Manchester United dominated this match to the extent that I half expected the watching Ricky Hatton to throw in the towel at half time. The first 45 minutes were as good as I have seen United play this season and proved to be a painful reality check for Mark Hughes and Manchester City. A reality check served up by the excellent Wayne Rooney ended a mini drought for United and ended the hopes of the blue half of the Manchester.
Monday morning will bring a harsh reality for Mark Hughes. It will bring fresh concerns for the new owners and will probably bring earache for City fans. Christmas is known for people following the brightest star in the Sky but lets be clear, this is no historical moment here. Newsflash: Robinho is not Manchester City’s messiah. The truth underneath the glamour is: Manchester City now sit below recently promoted Hull and Stoke despite spending like a drunken sailor in a whore filled port.
Manchester City may have beaten Arsenal but they have lost as many as they have won at Eastlands (four games) and they have won only once on the road, whilst losing 4 times. To have lost 8 games out of 15 will not be considered acceptable. Mark Hughes will need to finish in the top 8 to save his job and right now that’s doesn’t look certain. So while the blue half of the City dreams of Kaka and transfer windows, the unrest will continue to build, particularly if players with the talent of Elano are considered to be behind players like Vassell. Hughes has two jobs to do. One in the dressing room and one on the pitch, and I don’t envy him.
As for the Kings of Manchester, you get the sense that this is the beginning of one of their runs. Purpose is being added to technical know-how. The recipe that has benefited the team for so many years under the unrelenting mastery of Sir Alex looks to be happening once again. That’s an ominous sign for others. United are beginning to go through the gears just as City realise that the Premier League allows no one to freewheel…
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment