Many Are Called. Few Succeed. Manchester United: Beyond the Promised Land

Passion, Pride, Desire

(United 1 - 0 Chelsea)

One United

After last nights performance, ive gotta say Im really proud of the team! They were all passion, pride and desire, right from kickoff! Everything I was complaining about and they all showed it in abundance today! The lads were all fantastic, every single one of them ran their socks off! Thats something i havent seen in quite a while now. We sure did celebrate Sir Alex's 19th anniversary of being at the helm of man utd.

Fergie was spot on with his formation this time round as we caught chelsea off guard reverting back to our favoured 4-4-2 with Fletcher and Ronaldo on the wings. Sith and Scholesy held their own in midfield as they pressed and challenged Essien and Lampard for every ball. Lampard clearly couldnt get his game going.

Van Der Sar was shear class again in goal with Rio and Silvestre marshalling our defense as well as they have done all season long to shut Chelsea out. Rooney and Ruud both had chances to finish chelsea off late n the 2nd half. Its a pity they didnt capitalize on them. All in all, it was a massive performance from our under fire squad.

Perhaps Keano's gotta slag them off on a more frequent basis if it'll lead to such performances week in week out.

We're now 3rd in the table, 10 points behind Chelsea, with a game in hand. I sure hope we build on this victory and make further strives as we try to cut down chelsea's lead. With Neville and Keano due back in the coming weeks, its looking rather chirpy right now. Next Stop: Charlton

I however still feel that there are limitations in our squad.

O'Shea's energy was first rate today. It often is. He has the touch and vision of a donkey though. He's a player we should offload when the transfer window opens in january.

Darren Fletcher. He worked fantastically hard today but he still gives us far too little that can be relied upon going forward. Good goal he scored today tho. He still hasnt done much else to deserve a place in Uniteds starting 11. A squad player at the most.

I felt it was Smiths day today though. Colossal on the pitch and mighty impressive with his interview and attitude off it. The boy's gonna be pretty special folks. Get Keano in there alongside him guiding him and passing the mantle over and boy will he be destructive.

Smithy:
UNDER a spreading chestnut tree,
The Manchester Smithy stands,
Alan Smith, a mighty man is he,
United midfield in his hands,

His brow is wet with honest sweat,
He'll play wherever he can.
And looks the whole world in the face,
For he owes not any man.

Week in, week out, from morn til night,
You'll hear his lungs a-blow,
As a Roman warrior beating his chest,
When his troops are low.