Those with short-term vision will be blaming the loss of what seems to be all hope of another Premiership title for Manchester United on their unexpected 0-0 draw against lowly Sunderland on Friday.
Sunderland's draw, when United had been openly discussing how many goals they'd score, effectively ends Manchester's hope
of snatching the title from Chelsea. But the plain fact is that United lost the title in five awful weeks in the New Year.
United hopes were buoyed by nine league wins on the trot - but this was always a hopeful quest. It was really ended by United's horror run in January and February, rather than the undeniable heroics of little-known Sunderland goalkeeper Kelvin Davis.
In five weeks across the first two months of 2006, United were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton at Old Trafford; succumbed 3-1 to Manchester City three days later; were beaten 4-3 by Blackburn; and then lost 1-0 at Liverpool. One point out of a possible 12 - that is clearly where United's season came adrift.
Chelsea, with an awkward fixture at Bolton overnight, have five games left and need only seven points to clinch the title. Put another way, they can have two wins and a draw from five matches and still win.
Goalkeeper Davis, often booed by his own fans this season, saved from Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo several times. A determined Sunderland midfield and defence ensured the visitors had no room to play at their fluid best. Ronaldo had another match to forget, fiddling with the ball unnecessarily, and veteran Ryan Giggs snarled at him on one occasion.
Now the spotlight will focus squarely on United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, some of the player buys he has made this year and how the club will prevent the fallibilities of this season from recurring in the next.
- AGENCIES
