Manchester United 4 Norwich City 0

In front of a crowd of just under 59,000 United eased into the quarter finals with a comfortable win over Norwich to extend there unbeaten run to 6 games. It was a much changed United line up with many players doing themselves no harm.

Two-goal Chicharito wasn't the only player to shine as the youngsters Adnan Januzaj and Wilfried Zaha both excelled, whilst at the back the old guard of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic returned to the defence to oversee a clean sheet.

United had much the better of the play throughout, with Januzaj and Zaha both prominent in attack. The former played the no.10 role with presence and panache and the latter threatened frequently on the right in his second appearance for the Reds - his first start since August Charity Shield appearance.

Zaha set the tone after 13 minutes with a teasing cross for Hernandez, whose shot on the spin was deflected wide. Chicharito twice went close with first-half headers but his, and United's, opening goal came from the spot.

Januzaj jinked one way and another in the box and Leroy Fer clumsily clipped his heels. Chicharito confidently sent Norwich keeper Mark Bunn the wrong way to give United the lead.

Chicharito added to his tally after the break as he headed home at the second attempt from Alex Büttner's inviting cross on 53 minutes, while Anders Lindegaard made a good save from Robert Snodgrass' header, one of the few occasions he was called into action. The game was delayed for 10 minutes as Snodgrass was carried off with a bad looking neck injury but hopefully he will get the all clear soon.

 Phil Jones added gloss to his own impressive midfield display by volleying a Zidane type goal for  United's third on 87 minutes and in the fourth of 11 added minutes substitute Fabio bundled home the ball in a one-on-one with Bunn.

It was a wonderful display full of attacking intent and hopefully now the team can gain confidence and push on.

Manchester United 3 Stoke City 2

Another nervy win at home for United but ultimately 3 points were gained and some much restored pride.

The weekend main talking point was not the way United clawed there way back in the time old fashion of Ferguson days but was the booing of the team and certain individuals. I stood on the Stretford End and could not believe my ears the booing of the team at Half time. Granted, they were not at there fluent best but the booing was not required especially as the team had just fallen behind 2-1.

Nani in particular got the flak of many and was his worst performance in a United shirt but the lad needs encouragement not jeers. His substitution again was greeted with relief and I cant say he will ever play again given the intensity of hatred he received.

We are going through a sticky spell but we need to stick together and get behind United. The match again was a game of two halves, the first half saw Stoke the dominant team and take the lead through Peter Crouch. United huffed and puffed but couldn't blow the house down, De Gea made a crucial save from Walters and United equalised near half time when Nani cross saw Rooney's header saved but RVP bang in the rebound. 60 seconds later a rash challenge from Jones saw the resultant free kick end up in the net with De Gea.

The second half was a lot better and Janusaj and Valencia making a big difference on for the ineffective Cleverley and Nani and a late burst by United saw them rescue the game and the three points.

A corner was met by Rooney whose glancing header ended up in the net and less than 90 seconds later a wonderful Evra cross was met by a unmarked Chico in the box who had the task of heading the ball into a unguarded net.

The relief at the end was audible and only 2nd home win in the league this season. This could be the kick start the team needed. Still 8 points behind Arsenal but they still have to play Liverpool and Then United at Old Trafford so who knows by end of November we could be sitting top and laughing about the past few months.

Manchester United 1 Southampton 1

Saturday late equaliser and the rain downpour that followed as I left the ground did nothing to cancel the disappointment of another late goal against United.

We have been the architects of many a team downfall with late goals but United particularly at Old Trafford are falling victim to the United way.

It is easy to be negative and blame everyone or Moyes in this case but United are going through a sticky patch and we need to stick together. Saturday performance was a marked improvement on the West Brom performance but it is our inability to finish off teams is of concern particularly as Arsenal, City and Chelsea seem to have hit the right notes.

The defence looked solid with Jones and Evans at the centre half berth but Evra positioning at times was not great whether Januzaj is not covering maybe a factor but Ronaldo was also not a defender so we need men to attack. Rafael was great going forward and him and Nani were a constant thorn in Southampton very tight defence.

The midfield saw Carrick and Fellani fill the middle and again some people seem to be taking it out on Fellani. He played well  along side Carrick and won his fair share of headers and tackles but you can't help feeling we do need a Paul Scholes clone to start the team ticking over and moving the ball forward with purpose.

Upfront Rooney and Van Persie started and although they both did well it was noticeable that Rooney was not at his optimum best after two great games for England over the week. Some quarters said he should have not played but with Chico coming back from a long trip then perhaps Rooney was the sensible choice. RVP played but increasingly found himself trailing back to get the ball to get the things going. Not the best use of talents.

We could bemoan the luck we had, where we hit the crossbar twice and Boruc pulled off a couple of fine saves, it was easy to say that United could have been 4 up but the nature of the game is if you don't take chances then it will usually bite you on the backside.

To there credit Southampton played very well and Wanyama was a integral part of that display. They played very tight controlled game and United got very little space. Januzaj through ball to Rooney was well saved by Boruc but the rebound fell to RVP who guided it into the net.

De Gea made some good saves but could do nothing about the corner and the goal that followed. It was sloppy but Southampton did deserve something for there endeavour.

The pressure is now on with United already 8 points behind leaders Arsenal with there game coming up soon. It was noticeable that some substitutions were a bit odd and smelt of hanging on rather than extending the lead but Moyes needs win and felt that this was the best option at the time. It didn't work out but winning is important and sometimes attack is the best form of defence for United.

Next up is a distraction from League football where we entertain Real Sociedad, followed by Stoke at the weekend. United!

Sunderland 1 Manchester United 2

They say in politics a week is a long time and this must also how United Fans, players and management feel.

A week last Saturday saw United humbled at home by West Bromwich Albion, take nothing away from West Brom who deservedly won the game, we then had a long trip to Ukraine to see United put up a spirited display and come away with a 1-1 draw and last night saw a tricky visit to the stadium of light.

Although it has been troubled over the last few weeks with some 'united fans' demanding Moyes go and Sir Alex come back are starting to irritate me. Last night we saw a 18 year old light up United and push United towards victory.

Like previous managers like Sir Matt and Sir Alex, they believed in giving youth a chance and Moyes handed a first start to Adnan Januzaj and the boy did brilliant. United looked a strong outfit last night but got off to a disastrous start when a cross cleared by Jones but Vidic made a hash off the return ball and Gardiner steamed in to smash the ball past De Gea within 5 minutes. It could have been two five minutes later but Jones recovered after his mistake and put in a good tackle.

United had chances mainly long range where Nani and Januzaj went close but not tested Westwood in goal. Sunderland went close again where De Gea made a fantastic save and some woeful shooting meant United only trailed by the goal.

The second half was the Januzaj show and although he was booked for a dive in the box within 6 minutes he had scored 2 fantastic goals.

The first saw him drive United forward and his ball to Evra was crossed in and he met the ball and stroked it home within a small angle to level the game. His second was a delight when Nani put in a cross which was cleared by O'Shea but only as far as Januzaj and he struck with unerring accuracy past a busy Westwood in goal.

United got back that swagger that had been missing and Carrick and Cleverley were starting to influence the midfield again. Rooney and RVP were starting to get the ball to feet and were causing constant problems in the Sunderland defence.

Vidic and Jones looked solid after a shaky start and De Gea again is looking the real deal. United are clawing there way back and now only 6 points of the top considering the start they have had. There is hope and certainly Januzaj has put a smile back on the United's fan faces.

I expect him to feature strongly because he is a direct player with confidence and skills and an eye for goal. Man of the match Januzaj followed by De Gea save. The international break strikes again and next up is inform Southampton at Old Trafford.