United show why they will be champions in May

Yesterday I had an all too familiar feeling as Everton visited Old Trafford.

Even as one of the form teams in the Premier League we (Everton) wasn’t expected to get anything at Manchester United and as usual we didn’t.

Inevitable

Manchester United are the kings of the late goal and have been for a long time. It’s an almost inbuilt setting that they will score a late winner if they need it.

A point at Old Trafford would have been a good result for Everton but as the clock ticked down I just knew that the home side would find a winner from somewhere. And in the 83^rd minute Javier Hernandez popped up with a far post header.

There was a massive sense of relief in the ground but I felt that the fans never lost their faith in the team and always knew the goal would come.

Brave

Although Everton were sitting quite deep Sir Alex Ferguson made some brave decisions and like so many times before his big decisions paid off. He moved striker Wayne Rooney into a deep lying midfield anchor role and it paid off.

The Scot also threw on striker Michael Owen from the substitute bench and the former-England international hit a post. The little striker gave the Everton defence more to think about and helped create space for Hernandez to score the winner.

Grind

I think by everybody’s admission Manchester United haven’t been playing the most sparkling football this season but they are playing winning football. It’s not the best Manchester United side we have ever seen either but they have the ability to grind out results, just like they did yesterday.

These sorts of results are down to the player’s mental strength, the belief in the players that they will win and that they never give up. Officials have often been criticised for allowing more injury-time at Old Trafford than at other grounds but United still have to make the breakthrough against teams who come to just to get men behind the ball.

Champions

Manchester United are now six points clear of champions Chelsea and nine points clear of third place Arsenal. However with just four games remaining the Red Devils look set to clinch their record breaking 19th league title.

United still have to face the two chasing sides but I don’t expect them to slip up. Sir Alex Ferguson has questioned why the media believe that the pair will beat United.

The Scot told SkySports:

“The thing that puzzles me is they (the media) keep saying Arsenal and Chelsea have got to play us still, like we’re going to lose them…why shouldn’t we win those games?”

“As I said to the players, forget all that nonsense. Just try to win your games and you’ll be all right, keep your heads and don’t get carried away.

“There are only four games left and the way they are going about their business gives them an outstanding chance (of success).”

A lot of these United players have been in this position many times before and I really expect them to go on and finish the job. Their boss won’t allow anything but 100% from now till the end of the season. It’s now United’s league to lose.

Double

Manchester United are still in with a chance of winning the double of Champions League and Premier League titles. Much better United teams haven’t been in such a good position and United’s success this season is all down to the effect Sir Alex Ferguson has on his players.

Legend

The Scot is the difference between his team being a group of good players and a trophy winning machine. If he doesn’t go down as one of the greatest managers ever then it will be an absolutely travesty.

When he does retire he will be very difficult to replace. Love him or hate him he is quite simply a managerial legend and the Scot is set to add more honours to the long list of trophies he’s already won in his glittering career.

Have Manchester United now got the Premier League title sewn up?