Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson: Red Devils an English Masterclass?

It wasn't the Champions League Final and Manchester United was not facing Barcelona's dreaded "masterclass."

Nevertheless, we observed an utterly transcendent performance in Manchester United's 8-2 thrashing of once-rival Arsenal.

Most United fans will point to the eight goals scored as evidence the current United squad is more potent than even the vaunted 2008-2009 squad, but in truth, these goals were mere symptoms of a revolutionary new tactical approach deployed by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Dominating the English Premier League (EPL) and advancing to the Champions League Final last season, the 2010-2011 Manchester United squad initially appeared to be one of the most talented sides in the world.

With Wayne Rooney and Nani proving to be two of the most talented attackers in the world, the United defenders needed only to clear the ball to one of them.  Collecting within the middle third of the pitch, Rooney and Nani could take on several defenders before feeding poachers Javier Hernández and Dimitar Berbatov for easy goals. 

Usually facing weaker opponents, United executed this utterly English strategy with lethal effectiveness.

Then came the 2011 Champions League Final match against Barcelona.

Facing a back line with defenders fast and technically skilled enough to counter United's direct approach, the Red Devils could muster only a single scoring opportunity.  On the other side of the pitch, Barcelona employed their usual tiki-taka rhythmic passing routine, constantly shifting the point of attack.  Accustomed to dealing with more predictable threats, the United defenders were left reeling as Lionel Messi and Co. piled on shots from every conceivable angle.

Lucky to only lose 3-1, Manchester United once again proved that English Football was no match for Total Football.

Disappointed by the convincing loss, I immediately found myself worried about the following season.  Even if we managed to replicate the success of the 2010-2011 season, would the Red Devils have any chance against overwhelmingly likely opponent Barcelona in the 2012 Champions League Final?

No way.

Or at least I thought so until this afternoon.

From the opening whistle, it was obvious Fergie had decided today was the day his team would begin playing Total Football and Arsenal would be the unfortunate victim.

With veterans Patrice Evra, Ashley Young, Rooney and Nani surrounded by a surprising number of youngsters, the Red Devils began by dominating possession from the start.  Yet, instead of looking to merely feed Rooney, a host of United players looked to actively involve themselves in the attack.

With the Man U players combining on a dizzying array of no-look through balls, suave backheels, clever chips and rapid-release give-and-go passes, the inexperienced Arsenal youth could have been forgiven for thinking they were lined up against Barcelona for their annual drubbing.

Employing his usual bullseye accuracy, Rooney was joined by an equally dangerous Young to ensure United would finish their chances and move firmly ahead of their demoralized opponents.

Looking ahead, while Fergie continues to build his English masterclass around a talented core of youngsters, Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini appears to have finally justified his profligacy by building an English version of Los Galacticos.  While I daresay such a competition could ever match the importance of El Clasico, we can at least honor the new-found importance of Manchester Derby with the name El Nuevo.

Silly, I know, but we might as well give it a try.  We're really in for one hell of a season.