United Succumb to City

Two's Kompany, Three's a...but seriously, why wasn't Ferdinand marking him?

Sooooo, Manchester United play conservatively against City rivals and get beat. Surprised? Neither am I. What happened to the tried and tested, goal scoring formation including Welbeck and Valencia!? Have we (I say we because I support, not because I am part of the team. Unfortunately for me, fortunately for them) relinquished the title with two games to go? Perhaps. Will QPR pull of another miracle (after beating Arsenal and Liverpool) and beat City? Unlikely. Very unlikely. However *rubbing hands together*, there is a small matter of the Toon to come, at St. James...sorry, The Sports Direct Arena (bleuurgh!). If ever I were to request a favour from Newcastle in my days of being a United supporter and football fan, it is now. I am not a pessimist, but on seeing the team sheet for Monday night, I had to predict a close City victory, but I am hopeful and do genuinely believe New'cassle can take a point from that fixture and presuming United don't f**k up at Sunderland and SMASH QPR, we can still run out victors!

The Demba-Bus is Coming!

 

900 games and still going strong

Ryan Giggs reaches 900 appearances and scores a late winner against Norwich

Ryan Giggs, say what you want about the man off the pitch, but on it he has been, unquestionably, one of the best players to have ever graced the game and has preserved himself legendary status at Manchester United.
At 38 years of age, he shows no signs of slowing down, although he no longer flies up and down the touchline after taking on a more central role in midfield, he still pulls the strings creatively.

He displays an unrivaled desire to win every game, evident again on Sunday by his last minute winner at Carrow Road. His celebration sums up just how much every win and every point means to him and the club he has remained loyal to for the past 21 years. Ferguson has said he has accomplished a feat that he believes no other will, not for one club. The only player close is Paolo Maldini who racked up 902 for AC Milan, but with due respect, he played in a central role in defence, arguably a position requiring less physical exertion than the ones Giggs has played over the years.

So long as he continues putting in top class performances, age shouldn't be an issue. He is due to play up until a few months prior to his 40th Birthday after signing a one year extension. Who knows what will happen after that? No-one would put it past him to reach 1000 games at United, after all, Stanley Matthews played into his 50's. In the modern day, with sports science being so much more advanced, who could doubt that Giggs would be able do the same? Not me.

Premier League Match of the Season so Far...

The Come Back Kids...and Grandpa Giggs

Chelsea 3-3 Manchester United. Perhaps the Londoners will not feel the same way as us United fans, or the neutrals, but seeing a team come back from 3-0 down is always a thrilling one. And as Rooney rightly pointed out after the match, it is indeed a point that could end up winning United the League in the long run. It is games like this which helps prove that the Premier League is THE best in Europe...dare I say the world?

Although two of Chelsea's goals were soft, an awkward own goal bouncing in off Evans after striking De Gea's knee following Daniel Sturridge's cross, and a re-directed header from David Luiz taking another deflection off Ferninand (Juan Mata's goal was pure class), it takes nothing away from the way in which United fought back. They never looked like losing, even from the first minute. They looked the most dangerous of the teams on the attack, with the in-form Antonio Valencia dancing through the Chelsea defence at break-neck speed on one flank and Ashley Young (presumably with a new leg) zig-zagging in and out on the other and with Giggs and Rooney orchestrating play in the middle. However fortunate they may have been, by the 50th minute Chelsea had taken what looked to be an unassailable lead. Many teams would have crumbled, admitting defeat, but not United. Still they plugged away, winning two penalties, Welbeck's admittedly slightly dubious (but it makes up for the Cahill foul on Welbeck that was missed in the first half at 0-0), with Rooney despatching both with aplomb and a classic Chicharito, right-place-at-the-right-time, header to level in the 84th minute. Ferguson wanted another penalty late on but it would have been a harsh decision on Torres (for handball) as it struck him from point-blank range. Not forgetting a special mention for David De Gea who pulled off one of the saves of the season against a late Juan Mata free kick, at full stretch tipping the ball away as it careered towards the top left corner of the net. Magnificent reflexes and agility from the under-fire keeper.

'That' inspired save from the Spanish keeper

 Perhaps two points dropped in a way, but considering the deficit to have to come back from, I think it's safe to say a point is definitely not to be scoffed at. More of the same next week please Premier League.

Crapchester United

Carling Cup quarter-final, Crystal Palace at home, nice. Looking at the other fixtures, Arsenal vs. Man City and Liverpool vs. Chelsea, I was like, "Ha! Gutted". It seems I scoffed too soon. Palace eventually forced a winner in extra time to seal a 2-1 upset at Old Trafford and book their semi-final place. Sir Alex rarely gets his team selection wrong, and to an extent you could argue it wasn't the selection that was the problem on this occasion either. Valencia, Berbatov (on paper anyway), Smalling, Park, Fabio & Rafael all started the game, but taking nothing away from Palace, something was missing. There seemed to be a lack of urgency and desire, especially seeing as a few of the fringe players needed to make a big impact to have any chance of being selected for League games. Previous to kick-off, Ferguson had stated how "...the League Cup has turned into quite a good tournament," "Clubs like United are able to introduce young players and ones who have not been playing regularly in the first team, and it's been good to us over the years". Just not this year, apparently.

You look extra silly when beaten by a bunch of daffodil look-alikes

I also believe the Carling Cup provides a good chance for the younger players at bigger clubs to make a name for themselves as they need competitive, senior games in order to improve and to be fair, this particular cup has always been regarded as the 'B' competition after the FA Cup (and I'm not at all bitter by the way...maybe a bit, damn Crystal Palace). A good example of this was during Arsenal's unlucky defeat to City with former Southampton youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain put on a classy performance, announcing himself by terrorising Zabaleta for large chunks of the game. But that's enough about Arsenal.

I'm sure Fergie had more than one eye on the coming fixtures against Basel in the Champions League (which is a must win to ensure the best chance of qualifying top of the group) and Aston Villa this weekend. Ah well, you win some, you lose some...just in future, make sure its not at home to someone 1 division and 30 places below you, please.