EPL Game 16 : The Rams battered!

United 4 : 1 Derby
Well, it was going to be a no-brainer as far as the result was concerned. It was just the question of how many we were going to score. And it was United's favourite number again, four!
I should say the dampness of the pitch helped Derby avoid a very heavier loss. It did look difficult for United to play their flowing and attacking football in the conditions, specially in the second half as the rain never relented. Yet, four goals at the end of the day is still quite comprehensive.
Giggs got his first goal of the season and almost got a second. He's been looking at his vintage best in the last few games and hopefully will carry on this way. Tevez deservedly had a brace and could have got a third, had Ronaldo been any kind to him and let him take "his" penalty. I'm sure there would be a debate or two around the Ronaldo penalty. Rooney could have had two as well, but was unlucky specially with his chip which ended up hitting the post.
All in all, a good "practice" game before we head to meet the Reds at Liverpool. Hopefully O'Shea is gonna be playing there!!!

EPL Game 14: Frustrating loss to Bolton

Bolton 1: 0 Man United
I'm no crystal-ball gazer, nor am I a pessimist. But something told me things were not right going into the North-west derby. There was no Rooney, Tevez was to play after coming back from a busy international week. Vidic was doubtful and a "not 100% fit" Saha was going to play full 90 minutes. And when the match started, the most shocking news awaited us - Ronaldo was not even in the squad! With all these factors, I wondered how we'd win against a resurgent Bolton side. Well, the same things that caused me to worry turned out to be the contributing factors to the outcome - a shock defeat.
Gerard Pique, the young, talented defender from Spain was replacing Vidic. It wasn't going to be the most eye-bro raising replacement, given the amount of respect Sir Alex has for the youngster. If there was anything he lacked, it was experience. And as luck would have it, that's what led to United conceding the first goal. Pique over-zealously jumped at a looping ball directed at the United box and was beaten by the flight, only to gift Anelka an easy finish, past Van der Saar. But that goal came only 11 minutes into the first half and not even the most skeptical of United supporters was going to lose heart from an early goal. United are known to come back from behind. But it didn't turn out that way, at least in the first half. Bolton just grew in confidence and kept attacking. It's incredible, we never had a meaningful chance created in the whole of the first half. We seemed to miss Ronaldo and Rooney so much, it was just getting as frustrating as the winter cold.
Yet I was sure second half would be different. And so it was going to be. Anderson came in and breathed life into the mid-field. United garnered more possession and began to play with the typical flair. Yet, not many close chances were created, surely not as much as you'd expect with an in-form United team. Hargreaves came close with his curling free-kick which was kept out by Jaaskeleinen. Long range efforts by Nani, Hargreaves, Carrick and the like weren't fruitful. The best chance came in the later stages of the half, Tevez had a tap-in from an Evra cross, which he missed by a few yards. Given the form Tevez was in, he was expected to score there and that miss undeniably cost us the match.
Honestly United looked scrappy without the talismanic Ronaldo and Rooney. With literally the whole of Bolton defending, we found few chances coming our way. On the whole, it was an utterly frustrating evening. With Arsenal winning again (I don't believe they won again through late goals and against my prayers!), and given their form , United have to get back to winning ways and stay tough to keep the title race going.

EPL 13 - United 2 : 0 Blackburn

A very entertaining affair indeed. Blackburn have had a very good start to their season and have been hot on the heels of the big four. They've been the team that's looked most likely to trouble them, if any, in the league. Lot of people predicted an even contest at Trafford, respecting the Rovers' form and that's how it looked for most part of the first half. Both teams wrestling against each other for possession and shots on goal. Samba came closest to scoring the first goal thundering a shot on the post! But a two-minute period of brilliance from United totally floored the Rovers. Ronaldo showed how confident he is with his goal-scoring form with his first goal, which was aimed with supreme accuracy into the top corner. He actually made it look simpler than most forwards in EPL would find. The second was a delightful team goal. On the counter-attack, Saha finds Tevez who's cross, from left flank off the outside of his right foot found Ronaldo in front to smash it past Friedel.
Nobody would have any qualms conceding what a great eye for a goal that man from Portugal has. There's no doubt he's been among the best in the world since last season. And it's hearting to see him carry on, hungry for more success. Just don't stop Ronaldo!
Rooney falling trap to another injury(a freak one this time!) has left me gutted. The lad was
in such red-hot goal-scoring form and his partnership with Tevez was blossoming beautifully. I guess while we fans will miss his goals, albeit against weaker teams(thankfully!), it would be Steve Mclaren who'd be feeling most of the heat in his absence. Having said that, I hope England somehow make it to the Euro Cup or it would be such a loss of entertaining football!
Coming back to the match, though it was decided in those two unbelievable minutes, United did continue playing the usual attacking football. I certainly enjoyed it thought it was bereft of goals. I still enjoyed the vintage play of Giggs, sprightly play by Anderson and cool-headed defending from Rio and Vidic. Hope the juggernaut keeps rolling!

EPL Game 12 - Arsenal 2: 2 Man United

It's taken me quite some time to decide to write this blog. Honestly, it makes me sulk to think about what happened at the Emirates. Playing against the so called hi-flying gunners at their backyard, we had the match in our hands at 2-1 and yet they scored in the injury time to level the scores. At the end of the match Arsenal were celebrating like they had won the Premiership, while honestly they had lost 2 points as it was they who went in as favorites. Even the most ardent United fan would have settled for a draw before the match, but certainly not the way it happened. But then such things can only happen in football.

Come to think of it, it was a great advertisement for football. Two of the most attacking clubs in the world playing against each other, and in attacking fashion. As expected, Arsenal started the match with nothing but goal-scoring intentions. They kept attacking. But United seemed to have thier defensive strategy on target. Though Arsenal enjoyed a lot of possession, almost for the whole of the first half, they didn't seem to create a single clear-cut chance. And lot of credit for that should go the pair of Anderson and Hargreaves, who dented their attacks from going any farther into United penalty area. The seeming strategy of "defend and counter attack" payed off perfectly for United as they tasted the first blood at the fag end of the half. Rooney deflecting a Ronaldo cross past Almunia - though it did take a slight deflection of Gallas.

It didn't take long for Arsenal to come back into the game. But it was the most convincing way to get a goal. As Van der Saar was distracted off the goal from a cross, Fabregas found an empty net to plug the ball into to spark wild celebrations. United did keep pressing forward through the second half. With Saha coming on for Tevez, the game took a turn. A beautiful pass of Saha saw Evra making ground on the left to find an unmarked Ronaldo, who tapped in gleefully. That was in the 82nd minute and United were all set to avenge their home defeat to Arsenal last season.
But fate would have it different. Arsenal scored off what I can only call a freak goal - A barrage of shots at the goal with United defenders scampering around to block them and suddenly the goal is awarded by the linesman. The scores were level and United were denied a much deserved victory. Overall taking the chances into consideration, it was United who looked the better side. Arsenal survived, thanks to 2 unconvincing goals. And supporters like me were left to rue a historic let gone by.
Nevertheless, it was a good game for United, specially for keeping the Gunners at bay and almost snatching a victory at their home. We'll wait for Arsenal to come to Old Trafford!

EPL Game 11 - Man Utd 4 : 1 Middlesbrough

Awesome! Just awesome!! No words to describe the way United are playing at the moment. They're just going from strength to strength. And they're showing what happens when they're in full flow - they're just unstoppable!

Boro hadn't been in great form going into the match and were just above the relegation zone . But they would've known they don't have a bad record playing at Old Trafford in the past few years. But they were going to run into an in-form United team - 12 goals in last 3 and 8 of them away. And when it started, they just seemed to be carrying on from where they left at Kiev. Nani got United off to an absolute flier, with an absolute belter of a goal. It could surely be one of the goals of the league so far. He beat at least 3 defenders and sent in a 30-yard strike that dipped into the goal over Schwarzer. And I imagined, given their swash-buckling form, the flood gates would've been opened with that goal. And it almost turned that way, when Tevez found himself clear, in front of the Borough keeper but couldn't quite get his chip right. But against the run of play, Middlesbrough did equalize through Aliadiere, off a well-directed header. United seemed to have lost the tempo after that and played a cautious game for a while.
But as they started pressing for the lead, they mounted pressure on the Boro players. Stewart Downing was one of them, who's misdirected pass inside their own penalty box found Rooney pouncing on it and scoring easily. And in the form he's in he wasn't going to miss on that kind of a gift.
The second half saw more of Tevez-Rooney association. As United kept creating a plethora of chances, the front two were there to give the finishing touches. This match just saw their combination enter another level. The third goal and the fourth goals had their class and creativity written all over them. The third was more brilliantly architected. It was as if they were one-twoing into the Boro goal! Both of the goals came off counter attacks and were pleasing to the eyes.
This match saw Hargreaves make a comeback after his recovery from Tendonitis. With Scholes joining the injury-list with Carrick and Hargreaves himself, the middlefield was a cause for concern. And Hargreaves was such a calming influence in the midfield today along with the offensive-minded Anderson. And I think this was the first time all of big 4 arrivals this summer started in a game - Nani, Anderson, Hargo and Tevez. And I have to say, by now all of them have justified their places and their price-tags! Hargreaves was always going to impress. It wasn't for nothing that Sir Alex was after him for about a year. He's a proven European talent and he's been showcasing just that since his arrival. Tevez too had a reputation before coming to Old Trafford. But his transfer-related issues hampered his pre-season preparations. Though he struggled to score in the earlier matches, playing as the lone striker, he's obviously coming to his own now. Nani, to me has been very impressive and a great buy. He won our hearts with that scorching goal against Tottenham to open United's account for the season. He's a very effective winger with great striking abilities. I'm sure he's among the top in terms of assists so far this season. Anderson has been the last of these guys to be inducted into the team. Initially there were fears, he was too young and inexperienced for EPL. But the last few games, he's shown he's here to stay. He's got great pace and great touch to his game. They've been heaping rave reviews over the lad's performance against Kiev the other night. With Scholes injury, he's sure to get more matches and I can only see him getting better and possibly getting into scoring habits.
In all, things are looking great for United. Keep it going! Glory Glory United!!!

EPL Game 10 - Aston Villa 1 : 4 Man Utd

They said Villa was fast becoming a fortress. They said Villa would at least snatch a point off United if not all three. And by the half time whistle, all of those voices had been silenced! Little had they realized Villa had been beaten by United in their last 19 or so meetings in all competitions. And this time it wasn't going to be any different. The young Villa team had to succumb to the quality United possessed.

The match began in a lively fashion, with the confident Villa team which possesses great pace upfront, making it very clear they were going for a victory. You have to commend Martin O'Neil for blooding youngsters like Agbanlahor, Young and Moore all of whom are very lively and that makes their team quite a handful at times. And that showed right away, with Villa putting a lot of pressure on United early in the first half. It also yielded them a great result - they were in front when Agbanlahor headed off a teasing cross from Young. Villa kept probing and they could have been 2-0 up so easily, at least on two occasions. That seemed to have spurred up United. And what a way they came back into the match. In about 10 mins, the game was turned on it's head and completely in favour of United. Nani, who looked very sharp throughout, put in a neat cross for Rooney to waded through a seemingly "sleeping" Villa defence and tap in for an equalizer. Minutes later, Tevez's had a probing run through defenders to find Rooney with some space, and Rooney responded with a clever finish. And in the dying moments of the first half, Rio Ferdinand's innocuous looking shot at goal was kicked into the Villa net by their own defender. Suddenly, it looked like game over!
Second half saw Villa's worries only get accentuated. Rio Coker was sent off for a second yellow and their goal-keeper red-carded for bringing down Tevez. Amazingly, Rooney missed the penalty, in turn denying himself a hat-trick. Yet, United just seemed to be making merry against a nine-man Villa. Giggs got his first goal of the season off a deflection. Rooney could have got at least two more goals, albeit with some luck. Tevez too had a few chances. Most of second half action looked life a walk in the park for United.

In the end, it was a great victory - simply because we scored 4 goals coming from behind and away, against a team which has been doing very well at home. The highlight of the match for me was the way Tevez-Rooney partnership worked. It was delightful to watch two of the most creative players in the league create chance after chance for each other. Their one-two's are a treat to watch. And with time, they're only going to improve and will be more dangerous. Though Tevez did spurn a few chances, he more than played his part at the front. Nani was another player who looked very comfortable, an effort worth appreciation as he was filling in for Ronaldo. Pique looked good at the back too. And we can surely bank on the talented defender whenever situations demand his role.
Keep it going United!

EPL Game 9 - Man Utd 4 : 0 Wigan Athletic

All these while as United were going through a slew of one-nil victories, lots of people were worried that sooner or later, they might lose they didn't improve. But I was one of those who begged to differ. Because United had not been playing badly at all. If anything, I guess they were struggling to find the right combination which is completely understandable as there have been new arrivals and injuries/suspensions. Yet they'd been failing to get to their top gear in scoring goals. Their form has gradually been improving ever since they lost the Manchester derby. And today's performance was a perfect testament to the fact that they are close to regaining their top form. Four-goal victories that had become their trademark last season, has begun to happen this season too! And it had to be Wigan, their favourite whipping boys, to start it all over again.

It's difficult to imagine that United had a poor first half in a match with such a score line. The fact of the matter is, United seemed to be struggling to come to their own in that half. It was a scary half for United to say the least. Injuries to Vidic and O'Shea, both of whom had to be substituted inside first 30 minutes. Pique and Evra also took nasty knocks as the half progressed. Suddenly things were starting to look worse. Wigan seemed to believe they could get some points at Old Trafford. There were hardly any meaningful chances created.

And how well United came back in the second half was something worth witnessing. After about 55 mins on the clock, United score through a wonderfully constructed goal. Rio to Rooney, Rooney to Anderson and then Anderson to Tevez, who dribbled past couple of defenders, the goal keeper and put the ball into the net past with 3 defenders in front of goal. That surely was a delightful goal. Tevez had been working so hard - running at just about everything, and that goal deserved to come off his foot. That goal seemed to have opened the flood gates for United. They doubled the score around 60th minute, with a well taken corner that lead to Giggs sending in a tricky cross which the Wigan keeper spurned only to gift a waiting Ronaldo an easy tap-in header. The third goal had bit of vision written over it in Pique's beautiful pass for Rooney who sent in a great cross, again to Ronaldo who made no fuss about the finish. That was followed by a much deserved goal for Rooney, when substitute right-back Danny Simpson waded through defenders to put through a neat cross for Rooney to put it into the back of the net.
The scoreline could have been even more embarrassing for Wigan, with multiple chances going begging towards the end. In the end, United were back to their goal-scoring best at Old Trafford. Considering that United had to start with O'Shea in the midfield and then had to re-align their defense with an untested pair of Pique and Simpson, the victory surely is bound to delight all the United fans. For me the biggest plus was the way Anderson filled into the mid-fielder's role. He looks very lively, with a lot of pace and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands. His performance surely has allayed fears about United having a weak midfield in the absence of Carrick and Hargreaves.
My Man err Men of the Match: Tevez, Rooney combined!