You’ve got to almost feel bad for Wigan, don’t you? As the Stretford End repeatedly sang “this is how it feels to be City” to them, I cringed a little. As much as a dig it will always be at City, regardless of who we sing it to, it’s a song meant for horrible teams, for teams who have stood in the way of our success, for teams whose fans are obnoxious and irritating, not poor little Wigan. Wigan, who always let us thrash them, who gifted us that important League Cup in 2006, who let us win 2-0 on the final day of the 2008 season to win the league, who let us come back from a goal down to beat them 2-1 three days before we won the league last season. They’re not a bad lot are they? As a few hundred of them sat in the freezing cold last night, getting totally spanked by United, yet again, I did feel for them.
But you get over feelings like that when you remember that you’re two points away from the top with a goal difference worse by just two goals!
Before the match, I had asked for the lads to dish out an absolute battering and they came through with the goods. Wayne Rooney opened the scoring for us (anyone else making a killing with Betfair on that one?) after my favourite player of the day, Rafael da Silva, provided the assist and wheeled away in celebration as though he had scored the goal himself. If we could get ourselves another goal soon, the Wigan players would be shattered mentally, already presuming they were going to get thrashed again.
So when Berbatov played a lovely weighted ball to Antonio Valencia to charge on to, we were on the edge of our seats. Instead of playing the more obvious ball to Rooney or Park who had charged in to the area, Valencia pulled the ball back perfectly to Michael Carrick who struck it cleanly and under Chris Kirkland. Two goals in four minutes and we weren’t finished yet.
Just before half time, Darren Fletcher found Rafael on the edge of the area, who was surrounded by Wigan players and got the ball stuck under his feet. It looked like the chance had gone but he created some room for himself and swung at the ball with his left foot. He found the back of the net and started sprinting towards the bench, pointing at brother Fabio in the stands. It was a lovely moment for the pair who had seen their careers temporarily halted by injuries over the past year. This of course was Rafael’s highlight of the match, but I was impressed with his all-round game. There were still some positioning problems, with him racing forward and leaving Valencia or Fletcher to fill the right-back position, but I love how eager he is to put the boot in. He clearly likes getting forward but isn’t afraid to get stuck in either. For such a little guy, he’s pretty strong, and the Wigan players didn’t get much joy against him at all.
Whatever was said in the Wigan dressing room at half time wasn’t enough to avoid another thrashing, with Dimitar Berbatov scoring within five minutes of the restart. That’s two goals in two games for the Bulgarian, as he moves up to the thirteenth highest scorer in the league. Valencia beat his man and put in a perfect ball to Berbatov, who had pulled back away from his man, before finishing with the outside of his boot. He was mobbed by his team-mates as he smiled with relief.
With the goal difference improving all the time, the players were urged on by the crowd, not content with just four goals. Valencia, who’d had a great game down the right flank, teamed up with Rafael, got in on the action against his former club. Rooney picked him out perfectly and he coolly lifted the ball over the keeper.
That was exactly the kind of performance and result we had been craving. It’s easy to get bogged down with criticism when you want them to do so much better, and know that they are capable of it. It’s so frustrating watching them fail with the simplest of passes or mess up what appear to be easy chances, but no team is perfect. The result against Wigan should ease the pressure a bit and fill our players with confidence.
Rooney was oozing with class and cut out so many of the mistakes he’s been making over recent weeks, clearly pleased to hear of the manager’s faith in him this week. This lad only turned 24-years-old a couple of months ago and says he wants to stay with United forever. It’s pretty incredible really.
The partnership of Fletcher and Carrick worked well in central midfield, possibly aided by the few matches they’ve partnered each other in defence(?). Both of them looked really up for it and complimented each other nicely. It wasn’t just Fletcher doing the donkey work whilst Carrick worked with his creativity, with both of them sharing the midfield duties admirably.
So we’ve got a great few weeks ahead, with Leeds in the Cup, then City in the League Cup, then what should be another opportunity to close the gap on Chelsea against Birmingham. They’re no walk over but we’re getting our players back and now the top of the table is in touching distance, we should really make the most of it.
When you think of all the complaining that has gone on over the past month or so, we should have been thankful of the team we get to support. What the hell have Chelsea been doing in December? Without any key injuries and without any particularly difficult matches, they’re only two points ahead and have only conceded two fewer goals! That is absolutely appalling. We’ve been playing with our second choice keeper, with Fletcher and Carrick in the centre of defence, yet we’re right on Chelsea’s tails. I’m sure people will look back on December as when Chelsea lost the title.
Over the next month we’ll see more of our defenders return from injury, we’ll see Chelsea lose their top scorer (their next highest scorer is Lampard with six goals, five of which were penalties) and their midfield marshal (and that waster Mikel/supposed Essien replacement, will be off also), as well as United starting to kick in with their usual second half of the season form.
Roll on 2010! Happy New Year!
Man Utd News 24/7
It’s 2010 in India!
HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS!
theboogeyman – hehe! happy new year mate !
Happy new year’s Boogey!
Gosh , Wigan must be sick at the sight of us! 10 losses in 10 and 31 goals conceded. 11 losses and 35 goals if you count the Carling Cup final.
Yesterday a crucial thing was the defence. Vidic and Brown compliment each other well and I was impressed with Wes.
Really did think it ws one of our best performances this year and the future looks a lot brighter than it did a couple of weeks ago! Chelsea might not even be our biggest threat though as Aresenal have picked things up a bit while the 2 of us have been having a horrible December but I’d say our squad will prove to e the difference when those tough Saturrday lunch time kick offs are back again with the champions league! All in all a great end to 2009 and like you say roll on 2010!
On topic. Scott, we have to be very careful and don’t overestimate yesterday’s result. Wigan is a disgrace.
Corea – a disgrace that beat top of the table Chelsea 3-1. I’ll value every three points and I’ll value every thrashing we dish out, regardless of the opponents.
Happy New Years!
Also, I think Mikel is also away at the Cup of Nations which leaves them with Ballack, Lampard (who plays off the strikers and so isn’t going to play an essien role) and Deco in midfield pretty much.
Roll on 2010!
yeah its 12:35 in India. Busy wising my family members and texting friends
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY FELLOW REDS. LETS HOPE FOR A SUCESSFUL YEAR
Wigan also drew 1-1 to Chelsea last season which clearly aided our title challenge… Ferguson sent a sms to brucey telling him that he would have given him a kiss if he werent so ugly, in a humorous way of course. Unnecessary to sing those songs, but what ever..
Happy new year’s AIG! We still have to wait 2 hours and 50 minutes…
Happy New Year to one and all !!!
Scott the Red – Chelsea were extremely unlucky, Cech was sent off. I watched the game and even with 10 men Chelsea could have reversed the proceedings. Anyway you have your own opinion.
against Tottenham and yesterday they were awful. I just try to take a sensible view of things. Hope we’re on the beam.
It was a vital win for us but we cannot get carried away. Wigan are a very very unpredictable. One day they get slaughtered and the next day they give a top drawer performance. yesterday they were pathetic. Credit to us for starting the bombardment on their goal right from the start and scoring early that eased all the fans who have got used to being frustrated for long periods. Hope our level of performances improve now
Last time we beat wigan 5-0 and then played poorly against Arsenal. we have Birmingham away next which wont be easy. Our performance there will really give us an indication of where we stand considering Chelsea drew there and they held the dippers at Anfield. If we can win that one we can saftely say that our tile charge has reached top gear
great piece scott happy new year!
Happy new year wazza! It’s been a while.
It’s not about Wigan in my opinion. The movement was crisp yesterday and that’s the really encouraging thing in my opinion.
costas
2hrs 50 mins?. i always thought the time in UK and greece is the same. seems you guys are ahead of UK time.
Looks like im stuck in the past boogeyman im still in 09!
Haha Happy new year
corea
Wigan were brilliant in that game. They created many chances and despite Chelsea levelling it at 1-1 they were giving it a go and went ahead within minutes when everyone thought Chelsea would go on and win the game after they had levelled it up.
I agree with you Scott, december will come back and bite the rentboys in the arse. I’m quietly confident for the rest of the season. Happy New Year to all fellow Reds. COME ON UNITED!!!
Costas – it’s hard to judge our play yesterday. Wigan were hesitant and dead passive. We had all the time in the world and we saw at Stoke early in the season that this type of opposition suits our game.
aig alex is god – i did have different feel while watching their game with Chelsea. I think they were lucky to get Cech sent off and it changed the game. Anyway it was a different Wigan team.
New Year
Get your hopes up but the bitch that is LIFE turns it into another boring 12 months.
Highlights of 2010- United winning number 19, 4th title in a row. United winning FA Cup for the first time in ages. U2′s new album. Radiohead’s new album. Wayne Rooney being Premiership Golden Boot winner. Steven Gerrard and Francesca Torres handing in transfer requests.
Lows- I’ll be 44, gone are the days of Madchester and regular away days with United.
United end another decade of dominance with a 5-0 thrashing. Happy New Year.
Corea – It was 1-1 then Chelsea rightly conceded a penalty, taking it to 2-1 when Cech was sent off. That’s not unlucky.
http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3149608,00.html
Wigan had 10 shots on target, Chelsea had 2.
Last night, we had 11 shots on target last night to their 3.
transfer window opens tonight,anyone got any tipoffs?
Scott the Red – is it that important how they played against Chelsea ? i understand that it is still Chelsea and they are still Wigan with the same players but penalty and Cech’s dismissal changed the game. Sometimes this is the only way sides like Wigan could snatch a win against the top opposition.
Yesterday they were truly awful. I can’t find the appropriate word to describe Wigan’s display.
Anyway we are different. Some of us can fully enjoy our victory yesterday but it’s not the same for me. Fullstop.
Happy new year, Scott! Thank you for everything you’ve done to us. This blog is indispensable.
A Pedant writes: I’m sure Brown and Vidic do ‘compliment’ each other, but probably after the game is over. More importantly, they also ‘complement’ each other on the pitch.
It was a great win, full of quality goals, so let’s just savour the moment as we enter the New Year. Have a great 2010 everyone, especially Scott for providing such a brilliant and entertaining blog. Simply the Best.
Very pleased with the result and performance last night. Without being penickity, I would have loved to see us at least put another 2 away. We have the players with the pace and movement to smash teams every week. Great result nevertheless. Roll on 2010.
In addition to Drogba and Mikel leaving, Drogbas replacement, Kalou, also leaves. This is when they go faceplanted straight to the grass.
2010 will be a great year for the Reds!
BELIVE, and cheers
I thought that was as well as we’ve played at ot this season, i dont give a shit if it was only wigan. And do you notice wen the rentboys destroy 1 of the weaker teams the media go into a frenzy but wen we do it they say its only wigan, or whoever. ps Happy new year to every1 on ROM
Corea – my point is on the day you can only beat what is in front of you. I’m not treating a 5-0 over Wigan like a 5-0 over Barcelona, but the point is they’re a Premiership team who have beaten Chelsea (something we couldn’t do), beaten Sunderland (something we couldn’t do), thrashed Burnley (something we couldn’t do), drew with Fulham (something we couldn’t do) so we shouldn’t treat a result over them as if it doesn’t matter because it’s only Wigan, because Wigan have managed to beat teams we’ve lost to this season.
When one team plays really well, it’s hard for their opponents to match that. Look at when we thrashed Chelsea last season – they’re not a bad side, obviously, but we totally outplayed them. We totally outplayed Wigan too – is that down to how Wigan performed or how we performed? I’d like to give our players credit for it.
Happy new year to everyone here living in India.
I really hope this isn’t the last thrashing we’ll see this season. I hope we now GO on a winning run and become consistent. Consistency, a fit squad and hunger are what we need to win the league this season.
Btw, out of interest, why didn’t you write up a report after the Hull match Scott? You normally do it after every league game, but you missed out the Hull game..
It was a great match but Wigan are terrible.
Hopefully we can do his to some better teams the likes of Villa, Spurs
Bring on Leeds Scum
8-0
Corea – Agree with Scott mate. You can only beat what is in front of you. To be honest I think most teams would have struggled against United in that first half last night.
Even when we hammer teams people still feel the need to be negative. What do you want exactly?
HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL REDS OUT THERE AND FUCKING ROLL ON SUNDAY AND THE VISIT OF THE LEEDS SCUM!!!
AIG
Sorry it tool so long. Yeah, we are 2 hours ahead of England timewise. It should be 2010 in 26 minutes.
King Eric.Hi mate
I think Corea wanted to say that we should give such performances against the big sides and teams like villa,fulham who are difficult to beat and in the top half of the table. Sure that will happen. Atleast we started at some stage. I was waiting for a long time for us to crush a team like that at Old Trafford.. Finally happened yesterday.
As i said before the Birmingham game will be crucial. Hope we can get a win there. That performance will really matter because if we do well it will really send a signal to the rentboys and the gooners and we will be moving in top gear at the right time
Random note, but in our 5 league defeats, Berbatov only started in one of them. At Anfield. And he didn’t start the Besiktas game either, but then again, no other regular did.
King Eric – hi, mate. give me example where i’ve been negative ?
no way! but it was so obvious to my eyes. maybe i am losing my mind but i haven’t seen such a poor team at OT for a long time.
Corea
you do have a point because this season we have seen Wigan’s best and worst. When they play good football like the game against Chelsea and villa on opening day of the season, they can play very impressively.
On the other hand when they are pathetic as the 9-1 defeat at Wigan and defeat at the Emirates showed. No steel at all,just are lambs to be slaughtered. Even yesterday they werent closing us down well. Valencia, rafael were allowed to get the crosses in and were not closed down when they were making runs on the wing. Carrick and Fletch werent put under pressure and could pass the ball with ease.
Anyways, as Scott says we have to beat what is in front of us, so we have to be happy and hope that such performances continue on a consistent basis.
What if we made Wigan look so average.
It’s hard to say, but I think that yesterday finally everything clicked together. If the same team played against Fulham or Villa I think the result will have been much better.
aig alex is god – it is a matter of assessment, mate. i don’t see anything wrong with it.
Costas
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
The berba stat came to my notice a few days back.
Out of all the 5 defeats in the league we deserved to lose only 2 at Liverpool and Fulham. Rest of the games we didnt deserve to lose and deserved at least something from the game.
Well it’s official over here.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
Happy New Year Everyone. It’s already New Year in South Africa.
Costa is Greece the same time as South Africa?
I’ve always had a soft spot for Wigan Athletic, remembering when the club was in the old Northern Premier League alongside such as Runcorn FC (now defunct). I’m no fan of the rugby league club, mind.
On the Runcorn FC thing I recall them beating Notts County 1-0 in an FA Cup 1st round game at Canal Street in the late 1960s; in front of a sell-out crowd of 7,000+.
On last night we should just be chuffed at the win and the emphatic nature of it, regardless of the dark omens for Wigan before kick-off. The key point was the apparent freedom of the players beyond the back line; as if they recognized things had returned to a kind of normality again.
The disruptive consequences of losing so many defensive stalwarts through injury must restrict the normal game of our attacking force, even if a collective winning mindset is a hallmark of this great club. The future looks Red Devil Red again.
All the very best for 2010 from me, to Scott and all contributors to this blog.
@Taper Jean Girl:
Yes it is. Geographically our countries are at the same height. Happy new year!
Happy New Year everyone. It’s quite amazing to be in the second spot with so many defenders out and chelsea can’t pull away. With those defenders back, carrick and fletcher did brilliantly well in the middle of the park. But watch out on Arsenal. With a game in hand, they could come in between us and Chelsea. Nevertheless, feeling confident for the second half of the season.
Thanks Costa. Happy New Year to you too buddy.
Happy New Year fellow reds!:-)
hope we can kick on from here which i’m confident we’ll do. the rentboys will be in a crisis their top scorer is leaving for ACON and so are the rest of their african players. hey guys is it me or did the guy who was commentating on wednesday don’t know his name but usually commentates for Wigan said “terrific” almost in each of his statements while we were attacking and defending. that was awkward really but since it’s 2010 i’d be delighted at a leeds scum drubbing in the FA cup!:-)
Long Live UNITED!
Happy New Year all. All God’s blessing throughout 2010.
happy new league all
except for gerrard hes been a naughty boy.
Well, the British were the last to join us in our 2010 party, so happy new year to them too!
Forgot mention the Irish. Sorry GHTT!
To all of my fellow reds
No matter where we differ
We stand as one for Manchester United and we shall not be moved.
Here ends the lesson
Happy new year to you all.
Be merry, be happy, be loved, but above all be as one.
United will never die
Happy new year to all Manchester United fans.
2009 ended well, dont discredit Wigan – United were magnificent.
Owen for hat-trick sunday. So for number 19.
2010 roll on.
Happy New Year!!! Let’s March on Reds!!! GLORY!GLORY!
Happy New Year REDS!!! Let’s March On Lads! GLORY!GLORY!
Happy New Year To All Manchester Utd Fans Worldwide. May 2010 Be A Very Successful Year For Us Reds. Keep The Red Flag Flying High. We’ll Never Die!
Happy New Year fellow Reds, if SAF stays on here’s to another decade of dominance!
Talking of dominance, keep up the outstanding work Scott, after all, world domination requires above average effort!
Wondering if the Carling cup team will suddenly become the FA Cup team this time round? Wouldn’t bet against it. Bring on the Scum!
Happy New Year fellow Devils.
We’ll beat Barcelona 5-0.
Scott said it. LOL.
Happy New year All!!
Lads,
2010 Begins and i am really looking forward to how this year progresses.
We are 2 point behind chelsea who will find it difficult with the african nations where we should find we have our players back from injury!
I can not think of any other season where i have been so impressed with the promise of our squad or our reserves & youth players.
Fair enough ronaldo is gone but i feel we are entering a new era at united. This year we might not win the premier league, If we dont then so be it. If we do we then write the histroy books as the first team ever to win 4 on the trott!
i can not remember our reserve or Youth set up so strong apart from the emergance of Becks & Crew although i didnt know much about them then.
Off topic – Kuzack
I think the lad has done really well.
I have been more confident than watching foster..
Happy New Year fellow United Reds!!
lol feeling sympathy for somebody we just thrashed is insulting them. Even if you feel sympathy for them, dont tell anybody cause that’s like rubbing salt on the wound.
so yey! we beat them 5 nil! yey!
Happy new year my fellow reds and keep the red fire burning in 2010 !!
Happy New Year fellow reds!
guys just wanted to ask if that is it possible mame diouf could make his debut against shitty? i’m just curious.
on the transfer window reopening i’d like to see us not particularly buying anyone as we look strong but i was wondering if we would buy di maria would that make him ineligible for the cl even though he’s played in the europa league for benfica? would like some clarity. ONE UNITED!
happy new year scott and all reds! you get the feeling that with the players we have returning, we’re only going to gain from the other top teams not capitalising on our misfortunes!
if your not fast, your last! ask yourselves this….would we have lost and drawn this many games had our closest oppo team had so many players missing? we shall not be moved!
2010 is gonna be a good year! 19 is comin!
Happy New Year everybody! 2010 is the year were making history….again!
@ hargreaves curly hair
diouf is eligible to make his debut any time from know even as early as the sudays game mate.
The same applies for di maria if we sign him. A player can play in the champs league even after playing in the europa league in the same season but two cant play at the same time for the same club after both of them have featured in the europa league.
Any body got mame biram diouf squad number ?
I really need it that is the next jersey am having…. time to have a go at the anti-fergi down here who stupidily urgues he hates africans.
happy new year for my fello Reds;only wake up now after a boozing night
New Year’s is a time to take stock of the trials, tribulations and high points of the past year. And, for me and my FellowReds it’s been a roller-coaster ride.
Winning the 18th was clearly the high point, closely followed by TheLads’ sad dismissal by Barcelona. A lot was written at the time about Barcelona being on another planet/level; little was written that put their victory in context of UTD’s physical frailties – Rio was (and still is) crocked but, much more seriously the terrier in midfield (Anderson) was playing injured while neither Hargreaves nor Fletcherinho were available and Michael Carrick was playing at something less than full-fitness. These are explanations of UTD’s feeble midfield challenge YET if CR had scored on his two/three chances in the first ten minutes then the story might have been different. But, he didn’t and UTD were showered with scorn. THAT was tough to take.
Watching Ronaldo get his dream move to TheVirus was tough-to-take. But, the guy has his own priorities and, quite amazingly, he has not really been missed as TheLads are doing fine (thank you, very much) without him. Of course, they might be doing even better with him. Who knows ?
In fact, the first half of this season has been stuttering and spluttering in terms of performances YET looking at the EPL table is rather reassuring. The RentBoyz seem to have blown their bolt; TheArse have an incredibly difficult month ahead of them from mid-January to mid-February; and LiverPoo are in the shit although I reckon that they will still scrape a fourth-place finish to everyone’s disappointment.
What about the half-season ahead ? There is huge opportunity in front of TheLads and one’s optimism about that should be enhanced by the belief that the stuttering and spluttering of the first half of the season should be overcome. BUT, now – as in the summer – the key to UTD’s trophy-challenges is going to be the gelling of the point-of-attack. IF Dimitar Berbatov can properly complement Wayne Rooney then my pessimistic-optimism will turn to optimistic-optimism. The wingers and midfield are competent rather than being stars; the defence is deep and can get better IF Rio returns to full-fitness; Kuczszak is a competent keeper – VDS is better but footie is hardly going to be much of a priority for him even if his wife makes a full recovery (and it is almost impossible to understand how terrible it must be for his family to find their wife and mother in such a parlous condition – at 34 !). And, of course, UTD have the best-ever manager to guide the team. SAF loves a challenge and seems to be able to inspire a similar ethos in his players. That’s a huge advantage but, in reality, the game is played on the field and the key to UTD’s season will be getting the attack to gel. IF that happens then the territorial domination and possession advantage should be turned into goals – and goals, as we learned in Barcelona, change games (and seasons).
So, I’m looking on the bright side and consider that things will get better – and that’s just great because they’re not too shabby now !
denton – Brilliant post pal.
Corea – Hi mate. Sorry I didn’t mean you were negative. It just followed on and it looked like I was implying I meant you. Sorry for any confusion.
Trevor – Completely agree fella. I have been well impressed with Thomas so far. His confidence and authority is growing by the game.
@sam the kenyan red – yeah,rightly said. SAF does not hate african players. His previous buys just seemed to disappoint and that’s a caution. I trust diouf will deliver though. Happy new year to you all mates.
going theough another post I am quiet angry that some ppl have accused me of me being someone else who many on here hated, his name kept being brought up, when someone said that was me that I am a united basher totaly pissed me off
a great performance by united
btw i get the feeling that wazza would be getting 30 at the very least this season
Didn’t Spuds put nine past Wigan?
I agree it was a a real champagne performance by us but lets keep it in perspective. Wigan are at best inconsistent this season, at worst they are awful.
Still, some great goals and a really good performance.