The footy pundits predicted dire straits for United when they sold Cristiano to RM for 80m GBP. The most expensive transfer in footy history still dominates the headlines as CR treads a new path with his new team. There is no doubt that he was crucial to United's success for the past six years, but they were also crucial to his success. It's not as if he were playing with mooks. In 2008/09 the Reds broke a Premier League record for the most minutes without conceding a goal, and with lifelong Reds like Ryan Giggs (PFA Player of the Year), and Paul Scholes (a pinpoint passer), United won the premiership for the third straight time (18 times overall), the Community Shield, the FIFA World Club Championship, the Carling Cup, and made it all the way to the final of the Champions League. Not a bad haul for a supposed one-man team!
With that said, SAF reminded everyone the other day that United are sitting in almost exactly the same position that they were last year. They were well behind Liverpool in the Prem League standings last year and had only one more point than they do now.
Giggsy was interviewed this week and said that although Cristiano was a huge part of their team, they haven't really missed him (his play). It must have been difficult for the last few years when CR's name was constantly in the headlines. I don't think the players were jealous of him because they knew they were just as responsible for the successes of the team as he was. Yes, he had wonderful bouts of brilliance, but rarely were they feats of his own. The freekicks were fabulous, but he didn't win all of them. But we're marching on.
Wednesday's game against Wigan was a perfect example of moving on and setting the tone for the new year. A thorough 5-0 drubbing of the Latics (just as they did at Wigan two months ago), the best news was that the 5 goals didn't come from one person, and they weren't spotkicks, freekicks, or corners. The goals were good ol' fashioned goals that were pounded out by gritty play.
Rooney scored first at 28 minutes
Four minutes later Michael Carrick blasted through the crowd for number two
Rafael da Silva scores his first OT goal...
...and promptly ran to the bench to salute his brother, Fabio
Five minutes after the half, Dimitar Berbatov was on the receiving end of some slick play by Rooney...United 4-0.
With 15 minutes to play, Antonio Valencia netted his 6th goal for the year against his former club.
United 5-0 Wigan. Three more points.
The Reds go marching on on on...
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