Advantage United?

Inter Milan 0 - Manchester United 0

Team: Van der Sar, Rio, Evans, O'Shea, Evra, Fletcher, Carrick, Park (Rooney 84), Ronaldo, Giggs, Berbatov

Not too sure what to make of the result. We completely dominated the first half but failed to score the crucial away goal. The second half was more of an even affair after Inter pulled their collective heads out of their asses.

I'm not going to go into the details of the game coz there's really very little to talk about. We missed a boatload of chances and might really pay for it in the second leg. I quite sure Fergie is pleased with the way we performed but I have my misgivings.

I'm not quite sure how a scoreless draw helps our cause. Shades of Monaco 98 here. We were patting ourselves on the back after a goalless draw, only to be sent out of the competition at Old Trafford.

There is all to play for in the second leg. To put it simply, we have to win to progress. A draw is just not good enough.

The only silverlining is that Inter are quite frankly utterly crap. If not for Mourinho, I would be writting them off.

On another completely separate note, we've got Fulham in the next round of the FA Cup. And am looking forward to the Mickey Mouse Cup finals this Sunday.

Scrapping Past Blackburn

Manchester United 2 - Blackburn 1
Scorers
Manchester United: Rooney (23), Ronaldo (60)
Blackburn: Santa Cruz (32)

Team: Kuszczak,Rio, Evans (Vidic 61), Rafael, Evra, Carrick, Scholes (Giggs 82), Nani (Tevez 61), Ronaldo, Rooney, Berbatov

Our 14 game clean sheet record came to an abrupt halt in the 32nd minute when Santa Cruz passed the ball into an open net after Kusczak and Rio both commited early and clashed into one another.

This happened after a bright start by United in which Rooney opened the scoring for us. Rooney's looking sharp after his injury layoff and starting to look like the player we've always known he would be.

After surrendering the lead, we played sloppily. Ronaldo was at his classless best, lashing out at David Dunn in the second half. He was then booked for a dive, which would have won over the pundits on Sunday's Oscars. Unfortunately this was the wrong stage. It seemed like Ronaldo was on a one-man mission to get himself sent off. Up to that point, any neutral would have been glad to see him see the red card. As a United fan, it was disgusting to see our best player act like a petulant manchild.

Just as I was silently cursing to Kentona and Kiat, who were watching the game with me, Ronaldo came up with a show of class. His freekick from an acute angle rifled past Robinson. Words cannot give justice to just how well-taken and incredible the kick was, so I wouldn't even try. Just take it from me that it was artistry at it's finest.

Despite the greatness and importance of the goal, I still have to say just how disgusted I am with Ronaldo's behaviour on the pitch.

We continued to play sloppily for the rest of the game and Blackburn had a number of good chances to equalize but a combination of piss poor refereeing and bad luck denied Blackburn.

Rafael was extremely luck not to have conceded a penalty when he pulled Pederson down in the box. Nelsen then hit the post after being fed free and Diouf fired the rebound straight at Kuszczak.

It was a lucky escape for our lads. With the victory, we extended our lead at the top of the table and closer to the prize with only 12 games remaining. On the other end of the table, Blackburn remain rooted in the relegation zone, but I'm sure they would climb out of it sooner rather than later. They are too good of a team not to. I'm just relieved that we wouldn't have to face them again this season.

United Stretches Lead

Manchester United 3 - Fulham 0
Scorers
Manchester United: Scholes (12), Berbatov (30), Rooney (63)

Team: Van der Sar, Rio, Vidic, O'Shea (Evans 62), Evra, Carrick (Gibson 69), Scholes, Park, Ronaldo, Berbatov (Rooney 61), Tevez

The Premier League had better watch out. We're finding our form, and it's scary just how good we are. Today we despatched Fulham with ease, and plenty to spare in the tank, stretching the lead to 5 points.

Today's first half was one of the best we've seen in a long long while. We simply tore Fulham to bits and could have chalked up a rugby score by the half. Yet, both the goals scored in the half had a huge element of luck attached to them.

The first came from a well worked corner routine that saw Scholes send a scorcher from outside the box. Schwarzer had the ball well covered and in his grasp, but the shot was just too hot to handle and it squirmed into the net.

The second came via some comic defending from Fulham, failing to clear an O'Shea toe-poke into the box. Berbatov accepted the gift with glee.

Despite a huge slice of luck, take nothing away from the first half performance. We literally controlled the game and tore Fulham to shreds. Two goals flagged for offside and some ridiculous saves from Schwarzer stood testamont to our dominance.

Rooney completed the rout early in the second half with his first touch of the ball after coming on as a substitute. Park's wayward shot found it's way to Rooney on the far post and Fulham were truely dead and buried.

We slowed the pace down considerably, electing to play keep ball and conserving energy.

Van der Sar also kept a clean sheet, stretching the record to 14 straight games. He's had so little to do in those 14 games that it's probable that he's forgotten how it's like to be beaten.

We face Blackburn this Saturday and big Sam, who was scouting from the stands must be thinking just what an impossible the task ahead is.

Reserves See United Thru

Derby 1 - Manchester United 4
Scorers
Derby: Addison (56)
Manchester United: Nani (29), Gibson (44), Ronaldo (48), Welbeck (81)

Team: Foster, Rio, Evans, Evra (O'Shea 55), Rafael, Fletcher, Gibson, Park (Welbeck 55), Nani, Giggs, Ronaldo (Possebon 72)

At first glance, the first team lineup simply baffles the mind. There were no strikers on display and in their place were Giggs and Ronaldo. My initial reaction was that we're probably fucked, but considering how our strikeforce has been performing, it wasn't really that bad to switch around against a considerably weaker opponent. To add to that, we also welcomed back Evra, Rafael and Evans back into the defence, all returning from injuries.

Despite the looks of a heavily make-shift team, we completely and utterly dominated proceedings. Derby struggled to match the pace and ingenuity of our running and passing. After a couple near misses and good saves, Nani jinked his way past his marker and rifled a shot beyond Derby's outstretched keeper.

Gibson added a second before the break, off a Ronaldo freekick which caromed off the wall.

Ronaldo scored a third with a header just after the break. The goal seemed to have woken Derby from their sleep. They came at us with furious determination and pulled one back, invigorating the crowd.

We were constantly on the backfoot, struggling to cope with Derby's approach, but as the game moved towards the last ten minutes, Welbeck finished off whatever slim hopes Derby had with a cool finish.

It was a good game for some of our younger players, whilst most of the regulars rested after the midweek internationals. Giggs, in particular, was at his inspirational best.

We move on to the quarter-finals, facing either the Swans or Fulham away.

Same 'O Same 'O

West Ham 0 - Manchester United 1
Scorer
Manchester United: Giggs (62)

Team: Van der Sar, Rio, Vidic, O'Shea, Rafael, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Ronaldo, Berbatov, Tevez (Park 88)

If we win the league this year, it wouldn't be by style points. We went up against an in-form West Ham team who matched up well against us.

Right from the kickoff, West Ham came at us hard and we matched the pace in an exhausting first half that neither side produced anything note-worthy, except for sweat drenched jerseys. Considering how hard the Hammers played, I thought we played well and made intelligent use of the ball when we had it.

The second half was more of the same bar a stroke of genius from Giggs that produced the winner and yet another 1-0 scoreline. Giggs turned back the clock and shimmied his way past two West Hammer defenders before unleashing a low shot into the back of the net. It was the only piece of play that was really worth typing. Ronaldo probably had a legitimate claim for a penalty towards the end of the game, but the referee was never going to give it.

West Ham did look threatening without really threatening Van der Sar (right, I know that sounds confusing). And speaking of Van der Sar, apparently he now holds the record for the longest clean sheet in Britain. I wonder what record they would dig up if we get another clean sheet next week.

Anyway, the important thing is that we've maintained the momentum. I have to say that Liverpool's luck is incredible. Last week they got two late goals against Chelsea and this week they hit another against Pompey. Not to mention the late ones they've hit in the beginning of the season. They are chalking up some ridiculous points and it's beginning to worry me.

We're not much better ourselves. We're unable to put away opponents. While we have the points in the bag, I'm worried our style of play will come back to bite us in the final reckoning. That said, I'll contradict myself here: I'm still pretty sure we're going to edge out everyone here and that's only because after watching Chelsea and Pool play, I conclue that they are utterly crap. Now I only wait for Villa to sneak up from behind and bite me in the arse.

Record Breaking Wind

Manchester United 1 - Everton 0
Scorer
Manchester United: Ronaldo (pen 44)

Team: Van der Sar, Rio, Vidic, Neville (Brown 50), O'Shea, Fletcher (Giggs 75), Carrick, Park, Ronaldo, Berbatov, Tevez

Man, I'm sorry for doing this so late. Got invited to the Chingay parade last night by Kentona and was completely knackered after watching the United game, which we had to rush back to catch. In case anyone is wondering, the Chingay parade, despite it's gay-sounding name, is not some gay pride parade with little Chinese dudes prancing around in pink leotards. It's actually an annual street parade with cool looking floats, and this year's was pretty good with foreign acts, firecrackers and a short but really sweet fireworks display. The only downside was the finale, where a magician set himself on fire only to disappoint the crowd by appearing on top of the city hall.

After the parade was when the gay party really started. The roads were closed for a street party and I can't understand the fascination with this whole hip hop culture. It's angry, rude and so wannabe. The awkward gyrating of ugly young mugs to the sound of ear piercing noise gave my stomach the runs. After breaking wind the entire night (hence the title) and deciding that the scene was too gay for me, we returned back to our normal haunt to catch the game.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at just how good we were today. With the exception of Neville who was played for the fool the entire time he was on the pitch, everyone else was pretty good.

Fergie must have installed a phonebooth in the locker room. Carrick was, once again, outstanding. It's rare that Carrick has an exceptional game, and even more so when he has 2 in a row. Partnering Fletcher in midfield seems to have cast away the shackles. He was more involved with the front players and occasionally had the opportunity to get into good positions.

One such opportunity resulted in Arteta tripping him and a penalty awarded. Ronaldo sent the ball into the net, and United in front. It was nothing more than United deserved.

We did create chances throughtout the game and even had an ironclad penalty denied when Carrick was once again fouled in the box.

Everton created little and were reduced to long range shots which Van der Sar collected comfortably. They probably weren't too bothered with the result, probably saving their legs for the next game.

We ended the game 1-0 winners and a record 12th clean sheet in a row. Personally the record means little if we do not retain the title. But judging at how that Spanish fellow over at Merseyside is throwing games, I'd say we have a good chance of doing so. All that needs to happen is for Chelsea and Liverpool to lose more ground with a dull draw tonight.