VIEW: United vs Birmingham City. 5-0

Good.

Berbatov has scored more hattricks this season than Rooney has goals! Yesterday we undoubtedly saw the best of Berbatov. In fact, we truly saw a brilliant, all round, professional footballing performance - one that, if I might be so bold, you would commonly associate with a little Argentinian knocking the ball about in Catalonia. Against Birmingham, we saw a player acting as a poacher (his first goal), magician (second), grafter (Giggs' goal) and out-and-out striker (the hattrick). A truly flawless display from an often flawed genius.

Our third goal. To merely mention it in passing as I did in the previous point is utterly disrespectful to its quality. The link up play between Berbatov and Rooney, the quality of Rooney's pass and the finish from 57 year old Giggs was just stunning. Say what you like about United's lack of quality this season - I know I have - but a goal like that displays nothing less than a coherant, united side full of desire and sheer class that, in my opinion, deserves to win the title based on merit and raw quality rather than the lack of by the teams around them.

Rooney. Last seasons prolofic goalscorer has reverted back to his playing-off-the-main-striker role to turn prolific provider. So what the f**k is wrong with that?? Involved in three of United's five goals yesterday, Wazza has earnt himself 11 assists in the league to brilliantly become the leagues top provider. Cynics will point out his missed sitter, as Nani whipped a peach of a ball in only for Rooney to nod it tamely wide, but when his role in the match was as pivitol and influential as it was yesterday, you have to start believing that his goals are not quite as essential as they once were.

A few stats to warm the cockles...

Home record:

3. Citeh - won 7, drawn 3, lost 2.

Goals for: 18, Goals against: 10

2. Arsenal - won 7, drawn 1, lost 3.

Goals for: 25, Goals against: 11

1. United - won 11, drawn 1, lost 0.

Goals for: 34, Goals against: 7

In summary... that's 11 wins at home out of 12, more goals scored than anyone else at home (seventh placed Newcastle are second with 26 goals), joint top scorers, joint fewest goals conceded...oh, and STILL unbeaten. Feel free to check it out for yourself if you don't believe me.

 

..........................................................................................................

Bad.

...don't be silly.

Player Ratings.

Van der Sar 7; O'Shea 7, Vidic 6, Smalling 7, Evra 7; Nani 7, Anderson 8, Carrick 6, Giggs 7; Rooney 8, Berbatov 10.