1- Man United Fans Know Their Football: In the wake of Manchester United’s patchy start to the season which saw the Red Devils lose two of their first three games, it would have been easy for United fans to pick on manager Jose Mourinho. Instead, they’ve rejected bandwagonism that would have seen them buy into the English press’ attempt to write him off as a man of yesteryear. At Turf Moor, they were in full voice backing the Portuguese gaffer. Why? Two reasons. One, United can’t find a better manager. Secondly, he’s carrying his passion for United on his sleeve and said he isn’t quitting the world’s best managerial job.
2- Three Horse Race: At least 75 percent of football pundits called Manchester City to retain the English Premier League title. The rest called Liverpool. Four matches into the new season, nothing has happened to suggest they were way off the mark. Pep Guardiola’s trailblazers remain an irrepressible force. Except, Jurgen Klopp’s Kop are putting up a serious fight of it, as evidenced by their best start to a league campaign since 1990. Chelsea’s 100 percent start to the campaign, while playing champagne football, also suggests Maurizio Sarri is an exponent of the correct football philosophy.
3- Hairstyles Don’t Affect Form: Soccer fans from conservative countries like Uganda are quick to notice players’ changes in hairstyle and often relate them to form. Manchester United star Paul Pogba has been a frequent target of the hairstyle bogey, with fans linking any drop in form to excessive time spent in the saloon. What hogwash! Stars like Pogba and Ruud Gullit, Didier Drogba, Carlos Valderama ‘El Pibe’ and Frank Rijkaard who need freedom to express themselves. You would have to be cuckoos to relate a players’ form to hairstyle.
4- Ronaldo Needs Patience: Juventus fans are probably wondering what the fuss was all about. Having seen the club fork out a Serie A record transfer fee of €100m for the goal machine, they forked out $125 to buy CR7 replica shirts. Three games into the new season, Ronaldo is yet to score despite having 23 shots on goal. Old Lady aficionados needn’t worry. Before December, Ronaldo times himself to peak in the Champions League. He only turns on the afterburners after the winter break.
5- Huesca Caught In Bright Lights: Newly promoted Liga Santander outfit Huesca made the grave mistake of playing an open game at the Nou Camp. They probably felt they can make life difficult by surprising Blagruana with an attacking game. Even though they took a 1-0 lead inside five minutes, they ended up on the wrong side of an 8-2 shelling. Lesson for the newcomers? Don’t play Barcelona at their own game, in front of their fans.