Queens Park Rangers 0 Manchester United 2

On his 999th senior appearance Ryan Giggs shows no signs of his powers waning. He may not have the pace of yesteryear but his influence on a young team is there for all to see. A majestic performance saw United briefly open up a 15 point lead and another Giggs goal in the catalogue of important goals for United.

In truth United cruised for most of this game with QPR offering very little in the forward department, in fact the total goals they have scored in the premiership has been matched by RVP on his own.

United had a good chance on the 16th minute when a cheeky Chico header was well saved by Cesar in the QPR goal. A Nani cross minutes later was narrowly missed by the outstretched leg of Hernandez.

Half way through the first came possibly United contender for goal of the season. RVP had a shot well saved by Cesar and the parry out was met by Rafael on the charge and from 25 yards unleashed a bullet that rocketed into the top corner.

Rafael has become an integral part of United this season not only for defending but his goal output of 3 goals has been crucial. He was called upon to defend on the 35th minute when a header from the huge Chris Samba was cleared off the line, he then took the ball forward and pinpointed a superb ball to RVP whose shot was tipped around the post by Cesar.

That was his last contribution as RVP was subbed after coming off worst with a stationary camera behind the goal and his hip was aggravated. Real Madrid a week away, it was the opportunity to take him off, on came Welbeck to carry on the good work done.

The second half took a while to get going but QPR forward Remy on the 65th minute was thwarted by De Gea who is now looking to be a solid keeper and hopefully shut those critics for good.

The last 15 minutes saw chances and Rooney had a chance but a flying tackle by Clint Hill kept QPR in the game, however there luck would not hold out. Danny Welbeck chased the QPR defence into submission and with the ball at Nani's feet he sent in a ball to Giggs who sprung the offside trap and smashed the ball past Cesar.

A minute later Giggs could have scored a second goal. A ball by Valencia found Giggs on the edge of the box and he did a Cantona-esque chip which bounced off the bar, the follow up was blasted over by Nani.

A solid display by United and only 3 goals conceded in the last 8 premiership games and Rafael is looking an important part along with De Gea. In terms of man of the match it can only be Ryan Giggs, a true living legend.    

Manchester United 2 Reading 1

For 40 minutes the game was going nowhere, United had huffed and puffed but couldn't blow the   Reading door down mainly in part to some superb goalkeeping from the Reading keeper Federici. As often the case it takes a quirk fate to spark the game.

Phil Jones who has been superb in the last few games with his effective man marking of Fellani and Ronaldo over the past few weeks suffered a late tackle and had to hobble off. Cue Nani and the 50 odd minutes he played was one of his best displays in a United shirt.

In the 5 minutes he played in the first half he smashed the post with Federici beaten and moments later another shot that was finely saved.

Federici was a thorn in United's side with fine saves from Welbeck, Cleverley and Young. Reading also had a chance when De Gea made a fine save from a goal bound effort from Adam LeFondre.

The second half saw much the same with United dominating possession and Anderson going close but another Federici save frustrated United. Going into the last 20 minutes Reading legs were tarting to wobble with the running they had to put in and Valencia who was playing a right back role fed Nani who lashed the ball in and the relief was audible. 2 minutes later Nani turned provider and his wicked cross was met by Hernandez who headed in his 15th goal of the season. In between the Goals De Gea made a great double save but he was finally beaten with 9 minutes to go when Hunt beat Smalling to the ball and the ball fell to McAnuff who slid it under De Gea.

Welbeck had a chance to clinch it at the end but his touch deserted him and the injury time saw a few nervy moments especially when a LeFondre header narrowly missed but a quarter final tie guaranteed at home and one game away from a return to Wembley.

Man of the match, Nani. HE only played half a game but his contribution was immense.

Real Madrid 1 Manchester United 1

An absolute cracking game which ended up all square and everything to play for in 3 weeks time at Old Trafford.

The game saw Ronaldo play against his old team and his contribution did not disappoint. United's line up saw several key changes. Skipper Vidic did not start as Rio appeared along side Jonny Evans and Danny Welbeck and Kagawa also started in a four pronged attack with RVP and Rooney.

The game saw United keeper De Gea return to his home city and he was called into action straight away when a Coentrao shot was finger tipped onto the post and United avoided the early goal syndrome. Madrid were bossing the game with Khadeira and Ronaldo going close. That was to change on the 20th Minute when a Rooney corner found Welbeck who out muscled Ramos and headed the ball past a stranded Lopez in the Madrid goal.

United confidence grew and the attacking play was causing concern to Madrid and in particular Welbeck was having a fine game in a United shirt. However, the lead was a slender one with Ronaldo going close and a Ozil shot finely saved by De Gea but Madrid equalised and it was a fantastic header from Ronaldo.

Ronaldo met a perfect cross and rose well above Evra and his header was absolutely perfect and gave De Gea no chance. Madrid had pinpointed United full backs as weak spots with the crosses that were put in but United coped and although Rafael got given the runaround he recovered enough in to play well in the second half.

United were clinging on towards the end of the half with Ronaldo fizzing one over the bar and Phil Jones barging Di Maria in the box but thankfully no penalty awarded. De Gea also made a fantastic unorthodox save from Coentrao with his feet at the back post.

Madrid started the second half strongly and Ronaldo testing De Gea and Di Maria with a glorious half volley which went past the post narrowly. United had a chance when a Carrick through ball found Evra on the goal side of Varane who then decided to trip in front of the referee and the verdict PLAY ON!! it could be argued Varane was lucky not to see Red.

With 20 minutes to go there was a mad 60 seconds where United could have scored twice. Rooney had slipped a great ball to RVP who unleashed a shot which Lopez tipped onto the bar and the clearance was cut out by Carrick who found RVP in the box facing Lopez and he guided the ball past him weakly and Xabi Alonso had enough time to clear the ball.

United were beginning to stifel the threat of Madrid but Khadeira had a shot saved well by De Gea, the final seconds of the game saw RVP low shot tipped around the post by Lopez and the game finished 1-1.

A great result and all to play for at Old Trafford.

As for man of the match David De Gea was the man, a top performance and hopefully this will prove the doubters that this lad is special. Also a shout for Danny Welbeck who always plays with his heart and he put in a true warrior performance and his Messi run in the second half deserved a goal.

Next up is an FA cup tie at Old Trafford against Reading.

Manchester United 2 Everton 0

On a day where the banner that adorned the Stretford End 'We'll never die' in homage to the Busby Babes, it was fitting that a homegrown United player should score on this occasion.

Ryan Giggs in his 23rd Season of the premiership made a rare start but showed that at 39 he is still a United player and although the pace has dropped his enthusiasm and spirit still glows.

Everton were the visitors and the visit in April where United drew 4-4 and effectively handed the title to City was still raw with United supporters and the team as well.

United sent out a strong team considering a visit to Madrid on Wednesday but following City defeat on Saturday night this was a perfect opportunity to build a 12 point lead.

Evans made a comeback in place of Rio Ferdinand and Phil Jones the task of shadowing Fellani who has been a pest to United over the last couple of years.

United made a great start and RVP had a chance early on where he rounded Tim Howard only to find the post. However, the goal followed after a long ball headed on by Valencia found RVP who guided the ball to Giggs who scored via the same post that RVP had hit. The goal was special not only because of the remembrance but it was a goal which represented a 23rd consecutive season.

Everton gave it a go and Leon Osman had a long range volley saved by De Gea and a cross by Phil Neville where Anchibe had a chance but a combination of Evans and Rafael cleared. Also Everton corners were a threat and vital blocks by Vidic and Jones saved United.

Rafael and Valencia were nullifying the threat of Baines and Pienaar on the Everton left and Rafael was winning every tackle and one led him to charge upfront and a deft ball to RVP who sprang a high Everton back line, he proceeded to goal, rounded Howard and the ball was in the net despite Hettinga vain attempts.

Rooney was also playing well and selfish play and defending was a credit and certainly Phil Neville felt a few of his tackles.

The second half was merely a solid United defensive display where they have now only conceded 3 goals in the last 7 premiership games. RVP had a great chance near the end after a great ball by Giggs but he steered the ball wide.

Jonny Evans was denied 3 times in as many seconds but a combination of Howard in goal and Jagielka managed to keep the score down to 2 goals.

Man of the match was a difficult choice but the defence stood out with Rafael sterling tackling and forward runs and Vidic managing of the back line outstanding.

United go 12 points clear and next up Real Madrid and Ronaldo.



    

Fulham 0 Manchester United 1

Last Saturday United punished a poor Fulham team last week 4-1 in the FA cup but this Saturday evening encounter was a completely different encounter.

The team news saw Vidic not play and the return of Jonny Evans along side Rio in the heart of the defence. United also started with 2 natural wingers with Valencia and Nani providing the ammo for RVP and Rooney.

The game got off to a furious start where both teams could have scored early. United pressed ahead and a Rooney header was saved by Schwarzer and the subsequent rebound hit the crossbar following a Nani shot. Schwarzer also made a good save from Nani and a glorious move down the left saw a Rooney shot hit the post. Fulham also made some good efforts with Riise long range effort pushed over the bar by De Gea and he also deflected a Duff shot onto the post.

The game was nearing half time when the ground plunged into the dark abyss. The second time this season this has happened to United when a goal down to Braga in Portugal the lights went out only to return and United blast 3 late goals!

The second half slowed a bit but both teams still pressing for the opening goal. Fulham invited some very good crosses and Evans and Ferdinand made some timely interventions.

The only goal of the game saw a ball pumped down the right where RVP and Senderos competed with the latter missing the ball and Rooney seized on the open space to approach the box and guide the ball into the corner of the net to give United the lead.

Hernandez had a chance late on to finish it off but his usual predatory instinct was off target. There was the usual nervy last few minutes but the defence held out.

Man of the match was Wayne Rooney who manfully did the full shift with his defending, tackling, going forward and of course the winning goal.

Next up for United is the visit of Everton where last year a 4-4 draw scuppered United Title hopes.