Much of the hype regarding yesterday’s mauling handed out by Manchester United to Arsenal. The 8-2 score did not do a disservice to how dominant United were in the game. Each move was executed with the panache of champions and with annoying and shuddering precision. They sent out a message to all teams in England and Europe for that matter, United will be a major force come what may. Their swagger on the pitch only matched their strut off it.

Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal – as it happened

However the point that struck me most was that Ferguson taught Wenger a lesson yesterday – A lesson of how to groom and blood youngsters without sacrificing on success. The United team that took the pitch had amongst them a keeper who has yet to play 5 games for the club, a central defensive pairing of Jones and Evans – an unproven talent and a player ridiculed for most of last season, Smalling playing in an unfamiliar position at right back. Their midfield had the temperamental Nani and Young who is still finding his feet at United. Cleverly is trying to prove his worth beyond the loan spells for Premier League strugglers and an increasingly confident looking Anderson. Heading the line was another loan returnee – Welbeck who made a nuisance of himself in the entire half an hour he was on the pitch.

Ferguson could be mistaken to have taken a leaf out of Wenger’s book by playing a very young team and trusting them to get the job done. And they did so with some aplomb. They ripped Arsenal to shreds and posed some serious questions about Arsenal’s credentials. They slaughtered a team that will not be struggling to keep itself in the league come next May but a team that will be playing in Europe’s premier club competition. The ruthless efficiency was one to be applauded and at times mind boggling. They outplayed Arsenal on every part of the pitch. And moreover they did so playing with youngsters, a policy that Wenger has bored us into believing will work out for Arsenal one day.

The most stunning part of the victory was that Ferguson’s team never looked as if they doubted themselves. They believed that they were good enough and proved that to everyone with a masterful performance. The season should be interesting with City’s enormously talented squad put against a Chelsea squad being moulded in another shape to finally shed Mourinho’s shadow and this very talented United side. One thing is for sure, if the league sees such displays as was evident this weekend each week – it’s gonna be a special year for fans. And lastly, could we have another round of ovation for this magnificent outfit from the red side of Manchester!

Tags: Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, English Premier League, EPL, Football, Manchester United, Premier League, Sir Alex Ferguson