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LIVE BLOG: United 3 - 1 Celtic FT

July 17, 2010

Scott is the editor of RoM and has a season ticket at Old Trafford. He writes for The Mirror, Paddy Power and Red News. He started The Republik of Mancunia in March 2006. Follow @R_o_M on Twitter.

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92 Comments

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Steve_G July 17, 2010

i was at the game, was my 1st time watching live footy and i have to say it was amazing, i still have no voice, and that was just from singing in the pubs and on the streets. we were sitting united end, across from the bench in the corner, just where the players come out, was unfortuate to see very few people willing to chant and sing but i guess thats because its a new experience for most of us over here, we have only recently had toronto FC pop up into a very hockey focused city so it wasnt too unexpected.

unfortunately i caved and bought the very 1st jersey out of the box as they were delivered to the souvenier displays and almost missed berbas amazing goal, its not bad for being made out of part recycled bottles (hah), i enjoy the collar as i have a large neck lol. pity they wernt selling any with names on them as i was looking forward to getting my 1st rooney shirt

it was essentially a sea of red, with about 5k celtic fans or so mostly in the celtic end under the (only) monitor for the crowd (haha suckers)

berba looked brilliant, as has been mentioned often about him, if he could only do that on a regular basis he would be in the race for the boot. smalling didnt overly impress, i was just saying to my friend that he didnt look too bad, and of course he had to give that penalty and make me look a fool, he wasnt the same after.

rafael looked amazing, getting forward, making solid tackles and seemed to have better vision then last season

obertan was looking fast, tried to throw in as many stepovers as possible, looked nice but like last season he seemed to be a step ahead of himself. still has improved and i enjoy watching him (needs to work on that finish)

it was great to see giggs and scholes in action, when they walkd out for the second half they were givin a standing applause by the sections they walked by

we stayed by the tunnel and cheered for every united player to walk out, fergie got the biggest reception, about 200 of us waited about 30-40 mins for him to come out and give his interview to mutv, the cheering was so loud for him they had to delay the interview as fergie couldnt stop smiling

even tho i only heard about 5 vuvuzelas i made mental notes to physically harm these people if i ever see them again in the future

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Costas July 17, 2010

I fell asleep last night and it turns out I missed a good Berbatov outing. Oh well. It's still very early to make assumptions either way guys. But it's always nice to put one over Celtic. :D

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King Eric July 17, 2010

Fuxk me. Cleverley been out for 2 or 3 months , first game back and ALREADY he is getting slated. What the fuck? Just like after the game "andy" called in and said although Berba was great he isn't a United player and Obertan and Wellbeck wouldn't get in Citeh and Chelsea's side. What the fuck . Why are people so fucking negative? I thought the lads looked ok. Sharp and great to see some proper counters again. Scholes first half was ridiculous as was Giggs. Berba was class.

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King Eric July 17, 2010

Oh and alot of "respected pundits" in the game according to fat cunt rentboy Cundy reckon Citeh are the major threat to Chelsea's crown. Chelsea's fucking crown? It takes more than some grossly overpaid players to win titles.

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Costas July 17, 2010

I was watching the highlights a bit earlier. Nice to see Berbatov involved in all 3 goals. The funny thing about yesterday was that we played 4 strikers and we still have Rooney, Owen and Chicharito. I am afraid that at least 2 of those strikers won't be at the club on September 1st. Whether they are sold or just loaned out.

I agree with King Eric about Cleverley. It was his first game back after being out with an injury. Obertan and Diouf showed good skill in the Berbatov goal.

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aig alex is god July 17, 2010

Steve YSB Mcmahon is a cunt. he was saying United are going backwards and Chelsea will storm the league this season. Also says shitty will challenge for the league. ya you bastard. That aging chelsea team will not win the league. Also says Rooney is not in the same class as a fully fit Torres and David Villa. Why do ESPN have such an anti-United panel

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Welbz19 July 17, 2010

@king eric it's so fucking annoying the way some of our fans are with the young players writing them off when in my opinion they looked decent for the first pre season game!

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Peter July 17, 2010

http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/index.php/2010/07/16/the-100-best-goals-of-200910
The best goal has to be the one at 6.42

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rachelreddevil July 17, 2010

morning guys. watched the game last night wasnt blown away didnt expect it to be either. good work out for the lads. celtic were a gud first match for us coz they play at nearer standard to the prem then most of the other tour matches we've had and are a bit ahead of us during pre season coz they start earlier. Berba showed some class touches and really enjoyed the space that celtic gave him which he wont always get in the prem. obertan has improved massively some of the runs he made were great because of the strength which he didnt have last year. Smalling had a good game apart from the pen bt he will learn that lesson quickly. cleverley was eager too impress so his touches werent great. he had a great seaon with watford last yea.r the championship may be lower then the prem in terms of quality but its a tough league so he knows how to battle. i have to say the da silva twins are my fav great pace, love to get forward not afraid to put the foot in. shud see a marked improvement from both this season if they don't get injured.
for a first game not too bad it shows our quality in depth and with some of the big players to come back we should be ok this season come on united

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Gotta hate tiny tears July 17, 2010

If anyone can point out to me how an owen hargreaves or a cleverleyisnt what berbatov needs for the game to flow or if anyone can explain to me what people dont like about the guy or if anyone can watch this mornings game and notice that more often than not this is the game this guy puts on or If anyone can show me one example in the history of the world of a single
Psychic who has been able to prove under reasonable experimental conditions that they are able to read minds And if anyone can show me one example in the history of the world of a single
Astrologer who has been able to prove under reasonable experimental conditions that they can predict events by interpreting celestial signs And if anyone can show me one example in the history of the world of a single
Homeopathic Practitioner who has been able to prove under reasonable experimental conditions that solutions made of infinitely tiny particles of good stuff dissolved repeatedly into relatively huge quantities of water has a consistently higher medicinal value than a similarly administered placebo
And if anyone can show me just one example in the history of the world of a single
Spiritual or religious person who has been able to prove either logically or empirically the existence of a higher power that has any consciousness or interest in the human race or ability to punish or reward humans for there moral choices or that there is any reason - other than fear - to believe in any version of an afterlife

I’ll give you my Daughter, one of my legs, and Smurf

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jcolas July 17, 2010

It's hilarious listening to you go guys go through what I have to go through all the time for premier league games. Know you know that effort some people go through to watch every minute of every game.

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jack July 17, 2010

wens mikey owen ando nd rio bk????

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Missing Cantona July 17, 2010

all 3 goals: http://www.manutd24.com/news-features/video-manutd-3-1-celtic-berbartov-welback-cleverly-samaras-goals-pre-season-friendly-at-rogers-centre-toronto/

amazing goal by berba i must say...

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ancha July 17, 2010

im surprised...except denton..no body mentioned about diouf....other than berbatov and obertan...diouf did more than expected of him...im tempted to say that he is going to stay for a long time here.....but the only problem is there are so many options in that department...some of them has to go out its just question of when....if we just analyze what we have....in the coming two seasons...Rooney and berbatov would be the obvious top two choices....then it becomes little tough to decide whos going to be there...owen ..keeping in mind his injury record....may be used as supersub....
i would like if diouf is third in that pecking order atleast for the coming season rather than loaning him out....i would even like chicharito in the same spot..both fighting for the chances...as you can see both are 22 years old...so if they are not given regular playing time in the coming two seasons...then it will be sad to see them leaving with such potential..i guess im talking far ahead of myself......
regarding kiko....he is still very young when compared to the above two...so i guess he can wait..with some odd appearances and run in carling cup etc......
welbeck....my guess is he l be sold in coming years similar to what happened to frazier campbell...
what do you say guys...about this analysis

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Gotta hate tiny tears July 17, 2010

Have to say I get pissed off when united should get a peno when they didn't but the peso we didn't get yesterday was a fantastic sign , overran got a kick to the back of the leg and the player got none of the ball- and for such a young (even thou he looks 46) guy in overran to stay on his feet because he was in control was a classy thing to do.

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King Eric July 17, 2010

aig - Hello mate. Ignore that scouse no medal cunt,. Some people may just get a surpise this season. United ain't done yet.

Welbz19 - Tell me about it mate. FIRST game of the season and still people fucking whinge and moan. I tell ya pal this twat "andy " last night. Went onto say "If we don't get another few players we won't win owt, we won nowt last season, well the carling cup, BIG DEAL" Fucking horrible spoilt little cunt. I wouldn't mind if we got beat 3-1.

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King Eric July 17, 2010

gotta hate - ha ha quality mate. "and for such a young (even though he looks 46). !!!

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King Eric July 17, 2010

As for Smalling I thought he looked ok. Assured on the ball and not afraid to bring it out. Won some headers too. Promising signs.

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MG July 17, 2010

@King Eric

"Chelseas crown"

What a fucking laugh - that's funny 3 titles to 11

Yeah right whatever Cundy you fucking failure in maths : )

And they only won the last one on a fucking linesman wanking himself whilst he should have been doing his job - twat

Do not fear - we fear none of the non believers : )

I am reminded of a quote my teacher gave me years ago back in the good old days of school

"If they all stand together and hate you then you are the ones they fear most"

They fear us it's natural - defense mechanism and all that psycho bullshit

Manchester United will never die that was is and will forever be our rallying cry to those fuckers

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MG July 17, 2010

11 meaning premierships plus 7 division titles = 18

How many do the rent boys have?

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0161-Jon July 17, 2010

Only managed to catch last 20 mins, some awesome touches by berba, hate seeing him flailing his arms moaning at the kids around him, should be putting his arm round them encouraging. Good signs from him tho. Diouf berba and kiko had one top fast attacking move towards the end stopped only by a great last ditch tackle. From the short bit I saw, a decent first game.

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King Eric July 17, 2010

MG - Exactly mate. Their crown my arse. I cannot actaully believe that reputed pundits really think Citeh have a chance. Mancini will be gone by xmas. They will fall off the pace after last season I reckon. The pressure now for results will be too much. You only had to watch the fuckers at Eastands in April/May when they were going for fourth. Choked to fuck and wouldn't even attack United. I have heard some Citeh fans moaning. Saying how their club is becoming full of greedy foreigners and the kids won't get a chance

They really do make me sick. They were flaunting some fucking heated seats on Skysports last night! Fucking cunts.

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MG July 17, 2010

@King Eric

I have been doing a Sir Alex for years

Boycott the fuckers - the whole lot of them in my case

Therapy to the max King Eric my friend : )

City like Chelsea are buying there way to the top - whether they make it is a different matter

Noticed though that Chelsea haven't been splashing the cash?

It's because all those years of spending like idiots has taken it's toll - they have to have a business plan to claw it back

Much like the noisy neighbours will have to

And - someone has to pay for there debts - starting companies to absorb debt is fine - but someone somewhere has to be accountable for it - city and chelsea fans are in delusion - as least we are making our voices heard

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Welbz19 July 17, 2010

@king eric was that the guy on the phone in after the game? The twat! I thought the young lads all looked good, cleverley struggled a bit but he did his fucking cruciate 3 months ago so it a miracle he's even playing, I'm a little biased in favour of welbeck but I think he looked really sharp a little more filled out, think he's massively Under-rated on here, smalling looked composed apart from the obvious!

Everyone needs to shut the fuck up being negative about the young players this season and get behind them cos whether u all like it or not we won't be spending 50m on players, so these lads are the future of the club

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willierednut July 17, 2010

It's a friendly ffs, just a prelude to the act.

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Tony Starks July 17, 2010

... not sure why people are getting so hot and bothered about other teams and 'pundits' opinions - what's new there people?...

... so many good youngsters out there yesterday, surely a few will make it... have to say I like smalling, he's got good potential. so what if we not spending $160million? what difference does it make, we already have good players - support them and give them a chance, like the manager is doing

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willierednut July 17, 2010

Tony starks - Spot on mate, when there not talking about us, thats when i'll start to worry.

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lawman10 July 17, 2010

re tony sparks @12.05.
bang on mate..................................support the team, get behind the manager, in fergie we trust!
why have a youth system if they are never given a chance?
manchester united has always been about giving youth a chance.............................I would rather see a player come thru the ranks then just going out buying players!
if that was the case ( buy,buy. ) you might never of seen giggs,scholes,beckham & so on.
now tell me what is better?

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Ash July 17, 2010

sTEVE MCMAHon is a big time cunt.Someone should put a vuvezula in his ass and then blow.Bloddy stupid.I seriously hate him.Frankly he is very jealous of united,he envys us because he knoes liverfools can never be as strong as we are.I was just thinking its a gain gain situation for us.Seriously i dont think we would finish 3rd or 4th forget about missing a champs league spot.Imagine if we win the league with this young squad.Seriously every one would have a respect for us and guys like mcmahon would atlast accept that we united are in a different league.

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Redsmoke July 17, 2010

I was at the match last night and the only banner that security took down was a Glazers out banner behind the goal. Rubbish

The boys were great though and it was a great time.

LUHG

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King Eric July 17, 2010

Yet another clown:

So now the world cup is over silly season has started and the inevitable "City are gonna catch United " shite. So Yaya at 220 grand a week is good business is it? Muppet

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/david-mcdonnell/Why-Manchester-City-s-Roberto-Mancini-and-new-buys-David-Silva-Yaya-Toure-and-Jerome-Boateng-could-embarrass-Manchester-United-s-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-over-claims-there-s-no-one-worth-signing-David-McDonnell-Column-article527651.html

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Tonka Norris July 17, 2010

It was a great first game. I felt better about our season ahead after watching it. It was good to see the emerging players have a go without being overshadowed by the regulars.

I thought Berbatov was superb but I've long been a fan of his. We don't get the best from him tho. Whereas the team readily forms a supply line to Roo, they don't for Berbatov. I fear he'll be off, and we'll see him much the same as Forlan. Pity.

It was only a first game so not much to go on. Great to see big John back. The twins are beefing up and it looks good for them. Obertan needs to mute the stop-overs soon but his speed was impressive. Overall there was nothing on show that suggested an early threat to the missing players. This was more like a preview of 11/12 season than 10/11. I'd still like to see us buy a midfield general.

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aig alex is god July 17, 2010

@king eric,tony starks

hello to both of you

the reason i get pissed off is because every premier league program he is there and has a go at united and fergie in particular. Its find dhe hates united but when you are a pundit you have to put that to one side.You should have seen both him and jason mcateer on the final day of last season.couldnt hide their delight that we didnt win the league

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viva berbatov July 17, 2010

berbatov was amazing last nite, i hope he keeps it up keep working hard. sonme says to me he is after getting a small bit thin. aslo have anyone noticed that healy fronm mu tv has left. and there news a new bolond girl on. she doesnt have clue about fooball. and healy is a lot nicer than here . bring back healy please

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denton davey July 17, 2010

Welbz @ 11:19: "Everyone needs to shut the fuck up being negative about the young players this season and get behind them cos whether u all like it or not we won’t be spending 50m on players, so these lads are the future of the club"

I disagree about "shutting the fuck up" - we all have opinions and one of the joys of ranting is that those opinions can be discussed (sometimes even discussed in a civil manner).

About the 50m transfers - never say "never". But, apart from getting someone like Schweinsteiger or Sneijder or De Rossi - any one of whom would make a huge upgrade to the midfield - I think you're right.

SAF has decided to go with kids and has spent fairly large sums - in the 7-12 million quid range - on Smalling an Chicharito - as well as taking punts on Diouf and Obertan. These guys - and homegrowns like KikotheKid, Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley, Darron Gibson - all might take a step up in their level of play to progress from suspects to players. For sure, Jonny Evans and the twins look like the real deal. However, taking that final step up is a real challenge - lots of promising suspects (I mentioned Kieran Richardson, Frazier Campbell and Chris Eagles) just didn't have the mustard to do that.

"Many are called but few are chosen". And that's why I remain suspicious/sceptical until proven otherwise. So it's not a matter of cutting them some slack as having ridiculously high standards and hoping that they can meet them - because "ridiculously high standards" are what has separated SAF's teams from the rest. He doesn't win most of the time because he cuts some slack - it's his way or the highway.

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Welbz19 July 17, 2010

@denton davey
fair point about the shut the fuck up thing everyone does have opinions! My is that if we talked these young players up, got behind them when they are playing shit and just in general made them feel 10 feet tall instead of sighing and bitching that they ain't the finished product, they would be much better and more confident doing the things everyone who watches the youth and reserve teams know they can do!

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denton davey July 17, 2010

Welbz19: I'm not sure that any of these youngsters pay the slightest attention to what I or you or anyone other than their coaches (and their agents) says to them. We can talk to each other but they're not listening ! So, I don't think that my "sighing and bitching" is much of an issue with them. They may be kids but they are already professionals and they have all had three or four years of survival-of-the-fittest behind them.

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Welbz19 July 17, 2010

@Denton
I'm pretty sure that they can hear the sighing and bitching in the crowd when they are on the pitch tho!?! Some of the abuse Gibson and welbeck in paricular got around me last year was awful so I'm sure you would agree that this would affect them which is what I was reffering to anyway!?!

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torontored July 17, 2010

Might have been a f riendly but Celtic are way ahead of us in their training (they start their UEFA campaign real soon).

Watched the game again - composure of Smalling is questionable and we have to hope that part of his game bucks up - it was his first outing in a red shirt but he did look shaky both from an ability standpoint and a positional standpoint THIS IS ONE AREA where lack of cover cost us last year - just hope it was nerves and getting to know the system - Evans was talking to him all night as were Giggs/ Scholes and Fletcher. Rumours abound about Vidic and Rio is definately a concern with his back/knee etc issues so we have to hope Smalling stays with it.

Obertain/Wellbeck/Diouf still look "clumsy" and to me do not read the game well - Obertain has the pace and sometimes the skill but still looks more Bellion than Best - Cleverley does seem to read the game and knows where to be - has talent and does not look intimidated by playing with first team.

Macheda did not see enough of the ball but can say he is strong and not scared of throwing himself around.

Berbatov on second review of the game does sometimes dissapear but his first touch is second to none and he has wonderful skill.

Early days - this is the first competitive game in a United strip for many of these new faces this season and feel they will improve. On the whole movement was good and there were a few moments when they did kick into a higher gear - Celtic are a good team to play at this stage and we still could have stuck another 3 past them

There are several faces missing such as Pogba/Petruzzi and in particular Possebon - anyone have any idea where he is - a few years back he seemed to be the next Scholes but after the injury and loan appears to be either of favour or on his way elsewhere. When I did see him in a reserve team game he was in the middle with Gibson and it all revolved around him.

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torontored July 18, 2010

Just watched the first games for Arse/Chelsea/Everneverwin - compared to what we put on the park then we will finish at least second

Denton Davey dead on leave the young lads alone they will or they will not - my observations were just that - observations. I did play a bit at a decent level a few years back so do know the basics - skill and position United training/develpoment takes it to a level not ever known in my day.

Was lucky enough to chat with Shiels and Irwin (our best ever left back) whilst here - "a question of 3% between making it for United and another premier league team " for the youth boys. Standards are that high at that level at OT and keep getting higher - mentally/physically + x factor
”.
Denton Davey said "Many are called but few are chosen" - and as I was told it is a 3% differntial between a Beckham and a Greening

For me gets deeper - Sir Bobby Charlton on a TV show aired here recently said it all "there was only the one shirt to be worn in the 50"s , one team to play for, one manager to play for - laughing he then said "i could not not get a game as a right winger (15/16) - so I went behind the Stretford End for 2 hours every afternoon and hit the ball with my left peg. For you that do not know Bobby scored more with his left than with his right and could lace a 50 yard pass either foot. - slow it down or speed or it up. The old ball which was laced and like concrete when wet. One game in the late 60"s or early 70"s remember Shankley shaking his hand when he left the pitch after we had done them 4-1 on their park.

They ar good today but do they really still "wear our shirt" Hope so - really hope so Giggs/Scholes/Neville /Brown yes - the rest???

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denton davey July 18, 2010

torontored - that 3% differential sounds about right; and I'd assume that most of that differential is between the players' ears and has nothing to do with physical skills. The game at the top level (especially in the EPL) is played a incredibly high speed so that the ability to "see" the game is crucial to success (or failure or just mediocrity). The Beckham/Greening comparison is pretty good, too.

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torontored July 18, 2010

Denton Davey the 3% is exactly what you say + self motivation (dedication/fitness/innovation - wanting and daring to try something new and if you do make a twat of yourself then going back and practicing until you get it right).

From the stands on Friday you could see them that see it and them that don't. Scholes and Giggs by the way still do look for and do still find the space

As for the pace of the game it is getting faster and I reckon when we have our fast players out especially on the wings we can do anyone (best evidenced typically for example by the breakaway agaisnt Arsenal - Rooney - Nani - Rooney - goal)

Still concerned for the spine of the team - VDS / Rio / Vidic and the middle - have to hope Carrick gets back to form and Anderson recovers and shows himself.