Five Clear, Four Remain

The juicy prospect of claiming the league crown before kickoff against City, with full honor guard action mind you, evaporated in the loss to Wigan.

Should the Blues fail at Wolves and United beat Everton, the Red Devils could collect number twenty at the City of Manchester Stadium in two weeks time. But that’s highly unlikely, given Wolves’ horrible form. Seems a long-shot prayer at best.

Which leads to commentary about the 4-0 victory over Villa.

Never should such a score line leave any supporter upset. Most EPL sides can only dream of netting four, let alone accomplishing the task while not firing on all cylinders. But such is the gulf in class between top and bottom of this league.

For a second straight match, something seems a bit labored, a bit off at the moment. Don’t get me wrong, three points are all that matter now, but there’s a noticeable dip in form of some key players.

Rooney’s touch and passing have deserted this past week, despite his two goals this afternoon. His confidence seems to have suffered from his lack of control as well.

Players misread each other’s intentions. Everything stays on the periphery. The cutting edge appears more difficult to conjure up. It’s as though United don’t trust their passing or control to play more balls to forward’s feet or turn on their man.

We miss those intricate touches and turns from everyone not names Scholes as well as scintillating play from both flanks that were so devastating earlier this term.

Ah, but we’re five points clear with four to play – that’s all that matters now.

Everton comes to Old Trafford off their bitter loss in the FA Cup Semis to Liverpool. Will Moyes’ men suffer a hangover or prove a stern opponent?

One suspects the latter given the gaffer’s track record.

United look in need of a week to train, rest, and recuperate their best form. We’re almost there, lads. Keep you nerve. This season may become Sir Alex’s crowning achievement, given the injury onslaught and squad turnover.

Can’t think of a better script ending than for either Scholes or Giggs to put United through to number twenty with the decisive goal on the City of Manchester Stadium. Champ20ns indeed.