United Must Keep Focus
Victory over the weekend against Reading ensured that Manchester United opened up a 15-point gap against title rivals, Manchester City.
Football fans across all domains believe that the title now belongs to the Red Devils and that Mancini and co should concede defeat.
However many within Old Trafford have voiced their concerns of the possibility of complacency slipping in and the title being lost out in disappointing fashion as seen last year.
The game against Reading portrayed a subdued effort by the table leaders. Only a couple of moments of excitement and drama resulted from the game, and rarely did any player show the passion and desire to kill the game off and annihilate the opponent.
It is possible that the team have been instructed to ease off and play with greater caution as to avoid injuries and burnout. They have the luxury of dropping points from time to time, whilst conserving their energy for the more significant games.
However, this lackadaisical approach may filter through to the FA Cup replay against Chelsea, which could result in a humiliating and bitter defeat. Therefore the responsibility lies with Ferguson to ensure that performance levels are managed effectively and that morale remains high.
The FA Cup replay against Chelsea will be fought by both sides with great vigour and tenacity. Both teams are hungry for silverware and both managers are renewing their enmity. Rafa Benitez has a point to prove to the Chelsea fans and management, whilst Sir Alex Ferguson wants to claim a domestic double and bring the FA Cup back to Old Trafford after a long period of absence.
I expect the league game against Sunderland will feature squad players like Buttner, Anderson and Hernandez, whilst resting the first-team regulars for the FA Cup replay as there is only a two day gap between the two fixtures.
Despite this sensible approach to the team management, fans who are watching these mild-mannered games may feel aggrieved as they have become accustomed to free-scoring attacking football.
In addition, the title race lacks excitement and drama in the latter stages of this season as it appears to be a one horse race. The threat from Manchester City seems to be non-existent, whilst the traditional challengers are suffering from their own inconsistencies. From a neutral perspective, one may no longer be compelled to maintain an interest in the title race if it is a forgone conclusion.
Nevertheless, United fans can proudly proclaim that their team are exceeding expectations and that possessing a comfortable points gap is much more desirable than possessing no gap at all.
The key factor at this stage of the season is to ensure that the players have learnt their lesson from last season and that the title race is not over until the trophy is in their hands.
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