Rooney Doesn't Sulk
Unlike some fellow professionals - Newcastle's Yohan Cabaye for example - Wayne Rooney doesn't duck out of games by claiming his head isn't right. No, he gives it his all when asked to play, even though he sees his future away from Old Trafford. Mind you, that didn't stop the Stretford End from singing his name, just as it didn't stop Rooney from getting involved and doing his best to break the deadlock. The striker looked sharp, hungry for action in trying to slip a few balls towards Robin van Persie. Goodness knows what was going through his mind. In a way, he must have felt confused, hearing the chants, the support, the attempts by the crowd to win him around. You never know, he might have woken up this morning feeling much happier. Hanging around might not be such a bad idea.
Moyes Needs Reinforcements
Nothing much wrong with his starting eleven. It certainly ranks with Chelsea's and that of Manchester City. But the new manager, we know, wants to bring in some signings to bolster a United squad not quite as strong as their rivals. With the game very tight, with chances at a premium last night, David Moyes couldn't glance over his shoulder and see loads of options on the bench. Not only that, a couple of big names would gee up the dressing room as well as help the new man to feel more at home. Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines remain the biggest possibilities. If Everton eventually sell, United do get stronger. But in an ideal world Moyes would surely like a bit more in order to change the perception of treading water rather than kicking on.
Lots of Life Left in Two Experienced Back Fours
The names were familiar and so were the performances. Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, John Terry and Gary Cahill leading rearguards full of discipline and composure. For Moyes, that kind of security must be very reassuring. The base of a title-winning team is already in place. As for Mourinho, this was just like old times.
His defence was encouragingly solid throughout, which was probably the first priority anyway. His selections might have surprised further up the field but the attitude of his defenders certainly didn't. Mourinho's teams will always be hard to beat. After six years away nothing has changed. He returns to West London with the same approach. Clean sheets are the lifeblood of any successful team.
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