United Fans Did Themselves Justice

I do not have to quote Fergie, do I? You surely all remember his comments after the 1-0 win against Birmingham at Old Trafford: he blasted the fans for lack of atmosphere they created.

Fast forward to yesterday's game at Aston Villa. The travelling Red Army outsung the home crowd from start to finish, proudly and loudly. It was clear that everyone felt it's a question of pride to respond to the manager.

And United fans have shown their class by repeatedly singing that 'Every single one of us loves Alex Ferguson'. And of course the big man also felt he's due to praise them.

"They were absolutely fantastic. Every time we come to Villa Park whether it be for an FA semi-final or a league match they`re always really up for it and that makes a difference to the team.

I made that point last week. And when our fans are like they were today we don`t let them down."

It is a bit of an exaggeration. The game DID let the fans down, it was a damp squib for 80 minutes yet it's true that the team was well-organised and after Rooney's introduction, fluid. But it was clear that fans would keep singing even at 5-0 down.

Wayne Rooney, the matchwinner, also hailed the fans' support after the game.

"It is brilliant. Some teams struggle to fill the away end in a Premier League match. Obviously we get more tickets in the Cup but we`ve filled it again.

'It`s a fantastic effort from the fans. The atmosphere`s always good. I enjoy playing at Villa Park and we`ve certainly deserved our wins here."

Makes a nice change, eh? Hopefully this will end the flow of Fergie-inspired articles about the deadly silence inside English stadia...