Pool 2, United 0.

A wonderful way to break a four matching losing streak (the worst in over two decades). Gerrard was out injured, and it wasn't clear pre-match that Torres would be healthy enough to be effective. But ol' Nino was again the MAN, outrunning and outmuscling Ferdinand before slotting a beauty past VDS at full speed. Torres really is just phenomenal. He mentally owns Vidic, who was reduced to fouling Torres relentlessly, and who managed to get sent off for the third straight match against Liverpool (although the send-off foul was against Kuyt, after Torres was gone). But the thing is, against Torres, the Manc defenders look rattled rather than smug. It's beautiful.

I'm not sure if I'm the only one who thinks Carrick and O'Shea kind of look alike, but I can't be the only one who realizes that Carrick, while a solid player, is not an exceptional midfield talent. The English press writes about him like he's the English Zidane, and it drives me crazy.

The team still misses Alonso, and if we had him, I feel quite confident we'd be top of the table and on pace to win the league. Here's to hoping Aquilani can be the final piece of the puzzle!

But I doubt it.

FF