Comment: Slow fixture list has worked against Manchester United
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand March 15 was a grim night for Manchester football in Europe the only upside being that both United and City could now focus fully on the charge for the title.
However, the Reds, brought up on crammed late-season finales, have not taken kindly to the congestion-free run-in to the campaign.
When United were beaten by Athletic Bilbao in the Basque country and a miserable European campaign in both the Champions league and Europa League came to a torrid end, the Old Trafford camp and fans alike comforted themselves with the fact that all concentration could now be focused solely on the battle for the Premier League crown.
Citys exit on the same night, despite beating Sporting Lisbon in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium, meant the Blues too could pay sole attention to the fight with the champions.
It was a 60-day programme with no concerns over mental and physical fatigue.
It was, of course, new territory for the Blues and they didnt handle the aftermath of Europe too well, dropping seven points in three games against Stoke, Sunderland and Arsenal to hand the initiative to Sir Alex Fergusons side.
For a squad whove fed off tackling big Champions League quarter and semi-final dates while being in the thick of a title fight, the unexpected luxury of an unclogged climax to the season looked to favour the Reds.
But kicking their heels waiting for the next critical league match around the corner doesnt seem to have been to Uniteds liking at all. At a time when theyd normally be engaged in European glamour nights against Barcelona et al, United have had seven games in 35 days.
Theyve not hit the heights performance wise in that time against Fulham and QPR at Old Trafford despite winning both and! then th e defeat at Wigan and the catastrophic 4-4 draw with Everton was so unlike the Reds.
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The momentum theyve garnered in the past when juggling the twin ask of Europe and the title, and sometimes the FA Cup, has been absent.
Putting their feet up has taken the edge off United.
Famously back in 1999, the Reds similar 60-day finale saw them having to cram seven more matches into their programme.
It included a double header with Juventus in the Champions League semi, an FA Cup semi and replay epic against Arsenal, including extra time.
Then there was the title run-in plus a Wembley FA Cup Final and the Champions League final in Barcelona. United were on a high and nothing thrown at them could derail them. To a man, the Reds camp said the momentum kept them going in a thrilling end to the season.
The argument was that there was no time to stew on the forthcoming events and training was down to a bare minimum.
United reaped the rewards from that invigorating marathon with the clean sweep and there wasnt a peep about a draining and punishing package.
Twelve months earlier, it had been the opposite. A Champions League exit against Monaco in mid-March cleared the decks for a seven-match head-to-head with Arsenal.
The Gunners had clawed back a one-time 12 points United advantage and with no European fare on the agenda the! Reds lo oked to the uncrowded finale to pip Arsene Wengers side.
But the league-only schedule failed to inspire the Reds and two Old Trafford draws against Liverpool and Newcastle scuppered Uniteds chances.
Has this term now got echoes of 98?
Filling time between matches is a different issue for Uniteds backroom staff and recently Fergie took the whole squad to Scotland before the Monday match against Blackburn Rovers.
It worked for the Reds, who beat Rovers 2-0 at Ewood Park.
It was really good to get away, said defender Rio Ferdinand.
Sometimes a change in environment can be really reinvigorating.
Your daily routine can start to feel a little stale if youve got six or seven days to prepare for each game. So it was good to spend a couple of days away and recharge.
But clearly constantly preparing for high-profile fixtures is more up Uniteds street than golf at St Andrews.
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However, the Reds, brought up on crammed late-season finales, have not taken kindly to the congestion-free run-in to the campaign.
When United were beaten by Athletic Bilbao in the Basque country and a miserable European campaign in both the Champions league and Europa League came to a torrid end, the Old Trafford camp and fans alike comforted themselves with the fact that all concentration could now be focused solely on the battle for the Premier League crown.
Citys exit on the same night, despite beating Sporting Lisbon in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium, meant the Blues too could pay sole attention to the fight with the champions.
It was a 60-day programme with no concerns over mental and physical fatigue.
It was, of course, new territory for the Blues and they didnt handle the aftermath of Europe too well, dropping seven points in three games against Stoke, Sunderland and Arsenal to hand the initiative to Sir Alex Fergusons side.
For a squad whove fed off tackling big Champions League quarter and semi-final dates while being in the thick of a title fight, the unexpected luxury of an unclogged climax to the season looked to favour the Reds.
But kicking their heels waiting for the next critical league match around the corner doesnt seem to have been to Uniteds liking at all. At a time when theyd normally be engaged in European glamour nights against Barcelona et al, United have had seven games in 35 days.
Theyve not hit the heights performance wise in that time against Fulham and QPR at Old Trafford despite winning both and! then th e defeat at Wigan and the catastrophic 4-4 draw with Everton was so unlike the Reds.
Gagged: Manchester United players silenced ahead of derby showdown
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits eyes are on Eden Hazard
The momentum theyve garnered in the past when juggling the twin ask of Europe and the title, and sometimes the FA Cup, has been absent.
Putting their feet up has taken the edge off United.
Famously back in 1999, the Reds similar 60-day finale saw them having to cram seven more matches into their programme.
It included a double header with Juventus in the Champions League semi, an FA Cup semi and replay epic against Arsenal, including extra time.
Then there was the title run-in plus a Wembley FA Cup Final and the Champions League final in Barcelona. United were on a high and nothing thrown at them could derail them. To a man, the Reds camp said the momentum kept them going in a thrilling end to the season.
The argument was that there was no time to stew on the forthcoming events and training was down to a bare minimum.
United reaped the rewards from that invigorating marathon with the clean sweep and there wasnt a peep about a draining and punishing package.
Twelve months earlier, it had been the opposite. A Champions League exit against Monaco in mid-March cleared the decks for a seven-match head-to-head with Arsenal.
The Gunners had clawed back a one-time 12 points United advantage and with no European fare on the agenda the! Reds lo oked to the uncrowded finale to pip Arsene Wengers side.
But the league-only schedule failed to inspire the Reds and two Old Trafford draws against Liverpool and Newcastle scuppered Uniteds chances.
Has this term now got echoes of 98?
Filling time between matches is a different issue for Uniteds backroom staff and recently Fergie took the whole squad to Scotland before the Monday match against Blackburn Rovers.
It worked for the Reds, who beat Rovers 2-0 at Ewood Park.
It was really good to get away, said defender Rio Ferdinand.
Sometimes a change in environment can be really reinvigorating.
Your daily routine can start to feel a little stale if youve got six or seven days to prepare for each game. So it was good to spend a couple of days away and recharge.
But clearly constantly preparing for high-profile fixtures is more up Uniteds street than golf at St Andrews.
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