That Special Feeling

Arriving in Manchester for the last two games have been met with a scent of success amongst the Red side of the city.

With the final International break of the season out of the way, the finishing post is well within sights for the Red Devils.

The month of March began with a confidence boosting Scouse busting at Anfield and then continued with Champions League progression over Lille, FA Cup progression over Boro and then a bashing of Bolton at Old Trafford.

I've said it before and I'll say it again many are still waiting for United to have their blip but the fact is we've had it and we've not lost a game during it, in that run we triumphed in France, at the Craven Cottage and on Merseyside. Pretty good for a team in a blip if you ask me!

United have been one of the top performers in Europe, consistently, this season. Winning games in the league and cup competitions scoring loads of goals, conceding few and doing so in style associated with Manchester United's "glory days" (whoever said they were over?), from now on though United players, staff and fans alike will just worry about the wins and with a potential of 15 remaining games that is all that matters. (15 games = 8 league, 2 FA Cup?, 5 Champions League?)

One low point from March was the number of injuries accumulating for United added to Paul Scholes' suspension gained on Merseyside. Edwin Van Der Sar, Patrice Evra, Gary Neville, Darren Fletcher, Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were all ruled out.

Now though Paul Scholes is back as are Van Der Sar, Solskjaer, Evra and Saha although the latter two may miss the Blackburn Rovers game.

Things are turning in United's favour, Ronaldo shows no sign of letting up in his relentless form and Rooney bagged a brace versus Bolton - with Scholesy back and refreshed the three will put fear in any defence not to mention the return of Louis Saha and Ole Solskjaer.

Although Vidic has shown sides of complacency recently the international break may have done him some good in he has been without the pressures that come with being at United for a period of time, on the flip side Gabi Heinzé has shown form that made him United's Player of the Season in his debut season with the club and Rio Ferdinand has been as solid as a rock for the whole campaign.

Ferguson has cast doubts over whether we'll witness another season like that classic, unprecedented 1998-99 campaign and in all honesty it will take some massive efforts in the remaining months but with United in a position in the league where we know what to do and have the experience to continue without buckling under the pressure; in a position in the FA Cup where we are almost certs to reach the final (no disrespect to Watford) and are favourites in the last eight clash with AS Roma in the European Cup - there's always a chance United fans could witness something of a vintage '99 season again.

What is for sure is that special feeling is back amongst the Red Army and also that Manchester United will not let up grip of their chance to lift their ninth Premier League title in May.

Visit www.stretfordendflags.com for more news on Manchester United and discussions on how to make Old Trafford a more atmospheric stadium.

You Lucky Devils?

Following our last gasp victories over Liverpool and Fulham and our controversial victory over Lille in the Champions League people have asked when will United's luck run out.

José Mourinho has claimed that United's positions in the League and Europe are down to refereeing decisions and luck.

Moaninho said, "United have had no injuries, every player is fine to play. They go to the Champions League and have a disallowed goal for the opponent and their goal is that goal. They go to Fulham and it looks like they deserve to lose and they win. They play at Tottenham, it's 0-0 and Cristiano dives, they get a penalty and win 4-0. It looks like everything is on their side, but that's football"

Am I missing something here, José?

He is the first to be talking about players diving when his squad contains Mr fuckin' Incredible (-y Over Rated) John Terry, Arjen Robben and Didier Drogba. And, then to top it off he claims United have had all the luck with injuries and refereeing decisions.

Do you remember the last two seasons, José?

United have had injury depleted squads for the last two-three seasons and most Manchester United fans are united in the respect that we are surprised with the lack of injuries suffered this season (touch wood). Isn't it also a sign of having good facilities and a great set of medical staff?

Then on to refereeing decisions, the cheek of it!

Ryan Giggs' goal was completely legitimate, just ask Mr. Wenger how many times his side have benefitted from the rule.

Added to these few scenarios, believe me there are more:

• Didier Drogba handles the ball to score a goal versus Man. City, Chelsea beat City thanks to two disputed Drogba goals.
  
• John Terry dives to earn a penalty for Chelsea at the Nou Camp, Chelsea eventually draw.
  
• Arjen Robben is guilty of diving to get Pepe Reina sent off, Chelsea beat Liverpool.

We all know there are more and when Ferguson said this I'm sure the footballing world apart from the Russian bit in London applauded, "His football club have been with so many things with referees over the last few years. It seems when something goes against Chelsea or they don't get their own way, someone has a go at the referee. He should button his lip!"

Ferguson also admitted the last two victories over Fulham and Liverpool have had their share of luck but it's not lucky when you've players like Cristiano Ronaldo who can pop up with an incredible solo goal, a 'keeper like Edwin Van Der Sar who in those two games made saves which may decide the title or defenders like Rio Ferdinand who has been rock solid all season.

The fact of the matter is Manchester United Football Club deserve to be where we are today. We deserve to be top of the Premier League as we've been and are the best team in the country, we deserve the 1-0 aggregate lead over Lille in the Champions League and we deserve to still be in the FA Cup.

Yes, recent performances have been poor by our standards and the great José Mourinho also said "United will have a blip". I think we've had it and along the way we've not lost a game.

Our "blip" started with the home game versus Charlton and possibly ended with the victory at Anfield. We beat Charlton 2-0, drew with Reading 1-1, beat Lille 1-0, beat Fulham 2-1, beat Reading in the return tie 3-2 and then beat Liverpool 1-0.

So rather than us being entirely lucky along the way I think what you can say is during our blip this season we've battled away, dug in protected our goal and then in games hit teams on the break. Yes, that may require some luck but if keeping clean sheets and then scoring a goal is luck José Mourinho's team won the league like that.

Throughout this season we've stuck to "the Manchester United way" and attacked teams looking for goals with the mentality of you can score but we'll score more, our attack has been skillful and full of goals but our defence has been strong and water tight.

Alan Hansen said on MOTD that "Some say United have been lucky but winning when you deserve to lose is a sign of a great team" and I couldn't agree more with that - Manchester United are back where they belong and will continue to build another era of domination over English football using the successful formula of playing "the Manchester United way" and attacking teams.

And, whether you like it or not José we're in this position because we're the better team and come May we'll be there to take our trophy back.

"Mourinho are you listenin', you better keep the trophy glistenin', we'll be back in May to take it away, walkin' in a Fergie wonderland!"