Manchester United may very well win
the European Cup again this year, but they would be without hope in
the final if glamour were the decisive factor. There can be no
prospect of rivalling Barcelona or Real Madrid on that score. This,
however, is a situation very pleasing to Sir Alex Ferguson. His approach to
winning the first leg of the semi-final in Gelsenkirchen was
dependent on organisation and maturity, even if that did not stop
the side from being
greatly superior to Schalke during
the 2-0 victory.
In the broad context of football history, it is still a little
odd to witness a painstaking United. Over so long a history, the
club has had line-ups with all sorts of characteristics, but the
sides that stick in the mind were addicted to risk as much as
flair. The apotheosis of that came in 1999, when United reversed
the whole course of the final in stoppage time to beat Bayern
Munich.
For such a club, the current record-breaking is as disconcerting
as it impressive. United have completed all their away matches in
this tournament without conceding a goal. In addition, it has been
unusual for the opposition even to look as if they are on the verge
of such a breakthrough, particularly since the goalkeeper Edwin van
der Sar is reliable in pulling off a save after a long stretch in
which taking kick-outs has been his main activity.
Schalke themselves dwindled to being the moderate side that the
Bundesliga has known this season. Had it not been for
the marvellous shot-stopping of
Manuel Neuer the return leg would have been even more of
a formality. United's command soon became entrenched and it
depended on combined efforts rather than individualism.
The side is close to the peak of the sport yet there are
virtually no stars. That situation is all the more accentuated
because an out-of-touch Nani has been supplanted by Antonio
Valencia, whose drive and delivery on the flank has rewarding
practicality. Nonetheless, a mental adjustment is needed before it
can be accepted that United, of all clubs, rely first on
efficiency.
With Cristiano Ronaldo gone to Real Madrid, there is no glitz.
It thereby comes as a relief that Wayne Rooney is recovering the whole
gamut of his skill, setting up Ryan Giggs for the opener before
scoring on his own account in Gelsenkirchen. But Rooney, to his
likely relief, cannot be a matinee idol in the manner of
Ronaldo.
Giggs himself can cast his mind back to a time when he was young
and liable to be mobbed whenever he left the house.
If anyone has a taste for attention
it may well be Javier Hernández, and few could begrudge
that pleasure in a newcomer agog at his own impact after a
relatively cheap transfer.
United are more of an ensemble now and if there is less
individualism to make the audience gasp, there is a wider range of
contributions. The much doubted Michael Carrick, for instance,
distributed the ball excellently against Schalke, even if the
opposition forgot to hassle him.
It is tricky to tell who will catch the eye next. Ferguson has
ample alternatives and can turn to them with confidence in, for
instance, the Premier League. Chris Smalling has proved trustworthy
there and the presently injured Dimitar Berbatov has contributed
greatly to the goals tally on that front.
Even so, the presence of those squad players is utilised to
ensure that the line-up he has in mind for the Champions League gets some rest,
particularly the players who run most and hardest. When it counts,
there is continuity and an accompanying expectation of consistency.
The line-up for the past three European matches has only varied in
the right-back berth. Rafael was in the post at Stamford Bridge,
John O'Shea took over for the return with Chelsea and Fabio came in
against Schalke.
Even those adjustments do not necessarily reflect ambivalence
about the candidates since O'Shea, for instance, is injured at the
moment. There is a justified belief that United must still
replenish their stock of talent. Poignantly, Paul Scholes looks as
if he has reached the moment where no amount of quick-wittedness
will compensate for a body slowing down.
Gary Neville drew his own conclusion about the trajectory of his
career and retired mid-season, but there has been little
consternation at United and the transitions have not been too
disturbing, even if last season was largely forgettable. Rivals
will envy the side's current advance, wince a little at the
knowledge that the rebuilding is well underway and dread the
recruits still to arrive at Old Trafford.