Temporary Leave of Absence

Hi everyone, the last couple of weeks have been ridiculously hectic and I really haven't the time nor the energy to update the blog. And from the looks of things, the schedule seems to be on track until at least early August. So in short, I wouldn't have the time to continue blogging and posting as consistantly as before. That said, I'll still be squeezing in time to catch the games and hopefully celebrate number 20 in a few weeks time.

And since I'm on, I'll do a few quick thoughts on the games that I've missed.

5th March Manchester United 1 - Real Madrid 2
This one just broke the hearts. To lose the way we did via a dubious and, quite frankly, bias decision by the referee was a hard one to swallow. The words incompetent and fixed come to mind and UEFA coming out in support for the referee was another hard pill to swallow. They could have just kept quiet but they didn't.

I wonder is Qatar's Dream League project is still on the cards. Given the way we've been treated by UEFA and the fuckwits that run the system, maybe a threat to break away with the other big boys in the other leagues might give them a wake up call, afterall we're the cashcows they've been milking for god knows how long.

Too bad United has previously come out to reject the idea outright. Might wanna reconsider it now that UEFA has shown it's ugly and filthy hand.


10th March Manchester United 2 - Chelsea 2
How we drew this one was bewildering. We raced into an early 2 goal cushion and stopped playing after that. We allowed Chelsea to come at us at will, and they did. The midweek game against Real could have played on our minds, but for a team of our stature, this was just unforgiveable, to let a two goal lead slip.

To make matters worst, we were holding on for dear lives at the end of the game.

16th March Manchester United 1 - Reading 0
Pretty much routine win, although Reading did trouble us. Holding on to a single goal lead is almost always not preferred, but our defense has been keeping clean sheets in the league.

30th March Sunderland 0 - Manchester United 1
Even more routine win. Sunderland are hopeless and I really hope this bunch of no-hopers somehow get relegated. I don't think I've seen a Martin O'Neil team play this lifelessly before. Just a shameful shameful performance by the home team.

BTW, Martin O'Neil was sacked just after the game. Sunderland just didn't deserve him. I think I'll celebrate their relegation more than us winning the league. Bunch of pussies, pun fully intended.

1st April Chealsea 1 - Manchester United 0
We didn't do the job in the first leg and were deservedly dumped by a brilliant goal from Ba. Sure we played just 48hrs before, but so did Chelsea. This was a dull, drab affair.

I think we only had 3 shots on goal, and that is really not acceptable for a team that's supposedly going to win the league. This game exposes just how poor our midfield is. The only consolation is that we're probably still going to win the league, but after last season, I'm not counting my chickens.

Out!

Jesus F Christ! We got robbed!!

What a terrible decision by a fucking useless referee. I'm shellshocked by the decision which changed the entire complexion of the game. We were a goal up, and in complete control until that mad man flashed his card at Nani. Just fucking unbelievable.

Kagawa Takes Centre Stage

Manchester United 4 - Norwich 0
Scorers
Manchester United: Kagawa (45, 76, 87), Rooney (90)

Team: De Gea, Vidic, Evans, Smalling, Evra, Carrick, Anderson (Cleveley 74), Valencia, Kagawa, Rooney, Van Persie (Welbeck 66)

We didn't play particularly well but what's important is that we got the result. And just like last week, we move 15 clear of Shitty, as the number of games start to become an issue for an unlikely come back.

We didn't pass the ball well and it seems for a good period of the entire game, the lads' focus was on the upcoming Champions League game against Real Madrid. The passing was lacklustre and there was very little energy shown on the pitch. The only thing that worked in our favour was that Norwich seems equally uninterested in the game.

The first half was practically a non-event. Come to think of it, other than the 4 goals, the entire game was a non-event. Not trying to short-change Kagawa's achievement, but the game seems like an appetizer for the main course on Wednesday. Even the crowd seemed muted.

Even the goals had a sense of nonchalance about them. For the first two goals, Kagawa wrong-footed the keeper and with the third, he lifted it easily over Bunn. Rooney's long distance shot was the icing to the result.

Hell, there's such a sense of anticipation for the Champions League game that even I'm getting restless writing this entry.

So for what it's worth, despite some really terrible football, 3 players stood out.

- Evans for having a terrible first touch that should be punished over and over again. As much as he's been called upon due to injuries, there are times, like today, he looks like a walking calamity waiting to happen.

- Kagawa for his hattrick. I wasn't his biggest fan when he arrived. I was rooting for Gotze, who in my opinion is Dortmund's best player, but I'm genuinely happy for Kagawa. Pride of Asia, I suppose.

- Rooney for just being United. His two assists to Kagawa was just good football and unselfish play, especially for the second goal which he could have taken himself. Instead he slid it to Kagawa for an easy pass into the net.

And if we beat Real on Wednesday, it seems likely that the treble might....might just happen. With Barcelona one foot out of the competition, our other big rival is Bayer Munich, who are very much beatable. They are so far ahead of the Bundesliga that their intensity might just not be at the peak, although the same can be said of us.

United Continues To Build Lead

QPR 0 - Manchester United 2
Scorers
Manchester United: Rafael (23), Giggs (80)

Team: De Gea, Rio, Vidic, Rafael, Evra, Carrick, Giggs, Young (Valencia 68), Nani, Hernandez (Rooney 62), Van Persie (Welbeck 41)

Kinda surreal feel to the game. Neither side played football and despite the huge gulf of points between the top team in the league and the bottom, one could hardly tell which was which. The only difference in the end was the quality of finishing that the scoreline reflected.

To say we played down to the level of competition is a sheer understatement. QPR were putrid and we didn't smell any better. Strangely for a team that packs with individual talent, QPR just cannot seem to find any teamwork, and it's no wonder based on today's performance, they deserve to be firmly rooted to the bottom of the league. I can only recall two decent shots at our goal. One was cleared off the line by Rafael, the other palmed away by De Gea. Other than those, QPR were never near to troubling De Gea.

At least we looked decent in front of goal, scoring from a screamer from Rafael in the first half and Giggs giving us the badly needed cushion when QPR looked like mounting an unlikely comeback. Our defense looked decent for once with Rio and Vidic making a rare appearance together.

The midfield, however,  was another story altogether. It looked listless and uninterested in the game. In fact the words 'casual' and 'nonchalent' come to mind. Maybe it's just me being critical, but Carrick and Giggs in the centre of the park normally spells trouble. An injection of youth is much needed and we were lucky to face an even slower midfield that had Granero and Taarabt.

As poor as we looked, we still won this one comfortably, but that's exactly what potential champions should be doing. Despite playing way below our normal standards, we are able to produce results. And I'm keeping my fingers crossed, surely we can't squander a 15 point lead.......

Nani Drive United To Next Round

Manchester United 2 - Reading 1
Scorers
Manchester United: Nani (69), Hernandez (72)
Reading: McAnuff (81)

Team: De Gea, Vidic, Smalling, Jones (Nani 42), Buttner, Cleverley, Anderson (Carrick 84), Valencia, Young (Van Persie 64), Welbeck, Hernandez

The spotlight may have been on Ronaldo in the recent week, but Nani took the opportunity, coming on early for an injured Jones, and drove home the point and focus back to his own derailed campaigned. It was a sizzling performance cupped with a goal and an assist.

A good 42 points separated the sides and it showed right from the opening minute. Had it not been for Frederici's saves, which went from good to better to spectacular, Reading would have been buried by an avalanche of goals. There were short spells in the game in which Reading kept possession, but by and large, we were the more likely scorer.

Yet for a good 69 minutes, the breakthru just wouldn't come and when it did, it came deservedly to the most productive and dangerous man on the pitch. He may have had games which he would have liked to forget, but this was one to remember. He followed that with a beautiful cross for Hernandez to head home. Nani rarely put a foot wrong. All he has to do now is to keep it up, which really is his problem. The talent has always been there, the consistency hasn't.

Reading made a game out of it with some slack defending on our part, which has been our nemesis this season. It made the ending more uncomfortable than it really should be, but we saw it through.

Apart from Nani, a special mention should be given to Reading's Australian keeper, Frederici. He single-handedly kept United at bay with a superlative performance.

With the win, we face either Boro or Chelsea in the next round.

Too Close To Call

Real Madrid 1 - Manchester United 1
Scorers
Real Madrid: Ronaldo (30)
Manchester United: Welbeck (20)

Team: De Gea, Rio, Evans, Rafael, Evra, Carrick, Jones, Kagawa (Giggs 64), Rooney (Anderson 84), Welbeck (Valencia 73), Van Persie

It was a good away result under trying circumstances. Most of key players were starstruck and coming away with a result puts the tie firmly at our advantage. More importantly, it gives players like Kagawa and Rooney time to get over their jitters with a pinch of Fergie's hairdryer treatment.

De Gea was possibly our star guy last night. After poopooing most of the season, he came good, making numerous good saves to keep the tie alive, especially in the second half.

Van Persie, who has been our star for most of the season failed to add to his already glowing United reputation with a double miss in quick succession. The first he struck the crossbar, and uncharacteristically mishit his volley, only for Alonso to clear as it threatened to trickle past the line.

But the night belonged to the two goalscorers. Welbeck put United into the lead, directing Rooney's corner into the net while Ronaldo did likewise at the other end. Ronaldo's refusal to celebrate will be duely noted by the Old Trafford crowd when the teams meet again on the 5th of March to settle the tie.

I noticed a few tactical changes that were made from the transition of the first half to the second. In the first half, we stuck really close to the Madrid front players, not allowing them space. However it didn't seem to work very well. The likes of Ozil, Di Maria and Ronaldo were just too skillful and mobile. Alittle jink, a little feint and they were away. Rafael in particular was caught out more than once and we were left scrambling to provide extra cover.

The strategy in the second half was to give the opponent more space but that in turn resulted in more long range shots, especially from Di Maria, who had an outstanding game. I supposed neither strategy actually worked well and it would be interesting to see how Ferguson adjusts, if he is able to.

That said, it was a brilliant move to put Jones on Ronaldo. He did an immaculate job keeping the prolific Portugese honest.

United Wildens Gap On Top

Manchester United 2 - Everton 0
Scorers
Manchester United: Giggs (12), Van Persie (45)

Team: De Gea, Vidic, Evans (Smalling 81), Rafael, Evra, Cleverley, Jones (Carrick 56), Giggs, Valencia, Rooney, Van Persie

We took advantage of Shitty's slip up and pushed the gap at the top to 12 points at the top. While I'm quitely optimistic of the title, I constantly remind myself that a mere 10 months ago, we let an 8 point gap slip with 6 games to go. Nothing can be taken for granted and until it is a proven mathematical impossibility for Shitty to catch up, then can the real celebrations start.

After the painful lessons of last season, the lads were taking nothing for granted and produced a fine first half of clinical finishing and a finer second half of steel and determination to keep a rare clean sheet. Not even a mouthwatering game in midweek against one of Europe's most decorated clubs, Real Madrid, could distract the lads from doing what was the immediate task ahead.

Giggs took first blood and maintained his record of scoring in every single Premier League season with a precision strike that came off the post after good work from Van Persie. Everton rarely mounted a decisive attack in the half and were further punished what Rafael set Van Persie loose to run the keeper and score.

What United showed in attacking class in the first half was replicated with equally hard steel in defence in the second. Knowing that Everton is built with the same determined never-say-die attitude, United stifled the midfield and reduced the Toffees attacking verve. Bodies were thrown in the way and balls were cleared with increased frequency. Carrick, who came on in place of Jones in the second half, was possibly one of the better performers. It was one of the rare times Carrick actually put on his Superman suit and excelled.

Eventually we put out the Everton fire and desire and cruised to a 2-0 victory, at the same time tightening the noose on Shitty's title challenge.

Red Hot Rooney Puts United 10 Points Up

Fulham 0 - Manchester United 1
Scorer
Manchester United: Rooney (79)

Team: De Gea, Rio, Evans, Rafael, Evra, Carrick, Cleverley (Giggs 75), Valencia (Hernandez 66), Nani (Welbeck 84), Rooney, Van Persie

Wayne Rooney just can't stop scoring. That's Rooney for you. He always goes on a scoring streak and today he added another to the current streak he's on with a good goal, capitalising on a Fulham mistake.

As expected, Fulham was a far different side from a week ago. Both teams started brightly with both sets of woodwork working really hard to keep the ball out. Both sets of keepers were worked hard too. Despite the amount of action, neither side could find a breakthru.

A floodlight failure temporarily paused the action, but it resumed in the second half and it wasn't until the 79th minute before Rooney found the goal to break the deadlock.

Fulham threw the kitchen sink at us and it make an already pulsating game even more nail-biting in the last 10 minutes. The action was end to end; Fulham throwing numbers and United defending for their lives. There were off the line clearances from United and brilliant saves from Fulham. There was alot of desperate defending from both sides and the action never ceased until the final whistle.

It was a great spectacle, one which was made sweeter with a victory.

United Hangs On For Win

Manchester United 2 - Southampton 1
Scorers
Manchester United: Rooney (8, 27)
Southampton: Rodriguez (2)

Team: De Gea, Vidic, Smalling (Rio 63), Jones, Evra, Carrick, Anderson (Rafael 68), Kagawa (Nani 73), Welbeck, Rooney, Van Persie

Been a busy weekend, wildly celebrating a by-election result, and as a result really didn't catch the Fulham game. Did catch the second half of it and thought we were really really good, bar one defensive lapse.

Any thoughts of the same ease of victory today against a relegation-threatened Soton were quickly dismissed as early as the second minute of the game. In two moments of sheer madness, the first from Carrick's utterly unbelievable give-away and the second from De Gea's subsequent insanity, allowed Rodriguez a free run at goal and he only had the open goal to pass the ball into.

Thankfully by now we would have already gotten used to playing from behind and it was par for the course. We responded positively and surged forward, spending much of the first half camped inside the Saints' half. Good play from Kagawa released Rooney and the lead only lasted slightly more than 5 minutes.

Rooney tried to return the favour moments later but Kagawa's shot only hit the upright. With the way United were playing, it was just a matter of time before we scored another and we didn't have to wait long. Van Persie's freekick was headed across the box by Evra and Rooney was left with the job of poking the ball from less than a metre out. It was just deserves for the enterprising level of football we were playing.

A hiding had looked on the cards but Southampton came out in the second half a completely changed team. The role reversal here was stunning. We couldn't get a sniff of the ball, and in the rare event that we did, we couldn't keep it for more than 2 passes the entire half.

It gotten so bad at one stage that Ferguson had to send on Rio and Rafael to complete the first choice back 4. Carrick was putrid and De Gea did nothing to improve his already shattering reputation. It was only by sheer dumb luck that Southampton were unable to profit. Yet somehow, we scrapped out a victory and could breathe slightly easier when the final whistle blew.

The level of complacency in this team is really high. We were clearly the better team in the first half, but were completely out-worked by a Saints team that were hungrier. If we bring this attitude to Craven Cottage on the weekend, Fulham, especially after the smarting they got in the FA Cup, will tear us to shreds. While on paper looks like an easy game, it smells of a potential banana skin.

Some Random Thoughts
Looks like we signed Zaha from Palace. Frankly, I'm not a huge fan. At 20, he's young but not exactly a spring chicken either. By 20, you would expect him to be more polished, but he's still very raw. From the few clips I've seen of him, it doesn't excite me. Let's just say, it has alot of Ashley Young written all over him. Not to say it's bad, just not terribly exciting either.

Best wishes to Fletcher. I know it's been some time ago since he's had his operation, but better late than never. Hopefully he can resume his career at some point.

I'm sure there are a couple of things I left out. I'll get back to them at a later stage if my memory doesn't fail me then.

Dempsey Holds United

Tottenham 1 - Manchester United 1
Scorers
Tottenham: Dempsey (90)
Manchester United: Van Persie (25)

Team: De Gea, Rio, Vidic, Rafael, Evra, Carrick, Jones, Cleverley (Valencia 65), Kagawa (Rooney 62), Welbeck, Van Persie

So that's how it feels like when the opponents snatches a late late goal. It was an utterly disappointing way to end the night, especially knowing how the teams below us have faired. At the same time, I can't really say that it was a surprise. We looked abit too comfortable for our own good and maybe this will be a kick up our arse. The gap is still significant and it's still our title to lose, but performances have to improve and the defense needs to be stronger and tighter.

First off, gotta say that I missed the FA Cup replay. 4am games are getting sightly more difficult to catch. While the mind is willing, the body is finding it increasingly difficult as I age. I just hope I can find the energy when Real Madrid comes along. On paper, those are games worthy for the finals.

I thought we did reasonably well against Spurs in the first half. Not that we contained them particularly well, but we did give as good as we got. That wonderful goal from Van Persie helped alot in that line of thinking as well.

It was yet another superb Van Persie goal, this time heading in Cleverley's cross into the near post. It was a goal worthy to win any game. Sadly this is the first time this season that Van Persie scores and we didn't win a league game. The record looked like continuing until Dempsey showed up.

Probably because of the lead, we were contented to sit tight in the second half and allowed Spurs alot more space and they dominated most of the half. Heroics from De Gea kept the lead intact. Our counter-attacking game just wasn't crisp enough and we simply weren't able to get the crucial cushion we needed to see off the game.

And 2 minutes into injury time, we paid the price.

United Downs Liverpool

Manchester United 2 - Liverpool 1
Scorers
Manchester United: Van Persie (19), Vidic (55)
Liverpool: Sturridge (57)

Team: De Gea, Vidic (Smalling 80), Rio, Evra, Rafael, Carrick, Cleverley, Kagawa (Jones 77), Young (Valencia 46), Welbeck, Van Persie

For most of the game we were clearly the better side. We created the clearer chances but were left to endure sustained Liverpool pressure in the final 15 or so minutes when Ferguson decided to play to our weakness instead of our strengths. We made two defensive substitutions and decided to park the bus to see out the victory. Despite some disorder, we managed to just see out the win and collect 3 points to move 10 points clear in the table.

The first half wasn't a classic, but we were pretty much comfortable keeping possession, stroking the ball around, while Liverpool were just content to allow us the freedom. While lulling Liverpool to sleep, Van Persie scored one of the most casual goals you'd ever come across. Evra's blind cross was turned in nonchalantly by the Dutch supremo.

He could have had a second but a combinaton of defender and keeper kept the ball out and Kagawa could only crash into Reina while trying to put the rebound in.

Welbeck had a slew of chances to put us two up, but for all his hardwork, could not find the target. As mentioned before, he does everything on the pitch so well, but his finishing is just atrocious. If only we can combine Hernandez's finishing with Welbeck's all round play, we would have the perfect striker on our hands. But then again, we already have on in Van Persie.

We got the cushion in the second half when Vidic and Evra combined to put Van Persie's freekick into the Liverpool net a second time. It was nothing more than we deserved for putting pressure on the Liverpool goal. Up till then, I can't remember Liverpool even having a shot at our goal.

As if reading my mind, we lost the ball in our half and Gerrard fired a low shot which De Gea barely kept out, only for Sturridge to tap the rebound home. We were caught napping and paid the price. The goal gave the opponents confidence that they could get back into the game, and the game became a more even contest. Even then, we were still clearly the better team, until the final 15 minutes.

Ferguson withdrew Kagawa and Vidic with defensive players in the form of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling. The idea was simple, to hold on to the win at all costs. We nearly paid the price a second time. Instead of piling on the pressure and playing to the strength of our attack, we sat back and invited Liverpool to come at us. Our solution of pumping long balls from defense kept allowing Liverpool possession from which they used as a launchpad to attack us with.

To our credit, we carried out the gameplan to perfection. It wasn't ideal in my book, but Ferguson's faith in his players gave us a win against a bitter rival.

3 In 1 Post

Been a terribly busy couple of weeks and haven't really found the time to post my thoughts on the games that have been played. Hence I'll squeeze in the last 3 games into one post.

WBA 0 - Manchester United 2
Game of two halves. Water and oil, chalk and cheese. We probably play our best football in the first half, with plenty of pressure and missing loads of good opportunities, but somehow only managed to score one goal. And it was an own goal after good work from Young.

I missed about 20 minutes of the second half, but by the time I managed to get to a television set, what greeted me was some appalling football. We were absolutely getting murdered by WBA and there was nothing we could do about it. Total contrast from the football we played in the first half. The midfield was pushed back and the counter was never on with the midfield sinking so deep to protect an over-worked defence.

Only a brilliant individual goal from Van Persie brought sighs of relief.

Wigan 0 - Manchester United 4
This was probably the most controlled we've played all season. A very impressive display, especially from midfield, whom I've been very down on. We completely controlled the tempo of the game. It was a perfectly played game in the sense that we controlled every aspect. We threw people forward at the correct moments and held back when it looked like Wigan could counter. In short, it was almost a perfectly played game.

Of course doubles from Hernandez and Van Persie helped immensely to seal the victory.

West Ham 2 - Manchester United 2
I'm stating the obvious here, but Van Persie is god. We should have been sent packing from the FA Cup, but Van Persie single-handedly kept it alive.

We took the early lead but never really looked comfortable in the game. James Collins saw our goal and doubled it.

We struggled to make any impact after trailing. And as things looked pretty glum, Van Persie scored an incredible goal in injury time to make sure the teams meet again 10 days time.

As far as the season goes, it's increasingly looking likely that we're going to go as far as Van Persie is able to carry us. Ferguson pulled a rabbit out the hat with this transfer. We completely fleeced Arsenal.