Red Redemption

Old is gold. It sure stands true for the banyan tree in our backyard breathing life into us for the last couple of generations. But does it hold the same degree of relevance for the demi gods I have been worshipping from the time I got an idea of the tricks of their trade? These men, clad in red shirts (soaked in victory), seem to wear the look of tired and worn out warriors, left with nothing in their armory but pride and history.

Marched on by their ever so planned general for the last couple of decades, these red devils on the wrong side of the age bar have won titles, buried challenges and laid their opponents to their graves of defeat. For years, they have worn their hearts out on their sleeves, but as the times have passed, these sleeves have gathered rust. But the question that gets raised here is whether their rusted glory can empower them to go on and challenge for yet another English Premier League Crown? Time and only time holds the answer to this question, perhaps.

But men of pride and glory do not let time decide for them, they define it on their own terms. The likes of Scholes and Giggs are considered veterans in today’s date; veterans who have served their team through the thinnest of situations to reach the most glorious of pinnacles the legend of the game of football can and has to offer. They have earned the tag of ‘experienced campaigners’ not by sitting under the sun, but by sweating it out season after season. The list of somewhat exhausted yet existing old devils doesn’t end dead red with them, as they have company in the form of Edwin Van Der Sar (a liability for the Dutch, an added ability for Old Trafford) and the man who leads and sets exemplary achievements on-field; Rio Ferdinand; the captain of the topsy-turvy ship.

But the question that pops up in our minds now is why we are, all of a sudden, calling Manchester United the team on the wrong side of the age-bar when it’s the Blues from Stamford Bridge with more senior citizens in the top flight than any other premier team (read EPL’s top 4)?? Or is it because Sir Alex Ferguson sports a comparatively aged team when put on the same platter as Arsenal, led by his bitter most rival; Arsene Wenger? The reason for the anxious query lies in the team’s performances in the opening part of this fresh new season, which hasn’t been good, to put it mildly.

The red devils have had a poor start to the season so far without having stamped their authority on either the English Premier League or the European scenario. Wins have been hard to come by, with defenses going off to sleep even against lowly opponents such as Sunderland and Blackpool. Edwin Van Der Sar has looked a lazy log between the posts who seems to be standing in front of a firing squad helplessly trying to lash on to bullets which used to be footballs to him a season back. Perhaps the vision’s blurring out at the age of 40, a reason why he has announced his retirement by season end. This is one area where the Manu bench lacks substantially serious strength with only Tomasz Kuszczak as the obvious second choice, nowhere close to the Dutch legend with the gloves.

And if defensive lapses were not the only worry for Sir Alex, Manchester United, in this new season, has also lacked creative options in the midfield with lackluster performances, so far, being silver lined by the absence of goal scoring options up front too.

But it has been this way for the last three years or so; they haven’t had the best of starts to their seasons for the last couple of times. So, why a hue and cry this time? That is due to the nature of their gameplay so far in this ongoing season. The real glory of Manchester United lies in the un-put-down-able fact that even when they play poor football, there is always an undeniable expectation of a better tomorrow which keeps Old Trafford roaring in soaring fever pitch voices. But this time round, tomorrow seems to be pretty much out of vision blurred out by the clouds of uncertainty.

If one considers the battle for the League Crown for the last half a decade, it’s been a war of the red devils against the mighty blues who just grow mightier with every passing season. Stamford Bridge has seen the home team lose only once in the last 90 odd games, now that is some statistic to reckon with. In such times when their bitter competitors/rivals have struggled to find form at home and away, Chelsea have stamped their authority on almost all matches against all opponents so far. With a 4+ goal difference in the league, Chelsea have run riot on the pitch every time they have stepped on it. On analyzing Chelsea’s stupendous performance in the season so far, despite them having comparatively more aged players, the management at Old Trafford will be questioning themselves: What is going wrong with us then?

Quite obviously, the answer to all the anxious anticipatory looks is not about the tired legs, but may be of the will or fortitude. Lack of intent or should I say, intensity, can be a valid reason behind their failure so far, but not a good enough excuse. None would be more aware of that than the great, Sir Alex Ferguson, himself. And it’s not just Chelsea they have to tackle, but also Arsenal and Manchester City, primarily; both these teams have shown good form and potential in this early part of the season and looming threats on United’s chances of winning another Premiership crown. For all United fans, these are times for prayer, with expectance of joy and glory in near future. Will the experienced men stand up and respond to the call of the hour? Can they drape the trophy in red once more? Will Old Trafford rejoice again?

I have my fingers crossed, what about you?..............