Amidst the fallout and wreckage from Manchester United`s decimation at the hands of their `noisy neighbours`, there was one moment that stood out from the rest (and no it was not Balotelli`s humorous t-shirt). It was City’s sixth goal and in particular THAT pass by Silva.
>For those who you who have not seen it let me describe it as best I can. The ball was floated into Silva who then flicked it up with that glorious left foot then swiveled balletically to caress a 40 yard defence splitting pass into the path of Dzeko who slotted past De Gea. In that one fluid movement, Silva made something ridiculously hard look ridiculously easy and had Dzeko missed, it would have incited this writer into a fury.
Silva had scored earlier but it was this assist that encapsulated his majestic performance. Even the wondrous Fabregas in all his years at Arsenal never produced such a breathtaking display against United. Before the derby the general consensus indicated Silva’s standing as the Premiership’s finest performer this season. After the game there was universal agreement that the little Spaniard was the finest footballer plying his trade in England.
United were fully aware that the key to stopping City was subduing Silva: easier said than done. Unfortunately for United they neither possess a defensive midfielder of the required caliber to track Silva’s elusive movements, nor a midfielder to rival his influence on the field. United were crippled by this dual problem and it was ruthlessly and beautifully exploited by the little maestro.
A few weeks ago David Moyes acknowledged Silva as the leagues finest player while hinting that there were `two players who run him close`. Perhaps he had Rooney and Suarez in mind. Both are incredible footballers in their own right and supporters of their respective clubs will understandably champion their cause. Both players often rely on their instinct to produce their best, whereas Silva is the epitome of the cerebral footballer. Before he even receives the ball he has a vision in his head and treats the football pitch like a chessboard. He is that rare breed of footballer, the one who glides across the pitch and can find space to weave his magic in even the most congested areas. His myriad of talents include an unequaled technical ability but also tenacity and a tireless work rate.
If Lionel Messi occupies a level above the rest of the world then Silva definitely belongs to the second tier of footballers, the level that includes Ronaldo, Xavi, Iniesta. It seems incredible that Real Madrid did not try harder to procure the services of the former Valencia man. Their loss is without doubt the Premiership’s gain and the football aesthetes amongst us can only pray that we will be able to enjoy Silva’s gifts for many years to come.
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As a lifelong and ultimately humbeled Utd fan, I have to agree. Silva was amazing, the vision, passing and skill left him in a league of his own. He’s exactly the sort of player Utd needed to buy during the summer.