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.

United V Liverpool

Line up for tonight's Capital One Cup

United: De Gea, Rafael, Smalling, Evans, Buttner, Jones, Giggs, Nani, Kagawa, Rooney and Hernandez
subs: Amos, Anderson, Fabio, Carrick, Welbeck, Zaha, Januzaj

Liverpool: Mignolet, Toure, Skrtel, Sakho, Enrique, Gerrard, Lucas, Henderson, Moses, Suarez, Sturridge
subs: Jones, Alberto, Aspas, Sterling, Ibe, Kelly, Wisdom

Rooney named as Skipper for United tonight. His past performances over the last few weeks have warranted this honour.

They have previously met 4 times in the league cup with Liverpool victorious on 3 occasions

The meetings were

1983 Final Liverpool 2 United 1
1985 4th round Liverpool 2 United 1
1990 3rd Round United 3 Liverpool 1
2003 Final Liverpool 2 United 0

Updates to follow..........

Cagey enough start by both but United pressing forward more.

3 mins Nani decides to let rip and shot deflected for a United Corner.

7 mins Liverpool danger cleared and good work between Kagawa and Nani tee up rooney whose shot is deflected for a corner.

9 mins Kagawa and Nani looking very inventive and a good combination down the left sees a Kagawa shot tamely saved by Mignolet.

11 mins more Liverpool danger averted and a great Rooney turn and pass to Kagawa see his final effort limp into the box. United playing well.

12 mins Liverpool corner cleared and United counter with Nani causing real problems.

19 mins real end to end stuff with both sides putting the pressure on, a good move sees Nani pass into box grabbed by Mignolet.

27 mins a real dominant spell by Liverpool where Sturridge and Suarez had good chances.

29 mins United relief the pressure as Hernandez earns a corner.

the latter half of the first half was real end to end but with no real end product.

Half time: United 0 Liverpool 0

Second half begins

46 mins early corner by United and Rooney cross met by Hernandez at Stretford End.
UNITED 1 LIVERPOOL 0

49 mins Liverpool threaten again and Rooney has an effort go close but penalised for handball.

55 mins Henderson goes close for Liverpool then down the other end he appears to clip Nani in the box but sensibly no penalty given.

59 mins another Liverpool corner but quick clearance to Hernandez who feeds Kagawa onto Nani but his shot goes wide, great move by United.

64 mins mazy run by Kagawa and his shot at goal beats Mignolet but strikes the crossbar. Great effort.

71 mins De gea pulls of stunning save from a Moses point blank header.

72 mins more Liverpool pressure and a Suarez free kick hits the crossbar via Phil Jones head.

74 mins Januzaj and Carrick on for Kagawa and Hernandez.

75 mins Rafael taken down cynically outside the box, free kick to United. Mignolet denies Rooney twice first from free kick then a shot following a corner.

80 mins end to end and Giggs runs through then tripped Rooney takes on the baton but his shot deflected into Mignolet arms.

A great end to match with both sides going at it.

90 mins Welbeck replaces Nani.

Full Time UNITED 1 LIVERPOOL 0

City V United

Team line up

United: De Gea, Smalling, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Fellani, Valencia, Young, Rooney and Welbeck

Subs: Amos, Evans, Hernandez, Cleverley, Kagawa, Nani, Buttner

City: Hart, Zabletta, Kompany, Nastasic, Kolarov, Toure, Fernandinho, Navas, Nasri, Aguero, Negredo

Subs: Pantilimon, Richards, Lescott, Milner, Dzeko, Javi Garcia, Jovetic

United missing RVP due to injury! 

16 seconds and Welbeck gathers Kompany loose pass but the shot is weak and a goal kick

Confident start by United but a city corner on 3 minutes but danger cleared.

Centre backs having problems this afternoon, Vidic passes straight to Navas whose shot goes over the bar.

5 minutes Nastasic in the book for an assault on Smalling.

10 minutes Kolarov cross hit with pace but cleared by Vidic for a corner.

City on top but United holding firm in Midfield and Defence.

Pressure tells and Aguero score from close in City 1-0 up. Game on

United corner but City break and Nasri goes close with a volley.

23 minutes and a rare United attack sees Rooney offside when played in.

City are on top of this and United missing the guile of RVP in this tight encounter.

24 mins and Kolorov is causing major problems and nearly a penalty award but corner given.

28 mins and Valencia finally beats Kolorov but meets Nastascic.

30 mins Rooney booked but seemed a soft one that.

31 mins first bit of sustained pressure from United holding the ball for over a minute but a linesman flag breaks it up.

37 mins United starting to get a grip Fellani winning plenty and a Evra cross at near post sees Welbeck barge into Hart.

39 mins United attack breaks down and City attack but a wasteful shot by Negredo.

42 mins Valencia tries a shot but goes harmlessly wide, United just cant get going up front.

44 mins Ashley Young not having his best half and his pass a bit too strong for Welbeck following a United free kick.

Injury time City corner and a unmarked Toure smashes home. United a shambles on that corner.

Half Time City 2 United 0.

No changes at half time

Game starts.

3-0 city Aguero, United blown apart and no coming back on this performance.

49 mins 4-0 City Nasri  cracking volley and United have no answer.

Cleverley on for Young Damaged limitations, an absolute damming performance.

55 mins Rooney great chance to reduce arrears but balloons over. Prior to that Vidic clearance prevents a 5th goal!

60 mins a Welbeck deflected shot hardly troubles Hart.

63 mins United adding pressure but free kick doesn't go over wall and resulting cross Fellaini is penalised. City well and truly on top.

66 mins more United pressure but Welbeck shot well off the pace.

68 mins Fellaini receives ball from Smalling and Hart pulls off a great save, Corner to United.  

70 mins Valencia booked for going down too easy in the box.

72 mins Negredo goes close but score still 4-0 City!

78 mins ~United struggling to get any momentum and Rooney gives the ball away on edge of City box after dithering for too long. Dzeko pulls away and De Gea makes a great save.

80 mins Evra header from corner hits post, United no luck today.

87 mins fabulous free kick by Rooney, 4-1 City.

Rooney the all time leading scorer in Manchester Derbies.

88mins Rooney tries another long range effort but well wide.

Injury time Dzeko goes close again.

Full Time City 4 United 1



  

Manchester Derby

Today is the 166th Manchester derby and United lead the victory count with 69 to City 46. Ryan Giggs has made the most appearances with 36 and Wayne Rooney and Franny Lee the leading scorers with 10.

United's record at the Etihad one defeat in the last but crucially it was the one that handed City the title Initative in 2012. United won on the last visit by 3-2 with RVP scoring an injury time winner.

Overall at City home ground United have 27 wins compared to City 23.

Todays match will be a avoid defeat today as both teams have already lost one league game this season and losing another will seriously dent even at this early stage title credentials. Early to say but given Moyes and Pellegrini first Manchester neither will want to lose. Pellegrini record against United is only with Villareal where we played FOUR nil-nil draws!

Updates to follow!!

Manchester United 4 Bayer Leverkusen 2

First champions league game of the season did not disappoint with United taking big strides towards qualification to the knock out stages.

United again started with Rooney and RVP up front with Valencia and Kagawa supporting from the flanks and I have to say it looked a formidable attacking unit and one Leverkusen failed to combat.

Controversy surrounded the first goal where an offside Valencia blocked the keeper as Rooney blasted the ball high into the net for a deserved lead. Carrick and Fellani held the midfield together and United looked strong.

Rooney was proving a constant thorn in Leverkusen side and the second half saw Rooney take the ball of the defender and he comfortably rounded the keeper and the goal gaping he missed the goal with RVP waiting in the middle and moments later a possible 2-0 lead was turned into a 1-1 where defensive lapses saw a Leverkusen equaliser.

However, a spirited United took the lead again when a Valencia cross was met by RVP and the Leverkusen keeper hardly covered himself in glory and fumbled the ball into the net for a United lead.

Rooney made amends for the earlier miss when he latched onto a defensive mix up and this time rather than round the keeper he simply showed him the eyes and placed the ball into the net for a 3-1 lead.

The fourth goal was the best and United at it's best. A Leverkusen corner was beaten out and RVP nicked the ball to Young who ran down the wing and with one touch passed to Rooney in the middle and Rooney stroked the ball in to the path of Valencia whose shot was too strong for the keeper and a 4-1 lead was the result.

The game then drifted only for Leverkusen to score form a corner which was needlessly given away and the goal needlessly conceded.

A solid game for United and it looked like the shackles came off the team and a four goal blast was a good response.

Many men of the match but once again Rooney was the pick with Valencia a close second.

Manchester United 2 Crystal Palace 0

David Moyes will be encountering a lot of firsts in the next few months but his first ever win at Old Trafford will come as a relief to him as the season starts in it's usual frenetic pace.

A lot of the talking points was the Ashley Young diving and Rooney making a rare start following the closure of the transfer window. He came wearing a headguard which seemed to make light work of the injury which kept him out of the England games.

In truth Palace offered very little and were content to sit back and hold the United tide. United looked busy but did little to penetrate the Palace back line and Carrick and Anderson in the midfield area were looking the busier but sadly Anderson performance drifted off.

United had two penalty shouts first with Evra bursting through but no penalty given and then Young dangled his leg out for a knock but unfortunately for him the ref was more cuter and promptly booked him.

Young was again the eye in the storm for the first goal when he burst through only to be clipped outside the box. The ref after consultation gave a penalty and sent off the offender. RVP coolly stepped up and put united in the lead. Prior to that he met a fantastic pass from Rooney and his volley rattled the cross bar.

The second half saw the league debuts of two Belgians Fellani and Januzaj. Both made telling contributions with Fellani plugging the gaps in the middle and taking time to rifle a shot which the Palace keeper managed to save, also Januzaj made a number of twisting runs very similar to Ronaldo debut all those years ago.

Januzaj was also fouled near the end of the game and the resulting free kick saw Rooney place superbly into the net to give United that extra security. The game petered out and United a first home win of the season.

Not a great advert of a game but Rooney and Carrick were the outstanding performers with Januzaj adding a bit of excitement in the last 20 minutes.

Next league game City away!