Never Write Off Manchester United

Tuesday, 27th April 2010 at 12:10pm

As the clock at Eastlands showed 92 minutes, it appeared that Manchester United's dream of becoming the first team to win four successive titles was about to be snatched from their grasp.

The single point gained would see them three points adrift of league leaders Chelsea, having played a game more.

Not only would the club from Old Trafford be deprived of that record, Sir Alex Ferguson and his men would have been forced to wait at least one more season before being able to stand alone as England's most successful club at a domestic level, remaining level with Liverpool on 18 league titles.

Just as all seemed lost, Paul Scholes, a scorer of so many crucial goals in his career, popped up with a goal to breathe life into United's title challenge, evoking memories and celebrations of days gone by.

United's first Premier League title came on the back of two late Steve Bruce goals against Sheffield Wednesday at Old Trafford back in 1992 and later winners have been a feature of the Red Devils' success ever since.

Paul Scholes

Bruce's late efforts prompted scenes of jubilation on the United bench as Brian Kidd celebrated wildly on the pitch and Alex Ferguson, as he was then known, ran towards the touchline shaking his fists in delight.

Last Saturday, Brian Kidd was on the Manchester City bench at Eastlands and must have watched on with mixed emotions as Paul Scholes' late winner elicited a similar response from his old boss, proving once again that you write off United at your peril.

At the start of this season, many experts, fans and the like, myself included, wrote off Manchester United's chances of winning the title.

The loss of Cristiano Ronaldo, the man who had scored 68 goals for the club in his last two seasons, combined with the impression that United had not replaced him adequately was surely too great, especially with a rejuvenated Liverpool and a Chelsea team hungry for success snapping at their heels.

Since winning the title in 1992, Sir Alex Ferguson has heard his side written off time and time again: in 1996 when they trailed Newcastle United by 12 points; when Eric Cantona retired and rode off into the sunset in 1997; when David Beckham was sold to Real Madrid in 2003; and when the 'Special One' strolled into town in 2004, and yet they have risen back to the top on each occasion, seemingly at their best when everyone else around them have lost faith.

Did Sir Alex foresee the impact that Wayne Rooney would have on the team this term in the absence of Ronaldo? Maybe he did as he has been around long enough, and the form of England's biggest hope has been nothing short of remarkable this season.

At times, Rooney has carried United almost singlehandedly when those around him haven't been up to the task, something that has delighted both Ferguson and Fabio Capello.

What has also helped this United team, a team some would argue is weaker than many Ferguson has assembled in his time, is the openness of the Premier League this season.

In the 2003/04 and 2004/05 seasons, the title winning sides - Arsenal and Chelsea respectively - lost just once between them, but the lack of a standout team has been a feature of the 2009/10 league.

In 2008/2009, the top three - Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea - lost 12 games between them. This year that figure stands at 21 - Chelsea have lost six, United 7 and Arsenal 8 - and all have three fixtures remaining until the end of the season.

Chelsea seemed to have one hand on the trophy as that clock reached 92 minutes last Saturday, but United have dragged their way back into contention and few would write them off now.

The ultimate irony is that it could be Liverpool of all clubs who give their fierce rivals the chance to take their record of league titles away when they face Chelsea at Anfield on the penultimate day of the season.

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