There are those who think that whatever their merits as individuals, the Rooney-Berbatov pairing will never work, but the way it matches instinct with intellect is reminiscent of the Hughes-Cantona partnership of the 90s. The key is surrounding it with qualities that amplify its strengths rather than exacerbate its weaknesses.
This does not include selecting O’Shea at right back. With Aurelio on the left of Liverpool’s midfield, there was no danger of Gary Neville’s lack of pace being exposed, and one of the most striking things about the previous two games had been the difference he made as an auxiliary attacker.
Similarly, although Rafael was probably not far enough into his comeback to be considered, his brother may nominally be a left back, but he’s right-footed, and would have been a far braver pick than the limited, lipided O’Shea. The twins are both ready to play regularly, and it’s about time they were given the chance. The way many teams defend against United, the full-backs see a lot of the ball, and these two know what to do when they get it.
Although Liverpool were the better team on Sunday and deserved their victory, the referee seems to have escaped censure for a very poor performance (and what sort of referee’s name is Andre Mariner anyway?). There doesn’t seem much point in discussing the non-dismissal of Carragher nor the ten fouls Lucas committed without being booked, but the penalty United were denied just before half time is worth another look.
Carrick, for the only time in the game, burst into the Liverpool box. Sliding in with a desperate tackle, Carragher’s leg went over the ball, tickling it with his heel, the rest of him ploughing straight through the United player and bringing him down.
How is this not a penalty? Had Carragher won possession then fine, but he didn’t; Carrick remained in prime position to shoot. For the same reason, controversial penalties awarded last season – one against Heurelho Gomes and one against Darren Fletcher - were both correct, even though the players in question made far more significant contact with the ball than Carragher. As Fergie admitted, this wasn’t why we lost (although doubtless he doesn’t think it his fault either), but the laws do not state that all violence is permitted provided it follows even the merest touch on the ball.
Anyway, time to leave Liverpool to their pyrrhic victories and purple wheelies. That team will not be champions, even if we have to feel relieved each time Chelsea win for a while longer.
The pace and imagination of the younger players made the game at Barnsley a lot more enjoyable. With nods to Welbeck, Tosic, Fabio and Rafael, Obertan was the stand out performer; simply watching him move with the ball is enough to make it clear that he’s a natural.
Initially I was worried upon discovering that my phone’s spellcheck corrected his name to Overran; I’m used, you see, to Painless and Highs, Scholes and Giggs respectively. But I needn’t have worried; his range of skills very obviously mark him out as miles better than most of United’s other wide options, and he needs to play in the first team forthwith.
Although I remained in my seat, transfixed by the glitz, glam and razzmatazz of the cheerleading display, I suppose I’d better mention the concourse shenanigans at half time. If nothing else, we must be glad of the commotion for eliciting this quotation from one of Barnsley’s canteen workers:
“I feared for my life when the door to the food and beverage distribution point was kicked off its hinges. Around 20-30 louts headed for the pie section and helped themselves…it was a terrifying experience, I have had to take the rest of the week off work and I don’t feel like working at Oakwell again until after Christmas.”
Now nicking pies is obviously illegal, but in the pantheon of football violence, it’s not exactly up there, is it? A few stolen baltis hardly translate into a reason to apprehend imminent death, and I’m sure there are plenty of us who don’t feel like working again until after Christmas.
I don’t say this to be flippant, but to draw attention to the reality of the situation. Football fans are unruly, that unruliness a large part of what makes an atmosphere and why so many people go to watch. I’ve never been in a fight, least of all at the game, but I wouldn’t be dishonest enough to deny that the confrontational atmosphere is something I enjoy. Inevitably, it occasionally gets out of hand, but the furore over a few people helping themselves after they were refused service has been a bit much.
What is of genuine note is that as the game meandered to a close, out of nowhere trooped a troupe of fancy dress riot police - no doubt on overtime - in one of the most unnecessary wastes of taxes imaginable. And to rub it in, a line of aggressive Alsatians soon followed them, backed up by some horses and turning raised eyebrows into outright incredulity, even more so when none of them did anything to stop the home fans who subsequently invaded the pitch.
For some reason, a League Cup tie with Barnsley was deemed to require a more significant police presence than a game at Anfield, woefully undermanned for the second consecutive season. Enjoyable for some, but painful for a fair few minding-their-own-business others, ambushed by groups of crew-cutted Scousers, presumably reacting against the perms that made the lovable scamps such international trendsetters. But why devote a column inch or airtime second to reporting it when people are robbing pies? Won’t somebody please think of the steak and kidneys.
This weekend sees the arrival at Old Trafford of Sam Allardyce, everyone’s favourite paragon of maltreatment. He was back in the news this week when Roberto Martinez, was reported to be gobbing off to a Spanish paper (it should be added that he now denies such a conversation took place) in a seeming attempt to play with the big boys, and supposedly accused Fergie of moulding his colleagues into a cabal of yes-men, tantalising Allardyce in particular with the prospect of the United job when he retires. Surely not even Allardyce can be this oblivious?
The Big One himself has been having a good whinge about the swine flu epidemic that’s affected his Blackburn squad, keeping himself away from his players before the Peterborough game after experiencing some symptoms himself; oh how they wept! It was therefore surprising when he appeared in the stand to watch the game – it must be OK for others to catch his lurgy, provided they’re not footballers.
This attitude would find favour with the horrible Marlon King, jailed this week and who a pal of mine witnessed being aggressive to the automated voice in the courtroom lift. Promptly and correctly sacked by Wigan, the cavity search was barely underway before his agent was on the radio, crowing nastily about how easily he would find him another club. Wigan chairman Dave Whelan was soon interviewed too, praising himself for acting on behalf of the younger fans to whom such a bad example had been set. Yes Dave, I’m sure as King begins an 18-month stretch for sexual assault, kids the length and breadth of the land are aspiring to be him, and you – yes you – have saved them. Bravo!
Finally, the Glazer brothers were at Wembley this week, watching Tampa take a pasting from New England. Unfortunately schadenfreude was tempered by fear at the potential knock-on effect especially with sources in Tampa suggest that the Glazers are looking to sell the franchise. Having denied reports that they lost $400 million in the Madoff scandal (although the legal action threatened against those who’ve said otherwise has yet to materialise), their exposure to the banks that financed their purchase of United is rumoured to be the most significant motivation behind any such move. The Bucs, who left $30 million of their allotted salary budget unspent, remain winless this season.
I think that brings us back to the mute…
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