Imagine Roy Hodgson storming back into a post match press conference to contest the possession figures after he had apparently won the battle.
I mean maybe they do turn it around. Maybe they do win five in a row. Maybe we have egg on our faces later in the season for those of us who have seen nothing but unbridled United success for our entire adult (and for me child) lives, it's a predictable future happening. Having said that I'm actually fairly hopeful that they won't challenge for the league.
But that action. Storming back into a post match press conference to say that. That is not the act of someone happy with the result or confident in his ability or his teams performance is it? If you win 6-0 with 25 percent of possession you aren't making a show of yourself to contest the numbers are you?
"But the BBC have published it"
"OUR guy says different".
It's weird as feck. I guess at least to be fair to him shows that he has more to prove and isn't happy but then didn't he proclaim we were cautious and he got what he wanted?
For all the talk of Rafa cracking up in 08/09, with Chelsea last season and with him this I do wonder whether it is indeed the Manchester United manager losing his grip on reality. Is he wondering about losing his own special powers?
I mean sure, come to Anfield for a draw and take it. But would the Man United fans, aside from defending their club and their manager have accepted that having spent the money they have and after the party online that took place after they signed Pogba? I'm not so sure...
When they replaced Ferguson did Tonysleft, Ste Armstrong, Cantona and Busby want someone who would come in and take this league out? Someone like Klopp, who can take his team and go to City and batter them, go to Arsenal and score 4, beat Chelsea twice away comfortably or did they want a manager who would go to Anfield and fold for a point? I understand the intrinsic backing of people that others don't like because they are yours. I've done the same with Downing, Lucas, Henderson and Rafa to name but 4: some come good, some always are but aren't recognised and then some like Stewart don't: but I guess you feel a need to back them as what's the alternative?
That's where they are now. Lots of their fans hated Mourinho and laughed at him at Chelsea last season. Sang horrible shit about him and never wanted him till they got him but now he is there they need to get behind him and believe in him. Football is funny like that sometimes. We can all be hypocrites, myself included.
I guess like we have many times over the years, they have reached a position where there isn't a consensus amongst the fans. There is arguing amongst them over the right course of direction. That's great because it means they've become and still are everything they derided us for while they were riding on the up and up, impatient, not all happy and unsure. If they don't win it this season then the counter ticks over to 4 without a league title. Far lower than us of course and perhaps never as high as 27 years but disconcerting for them all the same and not something anyone 30 or below is used to. Welcome to the post Ferguson era lads.
Remains to be seen what happens from now on. They'll always have cash to invest and aside from us there are some other great teams in this league. That's why even if we are shite or we don't win the league it's just great to see them suffering how we have. Enjoy them apples.
Because I tell you where there is a consensus. At Anfield and at Melwood. Amongst the players, the manager, the staff and amongst the fans. For the first time since perhaps even Rafa everyone is together. And as Klopp says himself that is so important. Bring on the next league games.
Gonna be a box office season this like.