Source: Manchester_EveningNews
David Sadler column
United's season can roar into life starting on Saturday against Everton. It has once again been a stop-start opening to the Premier League campaign because of the internationals. First we have a friendly midweek on the eve of the season disrupting managers' preparations, then three games in we have the Euro 2012 qualifiers. It is not an ideal way to begin a club campaign at all with all the potential injuries your players face, like Tottenham's Michael Dawson for instance, after he damaged his knee and ankle playing for England last Friday against Bulgaria. FIFA have helped somewhat with the decision to play internationals on Fridays and Tuesday. The Tuesday match should give club bosses 24 hours more with the players returning from all over the world. It is a welcome change to the calendar, but it all still means the start to a season is fragmented. I think that has been reflected with some freakish opening results this season. From United's point of view, however, it has been a solid start. Two 3-0 wins at Old Trafford against Newcastle and West Ham and I think as the season wears on we will look back on the Fulham game as a point gained rather than two lost. But it is been a flattish start because of the international breaks, but from the Reds perspective it is going to set alight. An away match at Everton, a Champions League home game against Glasgow Rangers and then the Liverpool visit is a headline-hitting trio. And United really have to hit the ground running again to keep pace. If you are going to catch Everton at Goodison it appears the best time is at the start of the term. They do seem to take a while to get into the groove. We missed them in the early part 12 months ago and sadly got them in February and they beat us 3-1. Two defeats and a home draw for them so far is not what we expected of David Moyes' side. They'll be looking to a visit from United to kick start their season. It's an appealing eight days ahead and United have to shed the post-international problems to take advantage. What do you think? Have your say. [LNB]
