RedsUnite: a man utd blog

As has been documented previously, it is nearly impossible to view FA Cup matches here in the States. You Brits are so possessive of your domestic cup that “contractual obligations” won’t even allow an American to listen to the matches on the radio. Maddening stuff. So here I sat on match day, forced to make due. With six browser windows open, I did what any addict would do, constantly reloaded match commentaries from numerous websites. It’s a pitiful existence, but it had to suffice as I had no other recourse.

Quite amusing stuff, some of these match commentaries. If any of you ever find yourselves in such a bind, I must suggest Lawrence Booth’s work at Guardian Unlimited. Priceless.

Anyhow, onto the match review. I will not pretend to suggest that I have some profound insights about Manchester United’s victory today. While text commentaries are better than nothing, following a match in statements such as, “United move the ball smoothly to the left, where Rooney steps infield and lets go with a 20-yarder from a tight angle. Cerny has it covered,” do well enough, I won’t pretend to know better than those of you who actually saw the match.

I will just say this, I’m glad to see that we were able to overcome an early Spurs goal and rebound to win convincingly. From what I understand Tottenham were not without their chances and perhaps we were fortunate to get the result we did and I am grateful for that. It’s good that we were able to continue our second half form, which has been simply unstoppable in recent weeks. Conversely, our inability to set the tone of matches early on makes me wonder. Has our quality made our players slightly complacent early on, assured that our class will reveal itself as the match progresses? With Ronaldo’s match-winning tendencies of late, has his heroics actually stripped United of some of its sense of urgency? We have scored only two first half goals in our past five matches, compared to twelve second half scores over the same interval. Our ability to adjust during the intermission and thoroughly dominate our opponents in the latter 45 minutes is tremendous, but I can’t help but be concerned. This is not to say that we are a poor first half team on the season; our first half form tops the EPL to date. But one must wonder if winning so consistently has taken some of the edge off of our early play of late. I suppose that most clubs would kill to struggle with such problems, but it’s just a curiosity of mine.

All in all, Ronaldo has saved the day again and United advance to the fifth round of the FA Cup. His form this season is beyond compare, scoring 25 goals in 27 games. We are witness to legend. Having played a premiership side in 15 of United’s last 18 FA Cup draws, we can expect a tough draw in the next round. With Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool still alive, one can help but feel we will be pitted against one of them. Not to tempt ill-fortune, but I say I’d prefer it. We are going to have to play one of those sides eventually, one would think, and our current form has me thinking there would be no better time.

With the reinsertion of Paul Scholes, a fit Owen Hargreaves, a near-fit Louis Saha and, hopefully, the imminent return of Gary Neville, United are at full strength and flying high. With the best manager, player and side in England, we should fear no one. Beating sides like Tottenham, Reading and Newcastle by multiple goals is nice, but I look to a match against top-notch competition as a truer barometer of our abilities. Until that day, we will have to maintain our focus. Harry Redknapp’s Portsmouth side should provide a decent test on Wednesday and I look forward actually being able to view a match, not read it in print.