UnitedBlog - All things Manchester United

All eyes on Super Sunday

So it all gets decided on Sunday. It's a tougher fixture than Chelski's but we have our destiny in our own hands.We need to keep it simple. Stick to the basics, play the way we've done all season and we will walk out as worthy champions. Any unusual or special tactics for this game will make it tricky. Wigan has some decent quality in a few areas - a testament to that been that both Palacios and Valencia have been rumored with a moved to United. Up front they have the bulky Heskey and Darren Bent and they could cause a few surprises from set pieces or long balls.

On the injury front, seems like Vidic will be fit for the game, but rumors about Rooney's injury being worse than initially suspected are worrying. He still needs to pass a medical to be deemed available to play. No one can compensate for his work rate and although we can do well without him on Sunday, but in Moscow, his absence will be a big blow. I hope that's not the case and he can play at 100% in both games.

Well, anything but a title win on Sunday will result in a feeling of injustice. It won't be easy to swallow. But one thing is for certain, the team has done all the fans proud. To be so close to two major championships and doing it the right way is no mean feat. This has been a fantastic season all round with the right signs for the future. Some young ones coming through like Anderson and the ones bought in for experience doing their jobs like Hargreaves. It just needs the well deserved icing in the form of the premiership title. That will be superb! It's going to be a heart stopping 90 minutes of action on Sunday!

West Ham Preview

This one can get us a game away from the title. A win will result in a huge amount of pressure on Chelski to win away on Monday. Anything less than a win and the title is over. We've lost the last three games against the Hammers so this is not an easy fixture by any means. Our ability to take chances early in front of the goal will be the key. If this is 0-0 in the 70th minute, we are bound to be more desperate and prone to trying different things and in general panicking. The mantra is to kill the game early - don't flirt with chances - no foreplay - just penetrate - goals goals goals - as early as we can.

Rooney and Vida are not fit to play. That means we will see Hargreaves at right back again. My pick would be Anderson,Fletcher and Carrick in the middle and Giggs and Ronaldo on the wing. There are no other options up front than to play Park and Tevez. Scholes deserves a rest. I expect it to be a physical game and they will do their best to make it disruptive. I do think though that Tuesday's game would have lifted the team and they'll go all out for a win tomorrow and get it.

There's a lot of transfer speculation going around - but with a game like this in the horizon and the title at stake, I don't want to spend any time discussing that. That's what summer's for. 3 points tomorrow will make my weekend, anything less will destroy a season. 4:30 PM PST kickoff means another sleepless night.

Fergie strikes again

What can I say? Once again, we've left it to the end by taking an approach that is mind baffling to say the least. Not only did we rest Ronaldo and Tevez today, we started with Fletcher and Nani which made it a rather strange combination in the middle. Fergie clearly set out the team to not to lose, rather than go for the win to clinch the title today. You may argue the game on Tuesday made the selection justified, but this was a bigger game, there is no point fucking up the title after failing to gain advantage over Barcelona. I for one can never understand what's going through Fergie's mind at the moment. We have clearly given away the advantage and given our record against West Ham, Chelsea must be favorites to win it from here. There is no evidence that we won't drop points again whereas Chelsea are just grilling out results at the moment.

Having said that, I thought we had a good second half. Nani was very wasteful, think Ronaldo circa 2005 and multiply the wastefulness by 10. He had no clue when to release the ball and was generally poor. Giggs didn't have much impact either, which has been a regular feature this season. Alan Wiley was the villain for me - he gave too many bad decisions against us and the penalty wasn't decisive and in such a big game, it shouldn't have been given.

With news of a brawl with Chelsea ground staff after the game, this has really not been a good day all around. We don't want to be bottlers like Ars*nal. We don't want to come across as sore losers. Lets get it together for Tuesday - and I am looking at you Fergie. More than the referee, you'll have a lot of answering to do on your decisions of this past week come the end of the season.

Now its Barca on Tuesday, a game that we've left a  of hopes on. The kind of game we've lost in the past. Fergie has taken a huge risk and lets see now how his plan unfolds. I for one, am prepared for the worst. We've let this season slip from our hands in the past week and now I know how it feels to be an Ars*nal fan.

2 Points dropped at Ewood Park

So, in keeping with United's tradition, we are not going to win this one easy. There are more twists and turns and they'll keep us supporters on the edge for some more time to come. This was a strange game, not because we couldn't win or it was far from easy. We should have expected a tough physical battle against Mark Hughes' team. It was Rio and Vidic, who have been the best central defensive partnership in Europe so far, who were uncharacteristically nervy throughout the first half. It was quite a sight and they made a mess of the floated ball in the box for the first goal. Both of them at fault. Although rare, this does come at a bad time - all games we play from now on are BIG games, the ones that could make the difference between a good season and a bad one.
We have struggled every time Giggs and Scholes have started, and so we did today. Giggs especially was way below par and was rightly taken off at half time. We had small isolated spells of passing but apart from that Blackburn looked good for the lead in the first half. Tevez missed a sitter early on and didn't do anything of note in the first period. Fergie's hair dryer treatment was the order of the day and I am sure Fergie must have been waiting for the half time whistle.

We started well in the second half, Nani gave us some width and pace and did well. Rob Stiles is not the best of referees and he did deny us at least a couple of shouts for penalty. One of them was a clear handball and should have been given. I mentioned in the previous post that Brad Friedel could be crucial and he was the man of the match today. He made a string of brilliant saves to keep us at bay. It was Scholes header re-directed in by Tevez that brought us level. A huge point, a point that still gives us the chance of winning the league even if we lose at Stamford bridge. Rooney's injury towards the end was worrying but Boss confirmed he will play on Sunday.

I would still consider this as 2 points dropped rather than a point gained. It's quite disappointing that the team didn't show up in the first half. All eyes on Wednesday now, with Barca also struggling domestically, this is an interesting fixture in the making. They have quality all over the park but I think the game will be won in the midfield and how we line up and deal with their playmakers will be something to look forward to. More on that coming up next.

Good news, bad news and a trip to Blackburn Rovers

Let's get the good news out of the way. Rio, Brown and Carrick have signed new contracts. This is official and obviously is very good news. This is what the boss had to say:

It continues our policy of lengthening contracts at the right time and keeps the continuity of the first-team squad going, which we try to do. I'm not sure the length of the contracts, but David Gill (United's chief executive) phoned me this morning to tell me that they have agreed the contracts. It's obviously very good news for the club.

Another piece of good news seems to be the fact that Vidic and Nani are available for the Blackburn game. Vidic will play and Nani is expected to be on the bench.

Now for the bad news, Owen Hargreaves is a serious doubt for the away game against Barcelona. This will be a huge loss - this was the kind of game that he was bought for. Given his recent form, this is even worse to take. Anderson is also nursing a knock and may not be available for the weekend game. This does stretch our midfield resources. Let's hope we are able to put out a decent eleven next wednesday.

Before that though, all important game against Blackburn tomorrow. I don't expect Sparky to do us any favors. He has put together a decent team and the addition of Roque Santa Cruz was a coup of sorts. With Bentley and Pederson in the middle and Friedel in goal, they have a decent setup. If the mad american has a blinder in the goal, which he is very capable of having, it may get tricky for us. More than the 3 points, the psychological effect of this win will be huge. Surely, Chelski will stop believing if we win on Saturday and that'll also mean we can lose to them and still win the title. A win will also mean Fergie can rest players against Chelski and have them ready for the return leg against Barcelona. So this is an important game in more ways than one. Given the midfield situation, I think Fergie might go with 4-4-2 which is quite ironical. Giggs and Ronaldo on the wings and Carrick and Scholes in the middle. I think the team will be up for it, there is a huge incentive to win it and motivation won't be an issue. Blackburn do come to play and they'll be at home so that will also help us. Let's go for it then, this could be the weekend when the title was virtually won!

Thank you Brucey, Rio Signs and other news

First things first. Thank you Brucey. That was such a bonus. I hope you get the box of the finest wine in the land, as Fergie promised you. So the euphoria of Sunday was followed by another good news on Monday with CSKA Chelski dropping points unexpectedly, and getting booed off the ground in the process. The boss has come out and tried to negate the hype by saying there's still a lot to play for. I agree, but at the same time I must admit that losing it from here is much harder than winning it!

So Rio has signed. This is good. Rio has come up leaps and bounds and has grown as a dependable leader. He is the best central defender in Europe at the moment and has the whole package. You'll have to search really hard to find a weakness in his game right now. This contract extension was quite not the same elaborate affair of last time which also saw him being photographed with Peter Kenyon in a London Restaurant. But now, you can feel that Rio wants to make that arm band his own and I can see him playing in the red shirt for quite some time to come.

In other news, Fabio Capello reckons Rooney could captain England in future and also praises his qualities. He does point out the improvements Rooney has to make, including improving his conversion ratio. I couldn't agree more, also with the part about how he plays with so much heart. What an asset!

Carlon Queiroz has come out and rubbished Real Madrid's open, illegal and repeated tapping up of Cristiano Ronaldo. I would rather he not say anything, because this is sure to evoke a response and be another distraction. We have plenty of time for this stuff in the summer, not now.

Alright now, Blackburn away on Saturday is next. A win would certainly be a psychological blow to Chelski. It's not going to be a walk in the park but this week's rest would do the team good. With news coming in that Vidic may be available, that'll make the defense more assured and also give him time to get back to some match fitness before the all important Barca game.  More on the weekend game coming  up.

Au Revoir, Arsenal!

Character. Today's game was all about character. And there was only one team who had plenty of it. A huge win today means a giant step towards the title. Fergie persisted with Rooney up front with Park in a supporting role. Scholes, Owen and Carrick started in the middle of the park. First half saw us chasing Arsenal for long spells, with our midfielders not really getting in to the game. Scholes, in particular, was guilty of repeatedly losing possession and was generally the worst player on the pitch today. Thanks to Adebayor's inability to take a chance, and Rooney's determination to match him miss for miss, the score remained goaless at the half. Plenty for Fergie to talk about during the half and I couldn't wait for some change in the pattern of play. Scholes had to be taken off and Anderson was the remedy. We started the second half without any changes and found ourselves a goal down 2 minutes within restart. It was that cheating Adebayor who clearly handed the ball into the net. One just wonders what Arsene would have had to say had they conceded a goal like that - you would be hearing about it for decades to come. United just got on with it. Rio commented after the game that he had heard someone call "Keeper" so he let the cross go. But EVDS hadn't called for it, Adebayor just handed it down to the goal. Off they went celebrating, the arsenal cry babies.
It was their captain Gallas, who handled the ball just 6 minutes later and handed us a lifeline. Ronaldo took the penalty, twice, and with such composure levelled the score. Some nerve that - with 0-1 down, in front of the Stretty and the title at stake! We looked much better in the second half and with the introduction of Anderson and Tevez,looked like a different side. Anderson once again shone against them. What a talent!We were stringing passes together and generally getting into our stride. A free kick conceded by Gilberto around 25 yards out in the 72th minute saw both Ronaldo and Owen line up. I was hoping it was Owen, Ronaldo generally needs more distance to bring the ball down. Arsenal probably didn't expect it. Hargreaves stepped up and curled one above the wall - with the wall forgetting their purpose and not even bothering to jump! Lehmann didn't move. One of the best free kicks of the season and what an occassion. I couldn't have been more happy with Hargreaves , it was very well deserved and he's having a wonderful spell at the moment. You could see with the body language that Arsenal had lost faith from then on. We held out to win 2-1. Amazing win, amazing comeback and most importantly huge huge three points!
Fergie was complimentary towards Arsenal in his post match assessment. Predictably, Arsene made some noise about the free kick and the penalty and did not see Adebayor's blatant hand ball as the stars weren't aligned properly for his vision to detect that incident. Whining loser.
All eyes on Chelski now, I don't expect them to drop points on Monday but they'll have a sterner test away to Everton on Thursday. If we win against Blackburn on Saturday and avoid a defeat against Chelski, the title is virtually over. If chelski drop points before we meet them, that will be a bonus and will give the boss the luxury to rest some players before the Barcelona fixture. There's some football to be played yet but one huge obstacle towards the quest for another title was removed today.

It's the Arse

It’s the Arse on Sunday. Although Liverpool remain the bitter traditional rivals, their being virtually a non factor in league races in recent times has given more prominence to this fixture. Add to that some classic moments this fixture has produced off and on the pitch recently - from Giggsy's FA Cup moment, to Pizzagate, to that monkey Keown going to his roots and my fav of the lot - Keane putting Vieira in his place in the tunnel before a ball was kicked!I for one have always dislike them as much a local Mancunian red dislikes a Scouser. I will save you the usual clichés about how important the game on Sunday is. But I will say this, if we leave it late to the Chelski game – we will do ourselves no favors. Barcelona-Chelsea-Barcelona within a week’s timeframe is a big ask at that time of the season and to let one entire season’s worth of labor hinge on a game will be ill advised.

There is no doubt we will start as favorites, but I guess both sides will be aware that form has no bearing on such fixtures. They did the double over us last season and yet we won the league. We most famously stopped their 49er run against the run of form. Sunday will be no different. Fergie’s team selection will be interesting – not only because of his reluctance to go traditional 4-4-2, but also because of the performances some of the fringe players have put in recently. Ronaldo and Rooney are a certainty, so should be Carrick and Giggs(Nani being unavailable). The back four will most probably be Pique, Evra, Brown and Rio.The interesting dilemma is between Tevez and Park; and in the middle which two of Owen, Scholes and Anderson will play? How does one leave out Owen after the way he performed on Tuesday? How does one leave out Anderson give he’s had amazing games against Arsenal? If we leave out Park, we’ll lose the work rate and his sheer ability to hassle them and push the play back. Losing Tevez will mean danger of Rooney being isolated for spells of game and generally less cutting edge in front of the goal.

Flamini will be missing, but I am not so sure it’ll be such a good thing for us. Gilberto is quite fresh, has a point to prove and given our luck, is certain to have a blinder. I’m looking for a big game for our midfielders. We can win it but it won’t come easy. Recent performances, including Boro, have been quite encouraging as it will take a lot to stop us from scoring.

In other news, PFA shortlists were announced today. Stupid BS. I don’t know how Rio/Vidic can’t make it after ensuring the best defensive record in Europe? They’ve let in 5 goals at Old Trafford all season, and 2 of them came in that emotional game against the bitters. How Anderson can’t find his way in either lists is also mind boggling. At 19 he’s been the bright spark in a team of superstars. And Torres at 24 for Young Player of the year, really?

Gaza is back, Insane Wanker strikes back and a trip to the Riverside...

Gary Neville is back!It's been a hard long road back to recovery for him. At times you did fear the worse but lets pray he has a good few years left in him.

Boss talks about Rio's contract situation. Sign it Rio. I firmly believe long term Rio will prove to be one of the stellar Fergie signings ever.

Lots of blogs and forums are talking rumors about Owen Hargreaves getting on the wrong side of Fergie by being consistently late for team meetings etc. It came from an article from the Times and sounded like a piece totally fabricated with no quotes or credibility. We'll leave it at that.

In other news Insane Wanker is back at his best. The rise of Moronho had made him irrelevant for a while but now he seems to have made a comeback of sorts. I hate him like I hate very few other things in life. He is usually repulsive, arrogant, generally clueless and living in an artificial world as evident from the words that come out from the various parts of his anatomy. He reckons United can drop points. So they may. He reckons Arsenal can beat anyone. Well sans Boro, Wigan, Birmingham and many more. You can read his latest drivel here.

So a trip to the riverside beckons on Sunday. This fixture has proved to be a banana skin for us many times. I still think we'll win it and that this win will truly deflate Arse and Chelski who will be watching very closely. A win on Sunday would really mean a big blow to the morale of the Londoners. Fergie's selection would be interesting once again. Would he risk it at this stage and give Ronaldo a breather?I do believe he will start with Rooney and Tevez and Giggs. Brown will slot in the middle with Rio and JOS will come in on the right. Carrick should start with Scholes in the middle of the park. With the results of the CL, Fergie has the luxury of selecting a relatively strong side on Sunday; unlike Rafa or Grant who MUST keep thier absolute strongest side for mid week CL business.

The Arse will get a by against the scousers - Rafa will put a reserve side out there so I don't really have any hope for that game. I'll be watching though, the game kicks off at 4:30 AM in this part of the world.

Here's to 3 points on Sunday!

Sunday musings and Premiership Roundup

After the fantastic win yesterday, there was some bad news with the boss confirming some injury worries ahead of the trip to Rome.

I had to make the changes because of injuries.Carrick, Rio and Patrice Evra all had injuries and then Giggs got injured towards the end. With the rain continually coming down, the pitch was starting to prove very heavy and that can be a problem with hamstrings. Hopefully they'll be all right (for Rome)

The boss went on to say EVDS will probably miss the trip to Rome with a groin injury.We are clearly the in form team in Europe and setting the benchmark this season. But it will count for nothing if that doesn't translate into silverware come the end of the season. So injuries is all we DON'T need now. Keep your fingers crossed and hope we can line up with our best 11 for the crucial part of the campaign. Elsewhere in the premier league...

Weekend of 03/29-03/30 2008

Expectedly, the top four won their games this weekend. Although United clearly did it with most ruthlessness and style, its 3 points nonetheless for everyone else. With 6 games to go, United have the edge but I think the title now hinges on two very important games - home game against Arsenal and the away trip to Stamford bridge. I am not sure if Liverpool will show up against Arsenal in the league given they play them 3 times in a week. Knowing Rafa's record he will rest Torres and a few others for the league game and go all out in the CL games. Those three games clearly will make or break Arsenal's season and I will be rooting for Liverpool, as tough it is for a United fan to do.

Getting back to this weekend's action, Derby County are now relegated; not that this was news but must be mentioned anyways. The only question remaining is whether they are the worst  team ever to ever play in the top flight. Paul Jewell has his task cut out for the next season. The surprising result of the weekend has to be the thrashing handed out to spurs  by  Newcastle.  I am still not convinced about the Toon but it must give Kev some breathing space. Sunderland got a very valuable win over WHam- their first back to back win the the league for a long long time. Roy Keane's side have virtually secured their premiership place for next season. Bolton and Fulham look destined to Join Derby in the championship next season.

Next week , the fixture of the weekend is clearly Liverpool's trip to the Emirates. With United away to Boro and Chelsea away to citeh, its likely that status quo will be maintained at the end of next weekend's action. However there is a little matter of CL business in midweek to take care of. What happens on Tuesday and Wednesday may have some say on how the weekend action unfolds. More thoughts on the CL action coming up soon.