Manchester United News & Views
Champions League –vs.Besiktas. Crucial 3 points away in Turkey despite an uneventful game for at least 70 minutes. The Red Devils employed a 4-5-1 formation with Rooney playing the loner which looked quite one dimensional although Valencia constantly got behind the Besiktas defense but his final ball really lacked quality. Although United dominated possession the game looked a stale mate until the introduction of Berba & Owen who took over the striking department, stretched the Turks defense & up stepped Scholes with a vital nod. It’s the German champions up next at home & a good start to the Champions League campaign. And Yes Man United still bear the WORLD CHAMPIONS badge!!
Premier League vs. Totenham 1-3. A display worthy of Champions. Spurs got absolutely clobbered by a ten men United who worked tirelessly in this game despite going down to a magnificent overhead kick by Jermain Defoe. I singled out Fletcher for criticism for the Arsenal game but in this game he was truly outstanding. The difference being he didn’t give away possession, covered almost every blade of grass on the pitch & put in some great tackles breaking up most of Spurs attacking forays. Evra had the nerve to attack even with a man down but did well enough to cancel out the Lennon threat. Together with Vidic they provided real steal defensively. Ryan Giggs provided a fresh attacking dimension his energy & verve upfront just seems timeless. At 35 a living legend who has scored in every edition of the Premier League added to his 11 League titles. His peach of a free kick set United out, capped off by an amazing show of strength & skill by Rooney who has lead the front line quite impressively so far this season.
Looking Ahead
The Manchester Derby -In years to come this fixture might turn out to be one of the biggest games in World Football. If City can match their spending spree with domestic silverware & European success, this game might even be bigger than United v Liverpool. They have made an impressive start to this campaign & given time Mark Hughes’ men might gel into a formidable outfit. In attack City seemed to have signed the Stars no one else wanted. Adebayor was desperate to make a move to United who refused his offer he then settled for a move to City. He never gave the impression that he got on well with his Arsenal team mates. After head butting Bendtner & expressing his desire to join Milan he was an outcast at the Emirates. His latest stamp of Van Persie confirms his violent tendencies. Gareth Barry once a Liverpool target never really lived up to expectation last season in Villa’s bid to displace Arsenal. Then there’s Tevez. He really stabbed United in the back by switching to City. He just wasn’t prolific enough to warrant a £25 Million pound valuation, chipping in with 5 league goals last season in 29 appearances. Given his work rate he is more effective playing as an attacking midfielder. Will he get regular first team action with City when they have Adebayor, Robinho & Santa Cruz? I’m sure Fergie lost patience with him after the 2008 Champions League final against Chelsea where Tevez could have killed off the game before half time, his finishing was criminal. He hasn’t impressed on the international scene either with Argentina on the verge of an embarrassing World Cup exit. A breakdown in communication with Fergie led to his departure. City fans came up with a wind up poster after signing Tevez stating “Welcome to Manchester”. Ferguson responded calling City “a small club with a small mentatlity”. Hughes refused to get involved in the mind games & has since been doing his talking on the pitch with an unbeaten start. Hughes himself left United for Chelsea on uneasy terms with Ferguson when he lost his place to Andy Cole. And I sense there is still a bit of retribution left there to get one over his old boss. Undoubtedly a crunch game & a loss at home for the Red Devils would surely hand Manchester City the psychological edge & belief to break into the top four. Their impressive display against the Gunners had all the signs of a club with pedigree for silverware however marred by Adebayor’s behavior they are facing a tough week ahead of this game.
Transfer Scandals - United have been dragged into the transfer debacle of teenagers since the Chelsea ban. But the facts are quite clear as the club has not forced any player to break a legally binding contract & have clearly stated all dealings are within UEFA rules & guidelines. This is expected from a club of Manchester United’s international stature. Whereas Chelsea have a history of underhanded dealings. Back in 2005 they unrightfully snatched Jon Obi Mikel from United after Mikel signed a contract with United. The Blues were ordered to pay £12 million pounds for him & yet again now another controversy. Let’s see how they survive January when their diamond returns to Africa for the nation’s cup & the transfer ban kicks in.
Elsewhere Italian outfit Catania have claimed United have shown interest in their Japanese striker Takayuki Morimoto, whilst on the goalkeeping front the Red Devils have also been linked to German keeper Manuel Neuer & Russian stopper Igor Akinfeev. Seems odd when Fergie has showed faith in Foster & singled him out for quite a lot of praise. Maybe it’s a ploy to get Foster playing out of his socks after some shaky displays. His performance against Spurs was impressive as he made some excellent saves but I somehow doubt he will take over as England’s number one.
Redman
Champions League –vs.Besiktas. Crucial 3 points away in Turkey despite an uneventful game for at least 70 minutes. The Red Devils employed a 4-5-1 formation with Rooney playing the loner which looked quite one dimensional although Valencia constantly got behind the Besiktas defense but his final ball really lacked quality. Although United dominated possession the game looked a stale mate until the introduction of Berba & Owen who took over the striking department, stretched the Turks defense & up stepped Scholes with a vital nod. It’s the German champions up next at home & a good start to the Champions League campaign. And Yes Man United still bear the WORLD CHAMPIONS badge!!
Premier League vs. Totenham 1-3. A display worthy of Champions. Spurs got absolutely clobbered by a ten men United who worked tirelessly in this game despite going down to a magnificent overhead kick by Jermain Defoe. I singled out Fletcher for criticism for the Arsenal game but in this game he was truly outstanding. The difference being he didn’t give away possession, covered almost every blade of grass on the pitch & put in some great tackles breaking up most of Spurs attacking forays. Evra had the nerve to attack even with a man down but did well enough to cancel out the Lennon threat. Together with Vidic they provided real steal defensively. Ryan Giggs provided a fresh attacking dimension his energy & verve upfront just seems timeless. At 35 a living legend who has scored in every edition of the Premier League added to his 11 League titles. His peach of a free kick set United out, capped off by an amazing show of strength & skill by Rooney who has lead the front line quite impressively so far this season.
Looking Ahead
The Manchester Derby -In years to come this fixture might turn out to be one of the biggest games in World Football. If City can match their spending spree with domestic silverware & European success, this game might even be bigger than United v Liverpool. They have made an impressive start to this campaign & given time Mark Hughes’ men might gel into a formidable outfit. In attack City seemed to have signed the Stars no one else wanted. Adebayor was desperate to make a move to United who refused his offer he then settled for a move to City. He never gave the impression that he got on well with his Arsenal team mates. After head butting Bendtner & expressing his desire to join Milan he was an outcast at the Emirates. His latest stamp of Van Persie confirms his violent tendencies. Gareth Barry once a Liverpool target never really lived up to expectation last season in Villa’s bid to displace Arsenal. Then there’s Tevez. He really stabbed United in the back by switching to City. He just wasn’t prolific enough to warrant a £25 Million pound valuation, chipping in with 5 league goals last season in 29 appearances. Given his work rate he is more effective playing as an attacking midfielder. Will he get regular first team action with City when they have Adebayor, Robinho & Santa Cruz? I’m sure Fergie lost patience with him after the 2008 Champions League final against Chelsea where Tevez could have killed off the game before half time, his finishing was criminal. He hasn’t impressed on the international scene either with Argentina on the verge of an embarrassing World Cup exit. A breakdown in communication with Fergie led to his departure. City fans came up with a wind up poster after signing Tevez stating “Welcome to Manchester”. Ferguson responded calling City “a small club with a small mentatlity”. Hughes refused to get involved in the mind games & has since been doing his talking on the pitch with an unbeaten start. Hughes himself left United for Chelsea on uneasy terms with Ferguson when he lost his place to Andy Cole. And I sense there is still a bit of retribution left there to get one over his old boss. Undoubtedly a crunch game & a loss at home for the Red Devils would surely hand Manchester City the psychological edge & belief to break into the top four. Their impressive display against the Gunners had all the signs of a club with pedigree for silverware however marred by Adebayor’s behavior they are facing a tough week ahead of this game.
Transfer Scandals - United have been dragged into the transfer debacle of teenagers since the Chelsea ban. But the facts are quite clear as the club has not forced any player to break a legally binding contract & have clearly stated all dealings are within UEFA rules & guidelines. This is expected from a club of Manchester United’s international stature. Whereas Chelsea have a history of underhanded dealings. Back in 2005 they unrightfully snatched Jon Obi Mikel from United after Mikel signed a contract with United. The Blues were ordered to pay £12 million pounds for him & yet again now another controversy. Let’s see how they survive January when their diamond returns to Africa for the nation’s cup & the transfer ban kicks in.
Elsewhere Italian outfit Catania have claimed United have shown interest in their Japanese striker Takayuki Morimoto, whilst on the goalkeeping front the Red Devils have also been linked to German keeper Manuel Neuer & Russian stopper Igor Akinfeev. Seems odd when Fergie has showed faith in Foster & singled him out for quite a lot of praise. Maybe it’s a ploy to get Foster playing out of his socks after some shaky displays. His performance against Spurs was impressive as he made some excellent saves but I somehow doubt he will take over as England’s number one.
Redman
Manchester United's the best team in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!
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