Manchester United 2 West Bromwich Albion 0

The game that very nearly didn't start but eventually it started and ended up with a United win. There was a tremendous downpour in Manchester all morning and the pitch was taking the punishment especially as a game was only 3 days previous. After a final pitch inspection at 1.30 confirmed the match would go on.

United made several changes with Rooney injured and RVP and Chico on the bench. United went with Welbeck and Kagawa back from injury starting up front. Vidic returned to centre of the defence and played along side Jonny Evans.

The first half saw wave of attacks by United with Young and Valencia pushing West Brom back with Cleverley and Carrick pulling the strings in the middle but for all United's possession the threat was not there. It took a stinging cross by Young which was diverted into the net via a West Brom defender and United were in front.

West brom were chasing shadows for the half and an excellent save by Ben Foster from Ashley Young kept the score down. It could have been worse when a back pass to Foster was charged down by Welbeck but the ball went harmlessly wide.

The second half saw United struggle whether it was the pitch or West Brom got better but United were pinned back and towards the end United were playing 5 at the back to combat the aerial bombardment. Scholes and Van Persie came on to help United protect the lead.

The United defence coped well and Evans and Vidic both played excellent in repelling anything thrown at them. It was great to see a dominant United defence and Vidic in particular marshaling the defence.

As injury time approached Van Persie picked the ball up outside the box and picked his spot past Foster. United had taken a 2 goal lead and the relief was audible at the end. Man of the match was Vidic followed closely by his partner Jonny Evans.

United lead at the top is still 7 points after Manchester City narrow win at Norwich. With Wigan on New Years day, the festive period is soon over and the squad may get a slight rest before the FA cup tie at West Ham.

Manchester United 4 Newcastle United 3

If there is ever a game that sums up United's season then the boxing day clash would surely sum it up. A game of bad defending, bad decisions and pure attacking and a win in the end, the net result saw united go 7 points clear after Man City lost at Sunderland.

The game started with the news Wayne Rooney was going to be out for a few weeks with a knee injury and that Ashley Young and Danny Welbeck were out.

The game got off to an awful start when De Gea palmed out a long range shot only for James Perch to prod home the opener, once again United were behind. The game flowed really well and the rain helped make the game a more slick event. United eventually equalised when a free kick on the United right was floated in and after a scramble the ball fell to Jonny Evans who calmly slotted in front of the Stretford End.

The game saw a controversial moment when a Danny Simpson shot was deflected in by Jonny Evans, the linesman correctly called offside as Cisse was offside between Evans and De Gea. However, after consultation between Mike Dean and the linesman, the ref over ruled the decision and the goal stood. United players were confused and Sir Alex was incensed at half time and the beginning of the second half.

United brushed themselves down and started the second half on the attack and were rewarded when Patrice Evra scored his 4th goal of the season with a well crafted long shot from outside the box. United got themselves back into it and no sooner that happened they fell behind again. Another ex United player Gabriel Obertan crossed in and Cisse lashed in a unstoppable shot and Newcastle now leading 3-2.

The last 20 minutes saw wave upon wave of attack from United and the odd threat from Newcastle. United got a third equaliser when Van Persie first effort was saved and the rebound eventually fell to him again and he duly smashed the ball in and relief again was prevalent around Old Trafford.

Hernandez went close on a few occasion's and Newcastle with minutes remaining hit the post via Amoebi shot which pinged back into De Gea grateful arms. The 90th minute was seconds away when Michael Carrick pass was latched onto by Hernandez who diverted the ball into the net and the game was up for a gallant Newcastle. The relief was noticeable and Sir Alex danced around the Manchester rain.

The halfway point season completed and the only blight is the goals against column where 28 goals have been conceded, some seasons they would concede that after 38 games! the goals are flowing and the lead at the top is 7 points. United may have defensive problems but winning is the aim and that is what they are doing.

The busy festive period will see 2 more games and for United and an opportunity to press home that advantage and increase the lead at the top. Next up West Brom at home and Wigan away.

THE UNITED WAY: Swansea City 1 Manchester United 1

THE UNITED WAY: Swansea City 1 Manchester United 1: Was it 2 points lost or 1 point gained? In terms of the game United had plenty of chances to put Swansea to the sword and the forwards unu...

Swansea City 1 Manchester United 1

Was it 2 points lost or 1 point gained? In terms of the game United had plenty of chances to put Swansea to the sword and the forwards unusually had on off day.

United started the game very well with Carrick and Cleverley dominating the midfield and Ashley Young and Tony Valencia pinning Swansea back. A goal duly arrived via Van Persie corner and was headed in by Evra although Britton on the post could have done better. There was a penalty shout and United were on top. Swansea came into the game and got good possession. There goal was a bit on the soft side but it started with a foul on RVP but play continued and United stood still as De Gea made a good save but the rebound fell to Michu who passed it into the net.

Swansea had good possession and United were looking frustrated along with Sir Alex on the bench. It is not often the boss is mad but this performance was fast running out of steam.

The second half saw much the same with United dominating but a combination of good saves, woodwork, bad finishing and no penalties saw United frustrated. Carrick header was palmed onto the post. RVP shot strike the bar and a good shout for a penalty that didn't move the ref.

The 79th minute saw a flare up when RVP was taken down and as the ball went loose Ashley Williams decided to blast the ball at the back of his head. A dangerous piece of play and was booked along with RVP!

The game saw Giggs put in a few passes but Hernandez failed to convert and Swansea hung for the valuable point.

United lead at the top is now 4 points but still a lead. Some United fans maybe disappointed but not many teams will come here and beat Swansea. Vidic looked back to his best in the 2nd half after a shaky start but game time is what the skipper needs. Carrick and Cleverley again were impressive. Rooney and RVP probably had there quietest games but were still a threat.

Overall, the defence looked a lot more solid and withheld most what Swansea threw at them. The fact that it is United first draw of the season may indicate that it was a hard point gained and Swansea played there part in an entertaining game.

Next up Newcastle at Old Trafford

Swansea City v Manchester United Preview

United face a visit on early Sunday afternoon to the principality to visit Swansea at the Liberty Stadium.

Both teams are in good form with Swansea in the Capital One League cup semi finals and United still six points ahead. Both teams like to play football on the ground and has the makings of a good game.

United previous visit was last year when a Javier Hernandez goal gave United a narrow 1-0 win. Swansea last win against United was in January 1982 which gave Swansea a famous 2-0 win.

One man United have to be wary off is the in form Michu who is fast becoming a goalscoring machine. He scored a brace at the Emirates when Swansea secured a 2-0 win and Swansea look a dominant threat with this man at the top of the attack.

United are coming into the Christmas period and I suspect there maybe changes for this one, as the squad comes into play over this busy period of 4 games in less than a fortnight. Rafael maybe back for this after missing last week and Vidic is a good bet to start. There have been murmurings that Scholes, Giggs and Ferdinand may retire at end of season but Sir Alex has quashed those rumours and there is a possibility these guys may start.

Difficult game to call considering Swansea record at home and United have not drawn a game this season. If United put out the big guns then they should have enough to win by a goal. As both play attractive football this game should be easy on the eye and I will go for a United win by the odd goal in three.

Viva Ronaldo return

The news every united would love to hear, Ronaldo returning back to Old Trafford!

Unfortunately he will be returning with his club Real Madrid as the Champions league draw today has pitted United against Real Madrid over a 2 leg affair next year.

The interest will build up as the date approaches, with Ronaldo returning to Manchester for the second time this season having been involved in the exit of City. Also we will see the return of the special one Jose Mourinho who refers to Sir Alex as 'The boss'. There are strong rumours that Jose could replace Sir Alex so would he want to risk the wrath of Sir Alex and the United fans?

Jose had Euro success with Porto who eliminated United in 2004 which prompted the touchline celebrations which irked a few United fans. Porto went on to win the cup and that led to him landing a role with Chelsea. Revenge was gained in 2009 when United Beat Jose Inter Milan so this could be the final decider between these two great managers.

Clashes between the two have been few but have been classics. The first meeting was in 1957 where Madrid won 5-3 on agg after a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford. It was another decade before we met again and United succeeded on a 4-3 agg win after a late goal by Bill Foulkes got United to the final.

The next meeting was when United were reigning champions and after a goalless draw at the Bernabeu United were outdone by the outrageous skills of Redondo and the finishing of Raul. Real Madrid went through 3-2 on agg.

The last meeting in 2003 saw United face the galactico's of Madrid and after a punishing defeat in Madrid by 3-1, the meeting at Old Trafford saw one of the finest games. Old Ronaldo scored a hat trick for Madrid and although United won 4-3 they went out 6-5 on agg and old Ronaldo went off to a standing ovation.

Overall, Madrid have the edge over us but results suggest it will be close and this one no exception.

Cannot wait until 5th March to see the match at Old Trafford.

Manchester United 3 Sunderland 1

As Greavies said 'Footballs a funny 'ol game' and watching United on Saturday certainly fits into that category. Us United fans are never satisfied and when I think back to the dark days of the 1970s and 1980s when winning matches and leagues were not the norm.

As for Saturday, United were excellent for the first 60 minutes and the last 30 minutes felt like a struggle and on another day could have been a disaster but for some good saves by De Gea and some wayward shooting.

The first half saw United play some great football and possibly the best of the season. The main catalysts were Carrick and Cleverley in the middle. Carrick was on great form and won every ball and distributed with ease. Cleverley was now back to the form which saw him dominate the midfield like the beginning of last season and was looking confident on the ball and again did not waste possession.

United got off to a blistering start and were 2-0 up in the first 20 minutes. The first goal score saw Ashley Young pick out Van Persie in the box who in turn rifled the ball into the top corner. The second goal saw a sweeping move by United where Cleverley had the ball out wide left he then picked out Carrick who then returned the compliment to an advancing Cleverley who first time curled the ball into the net.

United were now rampant and Rooney went close twice and Van Persie also went close. It was only a luck that kept Sunderland in this game. Half time came very quickly for United and not soon enough for Sunderland. Carrick was head and shoulders above everyone and was having a stormer. The second half started and Carrick was replaced by Paul Scholes. It was a surprise to many on the terraces but Scholes is not a bad replacement. The beginning went well with Rooney again going close hitting the crossbar from a Valencia cross and when Van Persie wriggled his way past 2 defenders his squared ball was met by Rooneys toe and United now 3-0 up and cruising.

Then for some reason United took the foot of the gas and Sunderland were then allowed back into the game. united made several changes where Giggs replaced Cleverley and a welcome return of Vidic who replaced Rio Ferdinand. United didn't have the fluency of the first half and often stuttered and lost possession and Sunderland grew in confidence and for the flexibility of De Gea Sunderland could have nicked a draw!

In the end the Sunderland pressure paid off and a sloppy United defence allowed ex-United striker Frazier Campbell to nod in a header from a couple of yards for a consolation.

Overall it was three points and the lead at the top of the table still 6 points but the last half hour saw United look sloppy and unable to keep that clean sheet. Man of the match would be a toss up between Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley who were the heartbeat of United. Also Ashley Young made a useful contribution and Rooney and Van Persie were causing chaos in the Sunderland defence. A busy Christmas and new year is ahead and it is good to see a relatively fit looking squad.