Manchester United 2-0 WBA

From the memorable last minute win thriller to the more mundane 2-0 home win over West Brom, but this was equally the type of game you need to win championships. I wasn't expecting another 4-3 thriller and to be honest didn't really want another type of game, because i wasn't sure we would have been able to come back yet again. The way the game went, it was probably for the best that we scored first and reasonably early. If we'd had to have forced the game in the second half i don't think we'd have had the legs to get the result needed.
Saying that we played some pretty good football in the first half, it was good to see Kagawa back in the team and nice to see him in his best position. Watching him, it was noticeable how similar his game to Rooney can be, as he dropped to the halfway line at times to get the ball. He forged a decent understanding with Welbeck and it was pity we couldn't finish off some of the chances we created in that first period. It was good to see Welbeck back and i thought he did pretty well considering how little football he has had recently and for the fact a section of our fans can't wait for something not to come off for him to have a go at him. That situation is really getting on my tits, but he will have to big enough to get over it.
The first goal was a bit of a fluke, but once again it shows what can happen when Young gets to the bye line. The effort United took in getting the three points started to tell in the second half as United lost control of the game. I suppose the fact is was first game back for Kagawa had something to do with that as well and he completely dropped out of the game. In fact Welbeck was doing most of his running for him and did well to last the 90 minutes himself. For all their possession though the visitors hardly tested De Gea, Vidic's return may have had something to do with that, he really looked like the pre injury man of rock that we have missed.
The introduction of Van Persie prompted United to start to look dangerous and United had some good chances to get a second. Young should have done better than hit fresh air when in a great position and right near the end Welbeck forced Foster into his second great save of the day, the first being when he pushed Young's shot onto the crossbar in the first half. From the resulting pressure Van Persie sealed the game with a magnificent left foot curler. It's funny that it doesn't seem half as good a goal on TV as when seen live, it was really travelling. Now to Wigan, another tough game and the changes will surely be rung again, if we come away with all three points from that it will have been an excellent Christmas and new period for the reds.

Has Fergie lost the plot or not?

Not for me, though i can't really say i was thrilled with him calling the barcodes a wee club. To my mind it's the kind of thing Mourinho would have said and the reason I'd prefer Guardiola and Moyes as the next manager. Fergie'ss not lost the plot though because he would have thought about what he was saying first. Some have argued that what he did was showhe's not lost and he's got the old us and them mentatility going again. I can't reall say i buy that, as i've never doubted for a moment that he had lost it.
Having said that the stick he gave Pardew was funny and the reality check for the georide nation was the kind of thing that has needed saying. I just wish it had been someone else saying it.

Music

Bob Mould - Silver age: I loved Sugar and this is a real return to those heady days, funny how some guitar, bass and drum trio's can sound so powerful.

Crusaders - Street life: Obviously the title track is one of the most well known singles from the 70's, but it's interesting hearing in the context of the album. I don't know what genre this would fit, jazz soul ,fusion maybe, anyway a cracking piece of easy listening.

Deerhoof - Breakup song: I'm a pretty big fan of the US leftield indie outfit, though i suppose the lead vocalist may be an acquired taste for some. This is another cracking L.P.

Flying Lotus - Until the quiet comes: A pretty good album, reminds me at times of the Avalanches, i'll have to explore his back catalogue.

Mala - Mala in Cuba: Another cracking techno/dubstep album, though the dubstep genre seems to contain some right old crap, it also contains some total brilliance. This firmly belongs in the latter category

Robert Hood - Motor nightmare world 3: More techno, this time from it's US spiritual home Detroit, slow, atmospheric and brilliant.

Manchester United 4-3 Newcastle United

What a day that was, we win, coming from behind to victory in the last minute, City unexpectedly lose and Liverpool top off the day with a defeat, virtually a perfect Manchester United day. I suppose the big upside to the dodgy nature of our defending this season is it means we end up getting second halves like yesterday. Mind you when we started to miss chances for fun in that last ten minutes i had my doubts that winner was going to come.
I suppose you have to give the barcodes some credit, they made it hard for us, and when they had a chance they threw men forward. Of course we gifted them the first and didn't cover ourselves in glory for their second either. I'll forgive Carrick his mistake for the opening goal because after that he was superb, and anyway De Gea should have done better with the save. I'm a fan of our Spanish number one, but he had one yesterday and i wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't start on Saturday. As for the second goal, once the referee went to the linesman, you just knew he was going to give the goal. There were the usual moans about Scholes and Giggs starting, but they both did alright for me. Giggs didn't have the best first half, but the longer the game went on the better he got on, how many chances did he create late on. Which was useful as Valencia had another of his so so games.
It always amazes me that teams who trouble us, especially at Old Trafford, do so by pressing with speed and strength and yet usually United always up the stronger team by the game's conclusion. There were a few iffy performances yesterday, but Carrick, Evans and Van Persie were all immense. Evra as ever was worrying in defence, but yesterday, more than ever, he made up for it going forward, a goal and some great forward runs.
I don't know what was wrong with Rooney, but it didn't help our cause to not even have him on the bench, and no Welbeck either. There was only really Cleverley on the bench who you'd have thought could change the game. Thankfully he did just that, when he got the chance as he helped United to take control of the game. That last ten minutes was starting to remind me of last years fixture when we absolutely battered them, creating chance after chance, but couldn't get that vital winning goal. Hernandez looked to be having one of those games, missing a hat full of chances, thank fuck the radar came right to tuck the winner away after another great through ball from Carrick. The news that City had got beat was just the icing on the cake.

Swansea City 1-1 Manchester United

Frustrating is the only word to describe that match, it was a game we should have won. Mind you when the fixtures were announced last summer, yesterday was a fixture where i would have probably settled for a draw. So I'm not too down on the result, but we had the chances to keep six points between us and the divs and we didn't take them.
I always try and take something positive from a game, so on the plus side, we went there and almost completely dominated the game, not too many teams will manage that. They had a spell towards half time where they were dangerous, but even then United were creating chances at the other end. It seemed a strange decision to bring Vidic back for this game, which was never going to be easy and unsurprisingly he looked very rusty at times in that first half. I never really fancied us to keep a clean sheet and wasn't surprised we let in yet another soft goal. It was great to see Evra score, and a yet another headed goal from a corner, but I'd swap the goal for the defender of two or three years back. The goal wasn't the only time his defensive play didn't cut the mustard.
I thought we were the better team, even in the first half. They may have got back into the game during the latter stages of the first half, but even then we were creating chances. But the second half was played completely in the home team's half. It just had the feel of one of those days, because when we did create clear openings we just never really looked like we would finish the job. It didn't help that a fair proportion of those chances fell to Rooney, who's day got worse as the game wore on. He wasn't great in the first half, but i didn't think he was, that bad. But as the second half progressed, Rooney got progressively worse, he should have been took of far earlier really, but i suppose Fergie hoped he might produce a moment of magic.
I suppose the form of Valencia will have to be mentioned, it was another out of sorts performance from our right winger. I can't believe we would have come away with all the points if he had been on his game. He just seems to have lost the confidence to take his man on, full stop at the moment. You wouldn't think this was the man who has completely pulverised Ashley Cole at times in the past. It doesn't help our cause when the one winger we have in our squad that can get to that byline, won't take his full back on. Young had a decent game again, it's a good job that he is in reasonable form or we might be going back to a winger less diamond shape.
It will be interesting to see Wednesday's team after Fergie telling the press we will be rotating our squad over the next nine days. Yesterday was as close to our strongest team as you will get, so who'll be left out and who'll be brought in for a game we now have to win. I suppose yesterday's result was all the more galling after City's last gasp winner on Saturday, we can't grumble too much, we have done it enough times ourselves. We need six points from the next tow games though.

Manchester United 3-1 Sunderland

Another game to do your head in, the first half and the first ten minutes of the second half was as good as we have seen all season, but the last half hour saw us sink back into the mediocrity we've seen too often of late. To have only won the game by two goals after the pummeling we gave Sunderland in the first half and for all the chances we created, even when we went off the boil over the last half hour, was disappointing. Fergie said he was determined we wouldn't be beaten on goal difference again this season and yet we always seem to ease off in games, and the substitutions made, seemed to suggest our management weren't too concerned that we didn't get the goals we should have done.
Moan at the second half over with, that first half was great to see, all the components of the team seemed to step up a gear. Carrick and Cleverley carried on the good work against City and surely proved they they are our best midfield pairing at present. Carrick has been one of our most consistent performers over the last season and and a half and seems to be woefully under valued by most reds. It was no surprise it was only once he had gone off, that Sunderland having brought on Wickham themselves, got themselves back into the game.
It only seem like yesterday that i was getting a bit worried about Cleverley's form but the last couple of games have banished that. He was outstanding on Saturday, i can't help feel that it's been a run of games that have turned things around for him. Another to catch the eye was Phil Jones playing at right back, he was superb in the first half, he ran out of legs towards the latter stages of the game, but that was the kind of form that had us raving about him during the opening stages of last season.
It took us a while to get going on the day, but once that first went in the floodgates threatened to open as we created chance after chance. It was nice to see Young get to the byline for the first goal converted by Van Persie, can we see that more often please. But it has to be said Young impressed again, maybe he is going to prove us doubters wrong about him. It has certainly helped our cause , the return to the team and return to form of our wide men. The form of our full backs going forward has helped the cause as well. Valencia may not have been back to his best, but i didn't think he deserved some of the stick I've seen him receive of the forums and twitter over the weekend.
There were some great moves that would have been capped off perfectly with a goal, but the only one to receive the perfect ending, Cleverley's curling finish was the type of thing we'd like to see a bit more often. It's going to be interesting to see where Fergie tries to fit Kagawa back into the team when he is up for selection, I'm sure that was the type of goal Fergie hoped the Japanese international would be regularly providing us with regularly when he sealed his signature last summer.
It was a surprise and a bit of a disappointment to see Carrick removed at half time, injury was given as the reason, i suspect it was more to do with giving Paul Scholes some game time myself. Still it didn't stop our attacking intent at first, we could have had  three goals in the first five minutes of the half. Van Persie and Rooney were both guilty of failing to convert great chances.
I suppose you have to give the away team some credit for forcing their way back into the game. But you also have to look at the way United seem to completely ease off at times. I didn't understand the introduction of Giggs when the game seemed to be crying out for a Welbeck or a Hernandez. The way the game was going i thought attack was the best form of defence. Anyway we gave away the obligatory goal we have got in the habit of conceding when our defensive unit collectively stopped playing as Campbell ghosted into the back post to head home. The final minutes saw us worrying about Sunderland getting a second, which was a joke given what had gone before. Still three points, three goals and six points above second placed City as we enter the Christmas programme, I'll take that.

No revenge

Fergie told yesterday's press conference that despite the events of the last day of the seaon up there on Wearside last season, United won't take the field with revenge on their minds. I now it's Fergie's philosophy that revenge is not a good emotion in football, but it would be nice if a couple of the players had it in the back of their mind's today, if only for the sake of our goal difference. It really is about time we gave somebody an absolute chasing and today seems as good a day as any.

Music

Grizzly Bear - Shields: It starts off sounding very Jeff Buckley to my ears, no bad thing, but as the album progresses, the band's own voice really hits the mark, the final track Sun in your eyes is one of my favourite songs of the year.

Jimmy Edgar - Majenta: I'm a bit of a fan of this guy, and though this didn't wow me straight away, it got me tapping me feet to it soon enough. More dance floor techno than i generally listen too, sexy in a good way.

Samuel Yirga -Guzo: World music or jazz, it veers more towards jazz for me, but whatever it is excellent. Ethiopian seems to have a vibe all of its own, well it reminds me at times of Mulatu Asatke, that's as far as my knowledge od that goes.

The Jon Spencer blues explosion - Meat and bone: I'm partial to the distorted heavy blues guitar work of Jon Spencer and this a pretty good return album from the trio, to be played loud.

The xx - Coexist: After listening to their debut, i thought i might as well listen to this years effort. It's definitely more of a grower, slower more of a challenging listen. It's good, though i'm not sure the songs are up to the standard of the first album. Maybe i need to immerse myself in it even more.

Wayne Shorter -  Speak no evil: You can't go wrong with mid sixties Wayne Shorter, great playing with a great band behind him, his skills as a songwriter set him apart in the jazz world.

Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United

I thought we were going to end up robbed, after that game changing few minutes where we had a perfectly good goal disallowed and then they went up to the other end to pull one back, so that last minute winner was just so, so sweet. Some reds have said they are glad it happened the way it did, as it pissed them off even more. I know where they're coming from, it's a tough call, but if we'd got that third, who knows what score it could have ended up and what it would have done to their confidence. Anyway justice was done in the end as we were definitely the better team.
I can't say i was thinking that after the first ten minutes, as City bossed the game and United had hardly been in their half. In fact it was basically our first attack, never mind first attempt on goal, that saw Rooney give us the lead. Now it was City's turn to look nervy and concede possession as United bossed the game. I'll be honest as dangerous as we looked going forward i was never really totally convinced about us at the back even in this spell of dominance. Seeing Kompany go off, can't have done our lads morale any harm and the second goal was just as incisive as the first as Valencia fed the overlapping Rafael who found Rooney in the box and he made no mistake to give us a commanding two goal lead.
For some reason we weren't as fluid in attack at the beginning of the second half, but City weren't really causing much bother at our end of the pitch. I wasn't sure at the time whether Evra was brought down or not for a penalty, but it was another decision that didn't go our way. Then came the few minutes that changed the game, even before I'd seen the replays I'd thought he was onside, and they say we get all the decisions. De Gea was unlucky to concede their first after two great saves and had a pretty good game in general, i was more than happy to see him in the starting line up.
It now became end to end, but they started to look as dangerous as us. I thought Fergie should have made a change or two with about a quarter of an hour go, and the way Welbeck made things happen after coming on I'm convinced he should have done. It was probably down to the changes just made that led to their second as nobody manned the edge of the box allowing Zabaleta the time and space to hit the back of the net.
And then came redemption from that left foot of the man who turned down the oil riches of City for the history of United, a fitting finale for the day. Tevez was lucky to stay on the pitch after kicking Jones, you can bet your life if Paul Scholes had done that, he'd have seen red straight away, mind you he probably would have took his man out properly as well.
I thought the whole team played well, Rooney was outstanding and reminded us what a great player he can be, but my man of the match was Carrick, he was outstanding, he really is our main man in central midfield nowadays, not that he'll ever please some. I actually thought he had a cracking game at their place last season, he was about the only unfortunately. Valencia had a pretty good first half, really going at his man for the first time in ages. He faded away a bit in the second half, but it was nice to see him somewhere near back to his best. I'm no great fan of Young but that was a decent performance from him as well, in fact he has shown an improved level of consistency over the last few games that suggests things may be looking up for him in a red shirt.
Next weekend could be very interesting with City going to geordie land presumably without Kompany and Sunderland visiting us. Could it be another great weekend?

Manchester United 0-1 FC Cluj

Not a night that will live long in the memory, but then i never expected it to be. With a mix of youngsters and the likes of Jones and Smalling returning from injury it was never really going to be that much of a spectacle. To be honest i half expected something even worse, but to be fair, i didn't think that we were that bad and the defeat was more than harsh on the players selected.
I suppose the criticism to be made of the team last night is that they did create chances, they just didn't take them. There was plenty of endeavour but the final bit of quality never materialised.
I was surprised to see Wooton start the game, not that he has done anything wrong, i just expected Smalling and Jones to pair up at centre half. I'm guessing Fergie had more than half an eye on Sunday afternoon. It's a pity that Michael Keane is on loan/injured, I'm not sure what the score is with him at the moment, but last night would have been a perfect night to have started him.
I was glad Welbeck got a timely start up front pairing Hernandez, and it was no real surprise to me that he gave a vastly improved performance in his favoured role. Pity that Cleverley couldn't manage to stand out before his enforced withdrawal before half time. His game really seems to have dipped at the moment, that i think needs a run of games to get back. Still it was a blow as i would think, even off form, he would have started on Sunday. He was replaced by Scholes who will surely now have to start on Sunday. Despite losing the ball that led to the goal, he looked in pretty good nick if he does get the nod against one of his favourite opponents.
The game didn't really hit the heights in the first half until the last five or so minutes when we could have scored about four. The save to keep out Welbeck's header from a corner was out of this world, in fact their goalie was the stand out player on the pitch for me. He made a handful of cracking saves and completely dominated his area, especially in the second half.
For all United's huffing and puffing, when they took the lead, and what a goal it was, no blame can really be ascribed there, i just felt it wasn't going to be our night. United tried alright, but that little extra conviction was missing from a game that we all knew didn't really matter, and with the game that really does matter, only a few days away.
So we go to City on Sunday for the biggest game of the season, not really in the best of form, if we're honest. But then i thought that when we went to Stamford bridge and we ripped them apart for the first twenty minutes, so I'm not too worried. It's not as if they are in the best of shape either, they were poor again in Dortmund on Tuesday. The only thing i ask for, is for us to go there and at least turn up this time, unlike that debacle at their place at the end of last season. 

Reading 3-4 Manchester United

I'm on record as saying if high scoring games and attacking football was going to be the result of signing Van Persie and Kagawa but no defensive midfield player in the summer, then I could live with it. But Saturday was stretching it for me, it may have been exciting and there may have been the odd moment of good football, but in the main it was just schoolboy stuff at both ends. I hope we have got that out of our system before we go the council house.
I wasn't over enamoured when the teamS were given out, though that seems to be par for the course at the moment. United didn't start as slowly as we have at times over the course of the season, yet we still conspired to go behind to the first goal of the game. All three goals we gave away were soft, we looked all at sea from crosses and corners for the entirety of the first half. But I thought Rafael was harshly dealt with, when subbed after just half an hour, he was by no means the worst defender at the back and i was glad to see him react in the way he did. I've lauded Evans improved performances of late, yet he had one hell of a mixed game on Saturday. In general play i thought he did reasonably well, but as with the whole of the side when any corner came in during the first half he as all at sea. Ferdinand wasn't much better and Evra had one of those games, a liability at the back but i suppose he was excellent going forward, combining pretty well with Young, who gave a half decent performance for once.
It was hard to judge us going forward, there was some great movement, but in their desire to go forward, they left themselves wide open at times at the back. I thought it was vital that we responded quickly to them taking the lead, so i was relived when the equaliser came, and what a great finish it was from Anderson. As usual with the Brazilian, if he was good going forward, and he was, he didn't bust a gut to get back, which the formation requires. Jones wasn't as creative when he replaced him just before half time, but he got back to make us more solid. Anderson looked gutted when he went off, and whilst it was sad for him, at least it means Fergie can't be tempted to play him in the derby. I don't think he would have started, but you never know, especially this season.
The rest of the first half was unreal, when they gifted us the penalty, i thought normal service had been resumed. Only for us to completely fall apart at the back and go behind again, with the type of defending that won't be winning any titles. To United's credit, they managed to turn it around with tow classy goals. I suppose one of the big pluses of the day was Rooney's return to goalscoring form. I think the formation that the we played on Saturday is the way forward for the time being, i certainly hope we start that way again against City.
United became more solid and we should probably have gone on to get another, Van Persie, was denied a goal before half time that was shown to be over the line and should have scored after dispossessing the keeper only to miss the target. I thought Jones did reasonably well in the second half. It was a pity he ended the game limping again, I hope he isn't going to turn out to be injury prone as well. Smalling didn't do anything wrong at right back after coming on. But I hope United are going to stick with Rafael, he has done enough to have made that right back position his own for the rest of the season.
It's bizarre how us and City seem to be pulling away from the pack when neither us are pulling up any tree's, form wise. I don't want us to go there playing for the point, as we did at the tail end of last season, but the way we're playing, I can't say I'd be unhappy coming away with a point.

Vidic back !

Fergie pulled a rabit of a rabbit out of his hat this morning when he informed the press that Vidic was back intraining and he wouldn't be adverse to playing him next Wednesday's meaningless last champions league group game at home to Cluj. I can see why that particular game would appeal, it will involve a few youngsters, and should prove a reasonably comfortable game for him to try and begin to work himself to match fitness.
Nevertheless after seemingly already making one comeback ahead of schedule this season it seems a bit of a risk. Obviously having a fit Vidic for the rest of the season would be a big bonus for the team, though it's ironic that we seem to have got all our centre backs to fitness at the same time. Even more ironic as Fergie said, now we have all our centre back fit we've got two of our wingers out.
Of course it remains to be seen how Vidic fares in his latest comeback as he has missed an awful lot of football over the last two seasons. If he is still on the lookout for one last big payday in pastures new, you'd think he would have needs to show any prospective suitors his has still got it in him at the top level. I still wouldn't be surprised to see Vidic in joining Ferdinand in leaving the club in the summer.

Music

Band of horses - Mirage rock: I've never really got why some critics seem to see this group as a kind of country/folk rock act, when to me see a fairly basic indie group. A good one yes, but miles away from some of the groups they have been likened to.

Dan Deacon - America: I was new to his music, and you never really know what to expect when someone's classed as indie/electronica, sometimes it can be twee crap. But it's pretty good, a real grower, experimental but leaning to a radio friendlier experimental.

Jim Noir - Jimmy's show: I've been a bit of a fan of the Mancunian one man band since his appearance on the scene, but his career doesn't seem to have taken off. So whilst it's another hit for me, being no radical departure in sound, he'll still be waiting for take off.

Ondatropica - Ondatropica: This collaboration between Quantic and Columbia's finest is superb, the various genres of music sit well together, the latin groove's link it all together.

The xx - xx: I've been aware of this UK indie/electro/pop since their debut album scooped the Mercury but i've finally listened to it, ironically after reading reviews of their latest album. It's very good, the influences seem very obviously UK 80's electro/pop to me, New order, The Cure, et al. But the songs are strong and they don't sound like mere revisionists.

Yeasayer - Fragrant world: This is a more radio friendly slice of electro pop, and works better than the last album to my ears, more dance floor than The xx.

Manchester United 1-0 West Ham United

I can't say i was particularly optimistic that we would be royally entertained last night, but for a brief ten minutes i was hoping I'd been proved wrong. Unfortunately it didn't take long for that hope to be vanquished as United lapsed back into kind of uninspiring fare we have started to get used to over the last few weeks.
To be honest i think that decent start came from West Ham trying to recover from that first minute goal and getting used to United's diamond formation that they obviously hadn't been expecting to be facing. Once they adjusted for that, they got themselves back into the game and whilst not looking that dangerous themselves going forward, they did manage to nullify us as a threat.
It's hard to know where we are going wrong at the moment, unless we just concede we just aren't as good as we should be. I couldn't fault the decision to play with a diamond, if your wingers are out of form and contributing nothing, i was glad we tried something else. But why play Cleverley a right footer on the left and Anderson a left footer on the right. I'm not that enamoured of playing left footed wingers on the right, but this seemed even more perverse, ensuring almost no width. I don't know whether the idea was the full backs would bomb on, if so it didn't really work. It seems to me we are just going with systems designed to get as many centre forwards onto the pitch as possible, us being blessed with four quality strikers. The only problem is, it isn't really working, our form is going south at a rate of knots at the moment. Every game sees us play with less and less cohesion.
If the first half started well and became more and more mundane, what can be said for the second half. Yes we created chances, probably more than the first half, but we were even less convincing and at the end it had got to such a pass that I'm sure fans and players alike were glad to hear the full time whistle.
I thought our fans were as poor as the team last night, especially towards the latter stages. Yes United were playing poorly but the visitors weren't really a threat, but as the moans, groans and finally got louder, the players sensed it, got nervous and became even worse, giving the opposition the sense that there maybe something on for them. There really isn't anything that separates's our fans from the rest nowadays, I'm not sure we can really go making quips about the boo camp anymore. I know there is a sizable amount of reds who don't rate Welbeck as i have had the arguments, but last night they were just willing him to make a mistake so they could crucify him. That really does my head in, I'm no fan of Anderson, but my crititicism of him at games, are generally little jokes, i don't rant and rave every time he misplaces a pass or goes AWOL again. I'd have no voice left half the time, if i did anyway. Rant over it just pisses me off, and a local lad as well.
Speaking off Anderson he had a reasonable game, but nothing to get excited about. Cleverley however was poor, he started the season in great form, but his form seems to have been dragged down with the rest of the team. Mention has to be made of Rooney's display also, he was poor, he's played reasonably well at the tip of the diamond prior to last night, so it's hard to believe it was anything to do with where he was played. Fergie was right to take him off, even if it led to the introduction of a Danny Welbeck who seems to be going the same way as Cleverley. His form had dipped alarmingly, not helped at being out of position. He can play out wide, but as part of 4-3-3 not as an out and out winger. He's got a battle on to regain his form and prove wrong his doubters, i really rate the lad, so I'm rooting for him to turn it around.
The management must have to start looking at themselves as well over our slump in form and individual players decline. I'm not generally one to whinge about rotation, but there's too much at the moment, and as importantly moving players around the pitch too much.
I'll finish on a brighter note, Rafael looks ready to make that right back berth his personal possession with yet another excellent display, he was my player of the match. When some of our other youngsters were feeling nervous at the end he was chest out, using the ball, making great forward runs and defending well. It's been mentioned that it's due to our injury list and the fact the Fergie's basically had to play him every game. What that fails to remember is that he has usually been on that injury list. So it's not just great to see him playing well, but staying fit.Let's hope that's not put the mockers on things. Not far behind him was Evans who had no Rio aside him last night but had Andy Carroll opposing him last night. This was the kind of game and opponent that has seen him struggle at times in the past so this was another good sign for the future of our back line as well. 

Manchester United 3-1 QPR

Yet another dull lethargic performance from United, where once again we had to see the opposition take the lead to stir the home team into a concerted period of pressure. I wasn't particularly enamoured with the team selected when the teams were given out, but i wasn't really expecting the team at the bottom of the table to pose any serious threat.
That they did so, was down to another of our first half performances where you wonder what pre-match team talks are been given out at the moment. You're half expecting these mogadon like displays everytime we take to the field now.
And yes our central midfield was too slow and too predictable, but once again we had nothing coming from the flanks, and if we are going to play 4-4-2 you are going to struggle when your wingers barely get a cross in. Welbeck came in for most of the stick on Saturday and yes he was poor. But at least he has the excuse that he was out of position out there, though he can usually do a better job than he managed against QPR. But what's Young's excuse, Welbeck did manage to get to the byline twice and get dangerous crosses in. Can you say that of the ex Villa man, he really doesn't do enough, he is too often almost anonymous, and it's no fluke that when things aren't going to script, his is one of the first names Fergie looks to take off. I'll hold my hands up i thought he would be a decent signing, i knew he wasn't top of the tree, but i thought he had enough to make him a useful squad member.
Whilst i don't think we deserved to go into the interval behind, we almost did as the opponents took the lead just before half time, only to have to chalked off after a very tight offside call. But United weren't able to lift there game at all at the beginning of the second half, and the seemingly inevitable taking off the lead, by the opposition took just seven minutes to come.
Scholes seems to have come in for the brunt of the criticism for our sluggish midfield performance, but i thought he did alright without ever being anywhere near his best. The Carrick haters won't like this, but we missed him badly. I'm afraid i haven't been as taken with Flecther's comeback as other reds seem to have been. Despite a lovely headed goal, he wasn't really at the races on Saturday, he's nowhere near as sharp as before the condition stuck and to me, Scholes was being asked to do part of his running, which of course was pretty ludicrous. I said after the game that the selection of Flecther was based on sentiment, and i totally agree with this piece, but if some of the rumours are right, that this will be Fergie's final campaign, and their will be a bit of a clean sweep at the end of the season, i can see Flecther joining Scholes, Giggs and maybe Ferdinand in being part of that process.
Anderson seems to have been given the credit for the transformation in our fortunes, and whilst his introduction did bring some much needed mobility to our game. The two headed goals from corners that followed each other sharply were really what changed the game. The final goal did see Anderson at his best as he burst through to feed Henandez to keep the Mexicans goal scoring run going. I'll hold my breath over the idea that Anderson may finally be coming good i think.
Mind you if we thought our game was bad we hadn't seen the battle between second and third place the day after. What a strange affair that was, it was as if there was nothing at stake, and as for the standard of football, Europe's finest won't be quaking in their boots. Mind you, as City are already out and the rent boys may follow them, they wouldn't have to anyway.
It looks like Abramovitch may have surpassed himself this time, just a month ago it was being described as three horse title race, after the appointment of Bebitez and the bad vibes that has brought to that club, it wouldn't surprise me if they end up battling it out for fourth spot again.

Statue

Not got much to say really, on the day when another statue is unveiled at the club. Personally if i had been mega successful in my career and my employers had proposed building a statue of me, i would have laughed and told them politely, to do one.
I don't even get where the club are going with this, a stand named after him and now a statue, it's almost Stalinesque. These things should surely be way down the line. Nevertheless i suppose i'll be in a minority on this, as usual. Even off the pitch, at things we once did with a bit of class, the club seems to be going down all the wrong route's at the moment.

Music
Albert Ayler trio - Spiritual unity: Free jazz was something i thought i would enjoy more than i have discovered i do. It has it's moments, but it's not something you would ever put on repeat.

Antibalas -Antibalas: The latest album from the US based Afrobeat collective delivers the goods again, excellent stuff.

Bill Fay - Life is people: The comeback album from the British Rodriguez?, probably not. This is an excellent album from the folkie that made two albums in the early 70's before giving up on the music biz.

Delicate Steve - Positive force: A second album hot on the heels of his impressive debut highlights his musical prowess. It focuses more on instrumentals, but is just as good, it may even be better, i haven't made my mind up, still.

Julia Holter - Ekstasis: The US female leftfield singer/songwriter follows up her slowburning ambient-ish debut with a more song based follow up. It's good , it's hard to describe it as better, as it's a pretty big departure from it's predecessor.

Toy - Toy: Like fellow UK indie outfit the horrors, this bears the heavy imprint of the Krautrock motorik rhthym. It's an seriously good first album, can they follow the horrors, in following it up.

Galatasary 1-0 Manchester United

I had hoped we may get one or two more youngsters into tonight's starting eleven, but being realistic, i suppose that was never on the cards. All the same it was a reasonably youthful team, half of which will hopefully be part of the post Ferguson era .
In situations like these i lways the think the main thing is the performance, more than the result. So whilst, yes i'm disappointed we lost the game, i'm more than satisfied with the performance, bar a cutting edge in the final third, they were more than a match for the home side.
I suppose if we were going to only have one of our real young guns from the reserves playing, then Powell was the one i would have wanted to see picked. Thankfully he didn't disappoint, he was excellent in the first half. Given a more advanced role than he has been given so far, he showed me, that he should have a big future with the club. If the header had gone in, instead of hitting the bar, it would have really capped things off for him. He drifted out of things in the second half as the pace caught up with him. He won't have played in an end to end game of that calibre before so it was understandable.
I thought Rafael, Jones Cleverley, Powell, Welbeck and Hernandez all pointed the way to a promising future, even if none had the perfect game, they all showed quality and character. I was very surprised to see Jones have such a good game and seemingly, last the full game without tiring at all after such a lengthy lay off. Again he wasn't perfect, he could have conceeded a needless penalty in the first half, but his performance was more than we had a right to expect after such little football over the last few months. If we can get Vidic back and keep the majority of our defenders fit for the remainder of the season, that will be a big boost for the latter stages of the campaign.
Their winner was a soft goal for us to concede, but i'm afraid playing Carrick at centre half does always seem to see us concede aerial goals from set plays, not that it the goal was his fault. Even though they hit the bar later, they never really looked like breaching our back line though we did come under heavy pressure for a spell at the beginning of the second period.
United managed to create their best chance of the second half not that long after going behind, but Hernandez wanted longer on the ball than the home defence were allowed to give him and his shot was blocked. We had more decent moments as the game wore on, but none quite as promising as that.
The substitutions flummoxed me, i've got to admit. It wasn't who was brought off, Anderson as usual never lasts the ninety minutes and Powell started to tire. Young was bound to come on, being the only experienced sub, though he couldn't manage to get in the game. My gripe was the sending on Macheda before Josh King, not only is King the better prospect, he's shown by far the better form for our reserve side this season. I'm not sure King will be United material, his finishing seems to have fallen away over the last couple of years. But he has definitely got enough talent that he ought to be given some sort of chance to show what he can do at first team level.
A decent night was made all the better with the news of Chelsea's seeming implosion in Turin. It's too early to count our chickens yet, but it would be hilarious if they do fail to go through to the next round. We all know they fluked their way to that trophy last season, so to see the team assembled now, which is far superior, going forward anyway, struggling to get past the group stages seems like Karma.

Norwich city 1-0 Manchester united

Well that was bad day at the office, some reds have been saying that this result has been coming. I can't say i saw it coming, not in the manner it did anyway. To have hardly really tested their keeper for the 90 minutes with the attacking options we have needs some explaining away.
As usual central midfield has come in for the brunt of the blame, Giggs shouldn't be starting anymore and the usual criticism of Carrick. We weren't great in the middle of the park, but we controlled enough of the game for me. The glaring weakness of yesterday's performance was out wide. Ashley Young gave another pretty innocuous display, but far more worrying has been the deterioration of Antonio Valencia's form. Even his biggest fan would have to admit he is pretty one dimensional, but when on form, boy is that a destructive one dimension. The problem starts when he goes right off the boil. It's not just that he has stopped taking his man on altogether, last night, he wasn't even releasing the ball to Rafael when he tried to take pressure of Valencia by overlapping. He seems to have become almost totally risk averse, squaring up to the full back and passing it back inside.
Of course this is a huge problem when your playing 4-4-2, with no Nani on the bench and off form anyway, maybe it's time to try 4-3-3 or even the diamond for a couple of games. The loss of Rooney can't have helped, he may not always seem at the top of his game, but boy did we miss him yesterday. It's hard to judge our forwards performance when they had such little quality service. But as ever Hernandez put in the sort of display that makes you think he's better coming off the bench in certain games. Kagawa's name seems to have gone off the radar recently, and i'm not sure if he would have made a difference yesterday, but it would be nice to get him back in the thick of things.
I would have liked United to experiment in Turkey in midweek with top spot already sewn up, but i think we've got to put a stop to these pretty soft defeats. Three defeats out of our first twelve fixtures is too big a percentage, at our best we'd have come away with a point a piece from the lost games. Then again with the defensive injury problems we have endured, maybe second in the table a point behind the leaders is as good a position as we have any right to expect.
Yesterday's result was a double blow really, we lost the chance to really pull away from the rent boys and we have probably put real belief back into City's title campaign, as i said at the beginning of the blog, a bad day at the office.

Aston Villa 2-3 Manchester United

We could do with a big walloping away win like the 5-0 at Fulham last season, to boost our goal difference, but for excitement you can't really beat games like Saturday. At some stage though, we are going to have to stop shooting ourselves in the foot and defend properly and start games as we have finished the last couple at Braga and Villa park.
I'm not sure where the team that went to Newcastle and ripped them a new one for the first twenty minutes and then did the same at Stamford bridge has disappeared to. The sluggish first half we witnessed in midweek was followed by another toothless attacking display until their second goal went in, just after the second half began.
I actually wanted Scholes to start on Saturday, but Villa did a bit of a job on him getting close on him and giving him no time. The ginger prince wasn't poor, but he didn't have the impact that Fergie would have hoped for. Saying that, that should be the signal for others to step up the plate, but there was no sign of that at all.
One of the problems over the last few weeks has been the lack of threat from the flanks until the games enters the latter stages and the games gets stretched. Valencia once again never threatened to take his man on, on the outside until late in the game. On the other side Young whilst not being as poor as Nani in Portugal didn't offer the threat you'd like to have seen. Rooney couldn't really get in to the game and Van Persie was totally starved of service.
Villa's performance belied their lowly league position, but you always expect these teams to raise their games against us, that's why you want to see us start the game at a better tempo. Still it looked as though we would go in level at half time, so to lose such a late goal and another soft one was annoying. Smalling didn't cover himself in glory, failing the physical challenge from Benteke, but Fergie had said he didn't really want to play him after only just playing his first ninety minutes since coming back from injury. No midweek game may a good thing for him as he can get a full weeks training under his belt.
Thankfully we saw the exciting all out attacking side of United that's been like a breath of fresh air after Villa got their second. The two quick replies were vital in giving us the chance to take all three points. After the equaliser it actually became an end to end contest before United bossed the game for the last ten minutes in the search for the winner.
It wasn't a hatrick for Hernandez, he won't be awarded that second goal, but it was another excellent performance from our new super sub. I wasn't surprised he came on at half time, though it may have been harsh on Young that he was the man to be replaced. He didn't alter things straight away, but he was always on the shoulder looking for the through ball stretching the home defence. It took a beautiful Scholes ball to see him bundle home the first after his ugly first touch seemed to have lost him the chance. The equaliser came through good work on the right from Valencia and Rafael, whom once again had an impressive game. The winner followed a well struck free kick from Van Persie, which saw Hernandez find acres of space in the box and he made no mistake. Even on a quiet day for the Dutchman, he still managed to hit the woodwork twice and almost fed Hernandez in the latter stages a couple of times.
It wasn't all over as the home side gave us a couple of anxious moments before the final whistle eased our worries. We have moaned over the last couple of seasons about our style of play and absence of attacking flare, well not this season, we're not.

SC Braga 1-3 Manchester United

Well if we were slightly disappointed at Saturday's fare, what is there to say about last night. We were poor, very poor, we looked as far away as you can, to a team with pretensions to winning the tournament, until the second half substitutions saw the real Manchester United.
Last night was back to the plodding 4-3-3 that we see too often in Europe away from home where we go to silence the home crowd, but end up sending ourselves to sleep. On paper the midfield wasn't exactly inspiring, but i expected something better than the first half from them. For all those claiming all Anderon needs is a run of games, how do they explain last night. That was back to the Anderson that makes you tear your hair out, how often did he give the ball away in the first half. He improved slightly in the second half, but then again, he had to. I've always been a big Giggs fan, but he needs Carrick next to him, if he's going to play in the centre of the park against half decent opposition. Rooney was the pick of the three, but even he didn't hit the heights until that last fifteen minutes, still he looks the part when dropped deeper.
I have never been keen on Hernandez up front on his own, he is always better feeding off someone just behind him. Last night didn't do much to change my mind,not that he played badly, he had no service to speak off, but the difference when Van Persie came on was there for all to see. As bad as our midfield was, we got no joy out wide either. Welbeck likes to come inside and needs players to see his runs quick enough to feed them. But the play was so ponderous last night there was no chance of that happening. Meaning he just ended up either running the ball back into midfield or back to Evra.
On the other wing Nani saw plenty of the ball, but for all that he did with it, he might as well have not been on the pitch. The game changed as much when Rafael came on at right back allowing Valencia to switch to the right flank as when Van Persie entered the fray. If Nani can't bring more than that display to the table when he gets his chance, Fergie may as well let him go in January.
We looked shakier than of late at the back, but with Valencia at right back and the returning Smalling at centre half, i suppose that was inevitable. Aside from the penalty he gave away, Evans didn't look as solid as he has recently, i hope it wasn't because he didn't have Rio next to him, but i expect it may have been
There was no disputing their penalty shout and they made no mistake in putting it away. It was one of those nights where i couldn't really see us getting back into it, we had been so bad up to that point. The best i was hoping for after that, was some wonder goal or a mistake from them to allow us to leave with a point. Well we got the mistake for the equaliser, as the goalie came out into no mans land and Van Persie needed no invitation to shoot from outside the box into an empty net. The way the game had gone i was more than happy to settle for that.
But now Valencia started to really attack his man and it was down the right, that the cross came that led to the challenge on Rooney that saw us awarded a penalty. It was very harsh for me, i wouldn't have been happy if it had been given against us. Rooney took the spot kick, to the surprise of some, he converted it, after a fashion, slipping as he hit it.
The third and final goal was cruel on the hosts, again it came from the right flank, a cross touched on by Rooney for Hernandez at the back post. Inexplicably the Mexican then tried to do a George Best and beat three men before putting in, he got lucky when the ball rebounded to him and his lightning reflexes saw him bundle it home.
It was a travesty of a scoreline really, but a great result that should allow some of our returning defenders to get some game time, it would have been a great time to give Keane and Lingard a game, but it's probably better for them to be out on loan. I'd like to see Powell get a run out in both games, there seems no reason why Fergie shouldn't give him a proper taster of first team football, now we have already topped the group.
Hopefully the big guns will be back into the team for Saturday, it's about time we saw Scholes back in the middle and this Villa team seems the kind of opposition he should relish.

Youngsters go out on loan

It was good to hear the news that Michael Keane and Jesse Lingard have gone out on loan, to championship club Leicester City. Fergie has sent them to a fair sized club, so he seems to have faith that they will be get the game time that will get them the experience they will require. I'm suprised it's only for a month, but i suppose Leicester and United want to see how it goes before they decide on a lengthier period of time.
The two games Keane has appeared in during our league cup run, showed that he has ability and the Chelsea tie showed he probably has the temperament. It was a pity that Lingard didn't get a run out, but with games against premier league opponents and Anderson and Fletcher needing games, it wasn't to be. This is possibly an even bigger move for Lingard, who needs to show he can translate potential into ability. I like him, he's one of those players who always seems to take the eye, my only worry for him, is what position he will be able to make his own.
It was rumoured, Robbie Brady might be about to go back to Hull City on loan, and once again that's got to be a good move for him. I'll have to say though, he must be a bit disappointed at a wasted first half to the season for him. I was sceptical about Fergie having a look at him at left back in pre-season, but after seeing Buttner's handful of games for the club, i'm pretty sure he would have done at least as well there. I was suprised at Buttner's arrival and unfortunately it still doesn't make much sense. It will be interesting to see where Hull play the Irish left sided player. 

Music

Liars - WIXIW: As the reviews of this mentioned this is a band who don't stand still, each new offering might as well be a different band. I took a few listens to get into this, but when it clicked, as usual after listening with headphones, i was hooked on the latest incarnation.

Santigold - Master of my make believe: I don't know why they've changed the name, but the music is pretty similar to that on the debut album, maybe a more beat heavy electro pop. As with the first there are a couple of killer tracks on it, the rest aren't bad either. It's not something i could listen to again and again, but i've no doubt others could.

Sofrito - international soundclash: I love this mix of mainly African and latin American compilation, i should think their club night's are something else.

The dB's - Falling of the sky: I had not heard any of this early 80's US power pop outfit's original output, but read good reviews of this reunion album. It's pretty good, not earth shattering, but enjoyable enough. It veers off into country rock at times, a poppier version of Tom Petty.

The travelling band - Screaming is something: I saw this Mancuian soft/country rock act a few years back at a free Spinningfields gig and thought they were a group to follow. This is pretty good, definitely a grower, they can write a hook. I hardly ever listen to the radio anymore, but i'd describe them as radio friendly.

TY Segall and white fence - Hair: A blinding bit of modern garage rock from the prolific Californian, i'm not sure why people listen to the modern variations of heavy metal and heacy rock when there's brillaint dirty scuzzy guitar rock like this about.

Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal

Well that was a weird game, Fergie was right, that wasn't like a United Arsenal game. It didn't help the quality of the game that visitors were so poor, but that doesn't really excuse United's sloppy display.
I have seen Arsenal a couple of times on the box this season and for all the hype i hadn't seen anything to suggest they would be challenging the top three any time soon. As usual it seems to me, a couple of decent reults and the southern press try to big them up. Arsenal seemed to improve defensively at the beginning of the season, but without playing anybody at all.
They were poor on Saturday, they saw plenty of possession but possessed absolutley no threat where it mattered. I like Wilshere, he is going to be a good player, he had a bit of a weird game during this game, culminating with the red card. Other than him though, there is no real class there as far as i'm concerned.
However poor Arsenal were, it was no excuse for the lethargic display United conspired to produce. It was one of those games where you wonder if the early goal settled down United too much. What a gift it was as well, Vermaelen mishitting the clearance straight to his ex team mate, Van Persie made no mistake and if he has ever had a flicker of doubt about whether he made the right move, this game must have quashed it.
But instead of United kicking on and putting the game to bed, we got sloppy, our passing and our movement to a lesser extent, were far from what we've got used to over the last few weeks. What made the half even worse, was the fact that we still made some great chances and should have gone in at the break at least two goals to the good. I suppose the penalty miss from Rooney just about summed the half up.
United came back out looking for the second and it had to arrive with the chances we created. We should have scored almost immediately, but Valencia couldn't convert Van Persie's cross, oh for that to have been the other way around. He's going through a bit of an iffy spell, the Ecuadorian at the moment, why he has become reluctant to take his man on the outside all of a sudden, is mystifying. That said, even when nowhere near his best, he still manages to create goals. All the same, if Nani was anywhere near his best, he would probably be struggling to be first choice in our starting eleven.
When the second goal did come, it was from an unlikely source, with Evra getting a second headed goal of the season, not direct from a corner this time, but from a short corner and cross from Rooney. What's happened to us scoring so many goals from set pieces all of a sudden.
Unfortunately United took the foot off the pedal after that, and even more so after the dismissal of Wilshere. I didn't see the funny side of their last minute consolation goal, after watching us play out time for the last twenty minutes when we could have improved our goal difference, to then see us unable to even keep a clean sheet just left me with a sense of satisfaction with result, but not particularly with our performance.
Still events later on in the day, made the ale taste all the better. I fancied West Ham to get something against the bitters, but the late equaliser from Swansea was a real bonus. Given the run of games we have, we should stay top until the end of November at least.

Chelsea 5-4 Manchester United

So near but so far, i'm gutted for the young lads, but fucking proud of that performance. When the draw was made, knowing that they always pick a strong team in this competition i presumed that tonight would be the end of the line in this competition for this year. After all the shit that went down on Sunday i thought Fergie may go with a stronger team. So when i saw that back line, i was just hoping to see us put in a creditable performance.
We certainly got that, right from the kick off, United took the game to the hosts, which made sense as the front six was the strongest part of the team. United were looking more likely to take the lead, but some comical defending as Anderson, of all people stole the ball and fed Giggs who made no mistake the finish saw us fulfil the promise. United continued to play good stuff going forward and defensively looked alright, except for Buttner, who it's fair to say had a bit of a mare. Even before conceding the penalty that led to their first equaliser he'd looked shaky as fuck with the ball at his feet. When Moses attacked him you ended up fearing the worst. This was a big pity, because Keane and Wooton were excelling in the middle and Rafael was continuing his good form.
United didn't take the equaliser laying down and Anderson once again turned provider, feeding Hernandez with a pin point pass that the Mexican finished superbly. Whilst i didn't think Anderson was as good as other reds tonight, on that form he would be a useful member of the squad. Unfortunately he showed why, ultimately he isn't, and never will be, as he completely ran ouf of juice after 70 minutes and virtually begged to be brought off with ten minutes to go. When you look at Giggs doing the full two hours, that's just shocking.
Fergie took the shellshocked Buttner off at half time, replacing him with Powell, shifting Flecther to right back and moving Rafael over to the left. We started the second half well, and Powell almost scored with a fine shot with his first touch of the contest. But as the half went on, the home team started to find a lot of joy down our flanks. It wasn't a particular shock when they equalised, but once again United's response was magnificent. United's third was the moment of the match for me, a brilliant passing move, finished off with a glorious finish from the returning Nani. It was a pity the rest of his game was as hit and miss as usual.
Chelsea now pushed forward, and the removal of Welbeck for Macheda didn't help our cause as we stopped looking as dangerous on the break and had to soak up more pressure. Still it looked like we were going to do it until Wooton gave the penalty away in the last minute. I saw Fergie blame Nani for giving the ball away in the lead up to the goal, but, it wasn't great defending in fairness, it's not like they sliced us open or anything.
With Tunnicliffe also now on for Anderon it was always going to be a hard task, but the crucial fourth goal was hard to take as Wooton misjudged a back header and the hapless Sturridge for once kept his head and gave the home team the lead. I felt sorry for the lad, he doesn't have the talent of Michael Keane, but he is a whole hearted player.
United saw plenty of the ball after that but never really threatened, not carrying the same threat going forward. Their fifth came as we threw everybody up for a corner, they countered and finished the move off with a class goal. Amazingly we managed to go straight to the other end and win a penalty to reduce the deficit back to a single goal, but there was no fairytale ending for us.
I won't say it was a moral victory for us, for fear of sounding like a bertie, but we can definitely take as much from that game as the victors. The spirit and self belief in our camp at the moment, even with all those young lads, is as good as it has been for ages. Our creativity and attacking play, again with a revamped front six against a far stronger Chelsea back four than ours, was impressive.
Some of the younger lads look like they could have a future at the club. I'd love to have seen Powell on from the start and though we didn't see the best of him, he didn't look out of place on the big stage. As for Michael Keane, i've already predicted big things for him, and the longer the game went on tonight, the better he got. Sure he made a couple of errors, but the way he read the game and Sturridge, even started to come forward with the ball in the latter stages of the game, showed he is made of the right stuff as well as having the talent. A local United fan as well, what's not to like there.
Giggs showed he may have another season in him as Fergie keeps suggesting, whilst others, myself included, i have to admit, have wondered if this will be the final season. One last piece of praise, i've been critical of Hernandez over the last season or so, but tonight was his best perfomance in a United shirt in ages, not just the goals, his movement and all round leadership of the line reminded us just what he provided us with in his debut season.
So we go out in a blaze of glory and now look forward to Arsenal on Saturday, and for those of us a bit on the skint side, no need to fork out any more on the least important trophy of the season. I'd have took the before the game began.

Chelsea 2-3 Manchester United

Well that was a pretty satisfying afternoon, all those dodgy decisions we've suffered down there over the last few seasons put right in one game and not before time. To be honest when that second goal went in, i thought we were really going to batter them, but what the fuck, it was a great three points.
One thing is for sure, whoever goes on to win the league, it will be the team with the best attack, because neither us, Chelski or the divs are as good as they should be at the back.
We started the game on fire, counter attacking like we were back in the 90's with pace and puropse. It helped us that the rent boys weakness is at the back, which is ironic i suppose, since they fluked their way to a European champions victory by putting ten men behind the ball. Van Persie was on fire, he likes playing at Stamford bridge, i had a little bet on him to score a hatrick, as he had done for Arsenal last season and only a post stopped me from making £50 quid on it. For all the talk of United playing a 4-4-2, it was a bit more fluid than that, Rooney was dropping into central midfield as much as supporting Van Persie.
In fact, as the game wore on, that started to count against us, as we started to sit too deep, comfortable with a two goal lead, but giving them the chance to find their feet in the game. Still it took a special goal to get them back into the game. Though Rooney wants a bit of a talking too for giving away a stupid free kick. It was a fantastic strike from Mata though. If we had got through to the break with the two goal lead i was sure we would have gone on to an easy three points.
It wasn't to be though, as the goal gave them a lift and when the equaliser went in, you wondered whether our stamford bridge hoodoo was going to continue. The first sending off was a plain a red card as there can be, though given the fixture, i was still not sure he would recieve an early bath. The second red for Torres was obviously a blunder from the ref, but the kind of decision we have been due in this fixture. As for the winner from Hernandez, yes he was offside, but to be fair to the linesman, it all happened in a flash and his view was obscured. I was a little disappointed we didn't go for the jugular during the last ten minutes, but i suppose the game on Wednesday was on their minds.
As for what the ref is supposed to have said, I'm amazed that Chelsea want to take this any further, given the John Terry situation, and their grubby response all the way through that sad affair.

Manchester United 3-2 SC Braga

It has to be said, when i saw the line up, whilst having a pint before the match, i wondered whether that back four was taking the opposition a little for granted. It was a good job the attack was as strong as it was, otherwise this could have been another one of those embarrassing nights we have suffered in Europe over the last couple of seasons.
I don't know whether Fergie is purposely picking a strong attack almost every game as the best form of defence with our limited defensive resources or we're just getting lucky. Jones and Smalling can't get back quick enough, it wasn't really fair on Buttner starting him last night with Carrick at centre half. Saying that i'm not really sold on Buttner, he's not bad as a back up, but he doesn't look to have the class to have any chance of being Evra's permanent successor.
We couldn't have had a worse start going behind, in just the second minute. And what a soft goal it was, the cross came in far too easily and the goalscorer Alan was given all the time in the world to head home. It was another shocking start from us and it got worse when the second went in on the twenty minute mark, another terribly soft goal, this time Carrick was beaten far too easily. United fought their way back into the game and got a goal back after Henandez nodded home a fine Kagawa cross. It was the Japanese play maker's best moment in the game in what was another worryingly ineffectual performance from him. Mind you he did set up Hernandez again for what should have been a first half equaliser, but it was wrongly ruled out.
Kagawa received a knock just before half time and was replaced by Nani at half time, the Portugese winger didn't really improve things on the flank, giving one of his maddeningly inconsistent displays.
The equaliser was as scruffy as they come , but we''ll take them as Jonny Evans netted again, with United once more scoring from a corner. Cleverley had been one of our brighter performers on the night and his cross from the winner was like an action replay of David Beckham at his best. Hernandez made the most of it powering home the winning goal, before Fergie surprisingly took him off. With a hatrick beckoning and a place on the bench the liklihood for Sunday, there didn't seem much point in taking him off.
United tried to coast the latter stages, not that convincingly, but we got there in the end. Performance wise, we haven't set the world alight so far in Europe, but i'll take nine out of nine points. Hopefully we will wrap the group up in Portugal and get our returning injured and some of our fringe players a game over the last two games.   

Manchester United 4-2 Stoke City

Another action packed game at Old trafford, and though it was entertaining stuff, once again we looked all over the place at the back at times. It's a good job we have a forward line that looks as good on the pitch as it does on paper. As with many others i had feared that the international break had come just at the wrong time for us. We had started and finished in great style in our last game at Newcastle, but Saturday was back to the sluggish starts that has characterised the rest of the season so far.
As far as the football on the pitch goes, Stoke are my least favourite side in the top flight, the football they can only be described as horrible. Fortunately for us, whilst we usually get a tough game down in the potteries they have never really threatened to do anything up here since they returned to the top flight. With the start they made in the first twenty minutes, their best display against us here, for ages, and the goal they eventually scored i'll admit i started to worry if it was going to be one of those seasons, where teams who are usually three point bankers at home, upset the apple cart after Tottenham turned around their Old trafford hoodoo over, on our last home performance. Who knows, if they had took that great chance to go two up who knows, but De Gea was up to the task, some were blaming him for the first goal around me at the game, i've no idea why he had no chance with that.
That seemed to spark United into life and the chances started to come. United were never really that fluent all the game, but the movement was excellent, especially between Rooney, Van Persie and Welbeck. Rooney carried on the improved form he showed at Newcastle, though he can't really be described as being anywhere near back to his best yet. Welbeck was the pick of the three for me, he was unlucky not to end up with more than just the one goal.
The equalising goal saw Van Persie put a cross in that any left winger would have been proud of and Rooney made no mistake in dispatching it.The second goal couldn't have come at a better time, Stoke at the very least deserved to go into the half time break level, so that was a bit of a killer blow. Valencia this time putting in the cross for Van Persie finishing things off. The South American had a funny game, he's not really hit the kind of form we know he's capable of yet this season. Next Sunday, at Stamford bridge, would be a good place to find it.
The third goal after just a minute of the second half was going to be the killer i thought, but no, more poor defending from us, saw Stoke come back to put the outcome in doubt. The final goal that did actually kill the game was probably a bit soft from the visitors point of view, but from ours, another goal from a corner, what's happening there. United coasted through the last twenty minutes, but never really threatened to add to the scoreline.
The next couple of games, it goes without saying are going to be important, i can't really see us coming a cropper at home to Arsenal, but if we defend as we have been away next Sunday at Stamford bridge, it could be embarrassing. The forwards can't keep bailing us out every week, it will be as interesting to see the formation we go with next week as the personnel picked.

I suppose the other talking point from Saturday was Ferguson spitting the dummy out over Ferdinand's decision not to wear that anti-racism T-shirt. I'm afraid Fergie's bang out of order over this as far as i'm concerned. Ferdinand is totally withing his rights not to wear it and i'd even say that he's probably in the right. He may not be every red's cup of tea off the pitch, but the footballing authorities in this country are great at saying the right things, but not so great in acting on those words.
As Ian Whittell says Ferdinand is coming to end of his time at United anyway, so i doubt there will be any meeting of minds between him and Fergie. He wasn't great again on Saturday, he didn't cover himself in any glory for Stoke's second. I still wouldn't be suprised to see a experienced centre back signed in the summer and both Vidic and Ferdinand departing.
But as Hansen writes this morning i'm not sure what Fergie thinks he's going to do to "deal" with Ferdinand's decision.

The season finally begins

Thank fuck we have finally got the international breaks out of the way at last. The way the start to a new season always gets broken up with these breaks, does my bonce in, the season never really feels like it has started until they are out of the way.
It was good to see Jonny Evans have such a storming game in Portugal for Northern Ireland, i feel the key to the run of games we have coming up is keeping him and Ferdinand together for the big games at Chelsea and at home to Arsenal. Leaving Smalling to come back for the league cup and maybe the Braga games. As usual it seems, our lads seem to find the net for their countries, here's hoping the form we showed at Newcastle carries on tomorrow.
As for England, i didn't think they were that bad against San Marino, but they were poor in Poland, not that it should matter too much, a point there is a good result. It was interesting to see Cleverley start both games and to see him used in different positions. It's looking like he has persuaded Hodgson that he should be one of the first names on his team sheet. I though he was the one player who performed over both the games. The less said about Rooney's performance in Poland the better, from our point of view it was good to see that occur in an England shirt and not a United one.

I saw both of the under 21's games against Serbia where England deservedly went through, though without setting the world alight. All the talk is obviously about the racism, and rightly so, Serbia need punishing, but how, i'm not sure. One thing i would say though is i wouldn't want any of my players admitting that the stick had got to them, whatever the provocation. I'm not expecting UEFA to do anything other than slap the Serbian FA on the hand, and knowing that gutless organisation they'll probably even it up with a fine for England.
I watched the games mainly to have a bit more of a look at Tom Ince, big time Charlie's son, who we have been heavily linked to. I have seen him play for Blaclpool quite a few times and have liked the look of him, in fact i have always wondered why he didn't seem to be linked with any of the big clubs. Anyway, after watching him a bit more closely, i do think he would be a good signing, in the same way as Nick Powell has been. The potential is definitely there, and though he is nowhere near the finished package, what stood out apart from the ability to beat a man, was a pretty good football brain. If United have an agreement, it would make sense to let him stay at Blackpool for the rest of the season, i don't think the business end of the premier league season would be the ideal time to bring him here.  

Even though Evra scored in the last game and put in a half decent performance for the first time in ages, the next few games will give us more of an idea whether he has really turned a corner.
Ian Herbert writing before that game wrote a column about the Frenchmens deterioration and speculated it was only Fergie's obsession with our attack and making sure we don't lose the title on goals difference again.

Music

Can - Ege Bamyasi: They brought this out in the middle of their golden period in the early 70's and it stands up to the standards they had already set. As good as anything they did.

Cat Power - Sun: A pretty good album, though no classic, it doesn't get near the heights of 2006's The greatest, there's not as many really memorable songs.

Christine Tobin - Sailing to Byzantium:  This got some great reviews, but it didn't set the world alight for me, it's one of those albums i seem to have to be in the mood to enjoy.
Matthew Dear - Beams: I like this, the mix of electronica and progressive rock/pop, the second track sounds very Joy Division which isn't always a good sign, but it cuts the mustard.

Richard Hawley -Standing at the skys edge: This got rave reviews, and it is a grower, it 's very good, though i didn't think the sound was that different, the guitars don't get that loud.

The Vaccines - Come of age: Their debut was pretty good slice of indie guitar with heavy nods to the 70's and this follows suit. That's two pretty good albums, can they make the third a real killer album.

Newcastle United 0-3 Manchester United

Well that was a bit more like it, a pretty convincing display and a reasonably comfortable three points. I can't say i was that confident ahead of this match, the hope i clung to was that second half display against Spurs. It was great to see that they did indeed carry on where they left of in that game. The starting line up was similar except with Cleverley in the team in place of Scholes and Welbeck instead of Nani and starting the game with a diamond like formation.
For once this season we started well right from the kick off, the first twenty minutes were completely dominated by the boys in red. The midfield took a complete stranglehold on the game and Newcastle couldn't cope. In fact Welbeck could and should have scored after a couple of minutes, after being set up by a delightful back heel from Jonny Evans of all people. I'm a big fan of Welbeck, but even i would have to admit that he needs to score more bread and butter goals. In fact he had an even better chance after we had took the lead, after dispossessing Newcastle hapless keeper Harper when he went walkabout, but he made an even bigger mess of that. That said i would still always like to see him the team because he makes things happen, oppostion defence's don't like him up against them.
The odd thing, i suppose from the victory was both of our first two goals coming from corners, and the heads on the end of them, belonging to Jonny Evans with only his second goal for the club and Evra with only his fourth. They were both cracking finishes though and we looked dangerous all the game from set pieces.
The home team came into the game half way through the first half after making a tactical change, but another good sign on the day was the way our defence stood up to that pressure. Evra was a lot better, the centre back partnership looked more solid, Evans had a very confident game seeing as though he's only a couple of games into his comeback and Rafael continued his improved form.
The second half was more even and if the goal that wasn't had been given it could have been a rollercoaster of a second half. I suppose us De Gea fans would have to hold our hands up and admit the number one was poor yesterday as the home team targeted the Spaniard with crosses. I'm not sure why he kept coming for them to be honest, Van Der Sar never came for everything, as long as the back four know when he's going to come and when he stay's on his line, that's the most important thing.
The Cleverley goal killed them off, i have to admit watching the game live, i thought it was a cross, but having seen it again, i believe him when he told the press that he meant it after the game. Obviously that means it was an outstanding goal. After the Tottenham debacle this was the perfect response, so what a pity we now have another international break. Fingers crossed that our players come through that with no further injuries.

Injuries, no call ups and

A glimmer of good news on the defensive front with the revelation that Smalling is back in training, it's not exactly news though is it, Fergie told the press last week, he was back doing a bit of running. It will be good to see him back, Rio's back may now get a rest every now and then. I suppose you can never say never but i'll be amazed if he is on the bench on Sunday.
Ferdinand doesn't seem to be able to put England behind him does he. I can't really understand him to be honest, sure Hodgson has handled it appallingly, but in reality Ferdinand is lucky to be playing every week for United with his reduced mobility, so how he thinks playing for England is going to help him prolong his career is beyond me.
I can't say i'm suprised that Fergie is happy about Ferdinand's omission, i would be amazed if he hadn't given Hodgson a bit of a steer on his non inclusion, Gary Neville seems to he read the script pretty well, even if he won't be getting any more christmas cards from the Ferdinand household.

Needless to say, Sunday is a big game, and a tough one, i'd be lying if i didn't admit i'd take a point. That's not to say if we play anywhere near our best we shouldn't win, it's just it's hard to see at the moment. We have always played our best attacking football when we have confidence in the back four, so it's not just that we look susceptible at the back all the time, i think it impedes the attack. That's without taking int consideration that we just don't seem to have clicked at all this season.
The defeat up there last year was up there with our worst displays of the season, no repeat of that please. I've no idead what team or formation he will go with, or even what i'd pick, i do know i'd be keeping De Gea in and i'd be starting Cleverley. I'm pretty sure Lindergaard will be in goal and won't be suprised if it's Carrick and Scholes in a two man midfield. Valencia regaining fitness should be good news, though his last two performances were shockers to be fair. I'd like to see Welbeck start, but i can't see beyond Van Persie and Rooney as our forwards unless he plays a similar formation to Wednesday.

Music

Animal collective - Centipede HZ: Pretty good, but a step down from their previous effort, to be fair though, Merriweather post pavillion set the bar very high.

Black dice - Mr impossible: I'm sure that this would be too experimental for most tastes but i enjoyed the experimental electronica from the New York outfit. Industrial noise that gets you tapping your feet.

Damon Albarn - Dr Dee: I wasn't sure about this, the switch between modern and medieval music seemed a bit too extreme over the first couple of listens, but when i got to used to it, it's really grown on me.

Florence and the machine -Ceremonials: Decent, and a couple of real stand out tracks, but it's very similar to the first album, almost formulaic

Jorge Ben - Africa Brasil: Samba funk, Brazillian afrobeat, whatever this is classed as, it's a brilliant album.

Lightships - Electric Cable's:I'd forgotten what it was that made me get this, so when i listened to it at first, the influence i was getting was the Byrds, but a modern version and then i thought who does that sound like, Teenage fanclub. And then i remembered it was a Gerald Love solo album and it is very good, good enough to Teenage fanclub, high praise.

Bee Gees - Odessa: I'd never been much of a fan of the brothers Gibb, but then i'd never heard this double album offering from 1969, that is truly of its time, and truly excellent, full of great tunes.

CFR Cluj 1-2 Manchester United

I suppose we can call this a job done at the end of the day, but it wasn't as comfortable as it should have been and our flaws at the back were there for all to see yet again. Before the group began this tie seemed like the easiest of our group stages abroad, but after the first two sets of games, it's hard to know whether that was the correct call. It certainly became a tougher test than we'd hoped for after yet another poor start and yet again going behind in the first half.
For the umpteenth time over the last couple of seasons, eyes will turn to Evra and wonder why on Earth Fergie has retained faith in him again this season. There were strong rumours of a bid for Baines in the summer and whilst, he isn't as good as Evra was at his best, he is far superior to the over the top figure the Frenchman has become. His positioning and then decision making for the opening goal were almost comical, granted Evans didn't exactly cover himself in glory either, but then Evra was exposed as if he hadn't existed.
I wouldn't say we had started well, but we had started the game as we meant to go on, controlling possession. Of course were helped by the fact they were quite happy to play away tactics at home, sitting very deep and trying to catch us on the break. Fergie opted for the 4-3-1-2 that he started with against Newcastle in the league cup with last week. I'm not sure about the system yet, i suppose it helps to enable us to keep the ball, important at the moment with a dodgy back four. On the other hand there is absolutely no natural width and that is where United have always created most of our chances. I suppose the acid test for me would be to see us play this way with Carrick and Scholes in midfield against a half decent side. It's going to be a tough game on Sunday up in geordieland and the defence will need protection, will he continue with it, big gamble if he does.
The equaliser was fortunate, Van persie putting it in with his shoulder, not the intended head, but it was very timely, it allowed us to settle down again and play with patience. It was a nice ball from Rooney who again showed signs of getting back somewhere near his best. He drops very deep at times in this formation, almost swapping places with Cleverley at times. I thought Cleverley did well last night and i definitely would like to see him start on Sunday. As for our other two engine room players, Fletcher did alright, but made a couple of sloppy errors that in his new role that better teams would have punished. So his rehabilitation continues, but i wouldn't want to see him play against a top half of the table team just yet. As for Anderson, it seems reds fall into two camps on him, some see unfulfilled potential who should be given a consistent tun in the team, whilst others see someone not fit to wear the shirt. You can put me in the latter, obviously, he wasn't poor last night, but as usual you didn't see anything that would scare the cream of Europe either.
The highlight of the game was the second and decisive goal, a glrious through ball found Van Persie who found the back of the net with a sublime finish. For the most part of the second half United dominated possession, but we still had our moments at the back and i would have liked us to have tried a little harder to get that third and killer goal. It's to be hoped that the Evans substitution was precautionary with Newcastle in mind and not something worse. It's worrying that it seemed to be the same thigh he hurt in the dying moments of the Spurs defeat.
At least we have started with two wins and given ourselves our great chance of getting qualification done and dusted early season after the ignominity of failing to advance out of the group stages last time around. And then hopefully some of the younger lads might get a chance for the last couple of games, i would like to see Powell getting a game at this level at some stage.

Daniel Taylor explains why Gary Neville is out on his own when it comes to TV punditry, he is of course, but some of us wouldn't mind him banging some heads together in our back four on our training ground instead of Sky. The criticism of our full backs is of course justified, but i actually think, Rafael has shown promising signs, over the last few games. Yes he may have been out of position for Tottenham's last, but the Ferdinand of a couple of years ago would have covered the danger. That's the problem at the back at the moment, one bad mistake usually gets compounded by another. Rafael isn't anywhere near the finished article by any means, but he is actually improving at the moment, which is at least promising.