Manchester United (9/2 to win 2010-11 Premier League) need Wayne Rooney more than Wayne Rooney needs Manchester United - that is providing of course that he returns to the sort of form he showed last year.
Yes, they won. Yes, they remain unbeaten but they are not exactly pulling up trees at the moment and looking like they are going all the way – in any competition.
Rooney seemingly has not been back to his best, having endured a torrid World Cup campaign and mustering only one goal in five appearances this season for United, with the England man now facing another spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.
Dimitar Berbatov’s extra fitness work over the summer appeared to work dividends, as he started the season on fire and looked set to justify the hype over his big-money move in 2008.
The Bulgarian bagged seven goals in his first six games, culminating in his hat-trick which secured the 3-2 win over Liverpool. However, he has not scored in the six games since and certainly does not provide the work-rate that Rooney also offers – normal service has resumed and Fergie needs to get him on the treadmill again.
There is a school of thought that says foreign players need time to adjust to the Premier League, so what can be expected of Javier Hernandez. Although the “Little Pea” has scored five goals in his last eight games, he gives the impression of being the “new” Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – ie: an impact substitute from the bench.
Luis Nani is trying to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford and has contributed a lot this season already, but he is far too inconsistent for United to be able to depend on him in the same way – despite his own belief that he is now “one of the top players in the world” – where did that come from.
Although unbeaten, United have slipped five points behind Chelsea already in the table and need a fully fit and firing Rooney (16/1 Premier League Top Goalscorer) if they are to have any realistic chance of regaining the title.
Speaking of strikers, Liverpool (6/4 for a Top Six Finish), who have now won two on the bounce, need one! Fernando Torres has not quite recovered from injury and looks a shadow of the player that has tormented the Premier League in the past. A guaranteed starter for the club, injury-permitting, but if he is not doing it, who else can Roy Hodgson call upon?
David Ngog, Ryan Babel or Milan Jovanovic? Bring back Robbie Keane! I am expecting Hodgson to make some moves in the January transfer window – if he is still there!
Refereeing decisions are coming increasingly under the spotlight but let’s make one thing clear, referees, at one point or another, are always going to make a strange/wrong/downright stupid decisions – generally in favour of the “big teams”.
How Bolton did not get one of two penalty decisions on Sunday is anyone’s guess, but the answer is they were playing Liverpool.
Mark Clattenburg realised the error of his ways on Saturday after not giving Nani a penalty against Spurs, by allowing him to stroke home unimpeded immediately afterwards as Heurelho Gomes foolishly thought a free-kick had been given in his favour. It was at Old Trafford, Heurelho.
Tuncay’s ‘goal’ against Everton was ruled out at Goodison Park, presumably because Leighton Baines was put off by the breathing on his neck, although Andrei Arshavin must realise only Maraoune Chamakh at Arsenal is going to get penalties when there is no/little contact.
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