1. Another trip to Anfield, another dire Manchester United performance. I’m not entirely sure what it is about that place but we haven’t put in a good performance there for years. Even when Liverpool went down to ten men we didn’t look better than them, it just seemed to even things out. We conceded possession far too easily, there was little fight in the players and we didn’t test the goalie anywhere near enough. That said, we got the three points, so I couldn’t care less. GET IN UNITED!
2. After our fans had been falsely accused of mocking Hillsborough in the week, I was delighted to see the travelling support on their best behaviour today. United players came out in in tracksuits with “96″ on the back and Ryan Giggs helped released 96 red balloons to remember the victims of Hillsborough. We applauded the Hillsborough remembrance with the Liverpool fans and sung our United songs when they sang “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. All it would take is for one idiot to make it all kick off, so it was a relief that our fans did the club proud. In contrast, Liverpool fans booed Patrice Evra’s every touch. Why? Because one of their players racially abused him.
3. The biggest talking point of the game was when Jonjo Shelvey was sent off for a challenge on Jonny Evans. Both players went in with studs showing but Shelvey went over the ball and planted his studs in to Evans. It was a similar challenge to the one between Evans and Stuart Holden a couple of seasons ago which resulted in Holden breaking his leg and Evans getting sent off. Some refs would have given a yellow card to Shelvey, others would have given a red card, but he can have few complaints. He got away with a late and high challenge on Rafael da Silva with less than fifteen minutes played which should have been a yellow, so either way, the decision to send Shelvey off was the right one. Still, Carragher didn’t get sent off for slicing Nani’s leg open a couple of years ago so what goes around comes around.
4. Rafael da Silva’s positioning is fairly dreadful at times and this brings deserved criticism. However, going forward, Rafael is really coming in to his own and was rewarded with a brilliant goal today. He ran in to the box, passed it back to Valencia, who lifted it to Kagawa, who chested it down for Rafael to float in to the top corner with his left foot. Brilliant. To come just five minutes after Liverpool took the lead through Steven Gerrard was fantastic. He’s only just turned 22-years-old and has two goals in four games so far this season. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are still out injured and he Rafael needs to take advantage of that to ensure he stays first choice when they return.
5. The winning goal came from a superb run from Antonio Valencia in to the box. In the post match analysis, Gary Neville said the two defenders that came across should have just taken one for the team and fouled him. They tried to! Once Valencia is off, he’s flying, and his speed and strength meant he could just hurdle their sliding tackles. On first viewing, it looked like a blatant penalty. Looking at the first replay, it looked incredibly soft. It was only after seeing it again, that the two hands in Valencia’s back from Glen Johnson, as well as him clipping his heel, that you could see the right decision had been made. The fact that Johnson didn’t complain at all when it was awarded told you more than any replay could. Having missed all three of our last penalties, you had to wonder whether we could take advantage of Johnson’s gift. Van Persie struck it, Reina went the right way, but the power the Dutchman got behind the shot ensured it went in.
6. Rio Ferdinand was probably our best player today, which came as a surprise when you consider that he looked as though he was going to have to go off early on, hobbling all over the pitch. He was solid at the back though. The worst player is a toss up between Nani and Kagawa. The former was entirely ineffectual whilst the latter just didn’t seem to fancy it. Both are quality players and not many of our lads did themselves justice today, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Fergie tries something new next weekend for Spurs.
7. Paul Scholes, yet again, was the game changer for us today. It’s a lot easier to do that against ten men though I suppose. Before kick-off, I’d assumed Tom Cleverley would be starting along Michael Carrick in midfield, so it was surprising that our youngster didn’t even get a run out. Fergie likes to play our homegrown lads in the big games which obviously should have worked in Cleverley’s favour. I wouldn’t say it worked having Giggs in the centre of the park but it didn’t cost us either. The likes of Cleverley and Anderson must be wondering what the fuck is going on though.
8. We got all the decisions today, Liverpool didn’t get any of them, and that’s the way it goes sometimes. Just off the top of my head I can remember several costly decisions that have gone against us recent years. Carragher should have been sent off for that attack on Nani, he should have been sent off for bringing down Michael Owen when he was through on goal and he should have conceded a penalty against Carrick. It’s shit when they go against you and it’s brilliant when they go for you. We got the rub of the green today and thinking of those whining scousers bleating on about how they were robbed today makes the three points all the sweeter for me. We papered over the cracks today and struggled to keep up with the ten men of Liverpool, but getting a win at Anfield is one of the best results of the season, and honestly, I couldn’t care less how we got it. COME on United!
Man Utd News 24/7
Hands up,bad ref an luck…fucking happy 3points but after 5 years.dint wanna win like that
Firstly, I hope this game will end the discussion once and for all Carrick’s value to United.
Secondly, I’m hoping to see Cleverley, Anderson, Carrick triumvirate. As soon as the next match, fingers crossed. Should be our best combination.
Thirdly, good to see someone noticed how dreadful Nani was. He has the uncanny ability to alternate between moments of genius and sheer stupidity in seconds. He’s probably lacking confidence, but should repay Sir Alex’s faith (and what little fans left) in due course.
Lastly, I thought Kagawa was decent today, and actually better than vs Wigan. Maybe shunt him out to the left flank?
Totally agree with Anderson/ cleverley partnering carrick. And nani should be dropped, all of that transfer speculation has effected him, can be a match winner but Wednesday and today was woefull
Worst performance I have seen in the 20 years I have been watching. Cleverley should have played, and Welbeck needs to play as well. Giggs, while certainly a legend, was awful. Always out of position and couldn’t connect a pass.
Utd should really consider a new first team coach. Our players are too good to look this bad.
You cannot tell me fergie is not to blame for our underperformance.4yrs without centre midfield re-inforcements and that is what you get!im very ashamed to be a utd fan today despite the 3 points.dreadful and worrying showing.We’re due a beating soon…
you bet scott, you bet.
WOW This is Super Quick Reactions thread Scott!
i FULLY agree with the point 7. Hahaha!!
Finding it hard to say something good about todays game
yes we beat Liverpool but the state of our play was bloody shocking.
when was the last time we bossed a game? maybe this could be the turning point.
I am not going to name players but some out there today need to have long hard look at themselfs
because this is not how MANCESTER UNITED play.
Ashamed? You.can.piss.right.off.really.
@T4M:
very ashamed to be a united? i bet u must be one of those “johnny comes lately” fans. IDIOT.
Fergie simply has to sort the midfield out. We were dominated by Everton, Fulham (second half), at times by Southampton and today. Our good fortune cannot run forever!! Evra is fast becoming a liability at LB. Our play is too slow, too complicated, no imagination and at times we seem to be lacking in desire!
Vintage United would have blown the scousers out of the pitch in the second half.
Some folks are just pampered way too much. I could’ve sworn a performance like this some years back would have been “played badly and won, the mark of champions”. And we didn’t even play badly, just another one of those typical performances we put up whenever we visit hostile away grounds, or title contenders. Think Anthill belongs to the former.
T4M ashamed? No center midfield reinforcement? What are you talking about?
Kagawa not a CM? Cleverly? And how about young powell?
Look if you’re ashamed to be a Man Utd fan then by all means fuck off from being one!
We choose the club not the other way.
@T4M, sorry that in your parallel universe, “we’ve lost already”.
as usual rose tinted utd fans wont want to the problem.youre no different from paddy crerand
@Lawman@T4M:
when was the last time Liverpool didn’t raise their game up against us at Anfield? even when they were in shit condition they always play their game of season against us…
so i’ll take this 3 points gladly.
@T4M:
and u’re not different from those football manager fans who think they know better than any real manager. also if u feel ashamed with our performance today, i wonder how’d u feel in 80′s. did u ever considered to do a suicide during that time??
Strange to write to this blog after so many regulars leaving.
But not a nice game to watch, not a nice game to win. 100% red card that could have been yellow. Yellow for RvP that could have been red. But the difference between the challenges two-footed (almost) from Liverpool player and hardly two-footed from RvP.
Penalty decision, strange one. We should ask TonyV whether it was a contact and how badly our player needed to go to the ground.
3 points still. Game forgotten after some time, 20th title remains in the books.
Giggs in the first 11, so Costas got it right. Carrick in the middle again – our regular. Kagawa still not ready to become our creative spark. Same old Anfield performance from us and stil waiting for something to cheer myself after 06-07 season. Boring.
Good points. We won by default in my opinion. Can’t remember seeing a worse Liverpool side. That being said, it’s good to finally win at Anfield again, to do it with another comeback and to finally score a penalty!
Plenty of tactical food for thought for the manager. We all remember the Wigan game last year when Giggs filling in for Scholes backfired. And he did it again today. Tom and Ando aren’t as good as Paul and Ryan were in their prime, but they are not mugs either. Give them a chance. It’s not like Giggs offered much today.
As for Kagawa, he’s become an enigma for me. The quality is there, but there are times when you have to wonder if we are trying too much to work around his style of play. Or maybe this is another example where Rooney’s absence is evident.
YorYor, you’re kidding yourself if you think that wasn’t a bad performance. Fergie admitted it himself that he was unhappy with the performance. We rode our luck today lets not beat around the bush.
Points against Liverfool, Shitty, LeArse and Chelski are important. Come May nobody will remember this performance. I’ll take all the 1-0 so long as we in the title.
And by the way ask arsenal fans if they would have preferred another trophy-less season with beautiful football or the opposite of it.
I’m sure the team will fare better in Old Trafford in the return match.
You wanna good match watch the U18 beating NC.Utd 7-1 away. Or wait for the League Cup match against their senior team. TC and Ando and Buttner will play. That’s our future for you.
This stage of the season all that matters in the 3 points, happy to grind this out.
Performances will improve any game now we will click …
@JOffrey
nobody denies that was bad performance from our boys but to feel ashamed when we just won against a team who always raise the game against us at their fuckin home is PURE STUPID.
I’m not ashame to win though but our performances this season have been unconvincing and with Spurs at home and Newcastle away next we are going to need to improve. Liverpool created chances at will with 10 men and every ball that has been crossed into our box this season seems to cause absolute mayhem.
As much as we all love United we have to take our rose tinted glasses off and admit that there is a serious problem in the team. Liverpool usually step up when they play us at Anfield, but tbh we have been dominated in midfield in pretty much every game every season. Scholes has been the difference in most games, which is worrying seeing as he should be getting phased out and Clevs/Ando being given an opportunity to shine just like we know Fergie likes to with the youth. How Giggs can start in CM is a mystery, his legs and that of Scholes are getting old and we cant expect them to press for the ball.
There was a lot of holes in midfield. United have proved to be a possession team lately, and to have 62% against us in the first half is just not acceptable, especially with a team down to 10 men. I know most reds here will say its the 3 points that matters, but what people have to realise is that these results are papering over the cracks which will be exposed when we lose Scholes to retirement and Clevs/Ando/Carrick have not had an opportunity to gel since they are not being selected ahead of the veterans.
Anyways, its still a win over Liverpool in Anfield after so long so there’s a reason to be happy. I just cant find get rid of the bitter taste in my mouth as we were very lucky. We need to start dominating teams in midfield or we will struggle against teams with stronger midfields such as City and in the CL.
On a more positive note, great goal by Rafael. Big fan of the lad, and I’m hoping SAF wont drop him once Smalling and Jones are fit. He still has a lot to learn defensively, but going forward, he’s been really good this season which is more than we can say for Evra who has been dismal at both.
Anyways, bring on Newcastle. Looking forward to seeing some of younger players on the pitch.
#UNITED
Great decision though to bring Scholes on, smart one.
But he could have easily been forced to a red even playing 45 minutes
“We played better in the second half but it was against 10 men and Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs’ experience got us through.
“We haven’t played well here for the past four years and we can do better but at least we got a result. It is a turning point for us.”
Teams 4 next 2 games
De gea
Fletcher Evans Wooten buttner
Nani Cleverly Anderson welbeck
Mecheda chico
Linde
Rafael ferdy vidic evra
Carrick scholes
Valencia kagawa Rooney?
Rvp
@Costas – 1 minute difference
Surely we have something about us, but anyway 
Memories still remain.
T4M just fuck off
Ashamed of supporting united?
You should be ashamed for being your fucking self.
We did win there, didn’t we? After 5 odd years
And guess what the soo called fans make of the game?
Meant to say . Liverpool usually step up when they play us at Anfield, but tbh we have been dominated in midfield in pretty much every game THIS season.
As I see it, the team is currently set up to have the left flank forward (for the lack of a better description) cut in, while the right flank forward retains position out wide like a traditional winger. This allows the left back to push all the way up to the byline, and allows the right back to cut into the box.
It should be worth a try shunting Kagawa out to the left, as the left flank forward cuts in most of the time anyway. If Rafael’s injury is serious, Valencia can deputise and Nani can play on the right.
Ideally, it would be interesting to see how this would work with Cleverley, Anderson alternating between forward runs, and Carrick lying deep just in front of the centre backs
Of course, all these are mere speculations anyway. Who knows what actually happens during training besides the coaching staff and players themselves.
@Joffrey:
thats the point. but why do we have to feel ashamed? its still early season though. United was known for their late start so i wasn’t suprised with our bad performances.
Against Wigan in the 2nd half was the kind of spirit we hope to see, commited and full blooded into the challenges. I’d take a red card or two in the season to at least see more commitment from the lads!
As for Kagawa, he was bought for a reason and I believe that reason involved how he was going to play with Rooney & Rvp. So lets wait for Rooney’s return to see what Sir Alex’s master plan is.
Costas @ 18:55: “Rooney’s absence is evident”
Agreed; TheWayneBoy has been the most important attacking player over the past six years – not the best and not always the most reliable.
So, today, TheLads played without the most important attacking player AND the most important midfield player AND the most important defender. Those absences showed.
Getting three points is crucial – especially when the main rivals lost two at home to the pretenders and are now several points behind in the EPL table, with an inferior goal-difference. Having a one-point deficit to the RentBoyz whlle TheLads are spluttering is also good news – SAF won’t let this collection of talent splutter while the RentBoyz’ record flatters-to-deceive, in my opinion.
I’m a glass half-full kinda guy and it seems to me that while things could be better – they could also be worse. AND, of course, I’m looking forward to those things getting better as UTD’s best attacker, best midfielder, and best defender get back to speed – while the return of BigManSmalling and MrJones will be welcome insurance for what looks like Rio’s last gasp.
I have to disagree with Scott’s statement that “Paul Scholes, yet again, was the game changer for us today”. From what I saw, TheGingerNinja was pretty lousy – he was responsible for LiverPoo’s goal by first getting undressed by Suso and then passing the ball directly to StevieGBH. He gave the ball away a lot – for him (and, I know, he has high standards). Playing in three matches in eight days might just have been too big an ask from such a legendary contributor to UTD’s glorious run. Scholes’ playing time (and Sir RyanGiggs) should be more judiciously rationed.
I agree with Dev (@ 18:26) that in the next set of matches “I’m hoping to see Cleverley, Anderson, Carrick triumvirate.” Give them a chance so that when DarrenFletcherinho comes back to his full “football genius” then Fletch/Carrick can be PlanA while Anderson/YoungTom can be PlanB and the golden oldies can be super-subs and PlanC.
Got to say I was convinced we would get stiffed once the team was shown,not too clever a showing but more than happywith three points I didn’t expect.
Any news on Rafael’s ankle injury?
Marq @ 19:21: “As for Kagawa, he was bought for a reason and I believe that reason involved how he was going to play with Rooney & Rvp. So lets wait for Rooney’s return to see what Sir Alex’s master plan is.”
Patience IS a virtue. Being second, one point behind the EPL leaders is not a bad cushion when waiting for the new attacking triumvirate to gel.
Lpool attacked well we defended well … Simple … GGMU
I readily admit to being a Rose tinted United supporter but I will never tire of winning at anfield whatever the performance. Ok as we all know our midfield is a problem at the moment but please give sir Alex some credit for not rushing in to fill in with some panic buys over the last few seasons. those who doubt Fergie more often than not end up with egg on their faces. With Darren fletcher almost back to full fitness and promising young talent coming through, things could be very different quite quickly. Fergie has earnt the right for us as fans to be patient while he builds at team for the long run. We haven’t played to our own standards yet but we are still second by only one point and are three points ahead of city. Better performances are ahead, in that there is no doubt in my mind. In Fergie we trust. Never die 19.
Do you think the scousers see the irony in them thinking they were robbed?
Fergie’s tactics and team selection in the big games is baffling of late.
Kagawa looks like the honeymoon period is over, perhaps he needs a break from it all. Start Danny up along with RVP – could become an amazing partnership if SAF allows Danny to play through the middle.
read it and gloat:
“Liverpool’s league record in 2012 now reads:
P – 24, W – 5, D – 5, L – 14.
That would average out as 31 points over the course of a full season”
Have to respond to T4M:
I’ve seen enough United-Liverpool games down the years to know that the performance on the pitch does not always reflect the result – and that goes for both teams. When Liverpool where bosing things in the 70′s & 80′s, we went 7 years unbeaten at their place. I’ve seen games where we totally battered them but ended up losing narrowly or scraping a draw – it’s a huge game for the players as well as the fans – I sometimes wish they would just toss a coin to decide these games rather than go through the media-hyped frenzy before and after the game. Given our recent results at their place, I’ll take today’s result -not matter how it was achieved – did we lose?, did we draw? Hell no, we got 3 points when not playing well – stuff of Champions I believe. If you’re embarassed to be a United fan then you are NOT a United fan – it’s not all champagne and chocolates every game, but it ain’t been too bad recently. Perhaps you are of a young age and not old enough to appreciate where we have come from in the last 20 years or so – not your fault – but don’t expect the team to be bludgeoning teams every match. The first half against Southampton was very frustrating for me and I kind of lost it – but put things in perspective – since losing against Everton on the first day of the season, we’ve won every game – are you really embarrassed about that?
Not the best performance but to complain that we gained 3 points. What bollocks. My opinion was luck was on out side and yes the scouse as usual played a raised game we played below par . But some complain as if we didn’t deserve 3 points. The alternative would have been a draw or loss . Would you prefer that ?. Immense pressure in the lads today , give them credit. Also credit to one or two scouse who gave posted tonight, not to troll but provide a genuine opinion . I’m over the fucking moon about the three points and gunners hiding shite to a point .
United one and all
FUCK EM ALL!
United came back in to the game after Liverpool scored because Liverpool started sitting back trying to protect the lead which allowed United alittle more time on the ball to create chances. Had they not done that it would have been unlikely United would have come back in to it. Througout the first half United were put under pressure when they had possession which worked quite well for Liverpool. United always seem to have problems when put under pressure which was apparent today because in the first half they very rarely strung more than 3-4 passes together.
I can see why SAF likes to play the old guard against the top teams because of the experience they have and I guess he just trusts them more but putting Scholes and Giggs in the same midfield is usually quite troublesome. But today when Liverpool dropped back and became more tired due to having 10 men this allowed the midfield more time on the ball and the chances came.
It would be interesting to know the possession stats this season to see how many games United have over 50% possession.
That Liverpool team were not good players, but they played an absolute stormer and sometimes you just have to admit that heart will get you as much as quality sometimes. Or, in this case, almost as much. At times they looked like they were playing a 10-10-10 formation, they were swarming all over us.
I think they lads did well to hang in there and win under that much pressure. I do not think they will ever be tested in the same way again, maybe ever, the occasion, the ground, the atmosphere, absolutely huge match and they did enough.
To be better than a team and beat them, that’s usual for United. This was something else. We were up against a team playing like men possessed, and we beat them when really there was no point in the game where we looked in control. That, to me, shows a toughness to this side, an ability to hang in there. That will serve us when against teams that really bring it on like Liverpool and to an extent Galatasaray.
I think all the lads will take a lot from this game, in their confidence, in their attitudes there is a lot to take from this game because there is nothing like being tested in those conditions, and winning, to strengthen a team. Yes it was scary, yes we weren’t very good, but you gain so much morale from a result like this and that positivity can be as good as an extra few days rest to players.
Really great day for our football club today. One to treasure.
Other minor points:
Nani was given no time and no space and I wouldn’t blame him if he felt physically intimidated there. I still remember seeing him scythed to the ground at Anfield and you can bet he remembers it. He’s got more reason than any of our lads to misfire in that stadium. So I forgive him.
Kagawa, well shit. First time out on that stage. He had his moments but he looked a little lost, he’ll find his feet. He’s started well for us but let’s not forget how new to England and our game he is. Big, big ask today.
So lucky to get this win.
Central midfield is an utter shambles absolutely no running power. We need to get Clev and Ando back in pronto. Still scratching my head why we didn’t buy Dembele. Rafael was magnificent hes so brave and great finish. Ferdinand bossed Suarez when it mattered keeping with his twisting and turning. The less said the better about Nani. Kagawa was terrible too ak47 is right time for a rest. Van Persie was isolated but stuck away the pen well after the delay.
On my way home I saw Valencia at the petrol station just drinking straight out of the pump.
Doghouse- a great day for the club indeed
Performances do not necessarily into results. In my opinion, I thought we played really well last year against L’pool in the FA cup match but yet ended up on the losing side. So, am I happy with the 3 points? Yes absolutely. Am I happy with the performance? Absolutely not. But I don’t expect UTD to keep performing like this throughout the season. Kagawa and RVP are yet to be integrated into the team properly but they have made telling contributions already and I wonder what will happen once they finally settle in. However, I do hope that the Gaffer does not start Giggsy or Scholesy in such high intensity, high tempo games. People wonder why UTD cannot keep up with teams who play with a high tempo then I ask them if they can name me a top football club who have a pair of 37 year olds in their midfield? What else do you expect when you start Carrick with a 37 year old in a 2 man midfield. Both of them are still quality players but it is unfair to expect to keep pace with players almost half their age.
@denton
I’m with you on about being on the fence for now. Sure as hell things can be better, but we are now in 2nd place, 1 point behind Chelsea, and a couple of points above City, so things are not that bad.
Yes we have issues with our midfield for a few good years now, but we have won the lot and last season only lost out on goal difference, so its not all that doom and gloom. Our team do not have the superstars of world football, but yet, we keep winning, and to be honest, I feel we have constantly punched above our weight with a collective spirit fostered by Sir Alex.
We have missed out on good players that were avaliable, like Ronaldinho, Yaya & Silva, and had we gotten them, we could well have surpassed Liverpool’s CL records. As it is now, no point looking back, we are have only the players we have, and all the talk of players leaving or coming, is pointless because the window is shut. So heres to hope that everyone starts to get their form and spirit back soon
YNWA? Good luck to those folks, being in the company of QPR and Norwich. We prefer to walk alone, because there can only be one winner, so winners are alone
Another positive at least, playing bad or not one of our rivals at this early stage are driting in the league for all the cash they have spent,that’s a plus.
@Norman-85:
WELL SAID SIR!!!
Off topic. Good to see Arsenal hold City to a draw. I thought Arsenal played well and if it wasn’t for Gervinho’s poor touch then they might have nicked a win. Have to admit though that Arsenal won’t be pushovers this season and they could have been genuine title contenders if they still had RVP.
“The occasion was marred slightly after the final whistle when a couple of home supporters ran across from the main stand to the visiting contingent – held behind on police orders – and started making aeroplane signals in a clear reference to the Munich air disaster in 1958 when eight United players were among 21 people who lost their lives”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19692320
And the world turns…
Just saw ssn they are really giving our fans some shit about the chanting .The papers are going to hammer us in morning no doubt . fuck all said about rent boyas against QPR
#07 I’ll bet that doesn’t get much attention in tomorrows papers, suprise surprise. Fucking scouse vermin. Our club and our fans did us proud today, thankfully the majority got it right.
John Terry announces his retirement from international football…..
wish scumbag would retire from all football i hate the twat
@Doghouse says:
“I do not think they will ever be tested in the same way again”
I wish I could agree with that. We’ll see many more games this season where the tempo and pressure will equal to what we’ve seen today as there are at leas 4 other teams in the table that will play at the same pace and pressure against us. We seem to fall apart in high tempo games, and our week passing really gets exposed – that needs to improve dramatically and asap. We seem to back or horizonal pass when a clean vertical pass would easily bypass 3/4 players, and passing the ball veritcally to a player surrounded by 3/4 players .. strange.
Nani, don’t know what’s happening there.
RVP – isolated
Kagawa- bad day
We were lucky to walk away with three points. It it wasn’t for the sending off, Pool wouldn’t have dropped their pressure.
Redbilly says:
“My opinion was luck was on out side and yes the scouse as usual played a raised game we played below par”
Liverpool have actually played this high tempo game all season, they were very unlucky not to walk away with three points against City after they gift wrapped a bad back pass for Tevez.
Shots on goal – what’s going on in this dept this season. We have so many players with a great strike, and when we’re in a good position right outside the box, we either keep plowing towards the net with a wall of defenders in the way or back pass.
Kagawa would love to take a shot with Borussia right outside the box – quiet.
Nani, cutting in and taking a shot – quiet (but other major problems here)
Rooney – quiet
Terry throwing the toys out of the pram – is he taking his ball with him (or at least his magic boots)?
‘Liverpool fans booed Patrice Evra’s every touch. Why? Because one of their players racially abused him.’
Not true, mate. I was there and fully expected them to boo him and they didn’t. I was well chuffed by this,
All that talk of ‘Lepping’s Lane could have been us’ was true for any 30+ fan today. Felt it in the ground and felt it in fans reactions.
Meaningful solidarity shit today, b’tween us and the Dippers.
Nonetheless, that Shelvey is a right cock
that’s a weird comment: “Rooney – quiet”
Don’t you have to be on the pitch in order to take a shot?
Was at the game today and yes we were lucky but it’s great to come away from that shithole with 3 points. Fucking lovely
Terry Announces international retirement. Good Riddance
http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/2927802/title/terry-ends-england-career
Well done lads.
Proved my pessimistic pre-match feeling wrong, though if you’d told me pre kick-off we’d get 3 points, a red card for them, a penalty, & actually convert it, id have got the men in white coats for you.
Another unconvincing showing, but another 3 points.
Bemused by the lindegaard & giggs selections though.
Though ad he was still on the pitch then, even more bemused giggs didnt take the penalty.
He seems to be the only fucker at the club who knows how to dispatch one.
Great win fuck Liverpool
@everydayislikesunday
Well said mate.
Dazbomber- well said
I hope we had a good firm and give it the fuckers
So all the talk is about united fans misbehaving, meanwhile on twitter Liverpool fans abuse mark hasley……
Ssshhhh don’t make a fuss, we don’t want to besmirch the image of the bindippers
MIb fuck Liverpool
What a fucking result. What a dreadful fucking performance :p
Totally agree with Scott, Rio was IMMENSE today. Every time that ratfaced prick tried to run at him Rio was the one who totally kept him in check. Evans had a couple of nervous moments but all in all had a good game. BTW SCOTT WHERE IS VIDIC? I was wondering if you’d touch on that, everyone seems to have forgotten about him in all this drama.
Up forward from the defence, no one really had a good game till maybe when the scouse started to get tired and Scholesy came on and took advantage of their tired legs and our superior numbers. Still it was a performance to forget I’m just glad we managed to score all three points. Wait, glad? Scratch that I’m positively fucking ecstatic!! To see that cunt Suarez spending more time on his ass than on his feet was beyond a piss off, with him trying to get Rio, Evans and others sent off. Never seen anyone dive more in a single game, CUNTTT of the highest order.
Marq @ 20:19: “Our team do not have the superstars of world football”
C’mon MUFC are not exactly TheLittleSistersOfThePoor. Just this past season, the indebted Glazers spunked up the ca$h for the guy who was last season’s player-of-the-year in the Bundesliga AND also the guy who was the player-of-the-year in the EPL.
To me, the big issue is that no one could have predicted that CR7 would have a “dream” or that Owen Hargreaves would have such wonky knees or that DarrenFletcherinho would have an irritable bowel syndrome that has destroyed a year of his career.
Sure, UTD have missed out on the likes of Ronaldinho – so SAF signed a pimply teenager from Sporting Lisbon – and Eden Hazard (!) and Lucas Moura (!!), so he then signed RVP. Since I’m a cup-half-full kinda guy, I’d argue that that’s not been bad business – Ronaldinho’s star flamed brilliantly for three years but he partied hard and is now “finito bambino” while I think that Eden Hazard has a long, long, long way to go for his game to catch up with his self-importance.
SAF has not been successful in turning over the 2008 team – yet ! – but when I see TheLittleTiger score a goal like the one today or Nick Powell score one like he did last week or Chicharito or DannyTheLad play with so much promise then I’m still holding onto my half-full cup !
Bet United fans didnt expect the Sky Sports cameras to still be trained on them after the match. Disgusting, and you complained that Man City fans did the same a few years back. Still I guess it’s not your fault is it, and you were singing those songs to “make a point”
@#07.
Just followed your link, had a read, done the rounds on the united Newsnow page, & come across this….
http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/video-manchester-united-fans-sing-murderers-murderers-in-empty-anfield-after-liverpool-win/
Surprise surprise, no fucking mention of the rat eating instigators again………
A wise man once said it was NEVER their fault, & again it appears to be the case.
@Jarv1
Get the whole story before you start saying people
Jarvis, what the cameras didn’t pick up were 2 fucking vermin turds doing the airplane sign to us on their way out.
Let’s put things into perspective. Liverpool are our biggest rivals, and have been for years. Forget clubs like Arsenal, Man City & Chelsea – they’re here today and gone tomorrow.
To beat Liverpool at any time is satisfying, especially on their own ground, but to do so today has really put them in their place, which currently is in the relegation zone.
Today, the cameras picked up on the “Always the victims, never your fault” chants today. Think back to the Heysel Stadium in 1985, check out the tv footage and you’ll see a ‘Munich 58′ banner and another one saying ‘Man United This Is The Big One’. The Liverpool Chairman at the time laughingly claimed that those fans causing the trouble which ultimately led to the deaths of 39 Juventus fans must have been Chelsea fans. Or National Front members! You couldn’t make it up.
For years United fans have had to put up with moronic chants about Munich from fans of Liverpool, and smaller clubs like Leeds & Man City. It makes you wonder whether the media will be as quick to criticise the singing of any Munich songs in the future as they have been for chants about Hillsborough?
This victory just papers over the cracks, we are getting used to this kind of performance and the sad thing is I was expecting it before the game started. It’s the same kind of performance we always see against good teams away from home…remember the Etihad last season?
I just can’t figure out why Sir Alex is so loyal to his first team coaches. Our players are not comfortable with posession when under pressure and just can’t close down opposition properly. Liverpool were better than us with 10 men for god sake!!!!
Get a proper coach in Sir Alex and pleaaaaaase find some decent centre mids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WkntRCywPc
Brilliant to see Rafael with that grin of his.
@Costas
Kagawa is causing problems, not for the opposing team as we hoped but for United. Rather than look to have him adapat to the players around him it seems the other 10 are being asked to adapt to him. Sure over time they may do but its one hell of a risk that we have got very lucky so far with.
When we play a 4-3-3 to accomodate his prefered position it just sees us get narrow, even Valencia is no longer hugging the touchline and it makes the game very compact in the middle of the park which then coupled with too much focus on short clever passes in the central sees it break down as they arent pecentage passes which then sees everyone but the attacker drop deeper and deeper until the Striker gets isoloated. We need to play faster and have our players especially the wingers play their natural game, if we need to accomodate Kagawa then a 4-4-1-1 would be much more suitable as our wigers wouldn’t need to sacrifice themselves and we wouldnt need to be restricted to playing through the centre
So Murray and Lawro think
- The Sending off was right and Evans wasn’t in th wrong
- That Evans won the ball when Suarez dived
- That Valencia was fouled so it was a penalty
So if those two think that then the Liverpool fans on here bitching really need to get a clue as both never miss a chance to be pro liverpool.
Costas and wakey – he has struggled, but it does not help the midfield is getting bypassed. I think he needs some time, give him more time and he will come through. He is the type of player for me, where we should see tactical changes. I have always said this, we should be changing tactics, from the wingplay system, to perhaps a more narrow diamond system that the Spanish use, where the CM is the heart beat of their play
Personally, i was proud to be a United fan today. The club has definitely done itself proud and in my opinion so did the fans. Yes, we sang United chants over You’ll Never Walk Alone prior to kick off, but they weren’t the ones we had feared. Had it not been suggested before the game that the majority should try and drown out the minority that were likely to be singing more controversial chants??? Is this not the sort of self policing we required?
I listened to Five Live on the way home from work this evening (around 7pm). One caller was a Liverpool supporter clearly in tears asking “why, why, why did we have those songs from united fans at the end of the game?” he added ” we had a chance to put this to bed after all of these years and now we will never be able to because of United fans”. Sob, sob. This was news to me, and I felt our fans had let us down. I felt gutted.
But just in case you’re reading, you poor little scouser, I hope you’ve dried your eyes. Here’s your answer:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/mobile/football/19692320
I don’t condone some of our chants, but this goes someway to explaining why they get sung…
Always the victims….
@wakey Murray is a Liverpool fan and Lawro, well, he isn’t the worse pro-Liverpool pundit out there but he is one of many all over the place. Steve Nicol was funny on ESPN the other night, still angry about Kenny not being given more time. He said something like Kenny’s signings might not come good this year, but maybe NEXT year!
I mean, how Downing and Adam are at their peak. You gotta laugh at them and hope most people recognise all the pundits’ bias: Neville puts most ex-pros to shame.
@Wakey, FITB
I think Wakey’s analysis reveals one of the reasons why our wingers have been below par thus far this season. Kagawa’s first few games remind me of the growing pains we experience when Veron arrived. I really hope Fergie experiments a bit more with Kagawa. Whether it’s a 4-4-1-1 as Wakey said, a 4-4-2 where Kagawa plays on the left or a system without wingers. Although the latter is a bit tricky. We have 2 of the best in Europe in Valencia and Nani. They are still a key part of our attacking plans. The team is still built to play with wingers.
But FITB makes a good point about the midfield. In order to get the best out of Kagawa and the wingers, Kagawa needs to see a lot of the ball. Meaning that our team needs to press more and stop getting bypassed so easily. Maybe a defensive midfielder is the missing piece in this puzzle.
I am glad we won, obviously, but it was way too nerve wracking even with 10 men. Anyone criticising Evra must have been watching a different game, he was good defending and attacking and all Liverpool’s key attacks came from their left. Sterling has no impact.
But there is a problem with the way we keep possession especially when teams pressure us, even when they have technically weaker teams, it too often looks like we cannot string two passes together if Paul Scholes is not on the field. I do agree re above post and think there is a coaching issue, in terms of positioning and passing and moving under pressure, teams are cutting through us way too easily for a couple of years now, I don’t know if bringing Quieroz back is the answer but it is odd how some players that were better at possession play and beating a man have become worse instead of improving. We have a great goal keeping coach and manager, but there is something missing from the coaching staff and it’s obvious in the way we can’t hold onto the ball under pressure from weaker teams despite having better players.
It may be the contract issue, but Nani’s head just does not seem to be in his game, it looks like he is all over the place and going through the motions, which is sad to see. Teams are doubling up on Valenica and his crossing and decision making is not at its sharpest yet.
Rio and Carrick MOTM for me. Great to see Carrick attacking and his desire to win. RVP was wasted, no defence splitting passes from anywhere other than the end. We were also a bit elaborate in front of goal when you just wanted someone to bloody shoot. Agree with Scott, Rafael struggled defensively but was great going forward, great goal. He and Valenicia forming a good partnership on the right, it is a shame there is no regular partnership on the left.
Pea’s all round play has really come on, he is looking sharp and good and stretched the play nicely.
Kagwa just seemed exhausted, maybe a few too many games in a new league. Also he was the link with RVP / second striker and also running alot as in the first half Carrick and Giggs sat far back and could not control the MF and the passing to him was shit.
I actually think starting this game with 2 strikers in a 4-4-2 would have worked better for us, when Pea came on we had more possession and attacking options.
Anyway, we have great players, the future looks good but this possession think needs to get sorted, Scholes can’t do it all the time.
@number7shirt
and reports say after 13 minutes United fans tried to provoke Liverpool fans by chanting ‘Where’s your famous Munich song?”
Why dare them? Why provoke them into chanting? So United fans can chant back, safe in the knowledge the bigger boys started it and we didn’t reference Hillsborough directly (weak, playground reasoning).
But I wasn’t there. Who am I? I don’t understand it all, and I might be wrong but I don’t mind that.
Wow – all this negativity about Kagwa – he has been the star man in a couple of games and scored and got an assist today and is adjusting to the EPL.
Him not adapting to the team and it being built around him is just speculation and complete nonsense. He is playing as a second striker/attacking MF and running like a bitch as today the other MF players were overrun and sitting far back until Scholes came on, the crossing from Nani and Valencia was also off. Absolutely a joke comparing Kagwa to Veron and making comments about him not adapting to the team. He is playing where he has been told to play. He has a bloody difficult job today with very little support.
Costas – exactly, kagwa is not like the veron or berbatov situation, he suits our style perfectly. And guys like kagwa should be tactical progress, either get another midfielder to play alongside carrick or cleverly, or change systems and play a more central system, which consists of a mix of brutal players, and players who hold ont the ball. Not go backwards, and go back to the inflexible past it’s sell by date 442. And how about how poor nani was today, he give the ball 4 or 5 times, and this guy wants a payrise.
I have said this allot,. since 2009, the nani valencia combo, has been good. But it;s not exactly blown us away has it. We say we love wingplay, but it’s not helping united. Kagwa is not hindering united at all, nani is for me, play to this guys strengths.
Let’s see what cleverly and anderson combo can do with kagwa playing infront of them, and carrick playing the anchor role. I still say we should try a midfield 4 of,
carrick
anderson cleverly
kagwa
with RVP and welbeck upfront
One of the most disgusting aspects of today’s affair:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2207604/Mark-Halsey-suffers-sick-abuse-Twitter.html?ITO=1490&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Apparently there were some “Not fit to referee” chants at Anfield. Which I find funny since Halsey has returned to officiating for a few years now and he seems to have done a good job in most games. Some just can’t stay classy I guess.
Fuck the wingplay system to be honest I am sick of tired of players like nani going walkabout, and seeing our midfield getting bypassed. which is not helping evra and kagwa, let’s start getting our engine room more compact, which gives us the numbers to dominate possession, but have the punch and firepower upfront to destroy sides. Valencia maybe the only one I would play more, and I do feel valencia nani young is a great plan B, but I do feel we need to see change. Spain have not done to bad without wingers have they. Many united fans do not like to see change, but I would love to see the boss introduce us to the diamond formation
I tend to agree with you Costas and the others.
The only times I see link-up play with Kagawa is when Van Persie, Evra or Nani has the ball. When Nani gets the ball, you can see how eager Kagawa is to go close, because he knows he can play 1 touch football with him.
I always hated, when I played football that people were afraid t o pass the ball in tight areas and I had to play without the ball. It seems our players aren’t used to play tight area football. We NEED that. Only the players I mentioned are able + Anderson, Cleverley, Rooney, Rafael. And Scholesy.
I see the “problem” if you can call it that way, with Van Persie, we don’t “use” him in a proper way. As our players are afraid to pass or linkup with him.
Let’s give them time to adjust, cause after all, in the other games Kagawa has been brilliant, not great but brilliant, and let’s hope our players realise that. And Van Persie has been banging goals.
And most important thing, we are winning!!!! and won Liverpool at their homeground. aaah what a feeling.
@ahjs
Likewise, I wasn’t there. Neither did I hear those chants. However, you can choose to see that as provocation if you like, but you could argue that it was more an observation from frustrated United fans after having to put up with the “famous Munich song” for the last 50 years and then they go quiet when under the spotlight. Plus, any song that came from the United end was going to come under close scrutiny today and it was always going to be to their detriment, regardless.
The first priority is to win. WIn this match, win the PL, win as much as we bloody well can. Playing exhilarating football, stringing a million passes together, dominating posession, scoring stunning goals and all other such “niceties” come a distant second.
The sending-off might have been a tad harsh, but it was a yellow card for sure, and he should have had a yellow earlier too, so either way, he was off. Boo-fucking-hoo, and excuse me while I break out the world’s smallest violin. As for the penalty: that would have been a free kick anywhere else on the field, and the standard’s the same.
The sooner we can get TC and Ando back together, the better.
WeAreUnited – give paul a rest and try that midfield diamond, but say scholes does play, why not try a midfield 4 of
carrick
scholes cleverly
kagwa
I always feel kagwa signing should be the start of change, and make us more compact in midfield, so we do not get overrun
Main thing is WE WON!!! first time since 2007. Fucking delighted about that. But the reality is we were outplayed from start to finish. Why can’t we just play Ando and Cleverley? What’s wrong with giving them gametime in these big games. It is these games that help the most in developing a player. Play them in these games please and stop playing Giggs and Scholes all the damn time even though Scholes was fantastic today.
Elated with the result but not the performance. Kagawa has created goals in both of our last two fixtures now and his decision making could be the fine detail between winning and losing points. Had he not found Carrick from a tight angle in midweek, we’d have drew 0-0. Same again today had he not cushioned it for Rafael. Give it time. I’m more interested to see how the return of Rooney will effect the starting lineup
Fergie is the boss.
that can also do, cause at the moment carrick is on fire,
But what about this?
carrick
Anderson cleverley
kagawa
Nani Rooney
Van Persie
Anderson is a big question of course, but he can play that brazilian football and after all, he isn’t “really” a DM or CM, but more like a attacking mid and could cope well? just saying.
just notice I put one player too much hahahah, it’s getting too late over here,
carrick
Anderson/Scholes cleverley
kagawa Rooney/Nani
Van Persie
This is better, it combines technique and arrogance
@FITB
Personally, I am still a fan of the wingplay mate. When done correctly, a team plays more entertaining football like that as opposed to playing centrally. Plus, I don’t know if Fergie would know how to play without wingers, lol. Like I said, we just have to find a balance between the wingplay and Kagawa. A way to accommodate both. Either way, it could be a mute point if we don’t get the central midfield fixed first and foremost. Because in a lot of these games, Kagawa hasn’t seen as much as the ball as he should have. And as a result RVP has seen even less of it.
@WeAreUnited
Kagawa has shown signs of his class. I said it myself. But, there’s still a natural tendency in the team to play more freely at 4-4-2. Some good examples of that where the second half at Southampton and the Wigan game. You can tell it’s still a a learning process as far as Kagawa and the team getting to know each other. Lets see what happens when Rooney returns. We have yet to see him, Kagawa, RVP and Valencia start together.
Yeah that’s true, I’m alsoa a fan of wingplay, cause it’s more entertaining and faster, and we have looked very good when chicha has been brought in and we started playing 4-4-2.
But in the other hand, football wise, football is developing and teams are playing now the Barca style.
And my question is, who wouldn’t want that football. So when we have the capacity to do that with certain players, we should play!
Downside if you can say, is that most of our players, not includinng Van Persie and Kagawa, are used 4-4-2, and those two are used to play differenlty so it’s hard.
Let’s hope they cope even better and we kep winning, no matter what
Norman-85 says:
that’s a weird comment: “Rooney – quiet”
my comments about not taking more shots outside the box was not about only this game, but this season.
@Costas
if we don’t get the central midfield fixed first and foremost. Because in a lot of these games, Kagawa hasn’t seen as much as the ball as he should have. And as a result RVP has seen even less of it.
…Agree..
we can strike a good balance with wing/central play but have to address other issues first..
I think today shows how important Wayne Rooney is to Manchester United. He just brings that overall balance to the team. Very willing to drop back and defend. Capable of that moment of brilliance as well. I guarantee you that if he played today Kagawa and VP would have seen much more of the ball. They are being severely STARVED of the ball. Especially RVP. How do you expect to get the best out of him when we can’t even get him the ball often? Nani’s job was to get them the ball today. He was completely non existent for the WHOLE time he was on the field. He’s got to step it up or else he will be benched soon.
Nani wasn’t the only ineffective player, if the team aren’t performing then the entire team as a unit is to blame.
fitb @ 23:21: “Let’s see what cleverly and anderson combo can do with kagwa playing infront of them, and carrick playing the anchor role. I still say we should try a midfield 4 of,
carrick
anderson cleverly
kagwa
with RVP and welbeck upfront”
I’d second that motion. It would be even better with TheWayneBoy.
The right blend of deep lying midfielders in 4-2-3-1 has to be found. united need an energetic dynamo alongside a more accomplished plaumaker. Today was the wrong combo, giggs and carrick has never worked. Preferably, i’d go with carrick and anderson and then bring scholes on later in games like today. Cleverley still a lot more improvement to make, maybe it’s too much to ask him to impose himself and be dominant in midfield but I hope he comes good.
The right blend of deep lying midfielders in 4-2-3-1 has to be found. united need an energetic dynamo alongside a more accomplished plaumaker. Today was the wrong combo, giggs and carrick has never worked. Preferably, i’d go with carrick and anderson and then bring scholes on later in games like today. Cleverley still a lot more improvement to make, maybe it’s too much to ask him to impose himself and be dominant in midfield but I hope he comes good…..
@denton
I didnt mean our team is made up of average players, and I was particularly refering to our central midfield not being one with superstars. And yes, I do not rank Kagawa as a superstar yet, just because he is the German Player of the Year. Parker was the EPL player of the year but no way he is a star player. But do not get me wrong, I wholely believe Kagawa is here with us to achieve that status.
All I was saying is our midfield, as crap as some people make us to be, has won alot for us already
I’ve onlty ever been truly unhappy with the team on a few ocassions, with the stark memory of the whimpering performance on the 50th anniversary of Munich, at home against City, trumping everything else. That was b.a.d.
Yesterday’s? I still think it’s a typical performance of United, because it’s something we’ve seen before, and will see again. Away game to a rival (not title contender), grind out 3 points, keep them in that red zone, what’s there to whine about? Does it really please anyone for everyone to agree that the performance was shite and that the midfield is the worst in United history and that the club needs to buy the next hyped midfielder around, and we should all huddle and sob together? Would that then mean we are not with rose tinted glasses? You enjoy lamenting about performances while I enjoy watching United in action week in week out. What’s the point in supporting and watching if it makes you unhappy? Apparently, to some, the definition of support of an entity is criticising the components of the entity whenever possible and wondering why the entity does not contain components of another competing entity.
All these different combinations everyone suggesting don’t work simply because the boss doesn’t really trust Ando or Cleverly. They’re 24 and 23 respectively and are no longer ‘prospects’. Clearly when 38 and 39 year olds are selected above these two then there that to me is a definite sign that they are not up for it. We need someone to step up in our midfield, or maybe dip in to the transfer window in Jan because VPersie is being starved of the ball upfront and was mostly seen on the wing or deep in our own half because the fucking midfield couldn’t hold the ball for more than 5-10 seconds at a stretch. At the rate things are going i feel only Scholesy and Giggsy retiring are gonna force SAF’s hand because this midfield situation is getting worser by the day.
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2012/Sep/sir-alex-ferguson-explains-nemanja-vidic-absence.aspx
And glad to see the ol’ captain isn’t injured again.
does anyone have any stats on how many passes nani completed yest? he was shocking and kept passing the ball to the opposition even when he was not under great pressure.
im just worried that scholes and giggs being picked over a fit ando and clev doesnt bode well for the youngsters, maybe fergie doesnt have faith in them. they need more game time and more exposure, scholes n giggs aint gonna be here forever…
John terry- thug, thief, liar, adulterer.
@ Jonathan Novy “Our players are too good to look this bad”
That kind of sums it up for me too. Sometimes we look Sunday league with some terrible passing and control.
The explosive and volatile nature of the match has always suited Liverpool more than United. ‘Desperation’ has been the Reds’ favourite weapon on such occasions and they have plenty of it to fall upon this time around as well. In a purely football-based fight, with a few exceptions such as in Rafa Benitez’ most prolific season and Kenny Dalglish’s interim one, the Reds have nearly always failed to come out on top against a United side possessing more ability and squad depth. This is why Liverpool have found it so hard to get results at Old Trafford since it becomes unfavorably closer to a pure football contest, whereas their record against United in the battleground of Anfield has been impressive.
Without sounding disrespectful towards the Merseyside club, United’s visit has had a ‘cup final’ feel attached to it for many years now. It is one match where the players raise their game and expend every ounce of their energy; so much so that it has consequences on the next few matches. Liverpool have only twice won the league match that follows United’s visit in the last ten seasons. The three wins in recent years have been followed up with a win, a draw and a loss each, which goes to show that expectations such as “it could kick-start the campaign” usually lead to disappointments.
@Adam says (00:09):
I got that – just think that it’s a bit unfair given that Rooney has only played 1 and a bit games this season.
Halsey and his wife received sickening tweets in reference to their cancer battles . Any guesses who sent them .
L’pool supporters need to grow an effing pair. Refereeing decisions can go either way. I am sure the Scousers would have been laughing their arse off if one of our players got sent off. How many times have we been at the receiving end of some absolutely God-awful shocking decisions? We never cry about it because that’s how it is. You win some, you lose some. Yes, L’pool played well and they deserved something from the match but the rub of the green went our way.
And that bald cunt Shelvey can fuck right off. Blaming SAF for the red card-Nonfucking sense.
Cards come and go. It is a testament to the lack of recent big game experience that pool are going on about this. It was a red card as the lad missed the ball and contacted our player with both feet off the ground. Evans made contact with the ball and not with the player. What “exactly” are they arguing about? If Evans had been carded we would be aggrieved but we wouldn’t be talking about it the next day. Everyone needs to grow a pair.
Shavely was reported to have personally apologized to Sir Alex after the game. Haven’t seen any verification of that ….. anyone? Would show something from the lad, so I hope it is true.
What IS worth talking about IMO is the tenon of our fans throughout the match. Thought they were awesome. Let themselves down a bit after with the singing of murderers though. I did’t see the build up to that, but heard that a couple Pool fans set it off by running at the away section and making airplane gestures. Hope those idiots got banned as it could really have kicked off.
@wakey 22:49 Heard that as well. Don’t know what the scousers are complaining about. Just pathetic innit?
3 points at rantfill. I’d tap that any day.
denton davey – well I meant the players who are fit at the moment
Beautiful moments from @BeautifullyRed
Liverpool v Manchester United: 5 Beautiful United GIF Moments
http://wp.me/p2cEul-8z
Would love to see a close up on the Valencia foul. Stone cold penalty for me. Thoughts?
MIdfield situation is so predictable – I really, really don’t understand it. I would try Jones in there when he is fit – he is raw but he has power and pace and is mobile and he can get beyond our forwards which may start to get the best out of others.
Kagawa is a funny one – only player he has really linked with so far is Nani. There has been no link with Rvp at all. I wonder if we would have signed him if we knew we would get RvP. Rooney and RVp need to get their opportunity together. I dont see where he fits unless he is given a much freer role maybe coming inside off the left but has he the pace to play wider. Not contributing defensively either which I thought he would.
Nani v disappointing yesterday but one of many. He needs some TLC from our fans in my view – though he wont get it. Been here 5 years and does not have a song – says it all.
Agree that certain players appear to be underperforming
Nani was at his most frustrating.
Kagawa shows his brilliance in flashes rather that consistently.
Evra up to his usual tricks.
I trust that Nani and Kawaga – at least – will only get better in the coming weeks. Then we’ll be a force. Let’s just hope they can do so – and that we can find some sort of rhythm – before the games against Arsenal and Chelsea.
For now, we’re playing in 2nd gear and picking up points. That’ll do me.
Voice of reason,
Not a position he is familiar with or would be any good at.Here’s what I have Always considered the ideal situation,just Buy a good quality midfielder to fit the situation its not rocket science.And stop flanneling the support with were expecting this thst or the other player to come through or Darren is making good progress in his recovery shite.
Parryheid agree we should have bought someone – probably 3 years ago when it was clear Hargreaves would not make it – just looking at how we can get through the rest of the season because we both know nothing will happen in january. Jones had 3 or 4 great games in midfield last season admittedly against poorer teams. What he would do is help us get the ball back quicker so we are attacking from 40 rather than 80 yards out – we never win the ball back in their half. Part of the reason our wingers have not been great this year is they get he ball 50 yards out with a packed defence
Only in Liverpool is this an “apology”
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpool-vs-manchester-united-jonjo-1340628
Got news son. It is a long way from Romford to get to the etiquette you will need to spar with Fergie!
Lad Shelvey thinks he was schooled at Eton or sommat? Grow a pair.
Fletch- Romford . One shit hole to another. Thick fuc. An official apology then Recind it on twatter. Credit where it’s due. Rodgers is already a top scouse. A whinging moaning cunt
They may be shit right now but I still feel. In top of the world with a win at kop flops
Redbilly, You say he rescinded the apology on Twit? Hilarious! But I was pointing out what he said to sky, about Fergie “greening up”. Deluded !
Morning…
FACT: Liverpool have failed to win any of their opening 5 league games for the first time since the 1911-12 season. Lowly.
Robin Van Persie has scored more PL goals(5) than Liverpool(4) this season LOL
3 Liverpool fans were arrested yesterday for mocking the Munich disaster by making aeroplane hand gestures.
Steven Gerrard: Refereeing decisions cost us against Man United http://t.co/Z0VFMtYS
Joke of the week:
Alex Ferguson: “It was a tough decision, but it paid off. We will rotate Howard Webb and Mark Halsey through out the…
Manchester United: Rating the United Players in Liverpool Win http://bit.ly/UIvCYi
Rafael: my best goal http://t.co/3lDeam9W
I’m enjoying all the bitterness from ABU’s today. Same old crap.
I’m enjoying all the bitterness from ABU’s today. Same old crap…..
When you are losing 1-0 at Anfield, it’s really difficult to recover,” he explained. “It came straight away and what a goal! Rafael is different class and he scored with his left foot so I’m so happy for him!
“I said to Rafa I think he deserves it as he’s working very hard. It’s difficult to find a place now in this XI as the boss has many players who want to play. He said today it was a game for men and we showed that. I think we showed great character. I don’t think we played especially well but we showed big character and that was most important today.
“I was anxious for the penalty. The player [Daniel Agger] was on the floor and taking his time and I was like: ‘Whoah, what’s going on here?’ When Robin shoots, Pepe Reina went the right way but I think it was a good penalty with power and that’s why he scored. It’s why we buy some big players – for big games – and we need them.” – Evra
FACT: RvP’s penalty was United’s 2nd at Anfield in the PL era, the only other was in 1999 scored by Dennis Irwin.
Proverb.
Gerrard, stand up comic and professional whinger.
At least BBC Lawrenson & Murray say Halsey got all key calls right. Important to have voices in the media putting the Liverpoo lie-machine in its place. EPL refs won’t bat an eye over any of Halsey’s calls.
Think we should be offended? Piss on that, wouldn’t waste a minute more on it myself. We won away, Rafael a beautie and RvP and solid conversion from a well deserved penalty. 3pts in bag, dancing all the way home with the gold.
Still a long season and no one will remember this.
Fletchtheman- deluded indeed. Seems a bit of a loose cannon which is fantastic as far as I’m concerned.
Brilliant. Video: Rafael’s goal @Anfield.
Bit daft to be shooting all this, but brilliant just the same
http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/filmed-live-manchester-united-fans-reaction-to-rafael-da-silvas-beauty-v-liverpool/
Redbilly, Cheers mate!
Proverb- the venom with which the scouse have discussed the match on line and on the radio is Laughable at times. I am of the opinion that they expected… No, demanded a win yesterday to complete s fairy tale dream. One or two stated they are a better team than us, not where better on the day but always. Surely statistics and silverware tell a different story. They cheered me up no end.
Cleverley not starting shows that SAF still does not have enough trust on the lad to start him in such a big game, and instead opted to play Giggs there before eventually sending on Scholes and moving Giggs on the left wing. But yes, the display was very poor considering we are sitting in the 2nd spot currently and 1 point behind chelski. Agreed Liverpool had home advantage, but if Utd are really playing to win No.20 then more team-spirit is required, instead of trying to play individually. Nani is going from bad to worse, and definitely by the look of things I would say he should be sold the earliest possible and SAF needs to start looking for a replacement. By the look of the 2 recent performances, if we had played teams in better conditions, we would have lost, simple as that, Galatasaray even came close to score while Liverpool did score even when down to 10-men… Time for some drastic changes???
Heads up lads. Spitting my brew on this….. (well my coffee innit!)
@natashaturk United supporters were NOT chanting “murderers” It was “burglars” … Cheeky? Yes. Wrong? No.
Can anyone confirm this?
United away support is the best.
Voice – jones is not a midfielder, you only see the “brilliant runs” he makes but he’s no where near getting a regular role and he certainly hasn’t got the attributes to excel there, he seems a jack of all trade at the moment, he isn’t looking great in any of the positions either, especially in imidfield. He needs to go back to his day job as a centre back and improve there or he’ll suffer the “john O’shea” effect of racking up appearances but never really cementing a regular place. Versatility is good but you still need to be competent in your real role. After all that, he can hopefully get better but he needs to stay fit.
Fletchtheman 10:15- thanks for the link .
LRT – cleverley still isn’t imposing himself on games. He’s tidy znd neat with short passes but scholes and other great midfielders can do that but provide crucial key forward passes into dangerous areas. They score goals and can carve teams open at any moment. If cleverley wants to be trusted, he has to get even better. He gets shrugged off the ball far too easy for me in a key central role. He will never be a hulk but he needs upper body strenght and needs to stamp his authority on games. Look, he’s 23 and I don’t think he’ll be called a midfield prodigy for long until people start questioning him as he’s at that stage of nailing down a place. Maybe we’re demanding more than tom can offer but I still hope he can step up and be a top player at united. Pretty sure he’ll start against a qualty newcastle team.
LRT – cleverley still isn’t imposing himself on games. He’s tidy znd neat with short passes but scholes and other great midfielders can do that but provide crucial key forward passes into dangerous areas. They score goals and can carve teams open at any moment. If cleverley wants to be trusted, he has to get even better. He gets shrugged off the ball far too easy for me in a key central role. He will never be a hulk but he needs upper body strenght and needs to stamp his authority on games. Look, he’s 23 and I don’t think he’ll be called a midfield prodigy for long until people start questioning him as he’s at that stage of nailing down a place. Maybe we’re demanding more than tom can offer but I still hope he can step up and be a top player at united. Pretty sure he’ll start against a qualty newcastle team…….
This video is starting to pop up around the internet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbgMW2DkS2I
Do you guys think it will circumvent the mainstream media or will they blow it up in ‘United fans are scumbags’- articles for the rest of the week?
I don’t think it shows a lack of trust on fergie’s part when he picks scholes over a cleverley.and that doesn’t define the likes of anderson lacking ability. He’s just going with the tried and trusted. central midfield kis a key position, every younger player at the club has to show competency in it and have to earn it. they have to step up but I know quality exist amongst the younger players. The manager isn’t one to shirk out of throwing players in bu these players have to step up. Too many younger players these days think getting to the top is all you need, well you need extra to stay there.
I don’t think it shows a lack of trust on fergie’s part when he picks scholes over a cleverley.and that doesn’t define the likes of anderson lacking ability. He’s just going with the tried and trusted. central midfield kis a key position, every younger player at the club has to show competency in it and have to earn it. they have to step up but I know quality exist amongst the younger players. The manager isn’t one to shirk out of throwing players in bu these players have to step up. Too many younger players these days think getting to the top is all you need, well you need extra to stay there..
Sam – agree Jones is not an out and out midefielder but we need some more strength and mobility particularly away from home – we have the talent going forward. Problem is all options to play alongside Carrick lack power and mobility hence we look wide open in the centre of the park. Only other option is to pack midfield and go 433 – certainly Kagawa, Scholes, Cleverley, Giggs, Carrick combinations of are just too lightweight and slow. Fletcher may help but he needs to get fully fit too.
As far as big EPL games go this season Rafa has scored a candidate for one of the best. It was an absolute banger of a goal, and RVP grabbing the winner from a penalty wasn’t bad either.
Whenever we go to Anfield I’ll be happy with a draw. That Club treat home games against us as Cup finals. Look how many players they rested ffs.
They clearly wanted it more than us and it showed at times, but we only go there once a season. I’ll take 3 points and an underwhelming performance from Anfield any day.
I would’ve been happy with one point.
Gyan_Riggs: Your video’s from Sky so obviously its in the mainstream media already…and its in some papers as well. To be fair (if there is any such thing in these issues) apparently this started with a couple of idiot liverpool fans running towards the united support doing the aeroplane thing.
But, this also goes to prove that contrary to all the defense that Scott and others have been putting up the “always the victicim…” chant isn’t all that harmless at all…over the last week a fraction of scumbag united supporters have used the song with exactly the intention that the press has attributed to them…
Mahesh- both clubs posses decent fans and pricks
It’s the second coming of a white-shirted Mousa Dembele next Saturday.
what sort of gypo name is jonjo anyway??????
@fletch and redbilly saw your MM
Them scousers really are cry babies, and always victimise themselves
The more they cry the sweeter the result become even though the performance wasn’t all sweeter. But taking 3 points away from that shithole of hem is welcome any day no matter how dreadful we played.
Its 10 more than them
Think Kagawa was decent though not a very good outing , but if our midfield continues to be overrun like its now then am sure all our creative players in the final third will suffer because they will spend most of the time trying to fall back and help. Creative players like Kagawa, Nani ronaldo, ozil etc thrive when the is enough Energy and protection in the midfield, but Honestly as much as i love Giggsy I dont think he offered that and I dont think he will be offering that anymore.
Playing giggs in the hole is okay but central midfield is trying to make a superman out of Carrick.
I really think Carrick has even got better than last season amzing the distance he has covered the last three game.
I think its safe to say it obvious there is a concern in our midfield and its disturbing that Fergie doesnt see that, or he sees and chooses not to do anything about it or is it that the 2,cleverly/Ando are sht in training.
That said am sure and convinced we will get better just dont know how.
Rafael is currently way up from MOM honors. Get your votes in. Early and often lads. Vote early and often.
http://www.manutd.com/en/Fanzone/Competition-And-Polls/Poll.aspx?id={88CA827C-8F4E-4BA0-843D-A4870E35D159}
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/581355_384556344947065_1124132105_n.jpg?dl=1
Something I think has been overlooked (or at least I have not seen any article about it) is the fact that Evra was effectively denied the opportunity to not shake Suarez’s hand, not unreasonable given the man racially abused him, denied it and then refused his hand the last time they met.
All the related match build up focused on how it was important for the occasion for Evra and Suarez to shake hands, but none mentioned that Evra would be perfectly entitled to, in my opinion, deny the handshake to Suraez. It seems that Evra was effectively forced (not by anyone is particular but by the general build up) to shake Suarez’s hand.
Regardless, Evra handled himself well and his comments after the match show how he thinks of the occasion as being bigger than that single event. Credit to him.
Rubish performance, grat win!
Lindegaard 7/10 did what he had to do.
Raphael 7/10 average defence performance, he let johnson get past him too easily but made up for it with a great equalizer.
Ferdinand 8/10 my MAN OF THE MATCH. had a very good game and needed to, he put in some excellent tackles. a bit careless in possession, played some bad long balls.
Evans 7/10 played well considering he has limited game time.
Evra 5/10 fair play to evra for shaking that cunts hand but evra needs to step his game up, has been underpar for at least 18 months now. no end product. A weakness.
Valencia 6/10 good run for the peno but two average games in a row for valencia. needs to improve on his crossing big time. so important to the team.
giggs 6/10 fairly anonymous really. showed experience by controlling and keeping possession at the end of the match.
carrick 7/10 he is playing really well at the moment. only only midfielder in the first half to look the part. tried to play the killer ballat times but failed, his radar was off. i think carrick is under rated.
Nani 3/10 im a nani fan but jesus he was bad yesterday. ive never seen him play so bad. he needs to sort his shit out fast. when young comes back he will find himself on the bench.
kagawa 5/10 looked lightweight and out of ideas. but he needs time to bed in to the premier league. his best football is all ahead of him this season.
RVP 6/10 showed great composure to score the peno but didnt do well with the limited serivce he did have.didnt hold the ball up good enough for the team.
Scholes 7/10 ran the midfield in the second half against 10 men. im worried that we rely on him too much.
I want to see anderson and cleverly given a chance in the midfield together. they played so well together at the start of last season.
Well after all the comostion about respect and how the pressure was on the united fans to perform it was the typical stinkin scousers who showed there true colours with the munich chants at the end…fuckin disgraceful bastards and yes united then sang back after that but im not blaming them at all..no way, lets see how the press reacts to that as they went fuckin over bored wen a few tossers at old trafford starting singing
as for the game..all i can say is we were utter shite but do i care…no i dont because we done what we havent done in 4 years…beat the bastards and it makes you laugh that we have won more games at anfield than liverpool have this season.hahaha
Not papering over the cracks but the fact that United can play ‘poorly’ at Liverpool and still come away with all three points says more about Liverpool’s lack of quality than any deficiency on United’s part; it’s a measure of the difference in standing between the two sides. The facts are that ‘King’ Kenny royally shafted Liverpool with his daft signings and tactics and Rogers has inherited the mess. Liverpool’s deluded fan base and their cheerleaders in the ABU have yet to face up to the reality of this.
Whatever. Three points away in September is all that counts and will come in handy at the end of the season. The rest can be sorted out by SAF and his team on the training ground.
The reason John terry aka cunt ball extrodinaire retired is cause John Walter’s put the fear into him nd he’s shitting to meet him again in the friendly next year . Buchaill dona John Walter’s
Proverb- Listening to them rant was music to my ears. You see yesterday, it was ordained a. Scouse day . Respect or the deceased – quite right too- and beating their most hated rivals. SAF and co fucked it up for them . Most inconsiderate in my opinion .
If the roles where reversed , do you really think scouse fans would complain about their team performance and lucky decisions from the ref?. Get real. Sweet win in my opinion. They played their hearts out , simply beaten by a better team /club .
So proud of paddy yesterday. Glad he played.
Rio 81 caps + 13 at U21 and U18. Time to bring Rio back? I hope he retires from internationals, but feel pride would not allow it. I actually feel for Rio if he is offered. Chance of 100 caps has got to be in his mind and at 34 probably his last chance.
Many say Rio was MOM at Antfields, 3 90 minute games on the trot, has to be in Hodson’s mind.
Thoughts from you lot?
Feel injuries have just cut United career to much to allow resuming England duties.
Samuel @ 01:07: “The right blend of deep lying midfielders in 4-2-3-1 has to be found. united need an energetic dynamo alongside a more accomplished plaumaker.”
Sounds like you’re pining for the return of DarrenFletcherinho in his “football genius” mode. D’ya reckon that MrJones might be an acceptable replacement ?
Marq @ 01:44: ” our midfield, as crap as some people make us to be, has won alot for us already”
That sounds more reasonable than the earlier comment. Besides, “crap” is in the eye of the beholder and I reckon that IF Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcherinho could be both ready-for-prime-time then that would be an outstanding combination.
I’m as big a fan of Paul Scholes as the next guy BUT he’s just not the right partner for Michael Carrick. At this point in his career, the GingerNinja should be an impact sub who is used when the field is tilted in the direction of the opposition goal. Sure he can still flick those 50 yard diagonals but he’s something of a liability when the opposition press and control of midfield is in jeopardy – he’s now a one-way player. In addition, when paired with Michael Carrick, there is a diminution in Carrick’s play because (I think) Carrick is too deferential to his Legendary partner. Or, put another way, they occupy the same space.
Samuel @ 10:37: “I’m enjoying all the bitterness from ABU’s today. Same old crap.”
yeah, it’s a gift that keeps on giving.
lordrt @ 10:55: “Nani is going from bad to worse, and definitely by the look of things I would say he should be sold the earliest possible and SAF needs to start looking for a replacement. ”
I’m a big fan of Nani but he was just plain awful yesterday. There’s no hiding from that. He’s a confidence player and a trickster – sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t so I’d be wary of throwing-him-under-the-bus.
On the other hand, the issue of “replacement” might be one of formation not personnel. Having invested so heavily in KagawaBunga, SAF has clearly got a plan in mind to change the way that TheLads play – less width and more central interplay. We’ll know more about his when TheWayneBoy gets back because he’s the most important attacking player and no system will be employed that doesn’t make use of his diverse range of talents.
In related news, Jonjo Shelvey has agreed to come back and play the role of Gru in “Despicable Me 2.”
http://liveinexpectation.wordpress.com/
FletchTheMan @ 14:48: “Time to bring Rio back? I hope he retires from internationals, but feel pride would not allow it.”
He’s become so fragile that a return to “international duty” would be in no one’s best interest.
DentonDavie, Hope you are right. Would be nice for United to get another solid year out of him given the last 2 years have been touch and go.
Maybe we should offer up Phil Jones and see if anyone bites?!
** Davey ** Cheers.
Ferguson berates Shelvey for angry tirade: Sir Alex Ferguson has responded to the controversi… http://bit.ly/Sq8jDq
So john terry retires from international football?
It sounds dread to fellow team mates if you ask me
Beware English footballers, take your WAGs with you on these international breaks. John Terry is free on those days.
Having taken the torrent out and watched the game at leisure I find we played a lot better than my first opinion yesterday.
Denton – if united can get fletch fit for a longer period and if he can return to his energetic self then he would improve united’s lack of bite. We’re filled playmakers but we also need athletic runners in there who are,also good footballers, you need the right mixture, we have missed that this season. Jones won’t be the right move, he lacks the positional awareness/passing range to excel there, let him to improving his game at centre back.
I know some don’t like the idea of younger players being promoted but ryan tunnicliffe is a player I feel can fill that role of the hustle bustle energetic dynamic midfielder. He’ll be amongst the league cup squad, we may see him show if he’s ready against a top team.
some talk about midfield shortcomings but i’ll always say it, there are quality younger players at the club waiting for their chance
I am not sure but I think SAF should make a move to cash in any players to bring in some new ones. We have a few players who has not been performing very well, and perhaps even badly. Getting those players out will serve as a warning to the others to step up their gameplay or risk getting out of the first team or facing the axe. Besides, it will give us space for new players. Sometimes formation might affect how a team play but most of the time is how a team change their gameplay to suit the needs. third, we have a number of players in their 30′s, I understand SAF need their experience, but we can’t always rely on them cause they could be outplayed especially by teams who are energetic and organized, SAF should spent more time trying to find a replacement, rather than waiting. Our midfield and defense woe reflect how much our beloved team has deteriorate without the correct formation and players.
Papers of the crack is one term tediously used in football. Every single team, the top ones or not ca. Be below par yet drag victory from the jaws of a fuck up. Yesterday, we were always capable of winning at anfield but more often than not, we never turn up. If you told me we would get 3points then i’d recommend you see a shrink. Pool always peak and play their all when we turn up, their intensity increases and we struggle to match it but regardless of the performance and the fact we need to improve massively in key areas, i’m generally delighted with the win as it could end up being crucial in the crunch stages of the season.
Papers of the crack is one term tediously used in football. Every single team, the top ones or not ca. Be below par yet drag victory from the jaws of a fuck up. Yesterday, we were always capable of winning at anfield but more often than not, we never turn up. If you told me we would get 3points then i’d recommend you see a shrink. Pool always peak and play their all when we turn up, their intensity increases and we struggle to match it but regardless of the performance and the fact we need to improve massively in key areas, i’m generally delighted with the win as it could end up being crucial in the crunch stages of the season….
Hi guys. Just came down from cloud 9. What a gr8 result.
No matter how we win, it is always a pleasure to win against the dippers !
Let’s hope that we improve coz it is something enrolled in the Utd D.N.A. to win and win with a Utd style.
Mate sent me this from Blue moon
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It is only five games into the new season and we are already seeing some dubious decisions in United games so I wanted it to be highlighted in a thread for all to see as the season goes by. Mods please do not merge or it defeats the object?
Penalties against Wigan, Liverpool and Southampton.
Strange red card and Galatassary midweek was frankly ridiculous the penalty they were denied was laughable.
Roberto Martinez was brave enough to highlight it after the game and even soccer Saturday made a joke about all the decisions united will get.
This isn’t all one sided as I know we need to keep an open mind, if we play our football their strange decisions will not help them like last year and we will come out on top but for the sake of football in general this bacteria that is Fergies stranglehold over officials needs to be stopped.
As the season goes by I hope we can highlight some of the strange goings on on this thread.
slayer – You don’t make drastic decision of getting rid of top players because they’re not on form. Players aren’t machines.
samuel 16:22- yesterday was a must win game for the scouse. If the roles where reversed it would be the same for us. scousers played their hearts out but….. we werebelow par and won
.. over the bloody moon personally .
@redbilly
Hahahaha. Too, too funny.
“their strange decisions will not help them like last year”
Anyone care to remind that twunt who assisted City’s title-winning goal? And whether said player should’ve been anywhere near the pitch after this assault on Song?
Or the fact the same player stayed on the pitch after STAMPING ON SOMEONE’S HEAD to score a late winning penalty against Spurs?
Or the joke penalty at OT awarded to Newcastle that robbed us of two points?
Or the non-penatly and non-red-card at Stoke after Woodgate took out Hernandez in the box?
What a fucking halfwit.
Redbilly – deluded ABU’s. Every single team gets decision for or against them, always come up with bitter excuses. They highlight united more than mark lawrenson ever coming out with a funny joke.
Personally i think it’s a good thing Utd aren’t playing well and still getting wins,Utd are still dealing with injuries and i for one am not sure how Rooney,RVP and Kagawa are going to play together but it’s hard for me to see especially Rooney and RVP being rotated more likely to start games together than one being on the bench.It will be interesting to see what happens when Rooney comes back.
Just a comment about someone giving Nani a pass for a poor game because of the Carragher tackle,i’m sorry that’s not a excuse if Nani is afraid needs to get his head straight or not play.If he’s worried about getting tackled and that’s his reason for poor form it’s a serious problem.I hope he turns it around because if he doesn’t his days are definitely numbered imo
Redbilly – exactly. 3points in the bag, no one will be analysing shit if we end up with the title (early days yet).
Kanchelskis samuel- I checked it out on blue moon as I thought he was on a wind up. And they have the cheek to say we are obsessed by the scousers. I guess 19 titles are the result of dodgy decisions. The history of the PL has an agenda to make us win
Kanchelskis- this is what really cracked me up
if we play our football their strange decisions will not help them like last year and we will come out on top but for the sake of football
Yes, SAF needs to get rid of some players when they don’t perform or don’t contribute.
Like how we should’ve rid of Scholes when he was neither a midfielder nor a striker.
Like how we should’ve rid of Giggs when he was constantly injured over 2 or was it 3 seasons.
Like how we should’ve rid of Ferdinand when he was often injured and slow off the mark during the last 2 seasons.
Like how Carrick ought to be sold because he only passes backwards and sideways (and under I reckon!) and is slow and doesn’t cover much ground and is lazy.
Like how Nani had a few bad games (even though it’s not his preferred right) and is still poor at decisions (though I really think it’s lazy execution of his decision) even though he was our the players’ player of the year in 10/11.
Like how Welbeck takes 20,000 chances to score 1 goal.
Like how DDG flaps at corners.
Like how Evra had a poor season by his own high standards even though he had no one to ease his workload.
Like how Hernandez’s all round game has not improved much and was perpetually offside last season.
Jeez. Is it a tennis or badminton team? We are a team of 11 on the pitch and a squad of >25. We are the sum of individuals, and United always synergises, unlike RM who gets a 80-90% out of a group of stars (in recent months, gets 150% out of a single player).
Hey guys, any of you have an online link for Motd2? Can’t download through torrents
3 points against Liverpool at Anfield, even better we played shite for me. I say this as we are still gelling as a team and missing our best player so when it clicks we will be on fire.
Giggs12- ruined the scouse fairytale win
Redbilly
Exactly mate I can not have read the drivel in the rags had they won.
If not for a blind referee who totally missed a Distin foul on Ronaldo, we would have had a second treble.
ABUs just want to find reasons to blame, they always do. That is why we are on top most of the time, because we look at ourselves and not others
Giggs12- some of the scousers were distraught, as though the nautre of the occasion demanded a win. SAF and co ruined it by ‘accepting’ bad decisions in their favour ect ect. I know a few and the stick they were dishing out. They were convinced of a win. Not a draw and most certainly not losing.
Good evening folks
Still buzzing, some of my liverpool mates are still fucking pissed
Ha, blaming sir alex as always
Queiroz: “In football, there are men who inspire respect. When they walk into a stadium, you can’t help but applaud & SAF is one of them.”
We’re winning even when not performing.. 3 points are still 3 points.
There will be good games and bad games. Can’t have it all the time. Imagine if we played well and not getting points.
Liverpool fans are a bunch of tossers for the abuse they are giving the ref.
Never their fault eh.
On the topic of Nani, who yes, can be frustratingly poor, as today, but at time world class.
Well worth a read of the latest red issue.
They’ve proved continually to give genuine people in the know, rather than a load of bellends on Twatter.
It seems utd are very keen to push him out the door & get some money in.
He’s determined to stay, constantly talking of him much he loves the club & lowering his admittedly not exactly a pittance demands.
Utd are well pissed his camp are leaking stories about him wanting to stay.
He thought as the window came to a close he could knuckle down and crack on.
Then as deadline day approached the talk of a Zenit bid indeed has legs, & he actually turned his phone off so the club couldn’t try & push him out the door.
So while his showing this season have drove us all half mental, you can at least understand why he’s playing with a face like a slapped arse, & his confidence must be pretty shot to bits as well.
Oh their some shower of twats!! Scousers really are in a league of their own!!!
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1169784/referee-halsey-suffers-twitter-abuse?cc=5739
rory- re halsey twitter abuse. they targeted his wife too over her battle with cancer. one can only assume they hold her responsible for the decisions too.
This liverpool scumbags are fucking deluded
The club might have had remote control to have been able to control them for 90 long minutes yesterday.
They wished the poor referee death but fucking cry out loud when a minority of united supporters calls them murders.
Arsene Wenger on Alert as Barcelona stars are all on a baby roll !!
Shakira’s expecting her first child with defender Gerard Pique .
Goalkeeper Victor Valdes’ wife, Colombian model Yolanda Cardona, is pregnant with their second child.
Antonella Roccuzzo, is expecting her first child with the current captain of the Argentina national team, Lionel Messi.
David Villa and former football girl Patricia Gonzalez are set to welcome baby No. 3. XD
JonJo a true scouser – I’m the victim of a biased ref, it wasn’t my fault and for good measure I will try to start a fight with a 70 years old pensioner. A true Heysel hero
Fucker someone needs to give him a good bitch slapping
The twitter abuse that the klansmen are giving Halsey is pure disgrace. After yesterday and all that has been made of the 96 etc. I am sure that the 96′s family must be very impressed by the compasionate kop going on about Halsey and his wife’s fight against cancer.
Shows those true twats in their true colours.
3 POINTS at klanfield fucking wonderful
i think if we put kagawa on the left hand side for a bit our system might become more flexible. we play a 4-1-4-1 formation. say like this
ddg
rafa rio vidic evra
carrick
valencia ando clev kagawa
rvp
kagawa will cut in evra will push up , valencia to hug the by-line and rafael to play a little inside of him. would make a scary proposition, on paper.
one of the joys of yesterday is, though we played below par and they believed they where certain of the 3 points, they ended up with nothing. just added to their misery near the bottom . pure bliss.
@ “klanifield” – hahaha fucking brilliant
All this talk of moving furniture yet as I see it we have had the same problem for some time,one of the problems may be solved by instructing Evra to go no further up field than the half way line telling him he is first and foremost a fucking defender.The second problem is a right sided midfielder to do the linking job between Rafael and Valencia, and breaking the oppositions play get that man and everything falls into place.There are no problems any where else on the pitch.
parryheid : agree with you mate, i say give evra a long rest and play buttener, he can’t possibly play worse than evra is currently
Re Nani – shocking story from Red Issue – Young should be sold if we need cash along with Anderson – but they are lame ducks that no one wants
Am sure that cunt Terry is not retired, he’s just using blackmail on FA, he want them to come and suck his cock and drop the charges.
All dippers whining on the forums are the best part of the victory yesterday. They want a penalty because Valencia got one. Well, noone in our team put two hands in the back and clipped the heels of a fucking racist while at full speed did we? And the very fact the ratfaced racist jumps 5 feet into the air, flippoing his head backwards like he is shot with a bazooka doesn´t help their case neither.
They also wanted RvP and Evans redcarded, well guess what. They both were first on the ball (I know it was rare to see our players first in one single situation yesterday), but still on those very situations our players were brave and first on the ball, hence no card and yellow card.
First after the game I thought what the hell happend, it looked like we got every decision with us that matters, but frankly, In retrospect I can´t say he got it wrong one single time. Spot on and cudos to them!
Rio was unreal today, he was a man mountain stopping everything, great for him because even though the man is a legend he still has people doubting him
@voice of reason.
Im not totally convinced its all just about getting the money in, could just be like berb fergies decided he don’t fit the style anymore, or track back enough, whatever.
Remember reading in the last one of last season though fergie n rene effectively hold him solely responsible for the defeat to the bitters. Bit harsh, as it wasn’t him who left out form player valencia & put out such a defensive side.
Can only assume its related to his opinions on the player though, as its not much of a mark up on what we paid.
I do recall reading somewhere recently though in the IPO there was supposed to be some sortof promise about not spending more than 25m nett on transfers, so Im guessing the potential nani fee would balance the books nicely.
T 20:42- spot on regarding Whining scousers being a joy to behold.
Seems dead round here. What up mates?
What is the thinking about the Barcodes in the League cup.
Heard Alan Pardew saying they might just have a go for a cup run for his side.
What’s that? Not on my watch says I!
Noooo, there’ll be none of that talk around here.
Expecting our B team will still take their best. Tho Ba loves to have a go at us don he.
Eric – dont know how Nani lost us game at CIty – was not him that picked Giggs Park Scholes in midfield or lost his man at the corner – sounds like face does not fit with some – very sad – seems we value functionality over talent these days -
A player can have all the talent in the world but if it’s not being applied pretty redundant,anyone remember the last good game Nani had. with Utd having attacking full backs wingers have to track back, lot of games last year the left side was a issue.I hope Nani comes through but imo not taking his chance with Young injured his form seems to be getting worse.Just don’t know at the top level a team can carry a passenger waiting for one game of brilliance
Yep – last Wednesday v gala he was great minus penalty miss
Voice of reason i admire your loyalty to Nani but your opinions on the subject are opposite to the name you use,seeing everything through Nani glasses at the moment mate.
Just look at it from a open point of view,tailed off badly after the Carragher tackle the year he won the player of the year award.Last season started strong then same finished the season poorly,this year started poorly.How many great great games has he had spanning from that point in the 10/11 season
Personally, i think Nani’s main problem is, aside from all the confidence rocking, he’s simply miles better on the right than the left.
The bad news for him is, when tony v is fit, 9/10 games he’s gonna be the automatic choice.
An intense game that was totally dominated by Liverpool, but won by Man Utd. Liverpool goalkeeper Reina didn’t have a save to make but picked the ball out of the net twice, while his opposite number, was busy all day long.
United’s midfield still is misfiring, partly due to their misuse of Shinji Kagawa who plays like a lone striker with his back to goal and the majority of his passes directed back instead of forwards. One ray of hope was the performance of United’s back four who were immense. Ferdinand in particular turned back the clock and put in a vintage display of center half mastery. Evra continues, however, to be a liability. Calls for a new addition to midfield are unnecessary – just use Kagawa properly, in much the same way that Chelsea use Hazard, or how City use Silva.
For Liverpool, they have probably played much better and lost but are being badly misled by a striker who seems bent on deception at every opportunity. Luis Suarez continues to hurt his team around the penalty box by feigning fouls and simulating contact, all to the deaf ears of the referee. Gerrard was supreme but faded in the second half following Rodger’s mystifying substitution of Sterling with Henderson.
Two incidents turned the game. Selvey’s straight red card, harsh in my view, made Liverpool’s job so much harder, and when Johnson’s desperate saving tackle on Valencia, a penalty in my view, put Van Persie on the spot 12 yards from goal, the result was assured.
Liverpool should be thankful that their brutal opening schedule is over and be hopeful that they will get better. United have learnt how to defend again and how to win whilst performing poorly.
It will be an interesting season.
if United are trying to ship Nani out I will be peeved, loved the arrogance when he was in full swing, the joy he eludes whenever he scores or creates for us. lose our POTY last year to balance the books? madness! next we’ll be prostituting Wayne for the transfer fee of an Emile Heskey!
parryheid @ 20:23: “one of the problems may be solved by instructing Evra to go no further up field than the half way line telling him he is first and foremost a fucking defender.:
That might work but it would be over SAF’s objections – d’ya think he’d have had any patience with RedNev or Irwin if they didn’t venture forward ? SAF goes for a swashbuckling style of wide play with winger/fullback often doubling-up down each side – that leaves the middle exposed and make huge demands on the speed and athleticism of the midfielders and central defenders. With the GingerNinja, Michael Carrick, and Rio – that’s three guys with the turning circles of an oil tanker so that when the game switches ends, the fullbacks (NinjaEvra and TheLittleTiger) have to run hell-for-leather to get back to the other end of the field. So, it would seem to me that the solution to the problem you identify is not to tie down NinjaEvra/TheLittleTiger but to keep them defending out-wide while having players who are faster and more athletic in the middle of the park. But, of course, SAF is not going to just discard Rio or Michael Carrick or CaptainVidic (who has also lost a step, due to both injury and age) so he has to re-think his commitment to doubling-up the wide boys because most other teams don’t play with wingers so that they outnumber TheLads through the center of the pitch. If you choose width, then you’re sacrificing numbers in the middle.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/sep/24/rio-ferdinand-england-john-terry
I have to suppose that since Martin Kelly is now out for three months that Woy will have other “footballing reasons” to overlook Rio – at least that’s what I am hoping for.
Rio is fragile and needs coddling – NOT swanning about with Ingerland.
i haven’t seen any article about Utd needing to sell Nani to balance books and he wasn’t POTY last year,he ended up 2nd choice left winger behind Young towards the end of the season.
Nani fans just seem to take small portions of his Utd career and turn him into something’s he’s not at the moment.If he could take those games of brilliance and deliver with any consistency he’d be a world beater but more often than not no so good Nani shows up not world class Nani and there lies the problem
Never mind ferdinand for england surly knowing Hodgson he is goin to call up jamie carragher!! wouldnt be one bit surprised!!
I’m certain that if nani gets pushed out then he’ll improve at his new club. He’s an outstanding player, a player that plays football in a style it should be played. He’s lost confidence, something which is massive in terms of a player performing. I watch him for portugal and he looks brilliant but maybe their fans support him more than the ones at united, maybe they understand great technical football, more so than the british audience. At 25, only a fool would think the possibility of nani improving has deserted.
That’s the problem though year after year the same things get said about Nani he’s not dissimilar to Ando,both show signs and then take a step back,all Utd fans keep waiting for them both to improve and for one hope they both do.SAF is the one that is running out of patience with both of them,so i guess if Nani does move on he’s the fool because ultimately he’s the one who’ll decide
Well, there’s been no confirmation of fergie wanting him to leave apart from a couple of brigades who are desperate to see his exit and who are the other wingers in the squad that can classed as being miles better than nani? None. We have valencia who is direct and a top player in his style but his effectiveness can be eradicated against top teams but hey, you know what you’ll get. If we think nani isn’t good enough then young has no chance. So basically get rid of a top olayer but we haven’t got a bulk of worlf class wingers.
For a player supposedly up for sale like some are saying, he still starts in the big games because fergie recognises a top player. The scot makes mistakes with his signings and he can also do so by releasing a talented player before his prime. The manager is not perfect. If he wants nani out then that remains his choice and i’ll support him for it but as far as i’m aware, all I see is murmuring on a blog and a couple of umreliable media outlets trying to drive the portuguese out with hardly any brilliant replacement at or coming in
If united are below par then the entire team is to blame, not a couple of misyomed passes from nani or anyone.
And nani has improved far more than anderson, his contributions prove it. And as for sir alex running out of patience, have we all turned telepathic? Why did he hand the brazilian a new deal and let him stay at the club for as long as 5years and not throw him out?
Nani played consistently on the right always impresses.
NBI – exactly. Nani is two footed but his most potent one is his right foot. He has dazzled on that right, even more so than any winger we have as he has more to his game. since joining, he gets thrown to the left. First with ronaldo (understandable as cristiano is a more accomplished all round attacker) and then valencia who isn’t as flexible and adaptable as some technicians from southamerica. If he was, he and nani could easily swap during games and we’d be more unpredictable.
Only time will tell,see what happens when Young gets fit and who starts that’ll be a big tell,i can only base my opinions on what i read and see.The signs imo are not good between SAF and Nani, being left out of the Fulham squad 2nd game in isn’t a good sign.A contract Ando signed 2 yrs ago has no bearing on his present situation and which confirms the point i was making is that we’ve been waiting every year for both to fulfill their potential.I respect your opinion but unless Nani does start becoming more consistent,same with Ando both their days are numbered imo
Well that’s according to you. Players get left out all the time, doesn’t indicate they may or may not leave.
I don’t know what potential you’re talking about. What, the same unrealistic hope of nani being the new ronaldo?. It took him time come out of his shell but nani has contributed well during his time at united. Can he do better? Yes, he won’t do that if he has lost confidence or people are desperately wanting to push him out, only for united to be left with bare bones on the wing.
And as for the new deal, yeah I think it indicates the fact fergie still sees anderson turning into the player he can be, whether that happens, only time will tell. Let’s not forget as nderson has been hampered with injuries.
I think United are more successful on the right flank with Valencia due to the width. Valencia stays wide and leaves plenty of room in the middle for Rooney and Welbeck.
The left flank drifts into the middle too much and effectively allows the defense to collapse into the spaces that Valencia creates.
This strategy would work if the LB can take advantage of all that extra room. Evra became a world class LWB by exploiting that gap in the past. Unfortunately, he is on the wrong side of 30 and his game is no longer box to box.
The remedy is quite simple really. Keep the left mid out on the touch line and force the opposing defenders to play the entire width of the field.
Nani can get back to his running best if he stays wide and attacks outside in.
samuel
to me the over reliance on 38 39 year old’s says a lot more than, contracts or anything else. Fact of the matter is that we need to use Scholes and Giggsy sparingly rather than see them playing the full 90 minutes, midweek, and pretty much every big game we have. This is only going to be detrimental for other midfielders to progress and if there isn’t trust in the other midfielders then we need to get a hold of someone who could glue our midfield together better.
This overreliance on wingers isn’t doing anyone any favours either. We don’t have the CF’s to deal with bigger defences especially, and signings like Kagawa and VP aren’t going to flourish completely with this kind of play
Glen Johnson’s sense of victimization comes to the fore – well after-the-fact:
“Johnson, who conceded the penalty that gave United victory with a challenge on Antonio Valencia, added: “I almost guarantee that, if you flipped the situation, if Luis was in the position of Valencia, he wouldn’t get a penalty. We all know that. Reputations go in front of people at times and, because Valencia is not someone who is known as a diver, he gets the decision. It wasn’t a penalty. I didn’t touch him. I collided with Pepe [Reina]. I didn’t touch Valencia at all.
“I know it is difficult for the referee, when we are sprinting as fast as we can, but in the big games they are the differences. We expect the referees to make the right decisions because we are working so hard every day in training. To have it taken away like that, you can’t really explain it.”
Well, actually, Glen it’s not that hard to explain – Mark Halsey made the right call because it was clear from his vantage-point that you clipped AV7′s foot and then put your hand on his back BEFORE he fell.
I guess, however, that that wasn’t your fault, eh ?
Utdfc – well wingers and width are important in games. You can’t fill a midfield with just attacking central playmakers and we don’t have too many of them either to even employ such a system. And I don’t think it’s an over reliance, just fergie playing experienced players which is important but I agree, I don’t think giggs or scholes should start, they’ll have to move aside, it’s in the younger player’s hands to.do that. We’ll hopefully see them against a top newcastle side.
We were lucky in the sense that we didn’t play well but the ref got the big decisions spot on as far as I’m concerned. Shelvey came in late, over the top, and studs up. Red. Valencia as you point out was both clipped and pushed, and both Evans and Scholes won the ball when the scouse were screaming for a penalty.
@denton davey – as we all know when a player is on a charge even slightest of contacts is enough.
Strangely though in the heart of the moment he didn’t wave his hands and didn’t protest. As if the best way to get the idea of what you had done is to watch replay.
“I am not the kind of guy who reads the papers or goes on to the internet, so when I am not playing, I just stay with my family, so I wasn’t aware of personal criticism.” Evra said.
“When you play a bad game, people criticise you too quickly, but my target is simple: football is like a pyramid and I want to stay on the top.
“It is easy to reach the top of the pyramid, but to stay there is the hardest part. I always try to stay on the top. I tried last year, I will next year and the year after that.
“It is six years I have been here and I want to be the best. That is my target every year. I am not being arrogant, but I am my biggest challenge.
“People forget very quickly how I got to become Man United’s left-back. There was Gabriel Heinze and Mikaël Silvestre.
“When I hear people say Patrice never had someone to fight him for his place I just answer they have to remember I have fought with two great left-backs.
“I will keep doing that. It is too easy for people to say that now we have bought another left-back, ‘Oh yes Patrice Evra will have to fight for his place now’. Patrice Evra has always fought for his place.”
—-
It’s OK Pat. It doesn’t matter what you might say. You have another left back at another stage of your career to fight with for your starting place. And it will only benefit Manchester United football club.
Rooney available for League cup tie v Newcastle! Welcome news if true!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/9563570/Wayne-Rooney-in-line-to-make-early-return-for-Manchester-United-in-cup-clash-with-Newcastle-United.html
Samuel
Completely agree mate and we have two of the best wingers in the world. Its CM where we’re lacking. See the thing is we need a link in the middle of the park that can play the ball through the middle as well especially against bigger defenders. The wingers are there to stretch the defense but crossing it repeatedly will not stretch defences it will just let them wisen up to the fact that we’re not going to come in, and opposing defenders will be too willing to just sit in their box and head those balls out. We don’t have tall strong ‘English’ centerforwards, and I hope we don’t start getting any, anytime soon because they are utter tosh. We have class forwards like VP, Rooney n Welbz, and these are players that need to be fed more through the middle. The wingers can stretch the defense and provide width but that should be for our midfield players to find a way in. Its just that the only CM we have capable of linking all this play up is 38 years old and does not have the legs to run up and down a pitch like that. We have Kagawa to find spaces in stretched defenses but we need that CM to be able to pass the ball out to Kagawa and the wingers. Either that or let Carrick be the deep-lying playmaker and have someone like Fletch (fully fit, notbhing less will do) to press the opposition. The only problem with this is that although Carrick is brilliant tactically his passing range can let him down at times. I leave it up to Sir Alex to sort it out as always but so far I’m still waiting
Also regarding the Nani issue, its nothing short of a fucking travesty to let him leave. Idk what this red issue article is about but I’m hoping its not true. We’ve stuck it through the bad times with Nani and he WILL come into his own. And I don’t want to see any other club benefitting from what we have done just because we were a tad impatient with him
Fletch
Having Rooney back for the league cup game against newcastle would be best for him and the club. The perfect opportunity to get him back into action and seeing how fucking hectic these next couple of weeks are gonna be we could do with resting some of our other players. Works in everyone’s best interest if u ask me. Just hope Wayne has healed up nicely in time.
Also, this extended break serves to show how everyone was fucking taking our best player for granted. Giving him shit since preseason now that we’re not playing well everyone is crapping bollocks. He’s a brilliant player Rooney and is vital for the team. Regardless of any Kagawa’s and VanPersies. Rooney will always be Rooney.
And we all know how Rooney loves his goals against Newcastle. Long may it continue. Get in Wayne!
Denton dave 04:32
“I almost guarantee that, if you flipped the situation, if Luis was in the position of Valencia, he wouldn’t get a penalty. We all know that. Reputations go in front of people at times and, because Valencia is not someone who is known as a diver, he gets the decision. It wasn’t a penalty
Idiot . He contradicts himself , he admits Tony does not have a reputation for diving where Suarez does. Valid point on a refs decision If there is no contact. The fact is there was.
utd_fc Spot on mate. Rooney is Rooney, Love him on the pitch, but won’t be inviting round for tea with the misses. Not that I wouldn’t pop over to the pub with im as I am sure it would be fun. But people expect to much from some of our footballers. Lads like Rooney you want on your side for a street fight, or footy match. Not because they always say the right thing.
Speaking of winning Ugly….. but then….. that is the whole point innit?!
Alan Hansen: ManchesterUnited proved again that football is not always about playing well and winning, it’s just about winning http://soc.li/yVeqAZd
RedBilly and DentonDavey,
That was a stone cold pen from 20m or 80meters. Johnson had just busted a gut to get back and wasn’t going to slow down was he. This is seen 25 times a season and all the refs know this as text book. All the forwards do to.
How many times have you seen a good forward, running full tilt into the 10m box and slows down to jig or shoot, and the defender chasing piles into him from behind. In essence this was the set up.
Replays show Johnson putting his hand on Valencias back because he knows he is going to clatter him. Johnson and all defenders would be better to let the keeper handle it and cover the net or rebound. As it was, it was always going to be a pen. Simple story to defenders: You can’t step around a player from directly behind and have any complaints if the ref calls it. He might not do, but 7times out of 10, its a pen.
@Denton Davey
When Nani first started playing with Utd, I liked to see him play, and his corners sent directly towards goal which confused keeper and defense was a nice sight, but then may be came the comparisons with CR7 and from there on, he just seemed to have lost his way around in trying to match up with the latter, and the decline could be sensed as he started getting frustrated as well. Now even his long range efforts are just awful to watch, with the ball curling well wide in to the spectators instead of forcing at least a save from the opposition keeper. May be a good talk from the gaffer and why not Sir Ryan himself can get the lad back on track, else I can only see the exit door being the option for him in the near future, and like you said with Utd now moving more towards a “central” possession play, it will not be a surprise to see SAF scrap the typical left wing midfield and slot in a midfielder who uses the left foot or either foot to play in that position to keep the ball and provide support to the defense as well
Fletch-I agree
denton davey.
Oh but the solution is to tie Evra down because he does not run hell for leather to get back in position and therefore leaves a big bastarding hole.The situation doesnt apply on our other wing because they are covering and making sure no big bastarding hole is left.I noticed yesterday Evra was selective in his movements up field and therefore able to show he is still a very capable defender,hence no big bastarding hole left.
First half: MU (12) vs LP (11)
Second half: MU (12) vs LP (10)
LP scores a legitimate goal and still looses.
Price to bribe a ref GBP 50,000. State of the EPL since 1992: PRICELESS.
Just read the comments Stevie Me had about Halsey…
Shouldn’t the FA fine him for this? I remember Ferguson getting fined for something he said about the ref and it didn’t seem as direct as what Stevie Me said.
How can a 25year old talent be on a decline? One of the funniest thing I’ve read on here, funny because it hasn’t got either foundation or common sense in it.
parryheid @ 10:08: “the solution is to tie Evra down because he does not run hell for leather to get back in position and therefore leaves a big bastarding hole.”
From my vantage-point that is not quite what I’ve seen since NInjaEvra does get back with reasonable speed BUT he tends to drift in-field rather than getting himself into the “zone” on the left side – this was especially evident in the CL final @ Wembley but I’ve seen it often, in other matches, too. That said, it seems to me that Evra’s lack of “positional discipline” is more significant than any decline in his overall fitness/speed.
lordrt @ 08:54: “with Utd now moving more towards a “central” possession play, it will not be a surprise to see SAF scrap the typical left wing midfield and slot in a midfielder who uses the left foot or either foot to play in that position to keep the ball and provide support to the defense as well”
Nani’s play at AnFailed was abysmal – no one can defend it, not even a NaniFan like me. Guys do play like shit sometimes – they’re not robots. BUT his play against Galatasary a few days earlier was largely (not completely) fabulous – great ball-control and his passing to Chicharito stands out; he even made some really good defensive blocks in the last minute or two to drive the opposition backwards.
My own opinion is that with a trickster/luxury player like Nani, you’ve gotta take-the-rough-with-the-smooth because we’ll never know if the second half on Sunday might not have been fantastic (we’ll never know that because SAF decided that using TheGingerNinja was more likely to maximize UTD’s possession/ball control against ten men while, of course, he was no doubt pissed that Nani had not come up with the goods in the first half and lost patience waiting for a magic moment. He could have replaced Giggs rather than moving him to the left wing but I think he decided that he wanted to keep SirRyanGiggs on the field for his experience and defensive responsibility.
What’s peculiar about the situation with Nani is that he seems most comfortable playing in the “inside left channel” because he is not an out-and-out winger like AV7. Nani is two-footed, but playing on the left actually gives him a better opportunity to use his right foot for striking the ball when he drifts inside. However, if SAF is really-and-truly moving towards a more “central” system of attack with less emphasis on orthodox wingers then Nani has a big problem – in that new system TheWayneBoy will likely be on the left side of the attack (whether it’s a 4-5-1 or some variant with a “midfield diamond” and two strikers).
denton davey.
must be something wrong with my yacks then,I see him sauntering back most games he plays recently.
Great review Scott honestly not bothered how we win against Liverpool as long as we do.