AND SO IT CONTINUES

Last updated : 10 March 2004 By Editor
‘So much of Sir Alex Ferguson’s faith in Manchester United
these days is rooted in the past, and so much of his
planning is intended for the long-term future, that it is
starting to seem as if he has forgotten about the present.
He was convinced that the old United spirit would prevail
against FC Porto, just as he remains highly confident about
the emergence of a new dynasty of players to expand the Old
Trafford empire, but, no matter how bright the future, this
is becoming an annus horribilis for Ferguson, with Porto
merely confirming last night what many have long feared.

‘At 9.35 last night, as Costinha reacted faster than a
sluggish defence to shoot past a stranded Tim Howard,
Ferguson threw back his head in disgust or disbelief, or a
combination of both. It was the outcome he dreaded and the
timing was undeniably cruel, but nobody could tell him that
he had not been warned. For the past seven months, since the
new season kicked off in an atmosphere of great optimism,
United have been papering over the cracks. Last night, for
all his talk of a sudden tremor, those cracks were exposed
when it mattered most.

‘Awkward questions will now be asked about the sale of David
Beckham to Real Madrid, but that transfer appeared to make
good sense at the time, given that the England captain was
reluctant to discuss an extension to a contract that would
now be nearing its final 12 months. Less understandable was
Ferguson’s failure to replace him, his belief that his team,
shorn of the creative influence of Beckham as well as Juan
Sebastián Verón, could flourish with players as unproven as
Eric Djemba Djemba, Kléberson, Cristiano Ronaldo and David
Bellion.

‘Ferguson will not appreciate the suggestion, particularly
of opponents whose antics were less than gracious in
victory, but Porto may have done United a favour. Reaching
the quarter-finals for an eighth consecutive season would
have created the illusion of consolidation, but this season
has been one in which United have regressed. In looking too
far into future and drawing too much comfort from their
past, Ferguson has neglected the present, which this
morning, out of the European Cup and nine points adrift in
the Premiership, looks anything but glorious.’