United living the impossible dream
UNITED used to be orphans unloved by football’s purists and living under a rigid regime of suppression.
Now the Terrible Twins lead a family storming the barricades of the Premier League.
Six games played in October have brought five wins and a draw at Manchester United. Sixteen goals scored and only three conceded.
Leading the charge are goal plunderers Callum Wilson and Miggy Almiron, as popular a double act as Ant and Dec, Morecambe and Wise and fish and chips.
Wilson’s two in front of admiring England boss Gareth Southgate made it six goals in nine appearances for him. Another sublime Almiron curler brought his total to seven in 13.
Both also produced assists – Almiron won the penalty which opened the floodgates in added-on time first half, and as a way of saying thank you Wilson set up Miggy’s magic strike as well as a sidefoot for big Joelinton.
My these are canny days are they not! Geordies were singing in the rain. Nothing appears unattainable right now because we are living the impossible dream.
Villa had no chance. They were cannon fodder.
Once they were bridged they collapsed like a chocolate fireguard in the depths of winter.
The last time Villa won on hallowed Geordie turf Lee Bowyer was knocking seven bells out of Kieron Dyer in a matchstick contest and consequently United were reduced to eight men with Steven Taylor already sitting in what was to quickly become a congested dressing room.
It was April 2005, United lost 3-0, and Graeme Souness dragged both powderpuff performers in front of the press for an embarrassing apology.
It was never going to happen again. Result or the fisticuffs. Not in a happy land.
United had won seven and drawn six of their SJP meetings with Villa since that infamous day, they were fourth top of a fiercely competitive league and unbeaten at home.
Villa were winless in their last seven PL away games and between managers. Steven Gerrard gone and Unai Emery not yet arrived.
Add in the camaraderie flooding United’s team and the thought of any players publicly belting another round the ear is laughable. We now have a love-in not a civil war.
Almiron is on fire and his old boss believes he knows why that is.
Hernan Acuna was a coach at Cerro Porteno, one of Paraguay’s leading clubs, when 14-year-old Miggy arrived with his uncle for a trial. From that day Acuna championed him.
He said: “Miguel was lost under Steve Bruce. Eddie Howe understands he needs some sort of freedom.
“You can see the difference this season. Miggy is a special and unique player and I am so proud to have helped his career along the way.”
United turned the clock back all right – back to the Entertainers.
Geordies are loving it and the rest of the country is reluctantly giving Newcastle some grudging praise because they realise times are a’changing.