Manchester United 2 Southampton 1

The net result was a win and the lead at the top of the premiership stretched to 7 points.

United for large parts of this game were constantly under the cosh and Southampton high tempo approach clearly rattled United into mistakes and in the end there was relief around Old Trafford as the final whistle was blown.

United again started the game with a 4-2-4 formation with Kagawa and Welbeck providing the width for Van Persie and Rooney.

The game got of to an awful start for United when Carrick played back a bouncing ball to De Gea and although his effort was not the best Southampton found themselves a goal up. Michael Carrick owed up to his mistake to detract the critics who seem to have it in for De Gea these days. My view that De Gea did the right make himself big and not touch the player as there was the prospect of a penalty and a red card.

United in shock decided rather than think about that early blip they went on the attack and a cute ball from Kagawa found Rooney who clean on goal guided it past Boruc. United's recovery was completed half way through the half when Rafael replacement Phil Jones made a good run down the wing but was fouled. The resulting free kick saw RVP pick out the aerial threat of Evra who headed across the goal and left Rooney with a tap in from a yard.

In between that Kagawa was unlucky with hitting the post and Welbeck posing several threats with direct runs.

The half ended with Carrick and Anderson dominating the midfield but the second half saw United face a more sterner test.

Southampton were a lot more direct and Puncheon and Lambert were a constant thorn in the United side. Vidic was excelling in the physical battle but Smalling was making a number of errors and was subbed to be replaced by the veteran Rio Ferdinand. The defence looked a lot stronger for the change.

Southampton had a few efforts with a Ricky Lambert free kick well saved by De Gea and Vidic putting in a vital block on a Lambert shot that looked goal bound.

United had few chances and a RVP header was well saved by Boruc and then moments later had a goal disallowed which would have made the last 10 minutes a bit calmer.

United survived and looked a bit more solid when Rafael and Nani came on and Jones being pushed into a more central midfield area.

In the end United got the win and from my point of view Southampton put up one of the best away displays at Old Trafford this season.

Man of the match only one contender and that was the skipper Vidic, he had a difficult night and coped with the aerial and physical threat.

Next up for United is a Saturday night visit to Craven Cottage to play Fulham.

Manchester United 4 Fulham 1

In terms of one sided games, this was up there. Fulham offered very little resistance and for only the keeper Mark Schwarzer the score would have been an embarrassing one for Martin Jol.

In front of a crowd of just under 73,000 Fulham away support was well short with less than 700 attending, maybe the weather and ticket prices may have played a part but that's another debate.

Fulham got off to the worst start possible when Aaron Hughes decided to punch the ball away from ex-Fulham defender Chris Smalling and a penalty awarded. Ryan Giggs stepped and converted his 3rd goal of the season to give United the lead.

Anderson and Carrick were dominating midfield and Anderson was driving the team forward although the odd pass went astray.

United's defence had a quiet night and Jones and Smalling marshalled the defence well and De Gea had very little to do.

Mark Schwarzer made a great save from Rooney and there was no doubt United should have had a 2nd penalty when Damien Duff also hand balled but Referee Mark Clattenberg missed that one.

The second half began with United on the attack and 3 goals followed in a blistering 15 minute spell. First to get on the act was Rooney who from the edge of the box buried the ball past a Schwarzer, 2 minutes later Nani cross eventually found it's way to Hernandez who steered in the third. Fulham slightly recovered but a fourth soon came when Hernandez again was free in the box and his deflected shot bamboozled Schwarzer and the game was well and truly up for Fulham.

United took the foot off the gas and Scholes, Valencia and Kagawa came on to sew up the midfield who had done a fantastic job.

Fulham to there credit played a bit in the last 15 minutes and were rewarded when Aaron Hughes header beat De Gea at the near post to give the small travelling pocket of fans something to cheer.

United won the game easily and the draw in the 5th round has seen another home tie against Reading.

Man of the match was a difficult choice but Anderson just shaded it above Carrick and Giggs.

Next up for United is a home game against Southampton, the games are coming thick and fast...

Tottenham Hotspur 1 Manchester United 1

In terms of the championship this was two points dropped as United conceded a deep injury time equaliser.

The team United put out was without any natural wingers with Cleverley and Welbeck carrying out the duties. Phil Jones was the midfield enforcer with Carrick and Kagawa pulling the strings in the middle.

RVP was again up front on his own with Rooney on the bench. The defence had a bit more steel to it with Rio and Vidic in the middle and Rafael and Evra on the flanks to help stop the Lennon and Bale show.

The game only got the go ahead an hour before kick off due to the persistent snow but thankfully it went ahead. The game started off slowly as both teams tested each other out, Tottenham had a few early when De gea made a great save from Defoe.

Halfway through the first half United took the lead when a ball fed into Kagawa was quickly turned to Carrick. The ex-Tottenham midfielder then found Welbeck on the left and he cut inside and drifted across the box. Welbeck then passed to Cleverley and with a pinpoint cross found an unmarked RVP who put in a bullet header for his 22nd goal of the season.

Tottenham again knocked at the door and the only notable chance was a shot deflected by Rio which wrong footed De Gea but somehow he got his foot to it to clear the trouble.

The second half saw united break on the counter and pretty much the defence were under pressure but were coping admirably. De Gea again made a great save from Clint Dempsey as he broke through and he deflected the shot wide.

Defoe also had a half chance but Rio put in a great block to keep the one goal lead. United made a couple of changes with Rooney and Valencia coming on and Rooney had a penalty shout turned down when he went sown under a clumsy challenge but the linesmen didn't give it.

As injury time approached United looked comfortable and deep into injury time a cross came in where Lennon beat Rafael to the ball and he squared the ball to Dempsey who stroked the ball into the net for the late equaliser.

United lead at the top now down to 5 points but in the cold light of the day, an away point at a top 4 team isn't a disaster.

The main talking points for United was the penalty not been given and the lack of form for Tony Valencia. Cleverley was subbed who looked to have Bale quiet and was tidy in possession and helped the defence in stemming the Tottenham attacks. Valencia seemed to me to upset the last 15 minutes and United lost a bit of shape and thus surrendered possession to Tottenham.

Man of the match was De Gea who made vital saves and although his punch on the goal wasnt the best, it could be argued we could have been 3 or 4 goals down at that stage.

Next up is the FA Cup with Fulham visiting Old Trafford.    

Manchester United 1 West Ham United 0

In the end it was a routine win but not without a struggle. The reward was a fourth round appearance against Fulham and the young defence kept a clean sheet.

United made 10 changes from the Liverpool game at the weekend with rafael surviving the chop. The defence saw Smalling and Jones at centre half and Buttner at left back. Anderson and Giggs in centre midfield with Rooney and Hernandez leading the charge up front.

On a cold night at Old Trafford there was noticeable empty seats but still a crowd over 71,000 was in attendance even though i was hoping extra time would not be a factor.

United started off well and got the lead inside 10 minutes where Hernandez broke through the defence and his pass into the middle of the penalty box was met by Rooney who slid the ball into the net to give United the lead.

West Ham puffed a lot but rarely a threat on the goal. Anderson and Giggs were enjoying more of the possession but both defences were on top.

The second half saw United get increasing possession but West Ham were starting to get some shots in. Smalling and Jones played well at the back and snuffed any chances that West Ham threw at them. They were unlucky when Rafael looked to have hand balled although the evidence showed ball to hand, but the inconsistency of referring saw a similar incident in the United box and a penalty given. Rooney stepped up and blasted over the bar. That was the 10th penalty he has missed since joining United.

The final minutes saw a nervy United but thankfully kept them out and United gained the win.

The men of the match was three players. Smalling and Jones were very solid and kept a good shape and limited West Ham to a few chances. Also Buttner was very impressive with his forward runs and his defensive duties. The defence played well and another clean sheet was very encouraging.

Next up for United is Tottenham away in the league on Sunday with plenty of big names rested and Rooney with a game under his belt. 

Manchester United 2 Liverpool 1

One of the games biggest football rivalries ended up with a United win, a double over Liverpool and a 10 point lead at the top of the table. A perfect day for a United fan.

In terms of the game itself, it was a game of two halves. United had the better of the first half and should have been out of sight, but Liverpool shaded it in the second half and ran out of time and chances to get a draw.

The line up for United saw Vidic and Ferdinand resume there dominant partnership and were well flanked by Rafael and Evra. The midfield saw Carrick and Cleverley battle in the middle and Young and Kagawa out wide. Welbeck supported RVP up front.

United started very well, with United winning the midfield battle with Carrick in particular dominating the midfield with his tackling and distribution. Chances were rare in the first 15 minutes but United did not have to wait long when Welbeck sprayed the ball the Evra who sent in a low ball and RVP shook off Agger and guided the ball past Reina.

Cleverley had a volley that just went past the post and Welbeck was a constant nuisance to the Liverpool defence and he had a few chances but his final shot was well below par. However, his performance was one off providing support and doing the donkey work for RVP.

United could have gone 2 up on the stroke of half time when a ball by Carrick was latched onto by Rafael who passed the ball to RVP who flicked it towards the goal but Skertal cleared only for Kagawa to clatter Reina and the chance was up.

The second half started and United got an early goal when Welbeck was chopped down and the resulting free kick was floated into the box by RVP and was met by Evra head which took a deflection of Vidic. The dubious goal committee do not get involved if it is two of the same team so Vidic should get the shout for the second goal.

Liverpool made a great response when sub Daniel Sturridge lashed in a rebound from De Gea save after a fine shot by Stevie Gerrard. Liverpool then got a stranglehold on the game and Carrick and Cleverley were now getting no time on the ball. United made several changes to try and stem the tide and the chances were limited with only Sturridge getting the chances.

Kagawa had a fine chance to put the game to bed but Reina pulled off a great save to frustrate United. The game saw 4 minutes of stoppage time and United held off and got the three points.

Very difficult to pick a man of the match but Rafael and Welbeck were outstanding for there drive and commitment. The defence looked very tight with Vidic and Rio who very vocal and very organised. Carrick played well but got squeezed out in the second half. RVP took a lot of hits and was very economical with the ball.

United went ten points clear as City were playing after and with Tottenham next in the league, the games are coming thick and fast.

West Ham Uunited 2 Manchester United 2

The passion of the FA cup had certainly reached fever pitch at Upton park on Saturday evening. Virtually the last kick of the game RVP scored a superb equaliser and cue delirious celebrations on the terraces and the dugout.

United made several changes where Buttner, Scholes made rare starts and Rafael made an appearance on the wing. The goalkeeping situation suggests that De Gea has made the number 1 spot his own, after his 2 clean sheets in the last week.

United started very confidently and were knocking the ball about swiftly with Cleverley make some prominent runs and Welbeck and Hernandez were moving the West ham defence around.

United got the breakthrough when a break down the right and Rafael cross went across the penalty box where a Tom Cleverley unmarked stroked the ball home and United were up and running.

The lead did not last long as Joe Cole on his return back to West ham put in a cross where James Collins headed past a stranded De Gea. West ham had there tails up and were soon running the midfield. Paul Scholes was soon in trouble and was given a yellow card for a mistimed tackle.

United's defence was struggling with the flow of crosses coming in and half time could not have come sooner. However, Welbeck had a great chance to score but came close after a great run through the defence.

The second half saw an exact same Joe Cole cross met by James Collins header to score a fantastic header to give the Hammers the lead. United were pressing hard but without any success and the likelihood was that the Hammers could increase there lead.

United sent on RVP and Valencia to shake things up as Sir Alex was visibly looking worried by the threat of an early exit from the cup. As the 90th minute approached Giggs had a wonderful chance to head the equaliser from a Rafael cross but the veteran headed over from 6 yards.

At that point 4 minutes was announced as stoppage time and Ryan Giggs received the ball and sent a wonderful long range ball over the West Ham defence and RVP controlled the ball with his left foot then smashed the ball with his right foot into the Hammers net. Cue the celebrations and relief. Valencia had a chance with the last kick off the game but blasted high.

So a replay Wednesday week is something to look forward and who says the FA cup is dead.

FA cup is back

Following United since the mid seventies the FA cup was an important part of the season. Back in those days we were hardly competing in the league and a good cup run was important to keep the season going.

My first memory was a losing one, the 1976 final where United got beaten by lower league team Southampton 1-0. However, the following year we got the cup when Tommy Doc United beat Liverpool 2-1 and prevented them from winning the treble, the significance only realised some years later!

They returned again in 1979 when Dave Sexton led United to the twin towers against Arsenal and going into the last 3 minutes United were 2 -0 down but somehow scored twice in a minute to level only to lose it on the last kick of the game! this wasn't the last time would kick us in the teeth in a FA cup final.

Big Ron Atkinson had taken over the team and he led us to victories in 1983 and 1985. In 1983 we beat relegated Brighton 4-0 after a replay where Bryan Robson scored a brace and led United from the front. Two years later a 10 man United stopped Everton when a Norman Whiteside curler from outside the box in extra time helped United gain the trophy.

The next time United got to the final was in 1990 when Sir Alex led United to his first trophy. They did it the hard way as United did not get one home game during the run and beat Crystal Palace 1-0 in a replay via a Lee Marten goal.

The 1990s saw a few appearances, in 1994  United completed the double with a 4-0 win over Chelsea where Eric Cantona scored 2 penalties. 1995 saw a 1-0 loss against Everton Cantona suspension hampered United's chances. A year later United did the double when a late Cantona goal beat Liverpool 1-0. In 1999 United appeared again when they clinched the treble that season beating Newcastle 2-0 despite losing skipper Roy Keane to injury early on.

It was a few later before United got to the final. United played championship side Millwall in Cardiff and won 3-0 with Van Nistelrooy and Ronaldo on the score sheet. The following year United played Arsenal and lost on penalties. United were absolutely mugged and the Arsenal goal led a charmed life to say the least. In 2007 the final returned to Wembley where United were on course to clinch the double but were beaten 1-0 in extra time by Chelsea.

Since then United have made some good runs but not winning the trophy. Compared to 1970s and 1980s where United only hope was an FA cup run, since the formation of the premiership United have had plenty to aim for with league titles and Champions league, the FA cup has taken a back step where usually reserve and youth teamers have featured strongly. That said United do get some rotten draws where last season we drew Manchester City and Liverpool away.

United face West Ham Saturday evening and the word is United will not put out a strong team where RVP is already away in Holland on a well deserved break following his exertions over the Christmas period.

The FA cup may not get the pull it did when I first started following United but it is important and I am sure United will go for it on Saturday. After all we still hold the record with the most FA cup wins. 

Wigan Athletic 0 Manchester United 4

Another new year and another winning game in the quest to get the title back from Manchester City.

Last season new year fixture saw United go down miserably in a 3-0 defeat at Newcastle but there was no mistakes this time.

United saw the return of Rafael after injury and a rare start for Ryan Giggs. United started the game on the attack and had an early disallowed for offside. Wigan had plenty of possession at the start of the game but rarely threatened the United goal. It took United 35 minutes to make the breakthrough. A well crafted goal that saw Evra take a low shot and a rebound from El-Habsi landed at Hernandez feet who smashed the ball in the net.

Wigan never really recovered and a mix up in the defence saw Hernandez take the ball forward and lay the ball to RVP and on his right foot stroked the ball into the net and United now enjoyed a 2 goal lead at half time.

The second half saw Wigan go for it and they thought they made a dent on the scoreline when Kone had scored but was correctly called for offside. This spurred United on and a free kick outside the box saw RVP effort rebound of the wall and as quick as a flash Hernandez thrashed the ball down the middle and the game now over.

United kept control of the game and the final nail in the coffin saw 2 defenders again knock into each other and this presented Welbeck the opportunity of squaring the ball to RVP who stroked the ball into the net for a comprehensive 4-0 win.

The win maintains United's lead at the top by 7 points. A pleasing aspect of the performance was the second clean sheet in a row and the first time that has happened this season. Carrick and Cleverley again were dominant in the midfield and the strike force of RVP and Hernandez caused Wigan problems with there movement.

Man of the match was Hernandez who was a constant thorn and was unlucky not to get his first hat trick for United.

Next up is a FA Cup tie at Upton Park and the next league game.....Liverpool