Not so ordinary after all

NOT so underwhelming now then. Those that can remember the team that won Manchester United’s first title in 1908 would probably claim Michael Carrick would not get a game and that Fabio would get nowhere near the 1911 side.

But once again, what is probably Alex Ferguson’s least celebrated team in two decades moved within touching distance of moving above Liverpool on to 19 titles after sweeping Chelsea away with a relentless first-half performance at Old Trafford.

A goal up within 36 seconds through Javier Hernandez, Nemanja Vidic doubled United’s lead midway through the first half and although Chelsea pulled one back through Frank Lampard, a comeback was never really on the cards.

United are now six points above Carlo Ancelotti’s men, with two games left and can seal number 19 with a point at Blackburn on Saturday, potentially diluting the joy of Manchester City’s chance to win a first trophy in 35 years.

Nearly a quarter of a century has passed since Ferguson arrived from Aberdeen promising Liverpool would be dragged from their perch.

And there he was bowing in worship at the front of the Stretford End six days before the Scot will be celebrating a 12th league title, finally looking down on the Anfield club, rather than up at them.

It will be a 12th winners’ medal for Ryan Giggs, who admits the title that moves United above Liverpool will have a different feel to it.

“Fifteen or 20 years ago you would never have thought we would be after our 19th title and it is a great achievement by the team and the manager to haul back our biggest rivals over the 70s, 80s and 90s,” Giggs said.

“We’re nearly there and hopefully, if we do it, it will be a bit special.”

Perhaps they lack the swagger of some of Ferguson’s previous United sides, the midfield and attack would hardly rank among United’s best over the last two decades.

But with many claiming that they have rarely got out of second gear this season, this was a blistering response, with Ji-Sung Park, Antonio Valencia, Wayne Rooney and Hernandez swarming all over Chelsea.

United’s away record has actually been the difference for them as if they only counted their home points, dropping just two points from a possible 54, they would be in seventh place.

As it is, the 24 points they have collected on their travels are what has got them to the brink of the title.

Put simply, when no-one is better than you, you end up as champions and so no-one can gripe about United ploughing their way towards a 19th.

They were certainly better than Chelsea yesterday and proved as much by pulling in front with just over half a minute gone.

Giggs picked up possession in midfield and fed Park, who immediately slipped a pass through to Hernandez, with David Luiz slipping, and the Mexican drifted clear before guiding a shot past Petr Cech.

Rooney is not far from his best once again and he saw one thumping drive pushed away from the top corner by Cech and just failed to hit the target with another long-range effort.

Cech also had to be on form to turn away a powerful drive from Park but United doubled their advantage midway through the opening period.

Giggs took a corner short and then lifted in a cross for Vidic to get in front of fellow countryman Ivanovic to thump a header past Cech.

The visitors almost responded straight away when Florent Malouda’s corner was flicked on by John Terry and Salomon Kalou’s close-range header was turned away by Edwin van der Sar.

After the break, United were gradually forced deeper but were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Valencia’s cross struck Lampard on the arm.

And slowly Chelsea started to exert some pressure and after a string of half chances, they were rewarded in the 68th minute by halving the deficit.

Ramires had made a difference down the right flank after coming on for John Obi Mikel at the break and his clipped cross was flicked on by Ivanovic and Lampard stabbed past Van der Sar from close range.

Rooney should have killed the game late on as Chelsea’s challenge faded once again, driving wide from the edge of the box, breaking through and failing to get a shot off and also have another strike deflected just over by Alex.

But the reaction to the final whistle said it all with United’s players crowding each other and Ferguson dancing a familiar jig with his staff.