31 January 2009

Manchester United vs Everton 31st January 2009: UNITED CRUISES PAST EVERTON

Despite reporting Vidic as possibly injured for today's Everton clash, Alex Ferguson has included the Serbian in United's starting eleven.

United began the match confidently, grabbing the first chance on the 3rd minute after Carrick was tackled lightly from behind by Fellaini. This was Ronaldo's chance to take United 1 up but he hit the Everton wall instead. Tim Howard had an early scare when Park's cross-turned-shot was creeping into the United Ex-Keeper's right post. If Howard didn't push the ball away, it might have been United's first goal of the game that time.

11th minute - Tevez almost sneaked one in after some messy defending by Everton. Once again, Howard had to save the shot.

25th minute - The best chance of the first half fell to Ronaldo, with a sweet soft shot to the right post, which eventually hits the right post, hence a miss shot, but a great chance regardless.

A minute later, Ronaldo again gave Howard a rough time, shooting from outside the box only to have it saved by Everton's goalie. It was pretty much Man Utd with the ball possession and Everton with the super hard defensive tactics. But all the possession by United finally paid off. Carrick was adjudged to have been fouled inside the box and Ronaldo took the task of putting United ahead with a shot right to the middle, which left Howard with no chance at all. All these with 2 minutes left till the end of the first half.

Carrick almost made it 2 - nil with a superb low drive but Howard was available to keep Everton in the game. 9 shots by United against 1 by Everton sums up how the game carried out during the first half.

United almost had a penalty given again 3 minutes into the second half, when Carrick again was brought down. It looked way worse than the one during the first half, but referee Halsey waved play on. United kept pushing and Tevez had a great chance to add United's lead, but he sky rocketed his shot towards the stands. After 56 minutes, Neville made way to Brown, probably as a precaution by the Gaffer.

Ronaldo was given another chance to score from a free kick just outside the box, however, Tevez was the one with the shot which hits the wall and eventually bounces up highly. Giggs comes in for Fletcher on the 74th minute, most probably to freshen up the center of midfield. And freshen up it did, and it was enough to see United collect another win. Also, its now 12 consecutive clean sheets for the English champs.

With Arsenal and Aston Villa both drew their game, United go further top. If the Liverpool and Chelsea clash results in a draw, United will be somewaht beyond catching up for the rest.

Final Score:
Manchester United 1 : Everton 0

Ronaldo's Penalty Goal Video:

30 January 2009

Vidic Gets 1 UEFA Match Ban

Nemanja Vidic has received a one match ban following his Club World Cup final dismissal. FIFA has carried the ban which effectively makes Vidic unavailable to play against Inter Milan in United's clash at San Siro on 24th February. Vidic has also been fined 5,000 Swiss francs for his actions.

Sir Alex said that Evans should be able to be back in time following his ankle injury. With Rio's comeback from his back problems, United's defense should be able to withstand Inter's strike force.

Evra, Nani and Rooney unavailable for Everton clash

Patrice Evra, Nani and Wayne Rooney are all not ready to return against Everton, according to Sir Alex.

However, they are expected to be available for the trip to West Ham United next Sunday, 8 February.

The trio failed to recover from their injuries but their replacements has been very good in covering for them in United's quest to find glory again.

It is also reported that Owen Hargreaves will be ready to start for the 2009/2010 campaign after successfully undergoing his knee surgery.

28 January 2009

Manchester United's injury concerns brightening up

Rio Ferdinand - 100% fit
Wes Brown - 100% fit
Park Ji Sung - 100% fit

Patrice Evra - Ankle (could be fit for Saturday's clash against Everton)
Nani - Groin (should be fit for Saturday's clash against Everton)

Jonny Evans, Rafael, Fabio, Anderson, Owen Hargreaves and Wayne Rooney are all still out.

27 January 2009

United stay top with Goal Fest against West Brom

The game started 30 minutes later than scheduled, apparently due to traffic congestion at the motorway. Manchester United were expected to miss a number of key players, but the starting lineup was surprisingly strong. Park and Rio return after some long absence.

West Brom started out the first 15 minutes pretty good. However, United were the ones who managed to get their first goal of the night thanks to Berbatov on the 22nd minute. Dimitar Berbatov's right footed shot from the right side of the box to the centre of the goal was enough to see United leading on the match. Michael Carrick was the one with the through ball.

West Brom's night was made even worse after a devastating tackle by Robinson on Park on 40th minute which eventually resulted in a red card for him. 3 minutes later, Tevez added to United's lead with a simple tap in after a blunder by Scott Carson following a Giggs near the corner flag free kick.

Second half started out really well for United and 15 minutes in, Vidic gets United's 3rd from a header, following a trademark cross by Giggs after a corner. Not long after, Cristiano Ronaldo, who had 4 shots, 2 of which resulted at the back of the net, puts in his first goal after a long goal drought. His right footed shot passes Carson easily. Giggs again with the assist. It had seem like game over for West Brom at that point but United had a different intention. 73rd minute, Ronaldo gets his second of the night, with a similar kind of shot from his first, thanks to Berbatov's assist.

With United's injury concerns, this massive win was vital for the dressing room to build the confidence they need to stay at the top. Another clean sheet, a huge goal fest and confidence are high, Everton better be careful.

West Brom 0 - Manchester United 5

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

0-1 Berbatov


0-2 Tevez


0-3 Vidic


0-4 Ronaldo


0-5 Ronaldo

24 January 2009

United Pass Through Spurs Easy - FA Cup

In a night where few of United's stars were unavailable and a Fabio in the starting 11 after the horrible injury, United eases through injury-hit Spurs to go through to the last 16 of the FA Cup.

Pavlyuchenko gave Spurs the lead only after 5 minutes of play, but Scholes levelled home on the 35th minute thanks to some neat play by Carrick, slotting the pass easily giving Scholes the chance to add his to his goal tally for United. It did went in after a slight deflection which left Ben Alnwick with no chance of saving it.

A minute later United went on course of securing a spot in the last 16 with Berbatov slotting in a bottom corner shot pass Alnwick, again thanks to a brilliant pass by Carrick. With Spurs fans making noises hitting at Berba for obvious reasons, the Bulgarian made no mistake and took United to the next round.

There were some added injury concerns after Fabio landed ackwardky in the early minutes of the second half. Welbeck also hobbled off 4 minutes from time. The visit to West Brom in a few days just means United will only have a handful of players available to secure a win to stay on top in the Premier League. On a positive note, Zoran Tosic had his first run out for United's first team subbing in for Ronaldo in the second half. He certainly showed his potential in that match. We'll probably see him in action for the West Brom encounter.

Final Score
FA CUP: Manchester United (2) : Tottenham Hotspurs (1)

Here are the video highlights for Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspurs 24/01/2009

Scholes's Goal


Berbatov's Goal

23 January 2009

Injury Concerns for United

It's official, most of our first team players are out this weekend. Those expected to be missing the Spurs FA Cup match are:
  1. Anderson - Ankle (3 Weeks)
  2. Evans - Ankle (3 Weeks)
  3. Neville - Minor Knock (50/50 chance of playing)
  4. Giggs - Minor Knock (50/50 chance of playing)
  5. Brown - Surgery (Expected to play against Everton)
  6. Ferdinand - Back (Expected to play against Everton)
  7. Evra - Ankle
  8. Rooney - Hamstring
  9. Nani - Groin (1 week)
  10. Rafael - Hamstring
  11. Park - Hamstring

21 January 2009

United Goes Through to Final - Carling Cup

Inspirational is the word. Manchester United finally overcame the 1 goal deficit Derby gave them during their 1st leg meet.

Goals from Nani - with a fantastic curling shot from 30 yards, O'Shea - with a sublime shot after a neat pass from Welbeck, Tevez - with a perfect short-range header courtesy of Rafael's cross and Ronaldo - from the spot after Carroll brought down Tevez inside the box, simply gave United a comfortable 4-2 win (4-3 by agregate).

Manchester United Vs Derby County Video Highlights..


There are some setback however, with injuries starting to mount up for the English Champions. On the list are:

  1. Nani - minor knock
  2. Ando - unsure yet - XRay needed
  3. Evans - recurring ankle injury
  4. Rafel - hamstring
The game gave James Chester (United Reserves captain) his first senior start and provided Darron Gibson the chance to show his abilities in his midfield maestro-ness. Gibson certainly did that and its a promising start to his first team season.

17 January 2009

Manchester United Go Top Of The Table

With United wanting a win at Bolton in order to get to the top of the league table, the English champions has a rather problematic injured players. Rooney, Rio and Evra, all out for this match will be much missed. However, Tevez, Evans and O'Shea are all ready to come into the frame.

A packed and noisy Reebok stadium made it really hard for United to do much in the opening minutes and Bolton's new on-loan Portuguese forward didn't make things any easier. United kept making chances but they were all pretty much no-prospect chances. They wasted every possible opportunities each time from the first whistle up till 20th minutes, and Ronaldo's long range WILD shot on the 20th just showed how United couldn't make anything out of anything.

There was one incident where I was really unsatisfied with Bolton's new recruit, Makukula, who gave Vidic a nudge from behind on the 21st minute. To me, that was worthy of a Red Card, instead the ref only showed the portuguese a yellow. An intruder on the field really didn't help the game that much either. roughly midway to the half, an idiot ran towards the center of the field and the stadium stewards really took their time in removing the culprit.

United's first real chance came to Ronaldo when a Fletcher cross manages to meet with the FIFA world player of the year's head, but it was a little too close to the keeper. A free kick on the 41st minute gave United another good chance to go one up before half time. Ronaldo's effort was brilliant but Jaaskelainen's save was even better. Anderson had the next brilliant shot towards Bolton's goal, but the keeper was up to the challenge yet again. At the end of a frustrating first half, nothing comes between the 2 teams.

The first half might have been less entertaining by United, but the second was certainly far different. It was livelier and much more better by United. Ronaldo had a good chance with a free kick, again saved by Jaaskelainen and a number of chances by various United players after numerous square balls by Ronaldo from the left flank. United needed a change and the old school boys of Scholes and Giggs was brought in with 20 minutes remaining for the ineffective Fletcher and Ando.

The game went on to be more fast paced after the introduction of the pair. It was practically the Giggs and Scholes show from then on with delivery after delivery by the 2 veterans. Ronaldo had another chance from a free kick, but yet again saved by the keeper. Time wasn't on United's side and if they wanted to go top by the end of the night, they had to work extremely hard to get the winning goal. And hard work they did, which eventually led to the decisive winner. A brilliant work by Tevez to scuffle out of 2 Bolton's players, and manages to slot in a cross for Berbatov to head home the winner. All this, on the 90th minute yet again. That was enough to see United go top of the league table after months of being behind liverpool.

Final Score
Bolton (0) v Manchester United (1)

16 January 2009

United loans Manucho to Hull

Hull City has acquired Manchester United's striker Manucho until the end of the current season. Manucho, who has only appeared in 1 game for United in the league is poised to play a role for Hull, unlike for United.

Let's hope this boy shows his stuff at Hull, so United can make use of him when the next season comes along.

14 January 2009

United Go Second Place

United comfortably took Wigan aside with a first minute goal from Rooney. A simple tap in was enough to secure the English Champs the second spot on the league table. Now 2 points behind Liverpool, a win against Bolton this weekend may put United top spot.

However, Rooney's goal came with an expense as he is out for at least 3 weeks after a hamstring injury sustained during the Wigan match. That will be dear indeed. It looks like Tevez will have more run outs this coming few weeks. Regadless, there will be Welbeck to cover Rooney's absence.

12 January 2009

Rio's back problem

Rio Ferdinand has been sent to have his back scanned. He was expected to play against Chelsea on the weekend but woke up to a back spasm which forced him to sit out. This is not good at all. Thankfully we have Evans covering up for the big Englishman.

Ronaldo The Best in The World

It's official, United's ace winger is FIFA's World Player of The Year 2008.

This was a first for an English-based player to win the top award.Cristiano Ronaldo's 42 goals in the 2007/08 season were simply instrumental in helping United to domestic and European glory. He managed to beat Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Liverpool's Fernando Torres to the award.

11 January 2009

Manchester United Cruises pass Chelsea - 12th January 2009

United v Chelsea - Old Trafford

It was a night where Rio, Carrick, Ando and Scholes didn't start, eventhough all of them were fit to play. I think Fergie opted for a more no-nonsense lineup putting Park and Fletch in midfield.

It was a fair affair at the start of the match. Everything went lively at 20 minutes. We saw a penalty rejected for United after Ronaldo's cross hits Ashley Cole's hands just around the box line, you have Rooney's pusposedly succesful attempt in getting Bosingwa a yellow card, Carvalho holding onto Ronaldo but manages to get a free kick in his way, Berbatov's shot stopped by Cech and all the dramas in between. Classic United/Chelsea encounter.

United had the best chance on the 45th minute when Rooney and Giggs took a short corner, the ball reaches Ronaldo's head and it goes pass Cech. United should have been 1-0 up by then but the linesman flagged the play to be retaken. Rooney was so furious but United kept their heads up and took the corner again. At that time, the end product prevailed for United again, with Vidic heading in United's first goal of the game. The only whistle from the ref was a goal scored signal.

The champions went in the second half blazing just like how the ended the first. And after hard pressings and some persistence, United made it 2 up on the 63rd minutes thanks to some neat play by Ronaldo and Evra down the left flank with Evra's cross reaching Rooney's boots. Scolari straight away took Bosingwa off from that position, who pretty much left Chelsea unguarded for that second United goal.

On the 80th minute, Carrick came in for Ryan Giggs, who may have well played his best game yet so far this season, commanding the center of the field brilliantly. Ronaldo could have made it 3 for United, but his goal on the 83rd minute was disallowed for offside. Millimitres I tell you. Instead, turning provider, Ronaldo's fierce free kick was met by Berbatov on 86th minute for United's well deserved third and the crucial win.

Still two games in hand to Liverpool, United is catching up to the current leaders, with only 5 points difference. With wins against Wigan and Bolton in the coming week, United could reach top spot before the end of nect week.

Manchester United 3 v Chelsea 0

08 January 2009

RONALDO CRASHES HIS FERRARI!

So apparently the spoiled star of the Red Devils was in a car accident in the early morning of thursday at Manchester. Driving his ferrari F599, he crashed into a barrier inside the tunnel on Wilmslow Road. I could not find any images, but I managed to have a sneak peek at a video footage released by ESPN. The front part of the car was totally wasted.

However, Ronaldo was unharmed and was able to step out of his car without any problems at all. After dealing with the Police, he then showed up at Carrington for the team's morning training session.

Looks like our skillfull boy isnt so skillfull on the road. Regardless, loosing a ferrari just means simply buying another new one when you earn millions of pounds a year.

04 January 2009

FA CUP: Comfortable Win For The Champions 05/01/09

Southampton 0 v Manchester United 3

It was a day without the big guns in United's starting 11, Tevez and Ronaldo were not even in the bench list, however Rooney was. Southampton starts with a rather youthful side.

An unusual formation for the match was that Anderson was playing on the Left Wing and Giggs went on playing right in the middle of the pitch. The Gaffer probably knew something about Southampton that none of us knows of. Welbeck was given the role to play just beside Berbatov, which was just nice as Berba needs someone that can run fast playing next to him.

United started out the first 10 minutes unconvincingly. Possesion was somewhat balanced, but The English Champions seemed unfamiliar with their own formation and lineups. 16th minute sees Nani's shot stopped. A perfect 1-2 with Berbatov gave Nani just enough room to release one towards Kelvin Davis. United had another descent chance on the 19th minute with Anderson lets fly a bomb of a shot. Too high on that occasion for the Brazillian, however, United managed to get the opening goal from a corner kick. John O'shea's header bounced off the woodwork after a beautiful corner kick by Nani, but the ball was not cleared by the Southampton defenders and Wellbeck took advantage of a point blank header towards the empty goal mouth. 1 - nil to United.

Manchester United failed to go up by 2 goals after a neat play by Carrick, dummy-ing a pass by Giggs letting it reach Berba, who made a perfect through ball to the running Carrick. Unfortunately, the midfielder failed to take the chance.

Southampton manages to make things worse for themselves with Matthew Paterson being sent off on the 36th Minutes. Ref Mike Riley saw the high studs by Paterson on Vidic and did not hesitate to produce the red.

The second half started amazingly fortunate for United when Nani converted a penalty just 2 minutes in. The spot kick was given after Nani's free kick effort hit one of Southampton's defender on the arm. Mike Riley pointed at the spot almost instantaneously. 2-0 for Champions. United would have been given another penalty minutes later after Welbeck was brought down by not one but two Southampton's defenders. Riley did not react to the tackle.

Possebon and Gibson was brought on for Carrick and Giggs on 56th minutes. Must have been precautionary. 63rd minute, Welbeck off, Rooney comes in. That was the 3rd switch for United with 25 minutes left to play. Highly unusual for Sir Alex to make such a move.

United's 3rd goal came on the 80th minute after Rooney sprints past Southampton's defense with ease, unleashing a nice square ball where Gibson was waiting inside the box. Gibson controlled the ball superbly and half volleys the ball to the top corner of Davis's goal.

A comfortable win in the end for the cup holders. After 3 consecutive 1-nil wins, United must feel really good with this big win. And looks like they didn't need Ronaldo after all.

02 January 2009

Serbians Signed For United

Manchester United has acquired the only 2 signings for this Season. Serbian duo Zoran Tosic and Adem Ljajic from Partizan Belgrade was the lucky two.

Tosic (left), 21 years old is a highly rated winger and has been in the Serbian National squad appearing 12 times. Ljajic (right), also a midfielder, is only 17 years old.

Tosic is expected to be joining the squad by next week, however, Sir Alex felt that Ljajic would acquire greater experiences staying at Partizan Belgrade for the remaining of the year. Ljajic is expected to join up United by 2010.

It was estimated at around 17 million pounds for the transfers of both of them.
Looks like Vidic will get some company and would be delighted that he can at last polish up his Serb language at the training ground.

01 January 2009

Ronaldo: I feel at home here

*The Interview below was extracted from manutd.com*

Cristiano Ronaldo may be adept at avoiding tackles but he didn't dodge anything when MUTV recently asked him about last summer's speculation. The Portuguese winger spoke openly and honestly about the situation, in response to Stewart Gardner's questions:


Very shortly after the Champions League final, there was massive speculation about your future. United fans were clearly concerned and worried about that. Looking back now, can you say what happened?

There’s always speculation, not just about me, but about the future of players all around the world. People were speaking about me this summer but that was normal because of what I did during the season. What people are saying now (the recent speculation about an agreement with Real Madrid) is not true. Who says that is a liar because I am happy at the club, I want to stay here. I feel at home here. I feel very happy here.

Were you at all worried about how the fans might react after seeing all the stories over the summer?

To be honest, no, because I think the people don’t forget quickly what you do for the club. When I arrived at the stadium, to play (my first game of this season) against Villarreal, I felt a little bit of pressure. But the fans were very good and this is why I feel the Manchester United supporters are amazing. I love the fans because they have been brilliant with me, not just this season but every season. Like I said before, I feel at home in Manchester.

Sir Alex went to see you in Lisbon this summer. How important was he and that meeting in the whole process?

The boss is always important for me, not just last season but every season. I am at this club because of him. He saw me in a few games before I played against Manchester United - people think I came here just because I played (well) against United but it’s not true. He’s always helped me and I said to him, “I want to be part of this club with you. I want to win trophies with you.” He’s very important in my career, Sir Alex Ferguson.

You’re only 23, you’ve achieved so much, and yet people say your peak will be at 27, 28 or 29. So what are you ambitions for the future?

Age is not important in football in my opinion. Experience yes, but you gain experience if you play and I have played many games at Manchester United with great players and I’ve won many things. This is why I think age is not important. The most difficult challenge now is to keep the same level as last year’s. This is what I’m trying to do. I feel prepared for that. My ambition is still the same, my character is still the same and I know what I can do.