United Continues To Scrap Wins

Liverpool 1 - Manchester United 2
Scorers
Liverpool: Gerrard (46)
Manchester United: Rafael (51), Van Persie (pen 81)

Red Card
Liverpool: Shelvey (39)

Team: Lindegaard, Rio, Evans, Rafael (Welbeck 89), Evra, Carrick, Giggs, Valencia, Nani (Scholes 46), Kagawa (Hernandez 81), Van Persie

After a few dismal reviews, I had hoped to gloss this one with accolades, especially with a win over our fiercest rivels, but instead we were treated to this abysmal crap that continues to spew from our non-existent midfield. If there is one game that is truly terrible, this one has to take the cake.

I know the emotions were high with everything going on, and the tributes off the pitch, but we were never in the game. To make matters worse, Liverpool were reduced to 10 men late in the first half and we never really capitalised until Gerrard put them ahead early in the second. Although we responded with a quick equalizer, the game was entirely dominated by Liverpool.

We hardly had a sniff against a team with 10 men and to add insult to injury, we were awarded a penalty late in the game just to rub it into Liverpool, who really were outstanding and possible hard done by by the result.

With Nani taken off the pitch at half time, Van Persie stepped up and powered his spot kick into the net. It could nearly have been a 4th fluff from the penalty spot had Reina had a stronger pair of hands.

Overall, this was a contest between two shit teams slugging it out. We were completely outplayed, yet managed to take all the points by the skin of our teeth. I wish I knew what's wrong with the team, I really do. As of right now, if we face any of the top teams, we're looking at a very harsh thrashing and deservedly so. Utter shit.

United Loses Midfield Battle But Wins The War

Manchester United 1 - Galatasaray 0
Scorer
Manchester United: Carrick (7)

Team: De Gea, Vidic, Evans, Rafael, Evra, Carrick, Scholes (Fletcher 79), Valencia, Nani, Kagawa (Welbeck 84), Van Persie (Hernandez 81)

The more I watch United this season, the more underwhelmed I get. We keep getting lost in midfield and had it not been for some stout defending and brilliant goalkeeping, we would have dropped points tonight.

To be fair, we started off pretty well and really looked like taking the game to the Turkish. Carrick scored early playing pretty one-twos with both Kagawa and RVP. He rounded the keeper, kept his balance and put the ball in the net. We had numerous opportunities to double the score but were found wanting. As with every game, the momentum slowly swung the way of Galatasaray and we were kept at bay for the longest periods in the game.

They struck the woodwork thrice and had a couple of penalties denied. On our end, we had one called and Nani fluffed his lines while trying to fool the keeper. I don't understand why or what he was trying to do, taking a number of stutter steps which only ended up fooling himself. At least after making a complete and utter fool of himself, he actually played some really good football.

We created a good number of chances in the game, but were unable to find the target, while Galatasaray were good value for a draw. They were the better team and probably on the night deserved something. Yet we won the game. I hate repeating myself, but we continue to live the lie.

I really have a bad bad feeling for this Sunday. You know that Liverpool is a wounded beast, and as poorly as they have been playing, we're no better. Our careless play in midfield is going to come back to bite us in the back one day. I just hope it's not this Sunday.

Buttner And Powell's Turn To Open Their United Accounts

Manchester United 4 - Wigan 0
Scorers
Manchester United: Scholes (51), Hernandez (63), Buttner (66), Powell (82)

Team: Lindegaard, Rio, Vidic (Evans 77), Rafael, Buttner, Carrick, Scholes (Van Persie 71), Giggs (Powell 72), Nani, Welbeck, Hernandez

First off, let me apologise for missing the previous game. I cleared my the cache on my browser and kinda 'lost/forgot' my password. Real life hasn't been any kinder either. Too many fires to fight on too many fronts and too much work over the weekends. In any case, that shouldn't be an excuse to miss out on my opinions on the game. Too many readers have their hopes on me, and after a timely tongue lashing from Kentona today, I promise all my 7 readers (yes readership has increased), that I will put in a more conscious effort not to let anyone down. However, that being said, reports, rantings and opinions will not be as prompt as before. I foresee weekends for the next 6-7 months to be really busy, and I hope for your understanding (all 7 of you)!

A Fortnight Ago
Let me keep this short since everyone would have seen the highlights by now. RVP completed a hattrick to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in the dying seconds of a game we didn't deserve to draw, let alone win. He made up for a penalty miss and single-handedly won us the game. Soton played their hearts out and really didn't deserve to come away with nothing.

One Night Ago
If last week was bad, yesterday was terrible. Yet in spite of that, we somehow thumped 4 past Wigan. If this was the cooporate world, the entire department would have been shut down to stop the bleeding after the first half.

As much as I want to use Carrick as the scapegoat again, Giggsy was equally poor. Both were guilty of slowing the pace of the game. At least in Giggsy's defense, he was trying to spray the ball forward with his wayward efforts, gifting it to the opponents. Like the previous game against Soton, Fergie's faith in Carrick remains a mystery to all. Sometimes I swear that Carrick has incriminating evidence of Fergie in compromising positions.

The game started brightly for us when Welbeck shamefully dived for a penalty. Just like RVP in the previous game, Hernandez had his saved but did redeem himself with a poacher's goal in the second half.

Other than the penalty, we were simply terrible. It was back to the lacklustre play we've displayed most of last season. The 4-0 result only confirms the lie we've been living.

It was much of the same dull football in the second half until Scholes get really fed up with everyone and did what he did best. He was the first to pounce on Al Habsi's dreadful parry from Nani's cross. The goal gave a kick up the butt for the lads (pun not intended)

Alex Buttner, making his United debut, was the outstanding player from then. His misdirected shot was redirected in by Hernandez, making up for his shambolic penalty. Buttner then got on the scoresheet himself after a determined run, jigging past 4 defenders and putting the ball in the net.

Nick Powell, a substitute also making his United debut, thundered home a sweetly struck shot to run off an unlucky rout over a poor Wigan who were hard done by.

Just to drum in for those of you who are still celebrating the margin of victory, WE PLAYED LIKE SHIT! This has to count as one of the emptiest 4-0 thumpings. I'm sure if we continue trying to sleepwalk thru the season, we're going to get caught out badly one of these days. What I really fear is that we might get caught out at Anfield next weekend. As poor as Liverpool has been all season, and they are really shit, I think we're worse.

The silverlining here is that our new players have shown plenty of hunger and desire. Fergie has a tough decision to make. He can either keep faith in the old guard, or he can play the new blood. The decision is crystal clear to me, and the question is how clear is it to him? And for fuck's sake, someone please take Carrick out of the game!