As Arsene Wenger feels the four walls of his Arsenal career collapsing on him like a pack of cheap cards after last night’s blitzkrieg, Manchester United are stacking up a fortress of their own.
On a rare occasion such as this when Arsenal were fraught with defensive injuries and suspensions, United showed few signs of showing great respect for one of their most currently vulnerable rivals by taking them to the cleaners. The stains of such a humiliating defeat will have faded off only after a few months if not years.
In an early kick-off, when an Edin Dzeko-inspired Manchester City ran riot, smashing five goals against a Teetering Hotspurs, United showed that it would take only a few hours to do more than just restore parity. Indeed, they went one further and now sit atop of the league on goal difference with the international break upon us.
Regardless of whether Arsenal could’ve had a strong team or a weak team, it always looked like a United win. It was just a question of how many goals they’d win by and what we got was a score line probably even exceeding Sir Alex Ferguson’s expectations.
A Wayne Rooney hat trick, a brace for Ashley Young, and solitary goals for Nani, Park and Danny Welbeck brushed aside Wenger’s left overs like a side hungry for goals. Rarely missing the target, they looked like a team on a mission. They were exceptional all over the park and while they disposed of Arsenal quite ruthlessly and professionally, United will feel duly satisfied with their performance even if it was against a team far from recognition.
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| United's England Representatives |
Perhaps the only blot on United’s red letter day was the injury to Danny Welbeck. A hamstring for the youngster who has shone excellent form early on will rule him out for a minimum of four weeks. But Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney held the torch magnificently after that one early setback and you get the feeling that were they afforded another game in quick succession, they would have jubilantly continued the scoring.
David De Gea probably had his best United game till date by making some really fine saves, including a lackluster Van Persie penalty. Having conceded two goals, it’s a telling sign that he’ll be keeping less number of clean sheets in his first year. His body language is tentative, thus indicating that he is only just beginning to adjust to the English game. But as long as United maintain their scoring run, fewer daggers will be pointed at De Gea’s telling inexperience in goal… if only for a while.
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| Spanish Acquisition. |
Not much can be said about Wojciech Szczesny in goal for Arsenal. Being the in-form goalkeeper of the two on the pitch, United scored some majestic goals, which came from outstanding build-ups and sustained pressure against an inexperienced and hapless Arsenal defense and midfield. A schoolboy Arsenal showing should not take away from United’s dominance, persistence, and coldblooded finishing.
On a day when Arsenal were truly at their worst – you may cite poor form, suspensions, injuries and ill-timed transfer decision making- all leaving them prone to attack after attack, they came up against a Manchester United side determined to build on their fine form and respond to another Manchester team’s equally ruthless exploits at Spurs.
But the most heart-warming thing for any United fan would be the energy that Young, Welbeck, Tom Cleverley, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have brought to the squad; not added, but brought. There is a vibrancy all over the pitch that is very hard to ignore whether United score eight goals or 2 goals. Rooney’s got to be loving this.
In a way, dare I think, as much as the 19th title may mean to a lot of the United fans, Fergi’s latest additions seem to be etching the triumphs of last May into the not too distant corners in the minds of United’s faithful, but rather giving them a glimpse of what more is to be achieved.
With Cleverley getting his second full game under his belt this season, Wesley Sneijder is a forgotten name. This new entrant from the academy may have just made a decision for Ferguson with regards to the Dutch midfielder’s whereabouts this summer and one thing is for certain- it’s not in Manchester.
While young Tom's regular pairing with Anderson looks to be one for the near future, we may tend forget where Park Ji -Sung, Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov will even figure. But let’s not get carried away. The season is long and with injuries and suspensions part of the game; just ask Arsene Wenger, there is much work for the new and improved Manchester United to do.
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| Been Falling from Grace For A While Now haven't you? |
The demolition of Arsenal is passé. Ferguson will now turn his attention towards Bolton Wanderers, who they visit in 12 days time and a week later, entertain Chelsea at home. With Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand yet to return, the international break may prove to be a timely break for those concerned at Old Trafford.
There is a feeling of growing optimism around the club for the future that it holds. It’s breathtaking, fresh and puts a smile on our faces. These qualities that United were probably lacking last season, now seem to have been blessed in abundance this year.
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