USAIN BOLT JOINS UNITED'S FANS

USAIN BOLT - the latest long-distance fan to adopt Manchester United (well, I guess he can get here quicker than most) - was sat in the Old Trafford stands.

Most of the time, looking distinctly bored. After all, this was hardly explosive stuff. Hardly 9.69 seconds in Beijing's Bird's Nest Stadium.

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In fact, as a football match, it never lifted itself out of the blocks. But even the world's fastest bloke might be familiar with the old adage.

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The title race . . . it's a marathon, not a thing that Bolt does. And United, for the 18th time in their history, have breasted the tape first. Not exactly with a spring in their step - but, in some ways, that was perhaps appropriate.

Because while three consecutive titles are testament to a collective talent the like of which this generation of football fans has never seen before, this is a team in the image of its manager.

And for all the bravura and for all the brilliance, it is characterised by its sheer bloody-mindedness, by its steadfast refusal to accept defeat - the qualities that drive Sir Alex Ferguson to the training ground ahead of the milkman, that will have him at his desk tomorrow morning plotting a 12th successful Premier League campaign.

Individual moments of inspiration pebble-dash another imperious campaign. Too many to chronicle. But a seam of stubbornness provides the constant.

Nemanja Vidic's last-minute winner against Sunderland in the first week of December, the Boxing Day winner from Carlos Tevez when a draw looked inevitable.

Two late clinchers from Dimitar Berbatov against Middlesbrough and Bolton and the remarkable late twist in the Federico Macheda game against Aston Villa.

Such is United's resilience - their instinct for victory - that when they, along with Howard Webb, turned a 2-0 deficit against Spurs into a 5-2 triumph, it hardly raised an eyebrow.

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With Wigan a goal up at half-time in the JJB Stadium, the contest was nothing but an away banker.

United file comebacks at a rate MPs file receipts. Because they know Ferguson will accept nothing else other than total endeavour as an accompaniment to total football.

Maybe that is why Wayne Rooney is the player about whom Fergie privately purrs most and whose indiscipline he is prepared to tolerate.

Maybe that is why the English striker is the player he treasures more than most - a player who, if it came down to a choice, would remain at Old Trafford ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Such was United's tentative approach yesterday, Rooney barely had chance to express the instinct that has given his club and his country so much reward this season. But instead, he sacrificed himself on the altar of defence.

He does more backtracking than your average politician. Rooney morphed into an auxiliary left-back and spent his time combating - with some muscularity - the marauding threat of Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna.

NEW FAN - Usain Bolt in the directors' box at Old Trafford

Ferguson took him off with a minute remaining so he could get the standing ovation his entire campaign - his entire career at United so far - deserved.

The Scouser then revealed a vest from Croxteth Amateur Boxing Club (although everyone is an amateur boxer in Croxteth) which, again, was quite fitting. The Three Lions star is a fighter, for better or for worse. Rooney's is a work ethic born of his natural, unbridled enthusiasm for the game. Those of his team-mates who don't possess it normally have it drummed into them by arguably the greatest club manager in history. (It just remains to be seen if he can work the oracle with Dimitar Berbatov).

It was somehow appropriate that Arsenal were the guests at the title party. The rivalry between these two teams defined the Premier League for so long.

But although Arsenal were the more attractive side for the duration of a fairly dull contest, they are no longer a major concern for United.

They are no longer the Nadal to United's Federer. No longer Mickelson to United's Woods.

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Which maybe partly explains Ferguson's eulogy to both Gunners Arsene Wenger and his club in the matchday programme.

Everyone had detected a thaw in Ferguson's feelings towards the Frenchman but this was positively gushing.

"I must say how impressed we all were with the sporting and gracious way Arsenal accepted what must have been a huge setback," said Ferguson, referring to his team's Champions League stroll at The Emirates.

"Arsene, in particular, was most gracious in the way he spoke about our performance.

"I think Arsenal and Manchester United have refreshing similarities in how we relate to our competitors.

"Their reaction was nothing less than I expected because our two clubs share a very strong belief in certain principles."

All lovely stuff. And true perhaps. But what they haven't shared is a common reaction to the threat from Chelsea and Liverpool.

While Wenger has retreated into his cocoon of youth, Fergie has realised that precocious talent alone cannot counter the muscular and financial challenge posed by the foes from Stamford Bridge and Anfield. That is why he has consistently supplemented his squad with world-class, experienced internationals.

Tevez, Berbatov this season - Vidic, Edwin van der Sar, who was the keeper most under threat yesterday, in previous seasons. Big-game thoroughbreds rather than raw-boned colts.

Ferguson has adapted, simple as that. And that is what makes his achievements great.

APPLAUSE - Alex Ferguson

Look at the players who wandered out on to the pitch for the trophy presentation yesterday and realise how football has changed since Ferguson won his first Premier League title back in 1993.

Ronaldo. There was a time when you would have imagined Fergie clipping him around the ear - or worse - when he fluttered his eyelids so seductively at Real Madrid.

But Ferguson, 67 years of age don't forget and a man of old-fashioned values, has changed with the game. That is what has set him apart.

He knows when to be the demon, he knows when to be the diplomat.

And that Ronaldo stood on the Old Trafford pitch and professed his love for the club as old hands such as Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs shuttled the big pot around behind him, was a testament to the management skills of Ferguson.

That is maybe why they should trust the Scot's judgment when it comes to Tevez.

The backing of the supporters for the Argentinian was unequivocal yesterday.

The roar when he was substituted and gave what looked like a tearful, two-handed farewell wave was the loudest of the match . . . apart from when ref Mike Dean blew the final whistle.

The chants of 'Sign Him Up' bellowed around every corner of Old Trafford. You can understand the supporters admiring Tevez. His commitment matches - even exceeds - his class.

But as Fergie began to speak about seeking a 19th title for Manchester United, you wondered about the wisdom of the United faithful.

Best leave the Tevez decision, in fact any other decision, to him. After all, I reckon a man who has won 11 titles knows what he is doing. Don't you?

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