News out of the UK seem to indicate that Ferdinand will not be in the team to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. It's a pity. I think every MU fan will have wanted Rio there.
No matter. Smalling has been proving quite the capable replacement. He's no Ferdinand, mind you, but he is quite steady and he's not even the finished product yet.
Expect Vidic to have another fantastic game today. Some say he seems to find Torres a handful, but I think he's playing better than ever this year and won't be making the same mistakes against the "newly-Blue" Spaniard.
By far the most welcome news was that Rooney will not be banned despite calls from everyone who is not a member of the MU set-up. Quite frankly I believe Rooney should have been yellow-carded, but not sent off. I've watched the replays time and again and I still think Rooney was merely trying to shove James McCarthy out of the way and didn't intend to elbow him. For that matter, it wasn't even an elbow, but the forearm which connected with McCarthy.
I also think that if Rooney hadn't made contact with McCarthy with his arm, the foul should have gone against the Wigan player. McCarthy stepped into the way of Rooney as the latter was running towards the ball, and since this is off the ball, it is clear obstruction.
But that's just my opinion. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'm right.
Anyway, it's still unclear if Giggs will be available for this one, but others like Valencia, Anderson and Owen are still out.
I have to say that if Chelsea want a result against United, they should leave Torres on the bench and start with their old forward line. I think Torres hasn't settled in yet with the Blues and should be given more time. There is also that 50 million pound sterling price tag hanging over his head which is probably causing him more pressure.
Chelsea should definitely leave him out for the big matches until he can fit in. Playing him against smaller teams would give him a better chance of scoring and this, in turn, will lead to greater confidence.
Whatever the line-ups for both teams, this will be a pulsating game. I think MU will come away from Stamford Bridge with at least a point, if not all three. The latter would seem more likely.
My Crystal Ball says: Chelsea 0 Manchester United 1
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Did we deserve it?
Watching the game last night, I was left feeling sorry for Wigan.
The Latics played some wonderful football, and poor Roberto Martinez has really brought some style to their game. But they just can't seem to score.
The 4-0 scoreline was not a true reflection of the game. I have to say that Wigan only crumbled after Chicharito's second goal. Prior to that, they played some impressive football.
Having said that, all four goals were fantastic. In fact, if Nani had not wasted so many chances, MU would have won by a bigger margin. Yes, it would have been even more unfair on Wigan. This was just a measure of how deadly United can be in front of goal.
In truth, Wigan could have scored several times if not for some fantastic saves from VDS and some fantastic defending from both Vidic and Smalling. The last of those three looks like a good buy. Smalling has a bright future ahead of him if he continues to improve.
But let's talk about that young wonder called Javier Hernandez. The Little Pea is another astute piece of business by Fergie and has already repaid Old Red Nose's faith and investment in him several times over. Both were well taken goals coming at the end of some fantastic play, but they would never have come if he didn't have amazing foresight that allows him to see just where he needs to be, as well as great finishing.
Speaking of great moves, Rooney showed yesterday just how effective a team player he is by being involved in both of Hernandez's goals. The second was especially fine as that through ball was inch perfect and timed to perfection. So even if he isn't scoring all that many goals, he is still an invaluable player.
It was also good to see Fabio score. Not too bad for a leftback playing out of position! As for the player he replaced, Nani was apparently at the wrong end of the famous hairdryer treatment while still on the field, then made his exit a short while later. He needs to learn more. Seriously. He is just not enough of a team player. He has improved in that aspect this year, I'll give him that. But the boy still is incredibly selfish a lot of time. He shoots when he should pass simply because he believes too strongly in his ability. Nothing wrong with that except if there's a better choice, you should always go for the better choice.
Now then. It's on to Stamford Bridge for what is hopefully a cracker of a game this week!
The Latics played some wonderful football, and poor Roberto Martinez has really brought some style to their game. But they just can't seem to score.
The 4-0 scoreline was not a true reflection of the game. I have to say that Wigan only crumbled after Chicharito's second goal. Prior to that, they played some impressive football.
Having said that, all four goals were fantastic. In fact, if Nani had not wasted so many chances, MU would have won by a bigger margin. Yes, it would have been even more unfair on Wigan. This was just a measure of how deadly United can be in front of goal.
In truth, Wigan could have scored several times if not for some fantastic saves from VDS and some fantastic defending from both Vidic and Smalling. The last of those three looks like a good buy. Smalling has a bright future ahead of him if he continues to improve.
But let's talk about that young wonder called Javier Hernandez. The Little Pea is another astute piece of business by Fergie and has already repaid Old Red Nose's faith and investment in him several times over. Both were well taken goals coming at the end of some fantastic play, but they would never have come if he didn't have amazing foresight that allows him to see just where he needs to be, as well as great finishing.
Speaking of great moves, Rooney showed yesterday just how effective a team player he is by being involved in both of Hernandez's goals. The second was especially fine as that through ball was inch perfect and timed to perfection. So even if he isn't scoring all that many goals, he is still an invaluable player.
It was also good to see Fabio score. Not too bad for a leftback playing out of position! As for the player he replaced, Nani was apparently at the wrong end of the famous hairdryer treatment while still on the field, then made his exit a short while later. He needs to learn more. Seriously. He is just not enough of a team player. He has improved in that aspect this year, I'll give him that. But the boy still is incredibly selfish a lot of time. He shoots when he should pass simply because he believes too strongly in his ability. Nothing wrong with that except if there's a better choice, you should always go for the better choice.
Now then. It's on to Stamford Bridge for what is hopefully a cracker of a game this week!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Another away draw
Another away game, another draw.
Thankfully this time it's a two-legged match, so the draw actually suits United fine. Now we have the advantage as we'll be playing at home in the return leg. A score-draw would have been better, but I'm confident we'll be through to the next round.
It was not, however, a good game. Utterly boring. Our midfield was just non-existent as far as I'm concerned. The back four did relatively well. The front three of Rooney-Berba-Nani I think would have done a whole lot better if they had better support from the middle three of Fletcher, Carrick and Gibson.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. We need better midfielders. We need a general in the mould of Keano or Robbo.
The midfield did much better though when Scholes came in and we reverted to a 4-4-2 formation. Scholes has, according to newspaper reports, told Sir Alex that he will sign a one-year extension to his contract and I'm glad he has, but I don't think he'll last longer than that year. Not to mention the fact that he can't figure in all the games. So we'd better bring in someone new soon. Someone good, of course.
But now that the game is over, it's time to focus on the next away game. Wigan. It's the EPL (I hate calling it the BPL) again, so we can't afford another draw.
Thankfully this time it's a two-legged match, so the draw actually suits United fine. Now we have the advantage as we'll be playing at home in the return leg. A score-draw would have been better, but I'm confident we'll be through to the next round.
It was not, however, a good game. Utterly boring. Our midfield was just non-existent as far as I'm concerned. The back four did relatively well. The front three of Rooney-Berba-Nani I think would have done a whole lot better if they had better support from the middle three of Fletcher, Carrick and Gibson.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. We need better midfielders. We need a general in the mould of Keano or Robbo.
The midfield did much better though when Scholes came in and we reverted to a 4-4-2 formation. Scholes has, according to newspaper reports, told Sir Alex that he will sign a one-year extension to his contract and I'm glad he has, but I don't think he'll last longer than that year. Not to mention the fact that he can't figure in all the games. So we'd better bring in someone new soon. Someone good, of course.
But now that the game is over, it's time to focus on the next away game. Wigan. It's the EPL (I hate calling it the BPL) again, so we can't afford another draw.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Away days
That lacklustre FA Cup tie against the other Red Devils is now behind us, and now we have a home match against either Leyton Orient or Arsenal in the next round.
That aside though, we have to concentrate first on a tricky first leg encounter in Marseille, a team that has only lost twice at home all season, once in the French Ligue 1 and the other in the CL group stages. A score-draw against Marseille should be enough for us to qualify for the next round as I believe we'll win it at Old Trafford. Still, there can be no discounting any team in the CL at this stage of things.
Marseille, mind you, is only the start of a series of tricky away matches for United. At the weekend, the Devils travel to Wigan. In previous meetings, MU has found games at Wigan to be easy wins, but the Wigan players did well in Old Trafford this season until they went down to nine men. Who knows what they'll do on home ground.
After Wigan, on March 1, United play their rescheduled match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. It doesn't matter that Chelsea have not been doing too well of late. When the big teams play each other, the games are still tough no matter what form the teams are in.
Five days later, a trip to Anfield is on the cards and like any MU-Pool game, it promises to be a cracker. Liverpool have been doing well under King Kenny and will pose a serious problem. Frankly, I'm glad Liverpool are doing better. They are a team with history and it would be a shame for them to be doing badly. I have a grudging respcted for them.
MU's away form has been quite horrendous and hopefully they'll be able to do well against these teams. They need to because four points over Arsenal is not that big a gap.
That aside though, we have to concentrate first on a tricky first leg encounter in Marseille, a team that has only lost twice at home all season, once in the French Ligue 1 and the other in the CL group stages. A score-draw against Marseille should be enough for us to qualify for the next round as I believe we'll win it at Old Trafford. Still, there can be no discounting any team in the CL at this stage of things.
Marseille, mind you, is only the start of a series of tricky away matches for United. At the weekend, the Devils travel to Wigan. In previous meetings, MU has found games at Wigan to be easy wins, but the Wigan players did well in Old Trafford this season until they went down to nine men. Who knows what they'll do on home ground.
After Wigan, on March 1, United play their rescheduled match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. It doesn't matter that Chelsea have not been doing too well of late. When the big teams play each other, the games are still tough no matter what form the teams are in.
Five days later, a trip to Anfield is on the cards and like any MU-Pool game, it promises to be a cracker. Liverpool have been doing well under King Kenny and will pose a serious problem. Frankly, I'm glad Liverpool are doing better. They are a team with history and it would be a shame for them to be doing badly. I have a grudging respcted for them.
MU's away form has been quite horrendous and hopefully they'll be able to do well against these teams. They need to because four points over Arsenal is not that big a gap.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Was it the greatest?
Was Rooney's goal the greatest at Old Trafford?
Let's just say it's definitely up there with the best. But to say it was the greatest, well, it's arguable at best. There are those who swear they've seen better. There are those who say they have not.
Sir Alex's comment was that it was the greatest he had ever seen in the time he has been at Old Trafford. That's not saying it was the greatest ever, is it? I think it was just the media blowing it all out of proportion.
It was spectacular, mind you. I'm hard pressed to come up with a better goal at Old Trafford. I recall a similar spectacular goal from Berba this season but I can't seem to remember whether it was at OT or away.
Leaving that aside, let me apologise for not writing for such a long time. Amazingly, my last posting was in November. This is my first posting of 2011 and it comes midway through the second month of the year!
I have been busy but I don't want to use that as an excuse. So please, forgive me.
It that time, I have gotten several "heart attacks" thanks to the antics of the United players. Thankfully, the old ticker is still working fine! At least, until the next game.
Also in that time, poor old Gary Neville has quit football. Some call him the greatest rightback England has produced. I highly doubt that, but certainly the best of his time. He's received glowing tributes, and although I believe he should have retired a long time ago, it's still nice to see him get what he deserves.
Thankfully, I believe United have a great replacement for the long run in Rafael. The boy impresses me every time I see him, but he still needs to mature a little. His youth makes him reckless and that attitude may just get him in hot soup a couple more times before he finally realises he needs to control his emotions.
Anyway, that's it for now. It's an FA Cup weekend before the Champions League next week. We should be able to make it past this round, but more on that later.
Ciao!
Let's just say it's definitely up there with the best. But to say it was the greatest, well, it's arguable at best. There are those who swear they've seen better. There are those who say they have not.
Sir Alex's comment was that it was the greatest he had ever seen in the time he has been at Old Trafford. That's not saying it was the greatest ever, is it? I think it was just the media blowing it all out of proportion.
It was spectacular, mind you. I'm hard pressed to come up with a better goal at Old Trafford. I recall a similar spectacular goal from Berba this season but I can't seem to remember whether it was at OT or away.
Leaving that aside, let me apologise for not writing for such a long time. Amazingly, my last posting was in November. This is my first posting of 2011 and it comes midway through the second month of the year!
I have been busy but I don't want to use that as an excuse. So please, forgive me.
It that time, I have gotten several "heart attacks" thanks to the antics of the United players. Thankfully, the old ticker is still working fine! At least, until the next game.
Also in that time, poor old Gary Neville has quit football. Some call him the greatest rightback England has produced. I highly doubt that, but certainly the best of his time. He's received glowing tributes, and although I believe he should have retired a long time ago, it's still nice to see him get what he deserves.
Thankfully, I believe United have a great replacement for the long run in Rafael. The boy impresses me every time I see him, but he still needs to mature a little. His youth makes him reckless and that attitude may just get him in hot soup a couple more times before he finally realises he needs to control his emotions.
Anyway, that's it for now. It's an FA Cup weekend before the Champions League next week. We should be able to make it past this round, but more on that later.
Ciao!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
A non-controversial win
Last night's game against Bursaspor, thankfully, was not as controversial as the one against Spurs over the weekend. Three well-taken goals from three beautifully-worked moves showed United's true class, even if they weren't exactly playing at full speed.
It would be difficult to pick out a man-of-the-match as it seemed like everyone was playing well, except perhaps Berbatov. The Bulgarian seemed out of touch with his surroundings!
But what really struck me about the game is not what was happening on the field. It was the stands that caught my attention. Despite being three goals down, the Bursaspor fans were singing their hearts and lungs out. I don't think a single person left the stadium before the final whistle.
I know Turks are fanatical supporters of their respective teams. But if you compare the Bursaspor fans to the fans of Galatasaray, for instance, during their European matches with United in the past, there is a whole lot of difference. While Galatasaray fans did not have any sportsmanship, the Bursaspor fans did. What an incredible experience listening to them sing and cheer despite being down.
You can't say the same for many United fans. They tend to boo and hiss if MU play badly. Granted, United fans are a spoilt lot since the team win a lot, but it is a welcome change to hear the Bursaspor lot having a great time. It's not just United fans either. I'm sure a vast majority of the world's teams have such fans.
In Malaysia, the best fans used to be the Selangor fans. They, too, jeered their team when they were down. Now, Kelantan fans are arguably the most fanatical, but they too would run amok if their team didn't perform to expectations.
So, Bursaspor, your fans rock.
As for the controversial goal against Spurs, I have this to say: It was a legitimate goal, as the whistle was never blown for handball (isn't that what we're always told, play to the whistle?), so don't blame the ref, people. Blame that fool Gomes.
I do, however, think that, perhaps, Nani could have not taken advantage of Gomes' idiocy, thus showing a little sportsmanship. I don't know. The jury is still out on that. One thing is for sure, though. His celebration after scoring the goal was a little too much, don't you think? With that kind of celebration, anyone who missed seeing the goal would have thought Nani dribbled past the entire opposing team to score an amazing goal!!!!
It would be difficult to pick out a man-of-the-match as it seemed like everyone was playing well, except perhaps Berbatov. The Bulgarian seemed out of touch with his surroundings!
But what really struck me about the game is not what was happening on the field. It was the stands that caught my attention. Despite being three goals down, the Bursaspor fans were singing their hearts and lungs out. I don't think a single person left the stadium before the final whistle.
I know Turks are fanatical supporters of their respective teams. But if you compare the Bursaspor fans to the fans of Galatasaray, for instance, during their European matches with United in the past, there is a whole lot of difference. While Galatasaray fans did not have any sportsmanship, the Bursaspor fans did. What an incredible experience listening to them sing and cheer despite being down.
You can't say the same for many United fans. They tend to boo and hiss if MU play badly. Granted, United fans are a spoilt lot since the team win a lot, but it is a welcome change to hear the Bursaspor lot having a great time. It's not just United fans either. I'm sure a vast majority of the world's teams have such fans.
In Malaysia, the best fans used to be the Selangor fans. They, too, jeered their team when they were down. Now, Kelantan fans are arguably the most fanatical, but they too would run amok if their team didn't perform to expectations.
So, Bursaspor, your fans rock.
As for the controversial goal against Spurs, I have this to say: It was a legitimate goal, as the whistle was never blown for handball (isn't that what we're always told, play to the whistle?), so don't blame the ref, people. Blame that fool Gomes.
I do, however, think that, perhaps, Nani could have not taken advantage of Gomes' idiocy, thus showing a little sportsmanship. I don't know. The jury is still out on that. One thing is for sure, though. His celebration after scoring the goal was a little too much, don't you think? With that kind of celebration, anyone who missed seeing the goal would have thought Nani dribbled past the entire opposing team to score an amazing goal!!!!
Monday, October 18, 2010
What is happening?
Another week, another draw. Can we take consolation in that we are the only team left unbeaten in the league? That, so far, is the only consolation. We lost our perfect record at home in the league. We have yet to win away. We have conceded 11 goals, although we have scored 18, the same as Arsenal with only Chelsea scoring more.
Again we had the game in the bag this weekend. Again, we let it slip. And in what fashion? A badly defended freekick turned into goal by our own player, and a howler like no other from VDS leading to the equalising goal. We should have been more than 2-0 up by half time. We were cruising and WBA had no answer.
But kudos to WBA for coming out with all guns blazing. They hassled and harried until the MU defence gave. Even the introduction of Rooney and Scholes in the second half of the second half proved fruitless.
But by far the thing that did the worst damage was Giggs going off in the first half. After that, there were hardly any attacks down the left flank. Most of the play came down the right with Nani.
Now the Brit papers are saying Rooney wants out and has refused to sign a contract extension. He has 18 months left on his current contract and big teams like Barcelona and Real Madrid are said to be keeping tabs on him. Quite frankly, if his heart isn't in it, he should just go. MU should just sell him. If he can't perform because his heart isn't in it, then there is no use keeping him.
I'm hoping he won't go, of course, and that he'll get back to form and start producing again, start loving playing for the club again. But if he is really adamant, then let him go. No one is bigger than the club.
But a great goal-getter needs to be brought in to replace him. Berbatov is back to not scoring. Hernandez has all the markings of a good player but at present is more a Solksjaer than anything. And Macheda is still not there yet. I can't seem to think of who it is could be brought in at this point in time. No striker that I can think of seems to be worth the prices being thrown about these days.
At present, Bursaspor should be all we think about. Let's whip them and then think about the next game.
Again we had the game in the bag this weekend. Again, we let it slip. And in what fashion? A badly defended freekick turned into goal by our own player, and a howler like no other from VDS leading to the equalising goal. We should have been more than 2-0 up by half time. We were cruising and WBA had no answer.
But kudos to WBA for coming out with all guns blazing. They hassled and harried until the MU defence gave. Even the introduction of Rooney and Scholes in the second half of the second half proved fruitless.
But by far the thing that did the worst damage was Giggs going off in the first half. After that, there were hardly any attacks down the left flank. Most of the play came down the right with Nani.
Now the Brit papers are saying Rooney wants out and has refused to sign a contract extension. He has 18 months left on his current contract and big teams like Barcelona and Real Madrid are said to be keeping tabs on him. Quite frankly, if his heart isn't in it, he should just go. MU should just sell him. If he can't perform because his heart isn't in it, then there is no use keeping him.
I'm hoping he won't go, of course, and that he'll get back to form and start producing again, start loving playing for the club again. But if he is really adamant, then let him go. No one is bigger than the club.
But a great goal-getter needs to be brought in to replace him. Berbatov is back to not scoring. Hernandez has all the markings of a good player but at present is more a Solksjaer than anything. And Macheda is still not there yet. I can't seem to think of who it is could be brought in at this point in time. No striker that I can think of seems to be worth the prices being thrown about these days.
At present, Bursaspor should be all we think about. Let's whip them and then think about the next game.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
What's happening, Sir Alex?
This post is one that is long overdue. What in the world is happening?
MU are notorious slow starters, but four draws out of four away games in the league is a record that can only be considered atrocious from the likes of a first-class team. Sir Alex has blasted the team for lacking killer instinct, and I have to say he's got it spot on. But is it just that?
The defence in the first two draws -- against Fulham and Everton -- has to take the blame. And after that, I think the team lacked confidence when it came to away games. Even the away win against Valencia didn't serve to give them a confidence boost.
Whatever it is, the Red Devils need to move up a gear from now on or Chelsea is going to run away with the title without a challenge.
In other news, it looks like a recall for out-on-loan midfielder Tom Cleverley. Fergie thinks he's in the reckoning for first team action, and while I'm not as convinced as the gaffer, I do think he is a star in the making. So, yes, bring him back.
Hawkeye for football, anyone?
The papers also have it that FIFA will bring in goal-line technology soon. Thank goodness, I say. It is about time, don't you think? So many horrible calls have been made that I believe there should be some sort of technology used.
UEFA has included two more referee's assistants for the Champions and Europa leagues but these are still subject to possible human error, or even graft. What's the problem with bringing in technology? The Hawkeye system has worked wonderfully for tennis. As long as checks are made before every game, the technology should prove accurate every time.
MU are notorious slow starters, but four draws out of four away games in the league is a record that can only be considered atrocious from the likes of a first-class team. Sir Alex has blasted the team for lacking killer instinct, and I have to say he's got it spot on. But is it just that?
The defence in the first two draws -- against Fulham and Everton -- has to take the blame. And after that, I think the team lacked confidence when it came to away games. Even the away win against Valencia didn't serve to give them a confidence boost.
Whatever it is, the Red Devils need to move up a gear from now on or Chelsea is going to run away with the title without a challenge.
In other news, it looks like a recall for out-on-loan midfielder Tom Cleverley. Fergie thinks he's in the reckoning for first team action, and while I'm not as convinced as the gaffer, I do think he is a star in the making. So, yes, bring him back.
Hawkeye for football, anyone?
The papers also have it that FIFA will bring in goal-line technology soon. Thank goodness, I say. It is about time, don't you think? So many horrible calls have been made that I believe there should be some sort of technology used.
UEFA has included two more referee's assistants for the Champions and Europa leagues but these are still subject to possible human error, or even graft. What's the problem with bringing in technology? The Hawkeye system has worked wonderfully for tennis. As long as checks are made before every game, the technology should prove accurate every time.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
What a match!
Berbatov is having one hell of a season, isn't he?
A hattrick against Liverpool, and what a hattrick it was. All three goals were difficult ones. The first, while being held back at first by Torres. The second, well, I really don't have to say anything about. And the third, climbing above a number of Liverpool defenders to power a header home.
The team played well, I thought. To be frank, a draw would have been a travesty after the way they played. VDS hardly had anything to do, but was powerless against the penalty and freekick from Gerrard. Speaking of which, I think Gerrard did really well. His penalty-taking is as consistent as anybody's and that free kick. Well, he picked a sweet spot, didn't he? Fletcher, though, should be blamed for letting the ball through. The Liverpool player next to him peeled away and that caused him to move to try to cover the opponent, but seeing the ball coming through that gap he left, he still could have blocked it. In fact, he moved towards it but at the last moment, moved ever so slightly away again!
As for the events leading up to the spot and free kicks, well there can be no doubt about the penalty and I believe it definitely was a foul for the free kick. Sir Alex thinks Torres made a meal of the second foul and tried to get O'Shea sent off. Did he? There's a slight chance, but I still think it was definitely a foul. As for arguments whether O'Shea should have been sent off as he was last man, I have to even if there wasn't a foul, I don't think Torres could have reached that ball. I think VDS would have gotten the ball a full three seconds ahead of the Spaniard, so a yellow card, yes, but not a red for O'Shea.
As for the next game, Scunthorpe should not prove too much of a threat against United, even though we all know Fergie will opt for his second stringers in the match. Bebe, apparently, may play a part. Let's hope Fergie's decision to break with tradition and sign the hitherto unknown player from Portugal without having seen him in action does not come back to bite him in the you-know-where.
A hattrick against Liverpool, and what a hattrick it was. All three goals were difficult ones. The first, while being held back at first by Torres. The second, well, I really don't have to say anything about. And the third, climbing above a number of Liverpool defenders to power a header home.
The team played well, I thought. To be frank, a draw would have been a travesty after the way they played. VDS hardly had anything to do, but was powerless against the penalty and freekick from Gerrard. Speaking of which, I think Gerrard did really well. His penalty-taking is as consistent as anybody's and that free kick. Well, he picked a sweet spot, didn't he? Fletcher, though, should be blamed for letting the ball through. The Liverpool player next to him peeled away and that caused him to move to try to cover the opponent, but seeing the ball coming through that gap he left, he still could have blocked it. In fact, he moved towards it but at the last moment, moved ever so slightly away again!
As for the events leading up to the spot and free kicks, well there can be no doubt about the penalty and I believe it definitely was a foul for the free kick. Sir Alex thinks Torres made a meal of the second foul and tried to get O'Shea sent off. Did he? There's a slight chance, but I still think it was definitely a foul. As for arguments whether O'Shea should have been sent off as he was last man, I have to even if there wasn't a foul, I don't think Torres could have reached that ball. I think VDS would have gotten the ball a full three seconds ahead of the Spaniard, so a yellow card, yes, but not a red for O'Shea.
As for the next game, Scunthorpe should not prove too much of a threat against United, even though we all know Fergie will opt for his second stringers in the match. Bebe, apparently, may play a part. Let's hope Fergie's decision to break with tradition and sign the hitherto unknown player from Portugal without having seen him in action does not come back to bite him in the you-know-where.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Reds and the Devils
Easily the most awaited tie of the year. Forget MU vs Chelsea. Who cares about MU vs Arsenal. It's the Red Devils vs the Reds that captures everybody's attention.
MU go into the match on the back of two straight draws. The game against Everton was an utter waste, while the one in the Champions League against Rangers was a sham. A sham not because Sir Alex decided to make 10 changes to the starting lineup from the game against the Toffees, but that Rangers just came to park not only the team bus, but their supporters' buses as well. A sham and a shame!
No matter. Small hiccup, I say. But poor Valencia. You have to feel for the lad. Didn't really see how he was injured, thanks to what is now SOP for TV stations, not to show replays of horrific injuries, but the the look of pure distress on Broadfoot's face was enough to tell you how bad it was.
The side will likely welcome back Berbatov, Scholes, Evra and VDS and you have to believe that Vidic and Ferdinand will renew their partnership, which to me is always a good thing. Nani will likely be flying down the wings again, and it only remains to be seen who will on the other wing. Giggs? Not likely. He'll probably be on the bench. So I think it's going to be Park.
Liverpool will be delighted with their win in the Europa League, with a team minus their stars like Gerrard and Torres. They will be in confident mood for the trip to Old Trafford despite not having a very good start to the league, what more with the return of Gerrard and Torres.
No doubt the match will be close. It usually is. No matter how badly either one of the teams are playing at the moment, such matches usually are very close.
I still feel Man United will maintain their 100 per cent home record in the Premier League in this one. But it will definitely be a close one. A win by a solitary goal is what I predict.
MU go into the match on the back of two straight draws. The game against Everton was an utter waste, while the one in the Champions League against Rangers was a sham. A sham not because Sir Alex decided to make 10 changes to the starting lineup from the game against the Toffees, but that Rangers just came to park not only the team bus, but their supporters' buses as well. A sham and a shame!
No matter. Small hiccup, I say. But poor Valencia. You have to feel for the lad. Didn't really see how he was injured, thanks to what is now SOP for TV stations, not to show replays of horrific injuries, but the the look of pure distress on Broadfoot's face was enough to tell you how bad it was.
The side will likely welcome back Berbatov, Scholes, Evra and VDS and you have to believe that Vidic and Ferdinand will renew their partnership, which to me is always a good thing. Nani will likely be flying down the wings again, and it only remains to be seen who will on the other wing. Giggs? Not likely. He'll probably be on the bench. So I think it's going to be Park.
Liverpool will be delighted with their win in the Europa League, with a team minus their stars like Gerrard and Torres. They will be in confident mood for the trip to Old Trafford despite not having a very good start to the league, what more with the return of Gerrard and Torres.
No doubt the match will be close. It usually is. No matter how badly either one of the teams are playing at the moment, such matches usually are very close.
I still feel Man United will maintain their 100 per cent home record in the Premier League in this one. But it will definitely be a close one. A win by a solitary goal is what I predict.
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