Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

What a result that was, when Ronaldo equalised i would gladly have taken the draw with the team that we ended the game with. But to get all three points and to win it with such a brilliant goal was ecstasy time. Let's hope that this gets us out of our slump, as heady as the result was the performance wasn't up to scratch again, it has to be said. We didn't defend well again but when i saw the defensive line up at the start i was pretty worried. It's a bad time for Ferdinand to get a recurrence of that back injury and he was as badly missed as i had feared. We struggled up front as well, it was always going to be a big ask of Tevez, coming back from international duty in South America. He did his usual hard graft but he didn't really make much of a contribution invention wise or shot wise. Ronaldo had another of his strange games where he didn't really do that much in the game yet came out of it with two brilliantly taken goals.
The first was a beauty and i thought it would steady us down and give us the confidence to take a hold of the game as neither team started the game that well. But as the first half wore on Villa started to have a go and we started to look vulnerable. I don't think playing Gary Neville at centre half was the best idea Fergie has ever had and he didn't have much chance against Carew for the equaliser. At half time it was hard to be optimistic i was just hoping we would get lucky some where down the line.
When they scored their second it just seemed like it was going to be another one of those days but credit to the shirts they showed they were made of the right stuff. I thought Macheda had made a difference to us as well before the injury time goal, he added a presence and made a nusiance of himself. He is going to be a good player. Fletcher was the man driving us forward though, he outshone Carrick yesterday and at the moment he would be my first choice midfield player. Ronaldo's second was another cracker, it might not have looked the prettiest but it gave Freidal no chance. As for the winner, what a goal, that was a real strikers goal, absolutely brilliant. Ole rates this lad so that's alll you need to know really.

Lazio still sore at losing Macheda, they have got a fair point.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/apr/06/federico-macheda-manchester-united-lazio
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/lazio-president-slams-macheda-transfer-1664107.html

The Independent match report
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/kiko-the-kid-fires-united-title-drive-1663287.html

Fergie happy with Macheda and happy that he gambled
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article6041593.ece

Ronaldo pledges his future to United according to the Times, i'm not sure that's how i read it
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article6045838.ece

Alan Hansen on the title race
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/5111209/Liverpool-will-be-distraught-at-Manchester-Uniteds-amazing-comeback.html

Anatole Kaletsky on why Keynes was right
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/anatole_kaletsky/article6041266.ece?token=null&offset=12&page=2