carlyluvsunited
05-11-2007, 05:08 AM
Sir Alex Ferguson's fire forging a new United
Sir Alex Ferguson could start a fight at Woodstock, and his acrimonious departure
from the Emirates must be viewed with a mixture of contempt and sadness. The
law-makers should act over his accusation that referee Howard Webb "favoured"
Arsenal. The bookmakers should act to cut Manchester United's title odds.
Ferguson's decision to rail against everyone from stewards to officials cannot
obscure the real issue: United's remarkable manager has fashioned another
outstanding team, one looking eminently capable of outlasting any rival in the
Premier League race.
At the end of a match that, like Ferguson, came slowly to the boil, Arsenal talked
confidently of their heightened stamina levels, making them well-equipped to live
with United over a 90-minute match and a nine-month season. Yet even as
Arsene Wenger's fine, rapidly maturing array of talents went into their
celebratory huddle after William Gallas' deserved late equaliser, the feeling
remained that Ferguson holds more aces in the game of patience, risk and
cunning that is the Premier League campaign.
Ferguson boasts a more secure keeper in Edwin van der Sar than Manuel Almunia
His central defenders, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, look the best blend
around, just superior to Arsenal's Gallas-Kolo Toure axis and John Terry and
Ricardo Carvalho at Chelsea.
Ferguson also returned north having acquired a point at the home of the league
leaders without his main creative forces, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and
Cristiano Ronaldo, really hitting their elegant stride. Vitally, two of them still
contributed: Rooney, quiet but industrious, pressured Gallas into an own goal.
Ronaldo rarely produced those trademark electrifying dribbles, yet he made one
goal and scored another. Only Tevez disappointed.
United's most impressive player was arguably Anderson, who could develop into a
real star turn if he eradicates an unedifying streak of gamesmanship. The
Brazilian can tackle, see a pass, find team-mates, and work busily from box to
box. He formed a strong barrier alongside Owen Hargreaves.
Ferguson has this knack of spotting individuals who will slot easily into the
collective: Anderson, Hargreaves and Tevez already look well-established.
A welcoming committee including Rooney, Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs helps, but the
galvanising force is Ferguson.
The fire within burns as strong as ever. Determined to play the "world's against
us" card, Ferguson laid into stewards for not protecting the away benches from
the invective of certain Arsenal fans. The spleen vented at Ferguson and his staff
was "absolutely disgraceful", to quote the Scot, and Arsenal must investigate his
complaint. Ferguson might have elicited more sympathy if he acknowledged that
Wenger endures far worse abuse at Old Trafford.
Having berated stewards for not silencing the bile council, Ferguson also slated
Webb. Sometimes, Ferguson just resembles a grumpy old patient, lashing out at
anyone before the nurses arrive with the screens and the sedatives.
With admiring nods to Anderson, Patrice Evra, Gallas and Cesc Fabregas, Webb
was probably the best performer on the field. Comfortably the nation's top
referee, Webb handled the most important game of the season with calmness, a
lack of "look at me" vanity, and he got the big calls right – time after time.
As well as a reminder of United's quality, what Saturday confirmed was that
Arsenal are "back in business" to borrow Wenger's verdict. From the moment
Alexander Hleb embarked on a 40-yard dribble in the first minute, and then
Tomas Rosicky bit into a tackle on Ronaldo, United knew that Arsenal are more
assertive opposition this season.
Ferguson's tactics reflected his respect. Rooney drifted left to temper Emmanuel
Eboue's surges. The midfielders got close to Fabregas to prevent Arsenal's "so
-called beautiful football" in Hargreaves' rather dismissive phrase.
Relying on counter-attacks, United made the breakthrough just before the
interval when Ronaldo's cross was half-met by Rooney and went in off Gallas. A
pause for breath and then on to a thrilling second period. Now playing with "the
hand-brake" off, according to Wenger, his team went for the champions. Parity
quickly ensued, the nerveless Fabregas converting Bacary Sagna's cut-back.
Arsenal's passing now touched the sublime, the ball moved swiftly between
friendly feet, often via the exceptional Fabregas, who will surely feature when
the end-of-season individual gongs are handed out. The way he juggled the ball
past Giggs stunned the audience, let alone the visitors' captain.
Click here to join manutdtalk.com and read all breaking news on all things
United !!!
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Sir Alex Ferguson could start a fight at Woodstock, and his acrimonious departure
from the Emirates must be viewed with a mixture of contempt and sadness. The
law-makers should act over his accusation that referee Howard Webb "favoured"
Arsenal. The bookmakers should act to cut Manchester United's title odds.
Ferguson's decision to rail against everyone from stewards to officials cannot
obscure the real issue: United's remarkable manager has fashioned another
outstanding team, one looking eminently capable of outlasting any rival in the
Premier League race.
At the end of a match that, like Ferguson, came slowly to the boil, Arsenal talked
confidently of their heightened stamina levels, making them well-equipped to live
with United over a 90-minute match and a nine-month season. Yet even as
Arsene Wenger's fine, rapidly maturing array of talents went into their
celebratory huddle after William Gallas' deserved late equaliser, the feeling
remained that Ferguson holds more aces in the game of patience, risk and
cunning that is the Premier League campaign.
Ferguson boasts a more secure keeper in Edwin van der Sar than Manuel Almunia
His central defenders, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, look the best blend
around, just superior to Arsenal's Gallas-Kolo Toure axis and John Terry and
Ricardo Carvalho at Chelsea.
Ferguson also returned north having acquired a point at the home of the league
leaders without his main creative forces, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and
Cristiano Ronaldo, really hitting their elegant stride. Vitally, two of them still
contributed: Rooney, quiet but industrious, pressured Gallas into an own goal.
Ronaldo rarely produced those trademark electrifying dribbles, yet he made one
goal and scored another. Only Tevez disappointed.
United's most impressive player was arguably Anderson, who could develop into a
real star turn if he eradicates an unedifying streak of gamesmanship. The
Brazilian can tackle, see a pass, find team-mates, and work busily from box to
box. He formed a strong barrier alongside Owen Hargreaves.
Ferguson has this knack of spotting individuals who will slot easily into the
collective: Anderson, Hargreaves and Tevez already look well-established.
A welcoming committee including Rooney, Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs helps, but the
galvanising force is Ferguson.
The fire within burns as strong as ever. Determined to play the "world's against
us" card, Ferguson laid into stewards for not protecting the away benches from
the invective of certain Arsenal fans. The spleen vented at Ferguson and his staff
was "absolutely disgraceful", to quote the Scot, and Arsenal must investigate his
complaint. Ferguson might have elicited more sympathy if he acknowledged that
Wenger endures far worse abuse at Old Trafford.
Having berated stewards for not silencing the bile council, Ferguson also slated
Webb. Sometimes, Ferguson just resembles a grumpy old patient, lashing out at
anyone before the nurses arrive with the screens and the sedatives.
With admiring nods to Anderson, Patrice Evra, Gallas and Cesc Fabregas, Webb
was probably the best performer on the field. Comfortably the nation's top
referee, Webb handled the most important game of the season with calmness, a
lack of "look at me" vanity, and he got the big calls right – time after time.
As well as a reminder of United's quality, what Saturday confirmed was that
Arsenal are "back in business" to borrow Wenger's verdict. From the moment
Alexander Hleb embarked on a 40-yard dribble in the first minute, and then
Tomas Rosicky bit into a tackle on Ronaldo, United knew that Arsenal are more
assertive opposition this season.
Ferguson's tactics reflected his respect. Rooney drifted left to temper Emmanuel
Eboue's surges. The midfielders got close to Fabregas to prevent Arsenal's "so
-called beautiful football" in Hargreaves' rather dismissive phrase.
Relying on counter-attacks, United made the breakthrough just before the
interval when Ronaldo's cross was half-met by Rooney and went in off Gallas. A
pause for breath and then on to a thrilling second period. Now playing with "the
hand-brake" off, according to Wenger, his team went for the champions. Parity
quickly ensued, the nerveless Fabregas converting Bacary Sagna's cut-back.
Arsenal's passing now touched the sublime, the ball moved swiftly between
friendly feet, often via the exceptional Fabregas, who will surely feature when
the end-of-season individual gongs are handed out. The way he juggled the ball
past Giggs stunned the audience, let alone the visitors' captain.
Click here to join manutdtalk.com and read all breaking news on all things
United !!!
http://manutdtalk.com/forums/register.php