I was desperate to spill out a lot of stuff after going through Saturday's nightmare and there is no better place to do it than this blog. When Ronaldo scored that penalty, I thought Liverpool's title challenge will be buried at Old Trafford. But, then the unthinkable happened. Liverpool got back in it and eventually managed to breach the watertight defense not once or twice but four times.
After witnessing United play some uninspiring football in some of the previous games as well, I sensed a loss might be coming. Unfortunately, it came against a fierce rival who are challenging for the league title as well.
In the midweek, United defeated Mourinho's Internazionale despite a sub-standard performance but luck finally ran out on Saturday. I have never seen players like Scholes as sloppy as he was against Inter or Vidic as poor as he was against Liverpool. But, it proves one thing only that these guys are humans after all and they too can make mistakes. It is wrong to blame the players because they are the reason for Manchester United's success so far this season. You just cannot expect to win each and every game no matter how good you are. That brings us to another point. For the last few weeks, all the pundits across England were tipping United for an unprecedented Quintuple winning everything that was there to be won. Although, Sir Alex played down the speculation but I think it got into players' head. They needed to come back down to Earth and that result on Saturday will serve the purpose.
As far as the last game is concerned, Liverpool surely deserved to win but not because they were exceptional or played some free flowing football. It is because United gifted them the game with some uncharacteristic mistakes. Credit to them for accepting those gifts. It was a repeat of the previous meeting between the two sides when United threw the game away after taking the lead at Anfield.
This defeat will surely wipe off any complacency that may have been there in players' minds. I expect them to come out all guns blazing in the next fixture at Craven Cottage. The important thing is that its still United's title to lose. Four points gap and a game in hand gives United the advantage over Liverpool and Chelsea. A victory over Internazionale in the midweek meant that United joined the other three English sides in the Champions League Quarter Finals. The draw for the Quarter Finals will be made tomorrow. I am praying that United draw Liverpool and knock them out. That will be a dream come true.
After witnessing United play some uninspiring football in some of the previous games as well, I sensed a loss might be coming. Unfortunately, it came against a fierce rival who are challenging for the league title as well.
In the midweek, United defeated Mourinho's Internazionale despite a sub-standard performance but luck finally ran out on Saturday. I have never seen players like Scholes as sloppy as he was against Inter or Vidic as poor as he was against Liverpool. But, it proves one thing only that these guys are humans after all and they too can make mistakes. It is wrong to blame the players because they are the reason for Manchester United's success so far this season. You just cannot expect to win each and every game no matter how good you are. That brings us to another point. For the last few weeks, all the pundits across England were tipping United for an unprecedented Quintuple winning everything that was there to be won. Although, Sir Alex played down the speculation but I think it got into players' head. They needed to come back down to Earth and that result on Saturday will serve the purpose.
As far as the last game is concerned, Liverpool surely deserved to win but not because they were exceptional or played some free flowing football. It is because United gifted them the game with some uncharacteristic mistakes. Credit to them for accepting those gifts. It was a repeat of the previous meeting between the two sides when United threw the game away after taking the lead at Anfield.
This defeat will surely wipe off any complacency that may have been there in players' minds. I expect them to come out all guns blazing in the next fixture at Craven Cottage. The important thing is that its still United's title to lose. Four points gap and a game in hand gives United the advantage over Liverpool and Chelsea. A victory over Internazionale in the midweek meant that United joined the other three English sides in the Champions League Quarter Finals. The draw for the Quarter Finals will be made tomorrow. I am praying that United draw Liverpool and knock them out. That will be a dream come true.
