The Swagger is Back (Aston Villa 1 - Manchester United 4)

I'll make this one short since the Rugby World Cup finals is just around the corner.

This was a convincing performance, and it was way before Villa were down to 9 men in the second half. Despite having Ronaldo on the bench, we started out strong and determined. But it was Villa who took a shock lead when Agbonlahor headed the ball into the net on the 13th minute. With Vidic out injured, Villa had their chances to test the defence marshalled by Rio and Pique, but they couldn't convert their chances.

It was a different story on the other end of the pitch. Tevez, Nani, Scholes and Rooney combined to great effect, occasionally showing signs of tearing the Villa defence apart with their passing.

Putting his midweek disappointment behind (England lost to Russia), Rooney helped himself to a couple of goals in the 35th and 44th minute when the Villa defence went to sleep. The first was a simple tap in when Rooney came from the blindside and stroked the ball into a wide open net. The entire Villa defense went to sleep and when they realised where Rooney was, it was too late.

The second goal resulted from a good pass by Tevez. He mesmerised the Villa defense with a jerky run and found Rooney with acres of space. Rooney promptly passed the ball into the net.

A minute later, Rio added his name to the scoresheet, scoring after Villa failed to clear a United corner.

United had complete control of the second half, thanks to the sending offs of Reo Coker and Scott Carson. Reo was sent off for a second bookable offense and Carson received his marching orders for bringing Tevez down in the area. Rooney stepped up to take the penalty and and complete his hat-trick, but he was too casual with it and the substitute Taylor saved it.

With over 20 minutes on the clock and Villa down to 9 men, it looked alot like a training exercise, with Villa concentrating on defense and United keeping possession. And it wasn't long before Giggs added a 4th. His shot was deflected twice into the net. Nothing more than United deserved. Even with the full compliment, we were heads and shoulders the better team on the pitch.

The rest of the game played out without anymore goals, although there were chances aplenty. What's more important is that you have the feeling that the swagger that has been missing since the season started is back. We finally look menacing going forward.

Tevez Leads Rout Against Latics (Manchester United 4 - Wigan 0)

United's already packed treatment table had to endure more load after today's game. Already losing Carrick to a mid-week elbow fracture, tissue-boy (Saha) did himself no favours when he hurt himself during the warm-up to today's game.

Once again in an absolutely crazy weekend where there was only one 3pm kickoff (and we're not on that list yet again), we had an early kickoff. And what it meant was that Kentona and I had to spend a mini-fortune bringing our better halves for another expensive prawning trip just to catch the game in peace.

In a first half plagued by injuries to both Vidic and O'Shea, we had little to show for. Their replacements Anderson and Danny Simpson showed what little depth and experience we had left in reserve. With further injury scares to both Evra and Pique, Kentona and I were left wondering what else we had to offer from the bench. Thankfully we were playing one of the worst away teams in the form of Wigan. Had the competition been any stiffer, we could have paid the price for our lack of imagination going forward.

Ferguson must have given the blow-dryer treatment during half time, coz when the teams returned in the second half, there was a determined attempt to blow the opponents away. Giggs hit the crossbar with a rasping shot that brought out the Oohs and Aahs from the crowd.

Then Anderson threaded a wonderful pass for Tevez to chase. Not known for his pace, Tevez shown strength holding Kilbane to get to the ball, guile to cut inside Bramble and skill to go around Kirkland before coolly firing the ball into the net. It was a goal to be behold. Classy.

With the first goal scored, the weight was lifted off the shoulders of the United players. Confidence was oozing back into the players and it wasn't long before the second goal was scored. Kirkland was only able to palm away a Giggs' shot onto the path of Ronaldo who was lurking in the far post. Ronaldo gleefully nodded it into an empty net.

The Latics were beaten and they knew it. Ronaldo added a third after Rooney beautifully crossed a ball from the left. It was set on a platter for Ronaldo.

Rooney finished off the rout when Simpson, who was largely ignored on the right, swung in an inch perfect cross for him to head home.

While I wouldn't exactly say that the free-scoring United of last season was back, but this is a good start. For large parts of the first half, we had trouble breaking down the opponents but once Tevez scored the first goal, there was going to be one outcome. All it needed was the confidence to return.

The good thing is that the next game is 2 weeks away. Hopefully some of the walking wounded will return before we face a tough Villa side away.

Just Enough (Manchester United 1 - Roma 0)

I'll make this one short since there isn't many positive things to talk about. Moreover it didn't help that I constantly nodded off while watching the game. Yup, that's right, we're turning into a boring team.

There was no repeat of April's 7-1 scoreline. It was a cautious and cagey affair and neither side were really looking to score for most parts of the game. Had it not been for Rooney taking a half chance in the 70th min, it would definitely have ended 0-0.

There was plenty of creativity and penetration from the Portuguese wingers, Nani and Ronaldo, but it was not matched by the other players on the pitch. As a result, both were cutting into the middle far too many times for my liking. Having Saha starting and spearheading the frontline, I was expecting a bombardment of crosses.

At least the midfield and defence stood firm. I have to say we're one helluva stingy team. Quite honestly, Roma never did look like scoring until the dying minutes when they failed to convert 2 absolute sitters.

Anyway we're sitting pretty on top of the group table having taken maximum points from 2 games. Next up would be a double header against bottom of table Dinamo Kiev, who we really ought to beat....twice.