Are United the only ones who can stop a new blue dawn?

FOR all that was achieved last season — a record 19th league title and a third Champions League final in four seasons — there was still a nagging tinge of frustration at Old Trafford.

Although Alex Ferguson remained dismissive of the argument, of all their previous title wins, it was up there with the most under-whelming. Where was the swagger that United are supposed to be all about? Where was Wayne Rooney?

Of course it was not that easy to miss the England striker, with his off-field indiscretions and contract demands requiring exhaustive attention.