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The Glenn Hamilton View - March 27 2008 (archive)

Manchester United increased their point advantage with a fine display at Old Trafford on Sunday. The Red Devils have retained their top position and are five points clear of Chelsea after their surprising victory over Arsenal.
Although there is little question that United should have probably increased their goal margin, there is little doubt that they deserved to win. Manchester United played a nice and thorough game that left Liverpool looking as if they wished they had never gotten out of bed this morning. Jamie Carragher and Pepe Reina particularly had a game in which they will soon want to forget with the latter almost gifting United a goal on more then one occasion. Gerrard barley registered and if not for the bit of determination that Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel displayed at times, Liverpool would have looked like a side right out of the bottom divisions in England.
Manchester United may still be a bit goal shy but at least it was not from a lack of trying. Ronaldo twice hit the post before heading home, but Rooney had three attempts to slide seemingly easy balls past Reina and into the back of the net. Indeed, Rooney looks like the confidence has drained out of him and it is difficult to imagine just why this may be.
Sir Alex Ferguson expressed slight disappointment at the lack of finishing again and after to continuing to praise Rooney and back him to add goals to his season tally, the striker just seems to not be able to buy a goal at this point. In no way did Rooney put in a bad performance however. He was very influential, setting up Wes Brown’s first goal of the season and challenging for balls but every United fan will agree that we would love to see him scoring again.
Of course no Liverpool versus Manchester United match can go without controversy and this game was no different. Javier Mascherano got himself foolishly sent off after accumulating two yellow cards the last for arguing.
It is difficult to see why Mascherano had such a hard time believing his fate when he saw red. Yes referee Steve Bennett may be a bit heavy handed at times but the Argentine was clearly out of order when he decided to argue a call which nothing to do with him. Bennett must also be praised for his decision. After all is Mascherano’s behavior not what we have all been complaining about this season. Finally a referee has had the courage to stand up against a player and show him just who is boss on the field.
Yes Liverpool will no doubt feel hard done by but lets face it Reds, you were doomed to begin with. Liverpool lacked the energy, determination, and character to even challenge United. It will be back to the drawing boards for Benitez and perhaps he will have better luck next season against Manchester United.
United now will have to look towards London again but this time to West London. Chelsea managed to upset Arsenal and not them out of second position. They are now five points behind United and the always difficult trip to Stamford Bridge just might have got even tougher. Why should the Red Devils worry though if they can keep playing the way they did against Liverpool?

Glenn Hamilton

 

[These views are purely those of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Red Devil Radio].