United Steals Thriller

Manchester United 4 - Newcastle 3
Scorers
Manchester United: Evans (25), Evra (58), Van Persie (71), Hernandez (90)
Newcastle: Perch (4), Evans (og 28), Cisse (68)

Team: De Gea, Rio, Evans, Smalling, Evra, Carrick, Scholes (Cleverley 69), Giggs, Valencia, Van Persie, Hernandez (Fletcher 90)

Just as it looked like we were heading for a second successive draw, Carrick's cross caught the Newcastle defence square and Hernandez reacted quickest to prod the ball beyond the on rushing Krul to steal the points for United.

After missing numerous chances in the game, Hernandez must have felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders when the ball went into the net. Carrick, too, made amends for his error which resulted in Newcastle's opener. He lost the ball in midfield and Ba lashed out a shot that De Gea could only parry onto the path of James Perch. It was a familiar sight, and once again we had to orchestrate another come-from-behind win.

Evans equalised when he reacted quickest to Hernandez's cross-cum shot from a set-piece, but his joy was shortlived. Three minutes later, Evans once again found himself on the scoresheet, but this time on the wrong end of the pitch. There was a bit of controversy as Cisse was offside, but Evans did get to the ball first. The referee first disallowed the goal, before allowing it. It was a decision that was hard on United but probably the right one according to the letter of the law. Thankfully it didn't alter the final result.

In the second half, Evra brought the teams level again with a sweet left foot shot. He's recently been having an Indian summer and scoring goals for fun. As we pushed for the winner, Newcastle once again pegged us back with a sweet volley from Cisse after good work from Obertan. Didn't remember him doing that well on the flanks for us.

This time round, we were quick to answer. Van Persie found his name on the scoresheet after his first volley was not cleared by Krul. With the scores level and around 20 minutes to go, United threw the kitchen sink at Newcastle but found the Geordies hard to break down. It was only until the final minutes in injury time that Hernandez scored to take a home victory.

Ferguson nearly paid the price for playing both Scholes and Giggs together in midfield. For a good two thirds of the game, we allowed Newcastle too much time and spare in midfield, It wasn't until Scholes was replaced by Cleverley that the passing become quicker and more incisive. During this festive period, the games come fast and furious and I understand the need to rotate players, however, playing both Scholes and Giggs is a recipe for disaster. As it stands, we're already handicapped with Carrick as the default starter, at least today he made good in the final minutes.

United Drops Points With First Draw

Swansea 1 - Manchester United 1
Scorers
Swansea: Michu (29)
Manchester United: Evra (16)

Team: De Gea, Vidic, Evans, Jones, Evra, Carrick, Cleverley (Scholes 85), Valencia (Hernandez 62), Young, Rooney (Giggs 78), Van Persie

Gotta admit this result is somewhat disappointing. Given how we're markedly improved our play in the last few weeks, this one pales in comparison. Credit should also be given to Swansea, who never panicked. Even under intense pressure in the second half, they insisted on playing their way out of trouble and if you're a neutral, are a delight to watch. Unfortunately, they did it against us.

What was more disappointing was the fact that we didn't have any impact substitutes. When it mattered most, we could only rely on Scholes and Giggs as our trump cards off the bench. And when the inevitable substitutions came, we ended up more stiffled instead of pressing the issue. It was a shame. We didn't really look too bad, and it did seem like a matter of time before we clinched the winner too.

Evra put us infront from a corner early in the game, but Michu continued his irresistable goalscoring form and pulled Swansea level. In truth, Swansea did look the better team in the first half, exploiting holes in our porous defense from the counter attack.

We came out with more impetus in the second half and for good parts really made Vorm work for his money. On the other side, De Gea too had his hands full taking out the threat provided by Michu and his speedy wingers.

United, on the other hand, offered little in terms of flank play and it was a matter of time before Valencia was taken out to be replaced by Hernandez.

Rooney found himself in the referee's book and sensing a red mist rising, Ferguson took no chances and replaced him with Giggs. The downside to that decision was that the ineffective Young remained on the pitch.

The game was nearly brought into disrepute when AshleyWilliams slammed the ball into Van Persie's header after the whistle had blown. It was a low blow and the Dutchman reacted, nearly bringing on a free for all. Luckily cooler heads ruled the day and order was maintained. The two players involved were booked for their troubles.

United, perhaps spurred on by the incident, really poured on the pressure. Swansea held on resolutely and eventually were happy, and perhaps relieved, to play the time out.

We really missed Kagawa, Anderson and Nani. They could have come on and made a difference. Right now, there is no competition on the wings, and when neither Young nor Valencia made an impact, we have no one to bring on to change things up. As good as Giggs and Scholes are, they are spot players. Both would be tremendous players to bring on to see a game out with their vast experience, but to chase a game, neither has the speed to shake things up.

United Brushes Sunderland Aside

Manchester United 3 - Sunderland 1
Scorers
Manchester United: Van Persie (16), Cleverley (19), Rooney (59)
Sunderland: Campbell (72)

Team: De Gea, Rio (Vidic 68), Smalling, Jones, Evra, Carrick (Scholes 46), Cleverley (Giggs 73), Valencia, Young, Rooney, Van Persie

First off, just want to say that I was away and missed the last couple of games. Could and should've caught the derby but was simply too tired to make my way to the pub to catch the game.

That derby win seems to have given the lads confidence and they kept up the pressure with a good performance against a depleted Sunderland side. We scored 3 good goals and saw Vidic return to the first team. The only disappointment was that we didn't keep a clean sheet, but with the current set up, those are rare and we really should be glad not to have conceded more.

Overall it was a nice open game with both sides coming close on a number of occasions and both sets of keepers did their respective jobs. The difference between the sides was simply clinical finshing by the home team.

As much as I didn't like the amount we spent on Van Persie, he's the first name I look for when the teamsheets are released. Like it or not, he's become the single most important signing for a long long time. It's like having Ruud Van Nistelrooy back.

United Wins It In A Thrilling First Half

Reading 3 - Manchester United 4
Scorers
Reading: Robson-Kanu (8), Le Fondre (19), Morrison (23)
Manchester United: Anderson (13), Rooney (pen 16, 30), Van Persie (34)

Team: Lindegaard, Rio, Evans, Rafael (Smalling 31), Carrick, Fletcher, Anderson (Jones (45), Young, Rooney, Van Persie (74)

We won this thriller with all the goals coming in the first half. It looked like a potential banana skin, but we navigated it and sailed to a well deserved 3 points.

Chelsea had lost in the early game to West Ham and Shitty were held at home to Everton. Usually when the early contenders slip, so would we, but today we held our nerve and came back twice from behind in sensational fashion to beat a resilient Reading.

Just as the doctor ordered, we fell behind early thru a superb volley from Robson-Kanu. The goal spurred us and we levelled with a brilliant goal from Anderson after some good work with Young. Evans was then fouled in the box and Rooney put us into the lead from the spot.

Just as the early deficit invigorated us, Reading did their own revival on us. Two corners from Shorey resulted in two headered goals. We couldn't defend the corners and paid the price.

In a ridiculous to and fro battle, we punched back harder with another couple of quick goals from Rooney and Van Persie.

Van Persie could have made it 5, but his shot over the line was not seen by the linesman, despite it being way way over the line before being cleared. On the other side of the pitch, Reading were equally unlucky not to be awarded a corner despite the ball clearly coming off Evra.

Just as games of this nature are played, adjustments were made and the second half fell into a dull affair. Van Persie should have put the result beyond doubt when he robbed the Reading keeper of the ball. He put the effort wide. As a result, we barely survived a late late Reading onslaught of freekicks and corners. The defence held firm and we collected all the points in a thrilling contest.

I just have to add that this is probably one of the most thrilling first halves I've seen in a long long time.