Festive spirit falls flat as Fergie gives United fans last rites...

Following the narrow 1-0 victory over Birmingham City Fergie went on the offensive when blasting the home supporters for their lack of vocal support. However, no one should be surprised at the lack of atmosphere at this fixture. The night before everyone was out celebrating the New Year until the early hours of the next morning. For many fans New Year's Day is a time for recovering from the events of the night before, and for contemplating the horror that is the return to work. Many fans up and down the country will have been feeling like the proverbial living dead. Even the players who aren't allowed to celebrate like the rest us were off-key against Birmingham, it was at times a very lack-lustre performance by United.

Fergie has every right to complain, but the media are still going on about a similar ill thought out Roy Keane rant about the Old Trafford "Prawn Sandwich brigade" which was made in 2000, this phrase is still being used today to describe the Old Trafford crowd by some in the media.

No doubting some people will also be questioning the poor timing of Fergie's comments given the death of Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell. Though I personally wouldn't say Fergie was wrong on that score. The fact is though that this game will not be remembered because of the wonderful first-half goal which was created by Ronaldo and finished by Tevez, but it will remembered as the game when Fergie likened this match to being at a funeral.