Ahead of today's clash against Bolton

With games against Chelsea, Citeh and Tottenham still ahead
of us, the last thing we need are points dropped today in one of the so-called
easier fixtures of the run-in. But, as we all realise in this eclectic league,
the words ‘easy fixtures’ are immediately synonymous with two others: ‘banana’
and ‘skin’.

Owen Coyle’s not exactly setting things alight over there however
it’s worth remembering that at this stage of the campaign, very few teams have
nothing to play for. Bolton, as well as having a knack
of enjoying themselves to a few points here and there against the bigger boys,
are not quite safe yet (8 points off the drop with 7 games to go). Winning points today should all but keep them safe; and to call it doable is hardly
ludicrous, especially with a manager who’s already beaten us this season.

A hearty bonus for us though is the presence of a certain
half-decent striker in our line-up; with Wazza, originally a doubt for today,
seemingly fit enough to be involved. On a slight side note, I’m finding it pretty damn annoying
that even post-Ronaldo, we STILL have to convince the cynics that we’re not a
one man team. Obviously I couldn’t care less what others think about how United are without Rooney, but at the same time I’m afraid it’s obvious
that our team lacks a certain something without this superstar. Not needing to
analyse, nor ponder his importance in any great depth, his 32 goals this season should quite simply speaks for itself. However, credit must surely be distributed equally to
his oh so generous and giving team-mates; with the likes of Nani, Park and, as
always, Valencia
feeding his goalscoring habit more than sufficiently of late. And that, for
those too ignorant to look beyond the stats, is surely as important as Rooney’s
ridiculously clinical finishing ability.

At the minute, with the title insight, we really are a
different animal. Any inhibitions, nervousness, time needed to gel after
Ronaldo’s departure and overall failure to grasp the importance of this title
(no.19) has firmly been resigned to the earlier stages of the season. ‘Business
end’ is where we thrive, and now, at the desirable position of having it all in
our hands, we know we will only have ourselves to blame if we let this one go.