It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle

…than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Even so, The Times today publishes 25 simple steps for United to reach heaven. Which in this context is to win five titles: the World Club Championship, the Carling Cup, the FA-cup, the Premier League and the Champions League. I still consider this to be just about impossible, but presented in this way it can look a deceptively simple task.

The WCC is already in the bag and both the Carling Cup and the PL look within reach. But United are still a very long way away from repeating last year’s CL triumph, with Inter Milan as the first, very difficult, obstacle. It’s a nice dream, though.

The first step on the ladder is tonight against Fulham, who have not yet won away from home in the league this season. Several United stars are expeted to return after being rested against Derby, such as Van der Sar, Vidic, Carrick, Scholes, Berbatov and Tevez. Rooney might be on the bench.

Please also note that the Bible doesn’t specifically mention rich football clubs.

Sweet are the uses of adversity

United are facing a severe injury crisis ahead of this weekend’s FA-cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur. At the moment there are eleven players on the injury list; Rooney (hamstring, out for a few weeks), Ferdinand (back, uncertain return date), Rafael (hamstring, out for a month), Evra (toe, missing for two more weeks), Hargreaves (knee, out for the season), Evans (ankle, out for a week), Nani (groin, probably out for just a week), Anderson (ankle, X-ray so far inconclusive), Brown (ankle, out for a few more weeks), Giggs (unspecified knock, back in a week) and Neville (minor knock, might just play on Saturday).

So what are the “sweet uses” implied in the headline? Well, perhaps mostly a desperate attempt to look at the bright side of this mess. But I’m looking forward to the debut of Fabio who is supposed to be even better than his twin brother Rafael. It will also be an interesting opportunity for John O’Shea to impress as a central defender, as he has on a number of occasions for Ireland. I’m also hoping to see the debut of Zoran Tosic who has looked very impressive in training since his arrival from Partizan Belgrade.

My line-up: Van der Sar; Fletcher, Vidic, O’Shea, Fabio; Park, Carrick, Scholes, Ronaldo; Tevez, Berbatov. Quite a strong team considering the injury list, and should be good enough to beat Spurs.