With five minutes remaining, this game was capped by a golden moment of Manchester United brilliance. As Paul Scholes picked up the ball on the edge of the box, Ryan Giggs came surging into the view down the left side of the field. Maybe he has eyes in the back of his head, or maybe it was just that he'd done it a million times before, but Scholes' pass to Giggs seemed instantaneous - played almost before he even entered his line of vision, as if he was expecting it. Giggs' finish was standard and the pair looked as young as they did when they were making the same plays fifteen years ago. Scholes received man of the match, and was doubtless our most solid player.
As for the rest of the team, I'd be amiss if I didn't mention how much Dimitar Berbatov impressed me. Who'd have thought after last season with Rooney being the star of the Premiership, amid rumours of an £80m move to Real Madrid, that the 2010 season would start with Berbatov starring the United lineup and Rooney looking like a player afraid to shoot?! These, for me, are the two main talking points for United at the moment. On the one hand, there is a temporary demise of the great Wayne Rooney, looking almost unable to score - yet luckily, at the same time, Berbatov seems to be undergoing a surprise resurgence. As for Rooney, I'm not a believer in the whole "he's still not fit" cry that I've been hearing. He had an injury, he came back too early, and it came back; but any injury he once had shows no sign prevailing. All that remains is a total lack of confidence and self belief which he's struggling to get over and I'm starting to worry what it's going to take to get him back again.
Overall though, it was a solid performance from United. As for Newcastle, I can see them struggling this year and I'm not so confident that they can stay up. Berbatov missed a couple of chances late on that would have made 5-0 and after the first goal Newcastle never posed a threat. The fact that eight players remain from their relegated 11-man line up two years ago isn't a positive fact either. And moreover, one of the more recognisable names in their squad - former star Alan Smith - is still yet to score a goal since moving from United in 2007. I know you could argue that he's played a central midfield role since moving from United, but take any good United forward, turn them into a midfielder and make them play in the championship for a year after two years in the Premiership: chances are they'll have gotten at least a few goals...
The premiership is undoubtedly better with Newcastle in it, but if they're to stay up, they've got a tough task ahead.
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