Manchester United are not quite what they were. Never have been in some eyes; even when they responded to the challenge of Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea with a hat-trick of titles, Sir Alex Ferguson’s players were damned with faint praise, blamed for lacking the inspiration of Eric Cantona, the backbone of Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister, and even the precision of David Beckham’s right foot.
But Ferguson makes sure he always has enough in his squad to keep serious decline at bay.
Last night was a case in point. The United manager, his defensive resources already stretched by the prolonged injuries of Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Nemanja Vidic, omitted Rio Ferdinand, who still contrives to fit a football career into his political agenda, from the side to face Braga because he wanted the classy but creaking veteran in optimum condition for Sunday’s visit to Stamford Bridge.
Michael Carrick deputised unimpressively as Braga took a two-goal lead.
But, just as it seemed Ferguson would be punished for appearing to take lightly the capable Portuguese, the wisdom of loading his attack with Javier Hernandez became apparent.
Wayne Rooney passed the ammunition and the hungry Mexican did the rest, striking twice either side of Jonny Evans’s equaliser. United have nine points and can now devote every attention to the Premier League collision.
Suddenly, in the space of 90 minutes, Chelsea had been beset by the questions Shakhtar raised about their condition — and United reassured that they had a manager who knew plenty of answers.
Afterwards Ferguson even feigned ignorance of why his team kept falling behind in matches. It was an example of how he talks to his players through the media. He was starting his build-up to the Bridge, where he will expect full concentration from the first whistle. Now let’s see how Roberto di Matteo lifts Chelsea.
