Thoughts Ahead Of Manchester United-West Ham

Robin Van Persie : The man that is expected to lead the Red Devils against the Hammers tonight.

Manchester United are certainly looking to continue with the momentum gained over the weekend. Today's game against West Ham would be their 14th of their season and their second game in 5 days.

United's performance against Queens Park Rangers during the weekend was not of vintage caliber. Nevertheless, still got us the 3 points. The only causality from Saturday's game was the exclusion of Paul Scholes from the squad due to his yellow card suspension which was a result of his 5th yellow card of his season.

Anderson's impressive performance in the second half of the game against the Rangers had earned him a call up to the starting XI for today's game.

Sir Alex told MUTV : '' I thought Ando won the game for us."

"His performance was outstanding. He took the game by the scruff of the neck and he was so positive and determined in his play that he picks himself on Wednesday."

Nani remains to be on the sidelines while fellow winger Antonio Valencia is doubtful with a hip problem.

United certainly have to keep an eye on West Ham's main man Andy Carroll. The striker has broken his scoring duck against Tottenham on sunday in a 3-1 loss.

 

The key battle is midfield 

Playing against West Ham for any team can be a headache. Sam Allardyce certainly loves to implement a long-ball tactic in his teams, it was proven during his time with Bolton.

Mark Noble is out for this game with suspension and Alou Diarra is out with an injury. United certainly need to control the tempo with a mix range of passes in the middle of the park and certainly through the flanks.  

Danny Welback would certainly be looking to make up for his performance on Saturday. It's a game that needs everybody top on their top form. 

Prediction : 2-1 United.  

Eric Cantona : Monsieur Manchester United

"When the seagulls follow the trawler, it's because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea. Thank you very much."
 -Eric Cantona, 1995-

On this day in 1992. A signing that is still being talked about till today. Eric Cantona is Mr. Manchester United. He signed for The Red Devils for a fee of £1.2m pounds from Leeds United. A club record signing at that time. He will always be remembered by the United faithful for his sense of style on and off the pitch. People who don't understand describe him as aloof but people who adore him describe him as God. 

Eric Cantona certainly added another dimension into United's game. He was one of the few who could carry United all by himself. On the pitch, he was certainly a fiery person. A role model for young players like the Neville's, Beckham, Giggs, Scholes and Keane who later went on to win the treble in 1999 and engrave their own names in United's history books. It is easy to say that Cantona was the Mozart of Manchester United, orchestrating every play with perfectness at will.   

A simple call by Sir Alex to Howard Wilkinson then Leeds United had changed the direction of Manchester United as a football. A club that was described to be in a mess by the gaffer himself. During Cantona's stay at the club, United had won four titles in five years. However, United would have added another one to United's cabinet if he had not tried to show off his kung fu ability at a fan who shouted xenophobic chants at Cantona who was already sent off for kicking another player during a tackle. 

Eric commenting on the kick : "My best moment? I have a lot of good moments but the one I prefer is when I kicked the hooligan.''

 
He was consequently banned for 8 matches. Got stripped out of his captaincy for the French national team and even was completely thrown out of the national team. He served his ban and 120 hours of community without any complaints. He scored on his return for the club- against Liverpool and scored a penalty to salvage a point for United at Old Trafford. One of  many finest moment as a United player came when he scored that peach of a goal against Sunderland during the Premier League tie in 1996.

King Eric had made 185 appearances for the club while scoring 82 goals. His contributions to the club will always remembered by The Stratford End. His greatest season has a Manchester United came during the 1995/96 season, during which he scored 19 goals in all competitions, one of the few men to reach double figures during that season. 

During that season, United had won the Double, a feat that the team completed twice in 3 seasons. The highlight of the season for him was winning the FA Cup in emphatic fashion, scoring a long-range against Liverpool at Wembley. He also scored in six consecutive games from March to April to see off Newcastle's faltering title challenge. He was also voted as The Footballer Of The Year by The Football Association. 

At the end of 1996/1997, the King had decided to call time on his glistering career at the age of 30. The team had just won another title but missed out on European glory exiting during the semi-final stage of the tournament at the hands of Antonio Conte's Juventus. 

The United Faithful will never cease to forget King Eric even into the distant future. He was a player of calibre, a man of class and strength. Suppoters at The Stratford End still sing his name because of who he is to the club, he is Mr Manchester United. 

Not A Vintage Perfromance But Three Points Is Three Points

Darren Fletcher- He came back, he saw, he scored.

 

Darren Fletcher has certainly placed another benchmark on his comeback trail from a long lay off after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. He scored a smashing header and also playing the full 90 minutes for the Red Devils. In addition, becoming Manchester United's 17th goal scorer for the season. Goal have certainly been coming at a premium for Manchester United this season.

Manchester United had been a goal down in the 51th minute thanks to a Jamie Mackie near post tap-in. United's defensive lapses still continue to plague them. They have now conceded 9 goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half of games this season. Placing them tied on par with QPR, whom they played yesterday.

United's performance definitely seemed like a lethargic one with the team some what finding hard to keep up with Ranges and at times seem vulnerable to counter attacks. The right back position which is covered by Rafael Da Sliva seemed exposed most of the time with the defender running down the wing when bombarding QPR's defensive. He is certainly an offensive minded in that sense but at times he neglects his defensive responsibilities. Time and experience will certainly improve his game. Another thing to note is the fact that Rooney was running down into our defensive whenever we were being attacked by QPR, it is something that fans hoping would be rectified by Sir Alex in the coming weeks.

Paul Scholes seemed to have had a rare-off day at the office and on top of that he received a one-match ban for his fifth yellow card of the season which makes him unavailable against West Ham when The Hammers come for a visit on Wednesday. He was later substituted for Anderson. The tempo of the game noticeably when Anderson came on during the 60th minute. His 30th minute cameo appearance certainly made the difference.

United's comeback had started thanks to a Jonny Evans header near post which was a result of a Wayne Rooney corner. The defender had scored his second goal of the season, his first goal was a header against Newcastle. United were piling on the pressure, Anderson seemed to have the game on his hand giving the gaffer more reasons to pick him ahead of Paul Scholes in the foreseeable future. The second goal was scored by Darren Fletcher as mentioned earlier. Again, Wayne Rooney with another corner assist. United sealed the win in the 71st minute thanks to a Chicharito strike thanks to a spot on pass from Anderson.

Harry Redknapp having been confirmed manager of QPR the day earlier was left with a lot of thing to do as a result of this defeat which left them at the foot of the table. Unfortunately for the Rangers, 3 points in the bag seemed very close when they were 1-0 up. They were in control of the game.

Final thoughts, the highlight of the day would certainly be Darren Fletch's goal after a long lay-off from the game. The goal is rather symbolic suggesting that nothing is impossible when you put mind over body. 

Manchester United-QPR preview

  

Manchester United looks set to bounce back from a disappointing week results wise. Having lost two games in a row against Norwich in the Premier League on Saturday and against Galatasary in the Champions League on Tuesday. However, the experience gained by the younger generation of players during Tuesday's loss would certainly be plentiful. Nevertheless, supporters certainly want things back to winning ways and Sir Alex would be drilling the team on the importance of gaining 3 points to keep in touch with Manchester City at the top of the table.

Nick Powell made his European debut on Tuesday night for Manchester United having been playing for Crewe Alexandra exactly one year to the day. In addition, he always also the youngest member of the traveling squad on Tuesday at 18 years of age. The midfield combination of Cleverly, Anderson, Powell and Darren Fletcher certainly played promising positive football. Playing away in Turkey against Galatasary is not an easy task for any team especially one that is filled with youngsters. The team showed class and controlled temperament. I was particularly impressed with Joshua King as well, he seemed comfortable on the ball and his movement off the ball is superb as well. Hopefully, he gains much needed experience and maturity during his short-term loan spell at Blackburn Rovers. It would only benefit him.

Five senior players were rested on Tuesday against Galatasary, having already qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League. The likes of Evra and Ferdinand should be available to start against OPR today. Last Saturday's performance against Norwich was certainly a lacklustre one. Wayne Rooney was certainly missed. Hopefully, he gets the green light to play today having recovered from his tonsils. The game against Norwich had showed that Sir Alex cannot be depending evergreen experience from the likes of Giggs and Scholes to push the team forward in matches. Age is certainly showing particularly in Giggs who can't seem to match up to the tempo of today's game. The midfield which had started against Galatasary on Wednesday had made more sense. Anderson showed moments of brilliance and Fletch doing his normal dirty duties as per usual.

Yesterday was a day of historic proportions for English football. The unveiling of Sir Alex Ferguson's statue outside Old Trafford showed how much he means to the club and to the supporters alike. It was also the day Mark Hughes got sacked. 4 points from 12 games for QPR one would have thought he would be given more time. QPR had one of the busiest summers among all the English clubs signing 12 players. Harry Redknapp looks set to replace Sparky at QPR who was supposed to take over the Ukarianin national job. The announcement should be made next week, reports suggestion.

Bobby Zamora would be unavailable for the Rangers as he is recovering from a hip surgery which will put him out for quite awhile. Park Ji-Sung would be making his first appearance at Old Trafford since joining the West London outfit during the summer transfer video. Sir Alex spoke praises for Park's contributions to team during his time at the club. Rightfully so.

Last thoughts, hopefully the defense would keep it tight and simple throughout the 90 minutes. The QPR boys would certainly love to put on a performance for their new manager who would be watching from the stands reports suggestion. The defense must prevent from conceding cheap goals has happened so many times throughout the season. Goals would certainly be at a premium today with the return of van Persie and Rooney up top.

Prediction : 4-0 to Manchester United.

26 Years Of Folklore, Thank You Sir Alex Ferguson

"It's a proud moment. Normally people die before people see their statue. I'm outliving death!"

-Sir Alex Ferguson-

A bit of a fun fact that I have found on Twitter : " Sir Alex Ferguson has outlasted 5 American Presidents, 5 British Prime Ministers, 10 Liverpool, 18 Chelsea and 19 Manchester City managers." 

The man who 26 years ago was brought into club to bring back the glory days. A club that were in the shadows of Liverpool. A club that once were the pride and joy of Britain due to the efforts of another man, Sir Matt Busby and the players that had played under him such as Bobby Charlton, George Best, Dennis Law, Duncan Ferguson, just to name a few. However, his rise to the top of the footballing summit was a slow one, took him five years to win a trophy. In fact, he would have been sacked if Mark Robins had not scored the winning goal against Nottingham Forest in a 1-0 victory during the FA Cup 3rd Round tie in 1990.

Since then, Sir Alex had gone on to win a total of 48 trophies making the most successful British manager in history. At 70, there are no signs of him slowing down either. He still has the passion and hunger for trophies like he has not won any during his managerial career at Old Trafford. He has built teams from scratch. Sir Alex has made boys into men and then into legends. Players who will forever be looked upon and adored by United supporters and also other football fanatics, from the Cantonas to the Ronaldos. For most players, he is like a 'father' figure, always available when called upon regarding whether on-pitch and off-pitch matter. He protects his players like a lion would protect his cub when danger looms.

He instilled great discipline in all his players, reminding why they play for Manchester United, renewing their hunger for the game and for trophies. Teams over the years have been able to replicate success over and over again. When you look at the Manchester United of the present season, the only thing that has changed are the players but not the hunger, passion and mentality to win trophies. Manchester United are a team of transition, always changing but yet the blue print of the club for success always remains the same. The desire to win trophies, the ability to take games by the scruff of the neck. You can never take your eyes off a United game when they decide to play football. They always have the trait of champions in their DNA. The determination to win a game for the sake of three points is just unrivaled even in recent years with likes of Chelsea, Manchester City.  

Even though some who might think that he is a controversial figure in recent times but his work in the footballing world is phenomenal. The man  has been able to weather the managerial storm of the modern game with his eagerness to embrace change as time goes by.  Last Wednesday, Roberto Di Matteo was sacked six month after winning the Champions League trophy. A trophy that Sir Alex won twice in the span of 22 years. Tells you a lot about the pressures you face as a manager in today's footballing world when your team does not perform up to standard of the people above you. Sir Alex has been able celebrate his reign in the club with a sense of stability and a huge amount of trust from the members of the Manchester United board. 

Sir Alex Ferguson will always be remembered as the man who knocked Liverpool off their perch of British footbal. A man who has made Manchester United a team that is feared not only in Europe but around the world. A man that has seen it in all in the world of football but yet still has the mind-set and hunger to win more trophies for the world. A man who despised by a few but loved by many. A man who will always be known for his 'mind games'. A man who has revolutionized British football. The humbleness he has shown today at the unveiling of his statue just shows you the true character that he is as a manager and as a man.

Thank you Sir Alex, for all the great memories that you have given us fans to live by. The comebacks, the 99 treble, the 08 Champions League victory against Chelsea, the 19th title. You will be sorely missed once you decide to call it a day.

2012/2013 Champions League Squad, Fletch Is In !

Manchester United looks set to start the European journey come September 19th at home to Turkish outfit Galatasary. Darren Flecther has been included into the European squad while Bebe has been the only casualty. He has not been included in the 33-man squad. B-list player are young players coming through the academy ranks. B-list player who do not appear in the current squad can be included later on.

Van The Man, He Scores When He Wants !

Robin Van Persie is certainly the man on fire at the moment. The ex-Arsenal striker is certainly carrying on from where he left off at Arsenal last year. It was not an vintage United performance, Southampton striker Rickie Lambert had scored a header in the first half after he had towered over Rafael. Robin Van Persie had leveled things for the devils with sublime left-foot shot past Kelvin Davis.

Rickie Lambert' scores past Lindergaard.

The Saints had restored their advantage in the second half after Morgan Schneiderlin scored from a similar goal past Anders Lindergaard. Things seem to have gone from bad to worse for the Red Devils when Van Persie failed to convert a penalty from the spot. Things looking really bad, everybody was anticipating for a surprise. This was the 1000th match for Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge of Manchester United, certainly ending in defeat would make this milestone one to forget for the legendary manager.

Van Persie's first goal.

Robin Van Persie had made sure that the Red Devils would not be heading into the international break with a defeat. He had scored a typical poacher's goal thanks to a Rio Ferdinand header which had bounced off the cross-bar. Right place at the right time. The Dutch international had scored his 100th goal in the Premier League and his third goal in the match and his first hat-trick as a Manchester United player by scoring a header thanks to a Luis Nani corner in stoppage time.

Football is a cruel game. Southampton had the feeling of  'deeja vu', first game back in the premier league after a 7-year absence had finished in the same score line however at that time losing to the other Manchester outfit in the league, Manchester City. Sir Alex Ferguson would definitely take note of Unted's leaky defense. Patrice Evra does not look like himself as he wants once, the left-flank always looks vulnerable due to his eagerness to go into the opponent's final attacking third. Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand need to rekindle their relationship in defense, after having not playing together for a long time due to injuries.

Manchester United are no strangers to slow starts. They have done before and have gone on to win the title. Many of us were quick to point fingers at our midfield. Tom Cleverley had just came back from a injury-hit season and to add insult this is just his third in the middle of the park. He certain has shown some promise by  being a menace to other teams. He has shown it against Everton, Fulham and against Southampton. Come Christmas time United would certainly kick into high gear.

Van The Man, He Scores When He Wants!

Manchester United-Southampton Preview

The Saints and The Red Devils gear up to go head-to-head this Sunday at St.Mary's stadium. It will be the second away game for Manchester United who look set to carry the momentum that they had gained during the last match against Fulham at home who they had beaten with a 3-2 scoreline. The new boys Robin Van Persie and Shinji Kagawa had made their home debut in some fashion by scoring a goal a piece against their cottagers. Johnny Evans look set to start for the Reds at Centre-back position with Rio Ferdinand injured.

The Saints are definitely hoping to kick start their season which so far produced defeats to defending champions Manchester City and Wigan athletic respectively. They have strengthen the squad by acquiring the services of Uruguayan international Gaston Ramirez for a fee of £11m from Bologna.  All is not doom and gloom for Southampton, they had shown resilience during the first game against defending champions, Manchester City by finding the back of the net twice before losing to City 3-2.

Since Wayne Rooney has been ruled out for a month with a bad gash on his right leg which he had picked up during the game against Fulham last Saturday, Robin Van Persie now has to show Manchester United fans why the board had splurged £24m for him. Shinji Kagwa has already giving orders to his team-mates instructing them to give him the ball more frequently.

Southampton vs Manchester United at St.Marys/The Dell:


Played 13 matches at The Dell/St Marys since the Barclays Premier League was first formed
Manchester United: Won 7, Drawn 1, Lost 5 – Scored 24 goals, conceded 19 goals and kept 3 clean sheets
Southampton: Won 5, Drawn 1, Lost 7 – Scored 19 goals, conceded 24 goals and kept 2 clean sheets

*Stats courtesy of MUFC Blog

Squad:



GK: David De Gea, Anders Lindegaard

DEF: Rafael, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans, Scott Wootton, Alexander Büttner

MID: Antonio Valencia, Anderson, Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick, Nani, Paul Scholes, Tom Cleverley, Darren Fletcher, Nick Powell, Shinji Kagawa

FOR: Javier Hernandez, Danny Welbeck, Robin van Persie, Federico Macheda, Bebe

INJURIES/DOUBTS: Rio Ferdinand (hamstring injury), Darren Fletcher (bowel condition), Phil Jones (back injury), Chris Smalling (metatarsal fracture), Wayne Rooney (deep leg laceration), Ashley Young (knee injury), Patrice Evra ? (injured in training).

Prediction : Southampton 1-3 Manchester United.

The Road To Wembley

Take a good look at the group draw for the UEFA Champions League 2012/2013 competition. Learn them carefully, come december, i am absolutely certainly that we will be talking about a certain underdog team qualifying for the knockout phase while a European powerhouse face the embarrassment of an early exit from the competition.

Sir Alex Ferguson has already spoken about avoiding 'stupid errors' right after the draw was made in Monaco Thursday evening. In addition, Micheal Carrick has come out vowing not to 'crash out before christmas'. Last season, proved what could happen if a team gets to complacent about other teams in their group, we had crashed thanks to Basel and at the same time lost our captain fantastic, Nemanja Vidic to injury that lasted six months.

Manchester United would certainly use last season's group stage exit from the competition as a valuable lesson and will try to qualify for the later stage of this year's competition and not forgetting that Wembley would the venue where the final of this season's competition would be played. Extra-motivation and another chance to emulate the 1967-1968 United side which had won the competition on home soil by beating Benfica 4-1 at that time captained by Sir Bobby Charlton and also to avenge the bitter 3-1 loss to Barcelona in 2011.

Then Manchester United Captain Sir Bobby Charlton carrying the Champions League trophy exactly
10 years after the Munich Air Disaster which he survived. 

Manchester United group opponents certainly are not ones that we have faced before with the exception of Galatasary who we have played in the past and frankly did not enjoy playing especially away where the banner 'Welcome To Hell' hangs welcoming every visiting team. The other two teams, Portuguese outfit Sp. Braga and Romanian outfit, Cluj would certainly cherish this opportunity to face one the finest teams in Europe so hold on for some surprises from them.

The banner that welcomes every away team. 

Would Manchester United be able to make it to the final?

It's too early to answer that question, there are the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona in the midst of us. Also, not forgetting dark horses such as Ac Milan, Juventus and also Ajax. Manchester United fans are expecting a big things from this season's team and i don't see any reason to disagree after all we have acquired 6 new signings and also we have kept our present core squad intact with the only Berbatov and Pgoba, Owen leaving. This team is certainly destined for big things, the only thing they need to worry about is their consistency and also not forget to play like champions.

It's never too early to start dreaming of a 4th European title.