I am writing this piece in my capacity as an ardent supporter of Manchester United. From what I saw in United’s last league match against Blackburn at Old Trafford, they would really need a top marksman if they hope to retain the trophy.

Goal scoring is fast becoming a laborious exercise for the hitherto free scoring team. It is glaring that Ronaldo the one man orchestra has left a gaping hole on flanks and Sir Alex would have to produce his usual magic to fill that gap.

At one stage of the game, you could see the United attack had suddenly lacked ideas and nobody seemed courageous enough shoot at goal. It was passes galore.

But let’s face it, the two goals scored by Berbatov and Rooney were straight from the copy book. There is a proverb in my part of the world that literally translated says “if you hate the monkey you must nonetheless admire its speed on the run.”

Berbatov may be slow for the liking of many people but the angled shot he delivered on the turn into the far corner of the net was simply splendid.

As for Rooney’s goal, it looked like he had been rehearsing the move with Anderson for a long time. His instant connection that curled menacingly into the net left the goalie completely non pulsed.

The signals are that United fans would be sitting on thorns throughout many games this season and the fainthearted ones must be prepared for shocking results. As for me I am shock proof.

Cheers and stand fast. The football world is most unpredictable