Friday, 29 November 2013

Cardiff City 2 Manchester United 2




It was the first meeting between these two clubs in almost 40 years and the game did not disappoint in terms of a spectacle.

The talking point after the game was the non red card for Wayne Rooney for his kick out very early in game. A similar incident in a England shirt saw him gain a red but on this occasion he merited only a yellow. He was lucky to get away with but as often the case minutes later he rubbed the noses in it further by scoring the opening goal of the game.

Again United started very well but seem at the moment not to kill off the opposition and that is what is frustrating some United fans. United were eventually punished when ex-United Frazier Campbell pounced on a opportunity and put the ball past De Gea for the equaliser.

This seem to spur United on and there rewards was a Rooney corner that was met by Evra and United had the lead on the stroke of half time. Evra scored a few goals like this last season and it seems Cardiff hadn't watched the videos when dealing with United corners.

The second half saw Cardiff apply more pressure on United and we seemed settled on holding for the slender lead but that was shot to pieces in injury time when a free kick was whipped and some slack defending saw Cardiff equalise in stoppage time.

There was time for United to respond and somehow Rooney made a hash of a through ball to Welbeck who had the goal at this mercy.

The centre of midfield came in for some stick with Cleverley and Felliani failing to command the area and Cardiff seem to have the upper hand in the second half.

A draw on balance was a fair result and the unbeaten run continues for United.

Next Up Bayer Leverkusen.

Thursday, 14 November 2013

Manchester United 1 Arsenal 0



Sunday saw a good old fashioned encounter between these two clubs. The fixture has been neglected over the last few years mainly due to Arsenal not pushing for the title but there is a real chance this Arsenal team could clinch the title in a league they have pretty much dominated this season.

The old ground was rocking in anticipation and the Stretford End was in good voice as was the rest of the stadium and there was a real sense of occassion for this much anticipated clash. United made several changes with Chris Smalling returning at Right Back and Phil Jones in the central midfield position. This game saw two young men rise in stature.

The first was David DeGea who made a string of fine saves and his overall dominance to any high ball that came into the box. HE made some vital clearances and one in particular took out Vidic and put him in hospital. There are not many that can put Vidic in hospital!

Phil Jones also had a fine display in a United shirt he continually won ball in the midfield and rarely wasted a ball. HE also made some forward runs and was a thorn in the Arsenal team. When Vidic was taken off, he stepped back to Central defence and was as equally effective and pretty much blunted any Arsenal attack that came his way.

The first half saw United play some great football as Arsenal looked strangely subdued. It was United that made the first and only breakthrough when a Rooney cross was viciously whipped in and Vermaelan cleared for a corner, the subsequent corner by Rooney was met by RVP and his header flew over Gibbs head on the post and United had the lead on 27 minutes. Rooney and RVP tormented the Arsenal defence with there movement and these two are now the looking the real deal. United had several chances to kill of the game with Rooney going close and Smalling near the end of the game but his effort didn't trouble the scorers.

The second half saw Arsenal dominate possession but rarely threatened the goal apart from a couple of crosses which were not converted despite the best attentions of Giroud and Bendnter. It was a vital 3 points as United pushed the difference to 5 points and with City and Tottenham losing United climbed to the dizzy heights of 5th position and are in a good position to move up the table. 

Man of the match had to be Phil Jones for his overall play and adapting to change of positions so quickly.

Next up for United after the International break is Cardiff City away. 

Thursday, 7 November 2013

Real Sociedad 0 Manchester United 0



The unbeaten run still continues but United possibly have made qualification a tad touchy with 2 games to go. United are still top but face a trip to Leverkusen and then a nervy final home game against Shakhtar.

Whilst other premiership clubs seem to be finding there free flowing football, United are still trying to find there feet this season and this game summed up the season. They didn't play bad but hardly inspiring either.

This Sociedad team were there for taking and unfortunately two of the inform strikers Hernandez and RVP didn't quite find there shooting boots. Hernandez missed a guilt edged chance from 5 yards with the goal gaping following good work from Kagawa. RVP hit the post twice first when he met a Young cross and hit the same post again when a penalty was saved and deflected onto the post.

The penalty was harsh on Sociedad but if you give the ref a choice then you are asking for trouble. Two players seemed to have come in for harsh critic and Ashley Young for taking a dive again and Fellaini for his 2 yellows and a ultimate red card. Fellaini is struggling at the moment and it's a bit early to write him off  his early performances for Everton were the same then he grew into the role and team and I do expect him to take time and develop himself into a top player. It was good that gigs was beside him to nuture him and I only expect better things.

United again looked strong at the back and with a water tight defence then surely we can attack with more vigour. Rooney had an off day but given his run of games he was due one and hopefully back to form against Arsenal.

Not a great night for United but another learning curve for Moyes and his boys. Next up Arsenal at home.

Wednesday, 6 November 2013

Fulham 1 Manchester United 3



Sometimes in football things just click and Saturday afternoon on the Thames saw United put in a convincing first half that United fans excited about what was to follow. The second half saw a different display but the result still remained a united win.

The first 25 minutes saw United rip open Fulham apart and the partnership of Rooney and RVP was at it's most merciless best.

United took an early lead when Rooney breached the offside line and his cool cross was met by Tony Valencia who had the task off driving it into the net for a lead, Rooney again then played in RVP whose shot was smashed in at the near post. Fulham had a chance when a delightful Parker pass found ex-United Berbatov but Rafael was quick and smart to read the danger and put out for a corner. RVP then returned the compliment to Rooney and he found himself with a tap in and United 3-0 up in no time.

The game for United slowed down with the injuries to Evans, Rafael and Cleverley and all replaced at half time, the fluency of the first half was replaced by the more solid look and protect and hold. Fulham did breach the net once with a deflection of Rooney and Darren Bent went close when he hit the cross bar but United held on comfortably and the 3 points were in the bag and a second successive away win to get the season going. The game ended on a bad note when Sascha Riether decided to take his frustration on Januzaj exposed leg, it was not seen by the officials but the FA have taken up the case!

United remain 8th but only 3 points behind second placed Chelsea! despite the bad start things are starting to look up but more worryingly that City and next league opponents Arsenal look like they are just clicking into gear. November is a big month with so many big games and none more than the Arsenal at Old Trafford 10th November.