Manchester United 2-1 Wolves

This was one to forget, but we scraped away with the three point and by the end of the weekend it became obvious was a priceless three points it was. The side selected wasn't the strongest, with O'Shea chosen to partner Fletcher in central midfield, never a good sign. Fergie alluded to the fact that the virus going around the club meant he was happy to just get the game and the three points out of the way.
The big surprise was the inclusion of Owen Hargreaves in the starting line up. The fact that he only lasted five minutes or so was, less of a surprise. At least Fergie was honest enough to admit that his selecetion turned out to be a disaster. Straight away we had to use one of his substitutions as Bebe replaced him on the right. I would have brought Macheda on and pushed Obertan on to the right, but to be honest the way all three played when on the pitch i'm not sure it would have made much difference. Bebe had a mare, showing a woeful lack of technique, Obertan had a poor first half but redeemed himself partly with a better second half showing and Macheda first meaningful contribution was to lose the ball on the half way line and watch as Wolves counter attacked with purpose to almost snatch the lead.
We have seen some poor, poor football at times this season and the first half was right up there with the worst of it. The first twenty minutes went by with hardly any meaningful action at either end and the rest of the half wasn't much better. The big surprise was that United managed to create a move of such quality to take the lead just before half time as our three best players Hernandez, Fletcher and Park combined to see Park put us into an undeserved lead as we went into the break. This isn't meant as a pop at Park and Fletcher, but when they are our most creative players, things are worrying.
Yet again it was another game crying out for the vision of Scholes. I'd said just before Park opened the scoring that this would be yet another game where he would have to come on to rescue the day for us. When the newly arrived Ebanks-Blake equalised it was only a matter of time before the call came for Scholes. I suppose the hope was that he would have good rest before Wednesday's biggie, but we may well have struggled if there hadn't been any virus in the squad. Take Giggs, Nani and Scholes out of that midfield and there is a alarming lack of creative quality in the squad, we all know Rooney was right about that, whether that was the real reason for the new contract saga or not.
The game became end to end and both sides could have pinched a winner. At least United looked capable of creating something, the problem now was we didn't look like finishing anything off. So as with the first goal the big surprise when the winner came was the quality of the goal. Neither of Park's goals belonged in this below performance, but both were gratefully received.
So we ended the weekend just two points behind the rent boys, when you think of some of performances, some of the games we have thrown away, and the fact out best player has contributed nothing on the pitch and a lot of instability off it, i'm left sctratching my head wondering how we have managed that. As to Chelsea once again they showed when they play somebody half decent away from home, they are nowhere near the all conquering outfit some would have us believe they are. After eleven games of the season, it has to be said that the quality at the top of the table is not what it was.
It's early days to be making this prediction, but as things stand it's hard to see an English club making the champions league final, never mind winning it. That said it's hard to judge the big two in Spain as the way Barca and Real Madrid have pulled away from the rest of the Primera league makes it hard to judge just how good either of them really are. We know how good Barca can be but there form has been patchy this  season. Real are starting to look a serious outfit under Jose but it's hard to know just how good a side they are when you watch games like last nights Madrid derby.

Hargreaves is down in the dumps according to Phelan as Fergie says anxiety may have played a part in the hamstring injury incurred after just five minutes. Even though it wasn't his knee can anybody really see him still being here next season.

Mark Ogden reports on the biggest game in England , the Manchester derby. It's always been Liverpool for me, but i suppose you can't argue that the derby has become more important as our squad has declined and their money has started to count. A lot of reds are nervous ahead of Wednesday, illness allowing i think we will at least get a draw. I would have fancied us to win if Nani had been fit. I'm hoping Giggs is fit, or a draw will be as good as we can hope for. The one thing we will have going for us is Mancini's neagtive approach to thses games.

The Mail report that Real Madrid are interested in Javier Hernandez, fuck me he's only been here two seconds. Whether it's Real stirring things up or the press stirring things, it's a bit earlyin his United career.

It looks like Solskjaer will be leaving United to go back home to take charge of Molde as he tries to make his way in the world of football managent. All reds will wish him the all the best and will follow his career with interest.

Liam Halligan argues that the Feds latest bout of QE has effectively alienated the rest of the world. He argues that the US has given up any pretence of trying to lead the world out of the current economic slump. He describes the latest policy as America's Suez. Stephanie Flanders thinks that the Americans are doing what they hope is best for their economy but also believe that getting the US economy moving again is in the best interests of the global economy. She argues that if they are wrong it will be bad news for everyone else. Larry Elliott is no more optimistic than anybody else about the merits of a second batch of QE. Will Hutton explains why the Americans are prepared to take the risks that they are and why we mus not follow them. Is it too late?

Was the assertion that Europe had been removed as a faultline in British politics a case of hope over experience as tory Euro sceptics put Cameron under pressure from them over last weeks Euro meeting. Brian Brady writes the realities of coalition government are beginning to show as fundametal policy differences start to expose the differences between lib dems and tories. Meanwhile William Keegan wonders which benches Nick Clegg will be sat on in five years time, he isn't the only one.
Matthew D'Ancona warns tory right wingers that the last thing they should be doing is looking for inspiration from the US tea party. It is an American phenomenon which will not transplant over here. With the cuts still yet to be felt a lurch to the right would be the last thing they need, especially if the cuts don't work and we either enter a double dip or we struggle with anaemic growth.

Jackie Ashley thinks labour is right to wait to see the detail behind Ian Duncan Smith's proposals to get the jobless back to work. The Independent's editorial gets it right saying voluntary work is no substitute for paid work. Yasmin Alibhai Brown argues that the country is in the hands of dogmatic free marketeers who have a mission to shrink the state.

Rupert Cornwell urges President Obama to learn some humilty and say i got it wrong.

Xi Jinping the next leader of China, Jonathan Fenby profiles him inthe Observer.

More murky goings on inthe shady world of Russian politics as ex mayor yuri Luzkhov warns of power struggle and tells the telegraph he won't quit Russia but has sent his daughters into exile in London. With Independent and London evening standard owner Alexander Lebdev also under pressure, it looks like the Russian state is having one of its periodic purges of oligarchs who show some independence of thought.

Jimmy McGovern has a pop at the bigwigs at the BBC and thinks there are too many TV drama's that are crime based because it is so easy to do. There should be more drama that reflect the lives that all lead.

Pulp reform to play live gigs next summer, top group.

Peter Gabriel