ANGELS

By Henry Winter.

The t-shirts being sold outside Old Trafford yesterday hailed Manchester United as 'The Untouchables', following an eighth championship in 11 years, but Sir Alex should be saluted for making his players believe they could catch Arsenal and, despite the team's ultra-competitive image, for sending out a side with the best disciplinary record in the Premiership. The Red Devils are, in fact, angels.

Critics will point to the players' occasional hectoring of officials (though far less than before) while conspiracy theorists argue that referees favour them (no other side were awarded more penalties, seven, or conceded fewer, two). But only Southampton (42 yellows and three reds) come anywhere close to United's clean-living Premiership tally of 43 yellows and one dismissal (Roy Keane). United receive a caution once every 77 minutes while a red card occurs only every 37 games. Contrast this with Arsenal's one yellow every 60 minutes plus a red every 12 games.

Ryan Giggs and O'Shea have not even seen a card this Premiership season. United's back four of Brown, Ferdinand, Silvestre and O'Shea share only eight yellows between them in all domestic competitions - one fewer than Arsenal's Ashley Cole.

Keane has modified his tackling, using timing more than pure force. Paul Scholes hardly holds back but his worst challenges have come with England. Van Nistelrooy can upset officials but more with his theatricals.

'The Untouchables' are a credit to English football