tournaments and winning things. It’s more pragmatic than egoistical. In other words, the big picture rather than a mere jpeg snapshot. Stooping to conquer. If Herrera or Bailly or Rashford or Valencia got the hammies in yesterday’s match and we ended up *drum roll* drawing the game, who does that help? What if we actually won the match, injuries a tow, and then drew/lost 2 of the remaining 3? If Celta springs a surprise against our now weakened team on Thursday? Too many ‘Ifs’, very few realities. The manager did what he had to do yesterday and it was the proper thing too. And even in its debilitated state, the team, on paper, boasted several ‘internationals’ and experienced heads.

The post-match interview, as expected, had a lot of spin to it where Mourinho claimed he was basically happy with the performance and the players and that he could not have asked for certain players to do more. He’s the manager and is correctly supposed to be PR-sensitive in offering his statements. Well, I’m not. I’m just a fan. So I can and will say it as I see it…

750 games for club and country. Captain of both teams. 31 years old. A testament to longevity, resourcefulness and relevancy. A record-breaker. Every major club title bar the forthcoming(?) Europa League Cup. All this, we greatly appreciate and extol. Thank you. However, games No. 756(?) and beyond should not be in the colours of Manchester United. Any other compromise would be criminal. ‘Nuff said.

I do not know for how much longer we are going to pretend that Chris Smalling is a top-class defender. Yes, it was his first match after 7 weeks out but if this is the excuse you would like to lay your bed with, then be prepared not to have a good night summer’s rest. We all know this is not a one-off. Propaganda will only get us so far.

Martial has again deflated my expectation balloon. I recognise that playing as a lone striker is mighty hard work and requires patience not to mention intelligence to effectively execute but that performance yesterday bordered on amateurish. This wasn’t against Chiellini and Bonucci. This was Rob holding Koscielny. A season that had so much promise has degenerated into one which, truth be told, has made the player dangerously disposable.

Mkhitaryan’s slump in form continues and it should be noted that he was brought in as a 27 (now 28)-year-old – a player in his prime required for immediate maximum effect. He has had a so and so season and it would be inconceivable that he endures anything similar in the next. He has been good to excellent in the Europa League against moderate opposition but the club’s ambitions and targets are much higher.

On a positive note, youth star, Axel Tuanzebe, (who surely would have won the game for us if he was made captain) had a full debut to remember. Keeping Alexis Sanchez in check is no mean feat. The boy, aside some initial defensive positioning lapses, gave an accomplished and assured performance in a high calibre game. He’s 19 years old. There’s a lot more to come from this end. It would be interesting to see if he gets some additional minutes in the remaining league fixtures. Try to be like Marcus Rashford, who is now one of the names on the sheet. Not Tim Fosu-Mensah, who still has a glass ceiling over him 2 seasons in.

All in all, not a good result but nothing fatal. Yes, we would have preferred to win this game and have what’s left of any bragging rights in this fixture but if wishes were horses, our coronation for No. 21 would have taken place yesterday after the Liverpool draw. You deal with the cards you are dealt. I am more concerned with 2 upcoming finals in the Europa Cup where even a draw and a win, in that order, will spell a successful season. Everything else is bluster. Thursday is the first final. No excuses.

Signing Out,

B.L…

In Other News:

* The la liga is heading to a thrilling climax. Real Madrid is successfully carrying out what Manchester United have failed to do by fielding their 'reserve' team (and what a reserve team it is) and walloping all and sundry. The team has received its second wind after the painful el clasico loss and has destroyed all subsequent competition since including bitter city rivals, Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. His Royal Highness, Emperor Cristiano Ronaldo I is only wheeled out for the biggest assignments and has so far not disappointed. Like the other monarch in the NBA, he seems to save his best for the business ends of things. Ominous, both ways. 

Barcelona has kept its part of the bargain by making a fight of the title. With no further European distractions and a fresh team at its disposal, it has also wiped its opponents with the floor. Unlike the los blancos, its reserves have been below par and the quality of the team drastically drops when they are fielded. Sadly, this revival may be a bit to late to prevent the title from going to the capital. Both teams are level on points but Barcelona have 2 games, Real Madrid 3.

* Chelsea begin the first step of its coronation by thumping Middlesborough today at the Bridge. One more win and they are champions. N'golo Kante has also been named the Football Writers' Player of the Year to go along with the PFA award. Deserved.

* Another critical match, another controversial decision. I wonder why they bother. Juventus are still going to be crowned Italian champions for the 6th straight time this week after suffering a sneeze against Torino in the derby. 1-1 it ended with a 92nd minute equaliser by the in-form Gonzalo Higuain. Roma and Napoli are comfortable in the other 2 available Chamions League spots.

*Newcastle are Championship champions! Blackburn Rovers, the only other EPL Champions, outside the Manchester teams, Chelsea and Arsenal, has been relegated to League 1! Bolton has been promoted to the Championship! 

* Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez v Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin. September, 16, 2017. Woof. Is boxing witnessing a resurgence? 

   

  

The Stockholm Syndrome

Now that I've been able to temporarily lift myself out of the 'sunken place' that this gift of a season that keeps giving has kept me, I guess the mood now is to celebrate and encourage my 'captors' into leading us into the promised land - Stockholm, here we come? 

The Swansea draw on Sunday may have been the final lobotomy in the curious experiment that this season has been and I felt there was really no need repeating what had been mentioned one too many times. There is no genius in 'copy and paste'. And yet more copying and pasting. Draws are guaranteed when wins are necessary. Wins come to act as an antibiotic to stop the wounds from festering. Not to heal but to prevent a recommendation of amputation. The phrase 'papering cracks' also comes to mind and the year-tide stagnation at one (or two) positions on the league table is further testament to that situation.

It seemed before the 1st leg Europa League Cup semi-final away tie to Celta Vigo yesterday that it would be the turn of Tuanzebe to captain the team which didn't seem at all bad considering that all the newly anointed 'sub-captains' won their inaugural games. Against the Swans, the cyborg that is Eric Bailly seemed to have finally broken down, Pogba was till out, Shaw copped another debilitating injury within 10 minutes from the start and everybody else was tired. Or inadequate.

Fortunately, Bailly came back (You, Cyborg, you! 😉) for the clash, Pogba too, Mata was again listed as a sub and even Smalling felt up for it. Was Zlatan also going to make a surprise cameo? I couldn't rule it out. We now had a decent complement of players to pursue the task of at least discomforting a fresh team who had earlier this season seen off football giants, Real Madrid and Barcelona in their domestic league. 

Surprise! Surprise! It turned out much more comfortable than expected. If Management, is about 'extracting more from individual(s) than anyone thought they had and forging a collective to accentuate their strengths and hides their weaknesses', then this game and pretty much the entire season has been relatively excellently managed. Competitive team sport is primarily about match-ups - our strategy i.e. personnel and tactics against yours and Mourinho, give it to him, is a master of this sort of warfare. It is however also undoubted too that he is a more 'reactive' than 'creative' guy. Challenges are more pronounced when he needs to be proactive and go for a win from an advantageous position than when the primary intention is to stifle the opposition and steal a game. 

Yet he continues to make mostly average resources (and if I hear that they are mostly 'internationals' one more time...) extremely hard to beat.

The expected and usual profligacy was well represented in the contest yesterday. Rashford set the ball rolling, Mkhitaryan matched him and then Lingard did same. And this was only the first half. Fellaini also received his standard appearance booking ("Only because he's Marouane Fellaini" apparently) and Mkhitaryan showed steel where he had been erstwhile weak and decided to stay on his feet in the 18' when he could and should have gone to ground after a mistimed tackle. Until football officiating fundamentally recognises that you don't have to hit the deck like you've been shot to earn a penalty, please be like Marcus Rashford and dive for like a swan.

Speaking of which, the 19 year old ("He works, he works, he works. He’s very mature and let’s forget the age because what matters is not age the quality") wonder boy once again came to our rescue with a well-worked free kick ("The free-kick is work. He works every day, he loves to work. Sometimes the training session finishes for the group and he keeps doing his individual work with my assistants."). We just need to get him doing extra sessions for his corner kicks too. (What's that about?). When a team the size (and cost) of Manchester United relies on a home-grown teenager who still needs his hand held as its get-out-of-jail card, then some things may need to be re-addressed in the nearest future. Hopefully, the knock he seemed to have received before his substitution is only minor. 

Once again, hopes are high. A comfortable away win in the 1st leg of a semi-final should bode good things. Perhaps, now is the time to focus all resources on this particular endeavour. The gaffer has already hinted as much. European giants, Ajax are almost definitely in the final and I fancy our chances in that potential match-up. Also recall that the Europa is the only trophy missing from our impressive cabinet. Which is of course secondary to the fact that this is a viable avenue to the Champions League next season. 😶 Amusingly, the ''blockbuster" against Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday can therefore be appropriately considered as a peripheral fixture. If indeed Monsieur Wenger is ready to make nice and Mourinho can put his ego in check and not risk it all by trying to one-up the Frenchman (once again)...then it probably wouldn't be Arsenal v Manchester United. Till then...

Signing Out (With All Humility and Gentility),

B.L...

In Other News:

* Anthony Joshua stopped Wladimir Klitschko in the 11th round in a heavyweight fight for the ages. Two giants brawling in search of a K.O. This wasn't sweet science - it was simply masterful lumber-jacking. Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury have raised their hands for further engagement. I wouldn't bet against Joshua.

* In another boxing contest, while Marie Le Pen and New Black Emmanuel Macron have been busy slugging it out for the soul of France (Liberte! Egalite! Fraternite!), Kylian Mbappe landed a vicious uppercut to all suitors not named 'Real Madrid'. Good one, son. There's a book titled 'Bernabeu - A Tourist's Delight' written by one Martin Odegaard I'll like you to read...

*Bayern Munich have won the Bundesliga for the uncountableth time and for about 495 straight seasons in succession - Big Ballers. Who would have guessed?

* The Truth finally retires after 19 seasons. Boston will remember you... 

‘Tactical Hustling’

Hyenas (or “hyenanas” or “hyrenes”) are carnivores that are largely disliked and held in contempt not least because of their behavioural characteristics but also because of their role in Mufasa’s death. Hyenas are said to be very successful hunters due to their adaptability and cunning. They can be both hunter and scavenger and have complex social manners. Although often regarded as ugly (they are), greedy and cowardly, very few doubt that they are powerful and very very dangerous animals.

A herd of hyenas may chase a lion away from its kill/meal but nobody confuses it as being the king of the jungle. There is a grudging, almost contemptuous regard for its prowess but it would correctly never be acknowledged as belonging in the topmost hierarchy of the animal kingdom.

This is pretty much the current Manchester United situation – it can effectively ‘do a (dirty, professional) job’ but is devoid of any aesthetic or endearing qualities comparable to the contemporary big guns. Basically, it has become a typical Jose Mourinho prototype - which is not necessarily a bad thing on the understanding that this outlook is merely a framework of bigger things. While the team is still capable of giving any opponent a bloodied nose and cracked jaw, you get the feeling that if the opponent can avoid the knockout blow for the 12 rounds, he would win unanimously on points. Neither fighter would be bruised or bloodied but the opponent would have landed more power-shots. Think Floyd Mayweather with slow feet and hand combinations.  

The derby yesterday was one of those games that gave a vivid insight into the story behind our now 24-match unbeaten run. While there was enough potent ‘quick-acting’ venom available to intermittently keep Manchester City at a cautious distance, there was also the soft under-belly of inexperience and lack of savoir faire to encourage their consistent onslaughts. The menacing pace of the underwhelming Martial and raw Rashford kept Zabaleta and Kolarov honest but the technical (not tactical) deficiencies of the 3 blind mice (and the other tall man) in the middle meant that the opponents could regularly make dangerous forays into the United half. The philosophy (now such a dirty word) was more ‘We shall not lose’ rather than ‘Let’s go for the win’.

But under the circumstances, I understand it.

This has always been the foundation on which Mourinho’s teams are built – a solid defence structure and lethal attacking. He inherited a passably functional (if laborious) team from his predecessor and the addition of a spine of goals (and chutzpah. Zlatan), creativity (Mhkitaryan) and steel (King Bailly) was supposed to further elevate that platform for eventual top tier prosperity. Has this been a success? Mostly. But what was again glaring yesterday was the fact that Manchester United looked vastly inferior to their noisy neighbours for large spells. Agreed, there were injuries to influential players (Zlatan, Pogba, Rojo and Mata) and not-so-much influential players, also fatigue, but that really doesn't excuse the continuing genuflective performances against top attacking teams. See also Liverpool home and away when these guys were available. There continues to be an assuredness and street-smartness which a majority of our squad do not have. 

Yes, Mourinho is smart enough not to necessarily go toe-to-toe with more adventurous opponents but the difference between this team and his previous sides is that those teams had experienced firepower and technical know-how to do the smash-and-grab in such situations. The total defensive effort will then be praised as a 'tactical masterclass' but when it comes off like it did yesterday, it just looks cheap. When you consider the cost with which this team was put together (I'm sorry but we can't ignore the eye-popping figures), it just makes it look even cheaper.  Deconstructing the expensive imbalance created by inexperience, incompetence and senescence remains a priority to be addressed in July.  

The midfield of Carrick (twilight years), Herrara (poor on the day), Mikki (shocking loss of form) and the other guy could neither win the ball back nor make quick or intelligent passes to the forward men. When indeed they were even able to reclaim the ball, they proceeded to give it right back to City. There were several periods we could barely string 3 passes together and as a result the supply lines were cut off from the strikers. Hopeful punts from the defenders were the scraps they were left to feed on. Not that the attackers showed enough guile to suitably trouble the Kompany-led back-line and Mr. Glass Bravo. Funny enough, going a man down in the 83rd minute did not fundamentally change anything, for better for worse, in the team. 

But it was not altogether negative. A good point was won and a top 4 spot still remains in our hands. Clean sheet. Fosu-Mensah's injury was a bummer but everyone else left unscathed. We trudge on.

We are however approaching the phase were we have to specifically choose our poison. Injuries and fatigue have started to take their toll. There will be no point collapsing at the finish line of the 2 races. The blueprint of what lies ahead is assured. Auditions should have been closed. Targets identified and taken out. This should quickly stop being an endurance exercise in an iron-man contest. The selected line-up against Swansea in the early kick-off on Sunday should hopefully hint at something. Come On, You Reds! 

Signing Out,

B.L...

In Other News:

*Tomorrow, it's Anthony Oluwafemi 'AJ" Olaseni Joshua v Wladimir "Dr. Sledgehammer" Klitschko at the Wembley arena for the IBF, IBO and WBA titles. Winner takes all. Youth v Experience. 18 - 0 (all KOs) v 64 - 4 (53 KOs). Same height, almost same weight, same boxing style. AJ says he has no choice but to knock him out. Dr. Sledge says after knocking him out, he'll help him back up to continue his career. Let's get ready to rumble!

* There is something going on in Munchen...   

* Cavs give Pacers the broom and face shaky Toronto. Warriors sweep the Trailblazers and have an appointment with the winner of the Clippers v Jazz tie. Kawhi's Spurs eventually tame the Grizzlies and welcome MvP Harden's Rockets. The Celtics have a decider against Butler's Bulls and the John Wall/Bradley Beal tandem try to close out the Hawks. I love this game...

* Barcelona hit relegated Osasuna for 7 with Javier Macherano scoring his first goal for the Blanguara, a penalty, after 300+ games. Real Madrid respond in kind and hit Deportivo for 6 with their 2nd team. This one may go to the wire.....

* Kaiser Soze! 😂😂😂😂

    

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.  

Facts v Facts

There's a moral dilemma in honestly analysing the game on Thursday and indeed this odd season.

On one hand, we eventually won the match and are through to the Semi-finals of the Europa League Cup. The team is also on a 22-match unbeaten run in the league (The best run in any of the major European leagues this season) and already has the League Cup in the bag. A top 4 spot in the league is still up for grabs. The Quarter-final exit in the FA Cup was to presumably the best team in the land  this season and was also largely influenced by an early red card. There was even sweet revenge for that loss last week.

Not bad at all, is it?

But like I'm wont to do, I submit statistics to the "eye-test" which I believe give a much more honest assessment of things. While it may be subjective in theory as different individuals may view things from different perspectives as well as enjoy varying ocular advantages, an unbiased attempt at evaluating performances over data will often result in providing a more accurate picture.

For instance, I recall watching almost every match of the 2012 UEFA European Championship and came to a quick (and correct) conclusion that Andres Iniesta was easily the best player of the tournament. His stats in the major categories throughout the event? ONE assist. Yep. That's all. No goal. Just an assist. One of his teammates, Fernando Torres, scored 3 goals and was the top scorer while fellow country men, David Silva and Xavi Hernandez has 3 and 2 assists respectively. How then could a player with just 1 assist in 6 matches so obviously be the best player? As corroborated by the technical committee of the competition, it was simply based on what he did not what the statistics offered.

Bringing it back home, Louis Van Gaal got Manchester United to the Champions League in his 1st season and was within a point of repeating this fundamental requirement in his 2nd. He also managed the club to its first FA Cup win in over a decade. He was fired even before the celebrations had subsided. Why? We all remember what we saw and endured particularly in the 2nd year...

Which again brings me back to this team and this season.

I cannot in good conscience say I was pleased with what I witnessed against Anderlecht. I am glad we qualified but the way and manner it was achieved, admittedly not without its pros, left me very irritable and annoyed. I guess you can't always choose both the 'what' and 'how' but some of what transpired was straight up Laurel and Hardy territory. Having to win that game in extra-time was fantastically indicative of why we have struggled to win in 90 minutes at Old Trafford; uncommon profligacy, I don't think  there has been a big team as wasteful has we have been in the history of modern football. I'll defer to the statisticians on that one.

Yes, we did not lose, we created loads of chances and we eventually scored the winner despite suffering 2 crucial injuries. Never stop. Never quit. 'Cos you're too legit to quit. Rashford is slowly but hopefully rediscovering his goal-scoring instinct (his goal was well taken in spite of him being a director and major shareholder in the WeSquander limited liability company), Carrick's stamina and performance (on this day) belied his age, Fellaini seems more useful when he's called upon to do a 'job' (we already knew this), Shaw (played and) completed 120 minutes unscathed and Mkhitaryan seems to really like the competition.

But this cannot mask amongst several things, the sudden fragility of our defence (moreso now that we have only one fit 1st team centre half), Pogba's continuously baffling football decisions, Mkhitaryan's rapid drop in form, Martial's ongoing lethargic performances (he looked as knackered as the rest in spite of coming on only at extra-time!) and err...the Zlatan conundrum. That performance was unacceptable for a team that harbours much loftier ambitions.

It is cliched to say that the 'table does not lie' but it really doesn't. The simple reason we are in the position we are is because we have played like a team that should be in that position. Forget the bad luck, super goal keepers, injuries and bad officiating theology. There's a reason we are playing in the Europa league and are currently outside looking in at a top 4 position which we have been kept out of for majority of the season. Some results over the unbeaten run period were predictable from the 1st couple of minutes. Others from the line-up. It's not a coincidence. Has there however been some sort of progress? I refer you back to the 2nd paragraph.

But.

There are critical decisions that need to be made before next season where it is generally expected that we are major contenders in all competitions. They include:

1. Do we persist with our youthful strikers and hope they develop into lethal predators next season after overcoming this '2nd-season blip'? Or do we get at least, in my opinion, 2 crack strikers, to get the job done? Knowing fully well that this may hinder the growth of our youthful strikers? 

2. Do we keep Zlatan for another year in which case the team will still be inevitably built around him? Or is it ok to keep a $12 million-per-year 36 year old striker as an 'option' on the bench?

3.  Each to his own device, but do we retain some of the bang average players in this team either because they 'work hard' or are perceived to be 'loyal'? 

4. How many new defenders do we need?

Whatever decisions are made in this regard will fully determine the direction for the team possibly for the next couple of years.

I was hoping for a kick-on from the Chelsea victory but the showing on Thursday reminded me that perhaps form isn't something you just switch on. Was it too much to expect a certain level of consistency from a team that has mostly wobbled its way all season? Perhaps. Still, there was an obvious opportunity...

There were also 2 major injuries suffered by United players in the game; Rojo's was unfortunately largely self-inflicted and Zlatan's was a freak accident. It would seem that neither would be available for the rest of the season. That's a problem whatever way you look at it. Tuanzebe may be introduced to pair with Bailly or Mourinho may persist with Blind who didn't cover himself in glory when he was introduced for Rojo in the 23rd minute. Not exactly comforting either way. 

The Zlatan void also creates a chasm which may be tricky to fill - can Rashford or Martial (Oh, and Rooney) be trusted to execute this very vital part of the season? I sure hope they can. Conceivably still, it may enforce what could be the new template for our attacking strategy. 

Manchester United has been drawn to  play Celta Vigo in the semi-finals of the Europa League. There is however the little matter of Burnley away on Sunday. I kinda still prefer to win in spite of my criticisms... 

Signing Out,

B.L...

In Other News:

* UEFA Champions League Semis: i. The Madrid derby ii. Defence v Attack

* UEFA Europa League Other Semi; Lyon v Ajax

* Fun Fact - Serena Williams was 12 weeks pregnant when she won the 2017 Australian Open. Roger Federer was not.

* I don't particularly like LeBron James. Valid reasons I'll explain some other time. But I'm not stupid enough not recognise that he's...well...the best player of his generation. By a mile. Now, that's someone who can turn on his 'switch'. He's always a different animal when the play-offs start and it's been no different this year.  His team over came a 26 point deficit, an NBA play-off record, to beat the Pacers and take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-7 1st Round series. Now the 3rd highest scorer in Play-off history. Triple double. Monster.

Redemption!

"Go and spread the good news,/ The King's no longer dead.../ He's alive again, O the Stone's been rolled away/ He's alive again, He's no longer where He lay/ He's alive again, I can hear the angels say/ Let all the world rejoice, He's alive! (repeat twice) Let all the world rejoice He's Alive!" - Phil Driscoll, 'He's Alive Again'

And a Happy Easter to you too!

In this season of resurrection and reclamation, there was a visible testimony of such miracles at Old Trafford yesterday. The adrenaline of excitement is yet abate even as I type away at the keyboard many hours later. Hallelujah.

The odds were overwhelmingly not in our favour yesterday. Delving into a bit of history, Chelsea are the only team in the Premier League to have a superior Win/Loss advantage to United in the competition. The last time United beat Chelsea in a league game was in 2013 in a run since comprising 12 games. It is therefore fair to consider Chelsea our bogey team.

Chelsea were the run-away leaders of the league and had the advantage of not having any European distraction this season unlike all the other usual contenders, Liverpool excepted. They had a fresh functional team who are hard to beat and possess the league's most potent attacking AND stifling individual forces. There was already a 4-0 humiliation for club and manager in the previous league fixture between both teams in October 2016 (Manchester United, if I may say so myself, has been unbeaten in the league since then) as well as a referee-enforced dominant 1-0 Quarter-finals FA Cup victory this season both at Stamford bridge.

Jose Mourinho had been described as a spent force and Antonio Conte as Luke Skywalker. Conte had with a few new signings reinvigorated Mourinho's shell of a team and made them overwhelming favourites for the title. Mourinho on the other hand, was presiding over the most expensive football team in history and was struggling to win games. Conte was now the one with a cheeky youthful energy and a glint in his eye. Mourinho was just dour.

The line-up also seemed to confirm that the 'body' was indeed dead and had started to rot. Ashley Young, the captain of the day (😱) started as the left-sided forward while Carrick, Mhkitaryan, Martial (who was not even on the bench) and Zlatan were all missing from the starting line-up. Fellaini started. And against a mobile and crafty Chelsea midfield. The attacking duo of Rashford and Lingard who I had both described in my previous write-up here started against the seasoned Chelsea defence consisting David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpiculeta. Our starting line-up had scored a total of 12 goals this season. Eden Hazard, who is not even his team's top scorer, had 14. Oh, and Darmian also started.

Had Mourinho accepted that the top 4 pursuit had been compromised and was beyond salvation? By their omission in a game that would seem tailor-made for their talents, had the manager given Shaw and Martial an Old Trafford kiss of death? Had he accepted certain truths and washed his hands off being competitive this season in the league? Most importantly, could it be that...was there a possibility that Mourinho had received 30 silver coins from his former employers? 😑Yeah, I said it.

All of the above was slightly ameliorated by the absence of Chelsea's 1st choice goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois and left wing back, Marcos Alonso. Still...

Did I also mention that the weather was dire and gloomy?

And then the match kicked off at exactly 4 pm...

"Go and spread the good news,/ The King's no longer dead.../ He's alive again..."

Oh, the Glory!

In what was the most complete performance against a strong top team since forever, Manchester United absolutely dominated the game from start to finish. Mourinho may be perceived as being many negative things but do not ever ever doubt his tactical acumen in the biggest games. With what may have been the weakest line-up on paper this season, his team controlled and over-shadowed the table-toppers in all areas of the pitch. EVERY single player came woke and ready and brought their relative 'A' game to the field. Mind you, there were still a lot of insults hurled at the players by my humble self during the course of the match but this was as complete a team performance as you could possibly get.

De Gea didn't have a save to make all game, the first time since a mighty long time, again against United (September 2007 in Old Trafford), that Chelsea has endured such famine. Valencia, ever reliable, was stable and didn't put a foot wrong. Bailly and Rojo were excellent as has become the norm. Dirty Diego was up to his usual dark art antics and I was a bit worried about Rojo succumbing to his venomous pincers. There were several incidents between the pair which a card-happy referee could have used to thrust himself into the spotlight. Thankfully, Rojo had the focus and physicality to nullify Costa. Darmian, smh...Darmian didn't put a foot wrong. Either that or I didn't see him put a foot wrong. Same difference.

Pogba was another one in the dog house who put in a disciplined and adequate performance. One sliding tackle in particular to halt a Chelsea counter-attack was well received. He wasn't 'special' in any way but he did a yeoman's job and did not allow N'golo Kante dominate him like the last time. He continues to dangerously play with the ball in front of his '18 and the earlier he realises that there is most times an advantage in simplicity, the better it would be for him. Ask Paul Scholes.

Marouane Fellaini. God bless him. He went over and above his natural abilities and served as the primary enforcer in the middle. Barney Ronay described him as "...clattering into opponents, ball bouncing off his knees, thighs, chest. At times it was like having a very angry but surprisingly effective and skillful dairy cow on the pitch...". I couldn't have put it better myself.

Ashley Young...wow...(I may never look back at these writings)...Ashley Young played like a captain! He didn't need to be the most talented player on the pitch (He wasn't) but he played with heart and verve for the entire duration he was on the pitch. I gave him (or his likeness on the screen) an earful when he respectively ballooned and misdirected 2 very good chances in the 1st half. He hustled, bustled and generally made sure that Victor Moses got no joy on the right flank. You can understand why Mourinho likes him. Jesse Lingard was pretty much the same. His speed remains his greatest asset and he made a nuisance of himself all evening to the Chelsea defence. He was presented with a good chance by his strike partner but he failed to make the most of it. But he was good and effective on the day...

"...O the Stone's been rolled away/ He's alive again,

He's no longer where He lay..."

Marcus "The Jet" Rashford may...may just have turned the corner. That moment where it all comes together, that moment when it all falls into place. Playing on the wings and studying Zlatan play 9 may start reaping its rewards. Rashford was all over the Chelsea defence in what was possibly his most complete performance in a Manchester United shirt. He tirelessly ran the channels, terrorised Luiz with his direct running all evening and capped (shouldn't it be 'started'? He scored in the 8th minute, United's earliest goal this season and the earliest conceded by Chelsea) his showing with a well taken goal. For a 19 year old leading the line for the biggest club in the world in one of its toughest fixtures of the season, I will find no fault in anything he did yesterday. The standing ovation he was showered with when substituted was deserved and justified. I just expect him to kick off from here. The stone's been rolled away - there's no going back to the tomb. He would have been my co-Man Of The Match but for...

Ander 'The Eraser' Herrera.

The one who has been redeemed. Sent off in the previous match-up in the FA Cup for the very job he was now more intelligently able to perform, Herrera came into this game with a point to prove. Not since Darren Fletcher's lone winning goal, eerily again, against Mourinho's Chelsea (in his 1st coming/2nd season which halted their unbeaten run), after being scathingly criticised in that infamous Roy Keane MUTv interview, has a goal (and performance) meant so much to one player. Ammonia. Vinegar. Lye. Liquid bleach. Citric Acid. Ander Herrera - The most effective cleaning agents known to man. When you want to get rid of any toxic or hazardous chemicals, pick any of those guys mentioned above. In many ways, you could say he 'wiped the slate clean'. Completely nullified the most dangerous player in the league AND went ahead to get himself a goal too. Man-marking at its finest. But what for me gave him the sole Man Of The Match award? His 'diplomatic' response when asked if he handled the ball before laying the sublime assist for Rashford's goal;

"I didn't want to touch the ball with the hand, {Who actually does?}" Herrera said.

"I was running with my arms next to my body. I don't know if the ball touched my hand or not but it was not my intention. 

"In football {Not Basketball}, I think if you don't have the intention to touch the ball and you have your arms in a natural position,  it is not handball." {No, sir, it isn't.}

Take a bow, Don Ander. Take a bow.

Forget Mourinho's similar diplomacy in responding to whether this match meant a little bit extra because he was playing against his former team whom he moulded and gave their most satisfactory successes, a team that sacked him less than a season after winning the league for them and now boo him when he appears on the touchline while also administering a thrashing and a contentious win this season even as his replacement is hailed as the new 'Special One' while...Ok, you get the point - It mattered A LOT to him. 

I hope this positive aggressiveness can be carried on in our subsequent games. Not only against top opposition where there's some sort of personal vendetta but also against everybody else. Let's start with Anderlecht on Thursday...

Signing Out,

B.L...

In Other News:

*The Borrusia Dortmund team bus was bombed before its Champions League Quarter-finals 1st leg match-up against Monaco. Thankfully, no life was lost but Marc Batra suffered injuries to his hand. He is expected to make a full recovery. Dortmund lost the match which was hurriedly(?) rescheduled the next day, 2-3. The team however defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1 in its home weekend tie. Football and life are two very different parallels. Play accordingly.

*The NBA Play-Offs have started. The Cavaliers narrowly edged the Pacers, Golden State spanked the Blazers, Chicago surprised the Celtics and the Bucks shocked the Raptors. As I had previously predicted, Harden's Rockets made slight work of Westbrook's Thunder. Westbrook put up decent numbers as usual but it's actually about winning. The MVP watch continues. For those who are still looking for answers. I have since made my conclusions on who the MVP should be...

* Highest earning professions in Nigeria include Accountants, (Petroleum)Engineers. Lawyers, Politicians, Doctors and Entertainment. But the current undisputed No. 1? Call it 'Umpiring'. Or 'Officiating'. Or just plain 'Whistle-blowing'.