United explode myth

One of the great myths of the season that has been repeated so often that it’s almost now taken as a fact is that this United team is not particularly good. Can anyone seriously still say that after Sunday’s mauling of Chelsea?

Producing your best performances when it matters most is a sure sign of a top team – and what a display United produced at Old Trafford. They tore into Chelsea from the off - they had more energy in midfield, pulled the outgoing champions all over the place up front and were no nonsense at the back. You simply have to hand it to the boss – his team selection raised a few eyebrows on Wednesday against Schalke but it was fully justified when the freshness that was missing at Arsenal returned in spectacular fashion.

I’d probably agree with Didier Deschamps’ remark earlier this season when he said this United team didn’t have as much “fantasy” as previous models. When you lose a once-in-a-decade talent like Cristiano Ronaldo, that’s natural. But tell me this – did Ronaldo ever give Ashley Cole as much trouble as Antonio Valencia did on Sunday? The difference with this United side is that it’s not defined by one individual talent, it’s very much a team effort. That was perfectly illustrated by the giant team hug at the final whistle, there is a wonderful togetherness about this group that marks it out from its rivals.

Therefore it’s probably wrong to pick out individuals but can anyone explain what Ji-sung Park is given for his pre-match meal? He was everywhere, perhaps giving the finest all-round performance of his United career. And how Chelsea must be sick of the sight of Ryan Giggs – he set up all three Champions League quarter-final goals United scored against the West Londoners and then crossed for Nemanja’s winner yesterday – ageless brilliance. And 20 goals for Chicharito in his first season in English football is a remarkable return for a guy who cost around £44million less than Fernando Torres.