So the team with the money got a 'lesson in football' yesterday, can't say I disagree too much with Wayne Rooneys assesment of the game. For 80 minutes we controlled the game with ease and our young lads showed a spirit and togetherness that unfortunately money just can't buy. Even at 2 down at half time I had no worries, it was never a 2 goal game and I knew if we continued in the same way the goals would come.
There's a lot of talk about us needing to bring sneijder in, but perhaps the answer to the midfield dilemma is closer to home. Tom Cleverly looked every inch the player we need to fill that role yesterday and if we show patience and give the player the backing he needs he could save us a lot of money. Anderson too needs a big season and yesterday for the first time in a long time he took control in the middle and didn't tire like we saw him do on many occasions last season. There's a definite class of 95/96 feel about what we've got at the club now and it was telling that for much of the second half Ashley Young at 26 was our oldest player on the pitch, we took City apart with a team of hungry talented and entusiastic kids and it all bodes well for the future.
And before anybody gives it the 'it was only a friendly' line - the 5 yellow cards teh city players picked up showed they were taking it much more seriously than that!
Here's my predictions;
Champions - Manchester United
Top 4 - Chelsea, City, Liverpool
Relegated - Wigan, Norwich, Swansea
FA Cup - Manchester United
League Cup - Manchester United
Champions League - Barcelona