Manchester United Season Tracking Version 2

[Springsteen]

Manchester United 1-1 Valencia

A draw to round off the group stages of the Champions League and in many ways a satisfactory result considering avoiding defeat means we avoid the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid in the knockout round, although a tough tie may still await. On the game and Valencia started the brighter before we came back into it, however just past the half hour mark Michael Carrick gave the ball away sloppily and Valencia took full advantage with Hernandez slotting home. However the pressure still belonged to us and be it bad luck or sloppy finishing we just couldn't finish, however fortune favours the brave and when Ji Sung Park's fierce drive was beaten away by the goalkeeper, Anderson followed up to score his first ever goal at Old Trafford in any competition. In the end better finishing/more luck would have won the day, but as it is there can be plenty taken out of the game for both sides.

Man Of the Match : Anderson.

 

[Springsteen]

Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal

The story of a retractable head and a missed penalty. First the retractable head, just before half time Nani cut inside and crossed it, it took a nick off Gael Clichy and Ji Sung Park had to readjust his head to head us into a 1-0 lead. Plenty of Arsenal pressure in the second half never led to a goal and when a penalty was awarded somewhat luckily for a handball it seemed the game would be over had Rooney dispatched it, however row 17 got a good look at the ball when Rooney put the penalty way over. In the end we had the better chances while Arsenal's buildup was better. In the end 1-0 takes us back to the top of the Premier League with a game in hand

Man Of the Match : Rio Ferdinand.

 

[Springsteen]

Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland

Berbatov scored twice, we dominated the game.

Man Of the Match : Dimitar Berbatov.

 

[Springsteen]

Birmingham City 1-1 Manchester United

A hugely frustrating result in more ways than one. Firstly the fact that 8 out of 9 away games this season have now ended in a draw. And also the circumstances of the draw, conceding a late goal. The first half was a very torrid affair with our best chance being a cross shot by Giggs which cannoned off the post with a touch from Foster. The second half was better and just past the hour mark Darron Gibson slid the ball to Dimitar Berbatov who slotted home neatly. Chances presented themselves after this with the best coming from a Vidic header which hit Foster. However the introduction of Zigic caused problems and they snatched a last minute equaliser in slightly controversial circumstances given the fact Zigic handled the ball in the buildup. However in many ways we deserved to be punished given we sat back too much in the last 10 minutes and gave the ball away too often. On the plus side, it's back to the top and still unbeaten, but away wins must follow performances sooner or later.

Man Of the Match : Dimitar Berbatov.

 

[Springsteen]

West Brom 1-2 Manchester United

One of the more less deserving wins you'll ever see, for several reasons. One was we didn't play well at all in the first half and for many stages in the second. The first goal came from the head of Wayne Rooney after neat work between Obertan and Evra led to a cross which Rooney stooped to conquer. However West Brom responded well to going behind and within 10 minutes were level when James Morrison hit a stunning volley past Kuszack. Then the game's first controversy when Gary Neville committed a foul which should have led to a penalty and a red card but neither were given. In the second half the penalty that was denied them in the first half was eventually given in the second when Rio Ferdinand clumsily tripped Thomas, however Peter Odemwingie rolled the penalty wide. Which changed the game. The second controversy arrived when Fabio's cross struck the hand of Jerome Thomas inside the area for which a penalty should also have been awarded. However shortly after parity was restored when Javier Hernandez headed in a corner. West Brom kept plugging away and in the end are unlucky to have been beaten but on the same token it's those games you have to win if you're going to win the Title and that could turn out to be a crucial 3 points come seasons end.

Man Of The Match : Wayne Rooney.

 

[Springsteen]

Manchester United 2-1 Stoke City

Not as spectacular a win as it promised to be from the early showings and indeed the game's writeup. However the points are won. The first goal came when neat work led to Nani crossing and Javier Hernandez following up his winner of the weekend with a neat flick to give us a deserved lead. However Stoke are known as battlers and within 5 minutes of the restart got level with a Dean Whitehead header. Frustration it turned out not to be as a Nani special on the hour gave us back our lead. In the end we weren't all there and Stoke didn't show enough in attack.

Man Of the Match : Nani

 

[Springsteen]

Manchetser United 1-0 Liverpool

Progress to the fourth round complete with a pleasing win over Liverpool. The only goal came when Berbatov was caught in the box, penalty awarded and Giggs tucked it away. Gerrard was sent off later in the first half for a two footed challenge. In the end the couldn't be bothered Ladyboy up front was a big part on Liverpool doing fuck all in front of goal for the most part.

Man Of The Match : Ryan Giggs

 

[skyblue]

the boy kelly was my man of the match

 

[Springsteen]

Well I can hardly go around giving Liverpool players awards. But he did play well for a youngster.

 

[Springsteen]

Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Manchester United

In many ways a satisfactory point given we were playing for half of the second half with ten men after Rafael saw red after two yellows. There were chances for either side to win the game, but given either our inability to really test Gomes or our excellent defensive display, neither did. Still, it means we remain unbeaten in arguably our toughest test yet and it means we retake top spot with games in hand.

Man Of The Match : Nemanja Vidic.

 

[skyblue]

its about time rafael saw red

 

[Springsteen]

It was a little harsh for me, I mean the first one yes, it was mistimed and he was VERY naive in the first half when he waves an imaginary card after he was fouled (I think). However the second one is difficult because he's coming across the ball, like Assou-Ekotto, meaning he will always make contact, but at speed. However with those, and this was highlighted in commentary, you very rarely, if ever, get those in the area. Had Rafael done that in the area on the left back, a penalty would not have been given, refs don't give them for that offence, outside is fine though as it's less controversial. It is a foul but not a yellow card offense as it's very difficult not to make contact. I feel we will appeal the yellow he got for that, and hopefully win, or Gary Neville might have to play.

 

[Springsteen]

Manchester United 5-0 Birmingham City

The criticism this season from many has been that while we're staying unbeaten, we're not playing well, and while that might be true of some games in the earlier stages of the season, lately the argument has been exposed as a fallacy, and this result is a reason why. Birmingham's gameplan was always to keep it tight in the early stages so when Dimitar Berbatov headed in from a yard out after a Giggs corner was helped on the gameplan appeared to be all but gone. They did well to withstand an early storm by not conceding any more in that time of the game but you always felt they would never keep the score to 1 and indeed Berbatov added a second on the half hour with a nice finish into the corner. More chances were created and when Ryan Giggs made it 3 in first half stoppage time the game was deemed over. And it was only half time. The scond half was really ours to score at will under the circumstances and the first of two second half goals came when Berbatov completed his hat trick from close range. Nani then added a fifth which he deserved with 15 minutes to go. On another day we could have punished Birmingham more but 5-0 is an impressive scoreline.

Man Of The Match : Dimitar Berbatov.

 

[Springsteen]

Blackpool 2-3 Manchester United

It's often been said of us to never ever give up, and never has it been more true than in this game. The first half was mostly Blackpool and indeed they found themselves 2-0 at the break with headers from Craig Cathcart and DJ Campbell. However a good half time team talk will never go amiss and never was it needed as much here. The Ryan Giggs substitute had a massive impact and the goal was pulled back when Berbatov tapped in from Fletcher's ball across. The second goal came shortly after when Hernandez, who came on for Rooney, ran through and slotted the ball in. The winner came before the 90 minutes when Berbatov added a second to his tally. 10 minutes of injury time followed thanks to a nasty looking injury to Rafael which he has been taken to hospital with (concussion). But with our never say die attitude won us the game. Blackpool did well in the first half and I hope they stay up because they have been a breath of fresh air.

Man Of The Match : Ryan Giggs

 

[Carlton]

:yuk Dont like man-u at all, not the players so much, more chewy fat fergie :mad

 

[skyblue]

i like blackpool and ian holloway,they've proved that small clubs can make an impact

 

[Carlton]

been following a lot lately, because of my boy, loves liverpool...

 

[Springsteen]

i like blackpool and ian holloway,they've proved that small clubs can make an impact

Definetely. I love his personality.

been following a lot lately, because of my boy, loves liverpool...

You need to get him out of his terrible habit.

 

[Carlton]

could be worse, he could follow Manu-U like all the other sheep :jk

 

[Springsteen]

Who is this Manu-U to which you refer?

There's nothing wrong with supporting Liverpool per se, just don't get too excited about them and never expect them to win anything.