1. Well, that was piss easy, wasn’t it? Hmm. What should have been a walk in the part for United following the first half was worryingly more difficult than it needed to be, but we got the result and that’s all that matters. United have knocked our local rivals, our noisy neighbours, and current holders, Manchester City, out of the FA Cup at their own ground. Good day to be a red.
2. After absorbing a lot of pressure from City in the first ten minutes, United were the first to score after a great attack. A perfect ball in from Antonio Valencia found Wayne Rooney’s head and left the keeper with no chance. It was very 2009-2010, when these two combined all the time. Rooney ran away kissing his badge following a week when the papers have claimed he’s looking for a move away from the club again. In his post-match interview, after being named Man of the Match, he again reiterated that these stories were nonsense and that he wanted to stay at United for a long time.
3. Danny Welbeck made as much impact as Rooney up front though, putting United 2-0 up with a superb goal. Like plenty of reds, whilst recognising Welbeck would get a Premier League career, I used to wonder whether he had the ability to make it at United. He’s quality and I love watching him play. It was his run in to the box which won us the decisive penalty, getting his toe to the ball just before he was brought down. Rooney’s execution was poor but he did really well to then head past the diving keeper. Seeing local lad Danny play such an important role in a Cup derby, scoring a goal like that and winning the penalty, is what makes us dreamy about football. It’s also a sight that City fans won’t ever get to enjoy.
4. Darren Fletcher, Tom Cleverley, Will and Michael Keane and Ashley Young were all in the away end today. As well as Welbeck, we had Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes on the pitch, and then Jonny Evans on the bench. In contrast, City, the supposed proper Mancunian’s team, only had Micah Richards, a Brummie who spent his youth at Leeds and Oldham’s academies before joining City (and Oldham still have a 20% sell on clause for him). Makes you proud eh.
5. The sending off has been described as a “contentious decision” which I find fairly baffling. Kompany had both feet of the ground, studs up, and scissored the ball away from Nani, who had to get out of the way. No doubt that he won the ball but anyone complaining about the decision should probably read the Laws of the game. You don’t have to actually break a player’s leg with a dangerous challenge to be sent off. But maybe we shouldn’t let facts get in the way of an ickle City cry off. If Rooney had made a challenge like that, not a single journalist would be fighting his corner. They would say he lost his head and it was just good fortune he didn’t cause any damage. It was a clear sending off, just as Evans’ was at Old Trafford in the league game. The only big decision Chris Foy got wrong was not awarding a penalty to United at 3-1 when Antonio Valencia was brought down in the box.
6. The story that distracted everyone away from the Manchester derby this morning was Paul Scholes returning to the United squad. Insane. After not playing football for 8 months, Scholes came on with half an hour to play and did a good job. According to Opta Stats, Scholes made 71 passes in that time, completing 97% of them, which was more than any City player in the entire game.
7. Lots of fans were singing the praises of Anders Lindegaard ahead of the Newcastle game, hailing his cleansheets record and saying he was a better keeper than David de Gea. What these people were ignoring is that Lindegaard had played against average sides, whilst de Gea had already made class saves against the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. There wasn’t anything Lindegaard could have done against the three goals against Newcastle but he failed his first big test today. He looked nervous and rattled for much of the game. The Aguero goal was an easy save which he fumbled. Ferguson has now set us up nicely for a repeat of Tim Howard/Roy Carroll shambles, where we play one keeper until they fuck up, then drop and swap them, meaning both keepers have shattered confidence and give nervy performances.
8. The game should not have been that difficult. Both the manager and Rooney conceded we took our foot off the gas. We had gone in 3-0 up at half time playing against ten men and maybe they could be forgiven for thinking it would be plain sailing in the second half. In contrast to United, when we went down to ten men, City went for an entirely defensive approach, and it was successful. They brought off their most exciting attacking players, Silva and Johnson, and replaced them with two defenders. A set piece and a good break allowed City back in the game. We should never have been in that situation though. It was really frustrating not to go out and batter them. Essentially though, who gives a fuck? I don’t. We won the game and I couldn’t care less if we did that on the back of City having ten stonewall penalties denied, Anderson scoring with his arse, and Rooney avoiding a booking for snapping Hargreaves’ leg. If there’s fuss made about the sending off, so be it, but it’s irrelevant. We won the game and we’re through to the next round. City lost and they’re out. Well done United.
Man Utd News 24/7
My reactions to the win is. FUCKING YES. YOU DIRTY POSNAN PRICKS.
UTD UTD UTD
What odds on liverpool in the next round??
8. this
Linde is certainly feeling the pressure now.
Even 3-0 up against ten men I don’t think we can expect an easy ride. As I said on the other thread City are a really good side, really good at home too. They threw everything at us, created enough to get goals, and that wasn’t really United’s fault. I mean yeah we could have been better, and at 3-0 you would expect it was over, but they really gave it their all.
The idea that this was a walk in the park that went wrong is an insult to the players I think, on both sides, it was an extremely competitive game between two teams who were played good football at times and brilliant football at other times. For United to get the three goal lead they had to play as good a half of football as we’ve seen in a long time. For City to come back to 3-2 with ten men they had to play their hearts out too.
I’ve seen City fans call this a Pyrrhic victory for us, calling it a moral victory or whatever. I don’t see it as that at all. I think this was a total, crushing victory for United. They played the game of their lives, and we beat them. They’ll be exhausted, they’ll be disappointed, they’ll know they are second best, and they’ve lost their best defender for a length suspension. That’s a brutal beating. United meanwhile didn’t have to play as hard a game as City because they were the ones chasing it and we saw a return to form for Rooney and some vital game time for Scholesy.
Perfect result for United. Absolutely perfect.
Fletcher was stood next to me and Young about 2 seats in front. Fletch was top.
spot on analysis, Scott. Kompany’s tackle was reckless, and totally deserving of the red card. I agree that had it even rooney, there would be baying for blood.
I’m still a bit concerned by this team’s tendency to take the foot off the gas in situations like this, especially with both keepers not quite in the game as much as they should be.
I still think we need to buy some cover for the midfield and central defence; sure hope fergie comes up with someone who can fill those gaps.
Great reactions Scott!
Now that I’ve calmed down a bit, I am starting to see things more clearly now. I was a bit pissed off at the way we took our foots off the pedal and the fact that the media would get to wank all over City after a second half where they essentially did nothing except be good tactically.
Agree with all of what you said though we can’t help but feel a tad disappointed about the second half performance. Sir Alex and Rooney are right in that sense. We shouldn’t have put ourselves in a situation where we essentially lost the control we had on the game. That was what was most disappointing. Still, we can’t live on that long enough. Sir Alex and Rooney have acknowledged it and corrective measures will hopefully be taken to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
One thing that everybody is missing in all this is how bad our walls are at reacting to free-kicks. You look at the free-kick they scored, none of the players in our wall jumped. Had any one of them jumped like they would’ve had we had an attacking ball put in, the ball would have been deflected for a corner. This is something that has been a general issue with our free-kicks many times I’ve noticed this season. That is something that need to be worked around for sure. Our walls have been shit for some time now IMO.
Kompany’s was probably a yellow card. who gives a f**k? Like you say, we march on and city is out! But they were there for a taking today. We should have gone for the kill….will have to wait until April now:)
Scholesy is BACK!!!!!!!
With Welbeck and Berva in such good form, the time has come to recognize that Chicharito is surplus, or a bench player at most. I suppose he will be in his way to Spain at the end of the season.
Truth is not every game that’s 10 v 11 will end up like the one at OT did. It depends on the tactics and in both situation we opted for the wrong one. Plus, Mancini brought on 2 defenders and made his side even more defensive. Add to that defensive errors and a couple of bad Foy calls and we get a 2-3 scoreline.
I’d summarize by saying Jones is a liability anywhere near the defence. i think we had better try him out as a CM, its now 2 own goals and we were lucky not to give away a penalty today
And note how “hard man” de Jong pulled his foot back and gave Welbeck a clear volley at goal. From another perspective, he was sensible, cause he would’ve probably given away a penalty, but could’ve caused damage to Welbeck.
FA’s gonna call you up Costas. You do not mention the referee before and after a game.
Maybe the keeper situation might actually be better since both of them know they have to perform and nothing is for granted. I agree, I think we got carried away with the Lindegaard statistics, but now I feel it is even. The pitch was pretty slick though…Still his command on crosses was not great today.
Jones wasn’t lucky to not give away a penalty, the ball his his leg, then bounced up into his arm and body, really, really would have been harsh to call it a penalty. However I do agree that he looks better in the midfield. He wants to attack the ball and drive forward, which is brilliant for a powerful midfielder but a bit risky for a centre half. You can’t just defend against a team like City though, you’ve got to defend Really Fucking Well, or they will have you. And for most of the game he did.
True reds Scholes ‘went to ask the gaffer if I could play again’ and red Keano’I give city a credit they’re out of the cup’lol Keano isn’t bitter just a true red.C’mon UTD
theredderdevil, That is too harsh IMO. The man has been shafted around for far too long and has been asked to play every position known to football. And then the need arose where he had to play the position which he calls his own, you ought to expect mistakes in that situation. He has been used like a utility player and he’s only 19 as well.
LOL at City fans saying that it wasn’t even a foul. What do they expect? Nani to take the tackle and have his legs uprooted from his body. Fuck me, if any of our players had produced that tackle, the world would be fuming that it was too dangerous. As it is, I think most refs would’ve given a yellow in that position given it was early in the game and no contact was actually made. But make no mistake about it, the call wasn’t right in the actual letter of the law. People who know the rules like Stateside could elaborate.
Well done United!
Thanks Scott the Red! RoM has been humming with threads on all the latest news.
Much appreciated sir!
City were FA Cup holders for 1 game, which they lost at home to United!
Thank you Lord!
Should have won it 6-0. United of old would have done. Referee was piss poor. Kept getting in the way of the ball, and denied us a blatant pen. Bloody TV pundits and ABUs saying it wasnt even a foul let alone a red card??? Crazy talk! Nani had to jump out of the way or risked getting hurt from a two footed challenge.
tbh I think at 11 v 11 City would have won. thats my opnion. but we got lucky today.
great goals from Rooney and Wellbeck.
Ferdinand – too slow
Scholes – a legend yes but there was a reason he retired and it just shows what a crisis we are in to bring him back.
Lucky in the end to come away with the win.
As usual we will no doubt draw prem teams in every other round of the cup.
Lots of minuses today – but we won and thats the sweetest.
Good job Kompany didn’t go in with his head, he would have surely killed Nani
Sweet revenge, oh sweet, sweet revenge. Apostle Paul back, couldn’t ask for more. Bang on Scott, don’t give a rat’s behind how we do it, so long as we knock them out of every competition. Cup holders knocked out in the 3rd round, on their own patch by a United team in crisis. What a day!
Very very tough game this from kick off… if we wouldve lost, i wouldve taken it, a bitter pill but nonetheless swallowed given our shit performances and the strength in depth city have… we were phenomenal in the first half and apart from the first ten mins of the game and last ten, we had shitty scared shitless…. its what we can do to teAMs more often than not… i hope we push on from here… i think one nice signing will really lift everyone that has anything to do with united… all said and done i hope scholesy can put in the kind of performances for till about march and be that player for us…..
glory glory man united!!
De Gea has to play in my opinion. The boy is a good keeper, and by the time he will be Lindegaards age, he will be one of the worlds top keepers. He needs a long run of games in order to adjust even more to England and to United. Yes he made a grave mistake against Blackburn, but he’ll be back. Of course Lindegaard should get a game every now and then, but the more De Gea plays now, the better the investment will be for United in the long run. Anyone expect otherwise from a 20/21 year old foreigner in his first season in England? He needs time, and Fergie has to give him that time. I seriously dont believe we will be worse off having him as our first choice from now on, than, as Scott wrote, “drop and swap” all the time.
bbq bod
Your roasting ribs are cracked. One man’s meat, but grilling United today seems overdone.
scholes back, derby win, city out of a cup, kompany suspension, and downing arrest. what could possibly make this day better?
Downing arrest HAHA what for?
Regarding my comment above, not to take anything away from Lindegaards excellent save on Agueros shot. But he will never be our no1, whilst De Gea clearly has the capacity to be just that.
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2012/Jan/sir-alex-ferguson-updates-manchester-united-injury-situation.aspx
Yeah, the keeper situation needs a certain decision. It’s either De gea, or Lindegaard. It doesn’t help the defense chopping and changing all the time. Fergie has a problem though? We payed big money for DDG. IMO, De gea has to be given the chance to prove himself in this league. Linde is probably too good for a backup keeper. He looked nervous and his kicking was poor. The conditions played a part in that. I would go with DDG, but the boss has to pick one, and stay with it.
As for the game? You summed it up Scott! We never make it easy. That’s the United way! I’m glad to be through. Fuck everything else. United! 19
@balaji – right on, this is the third time this season we have conceded for poor wall setting, gap left and no one jumping. ridiculous that phelan and rene are letting this go on.
On the game itself, for me giggs and welbeck were outstanding – our most creative players. well done guys.
Also, we contended for the 50-50 balls better than city IMO.
We really need nani back to form though. valencia was good, sometimes when he thinks where to pass, he ends up doing nothing – he needs to become a little more smart, but boy is he built like a brick, excellent defensive work he does.
lets not put too much pressure on linde, smalling should have been more alert than aguero in that case. Also, a little concern that even while keeping possession we don’t do it smartly – I think city did better than us in that dept. plenty of room for improvement on that defensive side.
I really hope, welbeck gets a good run and remains injury free – he will be great player for us up top [not on the left please fergie].
Just got back what a day, lost my voice and thought the reactions would mention united taking the piss doing the poznan ay 3-0.
5. Another one that Foy seemed to miss was De Jong 2 footed challenge on Carrick which in my opinion deserve a yellow card if not red!
7. I still think De Gea should be our #1. If he could prove his time at Atletico and won the cup, then he could do the same with United with better players around him. He just needs time.
Balaji, if u go into a tackle studs up, with 2 feet off the ground, it’s red. We can thank our luck no contact was made, otherwise we would be talking about say between 4 to 6 weeks for Nani to recover.
Bbqbod, IMO 11v11 we’d still have won because then, Mancini would not have brought on those defenders for Johnson and Silver. We’d have had more room to operate around their goal area.
http://falive.tv/ for the FA CUP Draw live.
Bbqbod
Must have been a diffetent game I was watching. They scored two shit goals from our niave play but 2nd half was keep ball at times.
Let’s not pull apart the minuses as the positives far out weighed them.
@thereddevil:
Penalty? I thought it hit his leg first and quickly bounced nto his hand which I dont think it was a handball at all.
De gea is still amazing but we can’t deny lindegaard’s amazing performance today…
@Balaji:
Sometimes the law of the game can be as stupid as f**k.
If breaking a leg is needed to be red carded.. we have a problem here.
All I can say is tactics almost cost us the game.
Despite the result, United problems are still there for anyone to see:
Our midfield still lacks and Scholes is not the way forward. I usually cringe when I see SAF play both Giggs and Scholes, and today was no exception. Playing Giggs and Scholes is not a solution to midfield problem. If Anderson is healthy, he should have got the call ahead of Scholes. Or else SAF has already lost confidence in Anderson and should sell him and get a couple of replacements for midfield.
Glad to have Smalling back, he had a superb game, but Ferdinand seems to struggle every game. We badly need a centerback with experience. Enough said about that.
I agree with you Goalkeeper situation needs to be resolved, what a mess. DeGea is not ready but will be a great goalkeeper in about 3-4 years. Lindegard has now shown similar fragility as De Gea. Give Ben Amos a shot? Bring back Van der Sar? Or buy an experienced keeper such as Brad Friedel to hold the fort for a couple of years till De Gea grows into the position?
@lebomanc:
Overall it was a decent performance by Lindegaard, but certainly not amazing.
United are a shambles squad-depth-wise,Scholes as a Utd lad Through & Through came to our rescue which is nice to see.
I hoped that our 1st half performance would kick start our season. The problem is we don’t have 1 problem or many issues. We have a problem at every level of Manchester Utd holding us hostage.
From
- Club Ownership
- lack of transfer Investment
- Bad medical and coaching staff ( Carlos quiroez for Mike Phelan?)
- Aging squad to very young squad
- Lack of strength in depth
- Bad decision by management (Tactically naive from coaches and players)
- The uncharacteristic performances.
- Not signing a midfielder to replace Hargo,Fletch,Scholes etc
- The injuries
to name a few ! The club has to address most of these problems now or we will suffer for a even longer period of time.
You make your own luck, Utd seem hell bent on making thing difficult for themselves till it is no longer in their control which is heartbreaking.
Forgive me lads. I wondered about the comments to my comment. I obviously meant to say the call “was” right in the letter of the law. I am surprised more people didn’t catch on to that.
Red nation
Jesus mate I’m glad we won would hate to read a lost of yours after a defeat.
Yes great day on RoM, thanks STR!!!!
Great win.
Scholes will be almost more important in the club house then the field. He will make a difference on the pitch as well. Turning 1 point into 3 2x’s in the stretch run.
@Balaji, Darn I missed that sorry brother.
The United Poznan was a real piss take. Brilliant
FUCK OFF, THIS IS FIXED
The scousers at their hovel…..
Bring it on!!!!!!!!
we’ve just gotten liverpool away, woahhhhhhhhhhhh
What a fucking piss-take.
we play against liveprool at anfield.
fate.
liverpool in da next round
Bullshit, fixed. Plenty of racist chanting I predict, probably say mancs sneaked in the home end.
Liverpool away next round
Bernstein at it again! Fixed!
Time to give them a bit of justice for Suarez, by knocking them the fuck out of the cup.
It was no way a penalty. Like clearly mentioned, the ball hit his leg and hit his hand so end of argument.
Regarding the sending-off. It was red, although some referees might have given a yellow card. He could have caused damage to Nani had he been rooted to the ground.
Scholes is an excellent signing for us. His experience will definitely help, and why not have him available so we dont have to ever play rafeal in midfield again.
Regarding the keepers, no doubt both are excellent. But separates the truly world-class ones is their mentality and ability to perform in high opressure situations. People like howard and bartez were good shot stoppers but when it came to the big matches, they flopper. I remember bartez flopping against deportivo. Van Der Sar was calm and efficient. And thats what these guys need to become.Not having a settled back 4 obviously doesn’t help. With time, we’ll see. De gea must have something about him for us to spend that much money. But only time will tell.
Re: jones, give the lad a break. He’s had a couple of poor games but he’s only 19. Stop jumping on the bandwagon like the press and say hes crap in defence. He’s an amazing player who will learn with experience. You won’t learn unless you play. I say keep him RB and eventually try him as CB.
Stewart Downing arrested lol.
Giggs12Gerrard0 – for your own health, it’s better that you don’t read Red Nation’s comments about our “cowards” after a defeat. You might request him to withdraw that unfair accusation, as I politely did; only to be called every other nasty name under the sun. I’m told that he is allowed to express, but that I am not express in return. I suggest you only read his comments when we win, for they are more upbeat.
What. STR said “Ferguson” oooh Cedars won’t like that.
hahaha
Giggs12 hahahaha
Rednation and all that and still 3 points back.
Just a comment on never easy to win the PL. No shit the worlds best sporting league. The quote un quote easy years are the odd ones. That’s what makes SAF so fucking great. 12 of 17 wow, what the fuck. Most are hard earned, a dog fight. He wills his team through making good men of them first, then good professionals then great players. With charter of a working class Scottish dock worker of the late 50′s.
Smartalex your so right, Red who……….
I had a hard ass coach, thank god. SAF is and has been the correct gaffer for Wayne Rooney. He has knocked off the wild edges of the Tasmanian Red Devil. Keep him out of jail, gave him direction in life. And have used his different type of football genius for many trophies.
Robocop is out on the beat again lads, telling people what to think, nice one, your words are as pathetic as those of Man Ttties players after this game.
—
Apart from progressing into the next round and defeating our rivals and scholes coming back, very little positives can be taken from the 2nd half as we struggled against 10 men.
We needed something positive to kick start our season and it looked like Scholes at first but what would really help is playing the same Back 5 for at least every game till the end of january.
We need stability during odd times like this. Cmon Utd players, keep your heads focused and do not lose your bottle again.
liverpool next!!!..wtf! and we are “supposed” to get easy fixtures according to the ABU’s…
this blog is so much better due to the win,all the haters who call themselves the true supporters and stuff are nowhere to be seen,imagine if we had lost the match the comments would be upto 1000 by now!!
zibbie – your man hammered another great goal today! it won the match for us!
Rooney’s also our man, but I always think of you when he scores! We’ve had some major debates with you on his importance, but when he’s at the party, he’s the Belle of the Ball!
Red Nation calling me names. How unusual. Attacks United every chance he gets, and attacks me for good measure. Perhaps it is because I am clearly a United fan, through thick and thin.
Beckham was in the stands today,what are the of him joining the club too!!
It is really a shame that we threw this great opportunity to humiliate them!
Bring on the racists!!!!
forgive the typo,
i meant what are the odds of him joining the club!
A big and much welcomed win but I agree with most of what’s been said today about our 2nd half performance.
For me Scholesc(regardless of stats) is not the answer. I thought he called his retirement right. United and he adapted his game last season to play a bit deeper in a ‘quarterback’ role and it worked well for the first few games of the season but the opposition soon worked it out and usually had someone follow him deep into that position to close him down sometimes nicking the ball sometimes forcing him to misplace his passes. TV Commentators repeatedly and without irony would say “a rare misplaced pass from Paul Scholes”.
The timing of his introduction to the game was questionable (way too early IMO) and you have to question the wisdom of it even more when you take into account that Rooney said pre-match they didn’t know he was playing until just before kick-off.
I also think TraffordLord on a previous form has a valid point re. our tactics. We’re no longer the United that can just dismiss the opposition and say let them worry about us. Tactically we’re quite easy to work out and we often don’t seem to have a plan B when things aren’t going right.
Sir Alex was rightly cross in his post match interview but United as a club has to have a real big picture look at themselves as a club: Owners, coaching staff, players everyone. Transfer Policies that hinge on re-sale value and no value in the market belong to small clubs… Big players win you big trophies and create value (eg TV money), surely the bean-counters can see especially how much revenue we’ll miss out on since our champions league exit.
If the coaching staff aren’t up to it change them. If the scouts see potential in players such as Bebe and miss players like and Cabaye then questions have to be asked. And so and so on.
But right now like many I’m going to really enjoy the rest of my day after this (if I’m going to be honest) unexpected win.
Smartalex thanks, he is my favorite player you are so correct. But for me the man is and always has been SAF!
We have had many great talks and I’m the better man for it.
I’m pissed with ecstasy. Oh to be a red! To be a red! To be a red!
gaurav12931 – He’s a bit expensive. His contract with Galaxy is 6 million US a year, and a big portion of Galaxy’s home gate (which is massive)
Robocop?
Oh and Red Nation is a wurm cunt. heheheheehe
Robocop mentions me on this thread then cries about the very name calling he began to adress me with “Red Condmnation”. Hypocrisy.
Its funny people to tell you to stop being pathetic yet you continue with your “I am your superior and My opinion overules all” approach.
Zibbie – Of course! You always recognise Sir Alex role, and support him before any other at United, and so you should. He’s the Man!
although i can’t remember the last time i felt so frustrated even after we won like tonight, the most important thing is we won.
after a short recap of the second half, all i can boil it down is to long term tactics. anderson had a couple of clear chances to cut in between the defenders, and valencia could have beat his man and steered a cross in the danger zone almost every time he got the ball, but they didn’t, and continued to pass the ball all around the city bus.
hold the lead, reduce risk of injury to forwards, control the flow and tempo of the game while maintaining pressure around the penalty area so as to distort their defensive formation and avoid a fast counterattack via keeper long ball.
plus tire them physically and mentally for the weekend fixture perhaps? ;D
Red Nation – just be happy that we won. Everyone knows where our problems lie. We need to ride it out. We should be proud how well our team has done this season considering our injuries/lack of midfield. Stop moaning and just cherish the good moments in life rather than putting a taint on what has been an excellent day for us.
Willie and Redrider!!!! GREAT DAY TO BE RED!!!!!!!
The MAN!!!
WillieRedNut – Is Robocop a good choice? Should I change my username? Ha Ha Ha ! ! !
Is it supposed to be a slight? Surely not! How would you describe Robocop?
RoboCop is so fucking cool !!!! hahaha
Add it to your name like Smartalex RC hehehehe
@smartalex,
I dunno much about the MLS but isn’t it their off season,cant we arrange for a loan deal ala Henry.
smartalex – I didn’t know you were the future of law enforcement? Lol.
Becks is happy family man in S. Cal. no need to uproot lads.
gaurav12931 – I think you are right, we could loan him. I don’t know the details of his contract, perhaps united.george can shed some light on that. I still think he’d cost us in the region of 250 000 quid a week, as he just turned down a massive offer from PSG (for much more than the MLS deal); which he declined mainly because of his family having to uproot. Paris is wonderful in the springtime!
Of course a loan would NOT require his family to move; and David (and therefore Posh) would do (almost) anything to make it happen, (possibly) including playing for peanuts. I don’t see it happening though. I don’t think he fits our intentions, so apart from his dead-ball input (sorely needed!) I think he’d do more long-term harm (to our style transition) than good to our currently injury-hit team.
Red nation
Struggled 2nd half is not reflective mate it was a passing master class away from home at our rivals.
klanfield next…quality!
It’s back to the future with smartalex RC – I like it!
Robocop
princepapii18@hotmail.co.uk
PAPII !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Papii I have missed you man. I guess you have your reasons.
Positives from united that out weigh the minuses
1- smalling was fucking brilliant after a period .out, won everything.
2- Carrick was again a class apart with his positions and passing.
3- Valencia is our best winger and os getting vital assists again.
4- we went 1 up against 11 men
5- Scholes made more passes than any city player.
6- we dominated pocession in our neighbours back yard.
7- we won
8- were in the next round
9 – Rooney scored two
10- unitrd fans took the piss doing the poznan
Giggs12 – Hello mate? As i said, second half wasn’t great, but conceding an early goal, clearly give them a lift. Augero’s goal was preventable, from our pov. Job done in the end. That was our mandate before kick off, right? Lol. As Keano said, for all city’s gusto, they’re out!
@smatalex,
i personally think it would be pretty good if he came on a loan,he probably does not have the pace anymore but hes a decent passer of the ball and most importantly he’d be an asset for free kicks and corners(for some reason we cant ONE not ONE player in the whole team to take decent corners).
Plus he’s a united player through and through so that feeling may rub off to some of the other players in the squad.
Warnock has been SACKED by QPR,i thought he was doing quite well,I’m more worried about kiko though,hope he gets enough playing time under their new manager,whoever that is.
Willierednut
Of course mate but 2nd at times city were chasing shadows. Both their goals was down to us doing stupid things and outside that we was not threatened. Remember being nervous and threatened are different things and we controlled the game.
gaurav12931
He’s a legend in my eyes, many Reds disagree, fair enough.
I wouldn’t bring him back, but if he were to play, my heart will soar unrestrainedly!
mufc m41
You lucky bastard! So Fletcher was stood next to you and Young about 2 seats in front?
Thanks for carrying our hearts and being our voices at the game!
And Fletch you say was top? Tell us more!
yea exactly when i saw scholes about to enter the pitch it just felt soo good,i’m still caught up in that feeling and i guess i want beckham to be back in the squad for that reason,it would be great to see beckham in united colours again as a sentimental point of view,though it may not work out on the pitch,anyway i havent seen him play for a long time so he probably isnt good enough for united now anyway
Zibbie – I’ve missed you and RoM.Only came on because I couldnt give my email last time. seems someone tried to hack my account so it got closed and opened weeks later. Won’t be on again for a while because I have too much going on to be addicted again
Take Care, keep up the perversity on my part, I regularly visit RoM but don’t comment because of its negative aspects.
Someone pass on to KingEric – Congrats mate, enjoy fatherhood.
JamieT @ 17:53: “Scholes is an excellent signing for us. His experience will definitely help, and why not have him available so we dont have to ever play rafeal in midfield again.”
You mean the Rafael da Silva who was brilliant in midfield last season against TheArse ?
As a stop-gap, Paul Scholes is an excellent addition to the squad but his presence also raises two real questions:
first, what message does this send to Ravel Morrison and Paul Pogba ? these kids never seem to get meaningful game time. Are they over-hyped ?
second, I have to hope that SAF resists the temptation to lean on the GingerNinja. When I saw SirRyanGiggs in the starting team-sheet, I was worried but he was the single biggest recipient of Kompany’s sending off. Instead of facing another high-tempo pressing midfield, BobbyMancs reined in his troops and this gave Giggs time and space.
Both of these guys are real, true legends for UTD but – let’s get real – it’s would be just amazing for them to roll back the years. Both are shadows of their legendary selves. So, what I wonder is if SAF is going to give them a lot of playing time in the same way that he gave Henrik Larsson time at LouisLouis’ expense a few years ago. Today, SAF played his trump cards and got out alive by the-skin-of-his-teeth; next time there might be too much jeopardy. Both Scholes and Giggs are now suited to be “situational substitutes”, coming on in circumstances in which their vast experience outweighs their starkly dimishined physical abilities.
Giggs12Gerrard0 – Remember being nervous and threatened are different things and we controlled the game; that’s a good way of putting it. I WAS nervous until the end, but we always looked too strong. They would get chances, but it seemed they’d be few-and-far-between. Turned out like that, and we were comfortable enough to retain the ball for minutes at a time.
I noticed that Aguero was found time and again by their players clearing the ball, and it seemed to me that Aguero was always on an imaginary line running centrally up the field. Did you notice that? It enabled them to know his position, but it should have been easy to read. I guess that Rio(& co) could not risk being turned.
the second half according to me wasnt as bad as people are making it out to be,I think it was done in purpose,the reasons for that could be to keep the players from having any injuries,keeping them fresh and most importantly making city chase around for the ball and tiring them,it worked as city now dont have their best defender and they will be relatively more tired after all the chasing around the pitch.
Brilliant!!
Every now and then we allow Citeh a 5-1 or 6-1 win just to cheer them up and give them something to talk about for the next twenty years and then put them back in their place LOL
new qpr manager better not send macheda back!
denton davey – What message does it send to the kids? That Sir Alex is managing United to the best of his ability. He isn’t running a popularity contest. Nor does he wish it that way. I’m all for opinions. It’s how we vent our spleens. This blog is ideal for that purpose. But, for goodness sake, let Fergie get on with managing the club. Scholes is a short term option. We won’t buying anyone in January. Pogba and Ravel(the latter is injured atm) will get their chance. I put much stock in fans like King Eric who watch the reserves regularly. I don’t have that benefit. From what KE has been saying about Pogba, the kid ain’t ready for first team action yet. The bits and pieces have seen of him, I would tend to agree with assertion. Also, I wonder if the contract situation with Pobga, is curtailing his chances as well? Will he be here come the summer?
Exactly Scott, end of the day who gives a fuck? Returning to the League with a win is the real issue. Hell I’ll even say hats off to Mancini’s “inspired” substitution, not that it mattered mind as we should’ve gone 4-1 clear with the second pen. We deserved the win, and all the giddy City fans will realise the loss of their Cup in the morning. Kompany is daft for calling it a moral victory, obviously as captain he’s consoling the “masses” but we did sod all wrong the whole game! True Rio had a cert yellow, but all the others we’re bollocks in my book. More to the point these moral victors conceded 2 pens FFS. Gotta laugh.
As for Welbeck, said it while he was at Sunderland lads he always had the potential to build on THAT goal against Norwich. This lad can be as good as Rooney, O thought he had the better match today, and he’s been consist whenever fit this season. Only 21, and even when we under perform he brings energy and a great first touch to the team. His all round finishing isn’t too bad either, doesn’t smoke and doesn’t look likely to turn up pissed either. Based on talent alone I’d take Welbeck over Balotelli or Pato any day of the season – not forgetting that Danny is yet to earn season after season in the first team.. We needed that effort from him today, and all we need now are Tom and the Twins back sharply, then we’ll begin to see our manager’s intentions. A well deserved result today, yeh we made it difficult and those yellows didn’t help – but it is about fucking time we progressed in the Cup. City are lucky we didn’t go 4-1 up the jammy sods. Im delighted with the win.
Couldnt agree more with point 3 you made STR, but regarding your last statement I do feel we would’ve regained much much more confidence and shattered theirs in the process had we at least scored one more goal, which we could’ve might I add.
Awesome win. But I agree with Red Nation to have 50-50% ball possession against a 10 man team, is worrying.
Today dispelled the Lindegaard myth. Bring back De Gea, once and for all.
Balaji … G’day mate, good comment about our defensive walls at free kicks. I have noticed that too. Cheers!
Dont think Beckham is available, he is in the middle of negotiating his new contract with LA Galaxy so I doubt he or they would entertain him playing on loan. His old contract expired at the end of 2011, but looks like he is staying in LA. Besides, Tom Cruise would never let him leave LA
GREAT first half, frustrating tense second half. City played well, their goals came from good pressure. However, I think even with 11 men United having scored first could have done the business. Rooney-Welbeck-Valencia link works. Tough game in pissing Mancunian weather. Come on Liverpuds!!! In analysis, my view;
Linegraad made a top save from Augero, not much he could have done about their first goal, second goal maybe but it was hit with pace in wet condition and is his first fumble and an understandable one. People say Lindegraad looked nervous, if I was behind his defence I would be too. Jones and Smalling ran into each other twice, Jones was all over the pace position wise, Evra had some sloppy moments, Ferdinand was frustrated and told both of them off, his positioning is still great but his pace has gone. I do not understand how Jones plays ahead of Rafael. He is nowhere near as good at RB. I would hate to lose Rafael. SAF may have been thinking about height but seriously, Jones looked out of it on the pitch and a bit like a headless chicken running into his own players, diabolical positioning, yet he is young, but he looks less like a defender every day, Smalling has played CB and RB and does fine at both. CM may be Jones place. Rafael needs a game. Smalling is in a different league and the true heir to Rio. Need Vidic back. No one steps forward and gets the ball away like he does and him and Ferdinand read each other games.
In MF, great to see Scholes back, I was surprised at how little rust he’s picked up. Nani had a poor game on the left, would like to see what he is like swapping more centrally. He did put in a decent defensive shift though. Valencia was the MF star together with Carrick who was solid as usual. Giggs had a decent game. Anderson’s new haircut is definately better, he seemed more poised that before his injury and more comfortable next to Scholes/Cleverly type players.
Rooney was a start, he really worked his socks off. Loved the badge kissing after a goal infront of City fans. Blew him a kiss straight back.
Welbeck is our seasons star. He really has come into his own, beautiful goal and he could have had a second just before half time. The one area he needs to improve are his runs and positioning off defenders as Valancia and Rooney were unable to pass to him at times because he was stood right behind a defender – Hernandez is better in that respect as moving defenders around in the box and running into tight positions.
Overall a good game. Playing City will only improved United. With Arsenal and Chelsea falling behind and Liverpool a joke, United need to play a top top team with top players if they are to beat Barcelona and take the crown that is truly ours. We may poo poo on Shitty, but they make us better and they raise the standard and if United want to be the best in the world again that is no bad thing. I thin City are not far off Madrid and Barca some of their players are just class, beating and outplaying players like that will be the making of United players.
However, depth in MF is a huge huge worry. Great to see Scholes, but sad at the same time that we have no depth of exciting talent in this area to call on. Defence is extremely vulnerable too. I would love to see the twins get more of a game, Smalling stay fit and Evans and Rio rotate. Evra also needs a break, he plays every game as there in no back up and the wear and tear shows, he has done it for years and it is dulling is edge. Hopefully Fabio can step in for the odd game.
What? No mention of Lindy’s diving save of Aguero’s shot in the first half??? One of the most beautiful things I’d seen in football.
“Darren Fletcher, Tom Cleverley, Will and Michael Keane and Ashley Young were all in the away end today.”
now that is awesome support.. anyone got a link or video showing this?
oh and great post btw
So will Scholes use 22 for the rest of the season then?
Bring on the car thieves
WillieRedNut @ 19:27: “Sir Alex is managing United to the best of his ability. He isn’t running a popularity contest. Nor does he wish it that way.”
I understand that – and I understand that neither Pogba nor Morrison might be ready-for-prime-time. But, surely, they’ll be pissed to see two aged geezers standing in their way. I suppose that “dem’s da breaks” and they can either suck-it-up or bugger off. If they’re not up for challenging Scholes/Giggs for playing time then they won’t have the “character” to make it at UTD.
The win , in my opinion was due to the pressure leading to the first fantastic goal.. The pressuer on City when behind-and its not uncommon of them – appears to make them foul more frequently. As I mentioned on another thread, Kompany may not have made such a rash tackle if he was not feeling the pressure of trailing united.. They often, this season seem to lose control when on the back foot.
How many expected to be posting ‘philisophical posts’ after a loss tonight. Never underestimate the underdog, for many thats what we were today.
Keep it real keep it red.
Hey Everyone, Great piece as always Scott and though I dont post on a regular basis I did say that United would win today on a Suarez thread a few days ago. Great performance today and the boys did us proud. A very hairy ending but would we have it any other way? Been a bit of a warzone on here of late so its great to see everyone putting their differences aside and celebrating this fantastic win. Always read most comments and especially Giles and I believe we are a similar age. We knocked Ciddy out the FA Cup and trust me we will destroy the scousers. LUHG
10-men city scored two against us. Whats with our defence? What would have happened if they were 11?? We need additions in january. We still are 3 points behind in the league.
great day to be a red. Now city know there’s only one club in manchester. Silva and aguero are big hypes who cannot perform. Rooney!!! scholsey!!! You made my dayy!!!
Ravel is not injured – he has been dropped for being late to several training sessions in the last few weeks. Stupid boy – his attitude stinks. All the talent in the world being squandered.
sadly we have yet to prove that we are still the best club in england. i still do not think we could beat 11-man city. Well atleast they won’t win the fa cup this season.
Was travelling so I couldn’t watch it live but the household was in a media blackout until I could watch the Tivo… Let’s be clear that was as much of a red as any I’ve seen only difference being Nani threw himself blindly out of the way to avoid losing a leg or 2, if Kompany connects Nani probably doesn’t play the rest of the year. Great flowing counterattacking football in the first half, took the foot of the pedal in the second.
IMO, the 1st city goal came from a shocking free kick decision with Evra being drug to the ground and somehow getting himself booked just after Foy blew a stone cold penalty call on the take down of Valencia (where are the worthless assistants helping out Foy on these). The 2nd was a combination of a sloppy throwin, lackadaisical defending and a blooper palming away of an easy save. After that I don’t blame SAF in the least for flooding the midfield and playing keep ball with a man advantage and running out the clock.
My last point echos StRs: We won, who the fuck cares how or by how much.
the bitters have just found out that payback can be a bitch, and like we had a player sent off against them (Evans), it was their turn to have Kompany off, but I regret we did not put pressure on them in the second half and give them the taste of their own medicine, scoring some more in the process, and instead Utd became sloppy, and gave away a sloppy 2nd goal, which should have never gone in… I think it is time we get Schmeichel and/or VDS in the keeping staff and make our keepers become quality ones, as such mistakes (DDG’s against Blackburn and AL’s sloppy handling yesterday) are inadmissible at this level of football. Jones as well disappointed at times, may be we have over-hyped the lad, and now it got to his head, if he really wants to impose himself in the squad he needs to work harder
BTW hats off to Scholes for his comeback to help the team in troubled times, but I am still wishing we could at least buy someone younger but with experience to fill in the role, while keeping Scholes till the end of the season…
Fergie putting Scholes is a spit in the face to players like Ando and Park and just stinks of desperation.Its also a goodbye present to Pogba.COME ON FERGIE WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!
Scott the Red
Quite brilliant observations..spot on mate
Shouldn’t have been this hard. In the second half, united were just shocking. Phil Jones was just sloppy and the midfield was giving away a lot of balls with bad passes. I don’t think they took their feet of the gas, it’s just a matter of concentration and confidence, there wasn’t any in the second half for United.
I think a lot of United fans are holding their breath right to the final whistle. We really rode our luck.
First and foremost – I said that this game was as big as when Arsenal came to Old Trafford on the back of a 49 game unbeaten run. We couldn’t afford to lose IMO, psychologically more than anything. For that reason – this is a friggin huge result, I’m still buzzing today (and not just coz my all time favourite is back!)
Obviously disappointed with the second half slacking, however all that’s done is give City a bit of momentum. I don’t think it’ll affect the momentum WE gained – and that’s all I care about. Fergie’s post match comments will serve as a reminder to the players.
Major plusses – Smalling was fuckin immense. The other 3 defenders looked shaky but he was class, especially considering he hasn’t trained. Him and Rio HAS to be our main centre back combo until the end of the season.
Valencia – ripped them to shreds for the full 90. Really come back into form, lost count of how many assists he’s racked up recently.
Rooney & Welbeck – Rooney was brilliant, played a very deep midfield role for the most part (as he did in the Champions League last season), worked his socks off and class on the ball. That header was a bullet as well.
As for Welbeck – I said in the summer that he should be getting a big run in the first team and I got a bit of stick for it. But he has been excellent this season, brings so much to our play – energy, vibrancy, pace, power and intelligent link up play. Absolutely love watching him play.
It was a needed win for United. Our team has been devastated by back-to-back defeat in the hands of Newcastle and Blackburn. Although a win is still a win, we still need to know that Manchester City is after all playing with 10 men and we had 11. In situation like this, it would have been much reassuring if United had a more consistent team with a solid defence and goalkeeping. If United were to be Champions in the 3 competitions, players will need to play better and be more consistent in their gameplay. Not sure if the back-to-back loses going to cost us in the end of BPL, but I really hope that they will be more consistent in their game play from this game onward.
Anyway, congratulation and hope they keep up their hunger and fiery spirit for the rest of the season.
Back from my one day self imposed abscence and delighted with the win that I predicted on Friday.
Relentless.
We’re in the business of making words tasty.
People end up eating their words everywhere
Scholes was brought in to play possession football. He remains United’s only midfield player who can fit into the current Barca side with ease.
He does seem a little off in his long range passing though.
That being said, the short time he spent in the 2nd half illustrates what United had been missing this season: a midfield general to whom you pass the ball to whenever you run out of options. It is incredible that Scholes can expose this frailty with such clarity in such a short time.