VIEW: United vs Chelsea. 2-1

...or five reasons why we deserve to be Champions.

1. Not arrogant, just better. At times this season we've certainly shown that not to be the case. In fact, as a representation of our rather inconsistent season (in terms of performances), the past week is perfect. First up came the crucial encounter against Arsenal, where we completely failed to show up; not rising to the occasion and doing little to show the 'must need' status in a acheiving the win. Against Schalke in the week however, we fielded a weakened side (I'll get to that later) yet still managed to completely embarrass Ze Germans with some incredible, game controlling displays by largely disregarded players such as Gibson and Anderson. So which United were going to turn up days later against Chelsea, in the most important game of the season? Well, if there's one thing we love doing, that's dragging the fans through the most agonising of title run-ins, giving us the false sense of failure (as we did in title decider a) at the Emirates), only to pull through when it really, really matters. Against Chelsea, from as early as the 38th second, we made our intentions perfectly clear as to which way we wanted the title pendulum to swing. Brilliant, mature and wide-awake play from Giggs, feeding through Park, who finally played in goalscorer Hernandez, opened the scoring and caught sloppy Chelsea unaware. Still, they had 89 minutes to make a difference in a game they had to win. But unfortunately for them, the difference was that United wanted it so much more, and by the 23rd minute, when Giggs' cross - his fourth assist out of the five goals we have scored against them in the last three games - found the head of Vidic (if there is one player that really deserves to be on the scoresheet in such a vital game, it's him) it was game over.

We could have scored five more, had two penalties and played the majority of the game against 10 men, showing just how superior we were against a Chelsea side forced into making mistakes as the only means of stopping us. Every single player - from composed Ferdinand at the back, to the quiet, thoughtful, yet controlling Carrick in the centre, to the simply f**king superb Park, Giggs, Valencia, Chico and Rooney in the attacking third - we showed a truly incredible title winning performance; one full of class, composure and coherence. It hasn't always been the case this season, but when we do turn it on, it has everyone watching in full agreement of our position at the top and adoration of our football.

2. Bottle. Our tactics on the day could have gone one of two ways: contain a traditionally attack minded side, hitting them on the break and cancelling them out in a fierce battle of the midfield...in other words, playing for the draw. The other option would have been to hit them from the off. Hard. Shocking them into a state of confusion and utter discomfort as to our superiority, until they crumble. Unexpected, unconventional and rarely successful against a decent side. One uses common sense, the other uses balls. Guess which one we went for?

3. Fair, honest play. We didn't win by 're-signing Webb' or conning the officials with any sort of the pre-conceived, ignorant hatred that is usually spoken about and poured all over any high profile United victory; in fact it was us that was granted the far more typical biased refereeing decisions against Chelsea. Bust who cares. All everyone spoke about the day after was our majestic performance, fit enough to lift any 19th title.

4. The most underrated squad in world football. We showed it most prevalently last Wednesday against Schalke, as we boldly left out the likes of Hernandez, Rooney and Giggs and started with Smalling, Evans and Gibson. Yet the side that day played with the confidence and assurance of a mature side playing their 100th game together, not the immaturity and nervousness you might associate with such a youthful side going into a Champions League semi-final. And against Chelsea, after recalling our more renowned personnel, as well as giving Park and Valencia the freedom on the wings to completely dominate all creative and defensive duties on the flanks, we again played a dominant game against tough opposition. Our second assured performance, brimming with class and confidence, in a week. And this remember with virtually a completely different side (to put it into perspective: Valencia was the only outfield player to play both games. Amazing).

5. Ryan Giggs. Simply perfect. It was suggested, at the tender age of 38, that this his 21st season may be his best. As our most influential and arguably most creative player on the field in such a crucial, that could be right. For now, I will enjoy the success that he brought our team in the past, and seemingly will bring us yet again this season. But when my mind wonders and think about a time post-Giggsy, I am saddened. No one can ever replace him. And when this great player - a great man and great professional - has left our game for good, he will undoubtedly be regarded as one of the greatest.