So what do we think? Are Manchester United finally on the slippery slope? Is Alex Ferguson now ready for the pipe and slippers? Is Roy Keane losing it in more ways than one?
So many Anyone But Uniteds (ABUs) have prayed for these things for so long, ever since the Old Trafford club began dominating the Premiership in 1992. And it’s starting to look like those ABU dreams are coming true.
That shocking loss to woeful Wolves in January has been followed by a string of uncharacteristic lapses which has seen Arsenal sweep from five points behind to an imperious seven points ahead in the title chase.
And even their wins since then, including the 4-3 nerve-jangler against Everton (when they were 3-0 up), have been pretty ropey too. The past couple of weeks have featured a 3-2 shock defeat against Middlesbrough (with Juninho, the smallest man on the pitch, scoring two headers), a 1-1 draw against lowly Leeds and Wednesday night’s Champions League defeat against Porto.
Okay, Porto are unbeaten all season and it’s only the first leg of the quarterfinal. But in a game where, uniquely, all three goals were scored by South Africans — first Quinton Fortune for United then the impressive Benni McCarthy twice for Porto — the flaws were exposed once more.
Keane’s late sending off — for standing on a fallen goalkeeper — seemed a little harsh but somehow added the final seal to a sad night for United in Portugal.
Sir Alex Ferguson, chewing furiously, with his nose turning blue, promised attack, attack. Instead, after McCarthy’s first response, he let his side sit back before the almost-inevitable headed winner.
United may get through in the second leg at Old Trafford thanks to Fortune’s away goal, but quite what they’ll do against an increasingly desperate Fulham on Saturday, who can tell?
What is certain is that ever since Rio Ferdinand limped off to suspension against Wolves all those weeks ago, they haven’t looked too good at the back. Fulham’s former top scorer, Louis Saha, will be in a red shirt next to Ruud van Nistelrooy on Saturday, which may turn things United’s way.
But at the back Mikhael Silvestre is injured, Wes Brown still doesn’t look right after a second major injury and John O’Shea might not be the defender we all thought he was. So they’re left with Gary Neville, the England full-back, to fill in at centre half and hold them all together.
It’s just not going to work. Sir Alex swooped for Christiano Ronaldo, Kleberson and Louis Saha in recent months but he’s admitted since: ‘I could have done with a defender.â€
Too right.
Arsenal, after their jumpy 3-2 win over Celta Vigo in Spain on Tuesday, have got Charlton at home. Alan Curbishley’s men will be up for it after Claus Jensen’s last-minute winner against Blackburn last week.
The good thing about Tuesday night was Edu’s contribution. Yes, I know both sides had an Edu, but it was the Arsenal man who scored twice, the second a real curling beauty. For too long he’s been in the shadow of his inferior compatriot Gilberto Silva. Now, with Silva out injured, Edu has grabbed his chance.
Thing is, I’ve got this awful feeling Arsenal could be in for a real struggle at Highbury — remember last year? When the Champions League resumed they started to tire and threw away a six-point lead. They just don’t have the depth of United or Chelsea. I could be wrong. I normally am.
Blackburn, whose American goalkeeper Brad Friedel scored what was supposed to be a classic equaliser against Charlton last week, will slip into serious trouble unless they can edge out Southampton.
Everton will struggle against the improving Aston Villa, but I can see Leicester, so spirited in last Sunday’s 4-4 draw against Spurs, slipping further into trouble against Wolves in the Midlands derby.
Chelsea should be much to good for Manchester City on Saturday, though Kevin Keegan’s men have finally broken their winless run. Either side of the League Cup final, Sunday sees Leeds attempting the Great Escape against Liverpool, where manager Gérard Houllier is also digging tunnels, and Ports-mouth, who knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup during the week, may find Newcastle too strong at Fratton Park.