Manchester United have ruffled a number of their own fans’ feathers as the supporters pine for the elegance and beauty of Sir Alex Ferguson’s traditional game.
It also hurts to hear the plaudits being dished out to others, especially when they are to your closest rivals.
It is not easy on the eye at the moment and obviously hasn’t been since that dark derby day at Old Trafford back in October.
This current patch of digging in and clawing out victories might last a shade longer than the norm and that is no surprise following the damaging horrors of that derby drubbing.
But how many other teams could have responded to an embarrassing mauling in their own back yard by their neighbours as well as United have done?
Most sides, having been destroyed in such a comprehensive way, would still be struggling to scrape themselves back up off the canvas.
But five wins and five clean sheets as a comeback from such a knockdown is impressive fighting talk.
It was probably tough for United fans who had made the tediously long trek to South Wales to watch the Premier League newcomers hog the ball.
Eight of Fergie’s starters at the Liberty Stadium had been in the manager’s line-up at Wembley last May in the Champions League final against Barca.
It is no exaggeration to say that at times they must have been transported back to the haunting memory of that day in London as Brendan Rodgers’ side neatly and studiously played their way around United.
Fortunately, there were no replays of the scoring power that ultimately turns the Spaniards' brilliant passing game into such a destructive force.
Swansea do not possess that killer finishing touch at all and all their possession and intricate, impressive ball work continually fizzled out.
All United had to do was remain patient and they’d have their first victory in Swansea in the bag.
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They knew that because, while the Welsh side haven’t got an executioner of Premier League class, the Reds have one who can globally cut the mustard.
Hitmen who can finish off build-up work are at a premium.
If you can pick one up for a bargain £8m amid the worldwide search for this prized commodity then it’s a masterstroke. In Javier Hernandez, United have unearthed a golden nugget.
The Mexican rarely beefs up his goal-haul with strikes in a romp. Instead, he specialises in single-strike match winners.
When you are climbing back on your feet and are grinding out 1-0 victories then a Chicharito is a must.
Eric Cantona famously did a similar job for the Reds in the 1990s and the 23-year-old has been United’s key match winner this season, building on the points and cup wins his goals produced in his debut season last year. Since the well of goals from early season ran dry at the end of September, Chicharito has scored three goals – but they’ve earned the Reds a vital return of seven league points.
He snatched a point at Anfield against Liverpool, poached the winner against Everton at Goodison and in South Wales he again proved he has few peers when it comes to his predatory instincts in the six-yard area.
In this tale of two gilt-edged chances, it was the United hitman who prevailed.
Swansea’s commendable ideal of playing their way out of trouble does leave them exposed to playing themselves into danger at times.
And that’s exactly what happened in the 10th minute when Angel Rangel played a loose ball in his own half and Ryan Giggs seized on the chance.
The Cardiff-born Welshman, was booed and cheered in equal measure by his fellow Welshman.
They didn’t know whether to applaud a patriot or jeer someone born in a bitter, rival city, but Giggs reminded them off his quality by supplying a cross that whipped along the six-yard line and there’s only one winner when Chicharito sniffs that kind of opportunity.
After 23 minutes Swansea’s only serious opportunity presented itself with United’s newly re-enforced defence unusually unable to clear their lines.
David de Gea must have been horror struck to see Scott Sinclair poised in Chicharito territory unmarked and set to replicate the Mexican’s finish.
It was nowhere near a replica as he embarrassingly messed up. Instead, he’ll be glad those Christmas howler DVDs are already on the shelves.
His miss let United off the hook and they went on in to register a third straight league win and clean sheet since their derby disaster.
What do you think? Have your say.
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Was not pretty to watch but the defence and attack did their job. While the midfield is inept (even the wingers had an off day) we can forget about United dominating the centre of the park. All this talk of Pogba and Morrison but if they were good enough Sir Alex would be using them right now.
nice one
Great write up Stu. Great write up.
Only a couple of things upset me, foremost was the harsh fouls by Monk(more like Friar Tuck) on Chicharito. The one in the fifth minute was bad.
Rooney and Evra were also roughed up quite a lot. Park was literally bashed around but he is a tough cookie, nothing fazes him.
Were they trying to make Rooney lose his cool?
I loved the way my hero Giggs was given a great standing ovation on his substitution.
The team is in disarray after a couple of matches with Rooney in the midfield and Nani on the left. They will settle down.
Rio and Vida back in the groove along with Jones and the tireless Evra.
Loved to see Evra sprinting past Dyer, reminding me of another favourite of mine Roberto Carlos.
Any idea the Glazers could afford Becks for a year so he could retire from United!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not all that 'one-man-team' stuff, please. United's strength has always been the quality in depth and that resilience throughout the team.
Odd-goal wins won't get United back onto level pegging with City.
Don't get me wrong. I'd love to be going to Eastlands in April needing a win to secure the title. But how are United going to find 5 points and 14 more goals with the performances of late?
Absolute crap. Nothing more to say. Eric Lees. Florida ex Burnage.
"But five wins and five clean sheets as a comeback from such a knockdown is impressive fighting talk"...........Sorry, but the five clean has mainly been down to the absence of one "suspect defender" who goes by the name of Jonny Evans. I said after the City game that it might be a blessing in disguise for us that he got sent off, so we could get back to normal in defence & so far I haven't been given any reason to eat my own words......Onwards & upwards........UTID