MANCHESTER UNITED WILL STILL BE THE CHAMPIONS

Manchester United fans across the globe surely suffered verbal torture and teasing, especially from Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea fans as the defending champions went down 3-0 to a rigid Newcastle side last Wednesday.

These attacks, which I personally still experience, are common as everyone from those OTHER THREE TEAMS always hope for Man United to lose. Celebrations on Man United’s loss are as if a World Cup has been won.

The demise of Man United to Newcastle at the back of their 3-2 loss to Blackburn earlier at the weekend, was already on social networks, practically billing it like a blockbuster movie.

Despite that, as Newcastle opened the tap through Senegalese goal-rattler, Ba, who neatly swivelled the opener on the edge of the box, social networks were abuzz with all the possible humiliation that the home team could cause on the 20 league title holders.
The delightful long-range strike by Yohan Cabaye, who curled it home past Man United’s Anders Lindegaard, added more misery to the visitors who strangely struggled to settle down for most of the match.

No control of the midfield, a shaky defence and poor passes eliminated Man United’s trademark one-two passes that could lead to goals. Also, chances were dimmed as Newcastle deliberately flooded its defence with all the bodies at their disposal.

Cabaye’s goal instilled so much panic that even the three substitutes in the latter half of the match proved worthless. Near chances came and went as the ball repeatedly criss-crossed the hosts’ goal-lines, further frustrating Sir Alex, who did not move much throughout the game.

By this time, fans of the other teams already started to celebrate the downfall of United and this was made worse by defender Phil Jones, whose failed head clearance landed in his own goal.

Admittedly, each United player will feel that the title credentials have been rocked somewhat, but for each a true Man United fan, they know that this side has resilience and is relentless in their pursuit for success.

The three points adrift off Man City and with Tottenham Hotspurs breathing down Man United’s neck, the end is not near yet. More games to play and many points to get still. After the game,Sir Alex said: It's not a time to panic - we have the experience to cope with that."
I agree.

click to enlarge Corry Ihuhua