Is It Really That Bad?

So after an impressive start to the season seeing United win 5 out of 5 games in all competitions, people began to take us seriously again. Following predictions of 4th from the Times Online, the Sun and SkySports, they all started to change their minds. With Andy Gray putting United down as his favourite for the title.

Coming up next was Arsenal, sitting in 17th position, at Old Trafford. They had no Henry & no Van Persie; United had Rooney & Scholes returning from their three match bans. Would United falter against a stuttering Arsenal side?

Many didn't expect what had happened, but it did happen and it highlighted United's weaknesses. We lost 1-0 in a game both sides looked like winning, a game that had 0-0 written all over it. The weaknesses it highlighted was that we needed someone in the middle of the park that would get among the opposition, put the frighteners on them and hurry the opponents. That's exactly what Hargreaves brings to a side, exactly what I hope he will bring to the side when/if he seals a move to United in the coming year.

Anyways back to what we have. Arsenal played a 5 in midfield and never gave United any breathing space. That's exactly what United had done to them in past seasons, suffocated them when they were in possession.

Another "worry" was the performance of Wayne Rooney, he looked a beaten man when he walked off the pitch and it's something we haven't seen from the young superstar. He is just that, young. I think the press need to stop interfering in his life, give him some space and relieve the stress off the kid because it is taking it's toll and Fergie has warned it would happen when Rooney first signed for United.

Coming up next was Reading, it finished 1-1 but United should have won the game. Comfortably. Ronaldo was amazing again and silenced some of the boos from the home support with a superb solo effort.
So United had dropped another two points but is it something to worry about as much as some are? I don't think so.

Our first XI is as good as any in Europe, it's the incapabilities we have once a few injuries hit in and that's been the problem with United, well I feel it's changing.

I know I'm going to get some hassle now but I can see it changing as the season progresses; Fletcher, O'Shea, Richardson, Jones (Davey) & Park are my reasons for this change.

In those five players we have youth, desire, experience (bar Jones), attacking minded players and defensive minded players.

Fletcher after Ronaldo & Giggs has been United's best player this season, O'Shea was over run versus Benfica (I'll get onto that game in a while) and kept steady despite being crowded out in the middle of the park, Richardson showed at the end of last season he can be a "United player", Park - well what can I say about Park that you don't already know and Jonesy.

Well Jonesy, this boy is an excellent talent. A superb player in the Reserves who given some opportunities in the first team will excel, I feel. He has a football brain, is box-to-box, can pass, can score and on occasions can put a tackle in.

These five players, I believe if they can maintain consistency (which will come with experience), can be the difference between United winning or missing out on the title.

Now onto the Benfica game, what a goal by Saha eh? United were as woeful as Benfica's strikers in the first half, they couldn't string passes together and were out of sync with each other. Benfica's players will diving around like tarts; prompting Ronaldo to tell them to stop diving and Scholesy calling one a "fuckin' puff"!

In the second half United came out improved, passing the ball, moving and attacking more often. United could still improve and will improve but Saha came up with the goods and the job was done. Mission accomplished - six points from six so far.

So is it as bad as some say? NO!
We are top of our Champions League group and one more win will see us through.
We're two points off first position in the league, but our team has improved massively from last season with Chelsea, in my opinion, taking a step backwards.
United have Giggs, Park, Smith, Vidic, Heinzé & Rooney who are coming back from injury or gaining fitness/form which is something to look forward too and will massively improve United.

I still believe we can win the league and two league performances won't change my mind about that and shouldn't change your mind about it. Our players are growing in confidence, in experience, mentally and have made their best start to a Premier League season ever.
We have Chelsea, Liverpool & Newcastle coming up at home. Three games we can win, but three games we could lose. When United are faced with a challenge though we always come through it and if we can collect nine points from them it could see us back on top of the pile.

Chelsea look beatable, so will drop points and if by Christmas United are back on top I'd put my house on it that we'll take the title.

In fact, I'll put my head on the line now and say UNITED WILL WIN THE TITLE!