Portsmouth display just like watching classic side of 90’s

CHILDISH though it is to snigger over pre-match comments rendered ridiculous by subsequent on-pitch events, no column is complete without a dig at John O’Pie; so this was his warning before Saturday: “I don’t see why Bolton cannot stay the course this season. We are going to have a difficult test there on Saturday.”

Titter. !Bolton were made to look as ordinary as they truly are; the only ‘course’ they can hope to last is the one that produces a top ten finish.

There we go: I have got my usual snideries out of the way, so now we can all bask together in the glow of what Fergie called “the best 25 minutes we have produced in years.” And why did we produce that performance? Because we fans got everything we ever want or need from 21st century United, the things we and I ask for every week: 4-4-2, of course; attackers given selectorial preference over more defensive colleagues; players played in their correct positions; no tinkering; a proper “let’s ‘ave ‘em” attitude straight from kick-off; in short, proper, simple, brilliant United of the classic variety.