Confirmed line-up: United vs Chelsea

March 10, 2013 407 Comments

De Gea, Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Carrick, Cleverley, Nani, Kagawa, Rooney, Hernandez

Bench: Amos, van Persie, Valencia, Anderson, Vidic, Young, Welbeck

Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill, Cole, Ramires, Lampard, Mata, Oscar, Moses, Ba

Author: Scott Filed Under Manchester United News

407 Comments

March 10, 2013 at 16:39
Rd54 says:
Attack fxxk chelski
March 10, 2013 at 16:39
Red in Taipei says:
Awesome – Scoresome.
March 10, 2013 at 16:40
Gaffer says:
bring it on – great line up
March 10, 2013 at 16:41
manchester is red says:
2:0 Kagawa, Chicharito
GGMU
March 10, 2013 at 16:44
bugzy_red says:
Come on united!!
March 10, 2013 at 16:45
zigoo says:
chicharito has earned that start…come onnnnnnnnnnn
March 10, 2013 at 16:46
Andromeda says:
Strong lineup.Glad to see Nani again, that shows the manager’s trust in him.Also its great to see Chica in the team.
March 10, 2013 at 16:47
WeAreUnited says:
a PERFECT line-up I say.

CMON NANI, CMON ROONEY, CMON CHICHA show them tha trumours are for ABU’s.

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2013/Mar/nani-exclusive-interview-with-united-review-match-programme.aspx

NANI: THIS IS MY TIME. The lad is ready to go and SAF has regained the beliefe and trust he has with Nani, YESSSSSSSSSSSS.

UNIETEEEED
March 10, 2013 at 16:48
Costas says:
Good line up. No mercy.
March 10, 2013 at 16:50
Vidic says:
Ooooooo RVP on the bench ,does this mean he is leaving too ?
March 10, 2013 at 16:51
Dike Chimezie says:
Strong line-up indeed.
March 10, 2013 at 16:54
Red4ever says:
Lol,,,,,,, beat the shit out of the fucking rent boys ,,good attacking line up go for it guys c’mon
March 10, 2013 at 16:56
kel says:
Good team
March 10, 2013 at 16:56
Red4ever says:
Lol,,,,,,, beat the shit out of the rent boys ,,good attacking line up go for it guys c’mon
March 10, 2013 at 16:56
roboo7 says:
Great line up cant wait. RVP on bench hope this doesmt meam hes leaving haha.

UNITEDDD!!!!!
March 10, 2013 at 16:57
United24 says:
Got it spot on.
March 10, 2013 at 16:59
parryheid says:
Plus points he has realised Van Persie has been out of form the last good few games that Rooney Evans and Kagawa are in form and must start. and given us fire power up front and I suppose the only way to learn
March 10, 2013 at 16:59
Andromeda says:
@Vidic

If you are serious with that comment, then you probably don’t know anything about football.
March 10, 2013 at 17:01
Scorp says:
This, I think, is our best line-up bar RVP.
March 10, 2013 at 17:09
Hans says:
Come on lads, we can do this again!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oeQYUjBRwM
March 10, 2013 at 17:14
Redblood says:
Glad to see Nani again
March 10, 2013 at 17:15
Tope99 says:
Nice starting line up, I hope chicha keeps proving he’s quality.Good to see nani still in and I hope shinji kerps making me smile.
March 10, 2013 at 17:16
D'GING€R PRINC€ says:
C’m0n Lads,lets send them 2 HELL
GGMUFC!!!
March 10, 2013 at 17:18
alfREDo says:
@ Vidic
I got your humour mate,
Wonder if the press will be full of RVP shocked at being rotated, and begging for a move away!
March 10, 2013 at 17:22
alfREDo says:
Happy matchday all!
Great line up, but there’s still a game to be won, and I’m concerned that everyone thinks we’ll walk this one!
I’m always wary of the renties and on their day they can give anyone a game!
ForzaUtd!!
March 10, 2013 at 17:25
WeAreUnited says:
@andromeda you being too harsh mate, he’s onyl joking about RVP and being sarcastic

UNITEEEEEEEEEEEEED
March 10, 2013 at 17:33
Andromeda says:
@We are United

If that is the case then sorry mate, I didn’t mean to slate him to be fair.perhaps he could use some sort of smileys to prove his point.anyways cheers everyone:))
March 10, 2013 at 17:36
Andromeda says:
Chicaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
March 10, 2013 at 17:36
Costas says:
Pass of the season.
March 10, 2013 at 17:36
santaClaus says:
Whatta finish , delight !! delightful pass , beauty finish
March 10, 2013 at 17:36
WeAreUnited says:
YEEEEEEEEEEEES

CHICHARITOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FOR THE DOUBTERS
March 10, 2013 at 17:36
Marq says:
Hernandez plays against Chelsea, Hernandez scores
March 10, 2013 at 17:37
Andromeda says:
What a start!!!!!!perfect response!!!!!!!!!!!!1
March 10, 2013 at 17:37
kel says:
what a pass! What a goal!
March 10, 2013 at 17:37
matt says:
What a fucken ball by Carrick.. And great fucken header from Pea
March 10, 2013 at 17:37
robbo2keano says:
what a pass and what a goal.
March 10, 2013 at 17:38
alfREDo says:
What a fuckin ball,
and what a fuckin finish!!
March 10, 2013 at 17:38
WeAreUnited says:
a supersub my ass.

What a ball from Carrick, a ronaldinho like ball
March 10, 2013 at 17:38
Sushi says:
Chico loves scorin against chel shit what a header
March 10, 2013 at 17:38
c-los says:
Chicha scores every time. Carrick what an amazing pass!!!
March 10, 2013 at 17:41
Andromeda says:
Carrick, what a player!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Rooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooney
March 10, 2013 at 17:41
Costas says:
Up the FSW’s ass!
March 10, 2013 at 17:42
Marq says:
When a person is down, you don’t kick kick, you stamp on him!
March 10, 2013 at 17:42
WeAreUnited says:
REMEMBER THE NAME, he goes by the name of WAYNE ROOONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY
March 10, 2013 at 17:42
Sushi says:
ROOOOOOONEYYYYYY
March 10, 2013 at 17:43
KingOfStretfordEnd says:
A glorious header. But really, what a freaking pass. Carrick is so underrated I can’t stand it and I need to kiss him now.

In other things, RVP on the bench?! Big game! And we leave our highest scorer out? Sir Alex must have had a tiff with him. Sorry lads, I think he’s off in the summer. You were good while you lasted. Sense the sarcasm duh.

And before I finish, ROONEYYYYY
March 10, 2013 at 17:43
Andromeda says:
A wounded lion eating the fuckers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 10, 2013 at 17:44
matt says:
Those two goals really came quickly didn’t they
March 10, 2013 at 17:46
matt says:
Did anyone just see Luiz push Nani in the back as Mata was about to swing his free kick in?
March 10, 2013 at 17:48
WeAreUnited says:
Cleverley on fire
March 10, 2013 at 17:53
Marq says:
Come on, don’t ease up, smash them!
March 10, 2013 at 17:53
Andromeda says:
Don’t let them any time.
March 10, 2013 at 17:57
Andromeda says:
We are angry, that is clear and when United get angry, we are red hot.smashing everyone!!!
March 10, 2013 at 17:59
robbo2keano says:
the footie today is lively and inventive me likes
March 10, 2013 at 18:07
Big Vex says:
Blistering start from the lads… Knew they would be fired up from the Madrid game, perfect response so far. Got a tenner on them as well lol.
March 10, 2013 at 18:08
WeAreUnited says:
Kagawa gives us another dimension ,cause he’s everywhere, if he could emulate last seasons form !

CMON UNITED
March 10, 2013 at 18:09
santaClaus says:
well been a bit disjointed in the last 5-10 mins .. with misplaced passes here and there
March 10, 2013 at 18:10
Rd54 says:
Fxxk can someone tell the players don’t fxxk lose the ball so fxxking easy
March 10, 2013 at 18:10
Rd54 says:
Fxxk can someone tell the players don’t fxxk lose the ball so fxxking easy
March 10, 2013 at 18:10
Andromeda says:
The lads playing erratically, please don’t give them any chance!!!we play this game as our redemption.
March 10, 2013 at 18:11
WeAreUnited says:
yeah last 10mins have been with mispasses, but this is football and we lead comfortablly 2-0
March 10, 2013 at 18:11
kel says:
The problem we now had is the space on the left. No left winger there and we are so limited in space. Kagawa seems tired and cant run enough or create enough chances.
March 10, 2013 at 18:12
Marq says:
Getting really sloppy! Come on!
March 10, 2013 at 18:12
Rd54 says:
And the pitch make me fxxk
March 10, 2013 at 18:14
Costas says:
It always worries me how much space our opponents get after we take an early lead. No matter how good the defending is today, we need to keep the ball better.
March 10, 2013 at 18:16
Rd54 says:
And watching luiz are very funny when remember Gary’s quote
March 10, 2013 at 18:17
Costas says:
Not Nani’s week. I hope that’s not the hamstring that kept him out for 2 months.
March 10, 2013 at 18:17
Rd54 says:
Nani baby are unlucky
March 10, 2013 at 18:19
WeAreUnited says:
Just when we got Nani on form he gets injured, hope it’s not bad

NOW is your turn Antonio the silent killer aka terminator Valencia!!!

CMOOOON
March 10, 2013 at 18:19
Andromeda says:
A brilliant first half!!!!
March 10, 2013 at 18:20
slim says:
Carrick is my player of the year.what a pass
March 10, 2013 at 18:21
WeAreUnited says:
@andromeda

I agree, and yes the last 15minutes were a bit sloppy, but it’s football and chelski is our opponent.

GREAT play!!!, I am ver yhappy, 2-0 lead, one more at the beginning of the second half, and voila!

great teamplay!
March 10, 2013 at 18:22
kel says:
Nani bad luck but i think its a hamstring. Maybe a month out? Hope he will be back soon.

Carrick with cleverly is really good combination. Carrick had more time and chances to make pass he cant make in the pass.
March 10, 2013 at 18:24
Proverb says:
The reached an instance I just wanted to see the half time whistle, it was getting depressing
We played well for the first 10mnts there after we were dreadful absolutely awful kept on loosing the ball

I’m hoping for a better second half
March 10, 2013 at 18:25
Hans says:
Not bad, but we were too complacent for my liking. We kept giving the ball too cheaply allowing the to get into good positions. Luckily Rio has been immense so far,

We should push for another one and then see the match on.
March 10, 2013 at 18:26
belfast red. says:
Nani def Looked like he was holding his hamstring, i hope not. Fuck sake. Its been a bad Week for the lad. Hopefully hes not out for aslong as last time..
March 10, 2013 at 18:27
Daniel88 says:
The first twenty minutes we pressed them stopped them playing dominated the game and scored our goals.
Then for twenty minutes we stood off and let them play without some excellent defending this game could be drawn.
Then for the last five minutes we pressed them again and got hold of the game.

Its fucking bemusing.

Tom Cleverley gave the ball away deep in our own half that could easily have cost goals. He is nothing more than a squad player.
March 10, 2013 at 18:28
Costas says:
The tie’s not over. If we keep passing sloppily and they get a goal back, it will be a very nervous affair.
March 10, 2013 at 18:29
Scorp says:
Cleverley was a bit sloppy at times. But, you could see glimpses of the combination between Kagawa and Rooney. Get them sharp and they could be lethal together.
March 10, 2013 at 18:32
Andromeda says:
@Costas

Cheers mate, hope Nani got the least form of hamstring injury.
March 10, 2013 at 18:33
WeAreUnited says:
we need to start strong, maybe score one and seal the game.!

2-0, I am ver yhappy, it’s never over when it’s 2-0. but I am quite comfortable that we wil lretain this lead and even score 1 more! if not immediatelly, then it’s after chelski has to attack
March 10, 2013 at 18:33
Proverb says:
This chelsea side is awful we could do by giving them a hammering, its been quite a while since we won comfortably vs this lot

Come on you reds!!!
March 10, 2013 at 18:34
53 to brooks bar says:
Jesus. Adrian Chiles is a twat
March 10, 2013 at 18:39
calebkzh says:
Daniel 88 says:
“Tom Cleverley gave the ball away deep in our own half that could easily have cost goals. He is nothing more than a squad player.”

Geez, he’s 24. Were you expecting Iniesta?
March 10, 2013 at 18:41
Rd54 says:
Tom s passing are below the bar today hope him get better
March 10, 2013 at 18:42
santaClaus says:
Though rooney has scored a goal , he has been a bit sloppy and lethargic with his passing i the final third
March 10, 2013 at 18:43
Costas says:
@Andromeda

There’s also a chance it was a thigh injury. Hopefully that’s what happened.
March 10, 2013 at 18:44
Rd54 says:
And Tom are do well in most of the game no need to stick him just today
March 10, 2013 at 18:48
Costas says:
It was coming. Wake the fuck up!
March 10, 2013 at 18:48
Andromeda says:
oops!!!!!
March 10, 2013 at 18:48
Marq says:
This is what happens when you sit back…
March 10, 2013 at 18:48
santaClaus says:
we deserved it for the sloppiness with our passing ,

brilliant finish though .. cant do much about it
March 10, 2013 at 18:48
WeAreUnited says:
I want to see danny welbeck in
March 10, 2013 at 18:48
53 to brooks bar says:
You can’t keep giving the ball away and standing then be surprised when they score!
March 10, 2013 at 18:49
kel says:
We need to sub Chica and bring on RVP, someone to hold the ball up.

Or we need to take off kagawa and put on someone on the left wing.
March 10, 2013 at 18:50
Andromeda says:
That was a difficult angle for De Gea, we are sleeping!!!!!!come on wake u.
March 10, 2013 at 18:50
53 to brooks bar says:
RVP time
March 10, 2013 at 18:51
Proverb says:
We are too awful

We can do better
March 10, 2013 at 18:51
kel says:
Rooney and Chica came to deep in to midfield. We are playing to narrow at the moment.

Make some space.
March 10, 2013 at 18:52
Rd54 says:
Good changing and at lease DDg put his hand up
March 10, 2013 at 18:52
Proverb says:
We are too awful

We can do better

Come on guys!!
March 10, 2013 at 18:52
53 to brooks bar says:
Would have been tempted to take of Rooney myself he has consistently given the ball away
March 10, 2013 at 18:53
WeAreUnited says:
we have a great team, take chichsrito off and bring RVP, which team can do that?

I also wanr DannyWelbeck on for Kagawa
March 10, 2013 at 18:53
KingOfStretfordEnd says:
Does RVP look bigger. I thought he always had the lean thing going on.
March 10, 2013 at 18:54
Rd54 says:
And Danny baby also come in to Robb the ball
March 10, 2013 at 18:54
kel says:
I say bring welbeck on for Kagawa. Welbeck the best man to do two roles for us.
March 10, 2013 at 18:56
Andromeda says:
Kagawa and Cleverly were silent this term!!!come onm
March 10, 2013 at 18:57
53 to brooks bar says:
What an absolute fucking joke.
March 10, 2013 at 18:57
Andromeda says:
We are fucking this up!!!!!!
March 10, 2013 at 18:57
Costas says:
We just don’t learn. We’ve been needing another midfielder in there for over 20 minutes. FFS.
March 10, 2013 at 18:57
santaClaus says:
What the fuck just happened , we seem to be sleeping and what the hell .. rooney again culprit of loosing the ball
March 10, 2013 at 18:57
kel says:
Fuck. I dont know the balance of the team. Nani out and we always lose?
March 10, 2013 at 18:58
Marq says:
Dear oh dear… Why do we always ease up when we go infront?

Rooney apart from the goal, has done thing much honestly
March 10, 2013 at 18:58
AntiScouser says:
What’s the excuse this time?
March 10, 2013 at 18:58
welbeckstats says:
That was coming, we need a change in the midfiel, now Chico is out when we need goals!!! bad decision again…
March 10, 2013 at 19:01
Marq says:
Come on Evra, you are the captain, not even running back after giving the ball away…
March 10, 2013 at 19:01
Andromeda says:
To be fair we are outclassed in the second half till now.nani’s injury was the turning point again.
March 10, 2013 at 19:02
roboo7 says:
Evra is shocking leaves the biggest gaps goes on a run and jogs back.
March 10, 2013 at 19:04
Saad says:
I’m officially done with Antonio Valencia. He brings nothing more to the field than a predictable right-sided move.
March 10, 2013 at 19:05
montel says:
No replays. Go for it, even if we risk losing.
March 10, 2013 at 19:06
Marq says:
Valencia…. that was a horrible shot..
March 10, 2013 at 19:06
Andromeda says:
Come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don’t want to go to Stamford bridge again
March 10, 2013 at 19:06
Mr C says:
Tom’s had a stinker today.
March 10, 2013 at 19:07
Lawman10 says:
Is Rooney playing ?
March 10, 2013 at 19:10
53 to brooks bar says:
I think Tony V is colour blind. He keeps giving it to blue shirts
March 10, 2013 at 19:11
zigoo says:
the way cleverly and evra were jogging for both goals respectively is nothing short of disgraceful

valencia is shit,going round in circles,id rather have put young in

we threw this away..
March 10, 2013 at 19:11
Proverb says:
Thank gosh the fucker is injured
March 10, 2013 at 19:11
calebkzh says:
Valencia has done absolutely zero to fight for a starting place. Poor play, holding the ball for far too long and giving the ball away sloppily.
March 10, 2013 at 19:12
Lawman10 says:
Very,very poor 2nd half showing from united
March 10, 2013 at 19:12
Andromeda says:
Come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
March 10, 2013 at 19:12
zigoo says:
clev thinks hes bloody xavi….fuckin awful today
March 10, 2013 at 19:12
Rahul says:
My god Valencia is playing awful. what’s happenned to him?
March 10, 2013 at 19:12
mara says:
I Canon t believe this….
March 10, 2013 at 19:13
Rahul says:
Feels like Carling Cup all over
March 10, 2013 at 19:13
kel says:
I think the players are tired? Evra and Cleverly play against Madrid. The players who played well are evans and Ferdinand.
March 10, 2013 at 19:14
Proverb says:
We look knackered
March 10, 2013 at 19:14
Saad says:
Being dominated on our own tough. Shameful.
March 10, 2013 at 19:15
dannysoya LOVES USAIN BOLT says:
Disgraceful performance from multiple players. Just fucking shocking and embarassing. Is this how we play AT HOME now?
March 10, 2013 at 19:15
Andromeda says:
Cleverly is should have been replaced!!!where the fuck is Anderson??
March 10, 2013 at 19:15
Mr C says:
Right now I’d take the draw. We’ve got the squad size and aren’t in Europe. The thought of City winning the cup this year is too much to bear.
March 10, 2013 at 19:16
CoppelRED says:
What’s going on fellow reds? Unable to watch it.
March 10, 2013 at 19:17
welbeckstats says:
we are giving them so many chances, we are going to pay for it… we are playing with 10, Valencia is playing crap!
March 10, 2013 at 19:17
Proverb says:
Awful valencia
March 10, 2013 at 19:17
Saad says:
Take the bloody shirt off, Tony. You’re done.
March 10, 2013 at 19:17
Big Vex says:
Not sure what happened we’ve completely collapsed.
March 10, 2013 at 19:17
santaClaus says:
Done with valencia , he has been poor, he has done nothing since coming on , running into traffic, not providing a outlet on the right either
March 10, 2013 at 19:20
rijah says:
This cup also lost…. Now we have the premier league to play for… Sigh….
March 10, 2013 at 19:20
Saad says:
Thank you David. Thank you. Go to hell, Valencia. Go to red hell.
March 10, 2013 at 19:20
Marq says:
What a save by DDG
March 10, 2013 at 19:20
Big Vex says:
DDG, what a keeper. Anyone whoever doubted him must feel stupid every time he plays.
March 10, 2013 at 19:20
Proverb says:
What a save david!!!
March 10, 2013 at 19:20
montel says:
Please guys make that DDG save matter.
March 10, 2013 at 19:20
kel says:
What a save by DDG!!
March 10, 2013 at 19:21
dannysoya LOVES USAIN BOLT says:
Jesus Christ. Fucking TERRIBLE.
March 10, 2013 at 19:21
kel says:
Valencia played badly because he cant play against 2 player. Nani on the other hand is able because he is more technically better player. I like to see Anderson play but we have used up our subs. Lets hold on for return leg. Poor performances.
March 10, 2013 at 19:22
santaClaus says:
this second half has been pain to watch literally , there are bunch of players who just didnt turn up in the second half, valencia, cleverly .. they both have been poor to be soft
March 10, 2013 at 19:22
Gee says:
Valencia is a fucking liability this year, don’t know I it’s getting the number 7 shirt or what but he needs it taking off him coz he is shite!! And fucking Cleverly hasn’t been much better either, he should have come of instead of Kagawa!! And what with the fucking booting the ball to no one from the fucking defenders!! Great first half by the lads fucking awful second half!! There’s players that need questions asking o them this summer that’s a given!!
March 10, 2013 at 19:22
red joey says:
abismal performance.
March 10, 2013 at 19:24
welbeckstats says:
To be honest,we deserve to lose today! we are sooo lucky!
March 10, 2013 at 19:24
kel says:
Fcuk. This performance is shit. DDG save our ass!
March 10, 2013 at 19:24
Saad says:
Stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid reds.
March 10, 2013 at 19:24
santaClaus says:
lucky to be alive , second half was a disaster , one of the worst performances of this season ..
March 10, 2013 at 19:24
Proverb says:
David, you’re my hero
March 10, 2013 at 19:25
Costas says:
Pathetic.
March 10, 2013 at 19:25
Joffrey Baratheon says:
Well that was shit. De Gea was the only person who turned up in the second half. What the hell has happened to Valencia? He was awful when he came on.
March 10, 2013 at 19:25
The Scottish Wonder says:
the second half was our worst this season..
March 10, 2013 at 19:25
red joey says:
from bettering madrid to this. hang your heads lads
March 10, 2013 at 19:25
dMuzikManUnited says:
Nani our most important player now.
March 10, 2013 at 19:25
zigoo says:
rafa,cleverly,vslencia were shit today

absolutly dismal

valencia has been shit all year so its no surprise….he should never wear that shirt again

am glad we got a draw because we deserved to LOSE

rvp again not imposing himself….hw he screwed up a 2 on 1 was beyond me
March 10, 2013 at 19:25
WeAreUnited says:
30 minutes were pure orgasm from us, then something happened and now

I really have to boooooooooooooooooooooo to our team for the last 60 minutes.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

sorry lads, but booooooooo.
March 10, 2013 at 19:26
Costas says:
I’ll refrain myself from saying something bad about Valencia, but if Nani leaves int he summer and he sticks around, I’ll begin worrying about Fergie’s sanity.

Don’t know why Anderson was never brought on. The team was visibly tired.
March 10, 2013 at 19:26
zigoo says:
happend alot in 2013…we play first half,we get outplayed second half at home…ie southampton liverpoool etc…must be sorted

a pub team today we were
March 10, 2013 at 19:27
Andromeda says:
pathetic performance in the second half!!!Chelsea fully deserved to win to be honest, not to be so pessimistic but can’t see us win it at Stamford bridge!!!!concentrate on the league.
March 10, 2013 at 19:27
Marq says:
We only played 20mins, went to sleep after that. Deserves to lose really, but thanks to DDG.

Really poor performance from some of the players, Valencia, Cleverley, Evra & Rooney. No excuse about tiredness, Chelsea had less rest.
March 10, 2013 at 19:27
AlphaRS says:
Always got so much pressure on the defence because we haven’t got a midfield that can get the ball and keep possession without giving it away. All over the place the second half. Lucky to still be in the tie.
March 10, 2013 at 19:27
alfREDo says:
Bloody hell,
Though at least were in the draw!
Time to regroup and refocus before Reading next week!
March 10, 2013 at 19:28
Gav says:
Fergies made a mockery of that number 7 shirt!! How the fok Valencia wears it I will never know!!! Clueless predictable player!!!
March 10, 2013 at 19:28
AntiScouser says:
Don’t worry, “at this club, we always bounce back”.
March 10, 2013 at 19:28
Lawman10 says:
Well that was Shite too many players not at the races today.
Shocking 2nd half
March 10, 2013 at 19:28
Dela says:
We badly missed Nani once he went off, Tony V is miles and miles away at the moment. I think its clear to see why Fergie was reluctant about Tom Cleverley quite a bit in his selections too, he lad is brilliant but on a bad day he really REALLY had a bad day.

All in all, United looked exhausted in the second half. Rafa kept some of his stronger players on the bench until the second half, so that helps after a midweek game.

They have a week off now to gather themselves before Reading. Not sure where they will fit in the replay game, but we’re probably better positioned than Chelsea for the extra fixture.

Still though, after taking a 2-0 lead that’s wicked disappointing for me, especially against this Chelsea side who I just don’t rate highly at all.
March 10, 2013 at 19:28
Georgejoseph says:
We are lucky to be in a replay . Fuck cleverly as shit today
March 10, 2013 at 19:29
Diego says:
What the fuck was that?
Bunch of pussies feeling sorry for themselves. Cleverley put in one of the worst united performances for some time. Valencia is so poor it’s getting embarrassing. Rooney, the fluke goal aside, showcased the technique of a fucking rhino. SAF made no changes after Chelsea changed their formation, why? How the fuck did Cleverley finish that game?
March 10, 2013 at 19:29
Norman-85 says:
Did we have a single shot in the second half? Where did Rooney, Carrick, Cleverly go? why take Kagawa off and leave Cleverly on?
March 10, 2013 at 19:29
dannysoya LOVES USAIN BOLT says:
ABYSMAL performances from Rafael, Evra, Kagawa, Rooney, Valencia, Cleverley.

We need a brand new left back. A brand new midfielder. NO MORE excuses. I can no longer stomach performances. We had this in the bag and let it slip YET AGAIN. One would have thought we would have learned but oh no.
March 10, 2013 at 19:29
roboo7 says:
Crap 2nd half!! Evra never rated him leaves the biggests gaps uses all his energy to go forward then jogs back. Valencia awful today!!
March 10, 2013 at 19:30
WeAreUnited says:
@Marq

exaclty mate, no excuse, it has been a while when I have been disappointed with this team, but this time they really made this difficult. This season it has been the same story against Chelski, first we go 2-0, then 2-2 and then maybe win draw or lose, this time it was a draw.

They will still come again to OT to play for the 3points, I hope that time we will win if we lead 2-0.

It has been a while when I really boood to the team. 2-2, but with a great 30minutes and poor 60minutes.

David DeGea MOTM just only for that save. I think Mata will have a bad collection of DDG saves in his nightmares.
March 10, 2013 at 19:31
Daniel88 says:
@ calebkzh

” Geez, he’s 24. Were you expecting Iniesta? ”
- What ? … being 24 is an excuse for playing shit. He is not a young player anymore. I am expecting a Manchester United midfielder to make simple passes.
March 10, 2013 at 19:31
Big Vex says:
Awful performance. Totally did not see that coming, lucky to still be in the cup. I have a question for fellow Reds if we only finished with the league this season would you consider it a success, bearing in mind the opportunities we had?
March 10, 2013 at 19:32
Northwalesred says:
Cleverly is nowhere near good enough for this level,fuck him off Fergie and get the chequebook out.
How we got a draw I’ll never know, we completely bottled the game.
March 10, 2013 at 19:33
Hans says:
This must one of the worst performances ever, having been given a 2 goal lead. Complacent, sloppy, slow, stupid!!!!

Valencia and Cleverly do not deserve to wear the red shirt.

Rooney did very little as well. He should have put that sitter to bed. He should now that in positions like that you try to hit the corners of the goal. Either side of the keeper, and we are 3:0 up.

Rafael should have been closer to Hazard rather than guessing and ball watching.

I will never understand why we keep doing those stupid passes when a player is surrounded by two or three opponents, rather than playing simple to an unmarked team mate, or playing some crazy high balls going nowhere, or needlessly playing it back to DeGea and putting pressure on him?

As it is we are lucky to be in the tie, and certainly did not need another match. This will surely go down as opportunity missed, and this time we have no one to blame but ourselves.
March 10, 2013 at 19:34
Andromeda says:
@Costas

Can’t blame you there mate, it seems that Fergie was somewhat stubborn to keep Cleverly on the pitch and leaving Anderson, moreover I think Valencia has brought nothing to the team, why not Young???he was brilliant when he came in against Real Madrid.
March 10, 2013 at 19:34
zigoo says:
rvp looking jaded…not imposing himself…looking 2nd rate…has to sharpen up

the way evra was joggin for their 2nd goal was disgraceful,and the way clev did it for the first goal was nothing short of disgraceful too..

cleverly was disgusting today,really bad performance….it was a shambles…

valencia should never play for man utd again,id rather hav young on the right than valencia,strip him off the number 7,n flogg him off in the summer…i cant stomach how shit he plays

rooney again,his touch was shocking all day
March 10, 2013 at 19:35
AntiScouser says:
The million pound question is this: Taking everything into account, are we capable of losing the League?
March 10, 2013 at 19:35
zigoo says:
glad we r 12 pts clear,because it looks like its gna be one of those runs
March 10, 2013 at 19:35
WeAreUnited says:
Anywa,

won’t make any sudden crazy responses to bash the team, it’s one BAD performance from our last 20 games, and it’s 2-2 draw and we didn’t lose, so not bad. Maybe because we had a lead of 2-0 at home, we are more disappointed.

Anyway, this is only an obsactle, and rememberr that this was our third encounter against chelski and we have lead against them 3 times, now we have 1 win, 1 draw and 1 defeat against them.

CMON UNITED!!!!!! I LOVE THIS TEAM; TOP OF THE LEAGUE BABY!

peace and don’t spill yourself, 1 TERIBLE game in our last 20, so not worried, it happens. ooooooooooo robin van persieeeeeeeeeeeee
March 10, 2013 at 19:35
dannysoya LOVES USAIN BOLT says:
We better not fucking blow that 12 point lead or I will absolutely lose it. This is the number one problem for manchester United since 2008, C-O-M-P-L-A-C-E-N-C-Y what does it spell? COMPLACENCY. You get a small lead and you think you own the world. Chelsea should NEVER have been in this fucking game. I am TIRED of this. Fucking fed up.
March 10, 2013 at 19:36
Scorp says:
I still can’t understand why we defended so deep. They just had one striker up top. And then our midfield started going deep with young Tom having a poor game.
March 10, 2013 at 19:36
KingOfStretfordEnd says:
David De Gea earned us the replay.

I’m bewildered.

I never agree with the this player is not good enough reason, but if we could do it the first 20 mins, we can surely do it the entire game.

Complacency.
March 10, 2013 at 19:36
fadi says:
Very bad performance , there was nothing clever about cleverly performance , there is no spirit in the whole team …thank god we re 12 pts ahead of city …thats the only thing that is within our hands ….everything else is falling apart , sorry lads with this aweful performance i dont c us beating chelsea at the bridge
March 10, 2013 at 19:37
Dela says:
Relax folks, it was a shite game and a stupid way to add another fixture, but it could have been worse if it wasn’t for De Gea. These lads need the week break, I think their heads are still back in Tuesday night, and their legs were evidently not far behind them. I feared this kind of game today after Tuesday, we do always bounce back but there’s a difference between going out of Europe because you were beaten fair and square, and going out over a bad officials’ call, so I don’t think they are at the races at all yet.

Luckily for them, and us, we have a replay, so we’re still in it and I think we’ll beat them at Stamford Bridge, we can handle the extra fixture better than they can now.

Write it off. Shake it off and just prepare for Reading. Don’t dwell to much on it. We’re soooo close to winning the league and the Reading game will be another massive blow to City if we win it… remember they have to play Everton at Goodison, so next weekend is far more important.

So chillax I’m annoyed as all of you since we could have been 5-0 up at half time, but fuck it, we almost lost it and that boy De Gea showed his animalistic reactions again.

Draw now…
March 10, 2013 at 19:37
samuel - united WE stand says:
Shocking performance, renders me speechless right now. United handed the iniative to chelsea and gave them the belief and confidence with poor distribution of the ball, pissed off as stamford bridge has not been kind to united for several years, it is a tall order to get through now
March 10, 2013 at 19:38
WeAreUnited says:
@Hans “Valencia and Cleverly do not deserve to wear the red shirt. ”

this is pathetic mate, take it easy, we drew 2-2, and we played terribly but that certain Cleverley shut Madrid midfield down, so maybe yo ushould reconsider?

I booooooooooood to my team, but it doesn’t mean that we are suddenly shite, when we have in our last 20 games 18 wins, 1 defeat and 1 draw.

CMON guys, you can do better than that, yes a bad game, but to replace players? TOP OF THE LEAGUE BABY!
March 10, 2013 at 19:40
Ed says:
It was the same as the ten minutes against Madrid. We couldn’t manage two passes. Our possession play is not what it once was – we simply don’t keep the ball as easily as we did.

Losing Nani was a shame as it meant Valencia coming on and he did not manage one single pass to a red shirt. He has been woeful this season.
March 10, 2013 at 19:40
KingOfStretfordEnd says:
Not annoyed that we have to play the replay at SB. I’m just annoyed we have to play another game.
March 10, 2013 at 19:40
Proverb says:
Chillex guys, its just one of those days
We’ll be back
David saved us, fuck me, he was amazing!!!!!!
March 10, 2013 at 19:40
Saad says:
Winner in the replay plays City.
March 10, 2013 at 19:40
Dela says:
So if we beat Chelsea then its City! Ok, we have to beat Chelsea…
March 10, 2013 at 19:41
WeAreUnited says:
@Dela

I always wait to your responses mate!, again spot on, don’t spill water because of 1 draw which was from a bad performance, but take it easy hahaha.

now I can leave easily from commenting this match anymore, with that great comment of yours @Dela

peace everybody and breathe in breathe out.

B-E-L-I-E-V-E
March 10, 2013 at 19:41
Costas says:
So if we advance it’s City in the semis.

@Andromeda

Honestly mate, I can be harsh on Valencia but he wasn’t the reason we performed so poorly imo. Could Young have come on instead? Yeah but it still wouldn’t have solved the problem we were facing with our tiredness in the center. I’ve been worried about this since the summer. We have no options in midfield. Obviously Fergie doesn’t trust Anderson. So why not buy another midfielder to take the weight off Carrick’s shoulders? Or to offer an alternative for Tom who’s still prone to crappy games?
March 10, 2013 at 19:41
Sushi says:
what a fucking abject performance, both clevs and carrick looked like they were high and not there at all. Rafael had an off day I won’t rip on him too much. Ferdiand was immense but Midfield was garbage 2nd half. Evra…..not sure y he wasnt interested in running back to defend considering thats his job. Nani coming off fucked with because clearly Sir alex knew hes the best winger we have. Valencia has really lost his form really needs to shape up in the off season.

Van persie couldn’t do much without a midfield. Its so fucking frustrating I was already pissed off because of this day light savings bull shit that robbed me of an hour of sleep then this
March 10, 2013 at 19:41
Diego says:
It’s is just one massive mind fuck how SAF didn’t change it around after we completely lost control of the game. Does he have that little faith in the players on the bench? Makes a one-for-one striker change that changes fuck all in the area of the pitch where we needed things freshened up.
March 10, 2013 at 19:42
UnitedFaithful says:
Both goals came in so early in the first half the lads thought the game was done and dusted.It was all down to complacency and nothing else.If it wasn’t for De Gea we would have been out of another cup competition in 5 days.
March 10, 2013 at 19:43
WeAreUnited says:
okey last comment,

“On that note I also wanted to apologize for the gesture I did towards the Leeds fans in yesterday’s game,” Zaha said via Twitter. “Very unprofessional from me.”

GREAT gesture from Wilfred Zaha, a better one than the finger.

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/85/england/2013/03/10/3814408/manchester-united-loan-star-zaha-apologises-for-showing?source=breakingnews&ICID=HP_BN_4

now peace.
March 10, 2013 at 19:43
zigoo says:
cleverly is a subsitute player…not a starter…he looks good against the shit teams…but against the big teams he looks so bad

carrick,rio and de gea are the only players who looked good

so puzzled how we just lose it in the 2nd half…happend so many times this season………even southampton outplayed us at old trafford…

i hope we dont throw away the league :S
March 10, 2013 at 19:44
Daniel88 says:
Such a pathetic performance.

- We were carrying Cleverley and (although he was out of position) Rooney.
- Tom Cleverley was so far the worst player on the pitch an utterly woeful performance from a player who simply is not good enough. So many times he gave the ball away cheaply, caught in possession and went AWOL leaving Carrick alone in the middle. The first change should have been him taken off.
- Why is he playing Rooney left ?.
- Sir Alex again just like on Tuesday was unable to react tactically. He is awful tactically we need a #2 badly. What is Carlos Queiroz doing these days ?.

Fuming.
March 10, 2013 at 19:44
Sushi says:
It was completely fucking unnecessary on the day FSW hands us the perfect back 4 to score goals against we fucked it all up. Luiz can’t defend to save his life and we just let that prick dictate shit 2nd half instead we have to take an unnecessary trip to fucking london where more than likely FSW will play ivanovic and terry.
March 10, 2013 at 19:45
zigoo says:
de gea save of the season last year vs mata

de gea save of the season this year vs mata

true story
March 10, 2013 at 19:45
calebkzh says:
Daniel88 says:
“What ? … being 24 is an excuse for playing shit. He is not a young player anymore. I am expecting a Manchester United midfielder to make simple passes.”

DId he not? Or were you only watching the passes he misplaced? One bad game and you call a player shite, is that it? Granted he had a poor game today, but you can’t even believe the fickleness of some of the people on here…
March 10, 2013 at 19:45
Marq says:
Someone needs to give Valencia the magic potion that Nani took when he was absolutely horrible a few years back and suddenly came back firing. Not sure if the No.7 shirt is weighting him down, but all of his confidence seems gone. People say that he is getting double teamed, but that is hardly the case, it seems more like he thinks too much, and maybe lost that yard of pace after his 2 injuries. Hope Nani can be back soon. Next game I would want to see Young on the left and Nani on the right.
March 10, 2013 at 19:46
WeAreUnited says:
@zigooo

was he bad agains Madrid? City, Chelski earlier, Arsenal, etc. Cleverley I reckon, was he bad against them?

NO, so it’s crazy to say he is bad against big team, the second half-performance was a bad day at the office i reckon !!

NOW I REALLY WILL GO. peace to all.
March 10, 2013 at 19:48
Dela says:
@WeAreUnited –> Ye, people tend to overreact a little bit here. They forget that even in our best seasons we had massive set backs, we had criticism about how bad or inexperienced our players were, we made big mistakes and so on but in the end we took home the prize. You have to put up with this shit because the Premier League is bloody hard to win, and the FA Cup can be difficult too.

What happened today was self evident, we were in complete control in the first half, then went into the second half and Rafa brought on Hazard etc. with fresh legs against a quickly depleting United side. We couldn’t pass the fucking ball 4 yards… that is literally exhaustion, and for United it’s not just physical, it’s mental too. I’m sure those lads have had a wicked hard time recovering from Tuesday… e.g. Rio on Twitter talking about not being able to sleep and so on. They need this week rest badly.
March 10, 2013 at 19:48
Ed says:
That said, you never know. Mata should have killed us and DDG’s leg saved us so maybe that is a Bergkamp penalty miss moment!

Assuming we go out at the Bridge… I can’t think out of Chelsea and City which I want to lose the most!
March 10, 2013 at 19:51
Big Vex says:
Andy Townsend, what a horrible biased little man.
March 10, 2013 at 19:52
zigoo says:
sorry mate but cleverly has been shit for quite a while now,he thinks hes iniesta or xavi and he just is not

the way he was jogging for the 1st goal,and leaving carrick exposed,is nothing sort of abysmal

watch the goal,and watch how he just more or less walks…like evra for the 2nd
March 10, 2013 at 19:53
Adazi says:
Hope this game puts an end to the nani vs valencia debate
March 10, 2013 at 19:53
Dela says:
@Big Vex –> I think the word you are looking for is “cunt”.
March 10, 2013 at 19:55
Dela says:
@Adazi –> No. it hasn’t. It has shown just how prone United fans are to knee jerk reactions now. Just look at the threads here from the start of the season when so many people were calling Nani shit, calling for him to be sold. Now it’s the other way around and Tony V is in the firing line instead. I wouldn’t be too surprised if some of the same users held both opinions at different stages of the season.
March 10, 2013 at 19:55
Daniel88 says:
@ calebkzh

It wasn’t just one poor performance although this one was bad enough alone. His passing is pathetic both long and short. The ball hurts his foot when he tries to shoot. Under any pressure from opposition you can forget about him. Period.

Carrick had the opportunity for a free shot just outside the box but Cleverley could not handle the five yard pass.

He is shit. Deal with it.
March 10, 2013 at 19:58
Andromeda says:
@Costas

Agree again, I am not pointing Valencia as a sole reason for our second half failure, the whole team were underperfroming and I was surprised after such a spirited first half.was it a tactical blunder from Fergie?may be because once Fat Rafa brought in Mikel and Hazard everything went for their good, there are games like this where you should be less patient, and in my opinion sticking with Cleverly there was simply the biggest mistake from Fergie, he was tired and hence sloppy with tardy pace.Regarding Young, I think the difference between him and Valencia is that the former being less predictable with more accurate crossing, he could brought many thing as he can play a good passing game with the likes of RVP and Rooney.Anyway, it was obvious that we wre still under that shocking champions league defeat.as for replay I am not optimistic at all:(

No Boooooooooo from me, hope we can recover soon.
March 10, 2013 at 19:59
KingOfStretfordEnd says:
I’m not looking for excuses, but @Dela, I somewhat agree. The mental exhaustion. I mean, usually, even if we blow a 2-0 lead to a 2-2, we’d be gung-ho all the way till the final whistle, but today, it seemed lacking. Psychological trauma. Okay, that sounds exaggerated, but it might make some sense. Still, there was a tinge of complacency. We thought we had in in the bag after going 2-0 up so quick.

Anyway, it’s too mainstream to get the job down on our own pitch. We’ll do it down south. GGMU!
March 10, 2013 at 20:00
calebkzh says:
@Daniel88

I’m not sure why I’m keeping this debate up, but just to prove your myopia, wasn’t Cleverley pulling his weight against Madrid?
March 10, 2013 at 20:01
KingOfStretfordEnd says:
So many years reading this blog, and I still cannot fathom how we call our lads shit after one bad game…
March 10, 2013 at 20:04
dannysoya LOVES USAIN BOLT says:
Seriously I do not care how many good performances our midfield has put in this year. It is CLEAR AS DAY to ANYONE that was can be SO much better as a team. The potential our team has is very scary when you look at it. We are dominating the league with one of our relatively lesser teams. ALL we need is ONE young, composed midfielder to play with Carrick, one proper Left back and you will see how truly scary this team will be and yet we have not done this even though it is glaring to see. We continue to stock up on wingers and strikers to the point where we will soon have a glut in those two positions and we leave BY FAR the two weakest positions in our team completely untouched. I simply cannot understand it. Just watch, I bet we won’t sign any central midfielder AGAIN this summer and it’ll be cleverley again in midfield next year no matter how poorly he plays.
March 10, 2013 at 20:05
Andromeda says:
No please people Cleverly was great for us this season, today he was just unfit, he has a great first half but he became tired the next term, it was the manager’s mistake to keep him on the pitch!!!should disagree with many folks here accusing him for being inconsistent or shit all this season.
March 10, 2013 at 20:06
kc says:
Not very smart subs; why take off Kagawa and not Cleverly? Valancia on for Nani, why not Young? Why wait till 2-2 to make changes? Looks like a downward spiral from here, Pull out the finger Fergie, or it will be deja-vu all over. The 12 point lead isn’t enough, at this rate we will need 21 points. Today, Benitez was better than Fergie.
March 10, 2013 at 20:06
Tom says:
Carrick was jogging for the second goal too, united has to invest in midfield that’s for certain
March 10, 2013 at 20:11
Hans says:
It is tragic what has happened to Tony V. this season. Where is the player that was tearing fullbacks apart last few seasons? He is so hesitant, so predictable, refusing to take people on, can’t cross any-more. I cannot remember last time he had a good match. With Zaha, arriving soon, the writing may be on the wall for him.

As much as I would love Tom C. to succeed, he also is failing more often than not. He was nowhere to bee seen today at second half.

With the benefit of hindsight, Young and Anderson would have been better options for the second half.

Also, today it was very frustrating how much time and space we gave them. We were hardly closing down them. Every time we had possession, you could see 2-3 of their player hurrying toward our players denying them space.

The final result flatters us, and I hope by the time we go to the Bridge our attitude changes, otherwise we have no chance!!!
March 10, 2013 at 20:11
AntiScouser says:
“Sir Alex has told MUTV he believes Tuesday’s match against Real Madrid has “taken its toll” on the players, particularly Rafael and Patrice Evra. He also says United are “lucky” to still be in the FA Cup following today’s second-half performance.”

Taken its toll? Evans, Rooney, Valencia, Kagawa, Hernandez and Nani either didn’t play on Tuesday or played only part of the game. I suspect we have not heard last of this “taken its toll” excuse, he’s going to milk it.
March 10, 2013 at 20:11
Daniel88 says:
@ calebkzh

There is no debate. Its much easier to destroy than create. Tom Cleverley didn’t effect the game positively WITH the ball against Madrid in both games. He also wont do this at the top level ever because he just isn’t that good.
March 10, 2013 at 20:13
Marq says:
Well, the matter of a CM has been on our lips for the longest time, and hopefully, we can get someone in the summer, next summer is the world cup and is extremely hard to do deals. And don’t go into the debate of a player blocking the path of youth players, if the youth player, ie Tunni, Petru, etc are good enough, they will come through no matter who we put in front of them. heck, even Messi had to deal with a certain Ronaldinho before he got his place in the team.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not suggesting the likes of Cleverley and Anderson are poor, I think they need competition. With Anderson out of the picture, it leaves us with Cleverley as a guaranteed starter beside Carrick, that is not good, not because he is poor, but it just shows a lack of option.
March 10, 2013 at 20:13
Proverb says:
Gutted with that result. Don’t worry. We’ll be fresh for the replay, so lets focus on the Premier League now! Onto next Saturday!

We are man united, we always do it the hard way

But what’s certain is:

We all love man utd! We do! 5X
March 10, 2013 at 20:15
Jay says:
First half excellent, I was expecting us to win the game, then the second half came, if I were millionaire I would of smashed my Tv. I was absolutely livid with the second half performance. Chelsea kept coming wave after wave of attacks, De Gea is the only reason we are still in the competition. Our midfield was completely overrun by Oscar, Mata, Hazard and Ramires. People can say it was only one bad game but that was how it started last season and continued till we were without a single trophy. We went to sleep in the second half, Chelsea came out fighting and gave everything. I hope this serves the team as a wake up call.
March 10, 2013 at 20:15
Big Vex says:
@Dela I was trying to be reserved but that is indeed the word I had in mind.
March 10, 2013 at 20:18
Andromeda says:
@Tom

If I would criticize the players on their individual performance, Carrick would be my final target, the man was great, playing nearly all our games this season.our best player on and off the pitch.no chance would I blame him.the psychology of the team as a whole was not there, even Oldtrafford was somewhat silent, and that given Chelsea players the incentive so to speak.but one must be honest, the whole team was physically not there, that was obvious in the second half.credit to De Gea, if it was not for him we could easily lose this tie.
March 10, 2013 at 20:18
Northwalesred says:
Cleverly couldn’t find a red shirt in an abattoir, he was abysmal, he should have been replaced by Anderson in the first half. As for the rest, with the honourable exceptions of DDG and Danny Welbeck they put in the apathetic and gutless type of performance that cost us the title last year.
March 10, 2013 at 20:19
Robbo's red army says:
Seriously I doubt if any of you lot would be United fans if you had watched them in the 80′s. 1 bad result and yeah it was shocking but come on! Fergie should get the hair dryer out big time, drop a few Maybe,but to say they should never play again is a joke! Spoilt by success. Just like shitty fans who boo their lot…..get a grip and support the lads !
March 10, 2013 at 20:23
Mash says:
Well fucking said Robbo!
March 10, 2013 at 20:26
UnitedFaithful says:
United always finds a way to toy with our emotions.That is why I couldn’t believe in my own sentiments after seeing a United match.As the time wears on I start to understand that I shouldn’t have been that harsh on the team as it is not our divine right to dominate and win every game.We have many times bounced back from adversity and pulled off miraculous victories but that doesn’t give us the sole right to do it every time.Chelsea are a good team and they also want to win.So name calling our players and tactics will not do the team any good.We need to show the lads that we are with them more than ever after the shock defeat on tuesday.

We’ll never die.
March 10, 2013 at 20:27
Big Vex says:
I don’t know what to expect for the replay depends if the lads turn up or not always difficult at the Bridge though.
March 10, 2013 at 20:28
Hans says:
Next two EPL matches are now a must win matches, we do not want to slip and give shitty a hope!! Hopefully by the time we play them our confidence and attitude would have improved so we can finish them there and then.

We did not need a cup replay, but better that than to have gone out.
March 10, 2013 at 20:28
Andromeda says:
@Antiscouser

Don’t be so harsh mate, Fergie perhaps made some tactical mistakes tonight but he is totally right about that psychology things, and let me say the game doesn’t take its toll on Rafa and Evra alone, the whole team has disappointed, for goodness sake, all of us here were let down so how could you under estimate such drastic robbery we got last Tuesday??!!the mental trauma was incredible, even the manger himself.Even Ryan Giggs, our oldest rearguard has said literally”it was the biggest shock in his life”

Personally I was surprised by our magnificent first half, but once we conceded that goal, somewhat we got that bad feeling about Real Madrid game.I am not merely making presumption but it was obvious from our dispirited second half performance, that was never a united game.let us give the lads further time to recover, may be we can reach the summit again against Reading.who knows?
March 10, 2013 at 20:30
UnitedFaithful says:
Andromeda

Disagree mate.OT was rocking and I could easily make out some chants from the Tele.
March 10, 2013 at 20:32
Norman-85 says:
I did watch the reds in the 80′s and the 70′s and I understand that football is different now, but I serioulsy cannot remember a game in the 70′s or 80′s where we didn’t have a single shot on goal – especially @ Old Trafford. We struggled to get out of our own half in the second half and that was just totally unbeleiveable, given how we controlled the first half. I think that what was really missing was that Fergie sat in his seat the whole time – ione trip to the touchline to shake the team up a bit might have made teh difference, but no sign of him – complacency from the top down. And yes it was one poor performance in x amount of games but it was exactky this kind of performance that lead to the unthinkable last year -
March 10, 2013 at 20:33
slim says:
Moaned about it before, i’ll moan about it again. We need to keep the ball much better than we are now.
This should be drillef into the lads more and should be worked on in training.
Coleen wanted to know why her hubby didnt play on tuesday. Doesnt take much of an imagination. Disappointing today and it was his goal that gave a false sense of security.
Carrick needs someone to compliment him. He shouldnt be playing a strict 2 man midfield anyway. We’ve been lucky he’s outdone himself in that area.

What we need is a splash of quality, not unlike rvp purchase and a new ethos on keeping the fucking ball
My guess is its choping block time this summer. I fail to believe we’re not going to look at CM this year. This will invariably affect the way we play. Word of caution to “specialist” players in the squad. Writtings on the wall
March 10, 2013 at 20:40
AlphaRS says:
@slim
Agreed. United need to keep the ball better. The defence gets put under so much pressure because the midfield sit so deep and when they do get the ball they lose it cheaply.
March 10, 2013 at 20:41
slim says:
Been a rough week for the boys too. Hope they freshen up because its time to deliver. Last leg of the race.
March 10, 2013 at 20:43
Scorp says:
The introduction of Mikel changed the game. He cut off the lines between midfield and attack and his introduction gave more freedom to Ramires to bomb forward. They had Hazard, Oscar, Mata and Ramires overloading the box from then on. Tom had a poor game and player higher up the pitch leaving Carrick alone against the 4 and he got pulled in all directions. And, we were not helped with our defense playing deep – that might be because Chelsea kept crossing in the first half. Fergie did react by shifting Kagawa to the center who started to drop deep and help put the midfield. But he and RVP were starved of the ball and then Danny was brought on, probably to do the same job as he did on Alonso mid week. Ando should have come on for Tom who look tired in the second half. The defense should have come up and suffocated Chelsea’s attacking midfielders.

We’ve got result at Stamford Bridge this season, don’t see any reason why we can’t again. Win against Reading and get back into the rhythm.
March 10, 2013 at 20:44
Robbo's red army says:
The last thing we need now after last season is to make OT a nervy place! Just get behind whoever is playing…they need it. Last year will be playing on their minds for sure now!
March 10, 2013 at 20:45
Andromeda says:
@UnitedFaithful

Alright mate, perhaps I am over reacting as I watched the game in TV.but for me, somehow it was different tonight nonetheless, considering the last shocking incident.anyway, will try to get over this and focus on the future.
March 10, 2013 at 20:52
UnitedFaithful says:
As for rooney I don’t have any complaints about Sir Alex benching him for the CL tie.It is clear he is struggling for form and that also showed today.When he plays well the entire team plays well.Peole can go on about Rvp all they want but rooney is our talisman and his performance clearly reflects on the team.Not comparing the two but pointing out the fact that he was one of the least jaded players on the pitch with his relatively less involvement on the Real match.We needed him to perform and he didn’t.
March 10, 2013 at 20:52
RDK says:
Poor second half today. I do think Valencia should get back to basics on the training ground particularly crossing. Also i would like to see Kagawa played in his correct position, not left midfield where he is wasted. When i saw him drift in behind chicha his first move was a sharp through ball that chicha just failed to control. He fits that position better than Rooney at the minute whose passing game is also on the fritz.
March 10, 2013 at 20:56
slim says:
AlphaRS

Yeah. Its a team effort really but its gotta start from the middle. In my opinion we’re short on the personnel and know how on playing 2 man midfield. Ironic because its what we’ve always had
March 10, 2013 at 21:06
UnitedFaithful says:
Andromeda

I also watched the game from the telly but found the noise inside OT louder than what we have seen most of the times this season.

Agree re moving on.United have done this so many times.Sir Alex is not going to sit back and let complacency creep in to this team because of a good European outing.We will be back.And that with a thunder.The season is far from over.
March 10, 2013 at 21:08
Sunny says:
The forced substitution of Nani for Valencia ruined the game for United. Seems like Valencia forgot how to play football. Every time he gets the ball, the attack dies
March 10, 2013 at 21:13
Andromeda says:
Positive from tonight, another replay game at Stanford bridge, this could work to toughen up the team.whether we will go through semifinal or not, the lads would relish the big games, its always a challenge, moreover Fergie now have got some ideas about Rafa’s tactical play.BTW the latter has accused our manager for a handshake snub.could you imagine this Spanish cunt?he has been disrespectful for nearly the last three or 4 years now he wants to make a handshake.what an idiot!
March 10, 2013 at 21:13
OAFC says:
Kagawa, Cleverley and especially Carrick spent most of the 2nd half watching Chelsea players run in behind them. They are the epitome of a flat track bully, you were lucky not to lose to a Chelsea team who were rubbish for an hour.
March 10, 2013 at 21:17
OAFC says:
@ andromeda. Spanish cunt!!!!!!!!!!! I thought you didn’t like racism? Why is that acceptable, would you say Black or Jewish instead of Spanish??
March 10, 2013 at 21:19
mara says:
@ costas 19:41
Agree, mate. That is what im talking about long long time. We have no world class subs in the middle. And i hate when some of you talking me that everything is all right with our middle. It is not, we need fresh blood, good players that can change the game. We need more options. We can t play like this long term. There is so much good players, i really dont understand what are we waiting for…
March 10, 2013 at 21:21
Andromeda says:
It would be a dream season if we win the replay, go to semifinal and kick City out of the competition, it would be a great incentive for the premier league ambition as well.we are united and we can recover from these kinda situations.
March 10, 2013 at 21:24
mara says:
And one more thing. I m not sure that our wingers Young and Valencia world class. I would say that they doing their job correctly, but we need someone like Ribery, Giggs….
March 10, 2013 at 21:31
Andromeda says:
@OAFC
Let of clear something here, my statement not meant to be a racist word.I was trying to discriminate him from our Brazilian Rafa or just said out of any bad intention.but seriously then, I respect people from any national or racial background, I hold on grudge toward Benitez for being Spanish but I dislike the man because of his ongoing bad behavior toward United and our manager in particular.now chill up:-)
March 10, 2013 at 21:31
Andromeda says:
@OAFC
Let me clear something here, my statement not meant to be a racist word.I was trying to discriminate him from our Brazilian Rafa or just said out of any bad intention.but seriously then, I respect people from any national or racial background, I hold on grudge toward Benitez for being Spanish but I dislike the man because of his ongoing bad behavior toward United and our manager in particular.now chill up:-)
March 10, 2013 at 21:35
Andromeda says:
So Rafa Benitez is a cunt regardless of where he lives or what language he speaks of.he is a twat and obsessed with our manager.thats all.
March 10, 2013 at 21:36
Dela says:
@AntiScouser –> You are missing his point re: taking its toll. It’s a psychological blow. Whether you played or not is irrelevant. Hernandez didn’t play, but I bet you he got barely a wink of sleep on Tuesday night. Shit like that plays on your mind for a long time. Fuck, I’m still gutted when it crosses my mind, and however bad it feels for me, its worse for the players (most of whom would see the champions league as the absolute top of their ambition) and even moreso on the manager.

We’ve only played one game since the defeat so chillax for now, we’ve got redding next at OT, and then we travel to Sunderland… hardly the most testing fixtures, they have plenty of time now to get their heads in the right place. Remember where we are in the league and even though it wasn’t pretty, we are still in the cup.
March 10, 2013 at 21:38
AlphaRS says:
@slim
The defence looked all at sea when under pressure. A bit of a soft belly me thinks.
Anyhow I reckon SAF is packing in management at the end of the season and moving in to the board room. His reaction against Real Madrid. I’ve never seen anything like it. Almost like he knew this was his last opportunity to win the competition. Mourinho and his comments after the game clearly show he has the utmost respect for SAF and United. Mourinho leaving Real Madrid at the end of the season. Rumours that United and Nike want to bring Ronaldo back to United.
Call me a conspiracy theorist but too many things seem to be falling in to place for this to be coincidence?
March 10, 2013 at 21:44
denton davey says:
Not a good result after such a promising start – for me, the substitutions were actually “subtraction-by-addition”. Nani hadn’t been up-to-much BUT he adds a kind of skill and unpredictability that AV7 just doesn’t provide; switching RVP for Chicharito was getting nothing-for-something; while adding DannyTheLad just came too late because he came on after the momentum had shifted. I would have brought on Welbeck when Nani had to leave the game, kept playing KagawaBunga and Chicharito and looked to continue pressing TheRentBoyz. For me, RVP and AV7 were really, really disappointing. Valencia adds “muscularity” but no finesse; Van Persie just seems lost. Oh, well, a replay – another high stakes match; let’s hope for more of what happened in the first half – not what we had to endure in the second 45 minutes.
March 10, 2013 at 21:57
Tourist says:
Seems to be a lot of anti Cleverley comments on here and some seem to think that he is not good enough for United. I thought he was one of our better players on Wednesday. Ok he wasn’t great today but neither were the majority of the others in the team. Thinking back to last season he and Anderson played in midfield at the sart of the season when the level of football played was outstanding – but then both got injuries. Cleverley is not another Liam Miller or Jemba Jemba and does have potential to make the grade and he should be allowed one bad game. Also he has come through the ranks which is important, we are not City or Chelsea and should not be buying success, but should continue bringing young players through.
March 10, 2013 at 22:05
WeAreUnited says:
@Tourist, exactly, very on point about Cleverley!!! 110% Agree. AndI also agree with others, that we need 1 or 2 midfielders, depending on the situation of Scholes and Fletcher, basically we will be up with 3 midfielders of Clevs, Carrick Giggsy who is 40 and plays best when a winger and Ando who is injury prone, so it’s 2 midfielders.

YES we need midfielders, Powell maybe will mature a little, him? Tunni does a Cleverley? Petrucci where does he stand? So yes, we need a midfielder or 2 depending on many factors, not saying a player of the scale of RVP but a young 22-24-old prospect who can raise his game.

BTW Nani’s injury not serious according to ManUtd.

“That was a blow to us because Nani was playing very well at the time,” admitted Sir Alex.
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2013/Mar/nani-injury-against-chelsea-not-thought-to-be-serious.aspx

SAF has regained the trust issue with Nani, great to hear, now he’s recognising him and this is what Nani needs.
Now it’s 4 good/great games in a row since Nani has come back in form. When Nani is “inconsistent” (MYTH) he puts the stats of 8 goals and 10 assists a season, imagine him being in form, wink wink.

peace.
March 10, 2013 at 22:13
denton davey says:
I’ve never been convinced by YoungTom. Cleverley is “neat and tidy” but lacks both physicality and dynamism. I reckon that he’ll be relegated to second-string – alongside Anderson on the bench – when TheWayneBoy is moved into TheScholesRole, alongside MC16.
March 10, 2013 at 22:17
medumtum says:
Going forward United are devastating, to the extent that whenever all the team has to do is attack, as in the early part of a match or chasing a deficit, everything seems to click into gear. Its when we have to retain possession that the problems become apparent. The slick passing that meant we could kill off games in the 07-09/10 season seems to have gone missing. This has also coincided with the decline of scholes as a midfield force. The fact is that Carrick has picked up that role but he alone cant do the job.

While that much is apparent, what should also be noted is that year on year that ability to retain possession has deteriorated independently of the midfield. While Scholes was there it often masked the fact that, as a unit, the team is too often unable to keep the ball under pressure. Indeed we tend to play poorly against sides that rely on pressing, and i dont just mean Barcelona. In tight spaces when better first touches and higher tempo are required we repeatedly concede possession in the middle and fall back too deep. Its a systemic issue and that does point towards the coaching set up. Dont get me wrong we have a fantastic back room, but since Queiroz’s departure our style of play has distinctly changed. We continue winning but our system is now score early and often and not develope those diagonals. Then we we invite the opposition on and fall back deeper and deeper gifting possession away. Its risky and it has put us in difficult positions. Thanks to our offensive prowess and, at times, defensive resilience we have still managed to climb up the table, but surely its an issue that needs to be looked at. Especially when compared with the way we could play only a few seasons previously.

In the short term the solution looks to be the obvious reinforcement of midfield. But we have to rediscover that cruise control mode, not just resort to edge of the box defending and swashbuckling attack. As for today Cleverley looked tired. He is a better player than he appeared. And teams have figured Valencia out. They double team him and without support he cant weave his way out. That is why Nani is important. Credit to Chelsea too, they pressed effectively once Lampard was off. Still we have reason to be optimistic, its a draw and could’ve gone wither way. Bring on the League!
March 10, 2013 at 22:18
Jon Phillips Rose Hill says:
Camel lip is pathetic. Got wound up by Balotelli. Clapping in ref’s face. Barges over Torres then panics and picks him up. This after missing a drugs test but still picking up obscene wage whilst on ban.

Classless idiot.
March 10, 2013 at 22:22
montanared says:
was at Old Trafford a fair amount back in the day and remember “What a load of rubbish” coming down from the terraces as much as “Man United are Magic”, but when we’re top of the league by 12 points, one match away from an FA cup semi, and only out of the Europe because of a bullshit red card, the call for wholesale changes because we drew a team that won the Champs league and FA cup last year does seem a bit over the top. That said the boys did not have good game today and Fergies unwillingness to change things up when things go south is a bit worrying. We’ve got results at the bridge, the council house, anfield and Madrid this year so let’s do’em at the Bridge and keep our heads up, the double is still on! GGMU
March 10, 2013 at 22:37
OAFC says:
@andromeda

I don’t suppose Suarez actually holds any grudge towards Evra becuase he’s black either but he said something he shouldn’t. There is absolutely no difference between what you said and what Suarez said. None whatsoever. It’s interesting that not a single poster on here has picked you up on it though. If whoever owns this board has any morals at all he’ll ban you for making a racist comment. He won’t because a racist comment from you a Man U fan is ok simply because you are a Man U fan. He’ll just ban me for pointing it out. Now Chill out yourself.
March 10, 2013 at 23:05
dannysoya LOVES USAIN BOLT says:
I understand that many are passionate about the club but I disagree with some about what to do with our team next season.
1. Scholes, Fletcher MUST retire. Scholesy is a legend but if I see him on the pitch for us in a competitive game next season I might just lose it.
2. If we don’t get two, we must do whatever it takes to get at least ONE top class midfielder who is strong, energetic, quick, composed.
3. I get that there are youngsters at the club and all but that should absolutely NOT be an excuse for not getting the midfielder. If you are good enough then you will earn your place in the midfield. Jack Wilshere seemed to do it at Arsenal this is how we must do it here.
4. We need a new left back desperately and I mean a proper left back who can go forward well and is also stellar defensively. These two things should be our priority in the off season. No strikers, No wingers, No Centre backs, MIDFIELDERS AND LEFT BACK.
March 10, 2013 at 23:09
Brendan says:
G
March 10, 2013 at 23:21
perkythered says:
@OAFC
if calling benitez a spanish cunt is racist, isn’t calling him a fat spanish waiter also racist?
just asking.
March 10, 2013 at 23:45
AlphaRS says:
@perkythered
There is a poster on here called Indian Devil. All Indians are not Devils.
Just saying
March 10, 2013 at 23:50
OAFC says:
Yep, depends on how bothered you are about it really.
March 11, 2013 at 00:21
Northwalesred says:
He might deny being a cunt, but he wouldn’t deny being Spanish so what’s the problem?
March 11, 2013 at 00:43
OAFC says:
@ northwalesred. And Evra is black isn’t he so what’s the issue if Suarez points that out?

Suarez referred to him as black in a derogatory way, calling someone a spanish cunt is derogatory and racist. I don’t actually give a shit tbh but you lot clearly do unless it’s one of your own being racist in which case you all ignore it and try and make out it’s fine.
March 11, 2013 at 01:03
Northwalesred says:
@ OAFC
I grew up in the sixties old son, we seem to have been born with thicker skins in those days. I was born in Wales and over the years have been called everything from sheep shagger to a whole lot worse, I don’t take offence it’s part of life, it’s a dig, a barb, a piss take. Fuckin man up and stop bleating about off the cuff , throw away remarks. Don’t mean nothing,part of life, move on, get on with it, and for FUCK’S SAKE, Spanish is not a race it’s a Nationality.
March 11, 2013 at 01:16
OAFC says:
@ NorthWalesRed.

The Spanish aren’t a race? Seriously!! You couldn’t make it up.

Spanish Cunt is far more racist than Black. The only difference is that Suarez is a Liverpool player and you don’t like him and Andromeda is a Man U fan so he’s “one of yours”. A barb, a piss take, a dig it’s part of life. Where were you last year when the hypocrites on here wanted Suarez hung then??
March 11, 2013 at 01:18
Northwalesred says:
@ OAFC
Another thing about your last post, Saurez didn’t point out that Evra is black he called him Negrito. Patrice, Rio,Tony V, Danny Welbeck et al would describe themselves as black. I even remember Giggsy describe himself as United’s best black player even though he’s of mixed race. Chill out fella.
March 11, 2013 at 01:25
Northwalesred says:
@ OAFC
Yeah, Suarez is a Liverpool player and like every Utd fan I know, I don’t like him. Where was I last year?
I was posting on this blog. You were probably to busy watching Oldham to notice.
March 11, 2013 at 02:14
In David We Trust says:
dannysoya LOVES USAIN BOLT – I agree we need a new midfielder, zaha is gonna be a huge signing, kagwa still has not fully settled, there is not too wrong with the team, it was a bad day at the office. All we need, is a top class midfielder or 2, and we will be fine, but we must get rooney to a new deal. I just hope this Madrid defeat, does not hit the sides mental state too hard
March 11, 2013 at 02:24
In David We Trust says:
AlphaRS – if there is any legs to ronaldo signing for united,there is no way in hell will ferguson miss this chance to work with ronaldo again, its just something that can reignite his management. just like this season But I have said this time and time again, mourinho is the only option, and united fans have to deal with this. The day mourinho signs with united, is the day I will feel safe, knowing a manager like mourinho I will be confident enough he can handle the pressure. Heck if he can handle the chaos of eal madrid, inter and chelsea, united will be childsplay for jose. I think manchester united is the tonic mourinho needs, its the dream job, working with a well organized club, that has the funds, that has the history, the squad, and management in place to settle him down. No one challenging his authority, the pressure is a hell of allot less stressful, this could be the final job that sees him actually enjoy his job, as I feel he has not enjoyed being a manager since 2006
March 11, 2013 at 02:30
NBI Red Onion says:
Oh well, we still have the league.

For me this set up did not work, Cleverly can’t handle MF players running at him, his defending and defensive awareness are poor would have played Kagwa instead of him, Rooney again, poor, why was he even playing with his form as it is, I am sure SAF was not playing him for footballing reasons.
March 11, 2013 at 02:58
NBI Red Onion says:
SAF: “‘We are lucky to still be in the FA Cup,’ said Ferguson.
‘We ran out of legs. Our two full-backs, Rafael and Patrice Evra, were knackered and the two centre midfield players tired badly and we kept giving the ball away.
‘I detected there were some signs of tiredness. You have to understand the problem is the emotion and intensity of Tuesday night had taken its toll on one or two of the players.
‘Understandably I have no problems with that part but it made it a long day for us and they were by far the better team in the second half.’
March 11, 2013 at 03:48
NBI Red Onion says:
Rooney watch: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4835201/Wayne-Rooney-watch-by-SunSport.html
March 11, 2013 at 04:41
NBI Red Onion says:
Another one: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/9921372/Manchester-United-v-Chelsea-Wayne-Rooney-blows-big-chance-to-impress-on-return-to-starting-line-up.html
March 11, 2013 at 05:22
Andromeda says:
@OAFC
If you are here to accuse me of racism, then you are absolutely wrong, you are just masturbating with words nothing else no one cares about your suggestion, not because we are Man united fans but rather you are talking on sense right now, you are just delusional and trying to pick on and make an ad hominum argument.first of all let me tell you this place is a respectable blog and I am here for almost 2 and half years now, and I am more than aware of my own statements.secondly comparing my statement to Suarez/Evra incident is just plain awkwardish attempt from you, it gives me an idea how much you are biased yourself.Evra is an example in ethics and and morals for any player on the pitch unlike Suarez, the one who always seeks the attention of the referee and fans, acting all the time and faking fouls, anyone seeing the twat would fancy him a racist speech, as for Rafa there is nothing I can add to my last comments there, you can read it by yourself.now if you a have a dignity you will either leave this blog or vomit your words somewhere else.here is a not place for racism.
March 11, 2013 at 06:42
Brisbanefan says:
Looking back on the season to date,and looking forward to the remainder of the season,
I’ve come to the conclusion that UTD’s biggest problem is the lack of a good captain
.
Whilst the likes of Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand and Rooney have been sort of OK, a really dominant figure hasn’t been found. Such a person could add some ‘steel’ to UTD’s MF if the captain was also a MF.

The ideal person who I feel could do the job would be Gerrard.

Now I can hear the groans and moans and the comments that SG would NEVER move to OT.
I believe he could.

SG has probably 2 years left in his playing career, 3 at the most. He’ll never win an EPL winners medal with Liverpool. But at OT he could, and much more.

If UTD were to offer him say $10K or $20k more than Liverpool are paying, give him the captaincy, and perhaps not let him play against Liverpool, he might accept. After all he took a long while deciding NOT to sign for Chelsea some years ago. The chance of winning some domestic medals might persuade him to join UTD.
March 11, 2013 at 07:04
Andromeda says:
@OAFC

You really need a course not in football alone, but also in intellect and linguistics altogether, calling someone Black, Spanish or Scottish is much more different than calling someone Negrito!!!

Suarez has repeatedly and outlandishly uttered the same word toward Evra.Now if you are mature enough, you can understand what I just said, go have some review on language yourself before this epic accusation.and BTW also do yourself a favor and review all the basic facts about the Evra/Suarez Incident.it seems your sentimentality has killed your logic/reason parts of your mind.

@Scott, please do us a favor and put some rules for anyone entering this blog, it seems that there are dozens of folks changing their names everyday and log in just to insult the members!!!put and end to this chaos.
March 11, 2013 at 07:07
CoppelRED says:
As long as we do not have a technical midfielder who can hold on to the ball when pressed we’ll be having these performances. A geniune replacement for Scholes is paramount.
March 11, 2013 at 07:37
Red Van Nistelrooy says:
I really do fear that Rio is in for a three match ban here! The FA will not miss this chance to hurt us , heck it’s their favourite thing to do! That said it was really stupid of him! Had it been any of our players on the receiving end, we’d want a ban for that!
Also Valencia.. Sort yourself out man! Player of the season, inherits the No. 7, and now… This???
March 11, 2013 at 08:33
FletchTHEMAN says:
Morning reds. Gutted! Second straight reverse from a winning position. Pathetic really.
I know it is the flavor of the month to blame the players, but the management needs to have a look at themselves.

v Madrid and v Chelsea we were confronted with exactly the same situation, Nani had to come off unexpectedly and the bench didn’t seem to have an answer. Not saying that was it, but it’s hard to keep saying your manager has it all covered when two successive manager got the better of him after a mid game tactical change.

You’ll all say I’m whinging but I know the angle and it is one I don’t often take to view our performances.

Anyway, we need a break after Madrid and now we have 6 days, unless gods forbid the FA insist on us doing the replay this week, which has happened. Chelsea don’t have many options if the stay in EUROPA, if they pop out, then there are loads of options. We will see.

Go on them, Have at me and tell my I’m wrong.

But I don’t think my worry has much wrong with it.
In the mean time, WTF is going on with Anderson and Lindegaard?
March 11, 2013 at 08:46
Bobby Charlton's combover says:
United had a home match on Tuesday and 4 full days to rest and recover so I’m surprised
that physical tiredness came into it. Mental tiredness maybe but I’m suprised that
some players looked dead on their feet when there was still a lot of the game to go.
Our recurring inability to close out games comfortably from a strong position came back
to haunt us again and now we have a tricky replay. We looked like a league two side in
the second half, out on our feet and unable to sting a pass together on control the game
whatsoever.
March 11, 2013 at 08:56
Northwalesred says:
@Andromeda
Spot on with your last post. Some people coming on this blog trying to create controversy where there is none. I say again, describing somebody as Spanish is not a racist term it’s their nationality. Whose going to be offended next, the Fat race (of which I’m a member) the Waiter race,the Scouse race, the Cockney race. the Leeds race. Carry on like this and you’ll have to burn the OT songbook.
March 11, 2013 at 09:01
Costas says:
The one positive to come out of the last week is that the ridiculous treble talk has finally ended. When will people realize how special that achievement was? It would take a miracle to do it again. Especially with our current midfield options. If the 2008 and 2009 squads couldn’t do it, this one had no chance.
March 11, 2013 at 09:41
Proverb says:
Brisbanfuck fuck me, I no need no gerrard

Morning folks, I’m really happy we got a draw also frustrated we didn’t manage to keep our lead
March 11, 2013 at 09:43
Bobby Charlton's combover says:
@Brisbane Red – I don’t think you’ll get too many supporting that idea. We’ll put it down to a momentary lapse.
March 11, 2013 at 09:43
Proverb says:
Old trafford pitch is horrendous and clearly slippery, we should do fine at the bridge, this year we managed to break our curse there, we should be fine
March 11, 2013 at 09:45
Proverb says:
Hernandez deadly has ever!
Just fix the midfield, chicha will score them goals
March 11, 2013 at 09:52
Proverb says:
Valencia trying to do more than what his body is capable of, hence why he keeps on over confusing himself….
Its a big ask now for him to do the simple things

You just can’t know now if he’ll ever recover his form, since the horrendous ankle injury vs a certain Scottish team he hasn’t been the same, the only thing that he still holds is power/strength
Hopefully he’ll get over this…..
March 11, 2013 at 09:53
Proverb says:
He sustained*
March 11, 2013 at 10:51
iced earth says:
bad week for us
we must bounce back if we stay ola
March 11, 2013 at 10:55
Toms says:
Should have given Nani the 7.
March 11, 2013 at 11:17
lordrt says:
am starting to get seriously worried about utd’s ambitions for this season, to bottle up a 2-goal lead as such shows the team does not have the spirit to fight on, and this time it was 11vs11, so no way we can blame the refs etc. looks like we can say goodbye to the trophy and our bid for a double, as to beat chelski there seems like a herculean task now
March 11, 2013 at 11:19
iced earth says:
bad week for us
we must bounce back if we stay playing like this we will face trouble
i don t understand the performence of yestarday
the problem is physical or psychological i don t understand
for me we need a srong mf.the middle was overun by ramires if jones was fit yesterday i was sure that sir alex start with him or bring him on for chichrito to help yom and carrick
some of us saying that tom is not good enough.i think he is an great player he just need to improve physicly
exept rio i think the whole team underperforme yesterday
rafa evans rooney evra the most shoking valencia
it s wake up call we should secure the epl trophy than prepare for nxt year
we must bring 2 cmdf. strootman wanayama will slove our problem
March 11, 2013 at 11:45
AlphaRS says:
@In David We Trust
I can’t understand SAF and his stubborness in freshening up the midfield. With so much pressure on the defence it would be really beneficial to have some midfielders to play along side Carrick who can collect the ball under pressure, keep possesion, and then play an accurate pass. When the defence is under so much pressure eventually it will let a goal in. Scholes is near retirement, Fletcher may never come back, Anderson and Cleverly are decent players but I don’t think they are anything special?
As for Mourinho, I think that should SAF retire at the end of the season then the job will be his. But if he does not then I can see SAF staying on for a few more years and Guardiola coming in. You have to wonder how long SAF can go on at United as a manager if he wants to go in to the board room.
March 11, 2013 at 11:48
AlphaRS says:
@Red Van Nistelrooy
Rio looked like he intentionally clipped the back of Tores.
That is not befitting of a Manchester United player. Especially one who has been at the club for so long.
March 11, 2013 at 11:53
parryheid says:
Are we witnessing the start of another implode?Hope not or folks will be calling us Arsenal mk2
March 11, 2013 at 12:23
samuel - united WE stand says:
People ask “what has happened to antonio valencia?” But the big question should be, has he been found out? Yes, no doubt about that. I’m a fan of his direct old fashioned beating of fullback with pace and power but he’s lost a yard of pace at least, he hasn’t got the skill set to make up for those deficiencies either,whether he’ll recover is not the question, he simply has to add another dimension to his game and as we’ve notice his uncomfortability with using his left foot and lack of flexibility, he will struggle to get the better of most adept at defending full-backs again as they know what he’ll do and are prepared for it, his crossing have also gone to pot as wel, his confidence has eroded big time. I said it, unpredictability is massive in football and shouldn’t be confused with inconsistency, you have to be able to keep manipulating the minds of your opponents and valencia has not lived up to that, he’s just not technically strong enough to do it and for me, pointless to ask him to be the player his lack of skill set certainly won’t let him be.

After saying all that, no point complaining about who united could have bought in midfield, those currently have to do the job, united will.have to rally and get back to do doing what got them into this position.
March 11, 2013 at 12:44
samuel - united WE stand says:
“befitting of a united player” how does that motto apply to human nature? Rio probably regrets doing that, it is moments of madness that occurs on the pitch all the time, he’ll probably get a ban or two and will have to get on with it.
March 11, 2013 at 12:53
FletchTHEMAN says:
What a bunch of whingers! Oi me.

If they bottle the epl, come and talk to me. Otherwise, I’m only mildly annoyed.
In retrospect, I was probably listening to most of you lot back in Nov, and figured we would be in a fight for 5th place or something equally dire.

Our problem, is we have modest depth in several key areas, have been harboring injuries (Kags, Nani, all 4CBs at various times) and the pathetic state of the pitch at OT isn’t doing anyone any favors.

DeDea Rafael, Evra and Carrick, Cleverley, Giggs and Robin, are essentially irreplacable and have been run into the ground.
I don’t know what the hell has happened to Lindegaard, Anderson or Young to be fair.

Valencia and Rooney, great players mind, seem to give away more balls in the middle of the park than a sardie man on sunday. If we had more ball retention in the middle 3rd we would have sorted the last 2 games pretty promptly.

Last to game have been broken by not having a solution to Nani coming off? Nani? Hardly had a game and now he’s essential? I really don’t get it.

That said, look at the number of games and maybe that will be the real problem.
Bottom line, They all need a break. Internationals couldn’t come soon enough and the entire team will probably come down with injuries over the next 2 weeks so that they can stay home and recover. Sure hope

More likely clipped Torres as payback and to make sure he doesn’t get called up.
It will be all over the press if he tells old Woy to bugger off!

Anyway, I’m rambling. Don’t know what the problem is and yet feel it might be sorted soon enough if we bought a couple of MF tanks. Days like this I freaking miss Fletcher and Roy Keane.
March 11, 2013 at 12:59
Proverb says:
parryheid says:
Are we witnessing the start of another implode?
Hope not or folks will be calling us Arsenal mk2

Its a scary thought mate, a scary thought!

But I trust in sir alex, he will never let such thing happen, we’ll have to toughen up and propel as the season draws to its close.
Reading s next and let’s beat them, the lads are more than motivated to do so…..
March 11, 2013 at 13:24
Proverb says:
If you can allow me to call the lads clowns, I can happily call them on…
Yesterdays performance was as shit chelsea is…

I couldn’t see them coming back even in my wildest dreams, they were piss poor, dead and buried only to be given hope, we far erratic its not even a joke, struggling to fashion a shot at goal the whole second at our own turf its not acceptable, wherever it gone wrong the whole team has to take responsibility for that horrific showing.

Sorry guys, but even before they pulled one back I just wanted it to end, it was soo awful, if you track back the thread you’ll see the reaction…. I didn’t bash the the players like most folks do but you’ll get the sense.
Chelsea were shit, shit but somehow they found a way back and its back square 1, stamfordbridge never been favourable to us either, we got away with another sloppy performance after going up 2 nil then take our usual nap at second half.

Come on you reds, let’s be abit ruthless in front of goal aswell as in every area of the pitch

We No arsenal, we can’t head that root come on!
March 11, 2013 at 13:28
Proverb says:
Spelling mistake or misplacement of the words jeez
Typos trend
March 11, 2013 at 13:46
Sparkz says:
Anderson clearly isn’t trusted by Sir Alex. If ever he should have started it was this game, considering the amount of work Carrick and Cleverley had to get through on Tuesday. Or, once it was obvious that Mata, Oscar, Hazard, Ramires were overloading the central zone – Anderson could have come on to add an extra number. Instead he just moved Kagawa (who’s pretty flimsy defensively) more central.

Also- can people now realise the importance of Nani? We really missed his ball carrying ability again. Hope his injury isn’t too bad.
March 11, 2013 at 13:59
Proverb says:
Anyone doubts rooneys loyalty to this clubs???

Can join me at that..
Goal celebration aren’t as ‘drooling’ as it used to be, not only that
He’s said to have told team-mates that he might be leaving this summer…

Maybe I’m just babbling, I wish I am just talking BS
March 11, 2013 at 14:36
Goat Peticoat says:
Pretty cheesed off at the game yesterday but it isnt as bad as some make out and some arent as good as people make out either.
Hernandez and his head is an equal to Ronaldo and his feet. Not even Klinsmann scored as many different and exciting goals with his head as our Chico has. And the ball for Carrick, now that was tasty.
Rooneys “Juve” style free kick of aiming it to the far post and cause confusion right in front of the goal keeper was well exicuted but the hands aloft celebration of I am the best was as embarrasing and as silly as everyones reaction that “Rooney is back”. Rooney throughout the match had plenty of Industry but very little quality. His control under mediocre pressure is terrible, his forward passing has a terrible success rate only the stats are clouded by his endless pass backs after coming too deep. I realise he has some sort of free role, inveted by Fergie for the team or Rooney > Man Utd , who knows who decides what Rooney does, but at times it leaves us too deep when defending a lead and destroys alot of our counter attacks. I prefer the dicipline of a forward staying up, trusting his team mates and being an outlet for a clearance. And what about the clearances yesterday. There must have been 20 clearances made where the man punting the ball DIDNT look at an intended target and just hoofig it below waist height. This continuing pressure is only caused by the combo of these two things. Hoofed clearances and not looking. IF you are not going to look lads, maybe you dont have time, get fucking elevation on the ball. Make sure the ball clears the man coming in to apply pressure. Make the bastard have to bring it down and control it first it gives half a second extra to close him down. If you do look then stop getting tickly in the pants like a little school boy and make a measured and firm pass to your man so he can do something with it.

All in all I thought it was a good early response from midweek and then we thought we’d won it before the FSW sung. I have no doubt if we really want to we could get 4 past those chav bastards because they arent all that good. If you let Wigan fuck about at out penalty area for 40+ minutes then they will score 2 goals. I dont think they won the ball back once, we just hoofed away possession time and time again.
Away match, use the same team as against Real and put that fat fucking Rooney Me in the fucking stands.
March 11, 2013 at 14:44
Sparkz says:
@Goat:” I prefer the dicipline of a forward staying up, trusting his team mates and being an outlet for a clearance.”

That’s normally the job of the “other” centre forward though, the one who’s partnering Rooney i.e. RVP. Doesn’t work as well when it’s Hernandez though!

A couple of years ago (our title run in in 2011 and our run to the Champions League final) Rooney playing in the free role wasn’t a problem. Coz his energy levels were outstanding and his defending was spot on, he’d constantly drop into midfield and become an extra man.

Now that isn’t the case….there’s a reason why Welbeck is preferred in that role.
March 11, 2013 at 14:48
iced earth says:
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2013/03/11/3816282/-
March 11, 2013 at 15:48
Ash says:
2nd half was totally shit. It seemed boys were hardly interested. Jogging back instead of giving your 100%. Hell we are talking of selling Nani who for me is by far our best winger available (Not taking Zaha into account). Valencia has become shit I repeat SHIT. We slag off de gea,Kagawa,Carrick,etc its time we check the reality and accept that valencia is having a horrid time. He has not scored a single goal this season after playing 30 games. Honestly for a winger this is poor. This is manchester United and not some wee club where we accept such mediocrity.

Tie nani to a long contract and valencia should be given a ultimatum. No room for sympathy here. If he is not good enough then sell him. I am not at all over reacting but just stating the obvious.
March 11, 2013 at 15:59
Bobby Charlton's combover says:
@parryheid re: implode hoep you’re wrong but I think it’s crossed all our minds.
Honestly I think it was a bad end to a bad week and I’m confident we can put it behind us.

@Sparkz – I agree about Anderson – If ferguson thought he was any good he’d have started yesterday.

@Proverb – A lot of people doubt Rooney’s loyalty to the club and some would go further I’d say. On a footballing level as Goat says, some of his basic play is horrendous.
March 11, 2013 at 16:07
xluciusx says:
tbh i don’t really care about the result in OT…coz i am CONFIDENT we’d do a better job on their ground definitely! the lads were mighty exhausted from the midweek game vs Real, for those bashers (saying Cleverley is inconsistent etc etc), GIVE THE LADS A FUCKING BREAK!
March 11, 2013 at 16:09
Bobby Charlton's combover says:
@Ash – Valencia has turned into Downing and even HE scored a fucking goal yesterday. Someone has stolen our Valencia and I want him back.
March 11, 2013 at 16:32
Sparkz says:
Let’s not get carried away….Valencia is having a shite season but SELLING HIM? Bit of an overreaction! If we sold every player who had a bad season there wouldn’t be many lasting too long
March 11, 2013 at 16:34
Dela says:
So I was just reading an article about the replay of the game…

Apparently the FA are eyeing up the first week of April for a replay… but if Chelsea progress in the Europea League then that could be impossible too. With international breaks and so on it doesnt seem like there’s much wiggle room.

Even if it is scheduled for the first week of April, there’s another problem for us… we play City on April 8, so that would assume we’d have to travel to Stamford Bridge a few days before the City game, while they can sit on their asses for a week and rest up.

Anyone hear / read any different??
March 11, 2013 at 16:38
Adazi says:
Fink that hazard guy wud hav bn a great acquisition for us.. his introductn brot them back into d match. that is d sort of players(technical) we shud b getin & nt d bunch of average players we av in our rank dat cant do anytin briliant on their own
March 11, 2013 at 16:40
samuel - united WE stand says:
Bobby – our valencia back? I don’t think he will return if he continues on this curve. He is facing better readers and much more solid fullbacks and he’s yet to add another dimension to keep him ahead of them. He’s very predictable and has lost a yard of pace (maybe due to injuries/confidence) that got him past players, he isn’t technically proficient to really adapt his game, i worry for the ecuador man as unlike other flexible attackers, his rigidity could finally cost him but i wouldn’t be hasty, let’s hope he can re-ignite that form at some point. The importance of zaha coming in and nani staying is paramount now, maybe united aren’t as stocked up with wide men as we imagined.
March 11, 2013 at 17:01
Ash says:
Sparkz

Like I said I was not over reacting when I talked about selling him. Valencia will be 28 this august so he is no longer a young player. He should be at his peak now but unfortunately he is having his most horrid time in his footballing career. He was great last season but don’t know what has happened to him. This is manchester united we cannot accept mediocrity.
If we are to win the champions league we need match winners , sorry to say valencia is not a match winner. At this rate valencia will become a squad player at best and we already have Young as a squad player. I rate those wingers who score goals and can beat he man but valencia fails to do both.
He has been poor as a winger and is just ok while defending. Just OK nothing great. Honestly I cant see how valencia fits in our setup with this form . I would prefer to see zaha play that see a valencia like this.
Don’t get me wrong I love TonyV. He is our terminator but we have accept the truth and the truth is he has had a horrible season. Time will come where he will be sold, maybe not next season but maybe after that. Let us build a squad that can win the champions league. Enough of excuses. We are Manchester United Dammit. We have some average players in our squad who should be sold and valencia has become one of them. I would prefer to see Petrucci or Januzaj or Daehli get chances.
We need to act fast if we are to dominate european football.
March 11, 2013 at 17:09
Sparkz says:
That’s what I’m saying, at least give the guy another season. Everyone has a poor season now and then.

I’ve said many times that I’d have a technician like Nani ahead of him, all day every day. As far as I’m concerned he’s our most talented winger…and he’s our most prolific winger.

BUT Valencia would still be a crucial squad player.
March 11, 2013 at 17:23
denton davey says:
FletchTheMan @ 12:53: “DeDea Rafael, Evra and Carrick, Cleverley, Giggs and Robin, are essentially irreplacable and have been run into the ground.”

I disagree about Cleverley – he’s good enough to be part of a second-string/back-up midfield along with Anderson (or A.N.other) but he’s just not the kind of player to partner MC16. Carrick needs someone who is powerful and dynamic, not someone who is quick and tricky.

About TheLegend – Ryan Giggs is a part-timer, a situational starter (as it were). He’s better at left wing and gets over-run in midfield because he’s quick and tricky rather than powerful and dynamic.

For the last six weeks, RVP has been dragging his arse. He’s clearly not as fit or as sharp; it looks like SAF has ridden him too hard. He needs a break – in the sunshine, by the beach.

I’d go further than you in saying that the back six – DDG, NinjaEvra, LittleRedRafa, two of JonnyEvans/Rio/CaptainVidic, and MC 16 – have been responsible for the way that TheLads have been able to raise their game and open up a huge lead atop the EPL. Four of those guys – Evra/Rio/MC16 and Vidic are all on the down-side of their careers; two of them – Evra and MC16 – have played too much.

That’s the half-empty glass.

The half-full glass looks rather different – TheWayneBoy and KagawaBunga and Nani have all missed lots of matches so they should be “rested”. The same goes for Ashley Young (in whom I have no confidence) and MrJones and AV7 (who now seems to be a shadow of the guy who was awarded the iconic #7 shirt because of his outstanding play). For reasons that we don’t always know, SAF has also rather-carefully rationed the playing time of DannyTheLad and Chicharito so they, too, should be “fresh”.

From my perspective, a lot of what’s going to happen over the next two months will depend on how SAF manages his tired players – and gives his “rested” (or “fresh”) players more playing-time.

AND, at the heart of the issue is whether (or not) TheWayneBoy can regain his mojo – sure, he scored a (flukey) goal but his touch/passing were wildly inconsistent and, too often, just plain dire. He also seems a trifle “podgy” and seems to lack that drive/desire/blood-thirstiness/dynamism which characterized his play in previous seasons.

Having lost # 20 last year because of a meltdown in the last furlong, it would be absurd to repeat that disaster with an even greater cushion (in both points and goal-difference) but there are BOTH worrying signs AND reasons for optimism. Fortunately, the schedule is on our side – two eminently winnable matches (Reading @ OT and then away to Sunderland) before the second-leg of the M/C derby @ OT. Losing #20 last year was tragic; losting #20 this year would be farcical.
March 11, 2013 at 17:40
Bobby Charlton's combover says:
@samuel – his bad from has been going on for weeks and months and is definitely worrying. I just hope he can turn it around. I’d say he’s desperate for the season to be over. The number 7 weighs heavily on his back. Before he was almost a cert to start now he comes on to give a bit of cover to the defence. I don’t know what the fuck has happened but Valenica at his best was a very good player. Regardless of being one dimensional it was enough as despite knowing what he was going to do he was difficult to stop. The days when he used to tear Ashley Cole a new one seem long ago.
Now apart from the odd moment he looks a bit lost on the football pitch.

I’m looking forward to Nani and Zaha on either wing. It’ll be Giggs and kanchelskis all over again raiding down the flanks at speed!
March 11, 2013 at 17:46
ys says:
wow so much Valencia bashing.
this is the same player who fired his agent n signed a new contract without fuss

He needs our support

We might need to change his position a bit
play him in mid , or try him on left wing ,
he can creatr havoc on the left wing by cutting in
March 11, 2013 at 17:50
ys says:
also yesterdays draw , i blame it on Fergie , n senior players in general

even with the first half display , it looked like Chelsea could get into the game

I was expecting a hair dryer for the players , however they seemed drained ( mentally/physically )

We need serious reinforcements in mid ( either return of Fletch , more use of Ando , promotion of youngster or buy someone )
March 11, 2013 at 18:25
In David We Trust says:
It was a bad day at the office, but thank our lucky stars this was not a premiership match, look we have a week to prepare, reading are next at old trafford, a good solid win, and thelast week are forgotten. Fans forget the sensational run this side has been on, lets hope this was our mini blip, and we can concentrate regaining the PL title, heck the media darlings spurs lost yesterday. so lets put things into perspective. We should have regained the legs come reading, and the boss will make sure the side is focused and fresh, as we should now have the fixtures to get over the finishing line, as we no longer have the pile up
March 11, 2013 at 18:40
Bobby Charlton's combover says:
@ys – it’s not valencia bashing – no-one is doubting his commitment. To be honest all we’re doing is stating the bleedin’ obvious – he’s having a terrible season and we hope next season he’ll be back to his best.
March 11, 2013 at 18:52
Murt73 says:
Isn’t it partly coz of our high standards all season that there is so much dissapointment now? I mean losing to Real Madrid with ten men and drawing 2-2 in The FA Cup to Chel hardly justify’s so much negativity..though of course I understand the manner of our draw was hard to take

Far bigger shocks in the cup this season with Oldham beating pool and Blackburn Rovers winning against gunners who couldn’t even score, also wigan beating everton in little over 3 mins at goodison..

The downside to having a really big squad is that players must find it very hard to produce the goods when asked to at the drop of a hat,also with all the rotation they dont have that familiarity that comes with a consistent team playing regularly together. How many would now agree on our best 11? not many I imagine and even if you agreed on that you may choose players in different positions to facilitate different systems which is another thing this season we have been trying to adapt and experiment on.

So i think overall we have done well and to win back the league was always priority number 1 which I have no doubt we will do

off topic but anyone know much about Powell, dissapointed not to have seen a bit more of him.. is he struggling in reserves also?
March 11, 2013 at 18:55
Sparkz says:
Powell looks too good for the reserves tbh, not ready for the first team yet though. Maybe a loan spell is coming up..
March 11, 2013 at 18:55
Goat Peticoat says:
Sparkz
Couldnt agree with you more but we dont have Rooney of old we have the mature embassador of football now in Rooney. I hate it when you see bright young English talent get a ridiculous amount of playing time and money too soon and then see them “mature”, or pretending to be, into some “been there done that” strutting twonk. English enthusiasm and boyish aggression is what made Britain great not aging before your time and pretending to be as sophisticated as our “educated” european cousins. Weve seen it in Gerrard, Owen, Fowler, Carragher etc etc and surprisingly enough all Scousers. The city with 250 000 philosophers and poets.
Rooney is a plank, bright and vibrant Rooney with energy and passion has been replaced by fat “I wanna be Cantona now” Oh so Wilde Rooney. Wellbeck is better in nearly everything other than possibly shooting but I honestly believe that is just a Forlan blip, not a measure of how bad he is (or isnt) in front of goal. Its time now to get rid of our very own Gerrard before we start idolising the twonk and become 1 man team Liverpool Mk2.
March 11, 2013 at 19:02
Goat Peticoat says:
All you that are criticising Valenci I want to say right here right now written in my own blood that he is brilliant. Just like you lot slated Carrick 3 years ago crying for your beloved mick Roy Keane he has turned out to be twice the defender Keane ever was. Now Carrick is a true European midfielder with a hell of alot of class. Defended by me at the time and happy to see him become what I knew he was. Valencia is much the same animal. If you dont get Valencia then join the numptys in the football world because you just cant soccer.
March 11, 2013 at 19:04
red joey says:
i reckon rooney is past it guys
March 11, 2013 at 19:22
denton davey says:
ys @ 17:50: “We need serious reinforcements in mid ( either return of Fletch , more use of Ando , promotion of youngster or buy someone )”

Everyone knows that. TheGingerNinja seems to be finished – lots of rumours that this time around his legs are well and truly shot; DarrenFletcherinho can’t regain full-fitness/strength with his medical problems flaring up in an unpredictable manner; Anderson seems to be not-quite-good-enough – and he’s not as good as Iniesta-lite, either.

For me, the key is getting someone to partner MC16 – someone who is strong, dynamic, tough, and a little-bit dirty, too. Sounds like the kid from Croxteth – the one who used to put-some-swagger-in-his-wagger but now looks a bit like a jack-of-all-trades but, alas, the master-of-none.
March 11, 2013 at 19:30
domunited says:
reading manager now no longer reading mgr per BBC.

Good or bad for our game next week – discuss
March 11, 2013 at 19:32
Goat Peticoat says:
sorry Keane the midfielder not defender, think one write the other.
March 11, 2013 at 19:35
Goat Peticoat says:
Just goes to show how vain I am. In order to correct mistakes in my posts I have to read them again and again because they are so fucking good.
March 11, 2013 at 20:20
samuel - united WE stand says:
denton – to be fair, how many players in world football are as good as iniesta?
March 11, 2013 at 20:28
samuel - united WE stand says:
Goat – it is not about “getting Valencia”, it is about analysing what he brings to the table. You cannot deny that technically, he is not strong enough enough. There’s only so much hat you can breeze past defenders with pace and power, the very best fullbacks will stand up to that and suffocate that, Valencia lacks that flexibility to take his game to another level, it is not a criticism but a fact. He’s been found out in a league that continues to have better players every season, he has to find a way to overcome the obstacle but truthfully, it is not looking all rosey right now for him and needs to get his act together.

regarding carrick, I’ve always thought he was a top player before he came to united, only idiots directly compared him to roy keane, same goes for nani being compared to ronaldo, it never made sense but carrick is an epitome of the modern midfielder, he’s always had class but it takes him time to get going in a season, in fact i think he would be revered in technically more orientated leagues.
March 11, 2013 at 20:31
Red Keighley says:
Goat Peticoat – I’m proud to be a member of the football numptys!! You are deluding yourself saying Valencia IS brilliant. Sadly the truth of the matter is Valencia WAS brilliant. As someone who is in the SAF stand close to the touch line I see Valencia playing close up every home game and without question he is not the player he was 2 seasons ago. I admire the guy coming back from a terrible injury but he is not the player he was – he used to scare fullbacks shitless with his power and pace but he now seems to have lost the confidence to go past defenders on the outside and he seems to spurn any shooting chances. As a result this has compounded the issue of him just being a right-footed player unable to cross with his left foot as an alternative to bamboozle defenders. On Saturday he was very poor and currently does not deserve his place in the first team.
Apologies if this has been mentioned above but hearing SAF say the reason we played so poorly in the 2nd half was that the players were tired after the RM game and in his words Evra and Rafael were knackered. If this was the case why didnt we have Smalling and Bendtner on the subs bench as cover.
I am sure that psychologically the RM defeat did impact on the players but we were so outplayed in the 2nd half that it must have been due to more than fatigue. Dont forget Chelsea played in Europe last week away from home and later than us so how come their players completely outran and outplayed us in the 2nd half when most of the players were in the squad for the Europa Cup game? The class and pace in midfield that Mata and Hazard demonstrated reaffirmed my long-held view that we still need to sign someone in the summer to partner Carrick (who has played superbly this season!) in midfield. A win on Satrurday against the now managerless Reading should restore some confidence and lets hope Everton play well against Shitty.
March 11, 2013 at 21:05
parryheid says:
Goat,Goat,Goat,You are stampeding some people’s herd of Sacred cows,be getting yourself talked about by the guys who squeal that Young always comes inside and doesn’t hit the byeline.Yet shriek that Valencia does the exact opposite and doesn’t cut inside face it fella the fanbois will never give up they even ,some of them credit the second half display to Nani coming off I shit you not.Fucking laughable.
March 11, 2013 at 21:58
Marq says:
@parryheid

Haha, you nailed it. People complaining about Valencia not cutting in to use is left foot, yet, they complain about the opposite about Young. Some people are just hard to please huh

@Goat

I think you will see that although there are many remarks about Valencia, most of which are quite different from what Carrick & Fletcher used to get. The sane ones are merely pointing out that Valencia is badly out of form, not suggesting he is not good enough. So chill it, don’t get agitated by the trolls too much
March 11, 2013 at 22:10
chaosred says:
Sorry parryheid Valencia does not do anything but turn around and pass it to rafael cause he cannot go inside or to the byline…And seriously that from a WINGER is less than shit.

People always going on hes better at defending then this and that. You might as well put smalling or jones at right midfield they are better defending than valencia. He offers nothing going forward simple. and its really saddening to see him play.

People complained when carrick and young was passing backwards….
March 11, 2013 at 22:26
parryheid says:
chaosred.

your view and your welcome to it.I happen to disagree and he is not a defender and should never at any time be played as one imo.
March 11, 2013 at 22:30
parryheid says:
May be that he should slow down and let some of our so called speedy finishers come puffing into the bqx and he may have some forward to pass too rather than wait about on them appearing.
March 11, 2013 at 23:10
samuel - united WE stand says:
Marq – i think you will find that when people imply that young continuosly cuts into his right foot, he rarely mixes things up to bamboozle defenders, they can read it easily but let’s be honest, only few players are strong with both feet, it is a skill you have to work really hard at or a player needs to have practised since they were a lot younger, hence why most players on the continent have an edge.
March 11, 2013 at 23:22
WeAreUnited says:
wwo, total chaos over here, it was the FA-cup, after the horrible decision in the CL and we led Chelski at home 2-0 until something stranger happened.

This strange thing is not the first time this season that happened against chelski. It’s our third encounter against them. The first one we led at stamford bridge with 0-2, then they tied it up and Chicha scored THAT goal.

After that we played them at the carling cup which ended 5-4 for Chelski at Stamford Bridge. We led them 3 times, and they finally tied it up at the final minute with a penalty and won 5-4.
This time around, we were at home and led 2-0 and we played our shittiest second-half in almost 20 matches (14 wins 1 defeat (Madrid) and 5 draws), and suddenly our team is bad and everything.

I understand that we need to get 1 or maybe 2 midfielders and some players needs to sort their head up, but I’ll be damned to bash my team or players for one very bad performance that got us an stupid draw and another opportunity to win the FA-cup.

So yeah, I’ll think twice before I open my mouth and bash them, yes I boood them for the second half, but I do realise that the season is almost over and we’re fighting for 2 trophies, we can’t make any changes for this season, so support the players and don’t get rid of them after bad half of a game performance.

@InDavidWeTrust, GREAT line mate!!! QUOTE from you “Fans forget the sensational run this side has been on, lets hope this was our mini blip, and we can concentrate regaining the PL title”
March 11, 2013 at 23:26
Denton Davey says:
Samuel @ 20:20: “denton – to be fair, how many players in world football are as good as iniesta?”

Hiya. I’m not referring to Andres Iniesta (@ 19:22) but, rather, “Iniesta-lite” aka Thomas Cleverley.

It has long been my opinion that YoungTom just isn’t quite as good as his boosters would like to think – he’s better than Anderson (overall – but not in terms of the kind of dynamic drive that Anderson can provide, albeit on an infrequent basis) but he’s also not really the right kind of player to partner MC16 in a two-man midfield, which SAF seems to prefer.

One of the reasons why I harped on Daniele DiRossi for so long was that he has the attributes that a proper partner for MC16 needs to possess. On the current squad, I can only see MrJones and TheWayneBoy as “proper partners” for MC16.

Some people think that SAF missed the boat when he didn’t acquire Moussa Dembele in part-exchange for Dimmy (or, to be more accurate, using Dimmy as a partial payment for him) but from what I’ve seen, he’s not really good enough. BIg – yeah; strong – yeah; fast – yeah; but not skilful enough. Maybe the big Kenyan kid at Celtic – Victor Wanyama – ticks ALL those boxes. I’m sure that SAF (and his brother and the other scouts) have “run the rule” over him. But, for right now, with the guys who are in the squad @ OT, I think that UTD would do better with Rooney/Jones partnering MC16 if SAF insists on playing a two-man midfield.

If, however, there is going to be an evolution away from 4-4-2/4-2-4 with wingers towards some variant of 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 then the paucity of choices in UTD’s midfield becomes all the more noticeable. Who is there to choose from if MC16/YoungTom/Anderson are on the field – TheLegend is best used on the left wing (or as an attacking left-sided player) and DarrenFletcherinho and TheGingerNinja are not likely to be the solution to the problem.
March 11, 2013 at 23:32
WeAreUnited says:
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Exclusive-Interviews/2013/Mar/nani-interview-fan-questions-united-review.aspx

Nani the magic-man. The forgotten man, the man with many MYTH’s, the “inconsistent” one, the one that when he haves a bad season makes the stats of 10 goals and 12 assists, 2.5 seasons in a row with great conisstent stats of goals and assists, until this season he dipped in form like many of our wingers and also got injured.

Now he’s back with style, eve nafter playign so little, in all competitions he has the stats of 3 goals and 5 assists in only 13 starts with 3 substitute roles.

After regaining visibly his form, even though still not at his best, in his last 7 games he has 1 goal and 4 assists. The “inconsistent” one.

Please enjoy.
March 11, 2013 at 23:40
In David We Trust says:
Denton Davey – the carrick cleverly partnership is the type of model that needs moving up a level, young tom is still young, but we need another one of those type of players, I still say someone who can hold the ball and make those telling passes. Now if we add real depth to the wide positions, zaha is a great platform. If we some how require another top class attacking talent, its going to make us allot more fearful. I think the boss is changing tacks, he seems to be going for a more powerful attacking side next season. I still hope to god we get rooney signed to a new deal, because his type of player is hard to come by, and he still has 5 great years at the top
March 11, 2013 at 23:42
In David We Trust says:
Goat Peticoat – you said, do not write off valencia, you just done the same thing to rooney, wrote him off, talk about living in glass houses
March 11, 2013 at 23:43
WeAreUnited says:
In comparison, our wingers with bad seasons, filled with injuries and everything.

Shinji Kagawa (AMF and Winger) 18 games, 16 starts, 2 as a sub, 5 goals and 4 assists.

Ryan Giggs (CM and Winger) 23 games, 14 starts, 9 as a sub, 5 goals and 3 assists.

Luis Nani (Winger) 16 games, 13 starts, 3 as a sub, 3 goals and 5 assists.

Antonio Valencia (WInger and RB) 30 games 21 starts, 9 as a sub, 0 goals and 5 assists.

Ashley Young (Winger) 16 games 14 starts, 2 as a sub, 0 goals 3 assists.
March 11, 2013 at 23:45
Sparkz says:
@RedKeigley 20.31″Dont forget Chelsea played in Europe last week away from home and later than us so how come their players completely outran and outplayed us in the 2nd half when most of the players were in the squad for the Europa Cup game? ”

7 of Chelsea’s starters against us didn’t start in the Europa League.

By contrast, we only brought in 4 new players (Rooney, Hernandez, Evans and Kagawa).

also bear in mind that the last 30 minutes of the Madrid game were played with 10 men. That can be a real killer, especially for positions that require a lot of running e.g. centre mids and full backs.

Hell, even in the last 20 minutes of the first half you could see us waning. Only Nani and Hernandez looked like they had a freshness about them.
March 12, 2013 at 00:17
In David We Trust says:
Sparkz – we should have the freshness on the weekend to get back on track, a full week to prepare, I expect a good reaction
March 12, 2013 at 00:19
zigoo says:
the only thing that worries me is rvp

he has only had one decent game in 2013…and that was against liverpool,and even then he missed sitters..

i hope to god he finds his feet again
March 12, 2013 at 00:43
Goat Peticoat says:
In David We Trust
Valencia has a team players brain. He is selfless. I dont measure the selflessness and team playing abilities by the amount you run, that is a skill set that each player brings in varying amounts to the table. Rooney runs alot and thats his ability, what his ability isnt is fooling a player and getting past them ala Ronaldo. So Rooneys running is his claim to fan and unfortunately fans see running as team play and skill sets as egoism. I see them as the same thing. However Rooneys skill set is very basic, Park can do it, Rafael can do it, Gary Neville and Roy Keane used to do it BUT they had other skill sets and they were payed accordingly to their specific skill set.
Id keep Rooney at OT but I wouldnt want to pay him more than £70 000 and he is a squad member ala Park was. Not this so called mega star that alot feel he is. The so called man to call upon when the game is slipping from us or to come off the bench and save us. Ive never felt OH WOW Rooney will save us like I have a Ronaldo, a Solksjaer, a Van Nistelrooy, a Chico. etc.
I write Rooney off as the superstar he is made up to be. Valencia is the valuable squad member he portrays, thats the difference.
The next thing in the discussion is do you say OK Rooney can be a squad member and now we did as he asked (show ambition and buy players to build a team worthy of him being in it), we can win and perform without him. Now going into new contract negotiations he hasnt got us over a barrel like he did last time (too soon after Tevez and Ronaldo leaving). Now we can get him cheaper, say a 50% reduction in wages and some more. OR do we keep the aura of him being a superstar and sell him in the summer and command a £50m asking price. A fee that wouldnt be achievable if the frenzy that is Rooney inc just becomes a Ji Sung Park. Sitting half the games and doing a cameo as and when we need him.

So I havet written him off, Ive written David Beckham Mk2 off. I want to rid us of Gerrard Mk2 and the game evolving around 1 player. The only way to do that and get the most for the business that is Manchester United is by selling him to the highest bidder.
March 12, 2013 at 01:04
Goat Peticoat says:
I cant answer everyone as I dont have time and Im pretty sure no one really answers my replies much anyway as we are all numptys on here venting our opinion and no ammount of proof or reasoning will ever change our opinions. Thats the beauty of the game. But I will just say that.
Valencia IS NOT a winger. He was when he was younger in the premier league when he came to Wigan and OT. He plays centrally for his country and did throughout his youth footballing days. Wellbeck has started out to the left, Scholes even spent time as a CF and sometimes on the left. Players get put in possitions for a multitude of reasons, pace, to hone skills and let a player make mistakes out wide rather than centrally. He has been utilised for his pace and he is alot quicker than most British boys. We see in the 4-3-3 system that he plays a wide right role which is more atuned to a right sided midfielder like Lampard on the left for Chelsea. He is perfect for that possition because he can support the striker who plays to the right, more often than not Van Persie and cover Rafael when he moves forward. He is not a Nani, a Kanchelskis or a Ronaldo, he is more like a modern day Giggs. A “winger” moving in and taking a more responsible roll i the ceter of the park and covering defensively. The old 4-4-2 system with two orthodox wingers is dead. Barca killed that off as it was shown that speedy wingers generally have very little body mass. (Giggs of old, Nani etc) and they dont get stuck in centrally like the bigger players so when the ball is down one side effectively you have a “wasted” man on the opposite flank. Weve already seen the hard working CF come into football which is divorced from the idea of a strike tandem (ala Hughes McClair) that is so outdated that for a while United went 4-5-1 and played some of the worst football Ive ever seen at OT. This is just another shift towards defensive responsibility and rearrangig the team in such a way we stay effective going forward.
Before 2 strikers never tackled back and 2 light weight wingers walking with their hands on their hips instead of tracking back because of endless chasing of long clearances to the far corners. Now we have hard working forwards and wide midfielders that are multi role players of which Valencia is one of the finest there is.
Nani can get past his man, he has pace, but he puts too much effort into chasig balls and his tackling back is average. Sometimes he does sometimes he doesnt. Sometimes he takes risks and tries to dribble out of defence, a trait by a forward not a defensively aware midfielder with pace ad wing, fullback and central playing abilities. Would you criticise Lampard if he didnt sprint past his man or get to the byline. No, we have a Lampard with pace with far superior defensive abilities. The long shot and passing is already there.
March 12, 2013 at 01:25
Murt73 says:
@Sparkz
cheers for info re Powell..Maybe if we get league wrapped up early he can be thrown in and given games which is probably what he needs to bring his game on, looked like a classy player from what I saw but hadn’t the time on the ball he would have had before coming to utd.. the step up may take time though he looks classy
looking forward to see jones come back in, think hes far too good of a player not to have in team, he’s also leader material which is what we were crying out for last day. Also wonder if Modric would have got his shot off as jones made some throw your body in the way type blocks in first match against real. He shows a real hunger and determination that is hard to come by in a player.
March 12, 2013 at 01:53
WeAreUnited says:
@goat

I have also thought that we should try to play Valencia as a midfielder, like Park was used. H has the power and speed and knows how to pass the ball. SInce he has this season discovered he could be do better as a cm, cause like you said it, I have only recently known that he is a CM, he could be used there.

Anyway, I hope we get the lad in form, even though I always have prefered Nani and because everyone bashed Nani when he was down, I still have supported him and bashed the MYTH’s of him.

But now when Nani is not bashed anymore, and Valencia is the target, I feel bad for Valencia cause he really was the best last season, and how quickly, like in the Nani’s case, people turn their backs to any player. Even though I always backed Nani and compared the two and breaked the myth of Nani being inconsistent, I still feel, that bashing Valencia is crazy, I don’t accept that. I support both.

I hope we get Valencia and Nani back together and to the form they were when they were selected and voted player of the year.
Back the players up, no matter is it Nani or Valencia or Rooney, back them up and when they leave us, then we can move on, until then, support the players even when they’re down!!! United is where we stand.

BELIEVE.
March 12, 2013 at 02:03
WeAreUnited says:
http://www.youtube.com/user/telandbenjie?feature=watch

for those that can’t make it tot the games due living abroad, that lad puts some great videos of goals from the stands, and I really enjoy them.

PS. if anyone is willing to pay me a season ticket and flights, then I will go to every match haha. Just saying!

peace.
March 12, 2013 at 02:07
In David We Trust says:
Goat Peticoat – Rooney is not a squad player like park, park is not even the same type of player, Rooney scores us 20 25 goals a season, that is a huge asset for the squad. He is the only player that can play the number 9 and 10 roles upfront, the guy is 27, he is loads of miles on the clock, the boss means, he has such firepower, he is not a guaranteed starter, and that is good. But too say valencia is a brilliant squad player, when even I must admit, he has been awful, Rooney while he has had a few injury’s, he is racking up double figures and assists Valencia is not even offering the side assists, let alone hit the net. And I would rather united move on valencia, than lose Rooney, because Rooney huts sides, valencia is not doing that, and the chelsea game was a perfect example, of how ineffective he was.And tell me, who scored the second goal against chelsea? exactly. And tell me he impact valencia made on the game, if valencia is so amazing .
March 12, 2013 at 02:38
Esteban says:
Somewhat off-topic, but here is a something to mention to anyone who claims that the FA is biased in favor of Utd: the probablility of drawing a premier league opponent in every round of the FA Cup this year was 1.17%.
March 12, 2013 at 02:57
Goat Peticoat says:
In David We Trust
Who scored the goal against Chelsea. Wow your opinion counts. It was a “juve” style free kick. Float it to the back post and crowd the keeper to make a mistake. Are you telling me that if no other players were involved and it was just Cech and Rooney that that goal would have gone in. Clouded Rooney love that is a result by whacking off to him over too many years. I bet you even have a Rooney jar full of Harry Munk in your top drawer, a shrine to your fat scouse love in.

And as I explained Valencia isnt the player you think he is AND I didnt say Rooney was a Ji sung Park I said his attributes should be paid accordingly. Fact is Park was a far better passer of the ball in tight one twos and had better first touch than Rooney. Any forward, specifically sought out by United players for every pass, and playing every game would expect to get 20 odd goals, hell Chico will from the bench and new comer RvP has already done that plus a bucket more. Shit Berba did and pretty much every United striker before him. Fuck with the deliveries and help that boy gets I bet Id get 15 and I would play for a crafty handjob from the tea lady.
March 12, 2013 at 03:00
Goat Peticoat says:
WeAreUnited
It wouldnt be impossible for United to play Nani and Valencia together. Nani is best suited as the wide right center forward rather than the right midfielder. i.e i a team like

DDG
Rafael Ferdinad Vidic Evra
Valencia Carrick Giggs
Nani RvP Wellbeck

Its not impossible.
March 12, 2013 at 03:26
samuel - united WE stand says:
“Park had a better touch and a better passer than rooney” Looks like goat has been on the funny cigarettes again… You sound of a man with bitter feelings towards wayne, it is becoming unbearably laughable now. One thing is not being in the best form but Is this same rooney that the likes of footballing legend franz beckenbauer want in the phenomenal bayern team? Really? This same rooney that the likes of messi and pique want in their team? The same rooney that has the touch of an oak tree? Really? Yeah right.
March 12, 2013 at 03:46
denton davey says:
In the summer of 2008, SAF said that “I wouldn’t sell a virus to that mob”. Three days after the end of the 2009 season, CR7 was sold for 80,000.000 to Madrid.

The other day, SAF said that it was “bollocks” that TheWayneBoy would be sold off. Yesterday, we hear this:

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/real-madrid-director-plays-down-1736796

Is history going to repeat itself as tragedy – or farce ?
March 12, 2013 at 04:35
In David We Trust says:
Goat Peticoat – RVP and hernandez have been injury free, rooney has had 2 injury’s this year and we are only in march, and he is already on 16 goals. Rooney has not had the greatest of seasons, but he has scored big goals. Rooney has earned the right to start every game, he has been a fixture for this club for nearly a decade, You forget he got like 30 plus goals last season, and to say park has a better touch than Rooney is laughable, when Rooney is on form, which he is 8 times out of 10, he is still united’s best player. LOL, to say you do not want rooney to end up like gerrard, gerrard’s experience for liverpool has been crucial for them, he is still a key player for them. If rooney ends up like gerrard, at that age, we will have one hell of an asset
March 12, 2013 at 11:15
Sparkz says:
All Rooney brings to the table is the ability to run? That’s a joke (tbh, that energy side of his game has actually decreased recently). His goals record is phenomenal, esp in the big games, I’ve lost count of how many big games he’s turned for us just in the last 2 years.

And to claim Park had a better touch/passing ability is laughable IMO.
March 12, 2013 at 11:45
iced earth says:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2291787/Luka-Modric-wants-join-Manchester-United-Real-Madrid.html
March 12, 2013 at 11:51
iced earth says:
http://thepeoplesperson.com/gif-wilfried-zahas-super-silky-skills-and-dribble-vs-leeds-united/
March 12, 2013 at 11:59
Bobby Charlton's combover says:
I wouldn’t go as far as to say that Rooney’s touch as passing are inferior to Park’s but for a player of his stature they are embarassingly poor at times, particularly his basic control and if he’s under any short of pressure at all then its even worse and just bounces away from him. It’s something I’ve observed for years and I can’t get my head around players at that level who have difficulty controlling the ball.
March 12, 2013 at 12:31
FletchTHEMAN says:
Good day Reds!

10 years ago today, Daren Fletcher made his debut aged 19.
10 years on, he has 312 appearances and knocked in 24 goals.

He has 1 Champions league and is one of 3 current players to have lifted the FA Cup,

Right, and he’s won it 4 times!
March 12, 2013 at 13:08
FletchTHEMAN says:
Beg to differ with the posters who say we don’t need a CB

Vidic
Rio 34

It would be a laugh if anyone thought we could make it with out 4 CBs, the last 3 years suggests the number might need to be 5.

Bringing in another proper CB now is only prudent with talk of Rio leaving. Whether it’s this summer or next, it will happen. And Vidic is probably only one year more if we are lucky.

Lots of talk that the argentine Ezequiel Garay is on his way from Benfica.
6’4″, former Real Madrid trainee, 10 senior caps for the Argentina.
Could do worse.

Don’t know if it will happen, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a CB is TOP of our list.

As to RBs? Heard we had a lad, think his name is Fabio, Heard he’s better than our own right back.
Right, and a heard somewhere that he’s got some top EPL experience, maybe that even has an EPL winners medal?!

Ha, don’t count on us buying another RB this summer. Unless you like to give your money away
March 12, 2013 at 13:26
Goat Peticoat says:
samuel – united WE stand
Yes the same Rooney that 0.09% of managers in the UEFA managers pole voted as the best player in the world. Level with Busquets.
March 12, 2013 at 13:53
iced earth says:
http://beautifullyred.co.uk/2013/03/12/stunning-carrick-pass-de-save-and-more-utd-gifs-from-the-chelsea-game/
March 12, 2013 at 14:01
TheCANTONA says:
Goat knows better than Sir Alex, who are people dare to argue with him? He laughed at RvP when he made his debut at Goodison Park earlier this season, so’ clearly Goat knows best.
March 12, 2013 at 14:03
iced earth says:
FletchTHEMAN
agree with you about
It would be a laugh if anyone thought we could make it with out 4 CBs, the last 3 years suggests the number might need to be 5
but Ezequiel Garay is not a good option he is 27 and could struggrle to life in england and benfica want lot of money for him
if we bring a mf .jones will be the cb we need i think he will be one of best
i am sure m keane will get his chance also
March 12, 2013 at 14:51
samuel - united WE stand says:
Goat – you make no sense, busquets might not be anyone’s favorite dip for in a cup tea but he’s been top quality in his efficiency role, your portrayal of his ability is your exaggerated fantasy, rooney would still be signed by the elite of european football if he was avalaible.
March 12, 2013 at 16:05
Bobby Charlton's combover says:
Smalling and Jones are centre backs. I think Jones would be huge as a centre back.
Then we’d have vidic, rio, evans, smalling and jones. Smalling and Jones can also play in full bakc positions if need be and Jones in midfield. We also have a few reserves there if I’m not mistaken.
Scott Wootton and Michael Keane come to mind.
March 12, 2013 at 16:20
Sparkz says:
Goat Peticoat says:
samuel – united WE stand
Yes the same Rooney that 0.09% of managers in the UEFA managers pole voted as the best player in the world. Level with Busquets.

And what about the year before when he finished 5th…AND made the World XI?…

@BCC – I agree that when he’s lacking fitness and form, his touch can be shockingly bad. When he’s on form though, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it.
March 12, 2013 at 16:46
WeAreUnited says:
CMON

let’s leave this ROoney issue, cause we knwo the truth, he’s a brilliant player, even at his “bad” form, he’s on 16 already and with many assists, his gameplay has dropped a little, but hell, if he scores important goals, he will stay on my mind. I also agree with you @Sparkz and BCC

Remember the name, Wayne Rooney! now, get over it.
March 12, 2013 at 17:03
King Eric says:
Yes Michael Keane has been excellent at Leicester, even scoring a late equaliser against Leeds. He has scored a couple for them now.
March 12, 2013 at 17:25
Marq says:
@Samuel

Funny how you say defenders read & stop Young easily but yet he has been putting in the crosses, unlike Valencia who don’t even put in much of a cross anymore these days. Once again, I’m not putting any player down, just saying some criticism of our players are laughable. As it is now, Young is still our best crosser, if only he’d stay fit for an extended period to show it
March 12, 2013 at 22:10
Mr C says:
I’m not complacent or against criticism of our players ( or even SAF) by any means but sometimes it’s good to reflect once the dust is settled. Yes, we played absolute shite second half. And yes I think some of our players, good squad players though they may be, perhaps in the ‘world class’ we perhaps or they think they are. There are some players I really rate, and some I don’t.

But all this doesn’t really matter. It’s a team game, a squad game these days. And these same squad players – the good and the not so good – have contributed to us being 12 points clear at the top of the EPL and we’re still in the FA Cup. Were it not for a tosser of a ref we’d probably still be in the Champions League too, missed chances notwithstanding.

So how shit can these players really be? The evidence would suggest that as a UNIT they’re pretty good. So less of the ‘he’s not fit to wear the shirt’ stuff is called for- its not really warranted, not for on the pitch activity anyway. However, it you question our ‘ambition’ I might not be so tolerant. If you supported United in the 70s and 80s you’d really have something to get stressed about, believe me.

Also credit where credit is due. Chelsea are no mugs. Hazard, Maza, and Oscar in particular are top players. Yes, De Gea probably saved our bacon but he’s part of our team and did his job. It’s sobering to think that just a few months ago many were calling DDG shit too.
March 12, 2013 at 22:12
Mr C says:
typo: I meant: ‘And yes I think some of our players, good squad players though they may be, arent’ perhaps in the ‘world class’ we think or they think they are.
March 12, 2013 at 23:13
AlphaRS says:
Looks like Scott is about as fed up with last week as we are.

Confirmed line-up: United vs Chelsea

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