Manchester United take on Wigan tonight looking to close the gap back to two points. It looked as though our chance to close in on them this side of New Year had passed when we lost to Villa and Fulham, but Chelsea’s dreadful form has given us a reprieve. Their draws against West Ham, Birmingham and Everton over the past fortnight have given us a way back in, and if not for an own goal a couple of days ago against Fulham, we’d be even closer to the top.
We’ve battled on without a defence or our first choice goalkeeper and if we are able to close the gap to two points this evening, Chelsea should be thoroughly ashamed and we should start getting excited.
United play better in the second half of the season, we don’t have the African Cup of Nations like Chelsea to send our best players to (Drogba is the Premiership’s top scorer with 14 goals, after him is Lampard with 6 goals (5 of which were penalties!), then Anelka with 5, and since Essien has been missing with injury, Chelsea have won 2, drawn 3), we’ve kept the pace with our defence out injured so imagine what we can do with defenders playing in defence and our better players (like Fletcher) playing in their proper positions and Chelsea still have to come to Old Trafford. I’m not saying the title is in the bag but I believe I win tonight, as well as putting a dent in to the goal difference gap, should really give us faith in what 2010 can bring.
“I would definitely have taken being two points behind the leaders,” Ferguson said this week. “When you look at all the defenders we have had out injured. It has been a key period to try and get through it. It is impossible to play midfield players at centre-back in this league. You might get away with it once. But not twice.”
Fortunately, we have some defenders returning which should sure up the defence. Against Hull, when playing four defenders for the first time in a while, the only goal we conceded was a penalty that had been caused because of the mistake of a striker. We’re still without our first choice keeper in Edwin Van der Sar, and we may already have to prepare for his long term absence, (at 39-years-old, I wouldn’t even think about leaving my wife, who had just suffered a brain haemorrhage, in a different country to play football. Sorry), but we have enough players to start improving our defensive record. Gary Neville is a possibility to start, alongside Vidic, Brown and Evra, meaning we would even have the luxury of a defender, Rafael, on the bench!
So at a time when we really need the points and goals, what better side to face than Wigan. We have beaten them every time we’ve played them, ten occasions, scoring an average of three goals a game. Those kind of records can’t last forever, but when looking at their recent form, it’s hard not to feel confident. They haven’t won a single game in December, losing to Birmingham and Liverpool, drawing against Stoke and Blackburn. They’re currently 15th in the league, one point away from the relegation zone, so we do need to worry if we can’t turn them over at home.
I’d really fancy just a good game of football too, if that’s not too much to ask. I’ve watched an awful lot of football over the past few weeks, not just United games, and it’s been dross. Dull and uninspiring football, with scrappy goals, dreadful decisions by the referee and no warm and fuzzy feeling afterwards. I don’t know what’s happened to the Premiership this season, or whether I’m been whipped in to a frenzy by all the people who come on this blog complaining about United, but it just doesn’t seem as enjoyable this year.
So let’s have Obertan and Valencia on from the start so we can have plenty of pace down the wings, lets have Fletcher in the centre of midfield breaking things up and Giggs supplying the creativity, with Berbatov up front dazzling us with his vision and control, and Rooney banging the goals in, as he has done on eight occasions in the ten times we’ve played them. Surely, that’s not too much to ask for?
We’ve got a massive week ahead, playing Leeds and City in the cups, so let’s make sure we’ve done the business in the league first.
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I wouldn’t share your confidence about Obertan just yet Scott and I’m a bit worried about this fixture to be honest.Hopefully having 4 defenders actually on the field should help and we really should win but I do recall Wigan making this fixture very tricky for us last year,but a certain Antonio Valencia will be on our side this time.Don’t care about the goal difference,a win will do me.
Carrick is due a goal so him to score first and a 2-0 win for me.
“So let’s have Obertan and Valencia on from the start so we can have plenty of pace down the wings, lets have Fletcher in the centre of midfield breaking things up and Giggs supplying the creativity, with Berbatov up front dazzling us with his vision and control, and Rooney banging the goals in, as he has done on eight occasions in the ten times we’ve played them. Surely, that’s not too much to ask for?”
I think it is “too much to ask for” if we base our expectations of previous evidence. However, like you, I’m an optimist (of the pessimistic variety) so I’d like to think that UTD can pull their fingers out and actually play an attacking game that is up to their capabilities. My fingers are crossed that they’ve pulled their fingers out !
Will be a tight game.we have forgotten to win big and win easily.seems we love doing things the hard way.so any victory will do.cant see us keeping a clean sheet.2-1 united with yet another unconvincing display.hope i am wrong and for a change we do things the easy way.
Totally agreed. We need to out with all guns blazing – if we can beat Wigan 5-0 away then this game represents a great chance to close the goal difference gap. Obertan HAS to start in my opinion, I cant think of many better games for him to do so
I just hope Rooney will be in the same form as he was against Hull. Then Wigan will be no problem.
is berbatov fit to play?
Ancha
yes.he is fit.SAF has said he dosent need an operation as was reported by some tabloids
We need to play well get the performance right and send out a message to any team that feels that if they want to “have-a- go”, they will get spanked and battered.
@ Mhihrh
yeah i just wanted to get it off my chest mate! LOL
Scott, you forgot to mention that Spurs beat them 9-1. If Spurs did that, and we beat them 5-0 away, then losing today would be seriously concerning.
Goin to this one… Hopefully the lads will put in a good performance!!!
i think utd are in a strong position chelsea are going to lose 3 or 4 key players in january and are not playing well.they’ve been getting the breaks with the bad calls{which by the way is driving me mental every game i watch refs are costing teams points something has to be done} they should be tied with us, refs haven given them 5 free points in games i’ve seen.
what never ceases to amaze me is the pundits knocking our play,we’ve had a crazy run of injuries and are still in the thick of everything.utd just get on with it and don’t blame anything for loses.the fsw just fucking whines and makes excuses everytime he never takes responsiblity for anything i don’t get why he’s considered a top manager everything about him is a fucking joke.
after losing ronaldo and having all the injuries if anything we’ve played above ourselfs,i’m sick of all these talking heads knocking us
if we start at the right tempo and play the way we finished the match against Hull, then it’s possible we can beat Wigan by 4+ goals and improve on our goal difference. I would like to see Anderson in the middle alongside Fletcher and Giggs.
Like to hear some opinions….think if u r MUFC manager…real madrid offers 15m+benzema for vidic”the rock”…will u refuse or accept it?
my answer may be yes….there are so many reasons even if benzema rejected us first(may b due to our less offer to lyon)…
glory mufc!!!!!!!!!!!
that puts vidic’s value at 50 mill it isn’t going to happen
Offtopic but imagine Darren Ferguson taking the Bolton job now Megson’s sacked. Probably unlikely, given Darren’s never managed in a top league, but it would be interesting to see the father and his son managing in the same league.
Wayne: “after losing ronaldo and having all the injuries if anything we’ve played above ourselfs,i’m sick of all these talking heads knocking us”
I don’t agree – even in the first three/four/five fixtures when there was no injury crisis the same spluttering, stuttering attack was evident. While you might want to “blame” that on the loss of CR – or the play of Nani, as so many others seem to do all the time – there’s no question in my mind that the real issue is the confusion at the point-of-attack.
In the recent period of injury crisis, the team held together and did fairly well. Lucky that Wolfsburg were so profligate in spurning two on-the-plate scoring chances in the first twenty minutes, the makeshift back three/four did the job and LittleMikey got a hat-trick which is what a striker is supposed to do when presented with five opportunities. Unlucky against Villa when they scored on their one-and-only attack while Rooney hit the woodwork and UTD dominated territory/possession. The game at Fulham was just plain awful – no excuses or explanations, it was a terrible performance.
Now it look likes the worst of the injury crisis has passed. Playing Rafael in place of Wesley/OShea at right fullback and Wesley in place of Rio/Evans is no great hardship. Getting Fletcherinho back into the midfield is a huge bonus – play him with Anderson, please.
So, the issue tonight will be the one that has haunted this team since the beginning of the season – can the Berbatov/Rooney axis function ? I sure hope so because if it can then it’s going to be the glorious 19th in May.
vishnu: “Like to hear some opinions….think if u r MUFC manager…real madrid offers 15m+benzema for vidic”the rock”…will u refuse or accept it?”
At the end of the season, I’d bite their hands off if they made that offer.
so if we get rid of vidic at a time when we are perilously short of defensive options, when ferdinand is nowhere near his best, and where in recent games we’ve had to disrupt our midfield just to put out a defence, what is 15mill gonna get us in way of an adequate replacement for vidic? Unless benzema has suddenly turned into a world class centre back. And sure i read benzema say he would only go or only wanted to go to real? In every team we’ve had thats been successful of recent years we’ve had solid backline. Would much prefer to keep hold of one of our best players than sell him on when we need him most for a player who undoubtedly has potential but hasn’t exactly shone at the highest level yet
I do agree with scott. This season football had been less interesting. I think it has to do with all those error by the referees. If we can have fair referee technology that might change as i remember so many decisions goes to other rivals. I think our team is playing more slower and has less pace and penetration and creating less chances which leads to me feeling bored during the match. Let’s hope we can win wigan tonight!
First of, the Vidic subject. He is still in the prime of his career and the best defender in the world. So, selling him before the summer of 2011 is idiotic to say the least. Unless we are really desperate for some cash. If he doesn’t commit to the club, then we can sell him one year before his contract runs out and we won’t lose him for free. ut definitely not before that.
Secodly, tonight’s game could be tricky. Wigan have suffered a couple of spankings this season, but they have also beaten Chelsea and Aston Villa, so we better not underestimate them. In an ideal world, we would get 2 or 3 in the first half and kill it off. But that might be hard since we don’t score a lot of first half goals this season.
@for the enthusiast who proposed about vidic and benz deal
not interested in benzema anymore
and regarding wigan getting thrashed by spurs and by us at their home…i would like remind that this is the team tht beat chelsea first this season..
and i dont see us scoring much in the first half …following the trend this season….may be one or none in the first half..
“I don’t know what’s happened to the Premiership this season, or whether I’m been whipped in to a frenzy by all the people who come on this blog complaining about United, but it just doesn’t seem as enjoyable this year.”
my feelings exactly, scott!
between the stop/start inconsistent attacking of united, and the constant knee jerk whinging by some supporters after points dropped or even after a win, this season has seemed very dull. i think it’s the 3 year cycle thing. when we beat mourinho and took the title back, it felt like a combination of christmas, new years, and a birthday, to most if not all supporters, and it felt new and exciting again.
now with 3 years of titles and other major silverware, anything less than 5 goals a game and top of the table feels abnormal to many now, and i’m sure to many of the players as well. but no matter what, it’s hard to maintain that hunger and desire for a fourth year and i’m not sure if anyone has won 4 on the trot.
we are not entitled to win every match as some glory hunting fans seem to feel, and now the hunger for glory seems to far outweigh some supporters love of just watching the lads kick the ball around and give a full blooded effort for the united cause.
i get excited every match day, but not because i’m expecting 3 points in the bag. it’s because i get to watch the greatest manager in the history of football lead the greatest club in the history of football into battle. don’t get me wrong, the trophies are awesome, and i hope for a treble each season, but really it’s all about the journey for me.
i do think the enjoyment of football will come back during the run in, hopefully starting against wigan!
Hey guys i missed ROM so much! i’m back.:-)
great to read your morale boosting articles scott. i agree that we need more pace and obertan and valencia an abundance of it. i hope mickey owen can start with wazza up front.
guys last time i checked they said mame birame diouf got his work permit but can anyone tell me when can he possibly make his debut. Sir Alex seems very excited by him and in a way it would be good to see him as his country did’nt qualify for ACON.
Well I hope every thing works all the best for VDS.
As for our goalkeeper situation. I think that so far P.I.G has showed that he is capable of giving solid performances.
He is not world class but still I think he is good enough to help us getting another champions title.
With VDS out for the long term, do we go after another keeper in the transfer window? Akilfiev or someone else to be VDS’s replacement?
Also, what is the status of Hargo’s recovery. If we get him back in full game shape our midfield dynamic completely changes.
I watched the highlights of the 2006-07 season (X-mas present) and it was striking how good we were. Our midfield was dangerous, Carrick was actually scoring goals and an offensive threat. I don’t know if Anderson, Carrick and Fletcher offer that threat which will isolate Rooney upfront so let’s hope for a healthly Hargo to free up Fletch.
This season is hardly dull.This season is turning out to be one of the most closely contested seasons ever in the History of the Premier League.
Speaking of youngsters it really got to my attention i decided to share it with you my fellow reds…
) and the way he conducts himself over there leaves a big question mark of ravels attitude.
Its about this kid ravel morrison, its no doubt the boy is massively talented and destined for a big big future.
BUT his behaviour off the pitch needs to be dearly addresed… just the other day, he just got damn lucky to escape punishment after been busted with guns along with his crew.
Also i happen to be his facebook friend (which if he happens to read this am gonna be deleted anyway
Mcguinese, ole, phelan and saf may have a promising gem in their hands but if not taken good care of it may just desappear in the thin air.
Costas: “So, selling him [Vidic] before the summer of 2011 is idiotic to say the least. Unless we are really desperate for some cash. If he doesn’t commit to the club, then we can sell him one year before his contract runs out and we won’t lose him for free.”
I disagree – if he wants to go (or if his missus is pressuring him for more retail therapy in a sunnier clime) then I’d be quite willing to do a deal this summer. Waiting longer will drop his price – a lot. Doing it asap – i.e., this summer, it would be “Idiotic” to sell him in January – will get a maximum return for a guy who is less than 100% committed. Sure, losing him – and maybe Rio, too – would be a big problem but it’s not as if SAF hasn’t turned these kind of problems into opportunities before.
I’m not all that keen on Benzema – Higuain is the # 1 choice for the #9 role at TheVirus and has really taken the job by storm – but if all the ducks are in a row then a willing-and-happy Benzema (is that possible or is this guy some kind of strop-meister ?) would be a perfect complement to play ahead of Wayne Rooney (as well as Dimmy who is quite clearly unsuited to be the proper #9 and whose value must have plummetted so it might make more sense to bite-the-bullet and keep him around and use him in a rotation).
To get Benzema and 15 million would go a long way to sorting out two problems – the one up-front and the looming one in central defence. I suppose that some combination of Rio/JonnyEvans/John O’Shea/Wesley would be adequate as a stop-gap but, clearly, a new addition would be welcome and would certainly have a chance to squeeze into the first-choice role. I have no idea who that new guy would be but how good would Gerrard Pique look now ?
@Hargreaves curly hair.
How are you? Long time. Supporting another club because united werent doing well.now that we won you have come back. you traitor.
Just kidding mate.good to have you back
we have the best away form with the least amount of goals scored against us compared to anyone else….we have to be tough defensively today and not concede goals at OT. Whether we win by one goal or 5, we cannot concede…not conceding goals at OT has to become priority 1 if we want to win the league.
Sam: “his behaviour off the pitch needs to be dearly addresed.”
The reports suggest that this kid, Ravel Morrison, has the tools to be the NextBigThing IF he can get his head stuck on right. If not, then it will be bling, bling, bling – like Kieran Richardson and countless others who have talked-the-talk before they could walk-the-walk. You’re right that SAF and OGS are excellent man-managers and Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney would be excellent role models but the question is: will Ravel Morrison listen to them ?
@ Sam the kenyan red
I’ve heard a lot about Ravel Morrison and the bits i’ve seen of him on you tube do look promising. as you highlighted being talented is not enought at United. You have to have the right mental attitude to look after yourself both on and off the pitch.
It’s really up to the lad himself and if he wants to be a first team player for United and winning trophies or playing championship or league 1or 2. the choice is his. obviously his parents and family members will have influence over him, but more greater would be SAF.
I hope he takes the right road and changes his attitude and maybe friends and focuses on his football.
Denton Davey – At the start of the 07/08 season, we W1 D2 L1 in the opening four games (GF 2 GA 2). At the start of the 08/09 season, we W1 D2 L1 in the opening four games (GF 4 GA 4). This season, we W3 L1 (GF 8 GA 2).
Do you not think you’re being a tad petulant in demanding unachievable standards from the club? Did we have to win all four opening games this season to keep you happy? Did we need to score 20 goals? What are your expectations? This season start we surpassed what was achieved in the past two seasons starts, yet it still wasn’t good enough – so what is good enough for you?
Do you think there’s a single team in the league that could be within two points at the top had they been dealt our injury crisis?
I think we should strive for the best but it seems like some fans demand us to win every game or to play beautiful football every week to be satisfied. I’d rather be realistic and support the team regardless. I admit I’m spoilt by our success, but there are too many people on here who take the piss. Full blown brats. Daddy could buy you a horsey for Christmas and you’d want two.
Benzema can rot at Real.
Vidic must be kept happy and shown how much we realise he is the best in the world and pay him accordingly – his missus will shut up if he ups her housekeeping money 10k a week.
Tonight we must, must, must play with frightening pace – Valencia and Obertan should start and we need to see Berba bag a few important ones now to show Rooney that he is not going to have to shoulder the burden alone. Toight would be a good start for a Berba streak to begin for the 2010 run in.
Could be a goal fest tonight despite Wigan being a surprise package (sometimes) this year.
ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK. (Then attack some fucking more !)
Scott, I agree with you almost 100% there. I agree that it is ridiculous to expect the team to play beautiful football every week. However, it has really been maybe one match in 5 or 6 when we look good.
Should vidic leave united (please god NO) Then we better sell him AFTER the worldcup his profit would rise if he reaches a quarter final (serbias group is good enough to go tru for them) Then we might have some money,My oppinion is to keep him but only fergie knows
This is what TheTelegraphOnline wrote about possible replacements for Vidic:
Bruno Alves
At 28, the Porto defender would not fit with United’s policy of signing up-and-coming players, but he would offer valuable experience and Champions League pedigree.
Simon Kjaer
The Dane, 21 in March, is being eyed by Liverpool and Manchester City, but United are leading the race for the £18 million-rated Palermo defender.
Giorgio Chiellini
Uncompromising Juventus and Italy centre-half, the 25-year-old is a rugged defender in the Vidic mould. Manchester City could still thwart United by signing him in January.
Gary Cahill
His star has dimmed, but United have been monitoring his progress. Bolton’s £20 million valuation could be a problem.
Uros Cosic
United are trailing CSKA Moscow’s 17-year-old Serbian, but the youngster is one for the future rather than a ready-made performer.
From that list, I’d go for Chiellini – a mean “inglorious basterd” ! I am surprised that Jack Rodwell isn’t listed among the usual suspects.
Going to buy me some sweets and juice to get hyper (I have a problem but its a good problem sort of) and get hyper,sing my heart out till the final whistle and i hope we get the result! Cmon united!
We do lack that cohesion and fluidity in midfield. And we really need Rooney to stay further up field rather than dropping deep all the time. What ever happened to Possebon?
Carrick really needs to step up and start expressing himself in midfield. I remember the Roma match when we battered them 7-1. Carrick played a blinder. That was the moment he confirmed to me anyway that he could handle and play in the big occasions. Admittedly Wigan isn’t big but he needs to play with that same intensity and intelligence he did against Roma. He’s definitely got that in him, not sure why we don’t see it often enough.
@mitko berbatov
that 2006-7 season was a joy to watch. for me, much better football than last season. it was the most goals we scored in the last few seasons (83), we got to see ole play, ronaldo and rooney were on fire, and everybody was scoring for fun. even henrik larsson of all people!
@ashish
agree with this season being closely contested. in that regard it is exciting with all the unexpected results each week. but in spite of united scoring more goals at this point of the season as compared to last, i think you can agree that we haven’t seen our best form yet. at least not consistently from match to match. so apart from some goals like the berba to valencia one, rooney’s brilliant pass to berba last match, and the owen city winner, we haven’t consistently been at our free flowing attacking best. so for me at least, watching united struggle in the final third and not take all the scoring chances they create week in week out, is becoming fairly dull to watch.
Scott @ 16:58: “Do you not think you’re being a tad petulant in demanding unachievable standards from the club? Did we have to win all four opening games this season to keep you happy? Did we need to score 20 goals? What are your expectations? This season start we surpassed what was achieved in the past two seasons starts, yet it still wasn’t good enough – so what is good enough for you?”
A “tad petulant” – perhaps. What I am looking for from this team is coherence in attack and that’s just not been there no matter how you want to sugar-coat your view of the first half of this season which, by the way, has been very good considering the complications due to injuries to the defenders.
BUT, that said, the key to the post-Ronaldo UTD was always going to be the gelling of Rooney/Berbatov and that hasn’t happened and, I think, you’d have to be an optimist (of the optimistic variety) to believe that it will now take place. Don’t get me wrong – I’d just love to see Dimmy’s subtle skills and trick-bag unlock opponents’ defences but he can’t seem to get it into his head that he can’t do that by playing at the midfield line.
Let me digress: In the game against Stoke/away, six weeks ago (?), Lou Macari made a great point – he said that Stoke were playing into UTD’s hands by setting up with a “low line” and playing a compressed midfield/defence. His reason for this statement was quite simple – every one of UTD’s ten outfield players are much much better than their Stoke counterpart so that conceding both time and space would give UTD (and especially Paul Scholes) the opportunity to let their skill prevail. And that’s exactly what happened. That was Paul Scholes’ best game this season – the same analysis makes sense of why Scholes was so good against West Ham, too.
Macari’s point is worth pondering because it’s both trenchant and obvious. To be a first-team UTD player requires not only huge skill and dedication but also exceptional mental toughness.
That’s why, for example, a hugely-skilled Kieran Richardson fell by the wayside. It’s why LouisLouisHaHa couldn’t cut it – he is clearly a guy who lacks self-belief (the same might also be true about Nani, whose talents have never been in question). It’s why a less-talented Darren Fletcherinho has become UTD’s joint-most valuable player this season (along with Patrice Evra and Wayne Rooney). It’s why SAF will go into battle with ThreeLungPark. It’s why kids like Fabio and Rafael Da Silva have superstar written all over them – you could see that same combination of self-belief and mental toughness from Cristiano Ronaldo from his first appearance against Bolton.
The most obvious part of SAF’s job is to assemble a talented squad of players; the most crucial part of his job is to choose young men who are warriors, fully committed to the team’s cause.
Now, putting this digression into the context of answering your question, I’d think that in every match this year except for the flukey win against TheArse at Old Trafford, UTD have bossed the game. That’s been because very few opponents have many players who are better than their UTD counterparts – it could be argued that only two (or maybe three) of the outfield players at LiverPoo would get into UTD’s first-choice first-team; for the RentBoyz, Michael Essien and Didier Drogba would be certs but I’d rather have Patrice Evra than Ca$hley Hole, Rio Ferdinand ahead of Ricky Carvalho, Nemanja Vidic ahead of Ingerland’sTinyTears, and Anderson ahead of Obi Mikel. Although his form has been spotty this year, I suppose that I’d choose Fwanky ahead of Ryan Giggs but that’s pretty much a toss-up. Otherwise, UTD’s players are just better and tougher than their opponents – even the one-footed Antonio Valencia just shits on Florent Malouda or Deco or Ballack or Joe Cole. For TheArse, I’d take only Fabregas and Abou Diaby ahead of UTD”s counterparts. Among the pretenders – ManShitty, Spuds, AstonVillans – who would you take ? I’m not sold on Luca Modric but I do like the cut of Ashley Young’s jib – otherwise, forget about it.
Extending Macari’s point – IF TheLads were all to be on song together and played any other EPL team then I think you’d see what we witnessed in their best performance so far this year when they bossed the RentBoyz at Stamford Bridge and only lost because UTD were caught on the wrong end of three terrible decisions by the referee – two of which led to a free kick and a goal and the third which denied a clear-cut penalty. BUT that’s the point, isn’t it ? TheLads have not been “on song” together and, for me, the most obvious area which is out-of-tune is the point-of-attack. And, that what I’ve written about a tad petulantly.
To be honest I’m not too bothered if Vidic decides to leave – don’t get me wrong he’s a great palyer but he’s replacable.
Aig alex is god
thanks mate it’s good to be on the best football blog in the world. btw mate has anyone heard from suhayl? he was probably the best dipper basher i’ve seen on ROM. hope we have goal fest tonight. it’s certainly encouraging to hear fergie say rio and jonny evans are nearing full fitness. i don’t mean to be rash but hopefully we can see hargo back by mid january if his rehabilitation is excellent and can start full training possibly next week. oh i wish.:-)
On the Vidic debate:
Sir Alex Ferguson is resigned to loosing Vidic so say the Times
Right when did any journalist know what SAF knows?
Exactly they don’t – so whenever the time comes and whatever the gaffer wants to do so be it – until then we don’t have to make a drama out of a non event.
A win would be very nice tonight with extra goals scored.
Macheda IS GOD
i was never allowed sweets due to the sugar
scott your right chelsea should have the title wrapped up by now and thats for them to learn from, united to be where they are now and where they could be in 5 hours is amazing . If(?) when united win the league this season it has to go down as one of if not the hardest fought leagues ever won in england. I know teams have won it on the last day i know giggs has won a good few while sitting at home with his feet up while watching chelsea/newcastle/arsenal dropped points, but this is a grin and bear it season for the most part, ask yourself why we lost in rome. a major major reason was lack of fletcher because this guy is keane without the anger, and united had him replace john oshea this season. carrick replace vidic giggs ,my player of the season till diouf scores 17 goals, has played in defence. and united could go 2 points behind. chelsea are playing bad and some of there players are injuried of playing in africa while united are keeping up the pace and have scholes back giggs back in midfield along with carrick and fletcher due to vidic da silvas brown neville back. pick a number between 1-20?
Denton Davey FTW. I agree, it really comes down to Rooney and Berbatov’s chemistry. They are both class players but don’t seem to have that understanding that makes them worth more than the sum of their parts. I still have hope, but after watching highlights from 06-07, I am getting worried if Berba doesn’t start scoring more. That season we had a steady stream of goals from Ole and Saha in addition to Rooney and Ronaldo. Berba has the ability, but are he and his teammates on the same wavelength? (What’s the over/under tonight for how many times you see Berba get frustrated on tv? +5? Would you take those odds?)
Denton Davey – whilst I agree with everything you’ve said there, you haven’t really addressed the question I was asking you. You said our start to the season wasn’t good enough, despite it pissing all over the starts of the past two seasons. So what are your expectations? What do United have to do to be good enough? Being potentially within two points of the top despite being totally raped by injuries isn’t good enough, so what would be?
For me, our best season of late was 06-07 when we played good football more often than not and there was a real team spirit about things. Obviously 07-08 was brilliant, but that was all about Ronaldo. Last season I thought we were pretty poor and struggle to think of good performances. We had a good 45 minutes against Spurs, we totally battered Chelsea, but there were some truly woeful performances, even with our first team. We had nobody missing in the 4-1 humiliation at home to Liverpool.
This year we’re carrying on much the same, although already I can count better performances. Wigan away, Spurs away, Stoke away, City home (three dreadful defensive errors cost us three goals, but we were on top pretty much all game), Chelsea away. We picked up points last season but the football was dire at times – remember all those scrappy 1-0′s? It was October before we’d even scored 10 goals!
The difference is now our players don’t go “Ooh we’re playing like shit, where’s Ronaldo?”. They take responsibility on themselves. That’s why we scored 32 goals in our first 19 games last season, when Ronaldo couldn’t be arsed or wasn’t playing well on occasion, and we’ve scored 40 goals in our first 19 games this season.
So, do we look shit hott? No we don’t, and we all want to see the team improve, but I think we’ve done well to be in the situation we’re in. The fact that we haven’t had a defence and sold The Best Player in the World only adds to it makes our position bloody brilliant. Our lads have been adjusting to playing a different XI every week because of injuries and I would rather our position than anyone else’s in the league. We could be better, course, but we could be a hell of a lot worse.
Every time I read the comments on here it’s just whinge, whinge, whinge. We don’t know we’re born!
@ghtt
fletch- “this guy is keane without the anger” – nice one.
it would be nice if someone in the squad would have keano’s anger though. i guess rooney has it, but his anger usually makes him more distracted and less effective. maybe he can grow into using his temper to motivate the squad the way keano did. wayne is only what 24? i think roy was already 23 when he joined united and it took him a couple of years to turn into that captain keano persona. it was great to see how wayne performed after he got the armband against hull. maybe a glimpse into the future?
anybody else gutted by the ruud to dipper’s rumours? i know it won’t happen, but why not bring him in like we brought in larsson in 2006-7? i doubt he’d cost much, and his motivation to show he still belongs in a united shirt would be immense. it sounds ridiculous but so did the idea of owen signing on and wearing the no 7 shirt before it actually happened.
haven’t seen scott respond this much since the tufty era! i love this blog, good banter today! hopefully the lads can show this much passion on the pitch against wigan.
We’re 2 points off the top after being raped by injuries and we have a squad that’s much larger than Chelsea’s. The difference being none of our players are going to Africa while their 2 main players, Drogba and Essien, are. Also the backup for one of their main players is going too.
Mid February is when we usually hit our stride and start winning well, so I think we might even be top by then because of the ACON.
COME ON UNITED!
@rooninho
I think Rooney is channeling it right as time goes on and the last game showed it but im not gonna harp on about 1 game i just think this season has been amazing for waynes attitude. his red card against fulham last season i think was a turning point for him in how he deals with it, since then he has become a father which can change a guys attitude eg. rio and long may it continue. I can see rooney explode in a match in the future and maybe break a leg or kick a hooligan like the angry ones of days gone by but they are blips in there history and mostly with keane and the king they used it to there and there teams advantage. Eric cantona attacked a manager and a ref in his days in france with his hand or with a ball but as age kicks in and more important games for bigger teams come along they learn from that and become legends
We should have signed Hangeland from Fulham.
@ghtt
well said. hopefully wayne will learn to channel his anger to motivate his team more. we saw against hull that he could use anger to step up his own performance after gifting them a goal, but i wonder if he’ll ever use it to effectively motivate the other players, the way cantona and keano could. i think we need that now.
Keane motivated players through fear, the same fear that Sir Alex possesses and was in the pit of Rooneys stomach when that hull peno was given. his fully on hard tackle on zidane against juve inspiries the united come back but keane could of broke somenes leg with an extra inch move on either mans part. something i wouldnt want to see in waynes game.
anyway everytime united play someone sticks a link or 2 on here for a live link to the game now in one of these horrible times not sky no satenta nor espn are showing the game and not one link on this site
Can’t say that I think we’d need any defenders bringing in if Vidic goes, even if Ferdinand gives up the ghost. Ctrl+Alt and Evans in the centre are more than enough for me, with Wes coming in when needed.
Rooney needs to know when to be selfish and when to hold back and let the other players take the glory instead. Shoot when it’s the best option and pass when it is the best option. That pass to Berba was a class act though, easing off some of the burden for a player who’s frustrated because he felt he haven’t justify the fan’s expectation.
GHHT – it’s so easy to find a working stream i think today. 2 games and one league today in europe. almost.
@ Corea
Do you have a link then?
KVN – h ttp://ww w.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=59560&part=sports
there are a lot of. but we’ll have to wait and see which ones will definitely work.
Anyone got a starting line up yet?
cheers Corea – will see what ahppens
Kus-Rafa,Vida,Brown,Evra-Valencia,Carrick,Fletch,Park-Rooney,Berba
Bench: Amos, Fabio, Neville, Anderson, Obertan, Welbeck, Owen
Costas has already given the team.
Here is the bench
Bench:Amos,neville,Da Silva, Welbeck, Anderson,Owen ,Obertan
Costas
You beat me again to it.Hope i am lucky next time.Third time lucky i mean
Hi AIG. I already gave the bench too.
Strong team hey?
Happy with that team, hopefully we can get a good win and improve our goal difference
Rafa, Vida, Brown, Fletch, Park, Roon, Berb! Only Scholesy missing from my favorite players available right now and of course Fabio
Can’t wait..
wots wrong with foster tht he’s not on the bench? we need a stronger midfield
Hi Corea. I think we will see Scholes and Fabio on Sunday. I wonder if Gibson is ok.
Costas – hi buddy! I miss Gibson and his thunderbolts! I didn’t fancy him to be honest and you know it but he is the only one who fancies giving it a go.
@Corea:
We should be ok without his thunderbolts, lol. But you know how it is nowdays. Whenever I don’t see a player in the squad, I wonder if he got injured! Maybe Fergie is saving him for the next 2 games.
Costas
Good team. puzzled as to why ando isnt starting.didnt play on sunday too.maybe we will see many changes for Sunday’s game against Leeds with Ando,Owen,Scholes and gibson and the rest of players missing today back
Costas – just thoughts mate. just thoughts
I can’t understand the one’s who say play Owen pleeease in place of Berba. Roon+Owen is soooo boring. just emotions. just emotions
AIG
I think you are right. Maybe Fergie will make up a cup team for the next 2 games and keep these players fresh for Birmingham.
I must say, it’s good to see the team nearly unchaged for 2 consecutive games!
Big night for berba too, hope he gives in a good performnce. Atleast the slaggers will take a tempoary break
@Corea:
Fans want different things, lol. Personally, I would just like Michael get more starts because I feel that he deserves them. And I don’t have a preferace about his partner, although I suspect that he might click better with Berba. Maybe Owen will also start the next 2.
Corea
The stats back you up on owen-Rooney.they did well for England but whenever they started for United they have hardly clicked. Neither have berba rooney but atleast they have played together many times now
Have a look at this peeps, funny as ….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrrjOd95xv8&feature=player_embedded
If you can’t watch this game you can try free live streams here:
http://redlog.pl/2009/12/30/wideo-z-meczu-manchester-united-wigan-athletic-2/#live
@ aig alex is god – when Berba is on the pitch i always have a feel and hope that smth out of this world will happen. i always wait a flash of brilliance and it makes the game so special. espescially games at the theater of dreams. i don’t want to think about the stats.
AIG:
They haven’t played often together, but it’s true about Rooney and Owen. I guess United’s needs are greater than England’s.
I wonder who will captain us today. Evra has got the nod on a couple of occasions, but Rooney took over from Giggs at Hull and we know how that worked…
Am still sadened there is no obertan in the starting line up i thought we needed so pace right ?? but atleast dimi the berb got another start
also bye bye nani thanks for the memoris, thanks for making me jump after the boro,spurs,arsenal,liverpool,chelsea crackers have a good carrer wherever you may go
Sam. Nani is still injured I think. Maybe it’s the eternal optimist in me, but I think we haven’t seen the last of him yet. Who knows? Maybe next week he will force Shay Given to pick the ball from the back of the net!
Can someone please try a ‘liveblog’ in here for guys like me who are currently using the phone
Evra is the captain.
Costas i hope so mate
also i know i can always rely on you for updates right ?
anyone watching this on a different link than the one thats one the blog
i cant open that one
any links to the game lads
cheers
This one works: sop://broker.sopcast.com:3912/81774. Open in SopCast. Setanta.
a good link comeon people i have faith someone will make me smile
Sopcast 81774 is a good choice
Looks like Berbatov’s knee is hindering him
Although he looks hungry and wants the ball, which is good to see. He needs to get into goalscoring positions more often.
http://fpleague.co.cc/
Stream active.
I have never seen Berbatov make so many runs. Great to see.
How is this one still 0-0 . we should be atleast 2-0 up by now. Rooney hit the post from nearly an impossible angle and one shot cleared off the line
how the fuk hav we not scored yet! bloody hell!
Hope we don’t come to regret it!
Unbelievable, should be five up in the space of five minutes, how we aren’t winning is crazy, amazing to watch though.
Rooney is fucking awesome tonight. Only part of his game that is lacking is the passing sometimes
Finalllly! ROONEY!
GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL.ROONEY
OWN GOAL.GREAT BALL BY RAFAEL
rafael to rooney!!!!!!!!
rooooonneeeeeyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
About fucking time. Did Rooney get a touch? Great play from Rafael and Brown there.
Berab is only lacking pace. He is good runs but his pace is letting him down big time. could have been clear had it not been for his pace. Good to see Berba so intrested though
Is Rooney’s goal, I thought OG when I saw it but he did get the final touch!
Fucking Carrick, get in!
CARRICK 2-0
Agreed aig alex
Well what were you lot saying about Berbatov?
Rafael just added what we have been missing for so long, a threat to help Valencia on the right. O’Shea could rarely offer that. Neville hooked up nicely with Valencia a few weeks back when another goal was created. If we could only get that consistency with Evra and Obertan on the left, watch out.
yes!!!!!!
What. A. Ball.
ccaaaarrrrrriiiiiiccccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
What happened to Wigan man! They look way out of their depth here, doesn’t look like the Wigan we are used to playing…
Lovely ball from Berba to Valencia for the drag back for Carrick’s goal!
Earlier in this thread I said we need more goals from Carrick like 2006-07. He obviously read my comment before the match…
attack attack attack!!!!
rafael well done!
wazza more please, great goal!
well done carrick!
two is not enough, come on united!!!!
fukin hell were good!
shud be at least 4-0 but for the post and one cleared of the line and not even half time yet…
Just the kind of performance we needed. We have been all over Wigan .
Lets stuff them again
Goodness.. it’s been a while since I’ve seen us dominate a team so much…
We’re raping them. I love playing teams like Wigan who are so open because they try to play decent football.
at this rate we shud finish the game 4-0 minimum
Really impressive performance so far, loving actually enjoying watching United – it’s not been pleasant viewing too often!
Come on United!
I’m getting emotional seeing Rooney’s joy of playing football. He is everywhere tonight
Hahaha Rafael scored. Aw, Fabio looks so proud.
RAFAEELLLLL! Deserves it considering last week, amazing!
That’s 3! Woop!!
Fucking brilliant! He deserved that one after the unfortunate miss against Hull
RAFAEL!!!!!!!!
Berba-bashers better Berbanize! We are on the up my friends!
Thats more like the performances at Old Trafford. Lets win 10-0
rafael where have you been?!
love these brazilians at united! he needs to give ando a lesson on finishing!
Brilliant game! What are the chance for more with different scorers every time?
What a spineless opponent.
like the way he ran over to see his bro
Corea
They are pathetic aren’t they? Can see how they lost 9-1 to Spurs now.
That was nice within him running towards Fabio, top lad!
God I love Rafael. Really hope he can stay fit because having two full backs who can bomb forward against the lesser teams is a real plus
Get Obertan on at half time and let’s better Spurs’ win! Just fours more goals and chelski will finally shut up about their goal difference advantage
rafael has been quality in his tackling at the same time as charging in and providing assistance to valencia, OH A GOAL ASWELL WHAT
@Corea
Awful defending. I can’t believe how much space we have for attacking. Their players seemed more interested in holing up in the box rather than pressing our wingers.
@Berba’s Grandpa
I’m not too convinced with your ‘JUST’ four more goals! I like your confidnece though!
Martinez is a loser. I said after the Tottenham game i don’t fancy Wigan as a men’s team. I liked them before. They had better sack him as soon as possible. This is not a british team consisting of real men.
Could this be the game where we put a dent in the goal difference table…..
Poor players just don’t know what to do. Ok, enough is enough. I even don’t have the appetite to watch the second half. Disgusting.
Great performance from the lads. How many times did we score 3 goals in the first half this season? If I am right, I think this is the first time. We also didn’t score many in the first half in games this season. We should have been 5-0 though, Berba had a great chance to score. Rooney should have scored twice. Love how Ando and Fabio celebrated after Rafael scored. He done well today, scored and assisted Rooney’s goal. Another 3 in the second half please.
Now THAT was a first half performance! Lets get the numbers out:
60 goals in 30 games(and we are not done yet)
15 goals from Rooney
15 different goalscorers.
Pretty good I would say.
oops typed in wrong e-mail address
@costas
60 goals in 30 games? really? i had no idea!
we really need ronaldo and tevez back. i think we just can’t make up those goals. also, berbatov just doesn’t look good. why did we ever sign him? also, chelsea are just too experienced to be caught this year. we need to sign more players!
sorry mates, i’m just having a laugh. what a great fucking game so far!
expect 4 more
brilliant half – want more. Rooninho, what goals from Tevez? LOL!
Looks like Chris Kirkland’s had enough!
match link – http://www.tvoo.net/ch2.html
Exactly rooninho. 60 in 30. It’s one of our best goal tallies at this stage in recent seasons. The key? The goals are spreading all over now.
I know Wigan are mediocre, but nonetheless, Wes looks fantastic.
nice work from park there
Some numpty on the BBC website text in to say Berba still looks disinterested. What does he have to do to silence the Berba-bashers? We have Rooney to run around like an angry pitbull, we have Dimi to come up with moments of devine beauty
that substitute keeper for wigam must be shitting himself
BERBZ!
and score of course!
Lucky for Berba it came to him but a good finish 4-0 and counting
Where are the berba bashers?
Have Wigan heard of “pressure on the ball”?
Yes! Berbagoal!!!
bbeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrbbbbbbbbaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Valencia’s crossing has been superb.. hope this continues in the other games..
valencia havin a good game
who needs to run when you can dance?
Great play from berba. Unlucky Rooney,with the header, off the post
Rooney should have had a hattrick by now
fukin hell that was close – some sublime footy then
Corea is right; I think I’ve lost my respect for Wigan after tonight’s game. Cunts.
@mahesh
lol! although he’s actually do well in the last month to be fair. that stupid dance he’s doing is horrid. i don’t think we’ll see it in the carling cup.
ha! ha! ha! berbatov!!!!!
@costas
you would never know that they’re scoring so well with all the doom and gloom in the media. god it’s beautiful to watch today isn’t it? rooney could have 3 already. fergie’s birthday is tomorrow i guess the presents came early!!!
Rooney and Berba are playing great in tandem today. Get some momentum against the minnows.
if this was a boxing match then ref would have stopped it by now
wigan getting battered
Berbatov has just scored but what do you have to do to silence Berbatov bashers? More like what do we have to do to silence Berbatov supporters who stand on the street like religious preachers annoying everyone.
People have talked up a pass he has made on here, which any professional footballer should have been able to make. I might have known that in what should be an easy win, people would select anything Berbatov did for praise. The match is a rout against Wigan- hardly a prime example with which to confront his critics.
One thing is for sure, anything he does is going to be talked about by people who wont accept he is shite. Can we stop making him the centre of attention?
Think this is our manager’s first choice line-up (apart from Giggs)
That N’Zogbia is a twat.
Another solid cross. Is this United?:p
As soon as you stop talking about him, brett.
@ brett1985
i suggest you stick to watching some other sport… or at least support another team please, we dont need your lot
Great tracking back from Valencia.
would like to see anderson on against this lot
andre
Talking shit must make you feel better.
Haha! What a cock.
brett1985
Contrary to what you said even when the whole team plays shit Berba is the only one slagged like the Hull game inspite of scoring. So when he does something good he deserves praise because the number of people slagging him is pathetic every time the team plays badly.
As i said the other day, those fans who have made their mind about him wont be happy even if he scores 100 goals,50 assists and runs as fast as Usain Bolt.
Wake up lads. Dont go to sleep. We have to keep a clean sheet. Nearly everyone will get a deserved rest on Sunday
“We all hate Leed’s scum!”
come on everybody today should be a manchester united love fest! no need to start slagging each other.
…but if you all feel the need who am i to stop you?
Berbatov is whining far too much at fellow players for my liking lately
FFS Fergie!!! Every fucking time Brbatov hits a decent run of form and starts scoring, Fergie drops him – now he’s taken him off! WTF?
Triple sub – Ando, Welbeck and Fabio on for Berba, Vida and Evra.
I hope this doesn’t ruin our rhythm.
brett1985
dont get me wrong mate. the point you have made is very valid but you see the more people slag him, the more the fans who back him will point out to everything good he does.
Let’s just enjoy the game and stop pretending Berbatov has had anymore nor less than what should be an acceptable game. Judging by the main forum the 50/50 split of love/hate berbatov is now 10/90. Stop conning yourselves that a non standout performance against Wigan at home- answers any of the complaints about him. He has played well as much as any others have.
By building him up you are leaving level headed people with no choice but to bring a degree of reality to proceedings. Call it like it is and stop exaggerating his contribution.
Seems like some long suffering stubborn Berbatov fans on here see this as their day in the sun. Pathetic. Time to enjoy the rest of the game.
For once it looked like Berbatov was really ENJOYING HIMSELF out there – and there are more goals to be had in this match. So Fergie takes him off? Come on!
Did you see the look of “WTF?” on his face? Mind you, at least he didn’t react like this Wigan twat who just came off!
Big Bad Wesley Brown
Fergie said today berbatov dosent need an operation but is being handled with care which means he isnt yet 100% fit. So its better to preserve him for bigger battles ahead rather than make him play 90 mins today when the game is already over
@Big Bad Wesley Brown
I know what you mean, Berba was having a good game and enjoying himself so why take him off! Personally I’d have taked Wazza off (I’m brave being behind a computer screen!) cus we can’t afford for him to get injured.
Fair enough AIG, I forgot about his injury.
ANTONIOOO!
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLL
aig alex
I agree matey and that is essentially my point.
And Berbatov is going to get credit from me, for meaningful achievements, so this idea of Berbatov bashers is a bit ridiculous. Just trying to nip it in the bud.
5-0 oh yea!
Would be nice to keep a clean sheet for once. Keep your concentration up lads.
What a finish! Pure class!
What a finish by Valencia!!!.
5-0 again. 7 goals this season for Valencia.he took 89 games to score those many for Wigan.
Valencia deserves that for his performance!
Well deserved. Great performance from Valencia.
what a fukin beautiful pass from rooney
Valencia has been brill today and deserves a goal
and that pass deserved to end in the back of the net
Was that even a smile I noticed on Valencia’s face when he was running towards Wazza?
Surely not!
5 goals by 5 different players – the story of United’s season so far. Except we are playing brilliant footy.
So who’s next that wants on the score sheet? If Anderson gets one…
@AIG
Setanta commentator said that’s Valencias 7th goal in 15 games – that’s a great record!
brett1985
Cheers mate!!! hope that todays performance takes that topic off discussion for some time atleast and we can enjoy talking about a silky performance, undoubtedly best of the season at OT.
@Nectarine regarding Berbatov whining.
I know its not nice to see but it shows he cares and wants to do well eh? Rooney does it as well and so did Ronaldo..something that comes with the package of being talented
Great win today delighted for the goal scorers(And Valencia,Rafael,Kuszack on my fantasy team!)
Was very disappointed with Valencia against Hull, but he’s been excellent today…
Rafael’s crossing has been Beckhamesque tonight. Very happy to see that becaues we’ve been woeful in that area for much of the season.
Let Ando have a crack at this FK…
Great job by the team to grant Fergie his birthday wish! Beautiful cohesive football and 2 pts off the lead – not a bad way to send out 2009
Should have listened to me, Wayne
@Five
Yes, I know he’s a perfectionist and I can understand it to some degree but I think he’s done it a bit too often lately. No big deal though, tonight is a great night for us.
The thing is.. when there is so much space given to players its easy to play free flowing football, but most teams wont give this kind of space.. compare Hull’s performance last time to this Wigan shambles.. wow Rooney stole the kick from Ando! that’s not good
bchilds
good stat that. Fergie set a 10 goal target for Valencia. Looks like he is going to get a lot more than 10 goals.What has been impressive today has been his impressive wing play combined with the ability to make dangerous runs into goal scoring positions.Hope he does that more consistently. he was poor in the last 3-4 games prior to today
I think what we’ve learned from the last two games is that Rooney is relishing his new role as the main man and all that comes with it. He’s been a real leader tonight – leading by example.
What a bunch of clowns Wigan are. I hate them now.
bchilds – it is actually valencias 8th goal
Did anyone else lose the Setanta stream now?
@AIG
He’s certainly had great games and very poor games, I suppose that’s what we should expect from a new signing who hasn’t played for a big team before, United is a massive leap in pressure from Wigan.
If he can put commanding performances in the big games against top opposition he’ll be a very welcome addition.
Hopefully consistency will come the more games he’s played, Fergie’s certainly pleased with him as he’s a regular starter.
Sky said it was Berbatov who set up Antonio. Then the triple-sub was straight after.
How can this be the same Berbatov that was horrific against Hull but a man of the match tonight.
When he’s arsed he is unplayable, despite his walking pace.
The bandwagon will no doubt be out though. Question- which £30 million signings have been the best that are still here: Dim, Waz, Rio. Discuss whilst United are steamrolling a pretty disgraceful Wigan.
Do you think Paul Jewell (top guy) would let his team play like this? They gave up before they left the fuckin hotel.
rooney the new king
you are right. it is his 8th goal. Thanks for that
Good game, good scoreline. good way to end è year.
very pleased rooney is finding back his form in é last 2 games.
hope our season reallly kick-off today.
come on lads, we’ll gun down chelski.
WTF is going on? We’re played AMAZING!
Wigan were shocking today but can’t take anything away from our lads. Valencia was sublime after a dodgey couple of games – I think having Rafael behind him really helped him today, gave him a few more options. I love that with him he’s fast AND has a cracking cross on him. The built-like-a-tank, Ecuadorian love child of Giggs and Beckham may be overly generous but he’s shaping up for be one hell of a buy and is no doubt going to exceed Fergie’s goal target. And he even flashed his pearly whites tonight!
Sad not to see Obertan and Owen but no doubt we’ll see them in the next week
All in all I’m going to bed a very happy red
Glory Glory!
Anybody with me on rafael for MOTM. He was not only good going forward but also defended very well
valencia gets that last goal of 2009
What a difference a year makes. Last season they were the best team to come to Old Trafford. This season they are the worst!
Meh, I hate it when we took the foot off the pedal. Should’ve pushed them through to the end. Amazing though that all goals from today’s match including the Arse – Pompey were from different scorers.
AIG
You get my vote, although Valencia was fantastic today. Glad to see him back to his best.
What a slaughter.Awesome display from the lads. The perfect game from a United point of view, not frenetic, not rough, no damage done, not too much effort expended but an absolute slaughter and the chance to rest some key players. Took a lovely big bite out of that goal difference too.
Have to say though Wigan were a lot worse than Wolves, even with their B team Wolves were a lot tougher to break down and a lot more competitive. Wigan have no heart whatsoever.
True that, Costas. Benitez’s bum-chum Martinez seems to be out of his element in the Premier League.
Doghouse – obviously the reason why because martinez likes his team to play nice football to nice and it was like breaking glass.
Is that 8 goals for United from Valencia? I can only think of 6! 5 in the league and that goal against CSKA in the Champions League!
My memory isn’t what it used to be!
Variety is the key for us this season. It’s not too often that a team gets 5 goals from 5 different players. I would have liked to have seen Michael play, but I think Leeds are in his sights.
Anyway, it was the perfect way to close a great year and a fantastic decade for us.
PS. I hope the Vida substitution was just to rest him.
@bchilds:
I think it’s 7: Bolton, CSKA, CSKA, Everton, West Ham, Wolves and Wigan.
Joint second scorer with Owen!
@ bchilds
I think tonight was his 7th
It was his fifth in the league and he scored in both of the CSKA games
Well done gentleman
Bye bye 2009 – loved it apart from that CL final
Was in Sydney when my brother said we sold the virus to that mob
They said Man United would die.
Hello 2010
Will be God knows where but heres to United breaking records again
Manchester United will never die.
Believe.
Ah, you might be right there Costas. I thought that one against CSKA was officially an own goal!
Not that it matters but I was racking my brain counting them up!
^ Mystery solved Berba’s Grandpa!
Best home performance of the season. 2 points off the top. Rafael scored. WE KEPT A CLEAN SHEET!
@bchilds:
That wa a valid point. I never checked it myself. The UEFA website has the 3rd goal against CSKA as Valencia’s. I don’t understand why since the ball was heading at the Stretford End, but who cares?
that Costas in too quick on the stats for the likes of me!
Great way to finish another decade of dominance for United
Looking forward to a ‘united team of the decade’ thread (I’ll restrain myself for now!)
That goal against CSKA at home was an own goal.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/6911848/Manchester-United-5-Wigan-0-match-report.html
“When Valencia crossed again from the right, Boyce slipped and there was Berbatov flicking the ball home with all the nonchalance of an Edwardian beau lighting a cigar: 4-0″
@Costas
Can’t believe UEFA have it down as a Valencia goal – that deflection was massive on that goal lol! Oh well, the more the better!
Easy. Was always going to be.
@ big bag wesley brown
haha! I think that may be one of my favourite quotes ever
on a semi-related note, anyone read this?
http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/?p=3689
made me chuckle
@brett1985: According to Uefa’s website it’s his goal. So i guess that’s 7 for him.
@Berba’s Grandpa: Yeah sorry, I am a bit of a stat freak. And on days like this it’s fun looking at the numbers!
bchilds
Yeah, I find it weird myself. I remember a Rooney effort at the Emirates that was more on target, yet it was attributed to Gallas as an own goal. I guess Uefa don’t like own goals!
Every player was great today. I know wigan have been woeful throughout this season but if we play like we did today against lower oppositions then we’ll easily score 5 past them and reduce the goal difference. I didn’t want the game to end, it was great to watch. We have been deprived of watching Utd thrash teams convincingly this season. We could have pushed for more goals in the end.
I hope we thrash Leeds on Sunday too, cannot wait for the game.
Thanks for clearing that one up Costas! Was annoying me trying to think of the missing Valencia goal in my head!
Chelsea game included that was the best Valencia has played for united 2 assists and a goal +wonderful work rate
Valencia goal record
wigan 2 seasons= 7 goals
manchester united half of season= 7 goals
*good players become great players when they played with world class players*
just to pass on the most stupidest email I think Ive ever got
” if we had not of sold ronaldo we’d have more goals than chelsea” some twats are never happy
Rooney questioned by mutv after the game
“15 goals now , are you well on your way to beating your best goal scoring season of 23 goals”
WR” If I dont score 8 goals between now and may something must be serously wrong”
fantastic answer
I always think my god the last time someonne else won the league apart from united in recent years was chelsea in 2006, it makes me wonder that seems ages ago imagine if united win the league again this year it will be ages.
on the game well it shows wigan really are that bad
Gotta hate tiny tears – well we all wish he was here but when people have a proper look back the time was right for him to go, we propably would have more points but if he was here but he is gone time for some ppl to move on, some fans must realise he went at the right time that is how football cycles work and ronaldos time for a new challenge came this summer.
bchilds
No problem. I am glad to see him score more often. And his crossing was back to it’s best today too.
Great performance tonight. Getting a natural defence back really seemed to spur the forward players on, no nerves just great football. People will say Wigan where poor but we completely battered them and you’d be hard pressed to find a team that would have done well against us tonight.
R Di Silva – played a blinder, really hope he gets more starts because when he’s on the right and Evras on the left we seem to attack with a lot more balance, his crossing was second to none.
Berba – what a difference a bit of confidence brings, i think Rooney gifting him a goal on sunday has done him the world of good, he was unplayable at walking pace. His passing was excellent, it’s the way he seems to be able to disguise a pass that I think sets him apart when he plays like he did tonight. Lets hope all the stick calms down he can carry on playing at the same level.
Fletch – How we’ve missed him in the middle lately, seems to keep adding more and more to game as the seasons go by, it’ll be Stevie Who by the end of season!
All in all great end to the decade, JT and Fatboy won’t looking forward to 2010 as much as we are that’s for sure
Scott @ 18:28 ” What do United have to do to be good enough?”
I think that I’ve made my point about that on a number of occasions – get the front two to gel and we’ll see more thumpings like today.
Although, to be honest, Wigan were like pylons around which UTD’s players slalomed. They put up no significant resistance – kinda like Macari’s point, they were completely out-classed and knew it. The only Wigan player that “might” get a look-see from UTD would be Rodellaga – and he was completely isolated playing against both Wesley and Vidic. Otherwise, they put up less of a fight than the Wolves second eleven.
brett: “stop pretending Berbatov has had anymore nor less than what should be an acceptable game. Judging by the main forum the 50/50 split of love/hate berbatov is now 10/90. Stop conning yourselves that a non standout performance against Wigan at home- answers any of the complaints about him.”
Absolutely correct – he was OK but hardly scintillating.
Besides, the questions/criticisms surrounding Dimmy’s performances have NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with his skill – I don’t think that anyone has questioned his fantastic ability on the ball. Rather, doubts are about his positioning and his ability to play in tandem with Wayne Rooney. If that partnership gels then he will have answered the questions posed about his contributions to the team.
fantastic game and great way to end 2009. hope SAF doesn’t chop and change too much . No one has mentioned how JS Park played. Insteadof falling down he stood strong like a man and his link play with Evra was excellent. RAF has now claimed the right back position as his own. the team played with intensity and intelligence. Well done boys! PIG made a good save which I’m proud about and will add to his confidence in goal. I would give man of the match to RAF for his energy and enthusiasm and the way he linked with Valencia.
Let’s do the same thing to Leeds then Citeh.
Valencia’s goal total has surprised me but I am yet to be convinced by him. It’s a bad comparison but Kevin Phillips scored a lot of goals yet deep down we knew his limitations. I’m encouraged by his goal tally though in the sense that it gives us something to work with. He will need to work hard on his game.
hey Jose Mourinho, the Bolton job is available if you want to come back to the premier league…..
Wonder what the starting lineup will be against leeds, anyone care to guess?
brett – Not convinced by Valencia? Weirdo.
Not as weird as thinking this team is as good as the 99 side
brett – Who said that? It is a better squad.
Denton Davey – Rooney is now the top scorer in the league, Berbatov, who has missed a month of the season through injury, is the 13th highest scorer. Looking at the top scorers table, Berbatov is the highest ranked “2nd striker” in the league.
Chelsea’s first striker, Drogba, 14 goals. Their second striker, Anelka, 5 goals. (Lampard has 6 goals, 5 of which are pens)
Arsenal’s first striker, RvP, 7 goals. Their second striker, Eduardo, 4 goals. (Fabregas has 9 goals and there are other midfielders in between).
Scott – we seem to be at odds in our assessment of Berbatov: your glass is half-full, mine is half-empty. I am, as I wrote elsewhere, an optimist of the pessimistic school in regard to his contribution – that’s because I believe that he could (and should) be doing so much better. But, as I wrote in the New Year’s thread, I am not giving up hope that the Rooney/Berbatov axis can gel even if I am critical of what Dimmy has provided so far. I have never doubted that his skill, what’s been missing has been positioning and, above all, end-product. This is the crux of the matter – resolve that issue and my glass will be fully-full.