Thought Crimes

This was a week when God turned 36. And this was a week when Man United took their brethren close to God.

2-0 down at half time, and the most die-hard fans couldn't help but hope that the miracle of September 2001 would be re-enacted. Re-enacted it was and how. I've never seen a more fired-up and menacing United side. Berba, Tevez and the Boy Wonder Wazza up front. Carrick, Scholes and Ronny in midfield. The solid back 4. Wenger, Scousers, Rentboys beware. Sadly, I'd missed the first half thanks to the very unpredictable Noida electricity. But what a second half it was. Right from the word go, it was evident that the hairdryer had done its job at the break.

What do you call it when a team, 2-0 down at the half, begins the second half as though the first had never taken place? What do you call it when the same team, in the same half, looks set to score at will? Imagine the moment when Christiano Ronaldo, who's one of the surest spot-kick takers in the world looks tense before a penalty. How important is that? And just imagine the emotion when a guy, who knows he's going to get a yellow, takes off his shirt to celebrate. How significant is that? 5 goals in 35 minutes and almost 2 more in the last 10. Rooney's the man.

The FA Cup semi-final in '99. The UCL semi-final in the same year. The victory over Sheffield some years ago. Kiko's brilliance against Villa last month. September 2001 against the Spurs. April 2009 against the Spurs again. And I've not even mentioned the Nou Camp fairytale yet.

Martin Tyler was right when he said, "This place has a habit of inspiring players to play on a different level." This is a team which cannot be written off even with a 2 goal cushion. This is a team which relishes coming back from behind, and has proven itself again and again.  This is indeed the Theatre of Dreams. And that is why this is just one more tiny piece in the infinitely large mosaic which makes Manchester United so much more than a club.

Believe.