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.