I suppose we should offer some plaudits up to them lot, though, because they are quite frankly the most frightening team to visit us every season and this year they were better than I’ve seen them since that 6-2 reverse we had when we were actually decent! Ronaldo struggled to get into the game at first, but soon found his feet and was outstanding again, Rooney was his usual brilliant self and they had able and exciting support from Nani, Fletcher, Carrick and Tevez. Make no mistake about it, this is the “new” Manchester United and it’s sickening how they can keep things so strong every year. It’s easier when you’re at the top though, as they say.

However, we cannot simply say that this result came about due to their class – they weren’t anywhere near top, flowing form. Goal number one was a mistake from N’Zogbia, who completely lost Rooney and who probably shouldn’t have been playing left-back against such a strong attack anyway. Goal two was another disaster as a simple through-ball from Fletcher made Steven Taylor look like a liability (again) as Ronaldo was able to ease through and fire past Given. Goal three saw our number 27 in a tizz again as Ronaldo overpowered him, no thanks to his defensive partner for that one though – I actually thought Faye was immense in the opening half hour or so, mind. Goal number four saw Alan Smith gift Rooney the ball on the edge of the area and the final nail in the coffin was much of a muchness.

We didn’t get carved open too much, but there is simply no accounting for such poor play at the back. If you think I’m just blaming those lads though, then don’t be fooled. The disgraceful central midfield duo of Butt and Barton were utterly woeful yet again – no pace, no technique, no problem for Man Utd – Milner and Duff toiled manfully without ever getting any real support and without having anything in the middle to aim for. Michael Owen was invisible, as always, and Alan Smith… well he put himself about and won a few headers, but he doesn’t ever look like scoring in our colours. He’s a waste of a shirt.

Happiness and optimism all around, then, as only really Harper, Carroll, Beye and Faye emerge from this game with any small amount of credit. Make no mistake, we’re in a relegation battle now and with some of the shirkers and time-wasters we have supposedly fighting our corner at the minute, I’m worried. I still think at least 3 of the teams below are bad enough to mean we’ll escape, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see ‘Boro finishing above us again… and the Mackems will run us close.

This season cannot end soon enough.

We simply fell apart again, in front of 52,000 of our own fans. We fell at the feet of Manchester United and they walked all over us. After all, if you’re complacent against the Champs, they will take full advantage.

We lack confidence, we lack backbone, we lack defensive quality, we lack the ability to attack a side effectively; we lack alot really.

But one thing is for sure, we have to buck our ideas up and pretty quick or we’ll slip further and further towards the relegation zone and once you get down there, it’s pretty hard to get out of it.

We were never going to beat Man United, but that’s 11 goals conceded against them this season; nobody , I don’t think, has a record like that against the Reds yet this season.

We need to stop leeking goals, and fast!