VIEW: United vs Sunderland (a). 1-0

On Saturday, this was geared up to be the most important weekend
of United’s season. And by 3:30pm on
Sunday, before we’d even kicked a ball at Sunderland,
our penultimate game of the season was instead deemed as insignificant as it
was pointless.

Perhaps like millions of other United fans, I had pinned my hopes a little too firmly on the Scousers helping us out, and so when the
inevitable happened, the disappointment was immense.

A lot of people are going to jump all too eagerly on Liverpool’s
passive and rather negative mindset going into this game – after all, why would
they possibly want United to win title no.19? However I was genuinely surprised,
and, dare I say, impressed by the way they started so brightly and so full of eager
intent.

Well, that was until their captain realised exactly what was
going on and decided to give Chelsea – who were shite for the first half an
hour – and the a bit good Drogba an unnecessary hand to get things going.

Up until then, we were right in the race. However from then
on, we were out. And as the game ended 0-2, so did our season.

So on to the Stadium of Light, where the only significance was
now placed on not letting Chelsea
win the title on the day rather than maintaining the pressure to win it
ourselves.

The display oozed routine and conventionality; as we
sporadically played well, however all too often lost the ball and severely failed
to capitalise on decent spells of possession; and had we been up against a more
ambitious side, we would’ve been punished.

Nani’s goal was brilliant and, as has regularly been the
case of late, he was the one player who deserved a goal more than anyone. After
his 28th minute finish however, the concentration and I suppose
passion went out of our game.

Giggs, Nani and Scholes were still creating chances and keeping
the ball out of reach of the home side (possession ending 40/60), however our
front-two were either having an off day or were simply not bothered. I wouldn’t
blame them at all if it was the latter.

Rooney’s season, you feel, was over after the tweak in Munich
on the 30th March (incidentally also the last time he scored a goal),
so you feel to have him still playing a part at all is a bonus. However the
same can not be said about his sorry looking strike-partner, who is surely losing
the faith of even his most loyal and patient advocate.

A missed sitter at either side of half-time is how Berbatov’s
game – and potentially his time at United – will be remembered. Who knows what will
happen to this brilliant, misunderstood and utterly frustrating player in the
summer. A swap for Huntelaar has been mentioned (a perfect swap some feel, as
he’s probably been just as poor for Milan
this season); or will Fergie somehow work his magic again to let him ‘do a
Nani’ and re-emerge a changed, prolific, precious commodity. Time will tell.

One thing is for certain though. The title race is over. After
a glorious and constantly surprising season – with the unfortunate element of
false hope provided right at the death with the win at City and Chelsea’s
defeat at the Lane a few weeks ago – we have fallen short. As I said in my
previous posts, the general lack of fluidity and, as a result, profusion of
poor results we have suffered this season should not let us be in the race for top spot right until the end. But we are. And we always
will be.

With seconds remaining, and after a paradoxical afternoon
that saw our final hope of winning the title disappear even after a routine
win, a tear oh so nearly emerged from my cynical eye as a forgotten figure
emerged onto the field. After a year an a half out, Owen Hargreaves was
welcomed back to football.

A player who’s absence many feel was the key reason for our
defeat in Rome last May, as well as hindering our weary, empty looking defensive
line when we were forced to play out-and-out midfielders at the
back this season, is now genuinely back and looking ready for a new season and new
challenge in United colours. For all our failings this season – on and off the
pitch – I have no doubt whatsoever that Hargo's courage and determination to
overcome such a detrimental hurdle, as well as his awesome presence in our
midfield, will enhance our challenge to know end.




There is of course still 1 game left and the thinnest glimmer
of hope to get something more out of the season than the solitary Carling Cup,
but still, you very much feel it's time to roll on 2010/11.