1. Irrespective of City’s win, United will still be worthy champions
Some commentators may be tempted to conclude that last night’s result gives credence to Roberto Mancini’s recent suggestion that Manchester City do not deserve to be so many points behind United in the Premier League.
However, as well as City played last night – performing the notable achievement of winning at Old Trafford for the second consecutive season in the process – realists will surely subscribe to the old saying which decrees that ‘the table doesn’t lie’.
The game, notwithstanding the emotional significance of the occasion for these two bitter rivals, was still a one-off.
Most Premier League sides are capable of rising to the occasion sporadically, but it is performing to a high level for the duration of the season that is the true mark of champions.
United, though they were flat yesterday, have still been remarkably consistent throughout their campaign, as 25 wins in their first 30 league games attests, which is why they’ll be more than worthy winners when they eventually are crowned champions.
2. Nastasic looks set for stardom
It is by no accident that City’s defence is by far the best in the Premier League statistically.
Last night, United continually struggled to break down their resolute rearguard, and in particular, the 20-year-old Serbian international Matija Nastasić stood out for City, as he has done on many occasions this season.
Eyebrows were raised when the club forked out in the region of €15 million for the player’s services, but with hindsight, that money now seems like a bargain.A while back, Eamon Dunphy bemoaned the increasing absence of top-quality central defenders in the game.
However, with the emergence of Nastasic, and Raphaël Varane at Real Madrid, there are now at least two up-and-comers who appear capable of emulating the greats.
3. Is Van Persie suffering from burnout?
One of the wittier tweets in the aftermath of last night’s match pointed out that Robin van Persie has gone 57 days without scoring – longer than Henning Berg lasted in the Blackburn job.
Yet for all its humour, the tweet alluded to a serious question that many critics are asking: what’s gone wrong with Van Persie?
Granted, he was by no means terrible last night – his brilliantly executed free-kick did set up United’s only goal.
Yet it remains clear that his season is ending with a whimper, in stark contrast to the perpetually dazzling displays he delivered in the earlier months of his Old Trafford career.
His well-documented regular injury troubles were so drastic that up until his last campaign with Arsenal, he had never played more than 28 league games in one season, with his average being in the low 20s.
However, last year he featured in every single one of Arsenal’s Premier League matches, and he has kept up a steady appearance record with United, while also having the burden of being a prominent part of Holland’s Euro 2012 campaign.
In short, RVP has never had to deal with such an intensive playing schedule before. Perhaps he’s due an extended rest.
4. City won the midfield battle
The midfield area proved key last night, with City ultimately enjoying 54% possession – a somewhat alarming stat from United’s perspective, given that they were the home side.
Michael Carrick – so often impressive this season, was not as effective as usual, while Alex Ferguson was surely asking too much of the 39-year-old Ryan Giggs, by pitting him against the energy and physicality of James Milner and Gareth Barry in midfield.
As impressive as United have been this season, last night’s game illustrated why they are an incomplete team.Their key priority next season should be the signing of a genuine replacement for Paul Scholes, whose magisterial qualities they can no longer rely on regularly.
Recently, against both Chelsea and City, the inferior technical ability that they can get away with against weaker teams has been exposed.
A creative player of Wesley Sneijder’s ilk would undoubtedly help rectify such frailties.
5. United’s excellence has been slightly exaggerated
While Alex Ferguson’s men deserve praise for the manner in which they have comfortably fought off the competition in the Premier League this year, some of the recent hype surrounding them has felt a little hollow.
While they are clearly an extremely efficient side, whether they are a truly exceptional one remains to be seen.
Ferguson recently said that his current squad are as accomplished as any group of players he has ever managed, but recent slip-ups have cast considerable doubt on that assertion.Big teams win big games, whereas United faultered in their recent encounters with Chelsea and Real Madrid, even if they were hindered by a debatable refereeing decision in the latter instance.
Consequently, it seems futile to compare them to the treble-winning side of 1999, or the star-filled double-winning team of the 1993/94 season, on the basis of a solitary title win, in what is widely regarded as one of the weakest Premier Leagues ever.
Of course, United should be heartily congratulated on their significant achievements this year, but greatness eludes them for now.
