United regain top spot
January 17, 2009
Manchester United climbed to the top of the Premier League table yesterday although they left it late to overcome local rivals Bolton Wanderers.
Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov was the hero after he headed home from close range following a cross from Carlos Tevez. The breakthrough came in the final minute of the match when it looked as though the Champions would be held to a goalless draw at the Reebok Stadium.
For most of the game United were thwarted by Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen who was in inspired form – brilliantly saving two Ronaldo free kicks and one accurately placed header from the World Player of the Year.
The result means that United have now equalled the record which Chelsea set in 2004-5 in not having conceded a goal in ten consecutive Premier League games.
Liverpool have the opportunity to regain top spot however when they face Everton in the Merseyside derby on Monday evening. You would be a brave man to bet against a third consecutive Manchester United championship however and they are certainly W I E ‘s tip to lift the coveted trophy come next May.
Aston Villa have also opened up a three point gap in fourth place and are looking increasingly likely to break in to the top four this season.
United hammer sorry Chelsea
January 11, 2009
Manchester United heaped the pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool this afternoon with a thumping three nil victory against Chelsea.
In truth there was only ever one team in the contest and Big Phil Scolari now has serious issues if he is to keep his job at the end of the season. This was a tired, uninventive and weak Chelsea team who were always going to be brushed aside by the current Champions. Some bookies offered up to 20/1 for United to win three nil – if they knew how badly they would play, I guess they would not have gone anywhere near that mark.
So United have the opportunity to go top if they beat Wigan in midweek and Bolton following this. It would take a brave man to bet against the Old Trafford outfit being top by the time Liverpool play next. It certainly looks like the title is United’s for the taking with Liverpool and Chelsea seemingly faltering already. We all know how strong United are in the second half of the season and if you are a betting man then you could do worse than putting a few quid on Sir Alex claiming the quadruple this season.
Bore draw sees United and Villarreal through
November 26, 2008
Manchester United and their opponents Villarreal played out a dull scoreless draw to see them both through to the knockout stages of the champion’s league last night. There were few openings during the game, with the highlight being Cristiano Ronaldo’s effort that was turned onto the bar by Villarreal keeper Diego Lopez.
The draw proved to be the fourth straight 0-0 between the two sides, which probably didn’t surprise many people.
The match wasn’t without a talking point though as Villarreal’s Capdevila was sent off for a high challenge on Ronaldo, a challenge that prompted United manager Sir Alex Ferguson to complain about his star player’s constant treatment in recent matches.
The home crowd believed the United man had made more of the challenge that he should have, and howled at him during the remaining ten minutes.
There was an earlier contentious moment when Rooney appeared to have been fouled for a penalty, to which the replay showed he had clearly dived as there was no contact. Rooney has since apologised for his dive.
As a result of the game, Celtic go out of Europe after they lost 2-1 in Denmark.
Rob Stiles is a true Red
September 29, 2008
Just what is it about Manchester United and penalties? Do they have different rules to the rest of us? Why have there only been two penalties awarded to away teams in the last decade?
These questions and more can be answered by one simple fact, they cheat. This needed no more proof than the decision by Rob Stiles on the weekend when he awarded Manchester United a penalty because Cristiano Ronaldo fell over the vicinity of the penalty area.
Charlie Nicholas on Sky Sports called it the most outrageous decision he’d ever seen, Ronaldo himself didn’t even appeal for it, and even Sir Alex Ferguson said it wasn’t a penalty.
Yet, Rob Stiles saw a penalty. The United players tried to hide their embarrassment through laughter and Bolton Gary Megson described the incident as a nonsense.
It was an absolute nonsense. I don’t think anyone in the ground thought it was an actual penalty.
We thought that Ronaldo was going to get booked for diving, which would have been strong, but to give a penalty was a complete surprise – it was an absolute nonsense decision.
He’s played the ball, it’s not even close, and Cristiano’s fallen over his leg.
Stiles incidentally is the same referee who awarded Chelsea a penalty at Anfield last season, for which he was suspended for a few games.
The man’s a disgrace and shouldn’t referee another game.
City eye Tevez
September 23, 2008
Moneybags Manchester City are now looking across Manchester for their latest target, but it’s not Ronaldo. This time City are eying up Manchester United’s Argentinean striker Carlos Tevez. The decision might not be United’s to make either, as Tevez isn’t actually a United player, he’s still on loan at the club from West Ham, though the real ownership of the player is in much doubt after his agent seemed to own him, and of course Sheffield United famously complained that he shouldn’t have been allowed to play for the Hammers when they stayed up through Tevez, and Sheffield United were relegated.
Now the future of Tevez looks even more clouded as City, fresh from their 6-0 mauling of Pompey at the weekend, are setting their sights on the best players in the world, of which Tevez is certainly one.
Tevez agent (and possibly his owner, we’re not really sure) Joorabchian, the man who also brought Tevez to England, says that Tevez is staying at United:
Carlos is not joining Manchester City.
All this talk linking him with them is a complete load of nonsense.
He is a Manchester United player through and through and is looking forward to signing a long-term contract with them in the near future.
Though Joorabchian is a man of money, which is something that Manchester City have in abundance. They wouldn’t even need to take out any secured loans. Money, as everyone knows, has a habit of talking.
United denied victory against Chelsea
September 21, 2008
It’s been a difficult start to the season for Manchester United, losing to Liverpool, drawing a blank at home in Europe and languishing in the bottom half of the table. What better way to get their season started than by beating Premiership rivals Chelsea on their own turf, and ending their 84 game unbeaten run at the Bridge?
That’s just what United came close to doing, as they led Chelsea after just 18 minutes through Ji-Sung Park. It wasn’t all United though as their Dutch keeper, van der Sar, went off injured in the first half, only to be replaced by Tomasz Kuszczak.
Chelsea came more and more into the game, with Cole and Anelka missing chances to equalise before Kalou preserved their unbeaten run with a header ten minutes from time.
Just like at Anfield last week, United started well but lost their way as the game went on, allowing the home side to dominate proceedings. Chelsea however, while happy with a point, could have won the game with the chances and dominance they had in the second half.
One good sign for United was Ronaldo coming on and again looking fit and ready for the season to begin in earnest. The draw does neither side much good, as Arsenal leap frogged Chelsea and Liverpool yesterday to lead the way, and United stay in the bottom half of the table.
Man UTD poor start continues
September 18, 2008
Manchester United’s stuttering start to the season continued last night as they drew a blank in the Theatre of Dreams against Villarreal. United are in the bottom half of the table, lost on the weekend to bitter rivals Liverpool and have only won one of their league games so far. Last night they opened the defence of their European crown with a dismal 0-0 draw to Spanish side Villarreal.
While their fickle fans might be getting restless, Sir Alex Ferguson is confident that his team will recover and hit form before too long. They’ll need to as well because this Sunday they face league leaders Chelsea in the Premiership.
We are a bit short but the games will bring us on.
We will improve from now. We have a little bit to go yet. But once the sharpness of play comes, I am sure the goals will come as well.
Their start to the season has been poor by their standards, and they face their toughest test away to Chelsea without centre half Vidic.
There is some good news for United though as Ronaldo has returned to fitness and should be available for Sunday, however new signing Berbatov missed the champions league game through injury.
Ronaldo set to return as United push the panic button
September 14, 2008
After their poor start to the season, winning just four points in three games, and defeat yesterday to Liverpool, Manchester United have pushed the panic button and are looking to rush Cristiano Ronaldo back from injury early.
They need him too!
The Portuguese player is expected to return for United on Wednesday night for their opening Champions League game against Villarreal. He’s been missing for the start of the season after undergoing surgery on his ankle during the summer. He wasn’t expected to make his return until October, but as United’s season looks like getting away from them before they start, he’s being rushed back early.
United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, said that Ronaldo could be back for Wednesday, and for the game next weekend against Chelsea in a match United dare not lose.
He’s been making great strides in the direction towards first-team football.
Ronaldo is training now, he’s with the first team and he’s aiming to be a substitute at Chelsea on 21 September. He’s come on leaps and bounds.
I think we mentioned a couple of weeks ago he was making rapid progress in terms of overcoming the injury problem he had and the training he’s been doing with the physios and Tony Strudwick the fitness coach.
Liverpool beat United 2-1
September 13, 2008
Liverpool notched up their first league win over Manchester United since Rafael Benitez took charge at Anfield, with a 2-1 win over the champions this afternoon. United looked to stamp their dominance on the title race with new boy Berbatov lining up alongside Rooney and Tevez, making a formidable attacking formation for United.
Plus with Liverpool being without inspirational skipper Gerrard and star striker Torres, United looked to have the edge. They showed their upper hand early on too, when Berbatov beat several defenders to set up Tevez to score the opener for United after just three minutes.
It proved a false dawn for the champions however as they failed to work the Liverpool keeper for the rest of the half, as the home side came more and more into the game. It was on twenty-five minutes when Liverpool equalised, when Wes Brown turned the ball into his own net.
The second half saw Babel and Gerrard introduced, as Liverpool moved up to something resembling full strength. As the game reached its final stages, Babel turned in a cross for a much deserved Liverpool win, giving the reds their first league win over United for years.
Manchester City try to steal Berbatov for £30 million
September 1, 2008
In an audacious last gasp effort, Man City are trying to hijack rivals Manchester United’s bid for Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov. City has had a £30 million bid for the player accepted by Tottenham, but the player is still keen on joining the Reds and wants to play in the Champions League.
Berbatov is in talks with United, even though Spurs have yet to accept a bid from the champions for their player. The Abu Dhabi United Group, who own Manchester City, have tabled the bid in an attempt to steal the player from bitter rivals Man UTD. City manager Mark Hughes hopes to meet the player today to discuss the transfer, but he’ll have to be quick because the transfer deadline closes tonight.
Thaksin Shinawatra only agreed to sell the club to the Abu Dhabi United Group today, and already they’re weighing in with what would be the transfer coup of the season. If only they had more time before the transfer window closes.
Mark Hughes is delighted with the speed that things have happened at City today:
It’s happened quite quickly today.
We are going to try and bring good players to the club and it is a notice of our intent and we’ll try and get him.
There is a real buzz and expectation and hopefully this time it won’t be a false dawn and we can establish ourselves as a top six club.
They [the new owners] have the means to do that.
I wanted the resources to compete at the top table and it looks like that’s what I have got.
Whether Berbatov agrees to join City is another matter, but he only has a few hours to make his mind up.
