Giving thanks

With Thanksgiving a few days away, I thought it was fitting to consider some of the things that we can be thankful for in supporting the mighty United.

1.Being level on points with Chelsea despite throwing away leads and drawing SEVEN times. After the blues rushed out off the gates while we sputtered along, it appeared that we would spend the season fighting off City and Arsenal for 2nd. Things look much better now. Im not saying that we now look like favorites, but it feels like a more level competition.

2.Healthy defenders. Remember when we had to play Carrick, Fletcher and de Laet at the back last season. What a crisis that was. Compare that to this season where were lamenting Jonnys loss of form and been fortunate to have Rio back for an extended spell without injury (thus far).

3.Chicharito We now have a forward who is okay coming off the bench without complaining and is more than capable of grabbing us a goal when we need it. We never had that last year and when Rooney went down in March, we had the desperate feeling that noone was going to be able to score for us.

4. Stability in management. Without intending to knock any clubs, its comforting to know that the club stands behind our management and doesnt have other managers on speed dial when the team hits a rocky patch. When people in our coaching/management staff leave, its on good terms and usually to take on a head coach job somewhere else.

5.Rooney re-signing. Even if he does leave us in the summer or in 2 years or so, we have him committed long enough that he would command a sizable transfer fee should the event of his leaving ever transpire.

6.Scholes still going strong and being absolutely masterful in midfield. Maybe one of the reasons SAF wont buy someone to replace him yet is because it gives him leverage in persuading Scholes to come back and re-sign these 1 year extensions! every y ear.

7.And finally, Sir Alex Ferguson still going strong, still distancing himself from retirement. Stating the obvious, but without him, our team wouldnt be what it is today. If he had been let go after a less than promising start with the club, what kind of state would we be in? If he had decided to call it quits after the treble in 99, where would we be now?

Im sure that there are many things that I have missed, so feel free to share yours in the comments below. On the other hand, I know that there are also plenty of things we can bitch and complain about, but well save that for another post at another time. Maybe

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