This season was supposed to be all about the ‘power shift in Manchester’. We had sold The Best Player in the World (TM) and ‘lost’ Carlos Tevez to Manchester City. The likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville were past it, the manager was surely past his sell-by-date and United’s ‘time for decline’ was upon us. In contrast, City had bought a whole host of ‘stars’, from Emmanuel Adebayor to Robinho, Gareth Barry to Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz to, er, Patrick Vieira.
We weren’t following the script when ‘has-been’ Michael Owen scored an injury time winner against City’s super expensive new back five in our first league meeting since the power shift supposedly began.
But surely this would come in to play during the League Cup semi-finals, with the final due to be played on the 34th anniversary of when City last won a trophy. It was written in the stars for the blues. But again we ruined it all for them. Tevez did his best to save the day, but even with three goals in two games against us, he couldn’t drag his team through to the final, with ‘has-been’ Giggs scoring in the first leg and ‘has-been’ Scholes scoring in the second.
So last weekend was finally the opportunity for them to assert themselves and shift that power. A win for them would help secure their place in the top four and almost certainly guarantee them entry to European’s elite competition, whilst also ending our title hopes.
Looking at the starting team, I wasn’t overjoyed if I’m honest. Scholes and Giggs hadn’t done enough against Blackburn, so although they were playing in different positions at Wastelands, I had still wanted ‘my mate’ Nani to start down the left. City would have pace and skill down both their wings, in Adam Johnson and Craig Bellamy, and I wanted us to have the same down our wings. But Giggs has his own attributes to offer, even if he isn’t as pacey as he used to be, and we saw that with our first real chance.
Giggs came in hard to win the ball and pass to Darren Fletcher, who struck just wide of the post. We were dominating play but the next good chance fell to City. Darron Gibson was hassling Tevez on the ball before the Argentinian chose to throw himself to the ground, looking at the ref as he fell. Tevez took the resulting freekick, which was heading for the top corner, before Edwin Van der Sar collected with relative ease.
The next chance fell to us, with Giggs playing a great ball forward to Wayne Rooney, who found Scholes. He struck the ball well, but like Fletch, was just wide of the target.
Rooney got himself in to a great position after shrugging off Kompany, but instead of playing the first time ball across the box, he hesitated, and what should have been a goalscoring opportunity became a corner. As usual, our corner was cleared by the first man. But let’s not be too harsh on Giggsy, he’s only been taking our corners for almost two decades…
Another great chance came for United when Antonio Valencia’s strength to win the ball in the air played in Rooney. This was probably our best chance of the game but Wazza struck with his left and couldn’t hit the target. You had to wonder whether it was going to be one of those days.
Valencia was showing off his creative flair again and put it on a plate for Giggs. But our veteran casually tapped the ball straight to Given. It was a certain goal, a chance Ryan could have had nightmares over had the result turned out differently.
Gary Neville, who did a good job on Bellamy all day, charged down the right and got a toe to the ball before the Welshman took him out. Sir Alex Ferguson said yesterday that Neville always studies his opponent before match day, which isn’t hard to believe when you look at the comprehensive job he did on a player who destroyed us at Old Trafford earlier this season.
The freekick that followed went straight to the first man, as if we honestly believed anything different could happen, as Berbatov started to warm up before replacing Rooney with 15 minutes to go. Rooney had been quiet and his only really memorable action was messing up our best chance. He wasn’t ready for a game of this magnitude and his place in the starting line-ups means it is no wonder Berbatov is being linked with moves to AC Milan. You imagine that if an offer of £20m came in for him the club would bite their hand off, although I would argue Huntelaar in a part-exchange isn’t anywhere near as appealing as it was a few years ago.
You wondered whether the substitutions were going to have an effect on the end result and I think it’s hard to deny that they did. City took off the unimpressive, yet still clearly potentially very dangerous in attack, Adam Johnson, for the defensive oldie, Patrick Vieira. That was all we needed to know. City wanted a draw.
They deceived us slightly when Tevez, who was unusually quiet, pressed forward and played in Bellamy. But the Welshman sliced his shot and messed up their second real chance on goal.
Giggs played in a ball for Nani to attack down the other end, but after sliding in he could only direct it wide.
Gareth Barry did little all game but could have changed everything when his great movement got him in to a dangerous position. Neville came across him and the former Villa captain dived impressively. No penalty, no yellow card.
Back down the other end and Nani played in a great ball to Berbatov, who directed his header just wide of Given’s post.
Then we had a goalmouth scramble after Van der Sar came for a ball he shouldn’t have, palming the ball straight to City, leaving Vidic to put in an excellent block before Fletch booted it away. Berbatov held the ball up well and released Nani on the break, but he lost possession and took his frustration out on the linesman.
Neville and Bellamy wrestled a bit just inside the City half, before the ball fell to Wayne Bridge in the box. Our right-back had covered the run well though, after scrambling free of Bellamy’s clutches, and pressured Bridge to shoot straight at our keeper.
And then the moment that made it all, and there is only one other player I would have preferred to gift us possession in injury time. Instead of keeping possession and playing it simple, Bellamy saw the headlines and tried to lob the ball forward to Shaun Wright-Phillips. Vidic, who had a great game, and showed us what we had been missing for so much of the season thanks to his injury, made the block and Gabriel Obertan picked up the ball. He played in Patrice Evra, probably desperate to atone for his crucial mistake in Munich a few weeks ago, who put in the perfect ball to Scholes.
He is 35-years-old. It was the hottest day of the year so far. We were 93 minutes in to the game. Yet there was Scholes waiting in the opposition box to win us the game. How’s that for a has-been?
Again, this is where the substitutions came in to play. We replaced like for like when taking off Valencia for Obertan, a winger for a winger. We replaced like for like when taking off Rooney for Berbatov, a striker for a striker. We made an attacking substitution when replacing Gibson for Nani, an attacking winger for a central midfielder.
City took off Adebayor for Wright-Phillips, a striker for a winger. They took off winger Johnson for defensive midfielder Vieira, as already mentioned. But most crucially of all, they replaced the ever-impressive De Jong with the less than impressive Stephen Ireland. Let’s be honest, the lad who supposedly grew up supporting United, was City’s best player last year and who has been linked with a move to us, has had a very disappointing season. Ferguson did all he could to expose this, getting Fletch to drop a bit deeper and playing Scholes further forward. Ireland had only been on the pitch ten minutes when he stood idly by and watched Scholes score the winner. He wasn’t in the game, he didn’t know where he was supposed to be, and our 5′ 7″ ‘has-been’ midfielder was presented with a free header just seconds before injury time elapsed.
We were the better team and we made the better substitutions, but I think credit needs to also go to the team selection. I imagine I wasn’t alone in not being too impressed with the boss but maybe there’s something to be said about his sentimental nature. Over half the players in our starting XI came through our academy. These are the players that live and breathe United, who will fight for the badge, who recognise the importance of derby day, and who will play until the final whistle every time we come up against our local rivals.
“That’s why United are where they are,” Harry Redknapp said earlier in the season. “They are a team and they are all together. When we played United at White Hart Lane the week before, my coaches, Tim Sherwood and Les Ferdinand, were in the stands along with the United boys who weren’t subs. They were jumping up and down at every decision and again when they scored their goals. That winning mentality goes right through the club. Gibson and all the other boys wanted to play but they also have those feelings that they showed. There are not many clubs where you get that. It’s something you’d like to develop. It’s hard to change some people but that’s what makes winning teams.”
Has Redknapp started to create this mentality at Spurs? Wins against Arsenal and Chelsea in the past week might indicate this Spurs team are starting to fight a bit harder and believe a bit more. It takes years to create something like Ferguson has, with passion for the club and a winning mentality running through the players, but Spurs look up for it. They didn’t just beat their local rivals, they were the better team, and this will galvanise anyone. They are as close to Champions League football as they were when they got robbed by food poisoning and they will be hungrier than ever to get that fourth spot.
The problem for them is they are facing a pretty driven team in Manchester United, with a manager more desperate than any for success, who has proven himself worthy time and again. He wants four in a row, he wants nineteen to the vermin’s eighteen, he wants to win.
Our lads had to sit in the dressing room after the Blackburn game and feel like the title had been lost. The fans in the stands certainly felt that way. We had blown it. So now, against Spurs, we know what is at stake if we don’t win. Chances are we won’t get a second go at this. We have to win all our games and hope that Chelsea draw somewhere along the way.
Modric is a great player, Bale is being hailed as the latest Spurs player we’re going to pinch, Pavlyuchenko is up for it, Defoe and Crouch will be hoping Capello is watching, Dawson has been fantastic and also wants a shot at being on that plane to South Africa, and essentially, we are playing against the fourth best team in the country. That is never going to be a walk over.
We have the second best home record this season and Spurs have the sixth best away record. That being said, they’ve only won 6 of their 16 games away from home, against Hull (18th), West Ham (17th), Portsmouth (20th), Blackburn (12th), Wigan (15th) and Stoke (11th).
It will be interesting to see which team the manager picks tomorrow. Will he pad out out the midfield as he usually does for the big games or will he trust in the faithful 442? Berbatov has scored twice in the four games he’s played against Spurs since joining us and is certainly in need of proving himself.
Ferguson might also opt to go with another former Spurs boy in the centre of midfield, drafting Michael Carrick back in alongside Darren Fletcher. You imagine Valencia and Nani will start on the wings, with Antonio helping out Neville when it comes to Bale.
If we don’t win tomorrow, we don’t deserve the league, so it may hurt, but we just have to get on with it. But I think we will win. I think we’ve got enough in our team, in terms of ability and desire, to go out and get those three points. We have got the right mix of youth, age, ability, home grown and fancy foreign players and our winning mentality is second to none. This is our trophy and I expect our lads to do everything in their power to keep it this season.
COME ON UNITED!
———————
Interview with a Spurs fan
Free £25 bet on the game
364 days ago today
Dear Mr Levy Previews the game
Man Utd News 24/7
We HAVE to won today!
COME ON REDS!
I will take a Spurs cheer for this special event…
To dare is to f*cking do…come on you reds!
Awesome picture.
Cmon you reds!
Wow, that war cry gets the adrenalin rushing big time,this could be a great day,We win, Arsenal Win.Dare to believe,Cmon the Boys,shout, no fucking Roar,Come on United.
I’m only asking for 1 one thing.
Win the title.
Come on United!
Come on United! Believe!
COME ON UNITED!
get stuck in lads.
COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
I had the Stone Roses on we beat Liverpoo and City, i’ve got them on today again, thats my good charm lol.
no rooney, but hargo on bench
vds
rafa evans vida evra
fletch schole gigs
valencia berba nani
get stuck in lads
this game today is going to be BRUTEL, I am not looking forward to the game, its been a good week it will only be a great week if the title race falls into uniteds hands. Forget about chelsea its what united do today and the pressure is on us to make sure chelsea have to win this weekend, but like I said last night united are jekyle and hyde I have no idea wjich united team will be playing today
No Rooney and Rio. Rooney is at the U18′s game.
no Rooney
Shit. I guess Rooney is one of the doubts that Fergie was talking about yesterday.
I hope this team will be enough.
well united are fucked with no rooney and why have united started with giggs in midfield and united have no pace upfront with no outlet
Bench:
Kuszczak, O’Shea, Brown, Gibson, Macheda, Carrick and Hargo(!).
No Park again.
Fuck, really disappointing news Wazza won’t be involved.
I am concerned today with berbatov starting upfront on his own who has no pace to trouble defenders
@RTNK
I think Giggs will support Berbatov up front. Given our options, I don’t think he could have done anything else. It’s frustrating and deflating to lose Rooney before a game like this. And I heard that he was training ok all week.
No Wazza, thats a blow. Come on Berba son, we need you to produce the goods today.
Hargo on the bench? Good!
Neville must have been the other doubt SAF talked about yesterday,
As an aside, for any of you with an iPhone… check out this latest App:
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/id368163313?mt=8
Come on u reds……the title’s ours….go for it!
RTNK – Stop moaning and get behind the lads.
Costas – I am really concerned today. our midfield looks it has not got the legs and unless valencia and nani really step up its going to be a long day at the office. Today we may get further proof our attacking options if you take rooney out of the picture are thread bear like I have been saying all season long.
willierednut – I am not moaning it is a worry, especially the fact berbatov cant play in a 433 system then it concerns me
Not surprised Rooney’s not in the squad, he didn’t train yesterday with the first team. However I would still have put him on the bench instead of Hargo, as Rooney’s probably fitter than him (?). Great to see Hargo back anyway. I hope Berbatov has a good game.
just hope Berba has a great day and gets that monkey off his back.
…not referring to the picture btw
@RTNK
In Rooney’s absence, Giggs was the only choice to try to play anything that resembles 4-4-2. Macheda should be an emergency solution.
As far as our midfield, it’s just about the same that has been playing for most of the season. It’s just that Scholes starts ahead of Carrick. I would have gone with Carrick in this game, but…
If it wasn’t for that midfield you’re complaining about, we wouldn’t even be in contention for the league. Nani and Valencia will cause the Spuds problems, 3 1 United.
As I said, I hope it will be enough. The good thing with playing 1 game a week is that the likes of Scholes and Giggs have time to recharge their batteries.
Let’s hope they won’t pull an Everton on us.
Costas – lets hope but the concern is united have no vocal point no outlet which is going to make life easier for the spurs defence, lets hope rooney does not get the same feeling like we had in the chelsea game because he is in that same area has we saw in the chelsea game, but I am concerned united have no vocal point to trouble the spurs defence, everyone is going to come deep making giggs in the hole quiet useless. Sorry I am moaning it is a real concern especially the way the season has gone
Rooney has a groin.likely to miss the season.excellent.
Gutted about Rooney, but we can still do this FFS.
Couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw a certain player’s name amongst the subs. Thought it was a mirage!
Let’s get behind the team, COME ON UNITED!!!
willierednut – do not forget this is the same midield that lost to chelsea, the only upside is nani is playing ahead of giggs on the wide positions
Hargreaves to come on and score the winning goal via a Free-kick.
well almost park started in midfield
Oh owen hargreaves! You are the love of my life!
On Rooney, i just wonder if Capello has been in Fergies ear.
@rtnk
forget the concerns and enjoy the game.we will see whatever happens
willierednut – LOL if that was the case fergie def has bowed down to the glazers, he had a whole week to prepare this news has shocked me rooney does not start
Yes! Owen Hargreaves! The sexiest footballer alive is back!
@AIG
Groin injury? Yep, it could be the season for him then. And unless Drogba misses all 3 games, he will probably beat hom to top scorer.
Damn, Wayne’s fitness is deteriorating in the last month. One set back after another.
It is now or never for Berba. I hope that he proves his doubters wrong!!!!!!!!!
We should out number Spurs in midfield, but the key will be getting it wide and more importantly, having people in the box.
rooney appears to be suffering from groin injury. seems somebody up there bend on not letting us win the 19th this year. whatever, we got to deal with it.
Come on United!
Come on Berba. Another chance.
Guys, this is Manchester United we’re talking about. You have to trust the lads to do the best they can to win today. And you have to trust Sir Alex, too. He wants the 19th more than us.
willierednut – well if united are to domminat the game outnumber spurs fletcher will have to do allot of the work
.
@willirednut
Yeah that will be very crucial. But it will be tough to score a header against King and Dawson. Hopefully we will grab the game by the neck from the off.
Costas – we all know rooney does pick up injurys every season he has been with us he has been injured and that is why the attacking options worrys me that no one has stepped up to help rooney out
U. N. I. T. E. D come onnnnnnnnnnnn!
Here we go again. Depending on Berbatov to do the business with Rooney injured. Can he do the business? Doubtful. I hope I’m wrong. Need big games from Nani and Valencia to support him as much as possible
Excited to see Rafael apply lessons learned v Bayern. He and Valencia will be a force down the right side.
@RTNK
Yeah that was to be expected. It was very doubt ful that Wayne would have an injury free season. And at the moment he is probably feeling the brunt of playing non stop since the start of the season. The sad thing is that this coincided with a time when Michael Owen is injured too.
Either way, if we are going to be champions, we have to believe that we can win these last 3 games without Rooney. United should be about more than just one player.
We can’t be too complacent about Spurs’ terrible record against us at old Trafford, just think back to Villa.
Come on United!
@costas
yes.groin injury.the signs that he wasnt fully fit were evident last week at the wastelands
Costas
Well said. If we’re incapable of winning tough games without one player we don’t deserve to be champions. I believe this is a very winnable match, but it’s going to be hard. Come on United!
@AIG
Didn’t seem like a groin thing, but I would understand why Fergie has kept quiet about it. To avoid the hysteria.
@bchilds
Exactly. Everything ends at some point. Hopefully it won’t be today for SPurs.
Off to watch the first half. Come on United!
if i were to bet i’d go for a United win with Berba making 2 assists but not scoring
but wtvr,just praying for a win tbh,come on United
COME ON UNITED!!!
Come you Reds for the fans around the World.Believe
HArd to say this about the man, but after the City match Giggsy with a bit to prove today.
SB
If we can beat them with ‘THEIR SQUAD’ minus Rooney then we are deserved champions.
Retweeted from Oliver Kay of the Times:
i stress this is unconfirmed, but rumour in pressbox is that Rooney might not play for #mufc again this season.
SB
Andygrey is the biggest SOB ever
Come ON we are knocking at the door, lets kick the fucker down
Is this ref Mariner the same fella who allowed Carragher to wrestle Owen to the ground at ‘afield’? He’s quite a prick.
Wow, what a cross by Rafael, but Valencia should of passed. Oh well. I hope this doesn’t bite us later like the Blackburn game. We need to start playing like a TEAM and stop those ambitious shots.COME ON UNITED
Due to Wazaa’s absence all players are trying to score for themselves. We shouldn’t waste our chances that way. Are lacking confidence or what?
HT
Need to get a goal, pressure them from the off.
Need to be vigilant at the back.
Need to win here.
Come ON REDS!
Lets up the tempo and get the goals.
Wake up Giggsy
@Brio
Yeah that’s the same ref.
It’s been a frustrating half. Spurs have done almost nothing up front, they are losing possesion easily, but we can”t capitalise. Some good defending by King when he blocked Berba’s turn. Berba could have done better with the volley in the end.
Oh, bless my heart! I was kinda hoping that United will do it the easier way today… we have to win. We need Berba to take one of the chances. And then the gates will open.
Let today be a lucky day please.
We’ve been ok so far, nothing more than ok but the game’s there for the winning.
Same story without rooney
Dominate,create a few decent chances but cant score. Spurs defending well and their bench is way stronger than ours
We really shoulld have been 2-0 up by now. Valencia and Berbatov should have scored. We need to bury those chances – otherwise we may rue them if we lose. We have been the better team so far, and I hope we maintain that performance in the second half. Come on Utd.
Ugh. We hold the game well but really need to be more creative in the final third.
We need a higher tempo and please lads do the simple things simply. Valencia should have passed to Berba who was totally unmarked. Our play on final third of the pitch must improve..
hello from inside old trafford , my misses just texted me saying “james why does that guy on sky sports hate man united ” I take it shes talking about Andy Gray. whats that fat fucker saying
giggs supporting that same berbatov as our attacking force? who will get us the all important goal?
Berbatov has been immense so far in my opinon. Really working his socks off, all he needs to do is get his shots on target.
Berbatovs display smacks of lack of confidence. He has had some half chances but you expect him to make more of them.
We had some good chances in the first half and our defending has been solid.. lets put some of those chances away now please lads!! Like the idea of Hargo coming on and scoring the winner although hopefully we can do it the easier way and score a few early. BELIEVE!! Come on United!!!!
Nani and Giggs need to contribute more if we are to win this game
Berbatov needs to score, he has had enough chances today…nani’s passing has been excellent again, but sometimes Giggs’ speed is just not there..we need to capitalize on spurs lack of controlling the ball, other than king and dawson, the others have been a bit quiet.
Good performance! Raphael was the better player on the first half. Good to see Owen makes it to the bench. Do you reckon he’s gonna play on the second half?
@Costas~ Owen Hargreaves last appearance in a match day squad was in the premier league was 580 days ago. Why do i have a hunch he’ll be subbed in in the 91st minute when it’s still 0-0 and he scores a hatrick? Oh my…………!!!!
I echo GHTT. What’s Andy Gray saying?
Please god let berbatov make me eat humble pie today by getting a fucking goal when we need him and have no rooney lol..
haha we playing so well best since bayern, we just need a goal i cant think of any changes that will make us better or provide a spark so the starting 11 is gonna have to win us this one
come on please please i’ve had a shit week i need you red devils to cheer me up
Marq: I thought Nani played okay.
@Brio
That’s a dram scenario. To win with a Hargo free kick at the death.
But, if Fergie wants attclking options, Kiko and Gibbo will get the nod before Hargo.
COME ON UNITED!!!!
TheRadLegion: If we need a Free Kicl late on, Hargo will be in the mix.
If you’re in the ground, START THE BERBA CHANTS! Build the lad up!
SB
@ curtis
I think Gibson on for Giggs would give Spurs more threat when we attack. Giggs doesn’t have the pace anymore and can’t chase the balls played to him. If we are still looking for a goal then Fergie should make this substitution.
Woah Patty!
Tough days these days. One needs a strong heart to be aMan Utd fan. We need a goal from somewhere…anywhere….own goal,deflection, penalty,offside goal, anything. I’ll be contented. Dangerous days we are living in. But we remain hopeful.
@ Costas~Gibson did a good job in the Bayern game, he should be on in the 60th minute if we dont have a goal by then(in place of Giggs)
Who will take it?
Ngige!!!!!!
Berba made that. Brilliant!
SB
sir ryan of giggsalot
gettin!!
GET IN!!!
Great work from Berbs for the goal
Here Here Bishopville, well said mate, fucking brilliant
Berba deserves a goal (at least) today.
Berbatov, genius…
terrific defending then from evans
Berba has exocised his demons.
Fletcher is having a fucking stormer, lets finish them off they are on the backfoot now, go for the kill
Berba has exocised his demons. But we are not safe. We need another goal.
What’s wrong with Ledley King? Is he a Chelsea fan? He seems to be everywhere inside their box!
Fuck it
Fuck! COME ON UNITED!
Rafael back in the doghouse.
Shit, piggybacked on carrick, king scores illegally
COME on you Reds, its do or Die time, pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
I’ll repeat what i said earlier: if we beat spurs tough in-form squad with this squad then we’ll be deserved Champions. Our best perferming trio this season Rooney, Evra & Valencia are out.
@COSTAS ~Our squad is down to the bare bones. We have no one else to call to.
DIFFERENT CLASS!
NANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
fuck berbatove nani is great
GEEETTT IN!
Our hero giant star…………NANI********** BRILLIANT
Macheda contributes with first touch! Roll on!
class, class GOAL!
NANIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
YYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
fukin hang on!!!
cmon time speed up!!!
I’m only 21, but being a manc is going to give me a heart attack some day…
Yes nani! Finally woken up!
peno……..
Pace kills! Well played Nani!
Just keep the ball, lads. Don’t let them have it. Keep it until the dying seconds, and then give it to Berba to score the third.
yyyeeeessss
well done nani
slot it home giggsy!
That is defo a penality
And, as it should be, Giggsy to end the game
thats that then……..
NANI Amazing. Oh gosh. MOTM. COME ON UNITED! THATS THE SPIRIT!
Scott what have you fed Nani during the Interview, pure class Giggsie, magnificent. Believe just fucking believe
Oh, this is great!
that is why i can trust berbatov
Fucking studs! Nobody is doing themselves any favours with boot sales today. Might as well wear trainers.
sir ryan of giggsalot
nani u fukin beauty – watta brilliant games hes had
did u guys see de silva celebrating nanis second goal
he was screaming his head off as if he scored it
shows it means soo much to him cus of his mistake in windering off the post
even though king was climbing all over carrick
justice!
what a touch and control from berbatov hahahaha
Marq: there you go.. Nanis contribution and gigs as well
lets not forget the fantastic through ball from kiko for Nani second
Two players throwing up… what’s up with that??
thank you nani and giggsy! arise sir ryan! old trafford is rocking, what wonderful match. team spirit is unbelievable unlike any other in the world. well done lads!
Everyone of the Boys out there today have done us proud,resilent teamwork fight spirit determination,
A gutsy ballsy performance,I say thank you and I mean that, as proud as punch,chuffed to bits for every single one of them.A vintage Manchester UNITED display.
Now to complete the day lets hope Arsenal tonight, finish Shitty and we can all have a brilliant week end. Believe it aint over, it most certainly fucking is not.Believe
COME ON YOU MIGHTY REDS……………………………..UNITED UNITED UNITED
STAND UP FOR THE CHAMPIONS!
STAND UP FOR THE CHAMPIONS!
STAND UP FOR THE CHAMPIONS!
STAND
UP
FOR
THE
CHAMPIONS!
SB
YES!!!!
Over to you Chelsea Scum!!!
Then of course let’s see what that bullock Simon Mullock has to say about that cheat Lennon.
Yes!! Almost got a heart attack there at the equalizer but what a comeback! What the hell though? Did someone tried to poison the players?
@UNITED4life or ANTI-BERBATOV4life
Lay off for once will you? Dear Lord.
One wonders if we’ll have enough fit players for the next two games!
Can’t wait for the headlines: “UNITED WIN, EVRA AND NANI GUTTED”
SB
Fucking get in!!!
Great second half performance from the lads, showed real grit and determination. I thought Berba had a quality game, I’m quite quick to criticise him so I must praise him when he has a good game.
Haha, I said at halftime Nani and Giggs need to step up, well they did! Fantastic penalties from Giggs and outrageous finish from Nani. Berbatov did well today, even though he did not score, but nobody can accuse him of being lazy today, he ran hard and held the line well, all he needed was support, and no surprise we looked more dangerous when Macheda came on to help him
We’ve done our bit, now its up to Stoke!
Massive win. Performance was a bit scrappy, but I could care less at this point. Young Rafa went mental at Nani’s genius goal. Next time be more careful lad.
What’s up with out guys throwing up? They drunk Carslberg?
There are still knobs slagging Berba? If not for him, we wouldn’t even have the first goal ffs!!
@Costas
Unfortunately there’s been an influx of muppets on the site lately, forget they’re there pal!
I’ll waer my imaginary stoke jersey
@bchilds
Yeah he did mate. Could have done a bit better with some final efforts, but he did well overall. Just proves that we don’t need him or Rooney to score in order to win games.
YES!!!!! FUCKIN BELIEVE THAT WE”RE GONNA WIN THE LEAGUE!!!!!
NANI IS SO FUCKIN BRILLIANT!!!!!!
ARGGGH…SO HAPPY….CAN’T SLEEP TONIGHT!!!
must be some crazy stomach bug in manchester. Funny i’ve been down with the same thing for some time now. Nani’s goal was fantastic, and Berbatov showed his class today, real quality.
Quite frankly i think Evra should be the next captain, turning to another model player after giggs and scholes.
And yeah, andy gray is a first class twat, he was spewing shit all game
No matter how well Berba did today, I hope Rooney can make a speedy recovery for Sunderland. We need all of our guns. Although I must say that Kiko did fantastic.
@bchilds
Yeah I am aware about it, lol. They appear even when we win.
This shirt is a symbol of defiance – we defy those that do not believe
@Slim
What was Gray going on about ? I heard UNited fans bash him at half time too. I don’t watch the Premier League via Skysports.
i watch it through stream channel & goal update through website…every mins refreshing to get updated…united show never say die attitude…as always…UNITED ARE CHAMPIONSSS!!!!!
We have not only beaten the most in form team in the PL but we dominated them – and won convincingly. Arsenal and Chelsea’s performances against Spurs didn’t were wofeul on the other hand. We were the better team today. Spurs created fuck all for the majority of the game. We did have two penalties given, but we fought back after Spurs levelled and scored – something Arsenal and Chelsea couldn’t do. We had dozens of chances and maintained the tempo and pressure – again something Arsenal and Chelsea couldn’t do. This is why we are the current champions – and why we deserve to remain PL champions.
I was fuming at Rafael after they scored – he was at fault, no doubt. But Nani saved his ass today. I loved they way he celebrated in the stand however – shows how relieved he was. Great performance fom us today. Pressure’s on the rentboys now.
Top of the League, we’re top of the League!
Great game. Cracking result once again when all seemed lost.
I said yesterday nani isnt and wont be a ronaldo. Well in those last 20 mins he did everything to prove me wrong.He still has long long way to go but today were probably the first steps to greatness. When he went through i immediately thought he was going to try and hammer it but the way he chipped it was brilliant. The brilliant run for the 3rd goal was the icing on the cake.
Not great for Carrick i am afraid. He was overpowered too easily for the goal something that has happened quite lot in recent days.
Giggsys penos were excellent. That is where experience shows. It was a high pressure one and he showed his calmness there.
Great result. Over to You chelsea
A win is a win, but if I was Fergie I would not be happy with today’s performance. One single time that we passed the ball decently around their box we scored. Our play in the final third, not only today, has been up to United’s standard. We could do with someone like Luka Modric.
Enough moaning, I hope Rooney is back and we stroll through the last two matches and hopefully rent boys get even more anxious and slip again. It is a shame they do not play today.
Giggs has grown into a player that does only what’s necessary. His penalties fall into that category. He knows how to pick a corner and slot them beyond the keeper. Pretty good for someone who hasn’t taken a competitive penalty this year.
It was never i doubt, fellas. Never in doubt.
@Berbatov – we want more of that from now on, pal.
Massive result, nani did brilliantly to score his goal! Absolutely top draw. Fergie should just F’ck england and play rooney against sunderland now.
Great game, typical United this season.
Boring first half with few missed chances, building pressure, picked up a goal around 60th minute. They surprisingly got back in despite being poor in attack throughout, then a nice team attack with lots of movement finished with a moment of brilliant individual skill and another one late to kill them off.
Great game, Nani, Fletch and Evra were really good. Also Berba, Macheda, Vidic and Scholes deserve a mention
come on stoke!!!!!!!!!! nani MOM
Nani you fucking beauty
Good stuff. Very good stuff. This is the kind of stuff Champions are made are made of. Winning against the form team & without 3 of the best performers (Rooney, Evra & Valencia)!!! I salute all the lads with special mention to Nani,Scholes & Giggs. We are deserved Champions.KUDOS!!!!
@Fred
It was one of those “piece of piss” games hey?
It’s a shame the Blackburn game didn’t fall into that category. Hopefully Stoke can rectify that now.
@aig
I thought Carrick did quite well during the game… And King was always going to overpower him (or half our team for that matter)
He helped a lot in defense when he was brought on. I didn’t want to see him in the game quite frankly, but I’m happy he proved me wrong.
Giggs is God. All that pressure, all the pressure in the fucking world, and he scores two penalties. Or to be precise two absolutely perfect penalties. Into the inside side-netting. Most men would have been crushed under the pressure like a submarine that’s dived too deep, but he just delivers. I have no idea how he manages it.
Nani was brilliant today as well, as was the whole midfield. They didn’t produce much in the first half but they were making interceptions, stealing ball, breaking things up and that’s all good. Berbatov did brilliantly to force the penalty and lead the line as well as an attacker can who can’t buy a goal.
Rafael made another mistake, and it was big enough to stand out, but it’s easy to forget how young he is. When he masters his trade as he surely will learning from the likes of Evra and Neville then he is going to be immense. I would hate to see him turn into one of those attacking wingbacks who can’t really cut it as a defender but I don’t think he will if he keeps learning.
Credit where it’s due to Tottenham though, not many teams come to Old Trafford, face a United team that needs to win, tie the game at one-one, then make an attacking substitution. They came to win a football game and that is the attitude of the best teams.
Vidic was a monster today, gave fuck all away. i wish his missus would settle down and fall in love with the great british weather
Dont care how we did it but very happy with the last 20 minutes of the game and I wont be moaning about anything tonight.
I think there must have been a batch of dodgy sausage rolls in the canteen though,Evra and Nani should stick to the pizza.
Thank God Nani came up with that brilliant moment, because that equalising goal was too soft. Carrick and Rafael could/should have done a bit better. You don’t want to cut your throats at this stage of the season.
April 24, 2010 at 13:43
Marq says:
Nani and Giggs need to contribute more if we are to win this game
Is that enough of a contribution for you lol?
Who was throwing up? I missed that
WHAT A FANTASTIC DAY! NANI AND BERBA FTW!
HAVE A LOOK AT ALL THE GOALS HERE:
http://unitedarmy.info/goals-united-v-spurs/
SO HAPPY!
Overall Carrick did well though. You need his patient passing in times like that.
@Maik
he didnt do badly but he has been caught flat footed many times. It puzzled me as to why he didnt jump for the corner.kind of free header for king. Same happened in the olic goal Did well to track his run and then just went down and during the torres goal when he lost the ball in midfield.he has to show more strength. There is a reason why he isnt being picked. he is having a dip in form. Scholesys form isnt helping him to be honest
@Fze 123
Evra and Nani did. Maybe they found out about Cristiano Ronaldo dating Kim Kardashian.
United4lyfe
You are a fucking disgrace and I am ashamed to be a Manchester United fan associated with someone like you. Whats your problem? parents beat you when you were a child? Mobbed by Bulgarian gypsies?
We support the team you dont celebrate the fucking goals even we score you use it as a chance to slag off Berbatov who actually played well today! I am never this angry but seriously mate fuck off we dont need that on a good blog like this slating one player every chance to sound cool when you should be celebrating a goal!.
Good stuff today, come on Stoke!.
@FZE123
evra at the start of the 2nd half and then nani towards the end of the game.
Early kickoffs dont help with the searing heat. Thank god they dont play in India. Its 40degrees here.
The defence was superb today. Evans is always at his best when playing with Vidic, but when paired with Rio he doesn’t play as well. We did well and dealt with their attacking threat quite comfortably.
From today’s game I think we can all agree that Nani > Bale.
FZE123 – Evra threw up a couple of litres of water while nani bent over to throw up but did not deliver the same volumetric output that Patrice did…dehydration I think
Yikes .. Rooney out 2-3 weeks – official statement by SAF
five
probably beat up as a child
@Slim
totally agree on Vidic. What amazes me is it looks as if he isnt putting in any effort. makes it look so easy
We HAVE to keep hold of him. Evans looks very comfortable besides him
@DomCon
Oh, that’s horrible news. He could have reached 40 goals if it hadn’t been for his damn injuries.
Cheers AIG and Costas. Nani tends to feel a bi t sick when he has a good game, he nearly fainted against Bayern too, but Evra throwing up is strange.
IN THE GARDEN WITH A BEER AND A YOU KNOW WHAT AND A FORK TO POKE THE MEAT LOL GREAT STUFF WE WENT MAD WHEN NANI SCORED THAT BEAUTY TO TAKE OUR LEAD BACK WHAT A FUCKING GOAL AYE – BE GRATEFUL HE IS A UNITED PLAYER BOYS – WHAT A FUCKING GOAL !!!!! BESIDES HIM OUR TEAM PERFORMANCE SPEAKS FOR ITSELF GREAT QUALITY JUST WANTED TO SAY REMEMBER WHAT I WAS SAYING 24 HOURS AGO ON THE “VIEW FROM THE ENEMY” THREAD ??? THATS WHY I WAS BANGING ON – COS I KNWO WHAT THE FUCK IM TALKING ABOUT LOL GET IN !!!!!
PEOPLE SAYING NANI WILL NEVER BE BETTER THEN RONALDO ???
- FUCK OFF YE DUMB CUNT
WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE ON? ARE YOU WAITING FOR THE PAPERS AND MEDIA TO TELL YOU WHEN TO SUPPORT NANI? HAHA IF BERBATOV SCORED TWO AGAINST BAYERN NEARLY TAKING US THROUGH SINGLEHANDLY AND IF HE CORED THAT CHIP TODAY YOU LOT WOULD BE WANKING AWAY ITS PATHETIC WHAT IS YOUR PREJUDICE SUPPRORT THE LAD HES BEEN HERE LONGER THAN BERBATOV AND HE’LL BE HERE LONG AFTER BERBATOV LEAVES – WHY DONT YOU DEFEND NANI LIKE YOU DO BERBATOV AYE? GET BEHIND NANI AND STOP TALKING HIM DOWN – YES HE FUCKING CAN BE BETTER THEN RONALDO, COURSE HE CAN, WHAT RONALDO DID FOR US WAS SCORE IMPORTANT GOALS WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND CONSISTENTLY GIVE GREAT PERFORMANCES TO RAISE THE TEAM, ITS NOT LIKE RONALDO FED THE ENTIRE STADIUM WITH A SINGLE LOAF OF BREAD LOL HE DIDNT WALK ON WATER HE JUST PLAYED VERY VERY VERY WELL – SO IF NANI DOES THAT AND STAYS LOYAL TO US INSTEAD OF FUCKING OFF TO MADRID THEN OF COURSE HE CAN BE A BETTER UNITED PLAYER THAN RONALDO – SO STOP BEING A SILLY LITTLE CUNT AND SUPPORT YOUR FUCKING TEAM ALRIGHT MATE? HAVE A GOOD DAY FELLAS THE SUN IS SHINING THE WEATHER IS SWEET !!! COME ON YOU BEAUTY AND COME ON STOKE !!!!! ALL IS FORGIVEN RAPHAEL COS I KNOW YOU WILL NEVER DO THAT AGAIN. LOL. JUST LIKE HIS RED CARD AT BAYERN HE HAD A GREAT GAME TODAY. I FORGIVE YOU SON – OUR FUTURE IS BRIGHT !!!!! FABIO IS EVEN BETTER !!! BRING ON THE MEXICAN !!!!! KIKO LOOKED HUNGRY !!!! WHO SAW HARGREAVES ??? I CANT WAIT TILL NEXT SEASON BOYS !!!!
ONE MORE THING…. I’VE FINALLY DECIDED…. OLE FOR MANAGER !!!!!!!
OLE OLE OLE !!!!!!
NO PEP NO MOOR AND NO CAPELLO
OLE IS THE BEST MAN FOR THE JOB IMO – ALEC IS GOING NO WHERE ANYTIME SOON – LETS GIVE OLE PITCHSIDE EXPERIENCE WEEK IN WEEK OUT WITH ALEC UNTIL THE BIG MAN STEPS DOWN. CALL ME A UNITED SUPPORTER BUT I WANT AN IN HOUSE SUCCESSOR – BARCELONA HAVE JUST DONE IT SO WHY THE FUCK CANT WE – DONT THINK LIKE A SMALL CLUB THINK BIG PAL – OLE CAN DO THE JOB –
OK MEATS BURNING LOL NAH JUST PLAYING ITS TASTY – THE REDS GO MARCHING ON.
Nani turning into our second best attacking player. Fantastic today.
@Fze123
It’s probably dehydration as AIG said. I hope we don’t have a virus running around the dressing room.
We will beat Stoke without rooney. The game next week will be the difficult one. However Chelsea will have played the dippers by then so things will become much clearer and we will know whether we have a chance of winning the league or not
Any news on valencia’s injury????
@Paul Parker…..lol….getting a good buzz on mate?
come on now Rory Delap FC ! Do the long throw ins ! haha.
It was nice to see Hargo back in OT. Any news regarding Evra and Nani’s vomit ? What happened to them ?
@Costas says:
Dont get me started with that ass. I used to like him, but i can see through him now , either that or he’s tired of pretending to be impartial. No credit by him to Nani when he scored. all he could say about the goal was, where was Bale who was supposed to be marking Nani.
Funny really cos 5 minutes before that he was saying how Bale was a young player and will only get better defensively. And when spurs scored his mind went into overdrive, going on about Spurs putting a second one and winning the game and if chelsea win theirs then its game over over United.
His tone was just not right, and sounded like a real prat
@FZE123
welcome mate.
@Paul Parker
Calm down. It was a great goal but that does not make him Ronaldo. Probably the first steps to greatness as i said but its a long way to go
@costas….SAF said on the radio that there is ‘sickness in the camp’
we will have to finish this season with the same formation we had in the two halves of this game, what a shame about Wayne, now Drogba will overtake his goals and end up winning the player of the year….fuck!
Hopefully we win the league at least, 2 games left sunderland and stoke…
Great win today, excellent performance from Vidic, Berba.Kiko’s courage and quickness suited the game well. Excellent pass to Nani and what a finish. Up until then, nani was quite meh.
What penalties from Giggsy, wow. Thanks a lot, soothed my nerves.
What’s with the bug afflicting Evra and Nani?
Fergie says Rooney out for 2-3 weeks. Time for Berba and Kiko to put on their goalscoring boots for the next two games.
Seriously – why does Hoddle look so glum all the time? It’s like he is hurting just to be talking commentary!
Hate to moan about this over and over again, but how does Rooney(who we heard trained all week), gets ruled out for the rest of the season? Hiw did he get inured again?
And this isn’t the first day we’ve played with so much heat. Surely we could have looked after our players better?
FZE, COSTAS, AIG: I think Spurs brought their 2006/7 pre-match meal recipe books (MAtchday 38 edition)
SB
Costa- Good reason for the puking mate!
@Costas – Could very well be Fergie playing his usual games
(lets hope thats the case)
And yes, judging by the past few games, the most imp bit of business we do in the summer should be keeping hold of Vida. Evans/Rio are fine defenders, but Vida is just something else altogether.
BTW, whats with Andy Gray ?? At one point in the game, he was like Berba will have to score the title winning goal for him to be ‘”really accepted’” by the United faithful .. WTF
fantastic game we had today! Experience once again comes in handy, isn’t it? Just another thing I learn from watching football and United. 2 super PKs from Giggs – no chance for Gomes. After the equalizer from King, I some how felt it would be Nani who was going to make impact remembering his goals against Spurs couples seasons ago, and it was him
Berba played well today, but I couldn’t see him a threat as a goal scorer, he’s just better as a link-up player this season. Hopefully, that’ll change next seasons 
@jespermoses
Cheers. That explains things then. I hope it gets sorted out quickly. Good thing the Sunderland game is 8 days away.
@ Paul Parker, I know what you mean but in order for Nani to become as good as Ronaldo, if that is what he is aiming for anyway, he will need to practice his freekicks, which are currently, erm, pretty shit to be honest. However, his transformation is really quite remarkable. He took the same route Fletcher took and stepped up his game to a whole new level. With great performances against Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern, City and Spurs this season – all big games – he has truly shown what he is capable of.
@aig alex is god says:
Would be good if we could keep the guy, but i get a genuine feel of dread when it come to Vidic, he’s the only hard man type defender we’ve got, the others a more rolls Royce type defenders. Anyways worry about that at the end of the season. i hope its another memorable weekend with city losing at arsenal and Rory Delap FC get one over chelsea
@Slim
Thanks. My guess is that when we reach crucial points of the season like this, his mask falls off. He must have believed that this season his beloved Chelsea will win the title.
Nothing Bale could have done about that goal by the way.
well I would like to say sorry for doubting united today, the way the season has gone I had doubts today but luckily united won, did not ment to offend anyone but I thought with no rooney and a striker out of position we would fail sorry PPL
the f*ck, why 2-3 weeks all of a sudden? Just watch, he’ll play against brucies’ minions.
@DomCon
Hope so mate. If it’ a groin strain, he could rush it, but in all likelyhood he will get injured again.
@ PaulParker, what a hilarious post you sound as if you are having a fucking cracking time, that comes across loud and clear, on the fuking jungle juice, have a brilliant barbie, make sure the munchies are cooked properly too or you will be barfing around the garden too.Have a great day, am of the boozer, to get tanked up ready for The Arsenal later this evening, stages at a time if you get my drift.
Addois.Another great day to be a RED.
RTNK- At least you’re man enough to admit you were wrong and that you doubted the team.
watching this match once again shows that Nani is so great on the right wing. Very effective and looks fatal all the time. I love Valencia but I still think that it’s a little unfair for Nani if we just use him mainly on the left only because valencia can’t be used there.
It will be a tough tough choice next season if we get a good left winger.
Now, Stoke stoke stoke
@Costas – exactly, mate. Piece of piss. If Rooney hadn’t got injured against Bayern we’d have beaten Chelsea and Blackburn too. Ah well, “que sera, sera.”
WHEEE.we’re seriously back from the dead.If Nev was playing,Nani would have gotten what Scholesy has gotten last week.
Little worried bout the thowing up.Evra looked really sick.And nani too.heard it could have been the effect of salt tablets churning stuff in the stomach.was a really warm day today.
it feels nice to relax after a great result for now, and look forward to your rival’s game.i thought we were defensively good,except the big boo-boo from Rafael.if the game ended 1-1,oh man,i dread to think whatRafael’s ears would have gone through.anyway, we would have been too busy blasting the young lad.he went mental when Nani scored.feel like strangling Rafael at times.He’s a BRILLIANT player,but very poor defensively.the boy’s got a lot to learn,and it looks like he’s gonna be of the United greats.Good job by Berba,a goal for him would have silenced the boo-boo boys,but nevertheless he was pivotal today.
i need to wrap Nani’s legs and Vida’s head in 24K gold.
Well, were do i start a fooking gutsy performance from the lads, just when Chelsea were getting excited abut Spurs claiming a draw, the old man stepped up and produced the goods from the spot. Nani son, you’ve got big balls, i mean what a finish from the kid.
Berbatov also done brillant for the first penalty and was unluky with a few shots, but we’re gonna need to score a goal or 2, with Rooney out now for the season. What the fook was up with our players being sick, i suspect Chelsea skullduggery lol. ps United for fooksake stop doing that my heart can’t take no more lol and RTNK thats why you play giggs and scholes on days like this
@Costas says
Exactly mate, i was surprised when he wasn’t in the starting line up. as far as i knew he’d been training all week. There were even pictures and an interview with him on the united site.
i feel really gutted he’s gonna miss the remainder of the season
RedScot: “piggybacked on carrick, king scores illegally”
I saw that too. No comments from commentators – strange ? NOT !
Is it any wonder that Nani scored after he switched to the right?
@willierednut
It was gutsy alright. Our players were puking their guts out.
I know that one is a winger and the other is a striker, but Nani and Kiko seem to have a very good understanding.
@Slim
Me too. But in a way it’s symbolic. We’ve faced great adversity for most of the season and we are ending it in the same manner.
Paul Parker – I think you could be right mate about Nani, if Ronaldo or Messi finished like that, the media would be drooling like a dog with rabies.
Looking forward to Sunderland away now:
Steve Bruce, Kieran Richardson, Phil Bardsley, Fraizer Campbell, Rio’s little brother…
They’ll roll out the red carpet for us.
NOW COME ON STOKE FFS!
dv-ant @ 14:34: “nani u fukin beauty – watta brilliant games hes had”
I wouldn’t go that far – he did two absolutely great things: the goal, of course, and then winning the penalty with real “professional” play. Otherwise, he was a bit inconsistent. However, those two great things were spectacular in-and-of themselves. Good on him. FWIW, I’ve always been a big fan of Nani – the inconsistency comes with the brilliance; it’s part of a package and you have to ask yourself whether you’d prefer a guy who has some brilliance and some dunderhead-moments or a guy who is just plain ordinary (without naming names !)
@spot on Denton..King was climbing all over Carrick yet surprise surprise fuck all mentioned.
The anti-united feeling in the press nowadays is just so fucking blatant..its hilarious at times.
Scholes was MOTM for me. Nani obviously was immense but Scholesy outclassed every Spurs’ midfielder. I wish he was a few years younger so we can play him in the last two games but it’s too much if an ask. I am chuffed he will still be here next season, even if he is used more sparingly.
Now Stoke, You can at least get a draw at the Bridge, their arseholes will be flapping big time, come on ye Stokeeeeeeeeeee!
strong result
stoke do us a favour
nani goal shows about his confidence…great confidence from him knowing what happened if he miss it…and rafael celebration after nani goal…wonderful
yes and big hug for Scholesy too.his passing was tremedous.
would this be the first time no one would say ‘controversial’ penalties?the 2 penalties were stone-wall.Oh wait,nah,there’s bound to be some paper that’ll probably comment against our penalties.
my throat was sore after screaming that much for Nani’s goal.
redscot @ 14:39: “Everyone of the Boys out there today have done us proud,resilent teamwork fight spirit determination”
Correct – even Dimitar Berbatov did OK.
I was especially impressed with Rafael’s performance. By-and-large, he kept his hands off his man and was bright, alert, lively, and well-positioned. Coming on the heels of his nightmare in the CL – remember that ? – he seems to have the character to match his talent.
KikoTheKid’s little pass to spring Nani was wonderful. He’s a proper center-forward and, for cosmic and unexplained reasons, things just seem to happen when he’s on the pitch – kinda like the opposite of what goes on with Dimitar Berbatov who just doesn’t seem to be on the right wave-length so that he’s a perpetual “nearly man”.
Kudos also to SAF – his substitutions worked out pretty well.
My fantasy-end to this season is, of course, for TheLads to run to the table; for TheArse to beat ManShitty later today; for Stoke to draw at Stamford Bridge tomorrow. This would mean that the match at AnFailed would be massive and TheVermin could choke on winning or even drawing ! – thereby securing the glorious 19th for UTD. How sweet would that be ?
UP THE POTTERS!
Nani – what a lad! A thousand times better than Ronaldo could ever be. For many reasons that is. He had willpower, he had the game wrapped around him, he had the determination and the desire to win. That second goal took confidence.
I think that we have proved today that United deserve that trophy in the cabinet again, Chelsea lack in alot of areas, it’s a miracle they are that high at the top. Our players showed today that they are a team that have the mentality to win whatever they can when they put their minds to it.
Alex Ferguson will not be going anytime soon. Nor will our supposed ‘past it’ players.Berbatov is not crap, he is good player who needs more trust put to him as he proved today – fantastic, Our youth will continue to grow. Our mentality will get more determined. The fans will shout louder from the stands. Red will keep running through united no matter how many pictures of the blues are put all over it. United going to loosen up and back down? Fat chance.
fze @ : 15:29: “Scholes was MOTM for me. Nani obviously was immense but Scholesy outclassed every Spurs’ midfielder. I wish he was a few years younger ”
He really does confound FatherTime. But I just don’t understand why the opposition does set out to crowd, hurry, harrass, and hassel him – when he’s allowed to play in his rocking chair then the magic is on display.
Oh, I meant ‘Red will keep running through manchester no matter how many pictures of the blues are put all over it’
I love united, but they don’t half make me panic and almost have a series of heart attacks sometimes. I can’t think!
Marq @ 14:44: “Berbatov did well today, even though he did not score, but nobody can accuse him of being lazy today, he ran hard and held the line well, all he needed was support,”
I’d say he was OK, nothing more. The thing is he seems to have reverse-karma – nothing seems to work for him. This was a perfect occasion for him to silence “BerbaSceptics” like me BUT he flubbed his lines, again. The stuff about him being “lazy” misses the point because Dimmy tries but there’s not much “end product”. There’s no question about his skill but his timing/postioning seem be on a different planet from the rest of the team.
Scholes performance is not surprising to me, he’s been doing that for years.
Congrats everyone!!!
i missed the match but just all the goals. Cheeky stuff by Nani
relive the goals here: http://www.manutd24.com/match-zone/video-manutd-3-1-tottenham-all-goals/
Denton Davey – You’re obsessed with Berbatov mate, you should be praising the lads for that gutsy performance, instead you’re having digs at berba.
Off topic does anyone know why Jimmy Bullard is getting such a bad reception by the Hull fans? Is it because there’s no clause in his contract for reduced wages when they get relegated?
am always a Nani fan. he has been in great form since CC against city. Scholse is MOTM no doubt about that he run the show. many thinks spurs’ modric, palacios and co will overrun our CM but he showed them he is not finished yet(best CM player in his prime for many years). Rafael needs to learn how to defende a corner and no doubt he will and become best RB for many years.
Today our players step-up to the occasion except one player. he has two games to save his place at UNITED.
According to soccernet’s Match Day Liveblog Bullard’s been shit in the last few games, and Hull paid a lot for him.
Ryan Shawcross can do a job for us. Hope Stoke wins, though a draw will do.
@UNITED4life
You gotta be kidding haven’t you, Berba (I assume that’s who you are commenting on) had a quality game today. I was impressed with him. Must add goals but his performance level was good.
UNITED4life: I hardly see how Berbatov has not stepped up. May I remind you that he helped win the 1st penalty.
I hope Ferguson will do the right thing and let him stay on.
if anyone have that Kai Rooney in Utd Shirt..please share me here.. I love to see him in United Kit..
Thanks !
@lucas
Blatent PR stunt, I love Wazza and he does care about our club and loves playing for us but we’re not HIS club, at home I bet Kai sleeps under an Everton duvet!
Berba did well today. Showed some fight, won some difficult headers and created the situation that got us that incredibly important first penalty.
Well. Anyone see my message yesterday? Mark my word for Nani? LOL
I think he will be more of a threat when he can score goals, what a goal. I thought he should roam near the penalty area more and oh my how he did it. I glad that Nani score that out of nowhere goal. It goes to show you guys need to show more credit for fuck sake. His goal change the season for us. Cheers for those who support him. I like to mention Berbatov too. He did well. He should go up front like today and tried to be more physical and head more ball, this is great. If he can perform like this more, he will be a key player for us. His defining moment for us is this match. He might not leave this summer. Lastly, what happen to Evra and Nani. There is something fishy.
Kel – Yes mate he done well, not great by any means, but you can see his confidence is shot to hell.
Today highlighted more than ever how Berbatov is suited for playing 4-4-2. Don’t get me wrong he did very well today, I bet many people weren’t at all confident when they saw Rooney wasn’t playing. Berbatov lead the line well and created the first goal and used his strength well. He was putting himself about all day winning headers making tackles etc. However the amount of times he was winning headers just crying out for someone to be able to pick the ball up for them/put them in the net, such as Fletcher’s chance 2 yards out from Berba’s knockdown.
This really puts the pressure on Chelsea but they have time to settle themselves down. Last weekend must have deflated them. Stoke have to put in a terrific performance tomorrow.
Yeah Berbatove has 2 games to rescue his career at United. Berbatov on the other hand is safe for next season.
United4Life is clearly just trying to wind us up right now.
Proud of our team, we have had everything thrown at us this season, unjust sending offs, massive injuries, ronaldo and tevez leaving but we pulled it off
United>EVERYBODY
Berbatov showed enough today to suggest hes going to be up for it against Sunderland and Stoke. As long as everyone keeps fit for those two games and Chelsea slip up we can win the league
@five
Sunderland is a tricky fixture, but if we get by them, then we will guarantee ourselves that we will take it to the final day of the season. After the Chelsea game I would have gladly taken that. Will Chelsea slip up though? It’s anyone’s guess. They play twice before we kick a ball again.
Costas – lol mate, disappointing when the team are puking their guts out and giving everthing, some still have to have a go at berba.
One word:
http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/kits/24501/football-fashion-dwight-yorkes-shiny-silver-pimp-suit.html
QUALITY!
Spurs and City have got to play each other. City have 3 tough games remaining. Liverpool are still in with a chance for the 4th spot. If they actually beat Chelsea then they are really in with a chance.
We need Arse to beat City first.
berbatov – dragged so many spurs players all around him in the box before releasing to evra, just a beauty to watch.. if only we had a further aerial view of this moment then you will see what I’m talking about. just need to brush up on those headers, but don’t worry, even the best players only seem to polish up their headers after a long time (rooney & ronaldo)
nani – have been behind him all the time, so you can understand how happy i am whenever he plays & scores. his control is brilliant, like scholes and berba. unlike ronaldo and valencia, he goes through defence not around it. just as effective, but creates more chaos and pulling out defenders out of their positions to close him down, like berba does. but that chip was something else!
rafael – unbelievable mistake! caught napping at the far post, playing around with his shoes! i’d have forgiven him if he was somehow outmaneuvred but ffs he wasn’t even half alert before the ball was headed in! i don’t care how young he is.. it’s the title on the line.. if that doesn’t make him sit up and pay attention then i don’t know what will!
come on chelsea.. bottle up!
@ Bishopville Red
My eye!. My eyes!
What was he thinking?!
denton davey
Hey, i think you should be too mean now. After what a emotional match and season defining moment, you should give praise. Although Nani is inconsistent with his pass and cross, but he did gives 2-4 nice through ball. Did any other players did that? No. Nani goal reminds me or Messi ones against Arsenal in the champions league. If arsenal had Nani, they could love him so much than some united fans.
Btw, Berbatov did well. I hope he can be more physical towards opposition and gives them pressure and hard to handle. He might stay on next season. This match, he did very well. Give him credit for it.
Got to love 50 Cent…I mean Dwight Yorke!
@willierednut
Well that’s the main reason why I wish Rooney will be fit against Sunderland and Stoke. Because the “Can Berbatov justify the 30 million” crap will begin. Doesn’t bother me if it happens in here, but the press have been doing it non stop.
@Bishopville Red – Yorkey’s suit was quality. Could be an omen that the Premier League silverware is on its way to Old Trafford imho.
Thats what you get when you date Jordan, bad dress sense lol.
willierednut, Costas, sinred:
On you go. I’m no fucking talking to you. He’s a fucking great dresser. Yous are fucking idiots.
Appart from his quality display Nani has showen fighting sprit that is a trademark of UNITED player. his ranting against berbatovE(costas?) for poor passing.
yorke sure know how to shine…lol
For me, the key thing is how even the commentators are saying how he should be the complete package. Ferguson paid 30mil for him, that’s all I need to know and if he is happy I am happy.
I hope Stoke kills off Chelsea and Wigan somehow gets a performance against Chelsea.
UNITED4life- I’m sure when Berba rants at someone for poor passing it’s because he’s an arrogant, lazy, good-for-nothing cunt?
Someone said I was crazy about a year ago, when I said that Nani was in the top 5 most naturally physically gifted players in the world. Great game, all around just awesome. Berbatov didn’t score but had a solid game and created many chances. He is leading the line, but not as an out-and-out striker. He is leading the line similar to an attacking midfielder and doing a better job than stevie me. I really believe that this is what Sir Alex is expecting of him.
Berbatov did very well today but because he didn’t get a goal people will say he hasn’t performed. Anelka before the Bolton game hadn’t scored since January yet their fans fucking love him. He’s scored less goals than Berbatov too. An interesting stat btw Berbatov has a better starts/goals ratio than Van Persie.
theboogeyman – yea I will correct myself if I am wrong but the key to today was the midfield not only controlled the game but they did it with style and they supported the front men, not using the 5 man midfield to kick spurs, because we saw too much of that against chelsea and we looked like idiots. I will give berbatov credit for making and effecting the first goal, but my MOTM like most have said was scholes a genius on the ball. I was suprised how spurs played and bale has shown he is no LB but a left sided midfielder.
But I will keep saying liverpool will lay down and die for chelsea because the scouse crowd will not be intimadating
@Chrispiano I completely agree with you. Many of us do not appreciate the kind of player Berbatov is and seem to direct most of the blame to him. We are UNITED, and we should always stand by our players and encourage them until they decide to leave. I’ve never seen many players that would fight to be here in the first place, and he played brilliant today – setting up good chances. He’s not always to going run down the pitch, take on the entire team, do something miracle like, and score loads of goals; but still we should appreciate his fantastic contribution to the games and cheer him on – at the ground and on tv, in our blogs etc.
Nani – what a lad! A thousand times better than Ronaldo could ever be. For many reasons that is. He had willpower, he had the game wrapped around him, he had the determination and the desire to win. That second goal took confidence.
I think that we have proved today that United deserve that trophy in the cabinet again, Chelsea lack in alot of areas, it’s a miracle they are that high at the top. Our players showed today that they are a team that have the mentality to win whatever they can when they put their minds to it.
Alex Ferguson will not be going anytime soon. Nor will our supposed ‘past it’ players.Berbatov is not crap, he is good player who needs more trust put to him as he proved today – fantastic, Our youth will continue to grow. Our mentality will get more determined. The fans will shout louder from the stands. Red will keep running through manchester; no matter how many pictures of the blues are put all over it. United going to loosen up and back down? Fat chance.
@ DentonDavie, my posts are thought through, cheers for acknowleging them and dragging little bits from them, unlike most lads I read ” everyones ” posts and enjoy them all, while i might disagree/ agree or find them strange, i can acknowlege most lads/lassies opinions, as long as it does not bare on slagging the team the ethic.
Its a Pure Cunt to be United fan, aint it, lol.
You are spot on regards Carrick and king, but hayho, shit happens dont expect to see it talked about, like many of our calls this season. Step back Sir Alex, keep yer mouth shut regards officials, you know it makes sense, they aimed to penalise us after his outbursts with temper. I would have done the same rage and anger at cock ups at the occasion’s, but he cooled it laterally/ lately if you think about it, we got more 50/50s calls from the officials, after he chilled.
Mate I am probably way much younger than you, not that this is material as some people think, I read a lot and care like fuck for our club, as I have seen in your posts you do also naturally or why be on a United blog.
We had a totallytastic performance today, can you see the finishing post, I can Davie, its within our grasp, enjoy the feeling as we all do, its not a fantasy now IS IT! As i keep repeating sorry if its boring, Believe just Fucking Believe On On.
Sorry if i Dont disect play and players and references here and there, I live in the here and now and future.
RedScot – whatever this year’s team does is a bonus in my opinion. Losing Ronaldo/Tevez and then the central defensive pairing meant that the team during the first half of the season was a like a repair held together with duct-tape. Then, Rio never really got himself match-fit and the talismanic WayneRooney “accidentally” turned his ankle. So, we’ve never seen this year’s team playing at full throttle but there’s plenty of quality – even among the so-called second- stringers.
My general impression is that SAF has played Neville, Giggs and Scholes more than he anticipated and the results of that have been mixed – sometimes these guys roll back the years, sometimes they don’t. But, either way, it’s just great to have them “in reserve”.
I am expecting a much more powerful performance next year IF Anderson and/or Hargreaves can help to solidify the midfield. Clearly, the day of the 4-4-2 is past and that means that a three-man midfield with Fletcherinho – and two others – will be the default formation. Park is a bit-part player; Gibson is a question mark who might raise his game – or he might not; it’s too soon to tell. Carrick seems to be going forward in reverse and might be considered surplus-to-requirements. But he’s too valuable to simply discard – even if he’s not one of my favourite players, I recognize that he’s got value as a squad player (and did really well as a fill-in at central defence during the worst stage of the season). The other area of doubt is the goal-keeper – Edwin is, like SAF, not getting any younger but he still plays very, very well and is an obvious first-choice for the team sheet in big games.
The attack – which seemed to be “in crisis” due to the exits of CR7 and Carlitos – turned out to be a real strength of this year’s team. As you know, I’m a BerbaSceptic – a disappointed one, too, because I was absolutely thrilled when SAF signed him – but he really does seem like a square peg in a round hole. His confidence seems shot and his manifest impatience with his team-mates isn’t good. The talent is there – always on display but, alas, never in the crunch or when/where it counts. Finding a way to unlock this enigma wrapped in a mystery is SAF’s big challenge – perhaps he could let him be a “floater” occupying a withdrawn striker/advanced midfield role ahead of two more defensive players. I really don’t know what the answer is but, obviously, I don’t think he fits in a 4-3-3 and the 4-4-2 isn’t going to work in the new decade. On the other hand, an attacking trident of Nani, Valencia and WayneRooney – who are all in their early middle 20s – has been a revelation in their play together so the enigmatic one is not a very serious problem when those three are fit because SAF won’t play Dimmy in those matches. I’ve also seen enough from Gabriel Obertan to be enthused about the tricks he can bring to the party, too. And, I’ve not even mentioned KikoTheKid who seems to be a kind of unBerbatov in that he just makes things happen. It’s been unfortunate that Macheda has been injured and missed so much of the season because otherwise the injury to WayneRooney might not have been so troublesome. I expect really great things from Kiko – unless he develops a serious case of “BigTimeCharlie”.
So, like I’ve said before, I’m very happy with the entertainment that TheLads have provided this year – in the summer I expected them to get 85-plus points and hoped that that would be enough to win the EPL again. It’s always been a close-run thing and we’ll have a much better idea of the chance after Stoke’s visit to Stamford Bridge. How good would it be for ThePotters to get a draw so that UTD don’t have to rely on LiverPoo to knee-cap the RentBoyz ? In that circumstance, LiverPoo will probably win but if UTD are relying on them to win then they’ll probably lie down and take it up their fact-oids.
That’s more than enough for now – it’s time for dinner here on the tundra. G’night.
@DentonDavie,thanks for getting back to me with a great thought through post and dare i say rational.
Could not agree more, losing 120 million pounds worth of talent will hurt effect any team and it has.
However on a positive note it has clearly allowed several players to blossom,Wayne,Nani and the arrival of Valencia who have contributed brilliantly to almost nulify that loss.
The defensive injuries have been crippling, no pun intended,I think back to the thrashing we were dished out at Craven Cottage when we had the central defensive partnership of Fletcher and Carrick,and it and several other occasions display how well the lads as aTEAM have done to keep us in the Championship.
This is not sour grapes,but seriously the Officials have some how at fulcrum moments in the season dealt us the cruelist of blows, I think immediately to the Bayern game, and the deathly decision,and then the Drogba non goal at Old trafford, there are others as you know,those two are huge.
The lads however have taken those on the chin, moved on and kept the fight going.
The holy trinity as you correctly raise have probably been played more often than should be the case,but again on reflection mate think how often they saved our Bacon.The thing for me is to have Paul,Ryan and Gary, not ignoring Micheal Owen and Rio, in and around the training ground dressing room, for the up and coming stars* like Fredrico,Evans, Rafael,Diouf,De Laet etc,to mirror themselves on priceless.I believe none of the youngsters will, turn into big time Charlies,youth and cockyness go hand in hand, as does lack of continuity in there performance, all part an parcel of growth.I personally cant bare to witness young players being ridiculed slagged of in the media,blogs etc, its hardly the way to motivate and encourage the youth at the club.Many clubs as I have stated would look on with envy at the opportunities these boys are given at the highest level, and how Sir Alex trusts them and nurtures the talent.We are so fortunate,not through luck but by design.
You are spot on the money regards our need for a top notch keeper,to replace a legend,when he hangs up his gloves,I also am 100% sure we will make a huge signing in the summer of an attacking midfielder,I listed 10 on here on another thread,but was mocked
I realize also you are not a Berbatov fan, well lets just say not a love in!I think genuinely there is a role for him,its just finding that link from midfield to him,I refer back to when he was sensational at Spurs and his linking with Keane, and feeding of the closeness of a player.I just do not see him being the player that is going to thrive from delivery from the wing.As I stated find that midfielder, and we will find Dimitar.
I would like to share your karma/mojo regards the Potters pulling something off at the Bridge, just wish they dont score a shed load to give them that extra point on goal difference, personally I think its a forlorn hope, but a game I will watch naturally and try from my home to suck the ball in past Petr Chek.The game on the 1st at Anfield, is the big one in my view, although with a lot of luck we may not need to trust Pool to win or draw.
If you care to look mate, thread on here,View from the Enemy at 22.51,you will see what we are up against, lol how fickle we are.But I am a believer, bring on the 19th and 4th historic Championship.
Apologies If I have not covered or touched on all your points,I am pressed for time,the Church bells are ringing, lol.Cmon you Potters, lets be having you!