The Devil In Me

I suppose I should really know better but after Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool had all scraped jammy late wins I thought the stage was set for us to stamp a little bit of authority on the opening weekend.

My first sense that things might not go that way came when our much heralded snap, crackle and pop squad produced a first eleven containing two left-backs and a bench warmed by the snarling attacking talents of Darren Fletcher and John O’shea.  True enough there was nobody in the box to meet our first meaningful cross on seven minutes and things did look a tad route one ish with balls flying predominately from the midfield area of the wings into the area.

That said, for most of the match I did think that we would break through for three very good reasons.  Firstly, although Reading do a have a go when they move forwards they tend to hack it around a bit at the back.  Secondly, as usual, Ronaldo was doing things that with the ball that suggest he may well come from an entirely different planet.  And thirdly because I am an optimist, after a couple of decades of following this team I should know better.

We didn’t give up, but a hopeful long shot from Carrick and inch perfect pass from Ronaldo to their goalie suggested that it might be about to become one of those days.  Rooney’s touch was incredible at times and we continued to try some really nice stuff but we just seemed to lack fluency in front of goal.

My half-time finger crossing was to no avail and Rooney did not reappear after the break.  For the first twenty minutes of the second half it was all United but they just couldn’t get through, Reading’s central three at the back formed a window to stop the chances we rained on them and Duberry in particular played extremely well.

Nobody can be blamed for Rooney’s latest hoof break and cope without him we will have to.  Nani certainly looks no mug and I was heartened by the sight of Vidic pushing over one of their full-backs who had the temerity to stand near him whilst a corner was being lined up.  But again, United are going to be doing things the hard way.  At least that will be familiar.