8 - 2; 9 Points; Top of the League!
A fantastic start to the season with some amazing performances with a much younger looking team. Against Arsenal we were missing the likes of Rio, Vidic, Berbatov, Carrick to name a few and yet palled out the most impressive score line many fans will remember for their lifetimes.
With Anderson finally showing what he can do and Jones, Smalling and Cleverley adding something new to the team this season looks like an exciting time and hopefully one where we can improve on the weaknesses of last season and see us funally close the gap on Barcelona.
Monday, 29 August 2011
Sunday, 17 April 2011
High's and Low's... An Up and Down Week in April
It's that time of season where every game is as important as the last as the stakes get higher with championships and cups on the line, as you well know this week was a big one and in what started with a routine win against Fulham and an ecstatic night against Chelsea ended in a disappointing day in Wembley against "the noisy neighbours".
As heartbreaking as it was to lose to City in the FA Cup it's not all doom and gloom as we still have a lot to play for this season with more big weeks still to come with the outcome of the Premiership and the Champions League still to play for, with massive games against Arsenal, Chelsea and Shalke coming up but we need to bounce back from this weekend with a win at Newcastle.
Yesterday's performance was not a scratch on how well we played on Tuesday night but the only was City got through was after errors from Van der Sar and Carrick which is a positive to take out of the game and I do feel we could have got something out of the match if it had remained 11 vs 11. Scholes' sending of was a silly challenge, but we all know tackeling isn't his strong point, but no grudges can be held against a player who has given so much to United and maybe tactical changes should have been made before as City had been domminating for a while by this point.
Now that Rooney is back from suspension, Fletcher is coming back from injury and Valencia is looking match fit the squad is coming back to full strength just at the right time of the season, with a promising position in the Premiership and being the only English team left in the Champions League with a difficult but winnable semi final against Shalke we have a lot left to play for!
Come On You Reds!
As heartbreaking as it was to lose to City in the FA Cup it's not all doom and gloom as we still have a lot to play for this season with more big weeks still to come with the outcome of the Premiership and the Champions League still to play for, with massive games against Arsenal, Chelsea and Shalke coming up but we need to bounce back from this weekend with a win at Newcastle.
Yesterday's performance was not a scratch on how well we played on Tuesday night but the only was City got through was after errors from Van der Sar and Carrick which is a positive to take out of the game and I do feel we could have got something out of the match if it had remained 11 vs 11. Scholes' sending of was a silly challenge, but we all know tackeling isn't his strong point, but no grudges can be held against a player who has given so much to United and maybe tactical changes should have been made before as City had been domminating for a while by this point.
Now that Rooney is back from suspension, Fletcher is coming back from injury and Valencia is looking match fit the squad is coming back to full strength just at the right time of the season, with a promising position in the Premiership and being the only English team left in the Champions League with a difficult but winnable semi final against Shalke we have a lot left to play for!
Come On You Reds!
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Top Of The League
First off it has been a while since I've been on here... work and all getting in the way, but I'm back and time for business!
Derby Delight
After the undefeated streak fell at Wolves the week before it was a great delight to see that the lads picked themselves up with a victory over the noisy neighbours and what a way the game was settled! Rooney's over head kick will be one that will replayed for years to come, not only a spectacular goal but the fact it settled the game and could be one of the most important goals of the season.
Again our performance wasn't top notch but it's the result that matters and Nani's opener was also quite the goal with a neat pass from Giggs putting Nani through and with a few touches he slid it past the oncoming Hart.
City were always pushing for a goal and scored in fortuitous circumstance with the final ball deflecting into the net from a shot that was going wide.
The result sets us up for a grand finale to the season, at the front of the pack but big games against Arsenal and Liverpool and a double header against Chelsea, if results go our way the title should be heading back to Old Trafford.
Undefeated Streak
As much as I was disappointed that we couldn't repeat the feat that Arsenal pulled off of going the whole season undefeated I feel that it has taken a pressure off that was unneeded, every other team wants to beat Manchester United, why give them extra incentive to take away an undefeated streak too.
Although seeing that this streak went to a team who are fighting for relegation, is that worse than say losing it to City or Liverpool, I would rather not give them the satisfaction as there is already a lot riding on these games.
Berbatov
What a season he's having so far, I know he is still not rated by some but he is topping the goal scoring charts for us and the league. It would be nice for him to be more consistent as 11 of his goals have come from 3 games, but he has been vital in the build up for some important goals, just look at his involvement for Rooney's against City. Hopefully a few more big scoring games will be on the cards and I look forward to Berba scoring a few more and hopefully claiming the golden boot.
Sunday, 14 November 2010
Draws
This week saw us draw 2 games which took United to 7 for the season which is already 3 more than the entire of last season. While 2 points from two difficult away games at Eastlands and Villa Park if the number of draws keeps adding up then surely the title will start to slip away.
On the flip side of the amount of draws we have yet to lose a game this season and the never say die attitude of the squad is gaining us points in games where we looked down and out such as the Villa game yesterday.
The majority of draws have come away from Old Trafford with only West Brom taking points away from the Theatre of Dreams but the poor dispays and volume of goals we are conceding are a worry at the minute but these can both be improved with the course of the season especially as we have scored the second highest amount of goals in the league this season.
As is always said there is no easy games in the league and the away draws have all come at tricky places with all the teams considered top teams and with only 6 points between 5th and 18th places the premiership is looking like a tougher place this season which is proved with Sunderland's away win over Chelsea today.
The fixtures coming up are two home games back to back against Wigan and Blackburn with an away trip to Blackpool, these are all must win games as following these are two massive matches with Arsenal and Chelsea and it would be nice to have picked up a bit of form and points on the board before these colossal games. With the return of Rooney imminent and the injuries and illness surrounding the squad hopefully clearing then I am confident that in a months time we will have closed down the gap at the top of the table and be playing the football we are all used to watching.
On the flip side of the amount of draws we have yet to lose a game this season and the never say die attitude of the squad is gaining us points in games where we looked down and out such as the Villa game yesterday.
The majority of draws have come away from Old Trafford with only West Brom taking points away from the Theatre of Dreams but the poor dispays and volume of goals we are conceding are a worry at the minute but these can both be improved with the course of the season especially as we have scored the second highest amount of goals in the league this season.
As is always said there is no easy games in the league and the away draws have all come at tricky places with all the teams considered top teams and with only 6 points between 5th and 18th places the premiership is looking like a tougher place this season which is proved with Sunderland's away win over Chelsea today.
The fixtures coming up are two home games back to back against Wigan and Blackburn with an away trip to Blackpool, these are all must win games as following these are two massive matches with Arsenal and Chelsea and it would be nice to have picked up a bit of form and points on the board before these colossal games. With the return of Rooney imminent and the injuries and illness surrounding the squad hopefully clearing then I am confident that in a months time we will have closed down the gap at the top of the table and be playing the football we are all used to watching.
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
The Kids Do Alright
it's been longer than I wanted since my last post and a lot has happened so I'll be brief as the clock is ticking down to the Manchester Derby.
Spurs
A solid display topped with a fortuitous goal by Nani secured a 2 - 0 win against Spurs. I'm not going to defend Nani's actions as it was obviously a handball but it just proves the point of playing to the whistle.
Despite the controversy of this second goal it didn't change the outcome of the game as United were looking for a second to add to Vidic's header while Spurs only showed glimpses of the form they have shown in the Champions League this season.
Bursaspor
With a few injuries and illness in the squad a few changes were made with Obertan, Smalling and Bebe making there way into the squad and not only did they come into the squad but two of them scored with the other putting in a reassured performance in defence.
The win took the reds to the brink of qualification for the knock out phase of the Champions League which should come against Rangers.
Wolves
Yet again with a squad full of illness the underachieving yet highly resilient Wolves were the next test for United in the league. The ever reliable Park stepped up and scored a late winner doubling his tally when it looked as if the game was heading for a draw.
With wolves looking lively and applying plenty of pressure it was Park who struck just before half time against the run of play after a cutting through ball by Fletcher found the Korean to slot home. Wolves continues to apply the pressure and it payed of when United old boy Ebanks Blake scored with his second touch.
The 3 points came with a loss though as Owen Hargreaves who made his first appearance in 2 years limped off after 10 minutes with a hamstring injury. It was good to see him return and sad to see him have to go off so shortly, here's hoping that he makes a swift recovery.
With the minutes counting down to the Manchester derby which promises to be a cracker of a game, we have yet to lose in the league this season and I hope I can continue to write that at 10pm this evening.
Spurs
A solid display topped with a fortuitous goal by Nani secured a 2 - 0 win against Spurs. I'm not going to defend Nani's actions as it was obviously a handball but it just proves the point of playing to the whistle.
Despite the controversy of this second goal it didn't change the outcome of the game as United were looking for a second to add to Vidic's header while Spurs only showed glimpses of the form they have shown in the Champions League this season.
Bursaspor
With a few injuries and illness in the squad a few changes were made with Obertan, Smalling and Bebe making there way into the squad and not only did they come into the squad but two of them scored with the other putting in a reassured performance in defence.
The win took the reds to the brink of qualification for the knock out phase of the Champions League which should come against Rangers.
Wolves
Yet again with a squad full of illness the underachieving yet highly resilient Wolves were the next test for United in the league. The ever reliable Park stepped up and scored a late winner doubling his tally when it looked as if the game was heading for a draw.
With wolves looking lively and applying plenty of pressure it was Park who struck just before half time against the run of play after a cutting through ball by Fletcher found the Korean to slot home. Wolves continues to apply the pressure and it payed of when United old boy Ebanks Blake scored with his second touch.
The 3 points came with a loss though as Owen Hargreaves who made his first appearance in 2 years limped off after 10 minutes with a hamstring injury. It was good to see him return and sad to see him have to go off so shortly, here's hoping that he makes a swift recovery.
With the minutes counting down to the Manchester derby which promises to be a cracker of a game, we have yet to lose in the league this season and I hope I can continue to write that at 10pm this evening.
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
The Last Week
As October nears it end it will be remembered by most as the month Rooney changed his mind and signed a new contract, for the true reds out there it will be the first away league win of the season.
Rooney
As you know already Wayne has signed a new deal keeping him at Old Trafford for the next 5 years, whether five years down the line he will still be wearing the number 10 shirt for United remains to be seen but for the short term it is a boost to the squad and guarantees that if we do sell him it wont be on the cheap. As for the rest of the squad Rooney speaking out could force the Glazer's to spend money on some quality, especially with a number of the squad looking to retire in the coming seasons.
Bursapor
There's not much to say about this game, it was a routine win which edged us closer to the Champions League knock out stages. The game also provided some game time for some fringe players and gave a rest to those who have been in playing the majority of games this season.
Stoke
Well this was a long time in coming but finally 3 points away from home. Again a match that we should have had in the bag long before the final whistle and again one it looked like we had thrown away 2 more points but thankfully the team scored late on in a manor that we are accustomed to.
With all the focus on Rooney again although he was thousands of miles away from the Britannia it was Hernandez to step up and score a vital brace showing everybody that he knows where the back on the net is, lets hope that he can continue this up, especially against some of the bigger teams in the league. Berbatov also stepped up, especially after the game had gone to 1 - 1 as he took surged froward proving pivotal in the build up to the second goal.
This match also gave Gary Neville his 600th appearance for the club and after nearly getting sent off he was subbed at half time, I for one cant see him playing on for much longer as his performance's seem to be in the decline but he as if valuable asset to the club especially when passing his experience on to younger players.
Wolves
Although a game that leads us closer to reclaiming the Carling Cup it's a difficult one to comment on, a string of youth and fringe players battled past Wolves who fielded a fairly strong team, Bebe got his first goal and Chicarito was at it again stealing the show with a 10 minute performance and another goal to his name.
Questions can be asked as we again leaked a few goals but that can overlooked due to the strength of the team lineup, lets just hope we can keep a clean sheet against Spurs on Saturday.
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
New No. 10
Following on from yesterdays post I am looking a little more in depth at who could be wearing the number 10 shirt next season IF Rooney decides to leave Old Trafford.
Hernandez
Rather than spending money on a high profile name Sir Alex could keep faith with the strikers that we already have and Hernandez is likely to be the candidate to step up. Replacing Rooney in the starting line up on Saturday and marking this performance with a goal Chicharito is looking like a promising young striker. Can he be looked at to score the 20+ goals needed from a top class striker remains to be seen but early showing shows he knows where the back of the net is.
Diouf
Looking solid on loan and Blackburn and gaining valuable league experience. Probably does not have the quality to replace Rooney but I could be mistaken and may improve to a hidden gem over the course of the season.
Owen
Has the quality but his fitness remains an issue so he is likely to remain a bit part player at Old Trafford.
Macheda
Showed early promise a few seasons ago with important goals in games which helped us on the way to the title but hasn't shown a lot since, his touch can sometimes be poor but could turn into a fine goal scorer.
Benzema
Fergie has looked at this player for a few seasons now but we missed out on him as he headed to Real Madrid. Having only started 2 of Real's games this season he may be tempted to to come to Old Trafford where he is likely to start the majority of games, he has enough about his play to be a real threat at Champions League level.
Suarez
Will be remembered by many as that guy who hand balled on the line in the World Cup quarter finals but this Uruguan certainly knows where the back of the net is having scored 12 goals from 13 games for Ajax this season to add to his 35 in 33 last season. One problem is he picks up a number of yellow cards as his style of play is similar to that of Rooney and Tevez.Was a target in the last transfer window and would be tempted to step up from Eredivisie.
Huntelaar
Another player that we have looked at for a number of seasons but let Madrid get in a head of us. Since leaving Madrid he has been around a few clubs and has only just joined Schalke so is unlikely to move anywhere just yet.
Sneijder
A top quality player but more a midfielder than a forward but with a change in formation could prove a hit in the side. A player that I've been wishing would join Man Utd for years and again a Madrid reject but if we could snap him up he would be a real gem.
I think these are the likely choices we will be looking at for the number 10 shirt as they are either what we have or what we have been looking at in the last few seasons. There are a few other names floating around that are possible such as Darren Bent who is a proven premier league striker, Defoe which is unlikely now that Spurs are in the Champions League, Dzeko and Gourcuff are possibilities if we have the money and Torres is wishful thinking but I can never see Liverpool selling him to us.
There is a number of quality players that would jump at the chance to join Man Utd but it is down to Sir Alex and the money that is available to him to make that decision of who will be wearing the number 10 shirt next season.
Hernandez
Rather than spending money on a high profile name Sir Alex could keep faith with the strikers that we already have and Hernandez is likely to be the candidate to step up. Replacing Rooney in the starting line up on Saturday and marking this performance with a goal Chicharito is looking like a promising young striker. Can he be looked at to score the 20+ goals needed from a top class striker remains to be seen but early showing shows he knows where the back of the net is.
Diouf
Looking solid on loan and Blackburn and gaining valuable league experience. Probably does not have the quality to replace Rooney but I could be mistaken and may improve to a hidden gem over the course of the season.
Owen
Has the quality but his fitness remains an issue so he is likely to remain a bit part player at Old Trafford.
Macheda
Showed early promise a few seasons ago with important goals in games which helped us on the way to the title but hasn't shown a lot since, his touch can sometimes be poor but could turn into a fine goal scorer.
Benzema
Fergie has looked at this player for a few seasons now but we missed out on him as he headed to Real Madrid. Having only started 2 of Real's games this season he may be tempted to to come to Old Trafford where he is likely to start the majority of games, he has enough about his play to be a real threat at Champions League level.
Suarez
Will be remembered by many as that guy who hand balled on the line in the World Cup quarter finals but this Uruguan certainly knows where the back of the net is having scored 12 goals from 13 games for Ajax this season to add to his 35 in 33 last season. One problem is he picks up a number of yellow cards as his style of play is similar to that of Rooney and Tevez.Was a target in the last transfer window and would be tempted to step up from Eredivisie.
Huntelaar
Another player that we have looked at for a number of seasons but let Madrid get in a head of us. Since leaving Madrid he has been around a few clubs and has only just joined Schalke so is unlikely to move anywhere just yet.
Sneijder
A top quality player but more a midfielder than a forward but with a change in formation could prove a hit in the side. A player that I've been wishing would join Man Utd for years and again a Madrid reject but if we could snap him up he would be a real gem.
I think these are the likely choices we will be looking at for the number 10 shirt as they are either what we have or what we have been looking at in the last few seasons. There are a few other names floating around that are possible such as Darren Bent who is a proven premier league striker, Defoe which is unlikely now that Spurs are in the Champions League, Dzeko and Gourcuff are possibilities if we have the money and Torres is wishful thinking but I can never see Liverpool selling him to us.
There is a number of quality players that would jump at the chance to join Man Utd but it is down to Sir Alex and the money that is available to him to make that decision of who will be wearing the number 10 shirt next season.
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