VIEW: United vs Wolves (a). 1-2

So, there you have it. It's been an uncertain, emotional and rather confusing ride (in the sense that 'how the f**k did it take us this long to lose?'). But lets admit it...it was special. And like all good things, it simply had to come to an end.

There were the 'I can't believe they didn't win!' ones - away to Fulham, Birmingham City and Everton. The 'that's why they'll be champions' ones - at home to Blackburn, Wigan, Liverpool and Villa - and the 'surely they're going to be beaten this time' ones - against Villa and Blackpool away. But even through the tribulations: the last minute goals (for AND against), the snowed-off games, the  Darren Gibson selections, strikers' strops and retiring captains, we remained defiant and simply refused to give up all three points.

Yet after 29 defeat-avoiding games (the majority of which we displayed average form at best), the somehow inevitable happened - we were beaten by the team planted to the bottom of the table.

Inevitable on two counts: one in the 'oh how ironic it was Wolves that done beat em' sense, and secondly, and far more importantly, it was our shocking away form that finally came unstuck.

Won three, drawn eight and now lost one hardly oozes you with confidence going into a run-in that includes away ties against Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal. And the display of the players led you to even question their ambition and dedication to the cause, with only 13 games remaining.




Rooney, mildly excused after his brilliant brace at home to Villa during the week, was back to his worst; Berbatov fancied joining him; and Nani, our most creative, influential player was also back to his form of old - the annoying, petulant child that we thought left Old Trafford when Ronaldo headed for Spain.

Another pressing matter, given the 16 goals we've already conceded in our 12 away games this season, was our defence. Shaky and un-organised, it lacked the discipline of a certain classy centre-back we have been lucky to steer reasonably injury free this term. But this was Ferdinand's fourth game in the last five that he's missed, prompting undesirable whispers that we are to see a return of the injury prone Rio of last season (that saw him start only 12 league games). Let's pray, for the sake of our season and our un-improving, after this result even worsening, away form, that our defence at least stays air-tight, even when the creative unit of our side often lacks innovation.

In case you think I'm going to end this damning review with the faintest air of positivity - declaring passionately that we will still win this league - I'm not. I most certainly think we'll win, but for now I'm rather displeased with the pile of shite my team produced in the Midlands on Saturday. So why the f**k should I grant them any of my respect?




Therefore, in the spirit of the gut-wrenching defeat, I'll save my breath and leave it up to some harsh but fair truths brought to you by the Guardian...

"So, unlike Arsenal's class of 2003-04 that Sir Alex Ferguson was so keen to match, Manchester United were not unbeatable after all. In truth they were never the equals of Arsène Wenger's "Invincibles" and that they should lose eventually was no surprise, even if the identity of those who ended their run obviously was."

...And how about some well earnt pragmatism from our very own Pete Boyle?...

Player Ratings.

Van der Sar 4; Rafael 5, Evans 4 (Smalling 65 5), Vidic 5, Evra 4; Fletcher 4, Carrick 4 (Scholes 56 4), Giggs 4; Nani 6, Rooney 4, Berbatov 5 (Hernández 65 4)




...as the red's go marching on!!