Manchester United On The Brink Of Historic English Premier League Title Success

Vidic: Showed more desire than Ivanovic when heading United’s second goal

It was expected to be tense and cagey, but it took Manchester United just 36 seconds to move to within touching distance of a record-breaking 19th league title in an eventual 2-1 victory over Chelsea.

The current United squad is not recognised as a classic Sir Alex Ferguson collection, however, it is now only one point away from being the group who eclipse the 18 top-flight titles of bitter foes Liverpool. 

While some vintage United traits may be lacking, the characteristics of committed and brave football which have been institutionalised at Old Trafford during Ferguson’s almost quarter-of-a-Century-in charge have always been present. 

And no more so than against closest title rivals Chelsea, in one of the most important games of the 2010/11 season, in what was a blistering opening at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, was there evidence of United’s courage in conviction. 

With just more than half-a-minute on the clock, Javier Hernandez pounced on a David Luiz mistake, before, in the 23rd minute, captain Nemanja Vidic showed more desire than Branislav Ivanovic to score United’s second.

After several weeks of anticipation, a brooding Carlo Ancelotti, who only used £50million Fernando Torres as a substitute after the hour mark, could not hide his fury that his players had thrown away the resurgence of a 10-game unbeaten run in the league.

An instinctive Frank Lampard goal raised some hope, but the wobbly Luiz and ineffective John Obi Mikel had both been substituted at half-time and Ancelotti can now only hope for huge favours from United’s remaining opponents, Blackburn and Blackpool.

Ferguson, in contrast, can put the champagne on ice as he prepares to fulfil his pledge to ‘knock Liverpool off their perch’, while, having also wrecked Chelsea’s European dreams, he looks forward to a Wembley UEFA Champions League final and what would be a remarkable Double.

Source: Skysports