Seeker of Sonic Auras

We're still talking about the game last Sunday? Really? Today we're in Sir-Alex-has-influence-others-don't territory. Here's Steve Bruce:

So there really is a bias in Fergie's favour? Bruce declared: "Of course, of course. How often do we see it? The Sky cameras are panning in on the manager, right close in on him studying his watch.

"The manager has such a way about him that referees know he's watching the clock.

"With what he has achieved and his standing in the game, it gives him that power to make sure the refs add the time on. We all think United are going to get a bit extra at Old Trafford. But I always say that if you go there you have to play, whether it's 92, 94, 96 or 98 minutes. You have to go the distance."

So Sir Alex has some sort of aura about him? It is an interesting idea, and one that I have mentioned before. The point I make there is relevant here too - Sir Alex as the Freudian father who prevents access to enjoyment - "if it wasn't for that pesky Sir Alex Man City would have got a point." Yet this is just a fantasy construction, moving the failure from oneself onto Sir Alex. As I mentioned in that earlier piece, the genius of Sir Alex is in fully assuming the role he is given. He has no aura, but playing along as if he does, creates its own effects, winning battles before they are even fought - Steve Bruce believes in the special power of Sir Alex, his teams are at a disadvantage immediately. The fact that the referee actually got it right on Sunday doesn't matter, the fact that it is put down to an "aura" is a victory for us.

Back in the real world and Guillem Balague points out the simple truth, big clubs get decisions:

the notion – claimed by many and hinted at by Hughes - that Sir Alex Ferguson enjoys an excessive influence over English referees has not gone unnoticed by the European public.

The Spanish press is even aware of the claims made by former referees Graham Poll and Jeff Winter that the men in black are susceptible to intimidation. Last weekend, a foul by Tevez just prior to Owen’s goal and the ‘logic’ behind the injury time raised more than a few eyebrows overseas.

"It’s like going back 30 years and watching Real Madrid at the Bernabeu: there’s golden goal and the game doesn't finish till the home team score", wrote a former Premier League player in a Spanish paper.

The feeling that Ferguson wields excessive influence has taken hold in the English game, but is that right? In England and Spain, the big clubs have always had an easy ride from referees.

The forgotten statistic from Tuesday's Guardian - that Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea, on average, get more injury time than us - demonstrates this, but also demonstrates that reality doesn't matter in these things - reality is always perceived through the lens of fantasy.

Robbie Savage also looks at the issue, I won't bore you with the details, I'll simply point out this sentence:

It was a baffling piece of timekeeping which sadly has overshadowed the best United v City match I've ever seen

Why has it overshadowed the game? Because people like Robbie Savage use their columns to whine on at length about it, rather than using them to celebrate a great game of football...
Other stories - Ronaldo still loves us!

"Every time I can I try to watch United's games on television," said Ronaldo, who has created history at Real by scoring in his first four La Liga games.

"I still like to know what's happening at Old Trafford. And despite now being at Real, I'm always happy when I know when United have won."

And thinks Nani is great:

"I've also seen that Nani is playing much more than he was last season when I was there. That's good for him and he will benefit from that.

"Now he has more opportunities to play, he will be able to show the fans just how a great player he is.

"We still speak regularly on the phone. And it's good to see United's fans are starting to appreciate him more and have been happy with his form up until now.

"Nani is an excellent player. There's a lot more to come from him and I'm sure that in a few years he will be amongst the best players in the world."

Gary Neville on our young players:

"It’s difficult to get games at this club as a young player, because you’ve got to be very talented and very good - which they are,” said Neville.

“During the season you always need to call upon your squad. There will be injuries in certain areas and those lads could be the ones who will be really important for us.”

“Momentum is very important. The reason we maybe started sluggishly in the first week of the season was because we probably weren’t at our optimum fitness levels.

“A lot of the players hadn’t played a lot of games, then a lot went away for the internationals, while some stayed back and trained.

“Some players got a couple of games in during the international break, so we came back from that in much better shape and since then we’ve done pretty well.

“We’re in a much better position at the moment, where everybody seems to be fit, and we’ve got players who are desperate to play.”

Danny Welbeck on Owen:

"It was great playing alongside Michael Owen. It's Michael Owen at the end of the day.

"You can always learn from his movement, it's unbelievable. I just knew he was round the corner and I knew where he was going next.

"We went one up front after the sending-off, so I was kind of playing as a left winger.

"I just had to get used to it but then the goal came, so I was pleased with that."

An article in the Telegraph sticks its neck out and reckons Owen will have to do more to get back in the England squad.

Quote from Van der Sar on retiring (or not):

"I've said for a few years that it sometimes may be my last season," said Van der Sar.

"Six months before my contract with Manchester United ended in December 2006, we extended for one year and so far it has been the same every time."

David Silva may come to Old Trafford - but next summer at earliest:

The player, however, has no intention of moving clubs this season. No one has been in touch with the player’s representatives or Valencia.

The Spanish club are in financial difficulties, but can hold of their creditors until the end of the season and they believe that a top four finish will help their long term future – and they feel they can only achieve that with Silva in the side.

And our Champions League game against CSKA Moscow on October 21st is moved to a 5:30 kick off.