Manchester United supporters are hoping that the saying, "April showers brings May flowers" stands true, because it was a very dreary month of April.
United began April at the top of the Barclays Premier League, but a home loss to their title rival saw them lose their grip on the pole position, and a home win in the UEFA Champions League still saw them exit the competition at the quarter-final stage.
Injuries have been a key part of United's season and they have surely made the aging Sir Alex Ferguson age that much faster, because he has been faced with his toughest managerial season dealing with key players out at various parts of the season.
Their leading goal scorer, Wayne Rooney, missed three of United's five matches, and the 34-goal star has only played 129 minutes in those two games.
Two injuries - ankle and groin - forced Rooney to miss the majority of United's critical matches and it was the first month that he did not find his name on the score sheet since May of 2009.
Player of the Month
With Rooney out injured for most of the month, there was one player that did quite well filling in his absence - Nani.
The Portuguese winger has really come on in the second part of the season with some dazzling performances in the big matches - even though he sometimes plays on his less preferred wing.
Nani was United's leading goal scorer during the month of April and all three of his goals were wonderfully taken and also match winners.
He scored two top class goals - a clever back heel and a curling blast - against Bayern Munich and then the decisive goal - an outrageous chip - against Tottenham.
If Nani continues to grow in maturity like he has than all of Ferguson's critics will again be forced to eat their words.
Premier League
United did not have a great start to the month in the league with a loss and a draw, but they ended the month with two crucial wins they are back with a chance in the title race.
United started the month off with a visit of Chelsea in a title race -tilting match at Old Trafford, and the Reds suffered a 2-1 setback, but like the first match up between the two teams, it will be forever remembered for another bit controversy.
Joe Cole scored in 20th minute with a very cheeky back heel that went in between Patrice Evra's legs and trickled into the far post netting.
United did not pass the ball or defend well in the first forty-five minutes, but in the second half they upped their pressure and had multiple chances to level the score line.
However, 12 minutes from time Chelsea were two goals to the good, but it was far from a good goal and it should have never been given.
Didier Drogba received a through ball from Salomon Kalou and then stroked the ball passed Edwin van der Sar, but prior to the pass, Chelsea's leading goal scorer was yard behind Nemanja Vidic and the linesman, with an unobstructed view, never flagged for infraction.
United, though, did not give up and pulled a goal back after young Federico Macheda bundled home Nani's cross.
United not only lost the match, but they fell two points behind Chelsea in the league standings with just five matches to go, and their mentality showed in their next league match.
United's next league match was against Sam Allardyce's Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, and it was a far from convincing performance by United as the two teams played out to a goalless draw.
Despite having two-thirds of the possession, United only created one or two really good goal scoring chances, but it would have been a different story if Antonio Valencia took his chance.
Following a poor clearance, Dimitar Berbatov did quite well to not only hold off strong challenges from a couple of Blackburn midfielders, but he also played a great ball that sprung Valencia in behind the defenders, but Paul Robinson pulled off a great save to deny him.
United dominated the possession, but Rovers were very well organized at the back and they could have easily taken all three points, but as Allardyce has talked about all season long - they do not have a proven goal scorer to put away the chances that have been created.
United held on for a point, but it was another two points dropped in the title race, and the mood of the players and Sir Alex were dismal to say the least after this unexpected result.
Following that result Chelsea built a four point gap at the top of the table with as many matches to go, but like all season long, the title race was about to have another twist in its tale.
United now travelled six miles across Manchester to take on their noisy neighbors, Manchester City, at the City of Manchester Stadium, and it was the first time in about 30 years that the result Manchester derby late in the season had implications for BOTH clubs.
City were in rampant form and were in pole position to nip the final Champions League birth for next season, and based on recent form they were were also seen as favorites in the derby.
The game had the billings to be one of the most highly-entertaining derbies of all time, but like most matches that are built up - they usually do not live up that.
United should have had their noses in front, but the fit-again Rooney missed the target from 10-yards out and then Ryan Giggs flick was directly at Shay Given.
United bossed the match through their midfield general, Paul Scholes, but City were very dangerous on the counter attack and they really should have went ahead.
Craig Bellamy and Carlos Tevez played a great one-two, but the fiery Welshman chose the wrong option as he decided to shoot - and not even hit the target - rather than lay the ball off to the former United fan-favorite.
The match looked like it was heading to be another stalemate, but following a host of changes from both managers, United got the winner with virtually the last touch of the ball.
The City defenders were being stretched by second half substitutes - Nani and Gabriel Obertan - which created gaps in between the midfield and central defenders.
Evra put a perfectly placed cross into the middle of the box, and Scholes, one of the smallest men on the field, headed the ball into far corner in the 93rd minute to give United all three points.
The celebrations that followed looked like scenes from a title celebration with the players, the coaching staff and the supporters all in complete ecstasy and triumphant moods.
That win, coupled with Tottenham Hotspurs 2-1 win over Chelsea, closed the gap to a single point with just three matches to go, and just as important, knocked City out of fourth place.
Tottenham faced a three match schedule that no team would have want to face with games against Arsenal, Chelsea and United, but following two wins over their London rivals, they were full of confidence ahead of their trip to Old Trafford.
Spurs were now in complete control of their own destiny, but Harry Redknapp's men have not won at Old Trafford since 1989.
Following a lack luster, goalless first half, United stepped up the pressure and they were correctly rewarded when Andre Marriner pointed to the spot when Benoit Assou-Ekotto took down Evra.
Even though Heurelho Gomes chose the right way, Giggs' penalty had the pace and placement to give United the slender lead advantage.
Redknapp showed his intent to get something from this match and threw on two attack minded players to have a go at United's defense, and it paid off when defender Ledley King rose highest to head home a corner.
Ferguson then matched Redknapp and took off his young defender, Rafael, and replaced him with Macheda, and the Italian-born forward had a big say in the build up to the next goal.
Following a great passing movement and interchange down the right-hand flank between Darren Fletcher, Nani and Macheda, the little winger burst through the Tottenham penalty area and audaciously chipped the ball over Gomes to restore United's lead.
With Spurs pressing forward in search of a priceless equalizer, United were able to find gaps in between their midfield and defense, and a smart run by Nani saw him barged over by Wilson Palacios to earn their second penalty of the afternoon.
The same player stepped up to take the penalty, and like he did on the first one, Giggs buckled the Spurs net with a well taken penalty.
United held off the Spurs pressure to preserve the win and put more pressure on Chelsea ahead of their match with Stoke City, which the league leaders thumped them 7-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Even though they still have a slim chance of winning the Premier League title for fourth consecutive season, they do not have the same chance of reaching their third consecutive Champions League final.
Champions League
United faced a daunting task of reversing the 2-1 loss after they suffered against Bayern at the Alianz Arena, and they got the win that they needed, but they went out of the competition on the dreaded away goals rule.
United won the match 3-2, but the two-legged quarter-final finished with four goals apiece, and like the previous round against Fiorentina, Bayern went through for getting two priceless away goals.
The match started off better than anyone could have hope for and within seven minutes, United were up 2-0 thanks to an opportunistic strike from Darron Gibson and a great back heeled goal from Nani.
United got their third when Nani smashed the ball passed the Bayern 'keeper, Jorge Butt, and the majority of the fans inside of Old Trafford thought that they were well on their way to booking their place in their fourth consecutive Champions League semi-final.
However, that little pest of a player, Ivica Olic, outmuscled Michael Carrick and slotted the ball passed van der Sar to give the visitors hope just before half-time.
13 minutes after the interval, the tide had turned when the young Italian referee, Nicola Rizzoli, was hounded and eventually persuaded to produce a second yellow card to Rafael and reduce United to ten men for the next 30 minutes.
United did well to cope with the pressure, but a former Ferguson transfer target, Arjen Robben, unleashed a rocket that left van der Sar with no chance and Munich took the advantage on the away goals rule.
Ferguson threw on both Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov, but it proved to be too little, too late for the finalists from last season, and United crashed out of the competition.
Manchester United now face two must-win matches remaining against Sunderland and Stoke City to try and secure their fourth consecutive and 19th overall English first division league title, but they must rely on the help of their hated rival, Liverpool, to take something off of Chelsea to win the title.
Results
03 - Chelsea - Old Trafford - L, 2-1 (F. Macheda)
07 - Bayern Munich - Old Trafford - W, 3-2 (4-4 on aggregate) - (D. Gibson, Nani - 2)
11 - Blackburn Rovers - Ewood Park - D, 0-0
17 - Manchester City - City of Manchester - W, 1-0 (P. Scholes)
24 - Tottenham Hotspur - Old Trafford - W, 3-1 (R. Giggs - 2, Nani)
Record
GP 5 W 3 D 1 L 1 GF 8 GA 5 GD +3
Goalscorers
Nani - 3
R. Giggs - 2
F. Macheda - 1
D. Gibson - 1
P. Scholes - 1
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