Chance To Put A Firm Hand On The Trophy

Vidic, Rooney & Carrick. Players who must play against Arsenal

Manchester United vs Arsenal. I cannot even beginning to say how important this game is. Our key players ( Rooney, Vidic, Carrick, Evra, ) have now played 8 games in 3 weeks, they are, or should be, tired. But, we need them for the next three games and if they are able to lead us to victory in 2 of those 3 games, they will rest for two weeks because the tittle will be ours. But, I do NOT like looking too far ahead into the future, we have an important game tomorrow and that should be the only thing in the players mind. 

Giggs! United's future looks so dark without you!

When I sat down and read that Giggs would miss this game I thought " not a major problem", but these games against Arsenal are always won in the midfield and without: Giggs, Hargreves, Scholes or Fletcher our midfield will be very inexperience and that could be costly because they have some absolutely phenomenal midfielders. Fabgregas has been below-par this season, but will look to torment our defense along with our midfield. Van Persie has been amazing,he has scored 13 goals this year ( not season) and  in my opinion the best striker in the world  it will be interesting the battle between him and Vidic.

Berbatov is back at the right time

I believe it is a coincidence, others say " meant to
be" that after 3 weeks ( 8 games )  without playing Berbatov can finally start playing back again. I for one hate that a player can just waltz back into the squad and start playing again, but that's football and he is actually a big boost. Berbatov had a great 2010, but this year he has actually only scored six goals, which seems like a fair amount, but those six goals have been spread out into just 3 games. He has played 14 games this season and scored in just 3, but it is important to look at this from another angle, when he does score, he keeps scoring, I hope he can start against Arsenal.

COACH TIME

My favorite segment of the blog. Well, as I previously said, these games are won and lost in the midfield, which is my a have decided to play with 5 midfielders: Rooney and Nani are wingers that can support Berbatov, but mainly from counter attacks. Although United played very well against Schalke I believe that we cannot afford to play the same way against Arsenal ( attack, attack, attack ) we must play with counter attacks; Arsenal is a team that try to play like Barca, lots of passes, but they are missing their " Messi" they have no one who can beat a player apart from Nasri, who is keeps being played out of position. When/ If we get the lead we have to defend it! All we need is a win, not a thrashing. Ferdinand, Vidic and Carrick will have to stop Nasri, Van Persie, and Fabregas getting into the box. While Evra and Silva must control that Clichy and Nasri do not get behind them, if our defense play as well as they usually play we are in for a great game. 

I believe they will go all out attack, and that will benefit us greatly, so I believe we will win 2-0 goals from Nani and Berbatov. AND IF CHELSEA LOSE WE ARE CHAMPIONS!

Wembly Here We Come

Players celebrate with Giggs after opener

SCHALKE 0 - MANCHESTER UNITED 2 

All I wanted were two away goals. It didn't whether we lost 4-2 or 3-2, but we won 2-0 and played the best football I have seen us play in the last few months. The first half we played five times better but their goalkeeper, Manuel Neur, played as Sir Alex Ferguson said " fantastically", and saved everything, literally everything, but lucky for us he switched off for 5 minutes and in that time we scored twice, but if it was not for

him, we would have won 5-0 minimum and we left Neuer understandably upset and  " irritated". We played like a team that could not be beaten and with Giggs, Rooney and Hernandez in particular playing superbly we really deserved to win.

Rooney acknowledges Hernandez's pass for his goal

Rooney and Giggs scored in the space of 2 minutes to give United a deserved lead. The first goal was a magnificent pass from Rooney in between the two central defenders to Giggs, who cooly slotted between the legs of the goal keeper. Schalke went straight on the attack and when Hernandez dribble past 2 defenders, after a pass from Valencia, then with a pass found Rooney and he quickly hit his shot into the near corner and doubled the lead. He came ended with this score because the manager replaced Hernandez and Rooney with Scholes and Anderson to give the midfield more bite, but with no forwards. 2-0 away from = GAME OVER.

OFFENSE WINS YOU GAMES, DEFENSE WINS YOU CHAMPIONSHIPS 

I will be the first to admit that I like offensive football. But, to tell the truth I also like a good tackle and a clean sheet for my defense, I am sure Ferdinand and Vidic are reading my blogs and saying " Attack Attack Attack blah blah blah" which is why I have made this section about our defense. Stats speak for themselves. We have received 3 goals all this season's champions league. ( One an own goal, and none really affect the outcome of the match ). All the goals we have received have been at home, with our defense not letting in a single goal away from England and that stat will remain because our next game is in Old trafford and if we win, we go to Wembly in England. Defense, you are the main reason we have done so well this season!

Too good, for any attack

United head to Germany

We travel to Germany looking for a victory, but we should settle with a few away goals to take to Old Trafford next week. I do not usually look at the stats, but I could not ignore that Sir Alex Ferguson has never won in Germany, so this will be a good time to start, and if you think that makes our chances look bleak we are also without our top scorer Berbatov, but I don't believe that will affect the way we play as Rooney and Hernandez have really started to tick.

Hernandez ( Left) will replace Berbatov ( Right)

If somebody told me at the beginning of the season that we would play Schalke in the Champions Leauge semi-final I would have thought they were pulling my leg, but here they are. They beat Valencia and Inter to be here and fully deserve their spot here. Their revelation player is Raul, who everyone thought would be a sub and play maybe 30 minutes the whole season, but he has been on fire! And is really enjoying his football. He is the top scorer in the champions league and Edwin has called for his defenders to keep an eye on him

Veltins Arena is the stadium that will stage the match

Sir Alex has said that he is expecting a "roller-coaster ride". I share the opinion of most football pundits in saying we should not let them play on the counter as many of the goals they scored against Inter where counter attacks. I watched their game against Inter and I really, really wanted Inter Milan to win because their football suits Manchester's style of Football. Ralf Rangnick, Manager of Schalke, said that their hunger could see them through, but just because you want something doesn't mean you should get it.

Coach Time
As I said before I believe we should let them attack us at the start of the match, because then WE can hit THEM on the counter ( ironic). 20 minutes in we should switch to our more attacking formation with Scholes getting behind Rooney and Hernandez moving more up the field. Giggs won't last 90 minutes and when Nani comes on the game will be won because Nani's speed against their tired Right-Back will make a massive difference. Predicted Score I believe we could settle for a 2-2 draw, but I believe our experience will show and we will win 3-1. But, we have to let them attack, because they have to score, NOT US. and when we realize this, we can play our football.

Raul will face tough opposition in the form of Vidic.

Never Say Never

MANCHESTER UNITED 1- EVERTON 0

Hernandez the shortest player on the pitch with the header

Manchester United 1- Everton 0. I've said it before and i'll say it again, it was be nice to see a team win 5-0 or 6-0 but a real confidence booster is a 1-0 win with a late goal. Javier Hernandez gave United their deserved victory with a 83rd minuted header at the back post. I won't lie, I was very, very worried and already doing calculations with us drawing this game. But, now we are 6 points ahead of Chelsea with 4 games to go. Experts say it is over I say if their is a mathematical chance it is no over. But, Arsenal lost on Sunday to Bolton and we are now 9 points ahead of them, so it is Us against Cheslea, who beat West Ham and or on very good form.

The game was won in the midfield with Carrick and Anderson combining very well and getting forward to help the strikers and the wingers. The first half was all United, but the ball would not go in and when Nani's low shot was saved by Hernandez ( yes, our own player) I started thinking " could this be one of those days" and it really looked that way because in the second half we still played better, but the frustrating thing was that THE BALL WOULDN'T GO IN! but it eventually did in the 83rd minute with a header from Chicharito Hernandez.

1 game down- 4 to go.

I do not usually like to admit it, but Chelsea are playing better than us and have more time to rest because they are not in the Champions League ( knocked out by Manchester United ). But, our next two premier league games are critical! If we beat Arsenal, Arsenal are out of the tittle race and if we beat Chelsea...WE ARE CHAMPIONS! although it will be difficult, Sir Alex believes it can be done. But, United must now focus on Shalke 04 in the Champions League.

Experts say form have no effect in the last couple games, but if they did...

 If there is no change in the form we will be champions. With Chelsea second and Arsenal just holding onto third place.
There was a huge smile on my face this weekend because I read many blogs from Skysports.com and most of them said we will be champions! Paul Measrons says it and even the tv show The Sunday Supplement says it

Time To Get Tittle Run Back On Track

Everton. Boy have they caused us problems over the last 5 years or so, mostly away from home, but there are two results that I can not get out of my mind. Semi-Final penalty shoot-out loss and this seasons 3-3 draw, where we were winning 3-1 with 4 minutes to play!
To be totally honest this game way be the first game of the season where we aren't going into the game, with a better form guide. With Everton getting 14 points from their last 6 games and us 10. But, our Home form has been close to perfect winning all our games apart from one ( West Brom).

Manchester United Target - Jack Rodwell

I don't often admit this but, we are not playing well and a game against these guys way have come at a wrong time. WAIT! is it too late to take that back? I have just been informed from Manutd.com's preview that critically important trio Arteta, Cahill and ex-United player Saha are unavailable for this game, which is a massive boost to United's chances.




I do not like focusing on who will NOT play and more on who will play. Jack Rodwell is going to be a key figure in England's future, while left back Baines will give Valencia and Rafeal a torrid time with his sturdy defending and great crosses. For United it is a full squad apart from Darren Fletcher. Also Berbatov is back following a illness.

Premier League Top scorer - Dimitar Berbatov

Coach Time

Ahhhhhhh. At home you ALWAYS want to play your way, but in this case with Everton in the form they are in and United's midfielders just not stepping up I would have to change the way we play. Most importantly neither Carrick or Gibson should be too offensive and  Valencia will have to help defensively because Silva loves to get forward,I would leave Berbatov as a lone striker with Rooney and Park playing around the box. If the score is 0-0 at the break I would replace Park with Nani and Berbatov with Hernandez, but play the same way. COME ON YOU REDS! 

Bore Draw at St. James's Park

For the first time in maybe 5 years I actually changed the channel on a Manchester United game, We were poor and I really was not expecting us to score in the last 5 minutes as usual. But credit must go to , Newcastle, they never gave up on the ball and played one hell of a game even though they have very little to play for. A draw was a fair result, but really 0-0 was unjust because played very offensive football as did Newcastle.

Nani endured a frustrating night

There were close to no chances for the forwards apart from Chica's shot in the 10th minute and Nani's free kick everything else was off target because of Newcastle's great defensive performance. Our defense had a good game and kept their forwards quiet all the game and when they did get a good chance VDS was there to save the ball. The frustrating evening ended with Hernandez being brought down in the box, but the call went against him and was booked for diving. It looked like a clear penalty to SAF. 

 On a positive note, the second placed team in the premier league, Arsenal, also drew in a thrilling match at White Hart Lane. But, now Manchester have new rivals for the tittle Chelsea, but United players have told fans not to dwell on the other teams and concentrate on their own performances.

At the end of the day all that matters is the team that is 1st

There are 5 games left in the season for United, Chelsea and Arsenal. The last games favor Chelsea and Arsenal rather than United. But all we need to win the tittle is 3 wins and a draw.

United fixtures

Manchester United vs Everton (H), Arsenal vs Manchester United (A), Manchester United vs Chelsea ( H),

Blackburn vs Manchester United ( A), Manchester United vs Blackpool.

Chelsea Fixtures

West Ham (H), Tottenham ( H), Manchester United ( A), Newcastle (H), Everton ( A)

Arsenal Fixtures

Bolton ( A), Manchester United (H), Stoke ( A), Aston Villa (H), Fulham ( A)

I have highlighted all the difficult fixtures. If Manchester beat their non-highlighted teams and get one point of either Chelsea or Arsenal, we are champions!

We lost against Manchester City?

The tittle says all we have to do! FORGET THE CITY GAME! our next game is against Newcastle, and ever since Saturday It has all gotten better for me =) Sunday Bale was named PFA player of the season, who is not a Manchester Player, but is I really love watching him play. There were also 4 Manchester United Players in the 'Team of The Season' ( Van Der Sar, Vidic, Nani and Berbatov) Alongside, Sagna, Kompany, Cole, Nasri and PFA young player of the season Wilshere, Bale and Tevez. What a team! 

Van der Sar

Sagna   Kompany   Vidic   Cole

 Nani   Nasri   Wilshere   Bale

Tevez   Berbatov

People are criticizing the PFA's selection of Bale

But, let's get back on track. Manchester United vs Newcastle. I really hope the Manchester City game has no affect on the players because otherwise we could be in trouble not only in this game, but the next couple of games. And as usual all the Newspapers are against us.saying we fear Newcastle and we will lose

Rooney's volley against Newcaslte

The game against Newcastle earlier in the season ended in a 3-0 win to Manchester United, so lets hope for a similar game. Luckly for us Newcastle have only won 2 of their last 12 games and are missing club captain and top scorer Kevin Nolan, through injury.Rooney will be back into the Manchester squad after missing the City game and he will be hoping to add to his 9 goals in 11 games against Newcastle.

Coach Time
I would give the team a full make up ( replacing many players) .
I thought the defense against City was acceptable, but I would replace O'shea, Rio and Evra with the Silva twins and Smaling.
In the offensive section of the field I would replace carrick and Scholes with Anderson and Gibson, because they are strong young players, perfect for this game and up front i'll bring back Rooney and Hernandez.

 If we play this team I would expect many goals for both teams, I am expecting a 3-2 win for United. Rooney getting two and Gibson also on the score-sheet.

Glory, Glory Man United!

You win some, and unfortunately you have to lose some.

Firstly, I would like to say it took me a lot of courage to write this blog, I am a die hard Manchester United fan and when I see my team lose I do my my "routine":
1) Turn off TV 1 minute before game ends, then turn it back on 2 minutes later to see if we scored a late equalizer.
2) Sob, and criticize the players that played terribly and look for possible replacements. ( Scholes, Carrick and Berbatov) (Diego Costa, Pastore and Klasnic)
3) Shout into my pillow and go outside and play football =) ( I will also NOT use the internet for 24 hours)

Picture speaks for itself

a Football is a game of two halves. This is a great example after We dominated the first half and then City did  their thing in the second half. The simple reason of why we lost against Manchester City is the photo on the left. A Rooney-less United is not really United, which is why I believe we should sign Pastore or Diego Costa, so the burden will be taken off his shoulders.

Yaya Toure Celebrates Winner

All I can right about now is Yaya Toure's goal. Carrick, had the ball on the edge of our box and then literally handed Yaya the ball and he ran past Vidic and put the ball between VDS's legs. He dedicated the goal to his brother, who also plays for City but has been suspended for taking drug.

The last 30 minutes of the game were made ten times harder when Scholes tackle almost broke Argentine Pablo Zabaletta's leg. He lunged in with both feet into his shins, out of pure frustration. This is the part of the game the manager, SAF has to deal with.

But, I choose not to dwell on the past. We have a critical game against Newcastle on Tuesday. Vidic has issued a rally cry, while many United players have admitted that It is going to be hard to get motivated for the game after a crushing defeat against our rivals. 

BUT OUR SEASON IS BY NO MEANS OVER! We are first in the league, by 6 points following Liverpool's draw in the 12th minute of Injury time against Arsenal. And in the Semi-finals of the Champions League. So in the words of Bobby McFerrin - Don't worry be happy.