April Is The Cruellest Month

"They say April is the cruellest month. It's unlikely TS Eliot was talking about football, but..."

Martin Tyler there, during injury time of yesterday's Manchester derby. Frankly, that goes straight in near the top of my favourite pieces of commentary ever. Along with the previously noted "JIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII"*.

Having questioned the passion, desire and fundamental direction of this Manchester United side in this blog in the not too distant past, it would be churlish not to note yesterday's 4-2 win over the rivals that have held an Indian side over us of late. I was stood in a sports bar in Bromley smiling throughout proceedings. Honestly, I can't remember the last time that watching United made me feel that happy.

On Monday Night Football, Gary Neville's invariably excellent analysis focused on Wayne Rooney's contribution to the proceedings, explaining how his excellent positioning frequently caused problems for Kompany and Demichelis in the City defence, freeing up space for Mauroane Fellaini and Ashley Young. Both players have been maligned during their time at Old Trafford, but both grabbed a goal and were a constant nuisance all afternoon. Fellaini was a player I always liked at Everton. A proper old school footballer who never allows the opposition to settle and wins knock down headers with extraordinary regularity.

It was also another assured performance from Michael Carrick just in front of United's defence. By the time Rooney's superb pass had played Juan Mata in for a third and Chris Smalling had headed past the beleagured Joe Hart for a fourth, I was practically laughing. Astonished that it was this easy. It's too early to say whether this United side have finally turned the corner, post Ferguson, but I've seen enough recently to suggest we'll be in a position to challenge for honours again next season. 




*See "Ji Don Wonderful".

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