I really don’t like Stoke fans. They will put that down to successfully achieving their status as wind up merchants but it’s so far removed from that. Fans come to Old Trafford every week thinking they’re clever singing “we support our local team”, as if they were the ones that made it up, as if we’ve never heard it before, and as if it bothers in the slightest, whether a red from Manchester, the North West, down south, Ireland or anywhere else. “You support a load of shit” is the usual response, and in the case of Stoke, it’s true. Attempting to be a wind up isn’t a problem, we get to hear those chants all the time. My problem with Stoke fans runs deeper.
Your primary job as a football supporter is to support your team. When you hear fans booing their players off the pitch or berating their own for mistakes, it really gets on my nerves. That’s not to say I disagree with fans ever having negative opinions about their own players and what you want to do at the final whistle is up to you, but when you’re in the ground and the chips are down, you need to be that clichéd 12th man.
Stoke get a good press for their support, for the volume of their support in particular, but this is something I just don’t get (particularly judging by their home support the past couple of times we’ve gone to their place. Library). Then when they come to Old Trafford, they’re always far more concerned with slagging off our players and fans than they are with supporting their own fellas on the pitch. When the players go off at half-time, the Stoke fans boo, for fear of missing out on the opportunity to boo United players. The score is irrelevant – winning, drawing or losing. Can you imagine? Not applauding your own players off but booing the opposition? They just seem to miss the point of football support, showing up in their fancy dress and being so obsessed with their opposition.
Last year, with their own team 4-0 down, the away fans cheered every goal scored by Chelsea against Wigan as they won the title. That means their fans were sat there, tuning in to their radios from the stands when their own team was on the pitch, to find out how Chelsea were getting on. Cheering the goals of any other team when it does absolutely nothing for your own team is one thing, but cheering Chelsea‘s goals? If it was some harmless enough team like Villa or Spurs or whatever winning the league, then fair enough, but who the fuck wants Chelsea to win the league? Stoke? Stoke fans cheering at Chelsea winning the league? The mind boggles. And how did that cheering make their players feel, 4-0 down at Old Trafford on the last game of the season, knowing their fans couldn’t give a shit less. Their own fans were too busy celebrating Chelsea’s goals to bother trying to encourage their own team to get anything out of the game.
The whole nature of Stoke’s support is just so small time and opposite to what I regard a proper fanbase. I honestly would prefer some prawn sandwich eating South stander who won’t sing the songs to a Stoke fan, totally consumed with bitterness and hatred.
It’s a shame then that as we go in to tonight’s game against Stoke, a game I obviously want to win, with some of our key players missing. Edwin Van der Sar, Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra are all expected to miss out, with Nani struggling to get back after missing out on our matches over the festive period with a hip problem.
This could mean starts for Chicharito and Chris Smalling, both of whom have played well enough in their fleeting appearances to deserve another chance. Gabriel Obertan, who got a lot of stick in his last game against West Brom, could also start again, depending on whether Nani is ready or not. The only way for Obertan to improve is if he’s given games though.
Darron Gibson, who’s been given a run out over the past few weeks, in another option we’re without after picking up a knock against West Brom, leaving Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher and Anderson as our central midfield options. You have to wonder whether Ferguson is going to want one or more of them rested for Liverpool at the weekend, keen to avoid a rival defeat like Leeds this time last year, and bring in Giggs from the start.
No other team from the top five plays tonight, meaning we have the opportunity to pull three points clear of City, having played a game less than them, five points clear of Arsenal on the same games, eight points clear of Spurs on the same games, and incredibly, nine points clear of Chelsea on the same games. This is a brilliant opportunity and after squandering so many points on the road this season, let’s at least stick with what we’ve been good at this season, and win at home.
Come on reds!
Man Utd News 24/7
Get stuck in lads
Come on United!
Their fans’ actions last May were puke worthy.
Didn’t know Evra might miss out too. Damn. Guess I’ll have to change my predicted line up:
Kus – Rafa, Vidic, Smalling, Fabio – Fletch, Carrick, Ando, Nani – Berba, Chicha.
nice job great atricles today
good win tonite
3-1
Its a shame that Rooney is injured tonight because when he starts scoring he gets them in bursts. Dimi also thrives when Rooney plays and their partnership was looking like theres going to be plenty more goals.
As regards the Stoke fans, I think they are a good set but you can’t help but notice that they are at their loudest when they are whinging rather than getting behind their team
I hope we play with 2 wingers rather than making do with Fletcher on the wing. Nani, if he plays is far more effective on the right whereas if Fletch play then he will be on the left.
Excellent post Scott, their spirit is absolutly disgracefull.
Comon United!
should have waited for the injury report before i made my projected line-up – fuckin hell! ….
Costas could be right on, but I think Giggs, if recovered from the flu, will balance out out 4-4-2.
Bit worried about dropping points / losing players to injuries in this one.
Just with all the injuries already … looks like a crisis waiting to happen.
Either way, they’re Stoke, so expecting a win.
2:0 game over
get stuck in lads! cmons!
Finally Rafa and Fabio might play together in a PL game…..Hope to see Mickey Owen get some minutes too….when will I get to see the other Owen remains to be seen….all this midfield being run over…engine room…all this one answer Owen Hargreaves….i
wer do u get ur team news from scott?
ihope ur wrong, wud much rather rest the team against the vermen on sun.
Worried about so many first-teamers missing, I’ll settle for three points and a scrappy victory.
Any idea when Scholes will be back? Been out for some time.
Come on United, time to put the pedal to the metal!
bchilds
or the pedal to the medal lol
STR, great job mate, so many articles but at my age I simply cannot keep up! lol
Hoping for a convincing win tonight to send shivers down the spine of our chasers …..
C’Mon UNITED
I think this will be the line-up:
PIG – Fabio, Smalling, Vidic, Rafael – Nani, Anderson, Carrick, Obertan – Hernandez, Berba
@colbert: i am not sure how comfortable SAF feels with Obertan and Fabio on the same flank – both inexperienced … and fabio has showed that he can get us in a bind with some of his tackling and poor judgment ….
@hammons
My line-up is from left to right so I have Obertan on the right, doubtful it will happen but Fergie often surprises with his starting eleven so what the hey. But you’re right, Fabio is still pretty fresh and does what Rafael used to do often when he was new, namely getting caught out of position and making rash tackles. I’m not saying Rafael doesn’t still do that, but I think far less frequently.
With so many injuries, I’ll take a 1 0 win.
@colbert: here is hoping that at least one of those players scott mentioned above starts – evra being the most hopeful for me.
So does everyone say that Gary won’t start?
@hammons
Yeah, I really hope Evra makes it too.
a win is a win … but my god my stress levels this season have been off the charts with these narrow victories.
Willie
Why so optimistic mate? hahaha
@Ulster Red
Lol, or that! Didn’t notice I’d typed that till your comment!
Going to be 3 tough points with the patchwork starting XI. God I hope Nani’s back. Watching our wing play lately (or lack there of) makes David Bentley look “dynamic.”
Let’s all be thankful it’s at OT and not in that dreadful shoebox they claim to be a pitch.
CedarsDevil – Always mate lol.
@The United Way
We have injuries? You wouldn’t know by reading the press! All I’ve read is about Alex / Ivanovic / Lampard missing for Chelski!
There fans are too thick too understand the game let alone support their team. Mind you they weren’t so cocky outside afterwards.
l sincerely hope we win today although it looks bleak……Stoke represent the easiest chance to nick 6 points off at the moment this season….but the thin squad….hope Bebe plays and plays well
still even though there are a phew out. If our wide positions are fresh I would be less worried, iot does annoy me fergie does not bring back cleverly and send obertan out on loan.. if nani is fit and with berbatov and hernandes all have been impressive I am confident united can pick up 3 pts.
the team for 11
kuszszec rafeal smallen vidic fabio nani carrick anderson obertan berbatov hernandes
If the injuries are to be confirmed, that means we are missing O’Shea, Brown, Scholes, Park, Valencia, VDS, Rooney, Rio and possibly Giggs. That’s 9 playes, not counting Hargo.
Yeah, Chelsea are in an injury crisis…
@fergie is the boss
Do we know for sure if Cleverly can be recalled? We have to give Obertan more time but yes I agree Cleverly would probably have got a run of games under his belt had he been recalled.
Lol, I am wondering why I didn’t include Obi in the team, even though I said I would just yesterday. Too late now… I hope he starts and plays well though.
Suprised about Evra missing. I know Rio will prob be rested with Sunday’s game in mind. As bad
as Obertan was on Saturday, he needs games. He realises he didn’t do him self justice and can
play a lot better than that. I wish SAF would put some of the promising youngsters on or even have them on the bench. I’m thinking of Ravel Morrisson and Magnus Eirkrem. But I doubt it.
My predicted line up is:
PIG
Fabio Smalling Vidic Rafael
Obertan Anderson Carrick Giggs
Hernandez Berbatov
in a 442 formation
bench: Amos, Owen, G Nev, Bebe, Nani, Eirkrem, Morrison
bchilds – I do think tom has got enough experience under his belt to give him a run in the team. It would also give us new perspective on what united actually need in the summer. If cleverly has a good second half to the season we save money in the summer on the wide positions.
rio just tweeted that he is “being rested” not that he has an injury.
the other “injuries” probably have to do with sunday’s match as well.
Don’t know why I have an uneasy feeling about this game… Ughh! It’s just me I guess
C’mon United!!!
Rio just confirmed he is rested. God bless twitter, lol.
I’d bet big money, Sir Alex hates players using twitter.
The Starting line up for tonight pig rafael smalling vidic evra nani fletcher gibson Hernandez berbs
well if we dont win games like tonight we ont deserve to win the league
simples
Centre of our midfield is a worry, fletch isn’t playing well and then there’s Gibson
@11am
4-3-2?
Thanks though. I was wrong again, as usual, lol.
I’d like to see United give them the mother and father of a doing,multiple goals against them however its unlikely as we seem to have stopped thrashing teams nowadays so I’ll be happy with Three points.
how can gibson be playing
GET TOMMY CLEVERLEY BACK NOW
From BBC: Man Utd trio Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Edwin van der Sar and Gary Neville all sit out tonight’s match against Stoke City.
Glad to see henrnadez starting, hope Evra is fit
Not sure how four players is a trio though.
Sorry missed giggs off
Costas – Come on man, you usually have the team news lol. Seeing that team, bring the 1 nil win on.
The Starting line up for tonight pig rafael smalling vidic Evra nani fletch Gibson giggs Hernandez berbs
@11am & costs: is that line-up confirmed
@willie
Yeah, well my sources are behind the others’, lol.
Hopefully we will get on top of them like we did Sunderland andscore a couple of early goals.
Nice to see Giggs back and a regular 4-4-2. The Liverpool game could see Carrick, Ando, Rooney, VDS and Rio recalled.
Rio rested?…well i always like to see him in the team. we have fantastic defenders but he is the one who calm down that back 4. any way Fergi knows what he is doing..we havn’t enjoyed our last two outings so let’s play good football and win.
TEAM NEWS :
KUSZCKASSZ
RAFAEL SMALLING VIDIC EVRA
NANI FLETCHER GIBSON GIGGS
BERBATOV HERNANDEZ
Yeah confirmed
@11am: thank you ….
don’t forget … match report at theunitedreligion.com following the game
Oh god, Gibson. But pleased to see Nani starting, hopefully he can provide some much needed width to our play.
Not exactly a midfield full of creativity is it?
I can see Berb’s having to drop deep to pick up the ball.
With Evans out, it will be a long night for Gibson here at ROM, lol.
well it is a far better balanced team. 2 wingers amd 2 strikers, there is gonna be less power upfront and berbatov has played better when rooney has played with him
Who’s on the bench?
shame anderson is not playing am not a big gibson fan but hope he can do a good job tonight. come on united!
Giggsy and Nani have got to get the crosses in for Chicharito, Berbatovs not going to get much service from Fletch and Gibbo
five – has long has the team has dribbling ability to stretch stoke, the 2 strikers should take care of a tough tough game tonight
Bench : Amos, Fabio, Evans, Anderson, Carrick, Obertan, Owen
Subs are : amos, fabio, evans, anderson, carrick, owen, obertan
Hehe, I simply don’t rate the guy as a player. He’s such a poor passer of the ball and slow in his decision making. Not United quality to me. But I’ll try not to go on about it tonight:)
At least Gibson’s playing in CM. Lets get the ball wide, get the crosses in the box and then let Berb and Hernandez do the rest.
I hope resting Rio and Rooney doesn’t come back to bite us in the you-know-what. This is a must win match.
Colbert – apart from scholes, united do not have great passers of the ball. anderson offers united something different has he drives with the ball. but carrick fletcher and gibson are all much the same, they pass the ball square.
anyone know of a stream thats decent
well lets hope our CM isn’t shacky tonight
hoped for ando btw
after seeing the teamsheet l am more than confident of a win. Go United 3-1
If Gibson plays in an advanced role, he can link up well with the attackers. But in all likelyhood, Fletch will play that role today.
@Colbert
Don’t wory mate. I know you’ll be sensible when you are bashing him.
Just kidding.
I think Fletcher and Carrick are capable of doing much better things with the ball than Gibson though. He’s lacking in every department except his shooting. At least occasionally Carrick will play a great through ball to the forwards, though not that often lately. Fletcher has been poor this season but the Fletcher of last season and 08/09 is much better than Darron.
I’m not liking the midfield tbh. Stoke are a tough side and Gibson hasn’t shown the positioning or tackling ability to compete in the centre.
While Nani is better on the right I’m kind of hoping Giggs will play central, Nani on the left and Gibson on the right. CM isn’t the place for Gibson to try an learn his trade atm until other areas of his game improve significantly, especially with Fletcher lacking form beside him
any links for the game lads
Rachreddevil: try http://www.firstrow.net/webmaster/Soccer-Tv/43843/1/watch-manchester-united-vs-stoke-city.html
On the link you might see other links…. try them all to see which suits you best
wakey – the last thing united need is another unbalanced team. Gibson like him or not has this lampard ability to get near the outside box and score a phew crackers, so the midfield is not the greatest but it is very well balanced. Pending on how nani gets up to speed it is an ok midfield
i forgot mcmanaman was the com, im going to throw up
You here yet Redscot m8
@Costas
I never have a go at him before but i understand fans frustration at some players her at ROM. I think Gibson has to earn our praise just like Berbatov did.
Can someone please tell me why VDS is sitting out games. its been a crazy holiday and i catch a half here and there over the festive period so maybe i missed something WTF is goin on why are we messing about in the GK department and for fuck sake Rio out ?. Someone put me straight please
i always use http://www.rojadirecta.org to watch the match
@slim
Edwin has the flu. Hopefully he will be ok for Sunday.
@UNITED4life
He has to earn praise, but some of the stuff said here has gone completely out of hand.
Let’s bring Shawcross’s price down.
nice one Scott, both Smalling and Chicharito are indeed starting.
Any one know a good place to watch online? No lagging nd shit lyk that… Tnx
*gotten*
Gibbo playing…Nice..Its nice that SAF is trying to give Gibbo a decent run of games..Hope he plays well..People would have gone crazy had Gibbo and Evans started..2-0 to Utd with Nani and Chico scoring..
im sick of some of the shit coming from sum of the supporters on this site yer as bad as stoke for fuck sake get behind your team and that includes gibson who loves this club!!
@slim VDS has the flu. Kuz will be fine.
Come on UNITED!
The IncRedevils!
@smartalex LOLLL
i hope we get the 3 points tonight, will somewhat make up for Utd losing to the Leeds scum on my birthday last year :@
cheers lads
Saving Anderson for the weekend, maybe. A bit of regular playing time for Gibson. Smalling in there too. Keep on the front foot, could be a cracker.
I hope Owen gets a few minutes on the clock as he prepares to destroy the scousers on Sunday.
As to positives, Chicho needs games and needs a midfield who can put balls in. Both Giggs and Gibbo can put crosses, and gibbo has done well with corners. Ando has been keeping his on the ground, good but not the same skill set. Also, if I had to put money on a goal scorer, Gibbo would be deserving of a couple of quid. It will be a brutal game and we need lads who can take a thumping. Think the line up will be fine. Glad we can rest VDS and Roo.
Costas Cheers mate. I don’t understand the need to pop off about our players. The boss can make the call when it is time to go. In the mean time, give them a break.
@Costas
That’s me. Tough but fair in my complaining:D
Costas, I was agreeing with your previous post. In reading my line, might seem like I was having a go at you. Not at all.
Owen scoring against Liverpool ??????? Now that would make a great movie.
I need happiness
I need joy
I need the tenderness from some sweet boy
And I need his love light to brighten up my life
Someone who’s gonna make all the wrong things right
I don’t need heartaches & I don’t need tears
I am here Tony darling. pmsl
Cmon united. lets be having.
3912/82153
3912/6816
SAMANTHA’S MASSAGE SPECIALS for new clients.
call prices may vary.
Just kidding, they’re links for the game.
REDSCOT YOU ANAL RETARD JUST WANNA POST THAT GAG FOR YOU….
Apparently Wayne Rooney is dining with the singer in Stereophonics tonight. He must be so disappointed it’s him instead of his hero Susan Boyle.
@FletchTHEMAN
I understood mate. No worries.
Come on United!
Glory glory Man united,
Glory glory Man united,
Glory glory Man united,
As the reds go marching on on on!
Just like the busby babes in days gone by,
We’ll keep the red flags flying high,
Your gonna see us all from far and wide,
Your gonna hear the masses sing with pride
lets get at these Potters no fuck ups
2nd least losses in the Prem. this season is 4.
@ Tony evening Buddie, go for it mate. Am buzzing shitting bricks here Tony
COME ON UNITED!!!
Come on Manchester United!
Come on United!!!
MyMissus asked me why cant we make love like they do in the movies….
So i ripped off her knickers
Spanked her hard
Fucked her in the ass
Spunked all over her tits
and wiped me bell-end off with her hair……..
Turns out we don’t watch the same kind of movies
It’s Stoke, not Barca RedScot lol.
come on you fucking reds
@ Tony cracker mate. roflmao
GAME ON
Surpised rooney is out. Interesting.
@ Willie ano mate, evening buddie
Empty seats everywhere ya look.
Agreed, its the season ticket holders, giving up, still distorts the attendance.
possible leak of next seasons kit out, i’ve followed this site for years, they’ve always been spot on
http://kitkross.com/kitkross-blog/2010/12/30/manchester-united-1112-home-kit-leak.html
Ha, like I said: At least Gibbo can be counted on for letting go a couple of cracking shots.
Come on United.
Good strength Smalling!
Another Gibbo shot as Fletch said.Evening mate
Gibson is firing!
Get up Tuncay you pikey looking cunt….serves you right …you are always leaving your foot in bout time somebody did you back….
@Tony B thats our Patrice for you to leave his foot on their dangerous player! Class
Dimitar just misses dammit
Gerko, Bit of an improvement in my view. Thanks for the link. Only thing missing is some
laurels and appropriate CHAMPIONS! stickers! Well, one can hope!
United are knocking on the door, Cmon United.
Come on, the longer this stay level the lhe more they believe in this shity tactic, need a goal to encourage them to actually come out
Come on!
Fletch playing well so far, good tackles and on the spot passing. Rafael looking impressive again.
Either Huth will be man of the match, or we’ll slaughter them.
Javier get in there you Star***
PEAAAA
Chicharitoooooooooooooo!
Hernandez!
Little pea
LITTLE PEA!!!!
That boy knows where the goal is. WOW
HERNANDEEEEEEZ!
WHAT A GOAL!
THIS BOY IS MAGIC!
FUCKING HELL RS YOUR FINGER MUST HAVE BEEN A BLUR TYPING IN THAT…..
Yah beauty.chicha
Star in the making!!!!!!!!
he is a fucking ghost =)
He is just fucking magic, we have uncovered a diamond.
Fletcher and Nani are looking lively….good to see.
What a BUY has Chicharo turned out to be. First season and look at him!
Brilliant finish, really clever.
I missed the goal
In honour of my fellow reds celebrating
Get in You fucking Beauty
get in!
another assist for nani, showed goad decision making and accuracy with the pass! beautiful finish by our little mexican baby face killer!
Ruth you dirty bastard
Baby faced assasin:)
I hope we can get another two so that we can rest berba and mickey o can get some game time
Huth as Doghouse says a brilliant tackle.
Cmon United we win this game we win the League if there is a draw tommorow night at the Emirates between Arsenal and City,
Cmon United supporters shout for your team
Cmon the lads
keep the ball down. stock want to take this score to 80min mark..so we have to continue to probe them and get that second goal
Smalling has been huge this half. Pun intended.
Is it me or has berba been anything but languid tonight.
Lot of running from our bulgarian. Feeling like he’s going to grab one tonight.
@ Doghouse, pun Accepted, can you go for a Pish for me? just asking! lol
BERBA’s ball control is just magic
Giggs is so up for it.
WE need another, preferably before half. Kill this off and not fall into the trap of nodding off and dropping points.
@ Tony bees, so will mine be, if Nani scores the winner. Kleenex at the ready
Like a morgue at OT. Need that second goal.
Great 1st half. Let’s score early and often in the second.
I mean to close the game off, its still in a dangerous postion.
But job done so far.
Decent half, not impressive but ‘that’ll do’ for the time being, hopefully get a 2nd early in the second half so we’re not stressing with only 10mins left for a change!
Doghouse, Good call on Smalling. Think he has been my biggest surprise. We just had
very little to go on when we signed him. Evans to comeback and show what he is made of as well.
Did Lee Sharpe teach Little Pea the backheel?
In control for this first half but we need a second.
Well on top, I just want the second to finish them off. They’ve come to supress us and that usually fits us fine. Owen coming off the bench to bag a goal anyone? Would be nice.
Bloody hell, who needs to spend 30+million on Dzeko?
Hernandez is a bloody goalscoring freak. He would use his wookie to score goals if it was allowed to hang free.
HT. Good half. Looked good going foward, Javier’s goal was pure class!
Nice and composed at the back, Smalling’s been excellent.
Keep it up United!
@Colbert
Hope so. And I’d really like a Gibson goal today.
good solid first half, stoke have barely had a sniff.
great goal, how many is that for the season for javier..9 i think but not certain. anyone know for sure?
@Costas
Yes, why the hell not?:-)
I read someone say recently that Hernandez is the best finisher at the club. On this evidence, I think they are right. We needed something special to break them down and Nani’s cross wasn’t the easiest to score from.
Smalling has been really impressive over the past few months. When he was at Fulham after we signed him and in pre season I thought he looked like an accident waiting to happen but he’s solid now.
@keanesmagichat
Yep, that’s 9. In 4 different competitions.
@Colbert
If only he could get one of those shots on target, lol.
another goal an everything will be fine
btw the atmosphere???
@Costas
He certainly looks the most comfortable in front of goal, sometimes it looks like Berba panics for example. Hernandez looks nothing but in control.
Yes, Smalling is getting better all the time. I think he has a chance at getting really really good.
Willie is right about the atmosphere. Really dead.
Lets qualify things here a bit. Evans though having a rough season has shown his quality in europe and through almost a full season of topflight football last year. Smalling… is playing against a rather anemic Stoke. Yeah he’s not horrible, but he has yet to prove that he has made the grade.
we have looked pretty conservative atm..Looks like we are saving the best for last..Chicharito’s goal was really good..the guy is a natural goal scorer..Will easily get 10-15 goals this season..
@Costas, as normal you are joking with regards to Javier the best finisher at the Club mate.
I will hold my hand up in relation to minutes played and Goals scored.
I need a fucking pish. Empty my bladder of the Buckfast for Jans dad Willie, Fletch , Tony, Cedars, lol
Nice cold Bud, washes away the blues ya see.
@rat1p
Piss poor aint it! Especially after Brum and WBA away with terrific support, good to be home?!
Cmon lads. Lets grab a second
@Costas
Yeah, he really should have done better on at least one shooting chance he had. He has a tendency to slice them. Maybe something he should focus on getting right because he does very little else. I keed, I keed;)
COME ON UNITED!!
come on you Reds lets put this game to bed early
talk on bbc sport that the goal was an og..
load of bollox if ya ask me, definitely chicas goal
Cmon United lets do this.
early goal.
fUCK NO whitehead scores
Fuck.
shit
W t f. -.-
Still feel relaxed that we’ll have berba and chichi produce somemore glory. Looked hot enough going forward.
Cmon UNITED
we need atleast 2 goals to win this game
No biggy, got enough firepower to not worry.
That’s really poor marking. We should get Anderson on so that we have more drive in midfield.
At least Evans can’t get blamed.
That’s why Kuszczak needs to shut his gob and worry about stopping balls in this game, not worry about getting another one.
@ Willie i would laugh at that. But i know the point.
Cmon United
Man, what is going on…………… an engine room devoid of creativity and passin skill. Gibson has been terrible and has little to offer.
fraid gibbo needs a early bath and Ando needs to get ready
get ando on we need his energy..
gibbo off
It was poor marking, I don’t think Vida can be blamed though. He had Whitehead and Jones coming and he had to choose one to mark and, out of those two, it’ll always be Jones he would pick.
Fuck me, our central midfield is dire. Come on Fergie, make some changes.
imagine how dominant we would be if we didnt have a central midfield that is been dominated by marc wilson (a centre back) and dean fucking whitehead
Depressing midfield isn’t in when we’ve been used to such strength, passion, creativity in the past. Still think the 11 we have out will do the job.
make changes to that CM Fergie!!
Bam.
fucking get in
Nani you beauty
Nani!!!!!
@ Colbert there is the problem mate as we all recognise, not for the Premiership, the big pot, the Champions league.
Not real dominator in midfield with Paul Scholes not able to play 30-34 games a season.
Nani scores. kleenex at the ready
i like berba but stop shouting at nani some might call it passion but i think we dont need that
Nani!!!
NANIIIII!!!!
Nani!!!!!!!
TOMS lol
NANNNNNNNIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!
Get fucking in there Nani lad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lovely goal, great strike on his left!
See Tony this blog has its lucky charm, what did I say?
Bring out the Kleenex lmao
Brilliant
Memo to Berba…..shout at Nani more often
Goal and assist for Nani on his return. He’s immense.
Chicharito 1 goal + 1 assist. So far…
brilliant from nani
suck that begovic you fucking prick
rat1p
Oh. Poor footballer. Get some shouts at him/corrections when he does something wrong. Poor poor footballer..
Look how it turned out..
Colbert – We all know our CM isn’t what it was mate. But, some on here, will try and tell you different.
Now let’s get another one and put this one to bed. Fletcher needs to wake up, what has happened to him.
@rat1p
Never did Keano any harm pal
@willierednut
Yeah, that’s true mate.
memo to Redscot ….might join in a a celebratory one
No sitting back now lads, get the killer 3rd goal.
willie
who on here claims are midfield is anything but short, they must be blind
Peanut on for Stoke.
@Smart Alex
One goal and one assist from Nani, so far
@Colbert
I thought Fletch was actually having a decent game! Football eh, full of different opinions!
BerbaGod
didnt say he is poor but that shouting is just unnecessary for a player like him
Thank you Scott article went to uni in Stoke so I’ve seen them change from a shite championship team to a bitter premier league one. Rest assured this article will be posted on all the people I know are Stoke fans facebook pages. You left out about how they sing about Munich, and after the events of last season got no time for them.
@bchilds
That’s why we love it:) To be fair, he’s not done that bad, but he’s dilly-dallyed on the ball on a couple of occasions and that annoys me.
DKB07
Who assisted Nani’s goal?
@ Tony bee, ma girlfriend is saying in the other room, its a home game right?
What name will I have on my back on the shirt the Night other than Nani.
I am shouting BACK Javier Hernandez
Get another, Stoke are horse shit man, they should be fucking whipping boys
bchilds
Keano is THE exception =)
Keanesmagichat – It’s usually after United win a few games, you get the famous line, we don’t need anyone.
willie
we definitely need some creativity in there, i havent seen much of defour but from what ive heard, id take him in jan.
wouldnt mind diarra either, always rated him
@ Willie excactly mate, you need a rational, when watching Barcelona
midfield needs a change fast
@ Tony we do mate.
The Old trafford applaud our new hero, magic Javier and vice versa
finally some change, watch Owen pull a hammy……..
Can see this game going 2-2 and we win it 3-2 with only a couple of minutes left!
Maybe they are rating the younger players, willierednut.. dont see someone going insane about the quality of our midfield on here very often though..
I want some midfielders in the longer run though, cause some of them are getting older..
Carrick, Scholes, Giggs…
The two Michaels! This should liven things up.
Let’s have a goal from either one! Come on lads.
CMON DAMMIT MAKE A CHANGE NOW!!!!
Giggsy not at it tonight, or I’m I being harsh?
Bee is onto something. Game has become a lot more even than it needs to be right about now. Still anxious about /another/ draw/
Bchilds Lets not jinx it mate.
Cmon United~~~~ shouting like fuck
Giggs has worked so hard tonight but everything he’s tried seems to go pear shaped.
Crowd 73141, ffs, whats happened? ohh I KNOW
though giggsy was good in the 1st half, faded since
Cmon Manutd lets do this Michael Owen scoring now for us.
hark at them singing……. attack attack attack attack attack
Pennant….boo hoo the nasty Utd fullback tackled me / boo hoo . cunt
Come on ffs, get this 3rd goal!!!
Shame you didn’t go in harder Paddy!
Rafael is a trooper.
Here we go, time for stoppage time nerves AGAIN!
3 minutes injury time.
hate stoppage time nowadays
liked it last year
no rio, rooney, edwin, valencia, scholes
i’ll take any win quite frankly with those missing
Nani back is massive for us. Massive
I wish PIG would just roll the ball out of our back four instead of punting the ball into Stoke’s half and losing posession!
Glory glory Man united,
Glory glory Man united,
Glory glory Man united,
As the reds go marching on on on!
Just like the busby babes in days gone by,
We’ll keep the red flags flying high,
Your gonna see us all from far and wide,
Your gonna hear the masses sing with pride.
In poll postion, who said we would not win the league? I had faith all along.
Different view on the Champions league
United, Man united, we go marching on.
Brilliant and we march on.
3 points clear.
thats that then
Job done. Cheers to all you reds!
Nani and Chicharito did the damage.
Cmon Michael Owen score now for us.
All over, phew! 3 points clear, that table looks so good!
Another unconvincing win but very happy with the 3 points. We need Valencia back, he’s got steel. Now roll on Liverpool!
I feel so relieved I think I need to lay down
TonyBee – Thanks for the link mate.
Fair play to Stoke for coming to OT to play football. Think the lads gave it a lot of effort, but just looked a bit knackered and didn’t really seem to be on top of things.
Fuck it though, three points, nobody hurt. Job done.
Man, a season of hanging on. Great to have Nani back. Fletcher better, Gibson salesworthy. Barby put in a good shift with Hernadez.
Nothing more
a wins a win
job done kirk out
Kings …it always works sometimes slower than others but it works
NANI
3 points clear. Come on United!
Redscot…how many Kleenex will you use tonight……. you was right Nani scored the winner…. your poor old knackers in the morning will be bone dry….lol
Not convincing, but it was enough.
Notice how Berba’s bollocking woke up Nani?
To win this league, isn’t all about playing pretty football. You have to grind these type of results out, which we did and arsenal very rarely ever do.
that’s what we needed. 3 points.
cmon United!!!
3 wins 1 draw in 2 weeks. the future looks good for the 19th.
@willie
The problem is that every win has been like that for us, lol. You don’t have to grind out every win.
@ Tony mate watch my posts i dont post often, but I have crystal balls I see the future! lmao
Ma burd is waiting for me afore I go to the Pub.
Laters mate. Mwahhh ***
tonybee
lol
Well that’s that..Another laboured performance but I will take it with the fixtures coming thick and fast..The IncRedevils roll on..
Report | United 2 Stoke 1: Reds Stoke Their Title Charge
http://www.theunitedreligion.com/2011/01/united-2-stoke-1_04.html
How bloody awesome is Rafael ffs?
Costas
We did not grind anything against Blackburn, Newcastle or West Ham mate… but I see where you are coming from! lol
well my lads and lassies that me for me bed night nite all
@smartalex
Javier assisted Nani’s goal
@Cedars
Ok, not every win then. Jsut all of them apart from 4.
THe goals have dried up since the Blackburn game though. It’s either 1 or 2 in each game ever since.
Rafa was immense, but I wish he was more alert for the cross that produced their goal. And the defending by Vidic didn’t help either. Hopefully that’s the last we will see of defending like that.
Rafael is just immense! His work rate, skill with the ball is fantastic.
Wednesdayx
So Nani and Chicharito score 1 assist 1!
Have to be 2 bottles of champaigne for MoM.
Thank fuck, now we just need the Arse and Shitty to draw tomorrow night, chance to build a good old lead at the top
Costas – With the players we had missing, I’ll take this result every time. I don’t expect free flowing football every game United play, just happy we got the 3 points against this lot.
A win is a win, but why it has become so frustrating to watch United? Why do we have to do it in a risky and hard way? It is really a shame that we cannot finish off teams like Stoke even at home!
does anyone know where I could see the goals?
Giggsy didn’t have a great game attacking wise, but man did he work his socks off…
loughie21 – TPL
http://www.101greatgoals.com/hernandez-nani-on-target-as-manchester-united-beat-stoke-2-1/78422/
What about Nani? He doesn’t receive the same adulation, that Nasri does from the media. 7 goals in the league and how many assists? The lads getting better, with every game he plays.
Andy Townsend (super cunt of huge proportions)
‘ United’s luck will run out, cannot see them winning the league like this’
‘ Rafael does have potential but still has a lot to learn’
POTENTIAL, you fucking moron, he is by far the best right back in the PL you bloody idiot
@ The promised land, Loughie mate i guess on here when Scott gets back from the match.
Enjoy mate.
Tell me please what has happened to your fantastic blog?
I felt Giggs was alive, big and strong. Quality was inconstant, but next game…
Some are saying that Chicho’s goal will be an own goal. The views I had weren’t great.
Did it go off the center back or did Hernandez touch it?
From twitter:
Number of fouls made by last 5 teams to visit OT – Stoke 11; Sunderland 10; Arsenal 16; Blackburn 6; Wigan 15
LOL.
@willierednut
Nani doesn’t wear a snood.
@ Fletch utter bullshite as a dood on here tried to deny Danny Welbecks goal the other day.
A direct shot on goal deflected does not mean O/g
Rafael was immense tonight. He is fast becoming the number 1 right back in England, I’d he is not there already.
Smalling was decent also, chica was lively. The rest in my opinion were average. At this stage of the season a win is a win.
Now bring on those filthy scouse animals
that win was harder than it should … either way it is three valuable points.
For once it really is nice having the points on the board before the other “title rival” teams play!
Jaysus fuck Costas with his stats!
Dont post nothing sensible, you will get invited to a join face book! lmao
@RedScot
Those stats were too good to pass up. Shows you the dark side in Arsenal.
@ Hammons what would you prefer at the Emirates tommorow night A City win or Arsenal win, I would favour a draw!!!
Red Scot
Its in his blood mate, Costas is all about stats, sensible? Not too sure! LOL
@RedScot. Cheers for that. Hope Chicho gets it as it looked like a backheal from where I was sitting.
@Keanesmagichat Agree, Rafael was on his game like flees on a dog. Was a bit worried for the lad toward the end when he slid off the pitch and into a barrier. He didn’t jump up from that one. Hope he is OK for Liverpool. Bit worried if we have to send RedNev up against the scousers. Someone might get done! HA
MY head only works with numbers. Don’t expect sensible posts from me. I’ll leave those up to RedScot.
@smartalex Thanks!
@redscot – at the moment its on permanent hiatus, the fella who runs and edits it just stopped doing it, never really gave an explanation! he says he’s gonna kickstart it again soon but we’ll see! just as we were getting some bit of momentum as well!
@ Costas i am as high as a kite mate, its a brilliant feeling top of the league, deffo ours to loose now.
Costas can you recall that twat after two games in the season, its over. We laughed.Its not the united way. Mentality mate to go the course.
I still think City will fail because of there involvement in the Europa league, I hope they get to the final and get fucked. lmao
CedarsDevil:
Understand what Townsend says about luck, we have been riding it, but at the same time 4 last minute goals against us costing us 6 points (2 in 1 game against Everton!), and continuing injury problems to Rooney, Rio, Owen, Carrick, Anderson, and Scholes and Nani just when those 2 were flying and playing immense.
And about Rafael? What a clown. The only other right backs in his league are Ivanovic and Sagna, and I’d have Rafael ahead of them everytime, it’s unbelievable that he’s only 20 years old, first choice for the biggest club in the World, and doesn’t ever get credit in the media. Of course he makes the odd defensive mistake, every single young defender does! But his all round game is just scary at his age
@Red Scot: I want a bomb to go off if I am honest.
If that does not happen, I would be content with a goal less draw with five reds, but, realistically, that is not going to happen …
Arsenal is going through a tough part of their schedule by getting both of their games with Chelsea and Man City out of the way by the middle of January, which could be worrisome.
I am not sure how City is going to react to their off-the-field problems, but I could see them sneaking out a win..
roll on friday to i get my flight to manchester…might just stay there (need a lotto win)
united top of the league
Brilliant from Nani and Rafael.
Just the result we wanted.
Fergie will be happy with the 10/12 points for the Christmas period!
@fletch: it should be chicharito’s goal, but I could see them giving an own goal with all of the London cunts involved with the FA & Premier League.
Its just a brillant feeling lads to be in poll postion.
its our to loose now, and we aint opened up the throttle.
look forward to a draw at the Emirates I will be a chuffed we Scots cunt.
night lads. or laters.
Keep it Red or you are fucking dead!
the only person who touched it was chico???? or am i seeing things
@RedScot
Yeah I remember. To be honest, I’d have also laughed if you told me that we would be in this position after 20 games. Anyway, I feel that tomorrow a draw will be the best result. They’ll probably go a long way in the Europa :League, so I can see that being a distraction for them. But Arsenal won’t have any European obligations after March. So they are the ones we have to keep our eyes on at the moment.
How do guys feel about the game at White Hart Lane coming next up in the epl? Hope Rooney will be fit so Berbatov can start scoring again. He just can’t score without him!! We need to be solid in the midfield against spurs and hopefully Rafael can keep Bale quiet again!
9 points above chelsea. Table looks great, I stare at it delightedly, knowing we are going to get better. If any other team wants to compete with us their bum’s will already be squeeking.
Doesn’t matter who wins between shity and whingers mob, they won’t be good enough to best us in a title race.
United s
starting 11 today vs stoke had
11 players representing 11
different countries !! rare is it?
Poland, Brazil, England, Serbia,
France, Portugal, Ireland, Scotland,
Wales, Bulgaria & Mexico.
And on the other hand, Stoke had Shawcross and 10 players representing Hickville.
Scotland!
@redsam: impressive stat … but what is more impressive is that every single one of them want to be at mecca of football – Old Trafford … and they celebrate as a team rather than fight with each other in training.
I hope to hell this is just a transitional period for united, because the football united are playing is driving me to insanity at times
Manchester United Nations.
willierednut – nani is defiantly the best wide player in the country. Bale may get the praise but nani on his day is the third best wide player in the world behind messi and ronaldo
Two top quality goals and one thing for sure when squeaky bum times comes it wont bother us in the slightest as we have been playing squeaky bum football for almost the whole of the season so far.Love it.
FITB
Relax mate, try supporting United during the 70′s and 80′s
He is behind Rory Delap too. In set pieces anyway.
FITB – That’s the spoiled fan talking mate. United haven’t always played free flowing expansive football, we know how to get the job done. That’s the main difference between us and Arsenal, they don’t have a plan b when it’s going wrong, United do.
CedarsDevil – united were ok in those era’s. They were just unlucky that liverpool and everton kept nicking the league. United did finish runners up in quiet a phew of those season’s, united should be playing much better than what they are doing. Especially has united’s away form worrys me to hell
Willie
Well said mate
Lets not forget that a full strength United side(bar Nani) dominated Sunderland 10 days ago. It’s not easy playing without our core of VDS, Rio, Carrick, Ando and Rooney. Willie was right about the 3 points. Fergie gambled and won tonight. And hopefully, a fresh United side will beat Liverpool this Sunday.
Wonder if Kuz will be staying. The lads on the feed I was watching were saying VDS would have kept that one out. Still, I though that Kuz has been solid for the 2 games. Best indication is that Vida and Smalling seemed comfortable. In my view, you can read a bad keeper in the faces of the central midfielders. If they are comfortable on the ball, then it is a sure thing they have confidence in the man between the sticks.
FITB
I was not talking about performances but more on the lack of trophies mate, we have always played great attacking and attractive football even during those baron years I mentioned, tell you what though, I would rather play dull and win trophies than entertain and win shit all
Glad for the win. In the end, all that matters at this stage of the season. Still unbeaten, have to fancy that! Although our form could have been better, and draws could have been fewer, things are looking good at the moment.
A piece of magic from Chica, and a great goal from Nani assisted by each other. The men of the match! Also Rafael was immense! And Smalling did quite ok as well:) Don’t bother mentioning Nemanja, lol. He’s just to good to be spoken about!
But how the hell did that Pole get in our goal?! My good, a pittyfull atempt to make a save, and it was the only save he would have to make all game.. Falls like a sack of potatoes to the ground, tumbling the ball into the nett.
it has been like this all season, yes united won today but stoke is winnable even understrength. The midfield once again did not take hold of the game and put stoke away. Also losing leads is annoying me, away from home will make and break uniteds title hopes. at OT united always rise to the challenge, but away from home will be the final say weather united will win the league
Been a lot of potters on here. Or don’t they get internet.
I’ve said it before, but given our schedule, the main target should be to enter the Chelsea game on March 1st with a 6 point lead at least. That way, we will have room for error int he final 11 games of the season that consist of a home game with Chelsea and trips at Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.
FITB – Nani is one of the best wingers in the world atm, but you wouldn’t it, because the media is banging about Nasri and Bale. They can’t ignore him for much longer, that’s for sure.
Sel Nani buy Bellion the next Thierry Henry
Wait…
willierednut – nani is defiantly in the top 3 of the best wide players in the world, the only thing that seperates nani from ronaldo and messi is goals.
Javier hernandez again, class finisher and sniffs goals out of nothing, i think he’ll give rooney and berba a run for there money, he is definitely the future of united and saved us from splashing extravagant amounts on another striker, well all you gotta do is admire the phenomenal way sir alex spots a talent and gets them on a cheap, he buys players with the right personality and mentality to challenge at the top level and this boy hernandez is a big proof of that.
And i want to give a shout out to luis nani, has had criticism in the past but damn he has improved drastically, looks like he’ll roast most full backs he comes up against, his confidence is sky high and is elevating himself to the well earned world class status, i hear nasri.. bale, granted this guys have being class this season but nani is amongst the top class players, epitomises everything a united wing player should be, trickery and pace, balance and stamina, creativity and a goal threat with high level of technical abilities to match, this why i feel even valencia shouldn’t displace him on the right when he resumes from injury.
you look at ronaldo and messi, and they get well past the 20 goal barrier, messi at times is getting close to the 40 goal barrier every season. Nani will never be that prolific but he is now one of the best players in the world, bale is more direct but he has done nothing special in the prem this season
@catotra Bit unfair on Kuz if you are talking about Whiteheads goal. Whitehead had a free header from about 5 yards. No way for Kuz to know which way to go until he hit it. Think that was fair do to Stoke actually. Our defense was in a bit of bother and they had a solid lad in our box. Smalling was completely out to sea to be honest. His one big lapse of the game and it cost us. Actually admire Stoke for trying to play some attacking ball. They just don’t have the lads equipped to finish the job. Think Fergie was well within his rights to put out the B team. Maybe a bit of a gamble, but now we have some lads rested for the weekend. Bring on Liverpool. Cara must be nervous. RedNev is polishing his own boots for this one. Wants to leave some tracks up Torres’ back sides!
Come on you reds!
Now liverpool next, it was a good decision resting our first team players, a bit of gamble with smalling against stoke’s big strikers but he did good, another rio gradually being moulded there, liverpool could be a potential banana skin, everyone will write them off but the fuckers will play like its a cup final so expect a roller coaster tie but hopefully we stay compact and nick it.
FletchTHEMAN – at OT fletch united are close to unstoppable. The best home team in the premiership. We have only dropped 2 pts at OT, with the FA cup its a free pass where they can go out and put on a show
If Mikey scores the winner in the 93rd minute on Sunday, I think I am going to cry.
“We are an easy target for that kind of thing,” he said.
“But we just have to dismiss it and concentrate on our ambitions and that is to win the league.”
Fergie on the critisism the team gets its football. This is really annoying imo. If this was City or Chelsea in our position, no on would ever have a go at them for grinding out results.
There’s more chance of me playing, than Rednev.
Costas
Let them all fire
They can fucking ridicule us to the 93rd minute against Blackpool at home for all I care
This isn’t about them – this is about us – this is about history in the making – and this is for the 19th.
United we stand
No one in sport can stand shoulder to shoulder with Sir Alex Ferguson.
RedNev will be on the subs’ bench and when the time is right, he will do what he has. Go and celebrate in front of the scousers.
@MG
Grinding results towards the kebabs.
@fergie is the boss – i agree, i don’t think you can compare nani to ronaldo and messi who are undoubtedly world class but are practically wing forwards who dont have one specific position in the team, they drifted everywhere and are quality finishers albeit in a league that lacks competitiveness.
Nani is more of a process winger, he rarely drifts in and is given the job to supply crosses for goals, he is creatively excellent but also a match winner as he is always a capable of magical moments, he is hard to defend against because of his high technical capabilities, he is two footed so if he is allowed to come into his left foot, he’ll still punish you, hey he might not be getting as much praise as the likes of bale but we have to remember the media hype british players more than anyone else, its a fact But i don’t care, hopefully he’ll keep improvin. and ripping past defenders like a tube train.
Costas – it is probably because of how big united are, they are seen by many has a bigger club than the wallmarts of spain in the fascist and barca and they get hammered if they do not play good football. It is like going to a world class resterant and having food of the highest standard, if it drops PPL moan. I look at united has a great rollercoster ride, if I am not thrilled I will probably moan.
Costas, Know what you mean. But we are United and the London press always blow their nose at us.
He goes on to praise Chicho and then Smalling. Amazing that this is Smallings first prem start. Center Mid for United at 20 years old!
Fergy on Sky:
…..And the United boss admits that Hernandez’s form could give him a selection headache.
“Of course it gives me a problem when Wayne is fit,” said Ferguson.
“But that is the kind of problem you want. Over the years, the strikers I have had have always given me that problem.
“That is Chico’s (Hernandez) job. And as long as he keeps putting the ball in the net, he is giving me those problems.”
Ferguson also praised the performance of Chris Smalling as the former Fulham player made his first Premier League start for United.
He said: “Chris Smalling was excellent. At 20 years of age he is doing very well.
“I am pleased with his improvement. He is certainly the future of the club.”
FletchTheMan @ 23:24: “Smalling was completely out to sea to be honest. His one big lapse of the game and it cost us. ”
It was Vidic who was “at sea” when Whitehead had the free header – not Smalling, who played an excellent match with no glaring error whatsoever.
For Stoke, Robert Huth was immense – he must have foiled three/four excellent scoring opportunities with his timely interventions. I was watching Shawcross but Huth caught the eye – quite agile for such a huge guy.
Costas – everyone
We are but mere mortals but in the face of adversity we become something greater than ourselves.
To those that do not believe we ask you not to. To those that believe we just ask to walk this journey with us.
This shirt is a symbol of defiance
We will defy everyone to reach our destiny.
But for no one – we stand together as one for Manchester United
also Costas – shitty and chelski are that small they do not have an identity of playing good football. They just want their small desperate asses in the big league’s. Shitty and chelski are like some bums who get lucky with a rich blazer so they can get into the club of champions or get a golden ticket, when they do not belong in the big time. They do not belong with the big clubs, they just got lucky
@costas – i fully agree, united keep getting criticism on how they play but team’s put extra effort when they face united plus you can’t play wonderful football throughout the season, sometimes you will come up against a very difficult opponent that you only need to grind through and get the result which is important, but hey the media is full of a.b.u’s so you should never be suprised, it was embarrassing listening to mark saggy head on talksports tonight, you can listen in his voice the glimmer of hope that united may drop points against stoke when they equalised, as soon as nani crashes in a winner, he felt heart broken.
The Stoke goal must have been Evans fault?
@FITB
I think they go one step too far when they imply that we haven’t played good football at all. Blackburn and Sunderland “rolled over” and every other win has been unconvincing. Obviously, this is hasn’t been an impressive season from an entertainment standpoint, but United have played well at times. “At times” being the key phrase. It’s our inconsistent form that has caused us the biggest prolems. We get 2 draws at Everton and Sunderland and the displays could’t be more different. We were creating chances for fun in the first one and we were lucky not to conced 2 or 3 in the latter. Not to mention that in some games (like Wolves or WBA) we were hit with injuries on our wings.
@FletchTHEMAN
It’s what I get everytime I watch MOTD too. Shearer and whoever is the other guy always say we won, but we weren’t impressive. It annoys me instead of infuriate me nowdays, but you know that they are getting tiresome when even Ferguson comments on it.
Smalling and Hernandez were among our best performers today and it’s nice to see that these two are there to be counted on in their first season. Smalling doesn’t make many mistakes and with 9 goals by the new year, Chicha has exceeded my expectations.
By the way, Nani on 7 goals isn’t doing too bad either. Heading for double figures and his best season for us.
Costas
For the kebabs my friend – for the kebabs
2011 – It’s Kebablicated (read instead of the great Meryl Streep Alec Baldwin movie – It’s complicated)
Costas – I have said united have got to do much better. when others say it that shows united are bigger than everyone in the UK. And far bigger than the small time clubs like shitty chelski and gooners, who forrest have won more european cups than these 3 combined
Denton Go back to the view of the Stoke goal. That wasn’t Rafael out on the right flank chasing, that was Smalling!. Vidic had to make a choice on who to cover and made the wrong one. But my post was really about defending Kuz. Thought he did alright for us. Was giving credit to Stoke for being in an attacking position for our one significant lapse. Overall, I thought Smalling was a top lad tonight. Rafael was MOM for me, but Smalling deserves some proper praise for his poise.
If you listen to Fergies post match, he clearly says that Evans and Smalling are the future of the club. Obviously, the boss thinks very highly of our up and coming central defenders. I completely agree with SAF on that. Two 20 year olds in our back 4 tonight. The future is very bright!
@willie, the stoke goal was not evans’ fault, but the fact that we could not score more than two goals is attributed to his presence on the bench.
That and the whole volcanic ash business from last year = Evans
Forrest over achieved as a club, due to Clough being a genius. They never were a big club.
Spot on willie. At the start of xmas period who wouldn’t have taken ten points out of twelve with two potential banana skin away ganes? Couple with the players we had out if most teams had thay amount out they would dop poonts. Cedars. hi pal. Will somwonw punp a ytwelve gauge through thay cunts swede. His bitterness is getting worse by the game
@Samuel
Good point about teams putting an extra effort against us. I felt that way after the Birmingham game. I said now way they will fight like this agains Arsenal. Stoke’s defendind today seemed really top notch if you look at it as a neutral. It’s not that our creativity was awful. Their interceptions were really good. Will they play like this against the other title challengers?
@MG
Kebablicated, LOL!
@FITB
I am torn about this. It’s a great quality winning games when you don’t play full throttle(we got 90 points by doing so in 08-09), but at the same time, it’s more relaxing being 2,3-0 up at the 30th minute mark.
Costas. Sorry to hear that you subject yourself to MOTD. Must make your blood boil.
I prefer watch the live comments and then view the post match interviews for myself. Can’t stomach Shearer or most of the other pundits these days mate. That man just seems to want to wind up United. What a bitter fathead.
@King Eric
I’d have taken 10. That’s how much I predicted we would get too. It’s just a shame that we lost the other 2 the way we did.
Were you at the game tonight? Have to say that the atmosphere seemed really below par from the telly. Have to pick it up on Sunday.
@FletchTHEMAN
I catch the highlights of United’s games on dailymotion and the video is uploaded from MOTD. So thankfully I only get to hear their drivel about 2-3 minutes. And the funny thing, is that after Shearer’s impressive stint as Newcastle manager, you know how much his opinion matters…
King Eric – Ok mate? Yeah, we’re sitting top, and still to hit any type of form. I wouldn’t swap our position, for anyone else’s. If we had turned some of them draws, into wins, we’d be at least 10 points clear, or maybe more.
Sir Alex interview after the game.
http://www.simplyreds.com/manchester-united-videos/viewvideo/470/manchester-united-vs-stoke-city/manchester-united-2-1-stoke-city-sir-alex-ferguson.html
Sir Alex Ferguson said that if Manchester United was still on top of the Barclays Premier League standings by on January 4th, the Reds would have a very good chance of winning the title…..
United Is Top Of The Lot To Delight Sir Alex
http://www.theunitedreligion.com/2011/01/united-is-top-of-lot-to-delight-sir.html
Hammons, Only thing I would add to your piece is to point out that today was Smallings first prem start and that we had 2 20 year olds in the back 4. The future is very bright!
You do seem to have those rose colored glasses on. But I think we are all well pleased and I will happily share a glass of whatever you are having. 31 out of 33 points at home. Never beaten through December! Cheers mate, the glass is surely half full.
To ‘wipe the floor with someone’ is a term generally used in a lot of countries. In mine it would usually end in a very bad state for the person ‘being wiped’
Now as United fans we have been spoiled over the last what 27 years or so with winning, I mean imagine a draw vs WBA at OT in the mid 90′s, unthinkable…. We have always wiped teams you came to our place… These days its not the same, times have changed BUT now we adapt and do things in other ways and of course still win when it counts….. Right?
Of course it is
#teams who not teams you# lol
to sum it all up. United are top but ultimatly our away form will change the very fortune of our premiership season .
Good win. Nice to see Nani back. Wasn’t the prettiest game and Stoke had very few chances. Considering some major players were missing. This was important.
FletchTHEMan – you’re right about Smalling being away from the center of the field but wasn’t his job to marshal Tuncay so that when Tuncay went out to the flank Smalling went with him ? I suppose that Rafael and Nani should have been on defensive duty on the flank but in real time things are more fluid. But, be that as it may be, once Tuncay had crossed the ball Vidic was caught between Whitehead and Kenwyne Jones (who was being “marked” by Rafael). Vidic went towards Jones and left Whitehead with a free header which he duly slotted into the bottom corner – Kuczszak was hardly to blame for the goal because it would have required both exceptional anticipation and a super-strong wrist to stop it. Scrabble is only human but he still touched the ball. So, I think it was Vidic who made the really serious error but, hey, shit happens.
Orez @ 2:17: ” Nice to see Nani back.”
At this time last year – a day or two short of the anniversary of his coming-out party against TheArse – no one would believe that. At this time last year, most fans wanted him sold to anyone and his few supporters were about as optimistic that he would come good as Owen Hargreaves’ supporters might be that he will ever play again.
It has to be noted, too, that Nani’s shot was with his LEFT FOOT. This “ambidextrousness” – what would one say the correct word would be for two-footedness ? – will be a huge boon when Antonio Valencia returns and Nani gets shunted back to the left side. Last year, neither Nani nor Valencia had any confidence – or ability – with their left foot; now, one of them has.
@fletch: i was going to add something about the back-FIVE changing in the last couple of games, but for some reason i neglected to add it.
Smalling was BIG tonight … wouldn’t be surprised to see him and smalling in the FA Cup against Liverpool. if it wasn’t for Nani, he may have been MOTM. Rafael also continued to play out of his skin – would have been so much different against WBA if he was in rather than GNev.
Nani had a goal and an assist – he will occupy our RIGHT wing ….
Normally, i get blasted for being too realistic and now i have my Red of the North / optimistic glasses i get critiqued .. ha!
either way, top of the league and not looking back!
I wonder though whether valencia will be able to give it his all speed wise. Coming back from such a serious injury, he may not have the same explosive speed as before, at least it may take him some time to get his confidence back to be able to do what he does best, which is blow by defenders with that speed.
we may end up seeing Nani on the right a bit more as Valencia adjusts back this season. No matter though, would rather have both of them healthy and ready, best to have many options and a headache instead of no options and hoping injuries never happen.
@costas (re one of yr much earlier comments: “You don’t have to grind out every win.”) Well, OK, some razzle-dazzle would be nice every now and then. But right now, we’re like one of those boxers that no-one ever wants to fight, the guy who, without ever being dirty, is all elbows and wrong angles and hard muscle and ring-craft, who never seems to be hurt, who keeps coming at you and always but always has the capacity to hurt you … the Smokin’ Joe type, if you know what I mean. Sure, it can be ugly and frustrating, but it’s bloody effective — and if this is how we play when we’re not on song, then I say that’s not such a bad thing. It makes us a team others don’t like to play, because it speaks of certain qualities that are ingrained into us: resilience, toughness, and the mental cussedness to keep fighting when anyone else would give up. In short, the very qualities that you can’t buy with a 50-gallon trash bag stuffed with unearned petro-dollars, dubious bearer bonds, and rotten rubles. It makes us a team to fear, and if it never gets better than this for the whole season, it will I think be enough to win title 19 (given the way all the wannabe pretenders are playing).
And that’s just the baseline. Our line in the sand. But I’ve also seen enough to believe that any day now, Ol’ Smokin’ Joe will suddenly start dancing and jabbing and throwing combinations … and then we’ll not only be a team to fear, but to dread.
That’s it. beditme. (If you haven’t guessed, I am drunk. I also haven’t slept for 40 hours. Cheers!)
@stateside: In the words of Rio, “A Win Is A Win” … no matter how three points come we will take them – especially in this title race.
rafael got all the credits he deserved…..
in Football Manager 2011
@denton: for the goal, you will notice smalling trying to contain outside, and rafael did not close down well, because he should have went straight to Tuncay, but instead he contained the outside run of Etherington going past Smalling. So that allowed Tuncay to cross on his favored right foot … In the box it was two United defenders vs. three Stoke attackers …
Fletcher was always trailing the play and should have picked up Whitehead, because Vidic had to always be cognizant of where Jones was. … You will also see Gibson trailing the play like a deer in headlights in no man’s land, but Fletcher, in my opinion, is at fault for losing the straight forward run of Whitehead.
Carrick, who constantly gets a raw deal, added so much to our midfield when he came on … more composure and eased the pressure. I don’t think that they had a sniff at goal after he came on.
Cant help but think that in the Champions League we are going to get found out. Was looking at Anderson and Fletcher’s chalkboards for the past few games. Our passing can seriously be quite woeful sometimes, only Anderson it seems bothers to attempt any forward passes, and with exception of West Brom (where his passing was ATROCIOUS), he does quite well. He needs to be in the side all the time if we are going to get anywhere
@united: outside of carrick and scholes we do not have a good passing center midfielder, which is a bit worrisome as you mentioned.
Fletcher, ANderson and Gibson are not classy, composed midfielders in the least bit – they are hard-nosed, get-in-your-face style, and that compromises our passing game. With that said, we still possessed the ball 65% against Stoke …. again, a lot of people criticize Carrick, but at least he can complete a pass over 20 yards – which was one of the main critiques on the Ando v Cesc blog.
I will stand by what I said in August – Carrick will be what either makes or breaks us come the end of the season. Think he is class, and has adapted to a new role this season – a defensive, protecting the back-four rather than trying to directly assist the attack.
people complaint of our “ugly” win because this PL game is not a cup final. you just got another 3 points in the bag. remember our CL 99? did we play beautiful game that night? or how about FA Cup final 2005. We play beautifully and dominate Arse but we got only draw. I don’t mind people made a statement about our “UGLY” game. But when you try to make a divine right for united to win beautifully for every game, its annoying to me.
I’m not gibson’s greatest fan, but I thought he did alright yesterday…Some good passing and a few good shots….linked up well…….much better than Darren Fletcher at least, although in his current form thats not saying much…
I’d like to see him be a bit more mobile and improve his off the ball movement and positioning…
But definite improvement yesterday..hopefully he’ll get better with more games…
We looked tired and it’s understandable. 2-1 is ok with me.
@hammons
Bored at work and been looking at Carrick’s passing in a lot of games over the years. It is mostly sideways, retaining possession yes, but for incisiveness and energy, Anderson takes it.
An Anderson, Scholes, Fletcher midfield to me seems the ideal one to play against the better teams with Park and Nani on the wings.
And i am afraid i would have to surrender. We missed you Nani.
Don’t know how people can blame Vidic for the goal. He had a simple choice, he was alone in the box, with 2 opposition players. One is a 5 foot 10 midfielder, the other is a 6 foot 4 striker, every defender in the league would go to the big fuck off striker 100% of the time. If he was stood marking Whitehead and Jones had headed home the equlizer, completely unmarked, we’d all be screaming at him, asking why the fuck he had left Jones alone.
Christ, as good as he is, he can’t mark 2 men standing 5 foot away from each other!
I think it’s clear people are not appreciating how knackered the lads are. We’ve got a depleted squad, they’ve been playing hard games on soft pitches (try going for a run in mud compared to on solid turf if you don’t understand the difference it makes) and they’ve been getting results. To come out of the Christmas period still unbeaten, still bagging nearly all the points, at the same time as Chelsea basically collapsed, that’s good going.
A game like this there is no blame, there is no inquest, there are three points, no injuries, and one step nearer to title nineteen. It’s what’s called a win, to be enjoyed not fretted over.
Nothing much. NANI
@Doghouse: Well said dude.
@FletchTHEMAN: U r right dude, future is bright.
Can we say Fletch did well last night?
So Carrick,Ando,Fletch,Nani,Rooney,Berba,Rio,Vidic,Rafael,Evra,Park,Gibson,Chris,Chicarito are all in good form or coming into good form now.
Its going to be interesting this Sunday. 4-5-1 or 4-4-2.
Either one wud have a bearing on Berba and one sentral midfielder.
Trying to read through the night’s comments just drives me nuts. I stayed up until 4am for kick-off and absolutely loved the first half. Gibson had a few shots and looked decent, Berb was running circles and keeping the ball brilliantly, Fletcher was unbelieveable – how Colbert and the like can’t see that is beyond me, he was the most consistent player on the pitch. Smalling, as we all seem to agree on is a powerhouse, he’s going to be immense, especially necessary when the other two are getting older, we need him and Evans more often and in the cup games to keep the old guard fresh.
Giggs was great, wasn’t as much of a winger as we’d have hoped but have few complaints about his drive, very glad to see Nani back as spreading play out to the wing and interlinking with the new full-time wing-back Rafael is beautiful to watch.
2-1, we won, with some great football and well-taken goals – job done.
Yup, I have to agree with ABC on this one. Fletcher was immense, back to his old self. He might have had a few misplaced passes but looking at the comments one would think that I watched a different game (or maybe you can’t see who the players are trough your shitty streams of mosaic blocks). The myth about fabio being the better da Silva is busted, Rafa has really just been getting better since Bayern. Nani is our most important player alongside Vidic atm. A longish spell on the sidelines but still pops up with an assist and a winner.
can please somebody make a gif of rafael´s dance moves last night
Obviously, we played better with PROPER wingers around, such as Giggs and Nani, not other “part-timer wingers”..
So please, Fergie, sign up even one new decent winger will do for us….
Be it the young Alexis Sanchez, or old golden Beckham please…
@ Always Be Closing: Yo mun Adam Halliwell!!! how was your night out in kl?
@zactaxe: Good one,maybe we shud sign both. 1 long term,1 for the next 3 months.
Dave! It was great, although felt a little ill after midnight thanks to POLSKA VODKA, haha. Chilling out in Bukit Bintang again, I need to get my sleep pattern back because I’ve been going to be past 5am every night and waking up at 4pm, haha. Hope you’re up for Sunday round here! Tengkat Tong Shin if there are any other Malaysian ROMmers in KL – Imbi is the nearest metro – Liverpool match at 9:30pm at Football Junction (cheap food and drink, lots of United fans every match), opposite Anjung KL Guesthouse.
@Always Be Closing: Dont mean to be rude or nosy,say are u getting any birds over there?
Happening place that.
POLSKA VODKA on my list not to try.
We don’t need another winger. Getting Valencia back soon, got Bebe and Obertan coming through, got Park, Nani and Giggs in the meantime. Might have forgotten somebody, but mostly we’re covered.
if alexis sanchez was ever coming it would be in the summer, suits united well as he is as versatile as nani so they both can swoop wings unlike valencia who is one dimensional, but even though valencia is predictable, he can still be devastating so..
Dave, sadly not – they’re offered up and down this street past midnight but I’d rather not pay for it, let alone with what appears to be some girl and her mother offering her away for money.
Can you make Sunday you reckon? Might even buy you a Milo.
@Doghouse & Samuel
If we do sign a winger the names u guys mention ,someone wud have to leave,we know Giggs will retire,still need space. Include Tom Cleverly as potential winger for us.
@ Always Be Closing: OMG which mother offering what?
Thats not right. Anyway i was talking about the birds ,not streetwalkers.
MILO???? damm man wheres the whisky and rum?
Dont know yet, the weekend shifts will lists be in on friday morning.
How long ru in kl for?
And ru a runaway nuke scientist?
Now that I’ve had some sleep and sobered up … a question for those who were at the game: why was Smalling out on right side so much in the second half? It was something that I noticed a few times but on TV, I couldn’t see enough of what was happening around him to know why. But I remember thinking, just before their goal, “what’s he doing out there?”. It was so obvious, I actually wondered whether we had switched to 3 at the back!
Don’t get me wrong … not blaming Smalling, just curious, that’s all. In general, I thought he had a good game, and Rafael too. In fact, apart from the goal, all our defenders played pretty well. I read a post by Hammons a little earlier which explained more about the goal, and pointed the finger at Fletcher, but still I’m curious as to why Smalling was out there, not just once, but several times.
Sorry but I don’t know if my telly can take it if Gibson plays like he did again last night.
Can’t really pass, can’t run (I think he has worse pace than Fletcher, who really isn’t very fast at all), can’t consistently get his famed shots away, and can’t really intercept like what Carrick did shortly after he came on. Someone tell me what other qualities a midfielder can have to negate his lack of competency in those? At least Kieran Richardson took a few nice freekicks for Sunderland…
firstly i’m going to give the boys a break 4 games in 12 days as some other lads pointed out, this time of the year it is about winning and grinding out results not looking pretty,also lets not forget stoke are not that bad think entered last nights game 7th.
kuszczak has been whinning again about spending the last 5 years on the bench and wants talks with sir alex,sad truth he’s not good enough to be utds number 1, thought the goal was soft he’s a ok back up nothing else.nani and rafael are developing a very good understanding its exciting to watch those 2 play.”chicharito” is the mirror image of ole give him 1/2 yard in the box it normally ends up in the net extraordinary poacher instincts.
i’m thinking sir alex might start chicarito and owen against the dippers,give berba a rest,we do need to get a playmaker in midfield when scholes plays fine but obviously at his age he’s injury prone and running ouy of time,dafour is injured again out till march so if sir alex is going to sign anyone it won’t be him.
Aha i see that i’ve missed out on a lot of discussion here, damn. Nani, Nani, Nani. Rmb the days when we used to be “Oh no, Nani” and now it’s become “Oh yea Nani”. And really, there’s nothing much Chicharitooo can do to guarantee him a starting place, but then again its a good headache. And i’m actually really comfortable with Smalling replacing Rio/Vida. I mean although he’s yet to prove it against big teams, he looks good. And Gibbo managed a game without getting a sigh from me. I thought it was a decent display and i can’t take my eyes off that league table now.
Hmm seen comments of Fletcher was great and rubbish
Gibson did ok, Gibson was rubbish,
Why are a number of our fans so decisive, you would think being a UTD fan they would have a little more about them in being to assess a players performance, now not for one minute am I saying all our fans are like this, but there are enough of them and they tend to spout their drivel on forums such as this. Its like listening to Stoke fans at times
6/4 score any time, Nani was always gonna produce
and what a brilliant goal it was, makes switching feet and shooting look easy. But what I enjoyed most about last nights match was the link up play between Berbatov, Nani and Hernandez – not to make it into another Rooney rant but, he’s not the only goal scorer on the planet. Hernandez has an eye for goal comparable to any in form striker in the league, and genuine skill on the ball too. Nani’s assist was brilliant, put it through the defenders legs exactly where Xavi wanted it, and he then put it through Shawcrofts legs. Quality finish. Type of goal “worthy of Messi, Ronaldo and Co” apparently – But Nani? He is so consistent in cutting inside and putting it away, immediate threat, showed us why we miss him. Overal a good result and a step in the right direction. Alec knows how to keep the boys on the boil, we’ll be well up for Europe and the FA Cup at this rate. Looking good. Giggs after a rest always puts in a good shift, still poses a big threat. Gibson and Carrick put a decent shift in too, Vidic had a little mix up with Evra for the goal, but apart from that it was a solid performance after so many games on the trot.
@ Paul Parker
Nani’s constant cutting ins, and that goal in particular reminded me of Ronaldo. Brilliant stuff eh. And i bet he would have done a flip, had he just not gotten that earful from Berba, lol.
No flip from Nani most likely due to just back from hip injury, the boss would kill him.
gerkeo- oh yes. forgot bout that
All the complaining, you’d think we hadn’t won last night. Top of the league and 3 points clear, with a couple of games in hand, It’s looking good. On the champions league, I don’t expect United to win it this year, but the lads will give every thing as usual.
Know what you mean Willie but I guess its human nature for people to look at the past with rose tinted spec and think every team from yesteryear was better than this, rather than a team that was on its 4th game in a very short space against a very organised Stoke.
Our fan base seems to growing more and more shallow as the seasons progress, they seem to have the memory capacity of Goldfish but hey ho, they will be coming over themselves when we get the 19th having never slagged a player off at anytime.
I’m ok for constructive critisism but some of the posters make me think they are opposition fans posing as UTD fans, its probably one of the reasons why Red Issue and Red News forums ask you to cough for a tenner after all the Red Issue forum is the called the sanctuary.
willierednut – yes true at OT united usually win. But the fact remains away from home is gonna be a bitch
FITB, despite all that we are still unbeaten away and all that while putting some truly bad performances, Sunderland and Villa never mind WBA, its the old adage win at home draw away is the minimum needed to win the title.
mattbw – Bob on pal. I have made no secret of my disgust at some of the comments on here especially after a defeat. Infact even after wins now. Its the same old posters that frankly contribute nowt.
Anyway of course we can win in Europe. Its all about luck in Cup competitions, ya never know. I keep saying who would have thought the dippers could win it in 95 with THAT squad?
@ KingOfStretfordEnd
Yeah I saw him doing the usual “asking for space” warm up after he scored, but he ended up jogging around looking very pleased with himself instead lol Its good he’s not flipping after every goal, even tho that goal last night was a cracker – he’s probably had good advice to save the big celebrations for the BIG goals he’ll undoubtedly score for us.
_________
from the looks of all these high pressure games recently we’re shaping up nicely. All we need is Scholes and Tony back and fit, and Ando staying on form, and we’ll have a strong squad to select from. when it really matters. Any further progression from Gibson and Obertan this season will be a bonus. But Berb, Javi and Nani looks like a brilliant trio, first time I’ve really seen them have a good crack at it together and play fluidly, it looked promising imo. Good to see the Soldier of Fortune (Owen) back as well!
i missed the game huwaaa!!!!
i was outstationed and i thought the game is going to be played today…..
aaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
King Eric – The dippers were extremely lucky that year mate, we won’t get that type of luck lol. That lucks exclusive to Liverpool football club. You never know, but I want the 19th title more than anything.
Willie, ABC, Mattbw and some of the others: Thanks for retaining sanity on the board – Christ, it seems to be fashionable to bash Utd performances these days!
I’m coming back to RoM after a long time (crazy at work, followed by a wonderful seaside vacation) and its great.
My observations from y’day’s match:
1. Overall, I think it was a steady performance. We dominated them in the first half, slipped up a bit for the first 15 in the 2nd, and then turned in a thoroughly professional performance to finish it off. If anything, I thought we went a bit soft immediately after the break, but thankfully we conceded in the 55th and not the 85th, know what I mean?
2. Agree with all about Rafa, Nani, Chicha, Smalling. Berba didnt get a lot of the ball, but when he did, he was electric.
3. Disagree about Fletcher – I think he did good after a long time this season. Put in some good passes too.
4. Gibson – Ok, not a horrorshow, but not great either. OK shift.
5. Giggsy was in the mood yesterday – unlucky not to get a goal or an assist.
Lastly, let me talk about the enigma called Michael Carrick. Honestly, I am not sure I understand what he does, but I can only observe the effects and I like it. The moment he came on yesterday, the opposition attack seemed to die off a few yards early, the tempo slowed down and funnily enough Carrick didnt seem to be in the thick of things! I understand his value when he makes some of his killer passes, I can observe his value when he doesnt, but I’m damned if I understand how he does it!
No compromise. We have to win the 19th with Gary, Ryan, Paul and Sir Alex.
And press on from there.
MyCowlsTheSaddest – sorry about that. Thank god for RoM, you can relive it in spirit.
More ABU humour
A caller asked Andy (cunt) Townsend whether he thought Rafael is currently the best RB in the PL…
Andy ‘ Well he has potential but to say he is the best no and by a long mile, he is good going forward but
seems suspect in his defending…. I would like to see him tested against the likes of Bale’
Likes of Bale you ignorant cunt? He already did and had him in his back pocket you fucking idiot…
Still makes for a good laugh.
Great win lads and we are where we always belong
@MyCowIsTheBest
As smartalex said, lets us help you relive it. Here’s an idea of what ROM was like last night:
- First Half-
“Oh no! Gibson is starting. He is shite”
“No creativity from the middle”.
“Chicaritooooooooooooo”!
- Half time -
“We need a second”.
“Smalling is doing really well”.
“We missed Nani”.
-Second Half-
“Fuck. Stoke are level. I don’t know where he is, but it’s Evans’ fault”.
“Naniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii”.
“We need a third”.
-Full Time-
“Average performance, but pleased with the 3 points”.
“Chicharito has to start more games”.
“Rafael is immense”.
“Asenal committed more fould than Stoke at OT. Some dark side..”
“Kebabs”.
For the record, I don’t see anything wrong with critisizing an average performance. I said the same when the team won at Milan last March and the Everton game 3 days later was a wake up call for some.
But yesteday was different. We were playing without the core of our team (VDS, Rio, Carrick, Ando, Rooney). I hope all of them are recalled ion Sunday, but Fergie wasn’t too optimistic about that. Looks like Rooney is the main doubt..
Based on a performance that happened almost a year ago to date, a lot of critics would never have been able to pick the Manchester United line-up that faced Stoke City.
What A Difference A Year Makes
http://www.theunitedreligion.com/2011/01/what-difference-year-makes.html
Anyone else sick and tired of everyone going goo-goo ga-ga over Bale and Nasri while Nani has been doing it week in week out yet no one talks about him?
Here’s a video I made on Nani the other day let me know what ye think please
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96K6HKVmsWE
Costas
As long as it’s not the broken record that some play whenever they can. All negative about their pet hate, never playing the flip side.
Costas in on fire……….
Costas is in on fire……….
Oh how did I get double posts! Bizarre………… Any hoo, credit will always go to non United players, snood wearing Nasri has been hailed so much by some pundits you would think he is a good player!
@smartalex
Not even taking those into consideration. Just talking about sensible posters that recognise when they might be wrong about something. Anyway, I think it’s important to mention when a winning display has been unconvincing (i.e. the win at West Brom). The manager does the same.
@Cedars
If I was twice on fire, I would have plenty of trouble talking to you now.
mattbw7 – when the title race is this tight a draw is has bad has a defeat.
CedarsDevil – bale is no messi and rafeal is currently the best RB in the prem. He knows how to defend much better, and the way he positions himself he can handle bale. The way bale has been hyped up has if he has scored goals on the levels of messi
Phone the fire brigade then. Sunderland away was one of the poorest performances of the season, last night wasn’t. We won and stayed top with games in hand, whats there to complain about? We had Fletcher and Gibson in CM, not Keane and Scholes. This isn’t a great United side, so I don’t expect us to wipe the floor with teams these days. You gotta admire our ability to get the job done, that’s what United have done best, under SAF.
Costas, you are so good you need a double post mate
FITB
Agreed mate, just hate the ignorant so called pundits spouting shit
I forgot, Evans was at fault for Stokes goal.
Willie
I will have a sip of my most expensive whiskey to celebrate you brilliant last comment mate… Way to go
Willie
Damn you are quick, I did mean your comment at 14:12
Mind you are right, it was J Evan’s fault last night… sell him I say we are crap anyway…
Remember my plea, ffs sign Marcus Bent
Yes, there’s a fine line between victory and a draw/loss. SAF has to consider the result as a part of the performance. Winning when playing under par is a necessary attribute, not an excuse to ignore the deficiencies. Understanding the conditions and recognizing what to address. Not demanding excellence while ignoring the difficulties and complexities of top flight football.
I have a feeling that the biggest test of our team will be to win one of those big games that we have in our last 11 games of the season. For example, a win at Anfield or at the Bridge.
@Cedars
Thanks. I know I do, lol.
Happy to finally open up a bit of a gap at the top. Lets hammer the dippers next.
@Matt, Willie and Costas and others … there’s a difference between ‘honest’ criticism and just slagging someone off. I liked Matt’s comment that “they will be coming over themselves when we get the 19th having never slagged a player off at anytime”. Absolutely. In fact, it’s not that long, only 4 or 5 weeks, when so many fans were up in arms about this whole season gong down the dumps and if SAF didn’t spend a fortune — and as soon as! — then we were done for sure … be lucky to finish in the top four, all that rubbish. And now look! (I have to be careful, because I don’t remember everything I myself might have said
but I don’t think I was overly negative). As some of you mentioned, a lot of the time it’s assholes just spewing their bile over whichever player they happen to hate the most anyway. There is (or should be) a healthy distinction between criticizing a player’s particular performance and just continually dumping on the player period. I’ve always been a fan of Berbatov, but have criticized some of his performances and antics. There was a time that I was regularly critical of both Nani and Anderson, but have since changed my tune — because the evidence of improvement is there for all to see.
After all the stick Becks has received from our fans, he might only be training with Spurs for 2 months and not actually playing football.
Marcus Bent?? no, buy Mido!!
Who’s on fire?
Shall I get the water
Mr Ryandunny
Great video you made. Well done! I enjoyed it tremendously. RoM has a place for videos…
@willierednut
Really? I thought he only said stuff to try and act like a top red.
Anyway, lets wait and see what he actually does. He trained with Arsenal in the past too…
Anyone got links to Nani’s goal? It was a great strike.
@MG
No, just get me a picture of the old Jenna Jameson. That will cool me off.
Valencia back in training. A month away from returning to action
Wait Costas is on fire!
No problem Costas has in built cooling mechanism
JJ Costas?
Hayley McQueen….
@StatesideAussie
Exactly. In my opinion, no one can be only critisize or can only praise the team. There have been times after our away games, that I’ve also questioned our chances to win the league. And I still feel that it’s an area we need to improve on. Some tough ones on the way.
Welcome back Antonio.
@MG
She will work too.
As will Serinda Swan. Look her up on google.
Costas
You need a woman to cool off
Here it works the other way around – we need a woman to heat up
Ha ha ha! – Thats our winter for you
read this on another article, but ronaldo has 60 goals in 61 games for madrid, best start in RM history….he is also on track to break the goals per season mark in la liga.
willierednut
101gg always finds videos as they’re uploaded. Great site.
http://www.101greatgoals.com/hernandez-nani-on-target-as-manchester-united-beat-stoke-2-1/78422/
OMG Costas
Where has Serinda been all my life!
Ha ha ha
MG – Any news about signing Bolt? lol
@willie … a great strike, that it was. Two years ago Nani didn’t have a left foot at all. Now, he has become genuinely two-footed, ever since SAF started using him out on the left wing after CR left. I wonder if he would have developed it the way he is, if that hadn’t happened? Anyway, this wasn’t the first goal he’s scored with his left, and he has now become exceedingly dangerous: able to play either side or through the center, tricky, fast, able to go down the side or cut-in, and able to cross or shoot with either foot. Probably the only areas I would like to see him improve are that some of his crosses/corners recently have been below par, some of his free-kicks are a bit wild, and he sometimes doesn’t make the best choices. But those are all nit-picks, which require no more than a bit of polishing and tuning. I’ve got the feeling he hasn’t reached his max yet…
Zelh
I can’t get hold of him mate – need to trim down a bit – ha ha ha
Lads, this site also has goals up for anyone interested:
http://www.soccerclips.net/
@MG
Tell me about it. She has overtaken Megan Fox in my hotties list.
StatesideAussie – I’m not talking about being negative mate. I’ve always defended fans that are negative, it’s whatever works for you. It’s the ones who think United should win every game 4 and 5 nil, that annoy me the most. We haven’t played well this season, apart form a few games, that’s were we are at. I’m content with that. I was critical of the team earlier in the season, when we couldn’t use excuses like tiredness and too many games, but I’m more positive now, though we’ve got to improve that away form.
Cheers for the links lads. @Costas That’s the rumors on Becks atm, but even if he does play for Spurs, it won’t bother me mate.
@Stateside Aussie
Good point about Nani’s left mate. 5 of his 7 goals this season have come from his left.
Maybe he should take corners and free kicks with that one.
@smartalex Thanks ever so much for watching it…and I’m glad you liked it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96K6HKVmsWE
@Costas … I didn’t realize it was that many! 5 out of 7? wow! who woulda thunk it…
Costas
We need to check these lists mate – ha ha ha
StatesideAussie
Mate I sent you an email a week or so ago – did you get it? Happy New Year anyway – again!
King Eric @ 13:19: “of course we can win in Europe. Its all about luck in Cup competitions”
Exactly – luck, injuries, lousy refereeing, bad lasagna, and such like are completely unpredictable.
Has the ability to finish chances like our former great and if his hair was gingery/blond you could almost imagine it was Law he’s some finisher our Chicha.
Anyone in the UK, who has sky news, Jim O’Neill will be talking about his involvement with Red knights. It starts at 7pm.
MG … re the email, this is really weird: I have a memory of waking up one morning, reaching for my phone to check emails (which, when you think about it, is itself a pretty sad comment on what my life has become!), seeing yours, reading it, thinking “I’ll reply to that after breakfast” … and then being totally unable to find the email later on! Not in my Inbox, not in my Deleted folded … so weird that I eventually concluded the whole thing must have been a dream (not that I normally dream about emails from you or anyone else, lol). Anyway, I was half asleep at the time so only have a vague recollection of the detail … could you re-send it? I’ll have a look at it tonight when I get back to the hotel. Cheers mate!
willierednut – actually i also have sky )
Valencia back in training can save a day like today.
StatesideAussie
Sounds like a Philip K Dick Novel then buddy
lol
Ryandunny
top video mate.
On the performance last night, this present
@Cedars Devil
I guess we watch the same channel or sthing, the Andy Townsend fella, he’s getting under my skin week in week out.
Om our pewrformance last night, it is true that this team is not as exciting or talented as previous teams. But the desire and hunger and pride to play for United and Sir Alex is obvious.
I take massive pride especially when reflecting on a performance that these players some of whom wouldnt have got near past teams, grinding and grafting in order to achieve positive results.
And also if we win the titile, this will have been one of our best ever in my eyes. We have no Ronaldo scoring 40 goals,but we have 11 players committed and hugry and more in reserve.
Follow Follow Follow
KingOfStretfordEnd
Guess we do mate, this shit head just gets under my skin like you say, seems his love joy is playing us down the big nosed mother fucker!
I really hate the cunt
@keanesmagichat
Thanks for watching it! Much appreciated!
@AIG Were did you here Valencia was back. Don’t seem to see it in the headlines. Any sign of Hargo, seems he should be running by now as well. Cheers
@Scott the RED.
Time for a new thread on the the Liverpoool game. Much to be said before that one kicks off mate.
we need Beckham,
our free kicks outside the box have been terrible
@keanesmagichat – actually i believe this team is capable of entertaining us if not this season (because games are coming thick and fast and the importance of getting the result is on the top of priorities) then next season. In terms of talent it’s pretty debatable but like you said this is more of a team in terms of importance of every single member of the club to the team success.
costas
i definitely think this team is capable of entertaing us and they have, but its just my gut feeling that when things are not going right for us there seems to be the correct balance in expeirence age etc to be able to drag us through.
Everyone seems to be singing from the same hymn sheet and giving 100% even ehrn things are not coming off. Thats what I admire, Nani’s workrate last might was immence, tracking back marking space etc.. Its great to see
@smartalex and Costas
Thank you for the summary. hehe my cow was the saddest.. i was scouring all over the internet for some infos on the match just now.
Lol costas for the sarcastic “i dont know where he is but it’s Evans fault”. I dont think it was Evans’ fault anyway. We conceded because we didnt sign Van Der Vaart xD
willierednut says:
Anyone in the UK, who has sky news, Jim O’Neill will be talking about his involvement with Red knights. It starts at 7pm
He’s as much chance of owning UTD as you or I Willie, I’ll be out and I cant see my self recording it.
off topic for laughs
http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/interviews/2011-01-05/top-premier-league-managers-react-ronaldinho-blackburn-rumour?
wenger and ancelotti typical
Although our away form is worrying, due credit should be given for us to be standing where we are. And i think one crucial thing we may have corrected from last season is that we’ve managed to take advantage in most cases when we play earlier than our title rivals. I remember we did often messed things up whenever we player earlier last season, correct me if i’m wrong. That said, we can’t get carried away cos there’s still a long way to go in the league, but i’m confident that if we keep this up, like what Nani said, this season can be something special.
@fletchTHEMAN
The TonyV thing, i think it’s rumours flying around, i read it too, from some really not credible website that i don’t have the link to. The website claimed that TonyV’s rep was interviewed by some local Ecuadorian Radio station and that his doc said he could start with field training. If it’s true, that’s great but then i think he’ll only start training in Feb like what Sir Alex mentioned before.
I’m gobsmacked at some of the negativity on here. So we ‘only’ won by one goal. We dicked them and were a much better team for the vast majority of the game. Personally I think that was, all in all, a pretty good show against a well sorted side.
As for the lack of entertainment. Bloody hell people. We have scored some amazing goals this season. Proper slick, collective conscious stuff that any team on the planet would be happy with. Both goals last night were a joy to watch. Especially the second. Rafael with a flick over his and a Stoke players head with a spin run dribble pass of joy to start and ending with some superb crisp hard passing between Chico and Nani and an absolutely gorgeous bit of placement from Nani. What more do you want? Cheer up and enjoy yourselves. These are good times. Could be better, but they are still good times.
We won. Blimey.
http://www.antonio-valencia.net/
TonyV news people
On the russian United sire they said he is 5-6 weeks away. Valencia i meant.
Off topic:
PrestonNE www site is hosting an article that it attributes to “The Times” on how Ferguson should be brought to task for bringing the game into disrepute regarding the recall of our loaned players.
It is not a very balanced article, and it is really difficult to tell who wrote it, but I am sure it will strongly influence the weak minded. It is interesting that the writers name is withheld and that there is no link to the original. While it is clearly an attack on Ferguson, it concludes that it is an attack on those who should monitor the good of the game. Interesting
http://www.pne-online.net/forum/showthread.php?59901-Others-guilty-over-Ferguson%E2%80%99s-abuse-of-power-The-Times&s=7fc6e7455ba6bc1b76e5aca25c91bfe0
The stoke fans didnt take too kindly to this article and have kidnapped scott!!!!!
Stoke fans are disgraceful after our game against them last season
Some ironically cheered when we scored because it did not matter towards the title anymore
They are all a bunch of rent boys to me, surprised to see them even showing up at OT last night
@FletchTHEMan thank you for sharing the link.
The author says it is not being pro or anti Ferguson, but it’s about the integrity of the game. If it is not about Sir Alex, then why does the author highlight only about Sir Alex, and nothing about anybody else?
You gotta laugh at em haven’t you I mean fnacy defining your self by only booing the opposition team or supporters.
I agree with Scott 100% on this one, lets face it, we have City, the Dippers and Leeds who anyone would call rivals and enemies next down you could have Arsenal and Chelsea and so on, the difference with thier fans is that while they may abuse us they do spend a good bit of thier time supporting their own team, its this total lack of self awareness of the average Stoke away fan, they believe whats written about them in the press and feel the need to live up to the hype, sad sad sad.
At some point they will go down, probably when they the season they qualify for europe (which yes they could do this year) and when they do go down won’t they regret it just a little bit that they didn’t enjoy a bit more
Its a long way to go for the comments record yet….keep it up boys! lol
I saw a report about some twitter by mark cant remember his moniker saying Valencia was back at Carrington today basically in preseason training and will be ready in six weeks think it was on Redcafe.
Fuck you Jim O’Neill. He fudged the question on the Red Knights.
Where is Scott lol.. havent been online for over 24 hours (facebook, twitter, blog)
Anyways.. What game are people watching tonight?
Most people will obv. watch Shitty – Arsenal, but I want to see how Welbeck and Cleverley are doing too.. Then there is Chelsea.. and Everton – Spurs..
@berbagod; sounds like you have got a bit of man-crush on scott … when did he last take a crap? kidding …
Arsnood and Shitty … AND Tottenham / Everton
How Arsenal haven’t scored within 3 min I’ll never know…
hammons
Nah.. just very unusual for him to be away that long after a game.. he often posts on twitter during games etc..
1-0 Wolves
LOL
Definitely know that I was kidding, BerbaGod. it is strange that he has posted something – am sure he is busy
@willie … how did he fudge it? (I don’t have access to it here, so can’t see for myself)
The way city keep the ball in their own half is super. 20 touches before crossing the halfway line.
arsenal just hit a post. agree – they should be up one or two by now.
How Arsenal haven’t scored 3 by 10 min I’ll never know…
Chelsea, lol.
Come on draw!
Come on home town Wolves get in you beauty (even if they are og’s
I hear that Shity’s title credentials are showing again…
Wolves 1:0 chelsea
Shitty is just that … kidd said that they are trying to emulate United in the pre-game … good luck, traitor.
For the record, City haven’t won at Arsenal in 35 years.
If they win, I am betting my house on the media wankers saying that they will break another 35 year curse…
Sicknote just scored Everton … nice long-range goal. Shame he couldn’t stay fit at United.
Please please please can the night end now as it is
Just noticed that Liverpool’s GD is -1. KRAP.
@MG
Exactly what I was thinking.
@MG – totally agree.
@costas – i believe at one point, it was -3. shit birds.
fucking van der vaart scored again. …amazing return.
Cleverley has a hamstring apparently – damn
Apparently cleverley has picked up a hamstring injury and is coming off.
How Arsenal haven’t scored 5 in 30 min I’ll never know
finally, ian darke picked up on the shitty emirates’ pitch … the ball is spinning up water every time its played on the ground
De Jong goes in the book. That didn’t take long…
@hammons
I love the guy and he is one of the best Greek defenders I’ve seen, but says it all about Liverpool when Kyrgiakos is a regular central defender for them.
Bad break for Clev, but maybe his first season as a regular in the Pr.League is taking its toll. He will be back.
He has no history of hamstring problems does he?
Costas
No hamstring history
Bloody English weather mate – and pitches to boot
@MG
Even the Emirates? The home of football?
Even at the Emirates Costas
The home of Barcelona ahem I mean Arsenal
@ costas – wasn’t a bad break mate, just hamstring
Can’t see the point in recalling him if he’s going to be injured when we need him most, i.e. while Park’s away. Shame cos he was starting to hit some good form.
Olson scores for Blackburn
@MG
Hehe, nice. Pity none of those gooners are around to see it.
@McQueen
Lol, ok. Touche. Bad luck then.
As it stands – Barclays Premier League table
Projected table based on latest scores
Position Team P GD PTS
Full Barclays Premier League table
1 Man Utd 20 24 44
2 Man City 22 17 42
3 Arsenal 21 20 40
4 Tottenham 21 7 37
5 Chelsea 21 17 35
6 Sunderland 22 2 31
7 Bolton 22 5 30
8 Newcastle 21 0 28
9 Stoke 21 0 27
10 Liverpool 20 -1 26
11 Blackburn 22 -8 26
12 Blackpool 19 -5 25
13 Everton 21 -3 23
14 Fulham 21 -2 22
15 Birmingham 20 -5 22
16 West Brom 21 -13 22
17 Aston Villa 21 -14 22
18 Wolves 21 -13 21
19 Wigan 21 -15 21
20 West Ham 22 -13 20
Cmon draw at the Emirates please, pwetty please. lol
Blackburn 1:0 Loserpool
Arsenal City 0 Shitty 0
Wolves 1 Rent Boys 0
Blackburn 1 Scouse scum 0
Everton 1 Tottenham 1
Could it get much more perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know most of you are lazy like I am, lol, so just wanted to let you know that Scott opened a new thread. So just take your toys and meet me there.
Oh and Keep Roy At Pool.
We’ll be lucky if this ends in a draw, it’s gaping. A city win would be better than an arsenal win, but I can’t help myself wanting them to get battered! It’s a dilemma.
My main worry is that with City weathering the early storm, this could lead to them winning. Won’t be the first time Arsenal bottle it.
Hope it ends 0-0.
Blackburn 2:0 Loserpool
sorry- yes it can!
blackburn 2 scouse scum 0
hahahahahahahahah
Stamford Bridge is going down…
Going down… Going down…
Stamford Bridge is going down…
O dear me renties…
Oh my God what a week this could turn out to be, i swear if Chelsea lose to wolves its done and dusted.
Dear me what will the london press think of this, looserpool down as well, Too good to be true, i feel warm inside. LOL
bryanrobson’s my hereo says:
Arsenal City 0 Shitty 0
Wolves 1 Rent Boys 0
Blackburn 1 Scouse scum 0
Everton 1 Tottenham 1
“Could it get much more perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
WTF do I know.
Course it can get better.
Blackburn 3 Scouse scum 0
hhahahah
just feel bad for Avram. Anyone else like the surly israeli (for some reason, the surlier he is, the more i like the guy)
What in god’s name is happening.At this rate we wont have any challengers for the title,don’t know whether to snigger or just laugh out loud.
Fergie must be rubbing his hands wit glee. the old enemy languishing in no mans land, more chelsea woes and l’arse proving again that they are toothless, although to be fair man shitty played this way at wastelands against us some months ago. This has been a truly happy start to the new year.
What will those who say we haven’t convinced say now
premier league managers are in the shit big style ; a number of em will be getting calls from the chairman all night, Poor roy, Ha!! i’m loving it and OMG Ancelotti as well. United need to push on for me despite the criticisms of the team ;some well founded others not so much, i believe we are the best team in the country. Come on United the 19th is on the horizon, Full Steam Ahead
StatesideAussie – He was asked 3 times, about his involvement with the Red Knights. He refused to comment every time.
@willie .. thanks. that “no comment” bullshit really wears thin after a while.