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Saturday, December 30, 2006

Welcome back!

Hi guys, sorry for the delay in posting. I hopej everyone (who celebrates it) had a good christmas and got all the presents they wanted? United have performed admirally in my absense, particularly Ronaldo... What a rich vein of form he is in!!!

As I am writing this I have just heard Jose's litle boys have dropped another 2 points and the full time whistle has gone at old trafford, wioth the score at 3-2. This means we go into the new year 6 points clear.

If you were to look at the position we were in 12 months ago, we were 11 points behind Chelsea with no real hope of bringing the title home. We now sit pretty 6 points clear at the top with our beloved team playing some of the greatest football we have seen for 3 or 4 years.

We have done the difficult bit and now we have the opportunity to strengthen in January, bring in a couple of key pleyers and really push on for the title. Call me premature but I think we have a real chance in all competitions this season, when you have players like Ronaldo, Rooney, Giggs and Scholes you can be forgiven for being premature.

Well guys I know it's a brief post, but I thought I would just chesck in and let you know I haven't given up on the blog. There will be lots more posting and commenting in the new year, until then have a great new year and look forward to chatting to you all on the blog and in the forum in 2007. Long live United!!!

P.S Happy 65th Birthday to Fergie! You are the greatest manager to have lived!

Monday, December 18, 2006

Man Utd V West Ham match review

Today is a day of reflection, at one point we looked like we could go 8 points clear at the top of the premiership and in the end we ended up only 2 points clear. Is a 1-0 defeat away at Premiership strugglers acceptable? To me it isn’t, we must try harder and win those types of games if we are to bring the title home.

Chelsea did what they seem to be getting very good at yesterday and that is coming from behind. Twice they were chasing the game and twice they came back to eventually win the game. United on the other hand seemed wasteful in front of goal and we only have ourselves to blame.

Perhaps I am being too harsh on the team, perhaps the odd slip-up is acceptable, I just feel so passionate about this group of lads, I truly believe that they can win everything in their path. I have such high standards for Manchester United that any defeat hurts so much, especially when the opposition pull off results like Chelsea did yesterday.

Anyhow let’s not dwell on the past. There is still half a season to play and plenty of time to extend our lead at the top. I was speaking to a couple of Arsenal and Chelsea fans yesterday and they truly believe that United have peaked. I was curious about this statement and had to agree.

But what I think they meant is that United have peaked and now they will decline. What a foolish way to think! United don’t decline…ever! At the start of the season critics thought we were way off challenging for the league, look now! Everyone is saying it’s a 2 horse race between United and Chelsea. If people think we will just drop off, they are sorely mistaken. With a couple of additions in January we will be stronger than ever. We will have more cover and more firepower.

During my discussion with this Arsenal and Chelsea fan (well they spent most of the time arguing amongst themselves) the conversation got onto whether history or current performance was more important. I mused for a while and decided, we have both. We are so fortunate to support a team such as Manchester United. We have the greatest history and are always there or thereabouts in most competitions. I love Manchester United and will always love them, come on lads bring the League home!

P.S here are some rubbish highlights of yesterdays game

Friday, December 15, 2006

Manchester United get Lille in the Champions league

The draw has taken place in the Champions league and we have got Lille, aguably the weakest team in the competition. This is good news and I would now expect us to progress into the quarter finals.

Liverpool face Barcelona so I guess they will be leaving the comeptition early lol!

Mourinho travels to his old team Porto!

Man Utd Champions league draw

So today is the big draw, we will finally know who we will face in February when the champions’ league reconvenes. As you would expect, there are so many great teams mixed up in the draw that there promises to be one or two great fixtures for the passive fan to feat their eyes upon. But we’re not here to talk about other teams we are here to talk about United, the One and only football team that actually matters.

Let’s have a look at the options of who we might get, as always I’ll let you now my outspoken views.

Inter Milan:
Fantastic prospect. After buying half the Juventus team they are in a similar predicament to Chelsea, too many stars to cope with. They are strong and very capable of going all the way and would provide us with a great test.

PSV Eindhoven:
Play in an inferior Dutch league, but seem to rise to the big occasions in Europe. If United are playing at anywhere near the tenacity that they are at the moment, this should be a safe passage.

Roma:
Totti is their main man and has been for some time. Currently doing well in Serie A and would probably want to make their mark in Europe this year. Again United are better on paper.

Real Madrid:
A team of Galatico’s that have underperformed for a number of seasons. That said, with a new coach, they are a tough prospect. United will have a to play well both home and away if they are to go through. A truly mouth watering prospect!

Barcelona:
The cream of Europe, last years champions and the team that everyone want to beat. They have class all over the field in Eto, Ronaldinho and Messi. Having said that Rooney, Ronaldo, Saha and Scholes are just as good! Another dream prospect!

Porto:
When Mourinho knocked us out of the competition with Porto there was outcry. How could such an inferior team take us down? They got lucky with a free-kick, but they did go onto win the tournament. I would look at Porto as our Bogey team.

Lille:
The whipping boys. The weakest team in the group and the one that most teams will be hoping they get. As far as United are concerned, they never seem to perform against the underdogs. On paper though, this should be a passage to the quarter finals.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Man Utd Ruffle Cheslea's feathers

So Chelsea got lucky yesterday with a cheeky 1-0 win over Newcastle and now John Terry has decided to join the slanging match party. It seams that all is not well in the Chelsea camp; we have ruffled a few feathers by being serious title challengers.

Chelsea, under Mourniho, have yet to experience pressure on their premiership title campaign and now is the time for us to really get going and make life difficult for the boys in blue. We have another must win game against West Ham at the weekend, whilst Chelsea are away to Everton.

In other news, the champion’s league draw is tomorrow and I for one am really excited about this one. Most people know that I would like us to get one of the big teams. Barcelona or Real Madrid would be brilliant, others hope that we get someone smaller, Roma seems to be the preferred option.

January is getting closer and the speculation is still rife about who we will sign. The usual suspects like Hargreaves, Torres and Huntelaar have been doing the usual rounds, but others such as Antonio Puerta are doing the rounds in the tabloids.

Apologies for not writing yesterday, it was my Christmas party at work and the festivities took the toll on me the day after. I really needed to focus my energy on surviving rather than writing. Anyhow Until the draw tomorrow, it’s goodbye from me!

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Charlton Expects new signings!

There is a brief respite in fixtures until the weekend when we meet West ham who quite controversially have just sacked a great British manager, I will be ranting on this later. The mind games are in full swing between Fergie and Mourinho, be careful Jose, there is always only one winner when it comes to mind games and it certainly isn’t you. Just ask Wenger and Keegan!

There is good news coming from a press conference taken by Charlton yesterday, read the report here. He is basically stating that United will be strengthening in January, although how much remains a mystery. The vote is still going on in the forum, so if you haven’t already, let your thoughts be known.

For strikers I have the following: Huntelaar, Defoe, Torres, Aguero, Klose and Bent. Cast your vote here.

For midfield the options are: Hargreaves, Reo-Coker, Senna and Beckham. Cast your vote here.

For wingers we have: Nani, Adu, Van Der Vaart and Quaresma. Cast your vote here.

The news that Pardew had been sacked yesterday came as a great shock to me. Pardew is a great ambassador of football and a brilliant English coach. He worked miracles at West Ham despite the fans calling for his head when he first arrived. Magnusson has shown his true colours, by publicly backing Pardew then sacking him 2 weeks later, disgraceful in my opinion.

Anyhow back to the reds. We play West Ham at the weekend and looking at the fixture from a purely selfish perspective we couldn’t play them at a better time. The club is in turmoil, with no manager and a new owner. Let’s put 10 past them for Pards!

The draw for the Champions league is on Friday and debate is also raging in the forum who would you like to get and why?

Finally let’s finish with a video of some great Man Utd moments and of course it plays out to our new Man Utd anthem (you know the one). United forever!!!

Monday, December 11, 2006

Man Utd V Man City Highlights and transfer poll

Another great weekend for the Reds, we beat one of our biggest rivals in a thrilling game and Chelsea slip up against Arsenal. We are now 8 points clear and Jose must be scratching his head wondering what he’s doing wrong. I mean you spend £300 million on players and you aren’t even league leaders, you’re not the “special one” now are you?

Saturday brought about the typically contentious Manchester derby and right from the off it seemed as both teams really wanted this one. Merely 5 seconds in Joey Barton charged across the field taking Ronaldo out in the process. The result? Ronaldo decided to get his own back and thread a perfectly weighted ball into Rooney, who politely obliged by sticking it in the back of the net. 1-0 and barely 5 minutes played.

City for all their determination simply could not break us down and when Saha converted a chance to make it 2-0 just before the break, it was seeming as though the 3 points were going to the red side of Manchester.

After the break City fought back, managing to grab a goal 19 minutes from time, making it a little uncomfortable for United, but our lads fought back seeking that third goal to kill the game off. It came 6 minutes form time when Ronaldo finished superbly from point blank range.

Here are the highlights from the game.


It seems that there area few people talking about transfers at the moment. I suppose it is that time of year when things start to get a little interesting. I would like to gage everyone’s opinion on who you think our best midfield, attacking and winger options are. I will do this as a poll in the forum. All you need to do is login or register then cast your vote! If you would like to add any players to the vote, please write your suggestions in the comments.

So for strikers I have the following: Huntelaar, Defoe, Torres, Aguero, Klose and Bent. Cast your vote here.

For midfield the options are: Hargreaves, Reo-Coker, Senna and Beckham. Cast your vote here.

For wingers we have: Nani, Adu, Van Der Vaart and Quaresma. Cast your vote here.

The closing date for the poll will be 31st December, so we have a bit of time yet!

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Friday, December 08, 2006

Owen Hargreaves interview on Channel 5

Here is the Owen Hargreaves interview with John Barnes on C5. You need to wait until the end to hear about his clear intentions to join United! Thanks Clone for finding this! Enjoy

Man Utd V Man city Match Preview,Man Utd V Benfica Highlights

Good morning people, are we ready for Derby day? It seems that we are the luckiest fans in the world at the moment. We are getting great fixture after great fixture to satisfy our football hunger. Playing Man City will always hold a special place in my heart, mainly because they’re crap and we normally beat them so we spend the rest of the night ridiculing the less fortunate fans in Manchester. Having said that, our record has not been that great against them in recent years.

A win will take us 9 points clear of Chelsea if only for a couple of hours. What a great feeling that would be. Jose and his little boys in blue would have their work cut out, they would know that they must take to the pitch and nothing but a win would do. Chelsea have had it easy the past 2 years but now it’s time to see how well they can really do under pressure.

I remember Mourinho commenting on pressure after he lost to United last season. He mumbled some utter rubbish about feeding your starving children in Africa and how that was pressure, quite condescending under the circumstances I thought. Now he has some pressure in the premiership and it is from our very own red devils, a team that knows how to win trophies and I for one am excited about the prospect of this one going all the way.

Back to Saturday. I don’t expect the line-up to change that too much; after all who else can we bring in realistically. About the only place we have decent cover for is left-back; just as well that the only injury we suffered on Wednesday was Evra. Heinze is not a bad replacement in my opinion.

It seems to be all quiet on the transfer front at the moment. The papers aren’t saying much, but I’m sure they will in due course. I still think we need three quality signings in January if we are to carry on with our push for the title. I sometimes feel that we are walking a tightrope. If we lost Rooney or Ronaldo for a sustained period there could be trouble. Nani gets my vote as does kun aguero. He plays for Athletico Madrid and is Argentinean. He’s great on Fm2007 and it’s not oftwen wrong. I’ll try and dig some videos up on him.

Right that’s it from me, I’ve got to go and get my Nintendo Wii that comes out today, can’t wait!! Here are the goals from the game against Benfica. P.S If you find any decent Utd videos that you want me to post on the blog be sure to post a comment with the link or post in the forum. We all love watching United!

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Man Utd V Benfica Match review

Good morning to everyone. Do we like to make difficult for ourselves or what? In the end it was a confident performance by a team that showed a real hunger and desire to progress in one of the worlds largest competitions. Well done boys, you just had to do it the hard way!

For those of you who missed the game last night, you missed a cracker. United started with a 5 man midfield, a cautious approach by Fergie and ultimately one that did not pay off! On 27 minutes Benfica had scored, leaving our lads wondering if Benfica were going to be the team that knocked us out yet again.

The goal seemd to rile the squad and you could see the aggression come out in players like Rooney, Neville and Vidic. They were determined to get back into this game and an absolute bombardment was the result. United must have had about 10 shots in 15 minutes as United went in search of an equaliser. It came on the stroke of half time when Vidic drove home a powerful header.

After the break United continued their bitter punishment of the visiting Portuguese. Some will remember how they knocked us out last year and it was time for revenge. Ronaldo did one of his mazy runs down the right flank, placed an inch perfect cross onto the head of Giggs, the outcome? 2-1 to the reds.

With the game apparently wrapped up, Fergie opted to bring off Giggs with Saturday in mind. United weren’t finished however. Saha headed home to make it 3-1 and Benfica had all but sealed their Uefa cup fate.

It is certainly true that this team can only play one way and that is attacking. They become agitated and frustrated when they need to sit back, it simply isn’t in their nature and I for one am glad for it. It annoys me when Wenger suggests that his team play the most beautiful football. United last night displayed a range of slick short passing combined with long and ditrect balls, it was a joy to behold. Well done lads, hopefully we can go on from this, I would love to see us get Munich or Barcelona in the next round!

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Man Utd V Benfica preview and Klose transfer to United?

Good morning people… are we all set for a night of fireworks? I reckon it will be one of those games where we either see end to end stuff, or a really stale game. Personally I hope for the former even if it isn’t good for my blood pressure. Benfica know that a win will take them through so I expect them to come out of the traps all guns blazing, question is do they have the quality?

We all know how much Ronaldo dislikes Benfica, his boyhood dream team. He will be more up for this one than any other player on the field. No player likes facing Ronaldo at the best of times, but with fire in his belly I can imagine the prospect is all the more frightening! One problem could be that he tries to do it all himself, at the expense of setting other players up to score. Ronny this is not the time for personal revenge, it is a time to pull together with your team-mates and pull of this vital victory.

In terms of the line-up, most people in the forum seem to suggest the same line-up:
VDS
Nev, Rio, Vidic, Evra,
Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs
Roo, Saha

RadioDeadon believes we should be resting Heinze for Saturday, which I kind of agree with. Solskjaer looks good in training so hope he makes the bench so that he can replace Saha at some point to rest his precious hamstrings.

Has anyone heard any more about Park and Smith? I’m sure they are training hard, but I am really keen to see them back in action. They are 2 great subs to have on the bench when fully fit. I think we have kind of forgotten about them in recent months, which is a shame!

In transfer news, word in the forum is that we are interested in Klose. I am not sure about this one. At 28 he is entering those twig light years and reminds me of a RVN. A great finisher but you need to revolve your team around him, something we have tried to get away from this season. At £10million do you think he is worth it?

Other united news is that United have a new anthem coming out this year. You can watch the music video here:

Good morning people… are we all set for a night of fireworks? I reckon it will be one of those games where we either see end to end stuff, or a really stale game. Personally I hope for the former even if it isn’t good for my blood pressure. Benfica know that a win will take them through so I expect them to come out of the traps all guns blazing, question is do they have the quality?

We all know how much Ronaldo dislikes Benfica, his boyhood dream team. He will be more up for this one than any other player on the field. No player likes facing Ronaldo at the best of times, but with fire in his belly I can imagine the prospect is all the more frightening! One problem could be that he tries to do it all himself, at the expense of setting other players up to score. Ronny this is not the time for personal revenge, it is a time to pull together with your team-mates and pull of this vital victory.

In terms of the line-up, most people in the http://fcbloggers.com/manutd/forum/viewtopic.php?t=142 seem to suggest the same line-up:
VDS
Nev, Rio, Vidic, Evra,
Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs
Roo, Saha

RadioDeadon believes we should be resting Heinze for Saturday, which I kind of agree with. Solskjaer looks good in training so hope he makes the bench so that he can replace Saha at some point to rest his precious hamstrings.

Has anyone heard any more about Park and Smith? I’m sure they are training hard, but I am really keen to see them back in action. They are 2 great subs to have on the bench when fully fit. I think we have kind of forgotten about them in recent months, which is a shame!

In transfer news, word in the http://fcbloggers.com/manutd/forum/viewtopic.php?t=143 is that we are interested in Klose. I am not sure about this one. At 28 he is entering those twig light years and reminds me of a RVN. A great finisher but you need to revolve your team around him, something we have tried to get away from this season. At £10million do you think he is worth it?

Other united news is that United have a new anthem coming out this year. Here is the music video:

(Joke!)

Right that’s enough from me this morning. Tonight is the big one!!! Come on Reds, United till I die!

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Man Utd Benfica Match Preview and transfer news

The big game against Benfica looms, with a win an absolute must. It is so important that we top the group if possible. Key men have been rested so there will be no excuses; it’s time for payback against the Portuguese.

The Christmas period is always a packed time in terms of fixtures. We have another big game at the weekend against Man City in a time where every game is crucial. If we beat Man City this weekend we will temporarily be 9 points clear, a healthy margin that will leave Jose and his boys with it all to do, the pressure will be on them.

Back to the Benfica game, I think Fergie will take no chances and elect to play his full strength side. Carrick will return to the midfield, with Fletcher returning to the bench. Giggs should hopefully have enough legs in him for another 90 minutes, as will Scholes and Neville!

Marlowe asked me if I though Saha looked out of sorts during Saturdays game? I have to say he didn’t, he created the first goal with some fancy footwork and converted the penalty very coolly. For the rest of the game he was instrumental in setting up moves instead of scoring them, a quality that has led to the great performances thus far in the league.

It’s only 25 days until the transfer window reopens. Hargreaves as always is on many fans lips. Of course it depends on how his recovery is going from a broken leg, but surely Munich can’t hold out for much longer. Nani is the other option, I think we should definitely lure him to Old Trafford, he looks quality and is good friends with Ronaldo. We also have Larrson coming, if only for 3 months. Those three signings would provide us with enough depth to challenge until the end of the season.

Park and Solskjaer are back in full training. It will be good to have these 2 back. I am really looking forward to seeing more of park ths season as I am sure I have said on many occasions. The games are coming thick and fast, with every one a must win! Bring it on!!!

Monday, December 04, 2006

Man Utd V Middlesbrough match review and highlights

Another fantastic 3 points well deserved on Saturday as we move 6 points clear of Chlesea. It was a determined performance from our lads, who never seemed like conceding the points in a tough game in harsh conditions.

Rooney was magnificent, as was Ronaldo, although controversially the Portuguese had a little trouble staying on his feet. Ronaldo won a penalty early on when he tried to avoid a challenge from Mark Schwarzer. The referee had seen enough and awarded the penalty. Up stepped Saha after his nightmare week and coolly converted!

United looked strong on the ball, Rooney and Ronlado looked like they would split the Middlesbourgh defence open at any time, although the next chance game surprisingly at the other end. A free kick was nearly converted by Jonathan Woodgate, fortunately in ricocheted off the post and United were safe.

For all United’s creativity, the second goal was not forthcoming and the reds went into half time only 1 the better. Southgate mixed it up at half time bringing on the young self confessed United fan James Morrison. His contribution was marked with a goal, his low volley beating Van Der Sar.

The home fans had hardly stopped celebrating when down the other end, a neat piece of trickery from Ronaldo set up Giggs to cross into the box and Fletcher to head the ball in to make it 2-1. United looked like a team that wanted it so badly, it was 3 points or nothing!

The performance on Saturday demonstrated just how far we have come in 12 months! We are strong at the back and massively dangerous going forward. Mourinho does not like the break his team has and for good reason. They are now 6 points behind and they know that nothing less than victories will suffice. His team are in danger of trying to force results which is never good.

Finally for all you football manager fans out there. I checked out Nani last night, he is class and available for £16million (on the game). The other player that I have found quite handy is a guy called Montiel, he is an attacking midfielder with blistering pace and a mean shot, whatsmore he’s only 18! Fergie… Check him out.

P.s here are the highlights from Saturdays game

Friday, December 01, 2006

Lasrson to join Utd on loan! Transfer News

Larrson will join Manchester United in January in a loan deal until the end of the season. Read the BBC article here

This represents a shrewd move by Ferguson who has been lacking attacking options up front. Larrson at 35 though will need to work hard if he is to be a regular feature in the starting line-up. Does this mean that a move for Huntlaer or Torres is now unlikely?

Your thoughts as always, much appreciated!
For those of you who have not seen the Everton goals, here they are, a big thankyou to Insanelogic in the forum for digging these out!




I was thinking to myself this morning that it will be really good to have Rossi back at United. The lack of opportunities at Newcastle must have been frustrating at best. What’s more I think there could be a real opportunity for him to progress in the team during the run in of the season. Of course it all depends who comes in during the January window!

Is anybody else getting a little tired of Mourinho telling the world that his team will be top soon? They beat Bolton 1-0, so what? We beat them 4-0. It’s great to see the pressure on the £multi-billion squad and I hope it continues until the end of the season. We may not have the depth, but I was really impressed with the attitude and performance of our squad players on Wednesday. They showed real character and answered their critics (me included) with a great result.

The question is….? Do we continue to rest key players for Saturday’s away trip to Middlesbourgh? The game against Benfica is crucial and we cannot afford any injuries prior to that game. I certainly feel that Fletcher can cover and even Richardson had a useful game on Wednesday. We must not drop points however, for if we do, Mourinho will have his way and his Chelsea boys will close the gap!

I hope to see Park and Solskjaer back in action soon. They have started training with the first team and will provide fresh options to Ferguson in the New Year. With a couple of additions in January we could have a very healthy squad come February, a time when we traditionally have a good run. Come on the mighty REDS!