I have to admit that I am not much of a Paul Scholes fan : I throw up my arms in frustration as he gets caught in possession or makes a lazy pass that is intercepted, too many times in my opinion. However, I stop breathing every time he gets the ball just outside the box. The sublimity of his shots from around that area, and the consistency with which he scores from there are unsurpassed in modern day football.

Opening day was a huge disappointment for Manchester United - a draw against Reading (who amazingly seem to have scored against Chelsea as I write) at home and an injury that will keep Rooney out of the team for some time meant that the club stumbled. Adding to their relative woes were the wins by Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, not to mention that their next fixture (today) was to be at Fratton Park, unhappy hunting grounds that Portsmouth has been for them recently.

Scholes though has scored yet another blistering goal from the D. Nani looks bright. Tevez does not look any more handsome in red than he did in claret, but that is neither here nor there : he isn't in a beauty contest. I just hope he reproduces the scintillating form he displayed at West Ham. ManU of late appear to stutter every now and then before getting into full gear. The Scholes goal should do them a world of good.

Update : As is often the case with Football, I spoke 45 minutes too soon. Portsmouth came back strongly in the second half and earned a draw, Ronaldo faces a possible suspension and Chelsea beat Reading. Cup of woe and all that.

Tags : football Man United Scholes