As Manchester United fans we have been blessed in watching outstanding football on a regular basis for years. The amount of superb performances, great results and lifted trophies has left us spoilt with success. We are famed for our dramatic results and have a habit of scoring vitally important goals late on.
Our impressive 4-3 victory over Manchester City yesterday simply continued with that tradition.
It felt too good to be true when Wayne Rooney opened up the scoring with two minutes played. With the media talking up this game as a six-pointer and Carlos Tevez wearing their shirt on our pitch, the release that came with that goal was incredible.
We dominated from this point on, with City’s delusions being confronted with a harsh reality: you really aren’t that good. We passed the ball around well and dominated possession, whilst City struggled to string a couple of passes together and certainly weren’t mounting any attacks.
Then, for the second time already that game, there seemed to be a massive break down of communication between goalkeeper and defender, with Ben Foster not pouncing on the ball as he should. Did he have both hands on the ball when Carlos Tevez kicked it, certainly, but that doesn’t change the fact the situation should have been dealt with a lot sooner. Tevez played the ball to Gareth Barry who calmly struck the ball and scored, despite Nemanja Vidic’s best attempts to keep it out.
The dynamics of the game changed. Not that City became the dominant team rather United looked frustrated and shaken. To give away a goal so cheaply when we had been flying was unbelievable.
The first yellow card of the day was given out to Tevez for a late challenge on Rio Ferdinand and the atmosphere continued to bubble away nicely. Given that this was derby day, I was really disappointed with the City support. There should have been loads of insults and back and forth banter, but they were quiet for large periods of the game, only reaching full voice in the aftermath of a goal. I thought City were supposed to have good away support?
Just before half time, Dimitar Berbatov had the chance to put us back in front after Ryan Giggs put in a great ball. However, under pressure from Barry, Berbatov couldn’t direct his header goalwards. Moments later, Tevez’s shot came back off the post. Thank fuck for that!
As the players traipsed off the pitch there was a confident feeling within the ground. Having previously been worried we might have another game like the Arsenal performance, United had shown they were up for it today so we just needed to keep plugging away. Tevez put his arm around Patrice Evra, which was met with plenty of boos, before he applauded the Stretford End. You have to wonder what was going through his head. Had he not heard the boos every time he even went near the ball?
United kicked off the second half, now attacking the Stretford End, and Darren Fletcher made it 2-1 within four minutes. Barry had no chance against Fletcher as he powered his header in to the back of the net. This is it now United, keep it up.
Sadly, before we’d even had time to sit down and get our heart rate back to something almost normal (it’s never going to be totally regular on derby day!), Craig Bellamy got away a fantastic shot and it seemed to fly in to the top corner in slow motion. We gave away the ball in a dangerous position and we were punished for another mistake. As soon as he hit it you knew it was on target, and sadly, knew that Foster wasn’t going to get anywhere near it.
Ryan Giggs superbly lead our charge forward though, taking on players ten years younger than himself and succeeding. There were quite a few complaints about his PFA Player of the Year award last season, but given the start he’s had this season, it is fairly obvious he’s still got it – not in the way he had it as a 21-year-old, but his experience, determination and crossing (not usually from corners) has been a massive boost.
We kept the pressure on, attack after attack after attack. We knew we could win this game, we knew we were the better team, it was just about getting one of our many chances in to the back of the net. Whilst City weren’t playing a defensive game, they had little choice but to camp out in their own half, given the pressure we were putting them under.
Berbatov had another great opportunity to score but Shay Given did well to keep his powerful header out. The goal had to be coming, surely. A couple of minutes later, another brilliant piece of football from Giggs, another Berbatov header, and another great save. Another couple of minutes passed and Giggs lashed a volley which was again blocked by Given. Usually, maybe it would start to feel like it just wasn’t going to be our day, but I didn’t sense that at all. The crowd were urging our players forward and really believing we had at least another goal in this.
Every time City got the ball, they passed it straight back to a United player. They were totally rattled and couldn’t find one of their own players for love nor money, (emphasis on the money).
Then, with ten minutes to go, Giggs and Evra, who had been superb down that left flank, combined again to see another Giggsy ball floated in to the box. Fletcher was again on the end of it and made it 3-2, celebrating with the opposite corner this time. Ten minutes? Let’s just concentrate now and keep on doing what we’re doing.
The goal woke City up a bit and with the exception of Stephen Ireland, began passing it to their own players. Shaun Wright-Phillips had a go with two minutes to play which had the City fans cheering, believing it had gone in. No such luck for them and we made the most of mocking their reaction.
Two minutes later though and they were celebrating for real. What the fuck was going through Rio Ferdinand’s mind I will never know. The fourth official was on the touch line ready to announce the injury time to be played, we were comfortably 3-2 up, all we needed to do was hold on to the bloody ball. But Rio thought he’d be a clever dick and flicked the ball up – was he trying to flick it over Bellamy’s head? Why would he be trying to do that? Fucking madness. Bellamy raced away and looked as though he’d taken the ball too far, but still found a way to creep past Foster. Fucking devastating. We’d bossed this match and we deserved the points, yet here we were in injury time, conceding a third equalising goal because of a third mistake.
The City fans went wild as their players ate in to injury time with their celebration. Given foolishly turned to the Stretford End, jumping up and down, his fists clenched, giving it everything. He would live to regret that over zealous celebration in front of our fans though.
United made a substitution and we were now in desperate need of a goal. COME on United, fucking DO these bastards. I was livid.
Rooney had a go from distance and it went high over the bar. Given took as long as he could with the resulting goal-kick, leading Giggsy to complain to the referee. The celebration, the substitution and Given’s time wasting had all been noted by the ref – he wasn’t going to let City off. He played every second of time we were owed.
It was surely our last chance for a goal as Giggs picked the ball up just outside the box. He played an excellent pass to Michael Owen, who’d been on the field for just over ten minutes. Using the outside of his boot, Owen guided his first chance of the game past Given and the stadium erupted.
I felt like my insides were going to explode out of my body. It was absolutely bedlum with the whole ground (with the exception of the blue triangle in the corner) bouncing and shouting. I’m bruised all over today though and have even found myself with a bit of a limp thanks to the gashes and welts on my shins which I presumably picked up from the row of seats in front. And that’s what it’s all about! Joy so intense you don’t have a fucking clue what you’re doing. All those wankers who leave five or more minutes early, you missed one of the best moments ever.
Owen wheeled away in front of the Stretford End and then celebrated in front of the North Stand, with Gary Neville probably the only person down there looking happier. It makes you think now that City have shamelessly kicked out Richard Dunne, where do their players get their passion from? Would captain Toure have behaved in even a similar way to Neville had the situation been reversed? Course not. Mark Hughes described Neville as a ‘lunatic’ in his post-match interview, which has been picked up by the press as a criticism. Maybe it was intended that way by ol’ Sparky, but I wouldn’t want our captain to behave in any other way following an injury time winner against our local rivals. Lunatic, mad man, nutcase, yeh that’s about right - pretty accurately describes all United fans in the aftermath of Owen’s winner.
Good on Owen for putting that away and showing more clearly than ever what a good deal we’ve got, particularly in comparison to the vast sums City have paid out for that Argie bastard.
As for Bellamy’s attack of the United fan, you have to wonder what the FA (and the police) are going to do about this. There can be no claims of self-defence for this prick. Whilst the fan who ran on was daft, more because he will automatically be banned from attending matches for three years, the fact he had his arms pulled behind his back when Bellamy chose to run over and strike him in the face makes the Welsh midget the real prick here. Cantona got banned for months for kicking a fan who was hurling abuse at him – what should Bellamy’s punishment be for attacking a restrained fan? Just a week after Adebayor clearly intentionally kicked van Persie in the face and Hughes defended him, Sparky has been sticking up for another thug in his team, claiming the fan is the one in the wrong. What? He ran on the pitch so therefore deserves a smack in the face? What the fuck has he been smoking recently?
So, where does this leave us? Three matches in a row we have now beaten teams who were undefeated before facing us. Against City we gifted them the opportunities for their three goals, toying with them I suppose (!), yet still went on to win. Against Spurs we played for half an hour with ten men yet still went on score another goal. I thought this was supposed to be the worst squad in years?
There will have been lessons learnt yesterday without us having the pay the price for them. After Rooney’s lack of concentration almost cost us the win against Arsenal in our last home game, Ferdinand did the exact same yesterday. That shit has got to stop! We’ve got away with it so far but there isn’t always going to be an offside flag or Owen goal to save us!
All in all though, we have to be happy with our start to the season. We’re looking good, not great yet, but good, which is more than can be said of a lot of our season starts!
But there’s no need to get too carried away. It is only City after all, but their team could be worth £300m or £30, it’s always going to feel great to beat them, particularly in the fashion that we did. Essentially though, yesterday was just bloody good fun and a great way to silence our “noisy neighbour”. They’ve been talking the talk for weeks, Mark Hughes leading the way, but they were absolutely battered in that second half, whatever the scoreline says.
We’ll never die.
Man Utd News 24/7
valencia changed the game when he came on. who said we can’t score goals?
We will never die!! superb point about given wasting time..but i think if it was any other goalie i think berba would’ve gotten a hatrick and we would have closed the game out early in the second half!
Just had a giggle at work with yesterdays skysports fanzone… still elated by yesterday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEPVt4eoT1g
twilight valencia did nothing really.
It was all Ryan giggs’s Impressive performance that lead the way to victory.
Brilliant pass
I wished I could’ve seen the second half of the game. Had to go home from my aunt’s house as it was already late. Of all the matches and I had to miss this one. I thought the ref was in Citeh’s pocket in the first half tbqh. Rio’s obviously not mentally fit to play the derby. The first goal, although was a terrible howler from Foster, should’ve also been dealt with a lot better by Ferdinand. He failed to assess the position of the Bitters’ players around.
I said it yesterday as well,but I really do think United have some sort of deal with cardiologist worldwide.
Supporting United is the most taxing and rewarding thing ever.
Best moment? (Apart from the goals of course) When Giggsy nutmegged 2 defenders in a row and left them for dead.
“That late winner: Why Hughes was wrong to question officials’ timekeeping
*Fourth official Alan Wiley indicates a minimum four minutes added time.
*Under Premier League rules, the referee can play four minutes plus 59 seconds.
*City score an equaliser – the referee, Martin Atkinson, can add 60 seconds for celebration and restart (Hughes admits it took 45 seconds for play to resume).
*United’s Anderson is replaced by Michael Carrick – the referee can add 30 seconds for a substitution.
*In these circumstances, Atkinson is entitled to add two minutes, 29 seconds to the original four minutes.
*Substitute Michael Owen scores for United to win the game on 95 minutes, 25 seconds – well within the allotted time.”
Just the facts for some stupid individuals who don’t know football rules/how added time is calculated.
DID ANYONE ELSE KNOW THAT 30 SECONDS GET ADDED ON FOR EVERY SUBSTITUTION? I DIDNT N WONDERED WHAT THE POINT IN BRINGING CARRICK ON FOR ANDERSON WAS…….FERGUSON BOUGHT 30 SECONDS….WHAT A MASTERSTROKE
RYAN GIGGS IS THE GREATEST PLAYER EVER!!
“Moments later, Tevez’s shot came back off the post. Thank fuck for that!”
that was my reaction when he hit the post, the ****
http://bitterandblue.blogspot.com/2009/09/derby-defeat.html
a city fan agrees the fact about the added time!
I think i mention here or espn site that i said we will go back to the 90s where we play crossing and will be depend on our midfield to score some goals and that is then which i watch the match and started supporting the club as i like the way the team played.
Yesterday, i had a feeling where I’m back to the past seeing Giggs running down the left putting dangerous cross and watching the team bombard with plenty of crosses. I mention before when Ronaldo leave the club, i said our team will play better than before. I like to say i have said before!!!
I feel like traveling back time to the 90s yesterday and the passion was so great that i keep watching the replay of the match. It’s so unbelievable!!! I loved this team sooooo much!!!
Shame about Burnley though …
you see arsene
thats how you play attractive, attacking football
and show some grit and determination
albeit a tad late for my liking
”Stephen Ireland….. Givens bit on the side”
Amazing game – I thought Giggs and Fletcher were superb – they were our best players by a country mile yesterday.
As for Foster/Rio – they need to wake up because against better teams we won’t be able to come back.
But all in all, one of the most entertaining matches I have ever seen – even though I thought I was going to have a heart attack at various times during the game.
Well done Owen, superb finish son!
Christoff
I think Anderson had another amazing game in the red – sure, he will be overshadowed by Fletcher and Giggs who both played abosultely sensationally, but they weren’t streets ahead of Ando!
I love it when our boys play well!
TBH, there werent many who left early yesterday, the ground was still full at full time.
citys line up yesterday – £133million
uniteds – £118.5million
seems we have ruined some liverpoo fans’ sunday hahaha
“Not to change the thread of conversation, but does anyone feel slightly … off … after the Scum’s win v. Citeh today? I feel like my whole Sunday’s ruined, since now I have to think about:
1) “Fortress” Old Trafford
2) Judas Owen
3) Ferguson’s magic ability to influence match officials
4) Darren Bloody Fletcher
5) etc. and so on”
keep going united
Great game, great result. Was odd in ways; lots of mistakes but some very well taken goals.
Foster is doing himself no favours, he had another dreadful day, he flatters to deceive at times – two games in a row he looks pretty good and then it all goes tits-up: he should have learned from the first instance Tevez almost nicked the ball from him, but didn’t. Although Bellamy’s second was down to Rio’s mistake, Foster’s positioning was dreadful as well, beaten at the near post!?!
Giggs was magnificent, Anderson was pretty good, Fletch was fantastic, Park was muck (new 3-year deal?) Rooney was strangely off-form – lots of misplaced passes which is very unusual for Wayne (Great goal to start it all off though), Berb was alright – couple good efforts.
The 442 formation is so obviously superior to 4321 with our players, makes you wonder why Fergie ever bothers with it.
If I were a Liverpool fan, I would be licking my lips at the prospect of facing Rio Ferdinand and Ben Foster at the moment. Right now, those two guys made mistakes yesterday that are unforgiveable at this level of football.
Rio is finished – he is still a good defender, and I know he is rusty, but I can no longer consider him world class, and England should worry about him at the WC next year. Same goes for Foster, he wont get on the plane on the back of performances like that – he is a greown man now, but yesterday he has the decision making of a virgin in a brothel, basically had no idea what he was doing, it is bloody alarming.
Long post that, Scott. Must have taken you all night to prepare it
Was absolutely great to see Giggsy again running down the wing and putting in the crosses. Long may it continue Ryan.
As someone said above, Valencia helped change the game. I just don’t get Park! He does nothing. But having said that, if he can some how change my feelings towards him like Darren Fletcherino has, it’ll be marvellous.
I don’t want to start picking hole but my confidence is slowly draining from Rio. And Foster, hmm. Pick yourselves us guys and concentrate against Stoke.
Well done Owen though. Never seen ‘that’ thing in Owen, but he is turning my head. Well done lad.
DanS,you think that was a long post?Look at this:
http://therepublikofmancunia.com/following-united-50-years-of-disappointment/
God,that was the longest post I’ve ever read on RoM.Brilliant read,though,and if you’ve not read it,I recommend reading and even if you have just read it again.
Giles,how do you even remember so much?
Great post Scott.
Some good news is Edwin back training and Owen Hargreaves joins the squad on Wednesday 23 September! Well thats last I heard of Hargo anyway.
Ryan Giggs was absolute class!!!!!!Couldnt believe how well he played!
Muggaz – Far too harsh on Rio mate. He clearly isn’t fit and with Jonny Evans needing surgery it leaves us a bit short at the back considering Cathcart on loan now.
hey King Eric,
I know it’s harsh mate, but I am at the end of my tether with him – you simply can’t make those mistakes – he owes so much to United, considering we still paid him when he was banned, and it wasn’t long ago where I would have his name as first on the team sheet. I just feel let down by him and don’t understand he could make a simple error that I presume you or I would never ever make.
king eric, we have wes brown…
Think it’s mad to be writing off Rio, he’s a fantastic defender. Every player has off-periods in their career and I think you need to stand behind them and help them rebuild confidence and form. Giggs, Scholes, VDS, Evra, have all lacked form at various stages of their careers, they continue to rebound and show class though.
Players like Park, who is a great player in some respects, has never shown the ability to play at the very top of the game. I can’t see him offering anything more than we’ve seen to date, he’s a useful squad member but shouldn’t be considered a starter in big games.
Foster, as a relatively young man needs time to show his quality but it’s hard to stand by him when he repeatedly screws up. There are obviously excellent aspects to his game but he is lacking in a number of areas. It would be great if we could afford the time to let him settle and own the spot but we’re under pressure for results week-in, week-out.
I’m not convinced he has what it takes but believe he should be given this opportunity to stake his claim. If, at the end of the stint, he hasn’t convinced, I’m not sure we can afford to give him another long stretch.
Would like to see Valenica get some more time on the pitch, they’re probably working on aspects of his game in training but sometimes you’ve got to throw a lad on the pitch and tell him to go hell for leather. Would also like to see Owen get some more minutes, I think he’s looked very impressive in all games. Yes he’s missed a couple of sitters but it’s very early days and I’m convinced he’ll come good. The press love writing him off, it’s incredible how much bad press he’s been getting. He then bangs in the winner and they’re singing his praises – the red-tops will never change!
Guys i have to agree with Muggaz. I love Rio, but my first reaction when Bellamy scored was “He is finished”. I can’t change my tune just because Owen scored. It’s not just the mistake, but the way Bellamy’s pace beat him. And he is at fault for the first goal too.
Rio had been the best defender in the world from 2005 until the trip to Japan. He is 31 and in the modern game, after 7-8 years of a lot of top flight football, you start to feel the wear and tear. I said it in the summer. We have to start building the Evans-Vida partnership and keep Rio as a good alternative.
Unreal read Scott, 3 beers and my dinner that took.
Rio might have playing in spain in the back of his mind. Dosn’t he have business dealings over there or summat?
Rio maybe “Mr. Cool As A Cucumber” most of the time, but what the f##king hell was he thinking?
Our defensive errors (specially from the over-rated Foster) really worries me. I think Fergie should give Kuszczak a chance.
Tufty, I think Scott was talking generally about those “fans” who leave early. Fuckin’ riles *me* up too, so point well made Scott. Still saw a fair few leaving after Bellend’s goal though.
Macheda is GOD
valencia made a bit of a difference yesterday, watch the game again in full and notice how much better united played when park went off and valencia came on, united kept the ball better and united were getting in behind citys full backs with valencia giggs wide, with fletcher and anderson through the middle. park in my eyes time and time again give the ball away and was always losing our attacking threats.
king eric
but one thing I am sick of is with we know who has gone they still say oh what would united do without rooney, united will always score goals its in their nature and what more could ppl want we are scoring at double the rate then last year. what about giggs forget ronaldo what will united do when giggs finally has gone, he is the one and my eyes fletcher was awesome but giggsy was man of the match he was just outstanding and in my eyes giggs is the greatest premiership player of all time.
what we have learned united will never go away while ferguson is in charge, and united have now fully adjusted to life without ronaldo and in the long term it is a massive help.
Valencia changed the game with his presence. Ireland was pushed out to the left so he could help Bridge on Valencia. That evened things up in the middle of the park where Fletcher and Anderson took over.
Controversy is because we used the extra seconds to win. Countless games in the past have been played with more than the displayed extra time but, nothing has been made of it because the result hasn’t changed.
It’s football, play to the whistle and try have a genius manager who will just throw on a sub in the hopes that the ref will tack on a few more seconds. We won it fair and square but, everyone wants to make huge story over it.
The story should be how City and Hughes can’t control his players. Bella doing what he did and that being defended by his manager – yeah right, pull the other one Sparky.
Rio is far from finished. He is world class, his just made one of his normal daft mistakes he makes once in a blue moon. Vida did it against Torress last year – the best make mistakes but, overall there is no better partnership in the world.
By far one of the most explosive moments at OT i have ache and pains all over my body, my friends seat has snapped because we tried our best to rise above the crowd and show the bitters how much it meant….
Darren Fletch football genius!
Ben foster out !!!
Hi Ghtt,how are u doing now mate?i realy miss your comments.
Jesus christ, will Giggs ever stop impressing?? He had a significant hand in every goal and was constantly a threat to Man Shitty….I thought his link up play with Evra was sublime..the two of them had the midfield and defence of City pressed back all game.
I was appalled with Anderson’s performance in the first half. I think every pass he attemped was intercepted and he did nothing positive on/off the ball. the second half was a different story…he was like a different player. Strong defending and better vision to pick out passes and create opportunities….maybe this guy will become the real deal….
Ferdinand’s little scoop was absolute shit. Who does that? haha Little Mickey Owen definitely saved the asses of Foster and Ferdinand
Hi guys, was at the game yday – hahaha to the Citeh fans…especially singing the Munich song again and “we’re gonna win the premier league”, what a bunch of plums!!Anyway, what did you think of Berba yday? He won a couple of headers, linked play up etc but for a £30 million pound striker – he should’ve burried those goals…it would’ve been game over!! Anderson, Fletcher and Giggs were amazing and although Foster and Rio are rightly being criticised, I can’t believe Berba has again escaped any negativity! I completely understand how he’s got the skill, touch and vision but being unmarked, 6 yards out and heading the ball straight at the keeper (twice)…he really is testing my patience! But on the flip side, the Rooney/Berba partnership is beginning to develop…! Also – a special shout out to the Red Army – the atmosphere was AMAZING!
Scott —- Great post….Completely agree with you…..
But also I do think that Rooney is the only one who looks as though he will score. Even when Berbatov gets chances, he never gives the impression that he will score….All his attempts are on the middle of goal.
Owen does not play regularly yet he gives us that confidence that he will definitely score if he gets chances.
I am worried about where the goals will come from….
GHTT —– get well soon mate.
Berbatov has to improve . We are hoping that he performs well because of the 30m price tag but this season , i dont see much of a change .he has to get involved in the game a bit more . He has to use either his passing skills outside or his first touch inside the box . He’s doing neither , now that we are playing with 2 out and out wingers , we need him in the box for the aerial presence he provides .
Guys, I am sick and tired of Looserpool FC supporters whining about yesterday’s injury time. They are complaining more than the bitters themselves.
Does anybody know where I can find stats on their injury time over the last season, like injury time announced and time actually played? I am sure that they had more than fair share of minutes played beyond official injury time, and probably scored themselves on those occasions. (Given that they won quite a few matches in injury time last season)
They do not accept any valid explanation, and only facts about them taking advantage of extra injury time would shut them up.
Xyth
look at it this way they are still whinning about united and ronaldo is gone, if scousers are whinning be happy I say
i think shitty will do a villa this year. i look at their sub yesterday haahaahaa minus ade and robbie they all all shit. when their stars injured hughes know how massive they are.
urval87 – “I am worried about where the goals will come from….”
Are you being serious? We are scoring for fun this season with goals coming from all players. Fletch2, Giggsy, Scholes, Ando etc.
Just shows the mentality of the fucking ABU’s . 82% who have voted on talkshite reckon that Nev’s celebration was WORSE than Bellamy’s behaviour. Cunts. Nev shoved it to the Munich chanting bitters. The reason United win leagues is because of the passion of players like him, Scholes, Giggs, Fletch and O’Shea.
Only downside is I now have to find forty three fucking quid for a Carling Cup game.
How can the dippers moan? Like I think Costas said, Howard Webb allowed them to score against Arsenal before blowing up after nigh on 7 minutes. Losers.
@ xyth. Let them talk,the other derby(chelki vs tote)injury time was almost 9min and yet they have’nt said anything so don’t bother yourself mate.
King Eric
united have proved me wrong and durham and everyone else who doubted united this season who durham cant deal with the fact he is wrong and fergie is right.
manutdchampions2008, glad to hear you coming around, mate!
Guys, don’t write off any of our players yet. I do angry with Rio and Foster but i do forgive and give them a second chance. As for park, please also give him some time. He had been playing the summer and back to the squad late and had slow start and training in the squad so he is still not yet all there. He had been magnificent in our champions league for the last 2 seasons. I do feel sorry for our players as people keep and always write off them like Park, Rio, Foster. Please stand by them and give them a 2nd chance, it’s the same old people i guess which did the same to fletcher by asking to be sell off a few years back. A few games back when Owen didn’t score some united fans said he is finished and now he score and said he is legend. Omg. Please stand by them no matter sun or rain.
Why is it that everyone has to say this about Berbatov: “for a 30mil striker he should have scored”? Do ppl actually believe that it’s the player who places the value on his head? If so then Kaka is an idiot for valuing himself at 5mil pounds before moving to Milan from Sao Paulo.
@ xyth ihave read (tribalfootball.com),lescott saying “stop talking about injury time coz we defended poorly,ucan’t go to OT concide 4goals and expect to win” so mate tell those loserfouls and gooners to read it for themselfs.
Good to hear our worst critic is now on board!
Life after ‘that boy’ is destined to be bright… for now we have FLETCHERINHO!!!!!!!!
Rio’s coming back, don’t worry about that!
I just can’t fucking wait for VDS’s comeback!!
sanj
but still the team needs rebuilding like a new striker a wide player and another CM player. the holes are there nani berbatov anderson do not convince me and they have not filled in the CF CM and LW slots
BEING A SPORTING CHAP I WENT TO WATCH THE MATCH WITH AN OLD FRIEND OF MINE IN HIS LOCAL HIS MATE WAS WITH HIM AND MY GODSON ALL BLUES APRT FROM ME BEING HONEST AT THE FINAL WHISTLE HE WENT FUCKIN DELIRIOUS HIS MATE SHOOK ME HAND BUT ME MATE DIDNT POINT BLANK REFUSED JUST GOES TO SHOW SOMETIMES YOU DONT KNOW EVEN THOSE WHO YOU HAVE KNOWN THE LONGEST……..GET OVER IT
@King Eric : is it real that for season ticket holders there are no cup match tickets allotted ? 43 pounds 1 ticket ? guess there are cheaper ones also.
Wazza – Yeah just league games mate. You are “obliged” to buy a ticket for all home ties of the Champions league, FA Cup and Carling Cup. If you don’t MUFC have the right to revoke your season ticket. Disgusting. There are cheaper tickets but I am sitting in my usual seat. Start at 27 quid I think. Just hope we draw a lot of away ties in the Carling cup!
@King Eric : ya that’s a bit unfair on fans who are not so well to do.
5 wins out of 6 even if we lost to Burnley (!) is a good enough start but we have to improve and with players like Valencia, Owen, Nani, Ando and others there is no other way for us.
Valencia is one-footed and it hurts.
Owen is a natural finisher and his 2 goals were classic examples of that. Who owuld have thought..
Nani and Ando will improve. In the absense of Ronaldo do we finally play that offence football we missed since 06-07 season ?
I love Owen Hargreves. After Scholesy he is my favorite player but Fletch is awesome and we can’t take away fro him everything he has achieved so far. And it’s his place in the first team.
VDS
Rafael Vida Evans Fabio
Hargo Fletch
Valencia Berba Giggs
Rooney
But Valencia must improve his left foot. They will soon figure it out and he will be useless.
Corea – No Evra or Nani? Agree with giving Evans more games though.Looking forward to the Carling Cup game to see what the team is. Owen WILL start with Danny or Kiko. Gibson will start. Hope Carrick gets some time from the start to get his confidence back. Fabio will play as will Nani I reckon. De Laet and Tosic? As regards Fletch mate like you say there is no way he will be dislodged. Hargo on the right side of midfield?
WHO THE FUCK DO THE BITTER CUNT’S THINK THEY ARE? This is amusing: Just heard Hughes’s side kick Mark Bowen on 5live talking about the defeat. He said that the players were obviously gutted about the defeat and when he went into the dressing room they were all slumped about distraught. But he said and check this out that “they will bounce back as they are all WINNERS”. Sorry did I miss summat, what the fuck have the mercenaries won? Aside from Toure with a tin pot cup or two the only winner is Judas who ironically was a winner ………………………………………..with UNITED!
Also Hughes reckons he wants to knock United off its perch! Funny as fuck.
Fuck Hughes ….think of sending him a stopwatch set at 5mins 27 seconds for an early Crimbo pressie…lol….
Must admit, I wasn’t in my seat when the goal went in. Neither was I leaving the ground. Bittersweet moment.
Hey Ghtt how is de windypipe…. better i hope
King Eric
I hate that 5live presenter did u notice how he was kissing hughes ass. what he should have asked hughes was how man city totaly collapsed 2nd half, how hughes had no answers or try and change the team when united were at times threatening to swallow city. hughes is not good enough to even dethrone united he lacks character back bone and be a game changing tactics. look how he dealt with united second half just awful. patrick barkley is another idiot, he has hyped chelsea up so much he cant go back now. chelsea have played no one yet and he is hayling them as the greatest ever side.
@ King Eric
you are so emotional about things and i must say i love it. you are a true supporter of the club and i respect your opinions. but maybe we must move on and let them talk to each other feeling the impotence ? anyway i had a good laugh reading your post. they are seriously deluded. let’s all laugh at them.
Evra is people’s favorite and i understand that. But he is not my favorite and there is nothing i can do about it. BUT. I am a romanticist and while understanding that Evra is a better choice at this moment i would have liked seeing Fabio get his chance. Nani ? Have you seen Giggs play ? Sometimes annoying but his flashes of brilliance win us games. So the games for Nani are on Wednesday and against the teams like Besiktas.
Don’t get me wrong. My line-up is no the best possible line-up you will ever see. But this is what my heart stands for.
PS. Hargo on the right ? Yes yes yes. Roma 08 ?
i wonder would shity be complaining with time added on if they were they hadnt have scoredin the 90th min. admittedly it wouldnt have been added on but if the shoe was on the other foot judas (hughes) could have nothing to blame the loss on other than the fact we whipped them round the place in the second. Never seen a more one sided derby than that second half. We gifted them two goals and the second could have been avoided albeit an excellent finish. I think were more of a threat going forward than we were last season. anyone agree? Im struggling to see how valencia is worth 17mill but then again ronaldos not worth 80mill. Id like to see more of evans and thomas kusz. forget how to spell that.
manutdchampions2008 – Spot on about Hughes, no where near good enough to dethrone United. As for Patrick Barclay I saw his Chelsea write up about how they will piss the league even though they have not been tested yet. You could argue Spurs were a test until you realise that no other team has beat Spurs more than the rentboys. Similar to how the dippers ALWAYS beat the Hammers!
Corea – As always you make some good points. I love Giggsy mate but he can’t do it game after game. You have hit the nail on the head. He can have a very quiet game then just ONE moment of genius can swing a game. Nani will get his games. I am not relishing Stoke away, our lineup for that needs to be physical and workman like . Not really a game for Nani. However it should be easier than last season as the lads now know what to expect at the Britannia. Also lets not forget that the fixture was boxing day last season and the lads had only just returned from Japan.
We definitely need to cut out the basic mistakes, because if we do that against the rent boys or dippers we’ll get turned over. We have plenty of quality to make light work of teams, but we are our own worst enemy. When we score first, we should score again, and again and again, not ease up and allow the opposition back into the game. The pleasing aspect of this season so far is that not only is Rooney taking on the responsibilty of being the main marksman, but everyone else is chipping in with goals too which is great to see.
Anyone noticed Rooney getting extremely tired at the end ? No way we’ll go at the opposition to score 256 goals considering we will have to play 50-60 games if we want to be successful in all competitions. It is simply unreasonable.
Sir Alex, please, play 2nd youth side in the game on Wednesday. There is no need to play the games like in this week’s final. It doesn’t make sense. We don’t need CC. Give it to Chelsea. LOL.
PS. Just a point about Berba. I love him and always defend him when needed. But he did disappoint me yesterday. Get the goals, Berba and do it fast. Too lightweight for my liking. Give Macheda his chance. I think SAF just waits for the right moment. There is no one better at that than him.
* this year’s final of course against Tottenham.
King Eric
andy jacobs on talksport summed the premiership up who he is awesome co presenter, there is no outstanding team you cant all of a sudden say oh this team is the team that will win the league. when unlike the 07/08 side you knew united were going to win the league, you are not sure who will win the league this year. patrick barcley is so imbarassed about writing united off he is not going to back out of chelsea, united can say bar man city united have not played anyone. what barcley also forgets is the cracks that are in the boardroom staff. I said from the start I think united would win the league because chelsea liverpool arsenal are quiet average themselves.
Ronaldo who??
I hope all them fools singing “Fergie, sign him up” over Fegie’s end of season speach feel well and truly ashamed of themselves. Never doubt the Wizard.
Scott, do you mind looking this up? It’s ludicrous
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/sep/22/manchester-united-goals-stoppage-time
@theboogeyman
I just read Giles Oakley article. He should write a book (if he hasnt) such a clear memory and a really good story teller.
Id like to echo your comment and say that this is a must read for everyone:
http://therepublikofmancunia.com/following-united-50-years-of-disappointment/
Absolutely awesome match…my 2 cents:
Positives:
1. We won, despite Foster and Tevez (LOL)
2. Anderson finally beginning to show some cojones. If he keeps improving at this rate and score 10+ goals this season, we have taken care of our CMF issues.
3. Giggs, Giggs and more Giggs – this is the one player I admire most….more than Beckham, Cantona, Neville, RVN, Ronaldo, Scholes….anybody. He is being our most influential player with his dance down the left flank and telling crosses/through passes. Can we clone him please?
4. Fletcherinho and more Fletcherinho…:)
Negatives:
1. Foster, Foster and more Foster – whatever all die hard fans say, he just doent look good enough. And while I DO hope he makes me look stupid, the way Fletcher is, the fact is that there only one GK, unlike a DMF who can be shielded to an extent. As somebody said, james, friedel and given are probably the best. why cant we get one of them? Or even Tim Howard? Or Asquiliani? The point I am trying to make is that while Foster might make 1 brilliant reflex save (a la Arsenal), he is just not consistent enough with the basic stuff to warrant a 1st team place. For a goalie, I will anyday take consistency against one-off brilliance.
2. Right wing lacks spark – Park is a great workhorse, but decision making, accuracy etc. are problems. Valencia – strong and pacy but again lacks quality on the final ball. Nothing new here – and they are both GOOD players.
As I said before, we will probably win the PL, but the BIG question is, how badly do we want to win the Cl this year? And are we good enough against the likes of Inter, Juve, Barca, Madrid and Bayern?
PS: I am not worried about Rio – one aberration does not kill a career of excellence…same cant be said about Foster though
Infectioner – I was reading this article last night. Disgusting.
Great article Scott. I’m still nursing my own bruises but it’s worth every bit of pain!! And on that topic, can someone please explain to me why people falling over seats and suffering serious bruises is considered “safer” than terraces ???
Anyway, what an awesome atmosphere and the celebration at the end took me back to the Wednesday game in 93. At (almost) 48, I thought I’d grow out of partying like a loon when we scored but that was just incredible. And please Fergie, stick with wingers, stick with 4-4-2 and play the United way. That 2nd half was a throwback to Kanchelskis and Giggs (in his prime), and before that, Coppell and Hill. That was just pure excitement and it seemed to me that the crowd and players fed off each other in that 2nd half….
Oh and I thought it was nice of Tevez to head it to Rooney in the build-up to the Utd winner. Once a red eh – tee hee hee…..
Wat was all the fuss about the derby, a big team united, beat a small team city. All jokes a side we shud ave win more easy than that, watched the match in bar they must think im crazy wen owen scored the fourth i went fcuking nuts. ps fletch is our new keano
King Eric: I used to be a Guardian reader when I was a naive teenager, but as I’ve grown older I’ve seen why they’re so roundly hated (even by sections of the left they claim to represent!). Stodgy article, at best and ABU at worst.
The Independent FTW.
Guys all i can Say is Fletcher is freaking awesome,the new keano maybe maybe not but if he keeps this up.he will have his chapter in the anals of united legends.Its RooooooooooonEYYYYYYYY season,he is getting consistent for us now.Fergie has yet to find his best team…..mmm cant wait when he does put it all together.*drools*
Foster biggest problem is not his keeping,he is an excellent keeper,but a poor communicator.thats where van der sar is head and shoulders about him.i think fergie should deduct his wages everytime he doesnt communicate.Foster is a much better keeper than Tomas.Sadly they suffer from the same malady.:/
foster’s problem seems to be in his head. He’s got ability but think his decision makin under pressure looks to be lettin him down. This might improve with experience. Thought valencia did make a difference but this is partially because park ran bridge into the ground. Ando lookin better by the game as is berba, really think you have to see this guy in the flesh to appreciate how good he is
I mean we can’t score if rooney aint playing..That’s the reality of the game,the focal point of United attack is Rooney..At this match,the most disappointing moment was our keeper ben foster letting us down(again) and Berbatov missing the point blank goals(AGAIN)…Nobody realize that if owen did not score we could have lost game,as like i say on that day,”I have a gutsy feeling that Owen would score…And he did..