United 2

Rooney (59), Diaby (OG 64)

Gunners 1

Arshavin (40)


Lift a glass to the class of the league. Another tense north-south clash saw United swipe three points from the new kids on the block. After knocking around lesser opponents, the punters have all but crowned the Gooners league champs. Too bad Diaby didn't get the memo. Arsene was too busy kicking water bottles to read it. Meanwhile Berbatov memorized it.

This week the Bulgarain's laissez-faire pace was particularly noticeable. Outrun and outplayed by grandaddy Giggs, not to mention the ever-hustling Arshavin, Dimitar needs to reassess his role - perhaps with Newcastle or Millwall. Love to see him slow down the midfield in S. London. All that would remain is a hairnet and sneer. Seriously. Can you imagine Berbatov instigating a Keane/Vierra-esque pre-match punch up in the tunnel? Me neither.

Regardless, it was good result from a United side whose cast hasn't yet hardened. I'll wait 'til the Christmas fixtures to make my predictions. A least we already know who's naughty, and who's nice (he goes by the name of Wayne Rooney).

FRET NOT

5 United 0 Wigan


After several uncomfortable days on work detail, the usual suspects arrived to demolish the Latics in the late half of Saturday's lopsided northern faux-derby at the DW book depository and storage facility.

Rooney turned in a centurion effort, Berbatov put himself in the right place at the right time. And Owen, the new kid, looked promising. Nani's 85th minute free kick showed focus and precision. Backflips all around.

Don't order the champers just yet. The team whose name we shall not speak also put up some big numbers. Clash of the Titans 1 is fast approaching. The question is, who wants it more? Spurs anyone...

37 TO GO




1 United 0 Birmingham



Perfection starts at home. Well maybe not perfection, but three points against a newly promoted Birmingham side that showed a lot of potential, but never really delivered.

All in all the Reds attacked and defended as well as can be expected, given all the shake ups. Defensive injuries, a new non-Ronaldo strike force. And a lazy man up front. Yes, Berbatov. He should at least fain enthusiasm, but instead he falls for the off sides trap seemingly without a care. He's on one of the best teams in the world, but you'd never know it by his demeanor.


I already miss Tevez. Ronaldo, not so much. Except, of course, for the multitude of goals he supplied. But I can't wait until he has a mega diva-tandrum at Real. It will happen. And when it does the Spainards won't be too keen on it. The honeymoon will end.

The cherry on top of yesterday's victory was Liverpool's loss to Spurs. To dare is to do. The scoucsers did neither.