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LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL: United versus...

December 18, 2013

Sunderland vs Manchester United
Manchester City vs West Ham

First leg January 6th
Second leg January 20th

Scott Patterson

Scott is the editor of RoM and has a season ticket at Old Trafford. He started The Republik of Mancunia in March 2006. Follow @R_o_M on Twitter or @R_o_M7 on Instagram.

CONFIRMED LINE-UP: Stoke vs United

PART V: Bill Foulkes and the Harry Gregg fall out

36 Comments

Dela December 18, 2013

When I talk about this cup to friends etc. I always say I don't care too much about it, it's the least important cup we play in but what I always say is its good for the lads who don't always make the first 11.... and always good if u can get a good final at Wembley..

Now a Manchester derby final at Wembley is on the cards.....

Anyway, decent performance tonight considering the conditions were fucking terrible up to the point the game was suspended, after that it got better and the game got better. Smashing goal from Young.. looked dangerous at times tonight... Chico changed the game for us... Evra's finish was beautiful... :-)

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martin the nairobian December 18, 2013

At least now the results are ok.three wins in a row plus cleansheets all through.
makes it easier to deal with the
boring ass football on display from us.its even worse than how were playing last season.
Moyes has the january window to buy the necessary players,then adopt a attacking philosophy for our team.excuses won't cut it then.

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Dela December 18, 2013

@martin - I haven't heard Moyes try to make excuses mate.... in fact he took complete responsibility for the bad results in the league.

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samuel - united WE stand December 18, 2013

No such thing as a "least" important cup. The league cup is up for grabs and it adds to the trophy cabinet if you win it. United are drawn against sunderland. the key is, the 2nd leg is at home, that guarantees nothing though as united's home form is poor at the moment and sunderland will make it tough no doubt but hopefully united can kick on and navigate it.

One good game doesn't make a player and this one certainly doesn't change perspective on young not being good enough BUT credit where credit is due, superb strike and looked a lot more confident.

Cleverley put in an hardworking efficient display. Nothing spectacular but then again, he isn't a spectacular player. If united can surround him with more top class dominant all round central midfielders, cleverley's efficiency would be good. As of now, some are expecting him to be dominant, he just isn't that type of player.

Smalling looked solid tonight at a tough away ground. I've always said it, he has the attributes to be a complete centrehalf but moyes needs to play him regularly in his expert role.

Rafael put in another solid performance, seems to be improving on the art of balancing attacking and defending well and he certainly brings a good balance, quality player.

Anderson wasn't bad tonight, I think the fact he gets to play once in 10 does not help in terms of gaining fitness and form, he needs more minutes. Moyes was right to change him for hernandez though, united were lacking impetus and potency.

Welbeck put in a decent performance. Led the line, tried to link play, wasn't on the score sheet but with rooney potentially out, danny will have to step his game up and start scoring.

Another clean sheet, builds the confidence of the team really, on to the next one.

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capelcrusader@yahoo.co.uk December 19, 2013

Good win in the end. Valencia had a harder time than Saturday, but he's responded really well to his place being up for grabs, and I'm delighted to see a proper right footed winger on that side. this inverted winger stuff just narrows the play. But funnily, Tony V doesn't cross a ball as well as Rafa. Bit odd that, for a winger. He seems to hit it with the laces of his boot, quite often low, and maybe needs to learn how to whip them in, as Rafa does, and Beckham did brilliantly. A decent cross is still a great way to get our strikers in. Still it's good to see him hungry again, and Rafa too is much better in tandem with Tony than Smalling. Not his fault - just not a full back. Onwards and upwards.

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Fletch™ December 19, 2013

Brilliant goals from Ashley and Patrice. Really settled the tie down. Shawcross going off didn't help the hosts.

Ashley Young: "I knew it was going in when I hit it" 1st goal in 37 games I think! Need more displays like that!

Patrice Evra: "Normally only use the right foot to get on the bus!" :lol:

Great draw for us in the semi. Sunderland a much better prospect than home and away with the noisy neighbors.

Sunderland and WestHam will likely play their part, but imagine the bookies will be getting loads of interest in odds for an all Manc final a Wembley.

2 game still to play for that though.

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Fletch™ December 19, 2013

Also Moyes told Sky that Rooney had a groin issue, but that he was in line for West Ham. Fingers crossed.

Fellaini and Vidic are both training and expected to be available for WestHam
Carrick is apparently in light training 6wk of from his achilles operation and some say this is ahead of schedule.

Bit of bad with the good then.

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Fletch™ December 19, 2013

Rooney groin issue may not be overly serious:

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2013/Dec/wayne-rooney-misses-stoke-due-to-injury.aspx

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Tommy December 19, 2013

@Samuel

Good points mate, Sky TV were incredibly harsh on Anderson tonight, Alan Smith (The former Arsenal player not former United one) said Anderson had a dissapointing game, I thought he didnt do any better or worse than Jones/Cleverley especially considering first half was impossible for the midfield due to weather then 2nd hald was given only 19mins when weather had calmed down, Some reds are so arragant acting as if the league cups beneigth us, pricks!! Barely any comments just because its the league cup, Solid if not spectacular performance at a very tough venue, both goals were well taken, we come away with a semi final place, Moysie v Big Sam final put a bet on it lads!1

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Tommy December 19, 2013

Correction samuel 10 mins not 19 mins typo error

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DeGeaWeTrust December 19, 2013

I missed the game, watched the hobbit tonight, is a worry now united have lost Rooney and RVP to injury, but a possible taster we may not have either these 2 players come next season, so we will see how united play without these 2 players. A chance to play kagwa behind the striker, as I cannot see welbeck and hernandez working as a pair. Would it hurt playing anderson and cleverly saturday? I doubt it, but I expect giggs to take the reins saturday

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dannysoya LOVES USAIN BOLT December 19, 2013

Jones is TOO AWESOME. Hi strength in midfield gave clevelrey license to roam forward and his bursting runs took the pressure off our defense. In Fletch's 10 mins on the field, you could clearly see what we have missed for so long. CALMNESS on the ball. The ability to look up and make the right pass to the right man always. Looking forward to seeing Fletch get extended mins with Jones in midfield till carrick comes back.

Young FINALLY scored. Congratulations to him, it only took you fifty million years. Hopefully he can kick on now and salvage what is left of his United Career.

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NBI Red 21 December 19, 2013

Ashley Young did something right! More of those please. I still don't see him here long term but this was better from him. Can't understand why Nani does not get any minutes and is behind Young however. Hope he plays next game.

Evra, beautiful calmly taken goal was a joy to watch even in the complete shit wheather. That's what you got to Danny and you have ability, calm as you like.

This was a weird game, in weird conditions Pea definitely a good sub but the linking of defence and attack by Cleverly and Ando is woeful. I didn't think any MF had a good game today, as noted above only Fletch looked the part. We really need some MF players, yes Cleverly is a bit better but we need complete MF players, there are good ones out there and Cleverly is not one of them in particular against better opposition he just gets swamped and lost in MF. Tries his heart out. Would love a youth product to do good but he has to earn it. I think Powell has much more talent though can't really see him in MF as never seen him play there as he seems to be a forward. I think Danny can make it here if he keeps his scoring boots on and improves his strike ratio, he has great passing and movement and defends well, Cleverly is too limited, no clever balls behind the defence to our tall speedy forward to run after, no clever balls at all really. Jones is not a MF. Fletch may save our season.

Roll on Hammers. They won today so will be up for it. Really looking forward to seeing Ravel at OT. I know he is a woman beating scum bag and I should be glad SAF kicked his ass out for hitting his mother, but, I have a guilty fascination with him as a football player, as a man he was scum, I hope he has changed and learned his lesson.

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NBI Red 21 December 19, 2013

I have to say with the new login this site is so dead it is less attractive, we used to have threads that got 1000 comments and regularly hit 3-400. @ John appears to have left too which is a shame, I thought he was an interesting character on here with comments worth reading. That said, Scott had had some interesting comments and put up some interesting articles. Shame about lack of comments.

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ashtheking December 19, 2013

I know League cup is in least of Priority but I would want to win that. Look at Arsenal, have not won a trophy for 9 years. Let us keep our tradition rolling by winning trophies even if thats League Cup.
I have always felt Moyes has done well in knock out ties. I know he didnt manage to win any trophy with Everton but he always took them to latter stages of the tournament. I felt lack of squad depth at Everton didnt help him to win trophies. I think Moyes has a knack of doing well in Knock out ties. I feel this could be very helpful League Cup AND FA CUP. Even at Europe this could be helping us., So far Moyes has done well in Knock out ties for us. Hope this trend continues. I want us to win FA cup. SO long we have not won.
Till then lets concentrate on the league and hope to be back in top 4 by Mid Jan. Other teams will drop points so we shall capitalize on that.

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Ifeanyi Ujah December 19, 2013

the league cup might b d least on our wish list,bt can breed confidence nd belief if won for dis campaign.nd moye is nt takin it lightly cos he knws dis is opp to get anoda silverware in his 1st season.nevertheless i love valencia's improvement

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evered7 December 19, 2013

Any cup is worth winning. If it is not, I don't think the clubs would waste their resources trying to compete in it.

If we win the league cup, I will be very happy. A first trophy for Moyes and his initiation into the winning ways of United.

Got two good away wins now. Now something to show for at OT. The top4 are playing each other during the busy festive period. Can't get a better chance at reducing the deficit.

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gra mar December 19, 2013

I didn't see much of the game, only about the last 15 minutes but we knocked it around quite nicely and kept the ball well which is something we haven't done for a while.
I heard from a few sources that Anderson was poor but he's harldy played so harldy surprising if true.

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goat08 December 19, 2013

@NBI Red21

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goat08 December 19, 2013

@NBI Red21

sorry wrong posting. I think that technically the new forums need some time.

Previously I was making comment that would be around middle of first page but when it passed moderation (and the comment was not long) the article had already 3 pages of comments and mine was in the middle of the first.

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gra mar December 19, 2013

@nbi- the comment count is definitely way down but something had to be done. There was a lot of trolling and abusive posts that was very tiresome and that is all pretty much gone for the most part.

The only thing is how do I get my Bobby Charlton's Combover moniker? Anyway know if how to logging in from Google?

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NBI Red 21 December 19, 2013

@ goat - welcome back, I assume this is the goat peticoat etc of old?

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WeAreUnitedd December 19, 2013

did anyone see goals from our youth on manutd.com

http://www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/The-Academy/Academy-News/2013/Dec/video-of-manchester-united-youth-cup-goals-at-burnley.aspx

James Wilson and Pereira, the next 2 lads to break into the United senior squad! Moyes must be happy with these kids coming up, now his only job is to nurture them and make them United qwuality!”"!

peace.

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NBI Red 21 December 19, 2013

@ gra mar - ah welcome now I know who you are again! so you are Bobby Charltons Combover - when you log in their should be an option for user name that is the space you can amend. Try right clicking and see if it gives you that option if you don't see it.

Agree, apart from the odd personal attacks the revised formatt content wise seems more civilised and footie focused but its a bit of a double edged sword as so many decent posters have not signed on, hopefully it will pick up more. Also its hard to sign in from phones and google chromebooks etc I find.

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goat08 December 19, 2013

@NBI

Nope. I am goat since this linked up to Google. I was previosuly writting here really sporadically as "ji".

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dazbomber December 19, 2013

I thought the team played well last night, terrible conditions which might of suited Stoke but we got the ball on the deck and pass it well. Cleverly stood out for me at the heart of everything and always ready for the ball .We are looking stronger with players coming back things will get better the main thing for me is that confidance is good

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wayne barker December 19, 2013

Was working yesterday so listened to the game on the radio,seemed like to game turned around when Ando was replaced with Hernandez,think Ando's days are numbered.Apparantly Young was getting booed by Utd fans I don't agree with that at all
Don't get these Zaha on loan to Everton or Newcastle rumors,why the fuck would Utd want to do Everton any favors or loan a player out to teams above us

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Fletch™ December 19, 2013

Happy holidays lads and ladies. Hoping for some cracking games over the break.

Feeling the love for Darren Fletcher today. Long may it continue!

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Fletch™ December 19, 2013

Transfer rumors?

Long shot:
Ross Barkley rumored for Cleverley and Cash. (Everton probably will just take the cash )
With Everton pushing for a CL spot that we might not get, why in the world would club or player want to move in January.

Pipe Dream:
Iniesta, Lad just signed a new contract. Not going to happen.

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DeGeaWeTrust December 19, 2013

Fletch - United need cleverly, he is united's only mobile midfielder that can pass and move, I have always thought cleverly plays better with better midfielders around him, and he was very underrated last season, who was part of that great linchpin him and carrick formed last season

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WeAreUnitedd December 19, 2013

@degeawetrust

I agree on Cleverley, the duo Cleverley Carrick won us many games last season when it was crunch time, there was a period when we won every game with those 2 together against the big clubs

I'd rather give Young and Ando away or return Fellaini to them and take Barkley for us. Barkley is an amazing talent. I think we have the same potential on Powell too. let's hope we nurture him gooood!.

peace.

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samuel - united WE stand December 19, 2013

Hernandez has always been a better impact sub player than starter so i'm not suprised he made some impact. Anderson has been isolated and has barely played, moyes throws him in expecting an instant impact. Anderson time at the club may be nearing an end but so are many others yet they get their fair share of game time regardless. He wasn't awful vs stoke, he wasn't as sharp but then again he barely plays, how can he gain sharpness and form?

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DeGeaWeTrust December 19, 2013

WeAreUnitedd - I would move young and anderson on, I do not think we need either, but in an ideal world, bring powell back, try and get barkley, move fellaini on, and build a midfield of cleverly powell barkley kagwa and januzaj, like arsenal have done with wilsheire, ramsey, flamini and ozil, heck arsenal play with 1 striker, but their midfield has the majority of control.

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WeAreUnitedd December 19, 2013

@samuel

Agree though on Ando, I though he did well regarding how much he's played, that being said he has been given his fair of chances and his injury spells have brought him to this situation, it is what it is and I also agree that some players are coming to the end of the course. That's why I am surprised how Young goes ahead of Nani in a game against stoke in a cup-tie.
yes Young scored, but he looked completely utterly crap before the goal, after it, he was sharp and good, Hopefully this does not mean that we will see him more often, because he did not put a shift to earn his place in the first 11.

@degeawetrust
good idea, but it's only an idea when we have rvp and rooney on the team, so playing with 1 striker is not possible for us, in the future?probably.
Barkley is a very good one, I have been impressed, I think his eye for a pass is not that great, but he's a very worth while looking. BUT we have Pereira coming up HOPEFULLy and he could be one to look at and also Powell is a great prospect so barkley is not the priority.
BUT if it would be me, I would trade fellaini for barkley, just saying!

the future could be like this
Rafael Smalling Jones XX
Pereira Powell
Januzaj
XX/Zaha RVP/XX Rooney/XX

I put the X's because rvp could be here for a couple of years and rooney might as well leave? so we must fill those spots. for example Reus or Iker Muniain could be a great answer.

you never know what the future holds with the transfers and so, but we are up there!

peace.

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CTRED December 19, 2013

For the love of god someone please tell Ashley Young no more taking of corners. I don't think I have ever seen a decent corner from that man in over 50 tries. My only guess as to why he keeps taking them is he must be superb at corners in training and then horrible at them on game day. The coaches then think....give him more time in he games to take them and he'll come good. What other reason would they tolerate such poor set piece taking over and over again.

That rant aside, I thought Young had a good game and obiously an excellent stike. Just get the man off the corners please....

Questoins - Save Leverkusen away, it seems every game United look dominating this year we have played five in the midfield. Cleverly, Anderson, Valencia, Young, etc., all look different players and have more bite when we have numbers in the middle. I think we are even creating more chances up top with only one striker. Would like to see us play that 4-5-1 against West Ham on Saturday as well.

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gra mar December 20, 2013

@NBI - thanks for that - changed it on goggle but still logs me in here as gra mar but not t o worry.

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