In my memory of watching United (since 1981), I can say that every time United have got to a domestic semi final, there has been a justifiable confidence amongst reds of getting through to the final of the respective cup. In that time United have prevailed in seventeen out of twenty semi finals, against clubs/teams like (come on) Oldham, Arsenal, Liverpool and many other smaller clubs. However, last night, there must’ve been a wise premonition scattered amongst the United crowd. Not one red said to me in the intervening fortnight between the two legs of this semi, with the usual bravado, of “let’s wait ’til we get these back to Old Trafford”. Not once did I hear United fans sing jolly rhymes about visiting the country’s biggest open sewer, Wembley, like they normally do at semi finals. After the first leg defeat, I was expecting a repeat of the fabled atmosphere that the equivalent game in 1992 had, when United beat Middlesbrough in what was the Stretford End terrace’s last hurrah. The atmosphere last night though instead was one of nervous apprehension. The nerves of the crowd must’ve spread out to the players on the pitch. I’m hoping that is the most accurate explanation for what was a performance of almost comical incompetence.
When United drew Sunderland for the semi, everybody was pleased. Sunderland were still recovering from the ill advised appointment of Paolo Di Canio. Continue reading A Wise Premonition – Manchester 23rd January 2014
