FOR THE LOVE OF MANCHESTER UNITED FC.

INTO THE LAST 16, BUT....MAN UNITED VS CSKA MOSCOW REVIEW!

2009-11-04T20:19:00.004+03:00

So since when did our defenders become referees? I mean how could Wes Brown and co. blatantly let a CSKA player score because they judged that he was offside-- What happened to paying to the whistle? And just when you think it couldn't get any worse, practice of marking the guy at the far post is trashed. 3-1 to CSKA Moscow!
I'll make my point now...If we defend like we did yesterday against Chelsea, we don't stand a chance!
Good thing for us it was Old Trafford and we were attacking the Stretford End, looking for at least two goals. They did come in the last 6 minutes. A Paul Scholes header and a Valencia dive that took a wicked deflection leaving the otherwise impressive Ankifeev helpless. Michael Owen got our first goal and we can now safely say that if he remains fit for the rest of the season, he will get at lest 15 goals for us. He really still knows a thing or two about poaching goals.
I thought Fletch was unlucky with the booking he got and given that UEFA don't accept appeals, we can only hope that yesterday's card does not come to haunt him in the latter stages of the tournament.
I must commend the players for the effort they put in to ensure that our proud home record in the Champions League remains intact. February 2005 was the last time we lost at home and I think we'd have to go back to Deportivo La Corunia in 2002 for the last time we lost a group stage game at home.
Sir Alex did a good job of resting his best players for the game so you think that they will be ready for Sunday. Chelsea are the strongest possible opposition we can face in the league so we'll have to be at our best. It's one of those games where an off-day is unacceptable!
Gabriel Obertan for me, has shown enough to merit a starting berth in our team. I mean there is nothing that Nani gives us at the moment that he can't. He's worth a punt in team. It was early experience that helped Ronaldo be what he is and I really hope that the young Frenchman gets more than just cameo roles in games. He has what it takes to complement Berbatov and Rooney in attack. Enough said!

ONE POINT AWAY--- MAN UNITED VS CSKA MOSCOW PREVIEW!

2009-11-03T14:22:00.003+03:00

A quick preview for a game that should not be of major concern for United. We've got Chelsea on Sunday so you feel that this is only a minor distraction for bigger things ahead.
My main concern though is that Sir Alex has got this habit of hoarding players for minor games and resting so many of them for a big game. What I mean is that not up to five or six players need a rest for Sunday. I mean we play on Tuesday at home and so have all week till Sunday fir our next game. You feel that even those who will have played today will be ready. It does affect the team and a case in point must be how our well rested players failed to turn up at Anfield!
Giggs, Vidic, Ferdinand, Park and possibly Berbatov will possibly sit out tonight. I think Fergie will opt to start Owen and Obertan as well as Scholes and Fletcher. The latter should play apart as he will need match fitness before we head to the bridge. I also have this feeling that EVDS will be left out. Gary will most probably start.
CSKA have got a new coach and we all know too well what that could mean as far as their need fr a result is concerned. We have a proud home record in Europe so I hope we at least defend that tonight. A point will put us through while a win will almost certainly guarantee us top spot.
You feel that we need this win to go into Sunday on the back of a win. It really does help!

BACK TO WINNING WAYS----MAN UNITED VS BLACKBURN REVIEW!

2009-10-31T23:58:00.006+03:00

Berbatov, Owen and Obertan were guilty of missing chances that we would have looked back on if Blackburn had, in the end, managed to salvage a draw from the game. Thankfully, they didn't. United went into this game on the back of defeat to Liverpool in the league so we badly needed the points especially since we have a tough game in London next week.
Berbatov and Rooney got us the goals that won the game for us but you wonder if the Bulgarian will hit the 25 goal mark by only scoring spectacular goals. I mean he should also start putting away the cheap point black tap ins like the free-header he had today to boost his tally. It was another display of wastefulness from our attackers and when you compare the number of goals our rivals have racked up against Blackburn to our tally tonight, it's worrying.
Hopefully I'm not being too hard on him. Wayne is back to scoring so hope that lasts. We could really do with a goal from him next Sunday. I thought Obertan was too excited/nervous and so failed to put away a couple of chances. Owen is not doing himself any favours by missing the kind of chance he missed today but his goal in mid-week will let him off the hook for now.
I feel that Nani could do with a little bit of competition in the team so hopefully Obertan will start a few games. He seems to have the flash of pace and brilliance that we so desperately need. Valencia needs to start hammering in more crosses in the box than he does. I feel he is too elaborate with the ball. Anderson was my man of the match, shook off competiton from Evra.

In the most unchronological way I hope I have put across some of the things we need to work on to keep our chances alive of winning a milestone 4th league title in a row.
We did well in the Cup on Tuesday and have to deal with Tottenham at home at the end of next month to seal a last four berth! CSKA Moscow should not be a worry on Wednesday but how about the game on Sunday, there is everything to lose in that one! More on that later!

OOoops!----LIVERPOOL VS MAN UNITED REVIEW!

2009-10-26T20:22:00.003+03:00

Yeah well, you should probably read the preview before this one (that's in case you missed it). I mean it was always going to be the curse of the form-book wasn't it? Any top club that was in Liverpool's form only needed such a big game to motivate them and deliver them from their blushes. It's that simple. We've had that curse working in our favour on a few occasions so it shouldn't be too hard to understand. Remember us ending Arsenal's unbeaten run back in 2005? Remember beating Jose's Chelsea 1-0 at OT--that Darren Fletcher goal? I mean it was already documented for me. I never expected, but hopped.

Good thing though that this is the league we're talking about and so it never matters if you lose to Liverpool every season home and away if it means that at the end you will win the title. Yes, the press will have a field day this week writing all crap about how we are missing Ronaldo---as if we don't miss Cantona, Best, Charlton, Law, etc---I mean is there any point in having them in our team now. Whenever they will learn that Ronaldo was not dismissed from OT?!
I still feel that if we can get the three points from the lesser sides in the league, we can still win the league. I mean we only beat a big-four opponent once last season--and considering that we've already beaten one this season, defeat to one of them should not mean doom.
Realistically, it will be harder for us this season--but this is United we are talking about. That we are distraught after what happened on Sunday is why I'm still confident in this season. If defeat is still sickening then I can only assume that we won't have many this season. You expect the lads to go on another run of wins that will quickly make us forget the game. I like the fact that whenever we lose, Sir Alex asks for a response from his players. That is what a team going for the the title does.

As far as the performance is concerned, well, it was not the worst of the season because with a better referee and a little bit of luck, we could have won the game. Our through balls were intercepted at the last minute by Liverpool's defence and the ref kept giving the home side soft free-kicks in the opening half whilst the likes of Lucas were let off a number of times. However, I thought Ferdidand was easily dealt with by Torres for the opener. The England centre half could and should have done better.
Vidic got his third consecutive red-card against Liverpool. The only concern there should not be for how long he'll be out but rather if that will keep playing on his mind for as long as he is in a game against Liverpool.
Valencia was unlucky as his hot came off the bar. EVDS survived a horrific tackle from that hyena Mascherano. It was really dramatic---nuff said!

We take on Barnsley tomorrow in the Carling Cup--and all eyes will be on Gabriel Obertan's debut for United. Could he be the answer to our problems on the wings? It's a chance for us to quickly put the defeat to the Dippers behind us and I really hope that we do.

THE CURSE OF THE FORM BOOK---LIVERPOOL VS MAN UNITED PREVIEW!

2009-10-24T22:01:00.007+03:00

If there is one thing that makes me sick in football, it's the way in which it can turn around and give you a kick in the teeth. Ahead of this tie, Liverpool's problems are well documented. Four straight defeats in all competitions have left Rafa in a sort of job comma. The club has also failed to shake off the board-room problems. Injuries to their only two players (Torres, and Gerrard) have made it impossible to hide their weaknesses on pitch. One or both could return for this game and boy how they are desperate for a win.
I fifth league defeat by the start of November would only serve to remind me that Liverpool are back to being themselves---remember Geraard Houllier days when by the end of October, they had fallen so far behind that it was a case of who between Arsenal and United would win the league.

The one funny stat is that even during those troublesome Houllier days, the Dippers used to surprise United with one or two unexpected defeats. It was a trend that was ended by Diego Forlan (remember that X-mas gift from Dudeck).
You see the thing is, Liverpool has performed so poorly in the last four games that they can't do any worse tomorrow. That means we will probably have to be at our very best to keep out what I would in this case call a wounded animal. It's up to us to make sure thy remain with no teeth. The goals we conceded last season there were basically as a result of giving in to their hurried style. Giggs should never have done hat he did and you thought that EVDS and brown could have dealt with their equaliser much better.
The pressure is on them again to come at u and look for the win, and whilst it's also on us to get the win that returns us to the top of the league, a point would still be an improvement on last season's result (I mean we got nothing out of 6 against them!).
For the love of all that is good and holy in this world, I hope Fergie was just kidding when he hinted that Rooney still has to prove his fitness for the game. I mean we need him for this one. Giggs should start, and so should the likes of Fletcher, Carrick and Berbatov. I really hope that Fergie keeps the defence first choice. Now Vidic has been sent off in each of the last times we've met the Dippers so fingers crossed he does last 90 minutes for this one.
Obviously there will be a motive to avenge last season's defeats. This game is as to England what Madrid and Barca is to Spain--so I mean it when I say the stakes are high! That's why we the fans shall be doing our very best to sneak in with beach-balls and give the Kop end a good run for their....don't even know what to add there!

UNITED zzzZZZ THEIR WAY PAST CASKA MOSCOW---THE REVIEW!

2009-10-22T20:16:00.003+03:00

Yeah so it was not by any stretch a good game of football--blame that on the pitch, not on United at least! Sir Alex, as expected, flooded the midfield and let CSKA figure out a way past us. They didn't, and late on he brought on Owen, changed to the conventional 4-4-2 and with a few minutes left, a good build up involving Nani and Berbatov led to Valencia getting us the goal that won us the game and put us virtually through the group stages. It's three games left and we need only a point to be sure.

As far as our performance is concerned, I was not too bothered, but I still feel that our defence needs to be more certain. We seem to be shaky when the opposition has a go at us. I really hope that Rio and Vida can get more games together so that they rebuild their understanding. In times ahead, we shall need results similar to that we got in Moscow--where you rely on your defence to actually win you the match. We've done it so well in the last couple of seasons so I trust that we can emulate that solidity.

Many United fans and friends alike who were watching the game with me were calling for the head of Nani. They actually don't mind if we sell him off by January. Regular readers of this blog will also appreciate that I've been too critical on him these past few weeks but I've been watching a certain aspect of his game that has impressed me. I mean I got tired of waiting for some sort of tricks and flicks from Nani that I started noting what I should call, other facets to his game. Let's face it, he's not as consistent as we expect him to be but we can't say that we don't benefit at all from his presence on pitch. I been watching him closely this season and ow I can comfortably say that he really does try to get back the ball when he loses it. I mean if you sit and replay the game, you'd realise that the Portuguese was playing some sort of Darren Fletcher role. I know that is not what we expect of him but I'm not as disappointed in him now that I realise that he does add us something that even Ronaldo did not give us at all. I mean at least we can sit more comfortably when he loses the ball compared to when Ronaldo lost it. The fact that he has had a hand in our last two away Champions League games will improve his life, but you feel that he must start putting away some of the chances he gets. Valencia's two goals in two games have driven away the critics for a while. Nani should probably buy himself some time and notch in one or two.

Wes Brown made an appearance in the game, coming on for Rio but I'm wondering when Sir Alex will finally restore him to the right-back slot that worked so well for him in our 'Double Champions' season of 2007/2008. John O'Shea remains just good cover for me and I feel that Brown can provide more of an attacking threat down the right.

Anyhow, it's the Dippers on Sunday and boy what prospects lie ahead for us. I mean imagine we inflict on them a, what, fifth defeat in a row? Oh and I forgot, this is really their year! Hah!

CSKA MOSCOW VS MAN UNITED PREVIEW!

2009-10-20T15:52:00.002+03:00

An early preview for our next game! It's Moscow and most of us should remember the weird time for kick-off that Russian ties provide. It will be 5.30 pm in Manchester and 7.30pm where I am now when United kick-off at a venue we would all like to think of as our home! I mean when you consider the luck that we had on that pitch a couple of years ago, you'd think we had it charmed in our favour. Many of my friends have actually taken time off to look at the Champions League final video 2008, and it's still hard to believe that Drogba hit the post late in the second half at 1-1, then Lampard hit the bar in extra-time still at 1-1, then the Drog gets sent off before the shoot-out, and we think it's not advantage anyway, then Ronaldo (of all people) misses his kick, then EVDS can only help Ashley Cole's shot in, then Nani only just manages to keep us in the tie, and then the mother of all luck smiles upon us--John Terry misses Chelsea's clinching kick, then Anderson blasts us in the lead once again, then Giggs gives us match point and finally EVDS fools Anelka by pointing one way and diving the other way, the right way, then all of us forget our religions, customs, family and (for me) problems and unite in the heavenly glory of European Cup success! You can't say that Sir Matt Busby and the Busby Babes didn't have a hand in proceedings that night. Michael Carrick reckons that it was his best night and but for the miracles of '99, it would be top of my list as well!

Anyway, this is supposed to be a preview post---we are lacking a little over 5 senior players for this one and that must be largely because of the game on Sunday! CSKA are one of those sides that will punish you when the opportunity presents itself. They rarely let you off the hook. In that respect I won't see a point from this game as bad at all. Having said that, we still have the squad to win there, and it can only help that we go to Anfield on the back of a win!

SIR ALEX CHARGED, UNITED REVIST THE LUZHNIKI STADIUM!

2009-10-19T20:25:00.003+03:00

I've deliberately been quiet about the Sir Alex and Riley rant that has been having rounds over the last couple of weeks, largely because I'm never surprised by Sir Alex's rants at referees. I'm at pains to actually remember the last time United had a season without the old Gaffer getting baned for at least a couple of games for surely the same reason. Let's face it, it's part of United's season! I mean isn't it a common image seeing Fergie in the stands on the phone instructing the assistants on what sub to make?
Anyway, we'll miss his influence if he does get as big as a 5 match touchline ban. No doubt about that!

On a more football front, we've got CASKA Moscow in the Champions League on Wednesday and it's gutting that Giggs, Rooney, Evra, and Fletcher are among the lads unable to make it there. You do wonder if Sir Alex has Liverpool in mind. I wouldn't blame him though as we only need four points to make it through the group--and who cares who finishes top, last season we got top and got ourselves a draw fit enough for the final at the last 16 stage!
United will be returning to one of the most historic destinations in the club's illustrious history. We'll certainly will never forget that slip by Mr Chelsea!

HA! HA! HA!

2009-10-18T11:16:00.003+03:00

THAT WAS MORE LIKE UNITED!---MAN UNITED VS BOLTON REVIEW!

2009-10-18T09:30:00.006+03:00

Forget the fact that there was role reversal towards the end whereby the away side was looking for a late equaliser at Old Trafford, this league is not as easy as many think it is. United, nonetheless did play like United. I mean you only have to look at the video of the game against Sunderland and compare with that of yesterday to appreciate what I mean. Right from the first whistle, our lads clicked and went in search of goals and I must say that but for Jaaskalenean, it could have been a more comfortable afternoon for United.
The goals came from a Zhat Night deflection and a first for the club for Mr. Antonio Valencia who must have read one or two things about him on this blog and thence upped his game. His speed was vital for us as it complemented Giggs vision and intelligence on the other side.

Now this is not for a full match report, but rather to make one or two notes.
You have to feel for Berbatov because this lad does really make us tick upfront and yet the goals do not flow for him as much as he and all of us would like. I don't know how many point-blank chances he had to score in the derby but Given somehow kept him out. He was so good yesterday that you thought he deserved a goal. First Owen unfortunately got in the way of what could have been a superb goal in the first half, then the Bolton keeper somehow kept out his acrobatic volley in the second half. I really think the team is more like United when Berba is in. He does complement the talents of both Owen and Rooney.

Anderson did well in midfield--he tends to blow hot and cold these days. Ferdinand more like himself at the back--whether this was because of the return of EVDS is something that we'll never know. It was gutting not to keep a clean sheet, but when you consider what the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool went through in their respective games, we'll take the win as edgy as it was.
Top of the league again! One really hopes that we stay there much longer than we did a couple of weeks ago.

A FEW MORE NOTES...

2009-10-17T11:47:00.003+03:00

I've been quite engaged in my work this past week and so I have not had the time to follow our players on International duty. There have also been one or two reserve games that were important for various reasons.
Regular readers of this blog might be aware of the concern I have voiced towards our wingers given their inability to provide regular service to the attack. I thought that maybe the pressure is so much on Nani and Valencia to perform. I suggested that it was time that Fergie took a chance on another youngster in Zoran Tosic. I know the public opinion is that he still needs to grow some physique before he can get in the grove but I disagree. I mean I think this lad will not go down as much as Ronaldo did when he was touched in 2004. Besides, sometimes that physique is built by being involved a lot. Take a case of the likes of Walcott and Fabregas when they joined the Arsenal first team, what doesn't Tosic have physically that those two had.
Sometimes I look at the way he performs for his country and I wonder how good he can be if he had ten other good players around him every week! He, unlike Nani and Valencia seems to have a better goals per games ratio.

Gabriel Obertan made his comeback for the reserves as well and his brilliant touches as well as speed mark him down as one of those players we can't wait to see play for us. His arrival was not so much hailed--in fact, the arrival of Michael Owen was hailed even more than his, and yet he could be about to rock Old Trafford with his brilliance.
The return of Rafael and Hargo means that United should be stronger towards the half-way point of the season. In the meantime, we can only hope that the players we have remain fit. The only problem is that this will make Fergie rotate the squad more often than he has ever done, and though this has it's plus points, it can sometimes turn against you.
We the fans can only hope that it is onwards and upwards for United!

A MUST WIN GAME FOR UNITED---MAN UNITED VS BOLTON PREVIEW!

2009-10-17T09:20:00.003+03:00

Let me just get this out of the way; every game is a must-win for United. I wrote in my preview for Sunderland that we could drop points in this one if we had won against Sunderland, so considering that we didn't, this game stands out as a very important league fixture, especially when you consider that our next stop is Anfield. We do have the beating of Bolton but there is something in our ranks that has not quite clicked yet. I really hope that for starters, our players can pass the ball to each other more often than we witnessed against Sunderland. I also pray that the likes of Nan and Valencia can put more crosses into the box more often than they have been doing all season. This could turn out to be one of those games where we need somebody to stand up and provide the enthusiasm that Wayne provides. He's ruled out (f*** luck) so we don't have him available till next week. Owen is back, but I wonder if he will be up to the task of playing the entire match. Berba will be our focal point of attack. There is no reason as to why Giggs shouldn't play, but perhaps Fletcher could miss out because of a bruise in midweek.
Thank God that EVDS is back! That's one goal less conceded when he's around. We've missed him! Our home form and our defence have won us the title over the last few seasons so I it's imperative that we don't let in more goals at the back and that we don't show the visiting sides the respect that we've showed the likes of Birmingham, Sunderland and even City!
We also can't afford to get any further back behind a Chelsea team that looks to be the real threat to our trophy. So Come on United!

LETTER TO SIR ALEX!

2009-10-09T16:15:00.006+03:00

Okay, this is nothing next to an official letter, but I feel there are a few things that I feel Sir Alex has to address before we get into another chapter of the new season. Without wasting any more space on this blog, here goes...

Ben Foster needs some time to get back his confidence and the 'big stage' is not the best place for him to recover it. The lad needs some time off--another loan spell could do for him. Tomaz K is a more confident goalkeeper and even though he is not the best, he could do a job for us as EVDS's deputy. This season we've already let in a third of the goals we conceded the whole of last season so we need to tighten up a bit at the back if we are to maintain our status as title challengers.

Antonio Valencia and Nani are not yet at the level where they can command places in our team, I therefore feel that even Zoran Tosic should have a go on the wing as he might just turn out to be our answer. Forget his age, because we forgot Giggs and Ronaldo's ages when they joined the first team. Secondly, we seem to lack that little bit of creativity when Giggs is not in the team. What does that say about our creative players? In the same breath, I have to add that Berbatov has really carried the creative spark for us even when Giggs is not around. He deserves a pat on the back. It must be obvious now that until the rest of our creative midfielders click, we cannot afford to have both Giggs and Berba out of the team at the same time.

We...well...I do appreciate the fact that you have rotated our squad. However, I feel that the defenders, when fit should stay the same. You see defending is a little bit more complex than any other thing in football. You probably know that, so I wonder why Ferdinand and Vidic cannot continue their fruitful partnership when both are fit. I thought that at Sunderland both should have played. Throughout the game, we seemed as though we couldn't defend.

As far as the attack is concerned, I think Berba and Rooney will work for us.
Hope this letter reaches you!

POST MATCH NOTES.

2009-10-04T09:30:00.005+03:00

Sir Alex, in his post-match notes, reckons that Alan Wiley is unfit. He also says that there should have been a fifth minute of stoppage time given the goal celebrations for our equaliser.
Come to think of it, he's right on both counts but we had 90 minutes to get three points and we wasted half of the time sleeping. The moral for United should be that the first half is also pat of a football match.

WRONG DATE FOR AN OFF-DAY---MAN UNITED VS SUNDERLAND REVIEW!

2009-10-04T06:51:00.004+03:00

Well, well, well, what can one possibly say. I mean I posted in my preview that I really hoped that we get the win this weekend and possibly save the dropped points for the visit of Bolton or for the game against Liverpool. It would have made it ominous for our rivals playing today. As it sands now, they really can't feel the pinch of dropped points regardless of what happens today.

As far as the game is concerned, I thought that Fergie picked the wrong team. Why leave out the likes of Carrick and Valencia when we have an International break coming up? Welbeck is more effective upfront rather than on the wing, and of course I'd rather have Tomaz Kuszczak in my goal rather than Ben Foster. Unfortunately, I doubt the latter concern will ever change, but I thought that he should have come in harder on Jones for the second goal. It was a very soft goal to concede.
John O'Shea was at fault for their opener as he showed too much room to Darren Bent.
Berbtov took his goal well, and thought he was one o few at the races yesterday. It's a shame his wonderful volley featured in a game we would want to forget. The lucky deflection from Evra's drive could yet prove crucial this season, but I feel it was two dropped points.
A neutral observer would probably question United's ability to spark without Ryan Giggs. The bad news for United though was that Fletcher revisited his past form and Scholes couldn't get his passes right this time.
Additionally, it seemed as though our defenders had forgotten how to defend. Sunderland looked like they would score every time they attacked, and but for a few last minute challenges, would have.
I doubt Fergie's wisdom in changing the back four as often as he does to the midfield and attack. More on that later.
The result is bound to cost us our leadership of the table, depending on what happens today.

NOTHING MUCH

2009-10-03T13:26:00.004+03:00

We could really do without the nail-biting we endured last season in this particular fixture. Thank God for Vidic!

THE FIRST CRUCIAL POINTS OF THE SEASON---MAN UNITED VS SUNDERLAND PREVIEW!

2009-10-02T11:43:00.003+03:00

Many will question my wisdom in selecting such a tile for this post for a game that should be a straight forward win for us.
Well, it's not that I doubt United's ability to beat the likes of Sunderland, but rather the ramifications of failure to do so.

United, for the first time this season I think, get to play before their major rivals for the title, and more importantly, have the chance to go clear at the summit of the league or at least gain another advantage over their major rivals given that Chelsea and Liverpool play against each other on Sunday!
Quite frankly, this is an opportunity that we cannot afford to let slip, if we really want to defend our trophy for the third time in a row and win it for the forth time in a row.

The boss has already confirmed that Owen will be available as early as next week, Rafael is recovering well and EVDS is not far away. It means we will only need Hargo to return to be at full strength for the first time in over a year. Fergie claims it's becoming more difficult for him to select the team but I'm thinking, isn't that a better problem to have?

What could make this game very difficult for us is our inability to make full use of the chances that come our way. We were fortunate not to pay the price for this against Stoke and Wolfsburg but you feel that at this rate of wastefulness, somewhere down the line, we will pay; and given the way football can give you a rude awakening, what a blow it will be if we pay this weekend of all weekends.
The thing is we shall do a good job of deflating the confidence of both Chelsea and Liverpool if we actually win tomorrow. One might argue that we rather drop points next week than this weekend because whilst the difference won't reflect physically, it will psychologically.

When you come to think of it, you feel that we should actually win both of our next two games as they are, above all, home games against weaker beatable opponents. Six pints from these games will set us on our way to Anfield in better spirits than our last visit there.

THE WEEK THAT WAS!

2009-10-02T10:46:00.003+03:00

It's just one of those days when I fail to make a preview and a review due to factors that I must say are beyond my control. Anyhow, after the win at Stoke, United were preparing for a tough Champions League encounter against Wolfsburg--who by the way are the German Champions!
After watching that game on Wednesday night, I thought that we wouldn't get a tougher game than what the German outfit provided.
You have to feel for Sir Alex, he cannot maintain the same players throughout the season because he has to avoid player burn-out, but you feel he ought to start Berbatov and Rooney in important games. I think Owen will do well of the bench rather than starting the game. The reasons are obvious. He no longer has the pace that got him away from defenders back in the days but if he gets on with a quarter of the game left, you feel that fatigue in the opposition defence will enable him get past them and poke in winners. Afterall, he will be fresher.
I think that Berbatov is the creative spark at United and so we really look lifeless and toothless without him in. The groin injury suffered by Owen that night must be a blessing in disguise. All who have eyes did see the way Berbatov made our team click when he came on. Perhaps it should not be a foregone conclusion that the team should be built around Wayne. The Bulgarian does bring a handful of players into the game with his brilliant link-up play and it has to be said, it's beautiful to watch him make deft touches and buoyant passes.
You really have to appreciate his contribution to Michael Carrick's winner!

The only worry for United should be what we shall do when Ryan loses his unbelievable form at the moment. Obviously we cannot expect him to keep it up till May and of course there will be days when even he is not enough to get past teams. This is why Valencia and Nani should step up. Nani's problem is well documented. Valencia has this problem of thinking that he has to speed past a player before making that all important cross into the box. You wish he adopted the David Beckam mentality of hoofing balls into the box regardless of who is there--you only have to see our winner against Arsenal to know that it doesn't matter who heads the ball, it can still end up in the net.

The Defence: Has Rio Ferdinand become too big to defend? He seems almost afraid of the ball at times and I wonder if he is still as effective as he was for us a couple of years back. I'll give him the benefit of doubt though as he has been on this unbelievable run of injuries lately.

Tomaz K did well in goal and there is something about his confidence that I like which I don't see in Ben Foster. There was little he could do about the gaol but he did pull off some great catches that took the pressure off us. I prefer a keeper who makes a catch more often than a punch. It does increase confidence in the defence.

At this point, let me just make it clear that I am not be-heading our players but quite simply assessing them as they proceed to give us what we need this season!

THE OLD GUARD!

2009-09-27T11:21:00.005+03:00

It's imperative that I make this post in light of the praises being heaped on Manchester United's bunch of experienced lads. Apparently, this is exclusive to Garry Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Edwin van der Sar.

They say that every man has his opinion, so here's mine. I think that Ryan Giggs needs to be knighted. I've already voiced my desire on this blog to see that and I personally do not care if he plays till he's 40. The lad has something in him that we probably last saw in Bobby Charlton. This guy has reinvented himself to be once again one of the most important players in Sir Alex's squad. No wonder the boss has kept him safe for the big matches. That's just about it for Giggs!

EVDS is, unlike the rest of his colleagues in this category, a goalkeeper, and he therefore can still make it even at 40 years. He has this confidence that you yearn for in a goalkeeper and certainly Ben and Tomaz could still learn from him.

Paul Scholes is past it as far as his pace and contribution in terms of goals but he still has the ability to make passes in midfield that you can only dream of. That is the one asset that he still posses, but he really has to curb the rate at which he gets sent off. Many a time, it leaves us in a very vulnerable position. Last season, he got sent off in the Super Cup, then that game against Fulham--for the same offence of a handball on the goal line.
We suffered terribly in both games. This season he already has a red-card to his name and but for the leniency of Howard Webb, would have got a second consecutive redcard. For the ginger prince, it's a case of poor tackling and handling the ball.

Garry Neville, the club captain, is the one who many of the fans will shiver when he is in the starting line-up. His performance in the Cup against Wolves was further testament to the fact that he is past it. What we need from him is his leadership and passion for the club that he instills in the rest of the team.

UNITED MAKE EARLY VISIT TO THE SUMMMIT---STOKE CITY VS MAN UNITED REVIEW!

2009-09-27T10:21:00.003+03:00

Wasn't available for the review of the mid-week win over Wolves in the Cup so let me just point point out firstly that Fabio was the hero for us in that game. Then going into the game with Stoke, you feared the worst as football has this canny way of kicking you in the teeth. I mean who would have thought that Burnley would beat us on our second day out? Then you get these tough consecutive games against Arsenal, Spurs, Man City and win all of them and immediately, it's that supposedly easy game at the Britannia stadium. Well personally I feared for the worst--so you can imagine my frustration when Valencia somehow failed to guide the ball into un unguarded net. I slate him but I don't know even where to start when it comes to Nani--I mean how hard is it to pass the ball to another teammate. That Fergie took him off for Giggs is testament to how pathetic the ladwas on the day. And quite frankly, Giggs did not use magic to influence the game when he came on--otherwise he too would have scored himself when the goal was at his mercy, but he provided two simple crosses that did not require any sort of science. It's all we, well, I would ask from Nani. Tell you what, David Beckham became great because he perfected the art of doing one of the basic things in football, i.e. passing the ball! Somebody should tell Nani and Valencia that they do not have to beat a player before making that pass. Giggs became man of the match yesterday without beating anyone, but by passing the ball to a teammate to score. There were moments in that first half when we had Berbatov and or Rooney free to score but somehow, the ball remained stuck onto the feet of our wide-men.

Maybe I'm being a little too harsh here, all players have off days, and I know that both Nani and Valencia can do better than what we saw yesterday. But here's a thought--did Giggs need a doctorate in Rocket Science to inspire United to win the match? I'm guessing no--he might have learnt to pass the ball like that in 1991--when we couldn't even use the word 'experience' in a sentence that has his name! Point made!

Now, we won at the Britannia---without Tevez! A good win, a vital win and rather surprisingly, this takes us to the summit of the league in September--now isn't that a little weird? I mean for the past few seasons, we only topped the league after the turn of the new year--and usually remained there? So can we now expect United to stay there for the rest of the long season--I'm thinking why not? Wigan beat Chelsea yesterday to bring them level with us--and remind all of us what a competitive and unpredictable league we're in! It bodes well for us that we have two home games before the trip to Anfield. it's been a good ride of 15 points collected after the shock at Turf Moor and it's not too early to start building a lead at the top--let's make more hay while the sun still shines!

The German Champions Wolfsburg jet into town on Monday for our clash in the Champions League on Tuesday. It should be a good watch!
Oh and by the way, we got Barnsley in the Carling Cup--should mean another outing for the fringe players!

ANOTHER TITLE TO DEFEND!----MAN UNITED VS WOLVES PREVIEW!

2009-09-23T17:34:00.004+03:00

Manchester United really had a successful season last term and that is not least because we won the Carling Cup. At the end of the day it's a major trophy and it does preserve the winning feeling in the team--right up to the second team.
The defence of our trophy starts tonight against Wolves---who by the way are a Premier League team. I mean usually you get a Championship side in this round providing the opposition--but that has not been the case for us this season.
The facts are that Sir Alex will not play a very strong team tonight--and rightly so, but you hope he will put out a side that is capable of winning the game in the 90 minutes.
The likes of Gibson, Welbeck, Delaet, Fabio, Macheda, etc. can do a job for us on the night but you hope to see one or two experienced heads as well.
I expect Owen to start in this game as he is one of those experienced players we have who don't deserve a rest.
Carlos Tevez last season used the Carling Cup to show the boss what he was about and you hope to see the same from Owen---not that we don't know what he's about, but we could use a little rest for Wayne and Berba for tougher games ahead.
Is Brown fit? Get him in already! Is Gary fit? Why not?
At the end of the day you really hope that the curse of the underdog does not come to haunt us.

WAS THERE EVER ANY DOUBTASTO WHO THE BIGGER MANCHESTER IS?---MAN UNITED VS MAN CITY REVIEW!

2009-09-21T18:35:00.003+03:00

No need to say much about the heading of this post because even before this game, City fans knew that United are light-years ahead of them, and if they wanted any recent proof, the derby was provided that. United gave City 2 gifts of goals but still took all thee points.

Before I get into praising the lads for what was a very entertaining second-half, it must be pointed out that errors such as those on display yesterday could hurt our season if they are not ironed out. Ben Foster only needs to be more confident and the number one jersey is his.
The lad could have been skinned by many United fans if City had claimed even a point.
Then Rio can only hold his head in shame after NEARLY gifting City a point. You expect Better form him--at least when you know you are up against Craig Belllamy!

Other than that, I thought Giggs was our man of the match--narrowly edging Fletcher who is fast becoming as important as Roy Keane was to United's system. You now want him to start every game and miss those Carling Cup games like the one on Wednesday.
Wayne made it 6 in 6 in the league and long may that form continue!
Lastly,if that was the last goal that Owen ever gets for us, then I'm okay with it--because he did take my breath away! What a time to score your first home goal! I hadn't screamed as much since the 3-2 win over Villa last season.
But when all is said and done, we could do with a little less drama in games ahead. Yeah I don't mind winning the game in the first half!

BLOOD! SWEAT! HATRED!---THE MANCHESTER DERBY PREVIEW!

2009-09-19T18:36:00.003+03:00

Yeah, well this blog has been AWOL for quite a while because of the busy schedule that I'm exposed to nowadays but I couldn't help but take a sneak given that our bitterest rivals are paying us a visit.
Before that, let me acknowledge that in my absence from the Internet, I did watch United doze their way past Besiktas in the Champions League. Forget the minor details like Wayne Rooney throwing a boot.
Anyhow, City have, much to our dislike started the season very well and I thought that Arsenal would address that last week but it was not to be. I guess it's up to us.
The only advantage they should have over us is that they are well rested; but given that they are without Adebayor, Santa Cruz, Tevez, Robinho, etc. I think that it will be very sour if United fail to put them in their place. But for the defeat at Turf Moor, United's season has largely been perfect. I really hope we keep it up.
Rio might miss out but Jonny is always on the spot when it matters. I hope Fergie sets us out to play like the home team--not like the nonsense he did against Arsenal. There will be a lot written about this game especially if we do not address the growing confidence in the City camp. Besides, until the team above and below us drops points, we ourselves cannot afford to.
What else is left for me to blog other than enjoy the booing of Tevez if he does get to play!

EASILY THE BEST PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON SO FAR --- SPURS VS UNITED REVIEW!

2009-09-13T06:23:00.005+03:00

For the first time this season, I'm glad that we can reflect on a United victory whilst all agreeing that United played like United for most of the game. The clash with Spurs yesterday was supposed to provide us with a stern test that would be a yardstick for many as far as United's title credentials are concerned. I have noted a few United blogs that have failed to come to terms with the departures of Ronaldo and Tevez, let alone the manager's failure to significantly improve the squad.
This is my take--- we all know that Fergie has taken a big gamble over his summer transfer dealings but I doubt 'crying' over the Internet will do much to solve the problem. Why not get on with it and support our team through the season and see where we need to improve without speculation!
I mean if anybody supported United through 2004, 2005 and 2006, then they shouldn't really have a problem with it now--besides, we are way better than we were in those seasons.

Anyhow, back to the game yesterday, Spurs took the lead before I could take a seat in my living room so you can imagine how heavy my body was when it made contact with the sofa.
I turned my eye to the clock and I still saw '0' minutes gone. This is the part where you start to think that --if it's going to be a defeat, let it be decent. I mean what should we expect if it means conceding from kick-off.
Luckily for us, there is something about Spurs scoring against us that doesn't really bother us. I mean even if Spurs had gone 2-0 up, you'd still expect United to come back and at least snatch a draw. This is why we have remained unbeaten against them since 2001 and yet they seem to to take the lead against us more often than not.
It was encouraging, from a United perspective to see that the goal did not actually shake us. The team just remained composed and passed the ball with such flair that you could see a goal in them. After missing several chances to notch the equaliser, Ryan Giggs, on his 700th start for United pulled us level with a sweeeeeeeeeet free-kick that should go an extra inch in burying the ghost of Ronaldo. That's 20 consecutive seasons in the Premier League with a goal in each of them---a true ambassador of United and indeed the Premier League!
United continued their flawless passing game after that and appeared to gain more confidence. Berba had two chances to score minus a goalkeeper in the way, but he blazed over after failing to find a way past the defenders in goal.
United, however, did take the lead through a most unlikely source in Anderson. The Brazilian has been subject of strife with the manager in the dressing room but his tireless input, alongside that goal was exactly what the fans have been waiting to see from him since his debut season. It gave us the edge going into half-time. Suddenly, the wonderful goal Defoe scored was a distant memory. Scholes was harshly sent off just after the break to restore hope among the home fans but United steadily kept defending in numbers and probing to find the killer goal that Wayne Rooney did find 13 minutes from time. It was his fifth in the league and boy we hope his scoring run never ends! Did I mention that it was a fantastic goal? --well it was given the amount of work he had to do.

It's hard to pick out outstanding performers when United play like that. Evra had a blinder and even managed to finally find a remedy for Lennon who, going into this game, was the most terrifying news for any left-back in the country. Fletcher did impress yet again, and I'm beginning to think that Hargo has got work to do to get in the groove that Fletch is in.
Giggs linked up well with Berba and Rooney. Berbatov was yet again dangerous in possession and I'm still wondering why Fergie will not play him in the big games. He should partner Rooney all season in my book, regardless of the opposition.
Next in the league for United is the City derby--a match that will provide an even bigger test for United and is sure to be explosive. Before that, there is the small matter of a Champions League group game in Turkey!

EXTRA!

2009-09-12T12:06:00.002+03:00

A little bit of something extra for you lot to read as we wait to witness how events will unfold at White Harte Lane, Red Rants managed to get an interview from United's Nemanja Vidic. It's quite a good read so go ahead and click on the link in the side bar to see it.