David Sadler column

02 February 2010 13:26
What a fantastic week it has been for United. It is hard to imagine that earlier this month we were all wondering where the Reds' missing spark was going to come from. Wayne Rooney apart, and despite getting ourselves into good positions in Europe, the Premier League and the Carling Cup, progress had been made without any real flair or magic. By most people's admission, the team had not really performed. We knew this was a big month with the double header against City in the League Cup and the league visit to Arsenal. But I admit I could not really have anticipated the seven or so days we've had. I didn't see it coming at all. We had had the disappointing and depressing financial figures and everything that surrounded them. We had lost to City at Eastlands and, let's be honest, up until the last 10 minutes against Hull City, I thought we were probably looking at a 1-1 scoreline. Biased But Rooney's late hat-trick to add to his earlier goal against the Tigers generated a new belief. Against the Blues at Old Trafford I reckon that not even the most blinkered and biased City fan would have said the best team didn't go through to Wembley. Then there was the superb victory at the Emirates on Sunday. From looking a bit bleak, the picture has been transformed. Had you taken a vote on who might have been a prominent spark in the revival, I don't think Nani would have featured at all in the voting. But his transformation has been incredible. I talk to a lot of United fans on match days and, to be honest, I think most had given up on the Portuguese winger. But he has been sensational and, along with Rooney's immense contribution, it has provided the missing ingredient. From a side that appeared to be struggling for some self-belief, suddenly United have become a different proposition. From being a touch concerned, all I can say now is `Bring it on!' Do you think United will go on to win a Premier and Champions League double? Have your say.

Source: Manchester_EveningNews