Still Following the Trawler

On the day we remembered the legacy of the Busby Babes for the 52nd year, and the horrific moment we lost the core of that golden team, it was fitting that we performed to those legendary setting standards set by United's most influential leader. OK, slight exaggeration perhaps, especially as the opposition were for the entirety of the game nothing short of shocking. However at times, I felt we swaggered across the Old Trafford turf with the arrogance of Champions. So much so in fact that we could afford to take 3 of our best, attacking players off with just under a third of the game left; giving the blend of youth on the bench, as well as players-with-a-point-to-prove, a run out. We switched off a bit for the final 20 minutes mind, yet by that stage, the damage was well and truly done in utterly resounding, devastating fashion. Once we found our rhythm (pretty much as soon as the game kicked off), our football glided with the fluidity and reasserted, entitled confidence ...

Rooney's first hat-trick of the season and 8th, 9th & 10th goals in the league...although his first in the game was only his first goal for club and country in 11 games. Another win, another much needed +3 on our goal-difference...and another pathetic display by the officials. With the boss banished to the stands for the next three domestic games, he must have known that this would finally be the opportunity for the ref's - spearheaded by their poor, victimised ('unfit') casualty - to get their own back and make a stance in the face of adversity. If you look at how it's gone for us in the few weeks since the Sunderland game, you'll highlight Carragher not getting sent off at Liverpool (last man back, and all), Chelsea's robbed winning goal and the incorrect penalty decisions in our last two European games. OK, we probably should have taken our chances and utilised possession at Stamford Bridge, and we were plain awful at Anfield, but for some ...