Norwich City 0-1 Manchester United

Given it was the second game in three days, I expected a fair few changes yersterday and given our injury list and our lack of depth in certain positions, knew that this would be no easy three points. So I would have bit your hand of for a 1-0 victory before the game, and despite the fact that the first half showed up some of our old deficiencies, I'll happily take yesterdays performance.
I had a feeling that Moyes might leave Rooney out, but hoped that if he did he would include Welbeck, I don't rate Hernandez as good enough to lead the front line up on his own. And whilst the lack of movement behind him and on the wings didn't help things, he gave the kind of performance that did nothing to shake that belief. Playing Kagawa and Giggs didn't help matters, neither really ever got into the game and it could easily have been the Japanese interntional who got hooked at half time to allow the introduction of Welbeck in the second half to completely change the tone of the game.
Another reflection on the events of the last few weeks is how Moyes has been following the Ferguson how to manage United guidebook, almost to the letter. Squad rotation, managing to get to the team to win, whilst not on their game and then the comeback at Hull. Something else he seem to be getting better at is making game changing substitutions. And the pleasing thing there, has been the way he has looked to youth, using either Januzaj or Welbeck to stir things up.  
Saying that it was disappointing to see Fabio restricted to the subs bench yesterday after Rafael's injury at Hull on boxing day. It would seem that Moyes has identified Smalling as part of his plans going forward and has decided to play Smalling as often as possible to get more experience. He is still no right back though, there's no hiding that. What made the Fabio situation worse yesterday though, was the performance of Evra, especially during the first half, where almost our problems arose. They went past him as if he wasn't there at times, two games in three days looked well beyond him at times, surely Fabio could have done a better job for the team there yesterday. If Fabio can't get a sniff of first team action on days such as yesterday, it's not really fair to keep him at the club any longer, he should be allowed to leave during the next transfer window if he can find a club.
The game started with United controlling possession with the home team sitting deep, allowing United to control the ball, but with United unable to do anything with it. Once Norwich had seen how little we had to give, they decided to go for it and the rest of the half left United living dangerously at the back. Some reds seem to think we defended reasonably well yesteday, I can't agree with that, we looked as edgy and nervous as we had done in the first ten minutes at Hull and only luck, poor finishing and a couple of decent saves from De Gea kept the home team out.
Fair's fair to Moyes, he identified the problem and didn't hang around changing things around at half time, bringing Welbeck on for Giggs. That move completely changed the game as United now took total control of the game, even if we didn't really create as many changes as we might have. And the goal, when it came, had a big slice of fortune to it, but Welbeck made it happen by working hard, getting in their faces and making something happen. He didn't look like someone who can't finish when the chance presented itself, taking it around the goalie and coolly slotting it into the back of the net.
We saw the rest of the game out, not entirely convincingly, I thought we sat back a little, when we should have been pressing for a kiler second goal as they searched for an equaliser. But our slow climb back up the table managed to keep it's momentum.
I was slightly surprised at City's narrow win, but today's fixture between the rent boys and the dippers is the one to watch for me. If Chelsea can beat them we would be right back on Liverpools tail, and my first goal for the rest of the season is to climb above them and stay there.

Hull City 2-3 Manchester United

We managed to come away with the three points, but we were pretty awful, still if we can start to win, whilst playing crap, maybe we are back in business. The first quater of an hour was a nightmare start, it wasn't just the fact that we conceded the two goals, as bad as that was, but that the defending was just so inept. Jonny Evans had one of those games, where you start to wonder whether he can step up to the plate, once Rio and Vidic finish. Smalling wasn't that much better, but their second goal just about summed Evans first half display up.
When I saw the team I was reasonably confident, no Januzaj of course, but we know he isn't going to play every game. Flecther started for the first time since he returned, and did OK, whilst it was great to see Carrick back on the bench. I was happy to see Welbeck and Rooney start together, and those two at least didn't let us down. I'm not a big fan of Ashley Young, but he was also one of our better players on the day. It was a pity Rafael picked up the groin injury, as he had just started to hit top form and his partnership with Valencia has been superb over the last few games. Valencia's late red card means we will have a completely different right hand side at Norwich. Will Fabio get a chance, with Jones on the injured list for a couple of weeks apparently, a blow that, he must be in with a chance.
The defending for the home teams goals, was abysmal, hesitant, second to everything, we did well to come back into the game so quickly. I suppose you could say their defensive work was almost as bad as ours, Smalling got his a little too easily. But there wasn't much they could have done about Rooney's equaliser, it was just a brilliant goal. And once that went in United took control of the game for the rest of the half.
But United didn't really pick the pace up in the second half and I couldn't really see United getting the winner. Januzaj, started well, but never really hit the heights in the second half and the home crowd were doing their best to get him sent off. I was glad Moyes left him on, because if he had took him off, and it must have been a toss up between him and Young, no doubt other crowds will try and put him off his game.
In keeping with the game's defensive ineptitude, our winner came via ex red James Chester as he put Ashley Young's crosss past his own goalkeeper. United did have one other really good chance, when Welbeck fed substitute Hernandez and went a touch tonto, when he didn't receive the return pass to put him through on goal. I thought Welbeck was excellent again, without being at his very best, he still caused the home teams defence all kinds of problems.
I don't think Moyes got his last substitution right, we seemed to lose our grip on the game, and of course when Valencia got sent off, we were left hanging on. There doesn't seem much point in bringingHernandez on if you are then going to try and snuff the game out. He's not the type of player whose going to hold onto the ball, in a 4-3-3.
So onto Norwich, who will be desperate for a result as they sink down the table, with injuries and now red cards, it will be interesting to see the team selected for that.

Jonathan Wilson and Roy Harper, Mazzy Star too

Music

Anna Calvi -One breath: Her second album continues the good work of her debut, a bit more rock n roll than the first, but no worse for it.

Big Sean - Hall of fame: I'm not really a fan of modern commercial hip hop, but i quite liked this, not all of it, it's 18 tracks long and one or two of the tracks are a bit too chart aimed for me.

Deepchord -  DC07,DC08,DC09: I like this, techno, minimalist at times, Berlin influenced.

Jonathan Wilson - Fanfare: I loved his last album Gentle Spirit, a real laurel canyon early seventies affair. His latest album is still a very seventies influenced affair, but with a prog rock flavour added to it. It's defintiely a grower, a very good album again, not quite as good as Gentle Spirit though.

Mazzy Star - Seasons of your day: Although I've heard of them and knew they influenced quite a lot of groups, I've never really listened to Mazzy Star before. I've been missing a good thing, right from the opening track, with it's echoes of Neil Young for me, it's a very laid back indie rock sound.

Roy Harper - Man and myth: I hope this won't be his last album, a serious court case awaits him, because this is a superb album from a top English rock/folk artist, this leans more to the rock side of his oeuvre.

Wooden Shjips - Back to land: I can't believe I've only just heard this San Francisco psych/rock outfit, as this is excellent, I suppose it's because this is an in sound at the moment. I suppose no group wants to be associated with Status Quo these days, but at times it sounds like a far more out there Status Quo live, the album, guitar jamming sound.






 

Manchester United 3-1 West Ham Utd

If last week's performance was a pleasant surprise, because it came completely out of the blue, Saturday was the first real instance where reds could start to think optimistically about the future , the first half performance was as good as we have seen over the last couple of seasons. We played at a faster pace, the passing was far better than we have seen for ages, there was a drive from central midfield that some of us thought we didn't possess, we counter attacked at pace and most excitingly of all our best players were the younger lads who we need to come good.
The combination of Januzaj and Welbeck looked looked excellent in the first half, Welbeck's pace and workrate allied to the confidence of two goals last week at Villa park and playing in his best position gave us a thruts up front we haven't seen for some time. I like Van Persie as a player, but he does tend to slow things up, at times when a counter attack looks like it might be on the cards. Welbeck scares back fours to death with his pace and movement. Januzaj showed glimpses of his genius, both goals was absolutely top drawer.
Valenica had an in and out game, but his combination with Rafael, especially in the first half is starting to look really strong again. In fact, if Valencia had finished off the counter attack right at the end of the first half, that would probably have been the goal of the game.
Rooney once again sat deeper, almost central midfield at times, and he looked all the better for it. As a team we look so much better when he plays deeper, of course it helped him that Jones and Cleverley gave what was as good a performance from a central midfield two as we have seen this season. Jones was magnificent, he could definitely make a career as a defensive or even box to box central midield player. I'd still see him as our future centre half, but he is starting to justify Fergie's seemingly, at times, over the top praise of the ex Blackburn man. Alongside him Cleverley is starting to look like the player who excited us when he first got into the team, a couple of seasons ago. He was busy, but as important, was his inclination to go forward. He still playing the role of keeping the ball moving and making himself available, but is no longer always taking the easy option. He was unlucky not to get his name on the scoresheet again, the goalie made a brilliant save from him in the first couple of minutes, and then the referee blew up too early for a foul when Cleverley had found himself clean through. But if he keeps making those runs and keeps getting into those positions the goals will come.
Even at the back there were reasons to think the future looks good as Evans and Smalling gave a really solid performance, only conceding the goal, when substitute Buttner fell asleep. So Staurday was the first game where I have come away from the game feeling really good about things. Let's hope we don't stumble again over the next couple of games, the next two in particular are really the games where we need to be taking three points if we are to start to climb our way back up the table .

Mojo's album of the year

Music

Bill Callahan - Dream river: Three brilliant albums on the trot. With his almost spoken word vocal style, at first listen his music can sound a bit samey, but it doesn't take long to absolutely love every track.

Haim - Days are gone: Iv'e followed th hype surrounding this US indie/pop outfit, and read the comparisons to Fleetwood Mac. I suppose there are similarities, but there's as many electro pop influences there to me as mid seventies California. I like it, but don't think it quite lived up to the hype.

Hugh Masakela - Home is where the music is: Obviously I have heard of Hugh Masakela, but I didn't really have any idea of what strand of Jazz he represented. This is from the early seventies, and is the kind of fusion jazz Miles davis had pioneered. It is absolutely superb, I love it when they get funky, but it's a killer album from first to last.

Kings of Leon - Mechanical Bull: It's a decent album, but they haven't really refound the mojo of those first two or three albums. There are some pretty good tracks on it, but it's not really an album you want to put on again and again.

Manic street preachers - Rewind the film: I've really liked their last couple of albums, which were on the hard rock side of indie, so I was a bit disappointed to read that they'd gone back to a more acoustic poppier sound. More fool me, because this is a realy belting album, chock full of cracking tunes, radio friendly in a good way.

Mulatu Astatke - Sketches of Ethiopia: World music, fusion jazz, I don't know how you'd label Astatke but he makes great music. This is another excellent album from the Ethiopian bandleader.

Nightmares on wax - Feelin' good: One of the original trip hop bands, still going and still delevering the goods, for me anyway. Chilled at times, super catchy at others, an enjoyable listen.

Stoke City 0-2 Manchester United

Well it wasn't the greatest performance or game, for that matter, but we're in the next round, and have got the weakest team left in the competition in the semi final, not a bad night's work really.
The game was played in atrocious conditions, I'm not sure I have seen a United game stopped for five minutes because of the weather before. It could be said, that it's the same for both sides, and maybe the way we have played this season that was true. But it didn't help us build any momentum in that first half, where we had spells of dominating possession without ever really threatening to do anything with it.
I suppose, along with every other red, I winced when I saw the team, Anderson and Young in the starting line up, doesn't generally make for entertaining fare. I suppose Young's goal will be held up as evidence that maybe there is still hope for him. Don't get me wrong, it was a brilliant goal, of which he is more than capable, but the rest of his game was pretty so, so really. But next to Anderson, he was fucking Pele, yet again the Brazillian made you wonder why he keeps on getting chances to prove himself at United. It would be in everybody's interest to let him leave in January.
As an advocate of us being more flexible in our formation, it was disappointing to see us not really make the 4-3-3 shape work. We seem to be able to keep possession in the middle of the park better when playing with three in the middle, but at the expense of posing much of a threat in the final third of the pitch. Sure, it doesn't help matters with Anderson bringing nothing to the table, but we seem to lose any threat from the two wide men.
Welbeck tried hard, but was living on scraps, especially in the first half. The two most encouraging moves of the first half, after we had come back on after the break, came from him interchanging one two's on the right hand side. The one real chance that United created also came on that side as Welbeck fed Young, who should really have hit the target.
I thought Cleverley had as good a game as he's had this season, he is one player that the system really suits, he just needed more quality alongside him. I could be harsh and say the removal of Anderson really saw United take the game by the scruff of the neck, but Young's screamer, that came out of nowhere really, was the catalyst for the win. The second goal from Evra after Young released him into the box and he curled it over the goalie into the back of the net with his right foot, was as out of place in this game as the first. But much needed to seal the game as the home time were showing signs of getting back into the game.
So we've strung a couple of decent away wins together, can we start to sort our Old trafford form out on Saturday, it's pointless to get too carried away the way this season's gone. I'm hoping that Welbeck will get another run out in a more central role, but I've a hunch we'll see Hernandez and Rooney together. The next three games, really are must win, if we are going to get this season going again, so no fuck ups please.

Aston Villa 0-3 Manchester United

Well, who saw that coming, i certainly didn't. Admittedly Villa were piss poor, but United have to take some credit for taking advantage for that. Whenever you win big, there has to be an element of the opposition being crap.
The line up was about as strong as it could have been given the injury problems. Bar Carrick, there's an argument to be made, that this was as strong a side as we can put out. I'm still no big fan of Rooney and Van Persie up front, but I am a big fan of Danny Welbeck playing in the middle. He gives us pace, work rate and a different set of skills than either Rooney or Van Persie. When he is playing regularly and is full of confidence, he is a handful for any defence in the world. He is on a different planet as a footballer to Hernandez, he can be the complete centre forward, where as Hernandez will only ever be a goal poacher.
It was interesting to see Rooney drop a lot deeper at times yesterday, now that is something we have been screaming out for. I have never sure whether Moyes asked Rooney to play further up or Rooney hasn't wanted to play deeper. If he played as deep as he did at times yesterday, his partnership with Van Persie might might be more conducive to the teams balance.
Some reds think that Valencia having one of his better days was the key to victory. It helped, no question about that, Valencia and Rafael worked brilliantly down the right together. But the pace and movement, and even his ability to be first to the ball in the box unexpectedly, scared the home back four to death. It looked pretty obvious, that they weren't really anticipating the speed of United's play. You can't blame them really, when you think of some of the turgid performances we have put in this season, they'll probably consider themselves unfortunate to have caught us in the kind of form we produced yesterday.
I was glad and a little surprised to see Januzaj, start on the left again, I thought he may have been rested for the league cup tie at Stoke in midweek. Moyes made the right call for me, getting our confidence back in the league should come first. He didn't let us down as he was excellent in the first half, and could have been the opening scorer, unluckily heading against the post before Welbeck steamed in for the rebound. He faded in the second half, and was yet again on the end of some rough stuff, but he'd done his job. I would have liked Zaha to have replaced him but Moyes went for the more conservative option in Zaha.
The other big call made by Moyes was the deployment of Jones at centre back alongside Evans. They didn't really have much to do, but I'd like to see more of that combination and more of Jones at centre half. If we could actually manage to bring in a class central midfield recruit during the transfer window next month, maybe we'll actually see it.
Cleverley took his the third goal well, and did indeed have a much improved game, he needs to, as he must know he is now fighting to save his United career. If he could get back to the form he showed when he first arrived in the first team, then he would have what it takes. It will take even better performances and producing them far more consistently for that to happen, hopefully yesterday was the start of them.
I have to be honest, I was very sceptical that we would see any meaningful return to the first team from Darren Fletcher after his second prolonged absence from the squad due to his stomach complaint. But Moyes seems to have shown a statement of intent with his inclusion on the bench and in pushing him on the final half hour. If we could get Darren Fletcher anywhere near back to his best, that would be an almighty boost to our season. His half hour yesterday makes we wonder whether we might see him start on Wednesday night, intriguing.
It was a pity we didn't score more goals, we certainly had the chances, but after the goal famine we have been on at Old trafford of late, it was just nice to get amongst the goals again.

Manchester United 1-0 Shaktar Donetsk

Not one to lodge in the memory banks, but we were spared the ignominy of a third consecutive home defeat and the press bloodbath that would have awaited Moyes if we'd lost. The only real difference between last night and preceding two games was we managed to keep a clean sheet and this time took one of the few chances we created.
I had expected a pretty tough game and wouldn't have been surprised in the least if we had got beaten. They were easily the best team we had played in the group when we visited the Ukraine, so for them to be as listless as they were and to have gone down so tamely, was a bit of a surprise. I know they created a few good chances in the first half, but looking at our back line last night, any half decent team should have created a few decent chances. Buttner had one of those games where you wondered how he ended up in a Manchester United shirt, he was poor. Ferdinand has looked like he should be hanging up his boots, come the end of the season, last night didn't offer any evidence to the contrary, that was as bad as he's been.
Despite Giggs coming back to partner Jones in central midfield and the inclusion of Januzaj, there wasn't much creativity or sparkle in our play. It wasn't one of Giggs better displays, Jones made a few decent forward runs and deserved his goal for being one of our better performers this season. Though I still really want to see him getting an extended run at centre back. With Rooney and Kagawa partnered through the middle, i had expected more from us, but our poor form and lack of confidence, just seems to have killed us at the moment.
Still it was three points, we've topped the table and hopefully we'll end up with an easier tie in the first round of the knockout stages than we ended up with last season. Mind you if we don't hit some kind of form by late February, early March, it won't really matter.

Manchester United 0-1 Newcastle United

I was tempted to say that was as bad as it's got, but hopefully nothing will reach the nadir of this season's trip to the boo camp. Still it was pretty bad, Newcastle were no great shakes, we probably didn't really serve to get beat again, but we sure didn't deserve to win. The team selected wasn't that bad, central midfield apart, but once again as an attacking force we were sadly found wanting.
It's hard to know whether Van Persie is still not fully fit, or sulking, or both, but he was a shadow of last seasons centre forward. Hernandez tried hard, but if he has no service, he might as well not be on the pitch. I'm not sure why Moyes went with him over Welbeck, other than trying to keep the Mexican happy.
I'm not particularly sure where all this, Welbeck's in a poor run of form has come from. He started the season well. then came that niggling injury. Alright he wasn't great in his first game back, but I'd have thought that was understandable enough. When we need all the physicallity and fight we can get as we struggle to get out of this mini slump, he would be one of the players I look to, to get us out of it.
Inconsistent as Nani was, he was still one of the only creative outlets in the team, I wouldn't have took him off anyway. Januzaj on the other flank never really hit the heights he's capable of, but he still produced those little pieces of magic that on another day might have opened the door for us. Van Persie was deployed in the hole, but couldn't really get in the game and never really forged much of a partnership with Hernandez.
I've thought Jones has been outstanding in his forays in central midfield for the most part this season, but on Saturday he never got going, he never seemed to be on the same wavelength as Cleverley or his central defenders behind him. Cleverley actually managed a couple of half decent runs and one or two reasonably creative passes during the first half. But for the most part, it was a typical performance from him, he just didn't affect the game enough.
Where as I thought we defended fairly well for the most part against Everton on Wednesday, we looked jittery and nervous at the back on Saturday. Neither Vidic or Jones inspired confidence, Rafael didn't have his best game and Evra's mistake for their goal was a reminder why, you can add left back to the signings that need to be made. Moyes is right there, whether he's right about Baines as his replacement, I'm not as sure. I'm pretty sure Everton won't sell, why the fuck would they sell to us, when they'll be looking at us as one of their challengers for that fourth champions league spot.
There are so many problems at the moment it's hard to know where to start. But I suppose if you go back to basics, the spine of the team, at the moment is just not good enough, I'm including central defence in that as well as central midfield. The defence need Carrick back in front of them and our attacking players need him to try and helpus control games. He is without doubt, the most important players in the squad, I can't see things getting much better until we get him back in the team.

Manchester United 0-1 Everton

I didn't go to the match last night brimming full of confidence, so the late goal wasn't a total shock or as much of a sickner as it might have been. I'm afraid there'e going to be no such thing as an easy game this season and fans and pundits alike should start getting used to this new concept. I don't actually think we deserved to get beat, but we didn't deserve to win either. And the trouble with tight games, is that if you can't put them to bed, the opposition might instead. This was the type of game that we always just seemed to do enough to get the three points under Fergie, Moyes is going to have to learn how to get United winning games when we are not at our best.
I'm not going to lump all our problems at Moyes feet, the truth is we have really been getting away with it for a few seasons now. Fergie would have struggled to have more success than Moyes with what passes for our midfield squad depth. Saying that, Fellaini was Moyes buy, and even though he was a little better last night, he still looks nowhere near United quality. When he was bought, we were told that Moyes saw his best position as holding midfield, so it was a little disturbing, to say the least, to hear Phil Neville talk about him as a box to box player ahead of last night's match. When we've witnessed greats like Robson and Keane, to hear Fellaini talked about as a box to box player is just laughable. I was no fan of the player at Everton, but was willing to give his signing a chance, not really ever taking much notice of his defensive qualities. But I know enough about his game to know he is not a United quality box to box player. I mean where do you start, he isn't good enough on the ball, he is too slow, the list could go on for ever. If he is to make it at United it will be as a holding player or nothing. On the evidence so far, it's not looking good.
Everton on this evidence have moved up a notch, they didn't sit back, and always looked to get forward. Not that they really caused us that much trouble at the back, one glorious second half chance apart, but the intent was always there, so the late goal didn't come out of nowhere.
The United team selected, didn't look too bad on paper, central midfield aside, but we never really hit anything like top form on the night. We weren't able to open their back line up enough. Rooney's effort that hit the post took a deflection, maybe Welbeck should have done better with the header that hit the bar, I'm not sure I haven't seen it again yet.
There is no aura around the team at the moment, it's going to take a lot of hard work and one or two summer signings, central midfield for sure to get it back. I think it's reached that time, where we better start to hope Arsenal really have turned the corner, because if they do implode, City have got a great chance of winning a second title in three years, I know which i would sooner live with.

Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Manchester United

I would have took a point before the game so I'm not going to grumble about dropping further behind Arsenal. Tottenham away was always going to be a hard game, but after the dicking they got at City, it just got tougher.
The performance was so so, despite a central midfield devoid of any creative quality, we did manage to have periods of the game where we managed to get on top. But of course with no creative outlet behind Kagawa we struggled to really open them up. We seemed to put all the onus on Valencia to try and work his magic on the right. This might have worked, as at times he was having great joy beting his man, alas, once he'd beaten him, he failed to deliver much in the way of a telling cross.
I couldn't moan too much at the team selected, with no Carrick and Gigs having played in midweek, Cleverley and Jones was about as good an option open to Moyes, a damning indictment of course. I liked the look of Kagawa behind Rooney with Welbeck on the left. But it only really worked in the sense that Tottenham never really dominated possession in the way which they can at times with their strong midfield. Going forward, we never really threatened the home defence, Valencia apart.
It was Welbeck's first game for a bit, so he was always going to be a bit rusty. I had hoped he would interchange with Kagawa, but instead Welbeck started on the left and half way through the first half swapped positions with our Japanese international. As for Kagawa, trying to look at it positively, it's hard for any of the forward players to make an impact with such an average midfield behind them, so whilst he didn't have a poor game in my eyes, he can be excused for not making the kind of impact we had hoped for. Of course the alternative view would be, he's too lightweight for the premier league, and the reason for a seemingly improved performance during the previous game was the piss poor quality of 2nd placed Bundesliga Leverkeusen. I'm a fan, of course, but us Kagawa fans really need him to show the Leverkeusen form in the premier league.
Their opening goal was a soft goal to concede, I know it can be viewed as unlucky when the ball goes under the wall, but I had watched the wall lining up and it had looked an accident in the making as it formed, so I wouldn't be as charitable. Our reply was a bit of a gift, some wags gave it as a Kyle Walker assist, as indeed was our second half equaliser, Rooney made no mistake with either.
Rooney got all the praise after the game, he was certainly our best player, but the praise was over the top, once again for me. His goals were a gift and a penalty, the rest of the praise seemed, once more, for the block's, clearance's and general work rate. Whilst that's not to be sneezed at, maybe he should reconsider playing in the middle of the park, because that's the type of work we could do with in our depleted central midfield. It's not exactly what i want to see supposedly our gifted player doing for the majority of the match.
Ironically Tottenham's second goal came out of nowhere, just when we seemed to have got a grip on the game. Once again with the proviso that we hadn't really managed to create much in the way of real guilt edged chances. The quick second equaliser was just what the doctor ordered, as I had feared for our chances of getting anything from the game if we'd have had to force things.
I wasn't that impressed with the substitutions, though they were all attacking, Hernandez did nothing, Young was never going to do anything and Nani wasn't given enough time to do anything. To be fair to Moyes the subs bench wasn't the strongest, though why Januzaj wasn't there was a mystery to me, given he hadn't took part on Wednesday.
So apparently we now have a winnable run of games, though I'm not sure how Everton at home gets lumped into that category, given our up and down form so far this season. To be honest, I look at almost every game at the moment and think, this could be tough. With Moyes assessing his inherited squad, no Carrick, Cleverley seemingly proving his doubters right and Fellaini leaving us all sscratching our heads, I don't think there's such a thing as an easy game at the moment.

Keane's on the move

It was an open secret that Will Keane was going to Wigan on loan, once his foot injury cleared up. I've got to say I'm a bit surprised it's only until 1st January, I presumed it would be for the rest of the season. I still think that this is what will happen, it's a good move for him, Wigan and for United, especially as he'll presumably be able to link up with fellow United youngster Nick Powell'
It wasn't such a sure thing that Michael Keane would leave as well. I read on Twitter that he would have gone to Derby sooner, but things were delayed when Nigel Clough was sacked. That's a pity because he had an excellent season on loan at Leicester last season and he's been treading water at best, going backwards possibly plying his stuff for the under 21's.
There a couple of others who could really do with testing themselves out on loan, even if it means the under 21's struggle for numbers. We won't really know where Larnell Cole or Tom Thorpe are in their development until they get proper first team football. Still the two Keane's are the biggest talent still in the under 21's now that Januzaj has made the move up to the first team squad, so they really had to go out on loan.

Music

Acoustic Ladyland - Last chance disco: These were a group i really loved, apparently they are still doing things together, it won't be under the Acoustic Ladyland moniker. Mind you Polar Bear are pretty special as well. The driving rock and jazz worked brilliantly in their hands.

Deap Valley - Sistrionix: Another guitar and drums duo, but it works reasonably well, there's enough difference between their sound and that of the White Stripes and the Black Keys. I wouldn't go as far as to say they are anywhere near as good as mentioned bands, but it's a pretty good album.

Forest Swords - Engravings: The scouse experimental electronica man's follow up to the excellent Dagger paths, and the standard hasn't dropped, once again it's excellent.

Julia Holter - Loud city song: Experimental almost avant garde artists don't usually tend to be that prolific, but not Holter. This third long player in three years is probably her most mainstream, but there's no lowering of standards. It could be her best yet.

Money - The shadow of heaven: Another Manchester act going the high pitched vocalist left field indie pop route. It's not really my groove to be honest, I can listen to it, and appreciate it, but I'll never really get off on it. There are a couple of top tunes on it, I'll give it that and it did grow on me the more i listened to it.

No Ceremony - No Ceremony III: This manchester electronic act really hit the button, their debut album is a very stong first effort. I wouldn't class this as that experimental, but it still shifts through the genres.

White Hills - So you are.. So you'll be: More Psych/space/kraut rock, this time from the States, I love this stuff, even if it doesn't really break any new ground. There a couple of real storming Hawkwind type lift off moments, that really rock.

Bayer Leverkeusen 0-5 Manchester United

Well, where the fuck did that come from, I wasn't really expecting that much from last night, though I did quite like the starting eleven when I saw it. Leverkeusen were terrible, that has to be said, but still, United counter attacked like the United of old and during the latter stages went for their throat, instead of sitting back and settling for the three points.
The team had a better balance to it, with Kagawa in the hole and Rooney up front and the centre midfield of Giggs and Jones was on a different level to that engine room selected for Cardiff. Giggs was excellent, and Jones was quietly effective, with Kagawa dropping deeper and knitting attack and midfield far better than Rooney has so far this season when deployed as the number ten. Rooney started as the number 9, which for me is his best position and just as importantly seems to be where he wasnts to play. He had a good game last night, as he did on Sunday, I still think Van Perise, on form is the better player, though no doubt when the Dutchman returns to the squad, it will be Kagawa who returns to the flank.
I thought Valencia had a pretty good game last night, even if he was playing against a make shift left back, his form has improved as the season has gone on. He's still not the rampaging right winger of his first full season at the club, but he's not the shell of a player that he had become last season, thank god. Nani had a reasonable game on his re-introduction to the first team after his being booed off the pitch against Stoke City. He started erratically but got more dangerous as the game went along, ending it with a fine take from Giggs sublime pass and an excellent finish
If you could script a European away game, it couldn't have been scripted much better than last night. We kept them quiet for the first 20 minutes, whilst looking occasionaly threatening on the break, taking the lead at the end of that period of play with a lovely goal started by Kagawa on the counter with Tony V finishing off Rooney's cross at the back post. I'm racking my brains to remember a goal scored by us on the counter attack away from home this season, I still can't think of one. There's not much, that's more exciting in football than goals started in your own half and finished off at pace.
The second goal, was basically poor defending from the home team, and their heads did seem to drop then. They didn't really seriously threaten United's goal for the rest of the game and the rest of the night was one which the players and watching reds could enjoy.
What really thrilled me about last night was the way we kept going, right until the end, it's always done my head in, the amount of times United basically settle for the three points when a couple of goals up. Surely when you have a big squad, there is less justice in doing this, players aren't sure whether they'll be playing the next game, so they shouldn't be going down a gear, taking it easy. If that's a trait Moyes has started to get through to the players, rather than just one of those nights where we clicked and the opposition were poor, then i'm impressed and hope to see more.
Pity they aren't a premier league side, our goal difference would have been noticeably improved if the nine goals we have scored during our two Champions league tiesagainst them had been scored in the premier league. Of course it's back to domestic matters on Sunday, where despite Tottenham's debacle last Sunday at City, it will probably be a really tough game. They'll be a few changes no doubt, if he's fit I expect Welbeck to start, and of course Van Persie will walk into the team as well. Hopefully Vidic is fit to return at the expense of Ferdinand, who once more had a couple of wobbly moments again last night. It's becoming a bit hard to know what to expect from us at the moment, fortunately for us, you could say that for most of our challengers.

Cardiff City 2-2 Manchester United

I feared the worst when i saw the team, a central midfield that screamed, not good enough, plus Ferdinand at centre half and Smalling once again at right back. Losing Jones just after it had been announced we had lost Carrick for at least a month was the last thing we needed really. Of course we have seen performances as aimless as that with Carrick in the team, but without him, it was virtually guaranteed.
I had hoped and expected Giggs to start yesterday, but it seems as if Moyes is going to stick to starting Giggs in the cup in the cup competitions and using Giggs as a substitute in the league. I'm not sure that's going to do much for our league campaign, with such a dearth of creativity available in the middle of the park.
Ferdinand didn't have a particularly bad game yesterday, but our worst defensive performances have generally come when he has been in the starting eleven. Once again I just don't understand the selection of Smalling at right back, what you may gain defensively in the air, you more than lose offensively. He does make good surging runs forward at times, but at the end of them, hasn't got a clue what to do. He gave the ball away far too often yesterday which was the last thing we needed with absolutely nothing coming from the sub standard engine room.
That Rooney was probably our best player, tells you all you need to know about our performance yesterday, because he was no great shakes. You can't really argue against the arguments that he should have been sent of, after that needless kick out, though when it's Souness doing the arguing, it's worth remembering him in his prime. It would have been a really dumb red card though, it's not as if the guy had been persistently fouling Rooney, the game had only been going for ten minutes or so. I suppose after that incident, it had to be Rooney, the pantomime villain for the home crowd that opened the scoring. Though I thought he'd fucked it up when he cut inside, and but for the deflection he probably wouldn't have beaten the keeper.
The equaliser from Campbell was probably the best bit of football in the match and only what the home team deserved. The ball from Whittingham, vied with Giggs late long ball for the pass of the day. When Evra headed home on the stroke of halftime to give us a scarcely deserved lead, i dared to hope it was going to be our day. And to be fair, as average as we were for the majority of the second half, i couldn't really see them scoring. Which made the leveller all the more galling, as Evra switched off and one of the smallest of their men in the box headed home.
Yet the game wasn't finished and we contrived to miss some glorious chances. Rooney was possibly trying to do the right thing with the pull back to Welbeck, but imagine the grief Welbeck would have got if he'd have executed it as poorly as that. The late Smalling miss wasn't as glorious chance, but it was a real chance all the same. It may have fallen to the wrong man, but to be fair to Smalling anybody could have pulled it, when the chance was as snapshot as that.
There isn't really much to say about Fellaini and Cleverley that hasn't been said before. I was no fan of Fellaini at Everton, but, even I can't believe he's as bad as he has looked for us so far. As for Cleverley, I had high hopes for him when he came back to us after his loan spells, he looked like he was going to be a top player, but he just isn't bringing enough to his game to be a real Manchester United player.
So on to Leverkeusen and then, the real biggie for me, Tottenham away, we really needed to get the three points yesterday with that trip in mind. And after yesterday's debacle at the boo camp, Spurs will be under real pressure from their own fans to put on a performance. I hope Jones is ready for that, because I'd really fear for us to go into that game with the starting eleven and particularly the midfield two we started with yesterday. In fact with the resources available, there must be a very strong case for going into that game with three in the middle.

No Carrick, no panic?

Well we've pondered this nightmare scenario for a couple of seasons, what would happen if Carrick was missing from the heart of the team for any length of time. I suppose it's only 4-6 weeks and a couple of weeks of that is taken up a with international break, so it could have been worse. But we still have a couple of away games coming up, and that game against Tottenham was looking like one of the harder games of the season. With no Carrick in our side and with Spurs seemingly packed with midfield talent, it just got harder.
For all the jubilation of the result against Arsenal, that will mean pretty much nothing if we don't now kick on with a lengthy unbeaten run that contains a sizeable number of three points. So whilst I would take a point at White hart lane, I think a win at Cardiff is pretty much a definite if we are really going to push ourselves back into a strong challenge to retain our title

It's nice to see Phil Jones getting a bit of credit in the meejah at last. He didn't start the season off too well, when he featured at right back, a position I thought he could do well in. But since he's alternated between central midield and centre back, combining them both last Sunday, he's started to look like the player we thought he was.
I still see him as a future Manchester United and England centre half, but when he can put in performances in central midfield like that last Sunday, the league cup tie against the dippers and last seasons games at White hart lane and the Bernebeu it must be hard for a manager to resist putting him at the heart of the team, especially if you're not exactly spolied for chance as United are. If he could add goals from that position you would be talking about a very serious Manchester United central midfield player indeed.

There were a couple of rumours doing the twitter rounds last night that Will Keane could be joining Nick Powell on loan at Wigan in the near future. That would be a very good move on everybody's part, it would be even better if he took his brother Michael with him. I think that we have a number of players at reserve/under 21 level at the moment who are just treading water. Even if it leaves us short on numbers at under 21 level it's about time a few of them were sent out into the big wide world.




Music

Babyshambles -Sequel to the prequel: I the last album Shotters nation quite a lot, so I was looking forward to this third album. It doesn't disappoint, though it's not quite as good as Shotters nation, it's still got it's fair share of cracking tunes.

Eleanor Friedberger -Persoal record: I liked the quirkiness of the debut Fiey Furnaces album, but have never really floowed their resulting career. I always presumed that Matthew Friedberger was the driving musical force behind the brother/sister duo, so it was a surprise to see her debut album get such good reviews. When this follow up got equally good ratings, I thought i better give it a listen. It is really very good, the sound is a more conventional version of the Fiery Furnaces, more recognisable songs, that would be raio frindly.

Goldfrapp -Tales of us: They seem to have gone back to a pretty minimalist sound on this, their sixth studio album. The sound is a kind of electronic at times psych-folk laid back vibe. I have to admit, it took me a while to get it, but I've ended up thinking it's one of their best albums, after first thinking it was one of their weaker efforts.

Herbie Hancock - Speak like a child: It must have been some mid sixties for the keyboard maestro. One the one hand part of one of Miles Davis's best combo's and then making superb solo albums such as this pearl. If you love the Miles Davis quintet of the period before he plugged in, you'll be sure to love this, but it's Hancock who is the star of this show.

Julian Cope - Revolutionary Suicide: I've only just got into his solo stuff, but I have got to admit that it's very enjoyable. I don't agree with all the lyrics, but they are always worth listening to and that from a music fan that's always been far more about the music than the lyrics. The Armenian genocide whilst fifteen minutes long and repetitive is also fucking superb.

Linda Perhacs - Parallelograms: I think this was one of those lost classic type albums albums i read about in Mojo, if so they were right, it is really excellent. The album does have traces of Joni Mitchell, in a good way, but it's not totally derivative, she does have her own sound. I'm not sure how artists can make albums as good as this and the just disappear of the face of the earth.

The Civil Wars - The civil Wars: A decent enough follow up to their superb debut album, but I suppose they set themselves some challenge in trying to match Barton Hollow. It has it's moments, but doesn't really get close to matching the first album.

Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal

An important win, which puts us right back into the title hunting mix after a weekend where all the main title pretenders dropped points, if we discount the dippers. It was a solid performance, especially the first half, where once more Phil Jones more than showed he can operate in the middle of the park. I can't help thinking his removal to centre half, made it easier for the opposition to get back into the game.
The team selected was fair enough, even if I doubt that would have Europe's finest quaking in their boots. I wouldn't have selected Smalling at right back, and despite an improved defensive display, he's still no right back for me. Jones and Carrick in central midfield is a decent pairing, not that creative, but it provides a solid base for the wide men and the front two. I would have liked Januzaj to start, but it was understandable he was left out given the significance of the day. The wide men did a reasonable job, Kagawa had an impressive first half, and Valencia without being right back to his best had as good a game as he's had this season.
Up front Rooney had his best game of the season, working hard and causing the Arsenal back line all kinds of problems. It wasn't perfect, he should have done better with that chance at the beginning of the second half, that could have ensured an easier second half.
I'm not getting as carried as other reds have, the second half saw us revert to our bad habit of gifting the opposition almost total control of midfield. A better opposition than Arsenal, or should i say, an opposition with forwards that can hurt you, would probably have broke us down. I know that this was the way Fergie's sides played at times, sitting back, inviting the opposition on, hoping to kill them on the counter attack. But I don't believe you can just give the opposition the kind of possession we gave them at times in the second half. Of course the removal of Jones to centre back, harmed us in that sense, Cleverley got brushed off the ball far too easily at times when introduced.
The first half was far better, we bossed the game in midfield and were the only team that looked as if it could hurt the other side when in attack. Saying that we didn't really create many chances, and the goal came from a set piece. Still we were in control of the game, the first time in a big game since the Real Madrid home tie last season.
I know Arsenal didn't really manage to to create much in the second half, but there were a few occasions where it was touch and go whether they were going to find that killer pass. As for their title hopes, after watching yesterday's performance, I'm not sure they have what it takes. They are much improved, that was the first serious test they have given us at Old trafford for a few years. But that lack of a real top class forward, is a serious handicap if you are aiming to compete with the very best in the premier league.
As for the weekends other results, I thought West Brom could do something at Chelsea, they're a decent team. But i didn't see the City defeat at Sunderland coming, after the 4-0 debacle, i would never have believed we would be be above them in the table come the beginning of November. I wasn't and aren't a fan of Mancini, but if they had kept faith in him in the summer, I think they would be doing rather better at the moment, mainly down to continuity. Thank fuck City can still fuck things up so spectacularly.

Real Sociedad 0-0 Manchester United

I know last night was really just a 90 minutes to get through unscathed ahead of Sunday's vital clash against Arsenal, but even so, that was just dire, especially that first 45 minutes. As soon as you saw the team, it was obvious there weren't going to be any firweorks. There was a stunning lack of mobility on the teamsheet, which showed up in the ponderous nature of our play during the first hour of the game. But the Basque outfit were so poor at Old trafford that last night was a wasted chance to put qualification to bed.
Obviously we did finally manage to create some chances in the second half, but if we'd sometimes start games with the intent we managed to show for that brief quater of an hour, maybe we'd make things easier for ourselves rather than harder.
The back four saw three players the wrong side of thirty, two of whom, i don't think will be here next season, who knows with Vidic. And once again Smalling was asked to do a job he's patently not cut out to do, he made some great overlapping runs in the first half, of course once there, he didn't know what to do. On the other side Evra was being asked to do the same job, but it took it's toll on him as he struggled to get back at times. All this of course as Fabio sits on the sidelines, seemingly having been sent to Siberia. I know all managers have their own idea of what they want to see in a footballer, but Buttner at left back and Smalling at right back ahead of Fabio, sure bamboozles the fuck out of me.
If there was a lack of mobility, Smalling aside at the back, central midfield was no different with Giggs partnering Fellaini. Giggs didn't really have one of his better nights as he celebrated yet more milestones on the night, 950 games for United and a champions league record appearance. Opinion of Fellaini's game seemed to be split between between those who think he did alright, doing the simple things and keeping things ticking over and those of us who think that was never the performance of a Manchester United player in a million years. Obviously you could say well what's Anderson been doing for the last few years. But that was the point, he was supposed to be bringing fresh midfield legs into the squad to improve things. So far, I see no improvement.
Kagawa and Valencia seemed to have been told to cut in to let the full backs overlap, for the first half at least. I suppose that it was fair enough to ask Kagawa to do that, he wants to do that anyway. But asking Valencia to do that, just seems to negate everything that's good about his game.
Rooney and Hernandez lived on scraps, it's fair to say, but neither player really touched any heights. I know the game had got stretched by the time Van Persie and Young came on and Kagawa moved inside. But for a quarter of an hour United actually looked a potent attacking force, mainly through the movement and vision of the Japanese wannabe number ten. He's like a different player when he moves inside, and at times lifts United up a level.
I've said my piece about Rooney often enough, he's not mobile enough at number ten, but he's still at top number nine. My ideal United team with our present personnel would see Kagawa at number ten with Januzaj on either left or right interchanging with the Japanese international and one of Rooney or Van Persie up front, it'll never happen of course.
As Januzaj is showing, this season was the perfect time to have started to bring our younger talent through. They have the skill, enthusiasm and legs, even if they haven't got the experience to rely on them all the time yet. I still think we have enough talent coming through at the club not to be too worried about the future. But they need to start getting opportunities, next season will be very interesting. 
For all the talk of Young's dive, it was and it was embarrassing, I thought we were unlucky not to be awarded an earlier one when I thought Kagawa was bundled over in the box. As with the commentators and everybody else, I think, I thought the keeper had saved it on first viewing. I don't blame players for missing penalties, but especially when they hit post. It wasn't really Van Persie's night as he hit the post when he probably should have hit the target.
The night ended on a low with the sending off, it was soft really, none of his tackles hurt anybody. But then again he can be clumsy and on the evidence so far, I'd say Scholesy was a more natural tackler than the big Belgian. That's not what we were supposed to be buying, especially for that price tag.
I suppose if we win on Sunday, last night will be totally forgotten, especially as the other result, went for us, we're still top of the group, with qualification in our own hands.But it would be nice to go away in Europe, every now and then, and remember the traditions of the club for exciting attacking football.

Fulham 1-3 Manchester United

Great result, but I think at half time, we all thought the scoring wasn't finished. Some have blamed the changes made at half time, but it did look at the time as if they were enforced changes, which Moyes confirmed after the game. To be fair, the home team were always going to improve after the break, they could hardly be much worse really. So the second half was at least partly explicable.
We are finally on the run we had all hoped to see, but i'm not getting too giddy yet, we haven't really looked that much better in all honesty, as the second half showed. I'm not really convinced by Arsenal this season, but next week will tell us something about where we are, all the same.
As usual it's always nice to see Januzaj on the teamsheet, and whilst he didn't have the impact he usually does, he still did more than enough to justify selection. It was a blow to lose Carrick, I hope he makes a recovery in time for next week, our midfield doesn't bare thinking about otherwise. Vidic made a rare back to back appearance, but in all truth wasn't really tested. The most encouraging aspect of that first half hour was the link up play and movement of our forwards, Van Persie and Rooney were on fire and in synch for the first time this season. Both got on the score sheet and both turned provider. With Januzaj causing problems on the left and Valencia having one of his better games, the absence of Carrick wasn't felt as much as it might have been.
Cleverley and Jones did a decent job in the first half, but Fellaini once again looked a bit of a lost soul when introduced during the second half, pretty worrying that really. The goals were all excellently conceived and executed, but I suppose we have to take poor opposition into account.
Given my take on Arsenal and looking at Chelski's unexpected defeat at the barcodes, I suppose we are reasonably placed if we can get two decent results against the north London duo. It really is a different season this year.

Roll up, roll up, the circus is back in town

What to make of the news that Beckham junior has had trials at the club. I suppose it's hard for me to forget the circus that his father became to the club, I would have been happier to have seen david Beckham a go a year earlier at the time. People forget, but he was definitely England captain first, Manchester United player second by that time in his career at United. That treble season, where he could lay claim to have been our most consistent player, seemed a long time ago by then. But who knows, it doesn't have to be like father, like son, does it. Saying all that, he could be a sack of shit, who knows, it's nice publicity all round though I suppose.
On the subject of Beckham, given the snippets the press gave us last week, one area where Fergie's judgement seemed spot on, was his evaluation of footballers to have played for and gainst United in his time as the manager of United. Gerrard, Lampard, very good, but not great, Ronaldo, the greatest in his time at the club, but wouldn't say he was better than Messi.
Ronaldo, probably was our greatest player since Best, though personally not really a favourite of mine I'm afraid. Don't get me wrong i loved watching him play and that period of 2006-2009, was as good as it's been, watching United for me, especially the 2006-07 season. But he was never really "United" in the same way as say, Eric, Ole, Giggsy and and Scholesy.

Music

Franz Ferdinand -Right thoughts, right words, right action: Another foot tapping guitar driven indie/pop album that hits the spot from the Scots outfit. They have never really hit the heights of the first album, but they never let you down.

Hot 8 Brass band - The life and time of: I absolutely love this album, New Orleans jazz fused with funk, blues and virtually every other form of black American music, and boys does it swing.

MGMT - MGMT: I'm still not sure what to make of this, it's definitely not as good as either of their previous offerings. It's less radio friendly than the debut, yet whilst it's as ambitious as the second album, I don't think it delivers as well.

Pinkunoizu - The Drop: Another band dining out on the psych/krautrock sound, this Danish bands second album does it well. I do love the genre, and it's a really hot sound at the moment, add to this to the list of belting pysch albums of the last couple of years.

Rocketnumbernine - Meyouweyou: This is a excellent debut album from the experimental electronica duo that has echoes of the rock drone, not a million miles away from Fuck Buttons.

Superchunk - I hate music: A reasonably good album from the reformed US indie power/pop group. I haven't heard that much of their earlier stuff, but they can craft a stomping tune.

The Strypes - Snapshot: They were massively hyped ahead of their debut album, thankfully the album duly delivers. Reminiscent of Dr. Feelgood amongst others, they weren't even born when the Feelgoods were tearing it up, they power their way through the best part of 40 minutes. I'm not sure it could be labelled classic though, there are no real stand out tracks, hopefully they are to come.

Manchester United 4-0 Norwich City

A weird bit of a mish mash of a team, stronger than it might have been, given a better start to the season completed what in other seasons would have been a routine victory. Of course given our less than stellar season so far, it was a very welcome victory.
Vidic and Ferdinand were re-united at the heart of the defence, with Rafael at right back and Buttner at left back. I felt sorry for Fabio, I thought he deserved a start in either of the full back positions. Buttner didn't have a bad game, it was a lovely cross for the second goal, but Fabio is a far better player. It looks as if Moyes thinks a left back should be left footed, I can't think of any other reason Buttner would seem to be second choice to Evra in front of the other Da Silva twin. I suppose that's a fair enough opinion to hold, though Denis Irwin wasn't that bad a left back was he.
I hadn't expected both Rio and Vidic to start, I thought one might start tonight and one on Saturday. Neither really looks anything like the player of old, Ferdinand in particular looks like the end is nigh for his United career. Still on the night it didn't really matter as the visitors made as many changes as United, no doubt prioritizing premier league survival ahead of possible Wembley glory. Given those circumstances, I thought they brought a pretty healthy following with them. Thankfully from our perspective, it wasn't to be much of a night for them.
I was glad to see Januzaj given a free role behind Hernandez, that will be his position eventually, so it makes sense to give him opportunities there when the chance arises. He didn't let us down, giving another masterclass, he really is the business. It was a piece of magic from the number 44 that led to tthe first goal. He mesmerized his defender in the penalty box, who brought him down, rather clumsily. It may have been on the soft side, but it was definite penalty from my seat. Hernandez made no mistake from the spot and any nerves there may have been were immediately eased.
United dominated the rest of the half but couldn't get a second goal, I thought Januzaj was going to get the second when he shimmied past two as if they weren't there, but his shot was well blocked in the area. Zaha was getting a go on the right hand side and he did alright on his first outing,he has talent, that's clear. What is obvious though, is that he has a lot of work to do on the defensive side of things, and to learn when to try tricks and when not. I'm not sure why he was took off near the end for Rooney, despite what Round said after the game, he wasn't tiring.
Ashley Young returned to the starting line up on the other flank and whilst doing nothing to really suggest he has a long term future at the club, fared far better than before his form induced spell on the sidelines.
Jones partnered Cleverley in the middle of the park and once more did a fair job, though again the poor opposition has to be taken into account. The two late goals put the gloss on a efficient performance as we now look to the next round and to see if we get another home draw, which no doubt Moyes and the sqquad would love, the fans, probably less so.

Manchester United 3-2 Stoke City

Well with twenty minutes to go, I feared the worst, we were playing as badly as we had all season. But fair play to Moyes, he went for it with those substitutions, and we got the rewards, so we left the ground feeling as good as we have so far this season.
Yet what went before those last fifteen to twenty minutes can't really be forgotten, it was dire. The defending which had showed signs of improving was poor to calamatous. The centre of the park was like a giant hole. Carrick's best game of the season so far was for England. He wasn't poor, but he certainly isn't living up to the standards he has set himself. Alongside him, Cleverley gave another of those performances, where you just think, no, he's not really United class. He just doesn't seem to impose himself enough in any facet of the game. The way that their Austrian international, who was excellent by the way, went past him down our right hand side for their first goal summed his ineffectiveness up.
Of course I don't entirely blame our midfield two, with our rigid tactics of 4-4-2, with neither Rooney or Van Persie dropping into the hole regularly, they're usually outnumbered. The first twenty minutes of the second half saw us playing in such rigid straight lines, it was unbelievable. It was only with the introduction of Januzaj that things changed. His ability to make things happen unsettled the Stoke rearguard consistently for the first time in the match. As much as I think the sun shines out of Januzaj's arse, I would have given him the man of the match, he affected the game more than the rest of our big guns put together, we shouldn't have to rely on him against the like of Stoke and Sunderland. 
Nani started well, only to make a couple of mistakes, which saw him get some stick of the crowd, hitting his confidence to the point where he couldn't put a foot right for most of the second half. The booing he received when he was hooked for Januzaj, was a fucking disgrace, but not totally surprising, our present match going fan base is no better, in fact it's probably worse now than most of the wankers we used to take the piss out of.
Kagawa had a quiet game after our excitement at his improved showing in midweek, but again, it wasn't much of a surprise, he's never going to excel playing on the left in such a stifling role. We certainly aren't getting the best out of any of our players at the moment for me.
I know Rooney has shown improved of late, though nowhere near the level some are claiming, but I still feel the clubs determination to indulge him is a long term mistake. One he is never going to be the player he was, never mind the player we thought he would become when we bought him. Two the club will look desperate and foolish if, as I suspect, he doesn't sign a new contract and pushes for an exit again next summer.
And, oh the irony, when Moyes made his match changing substitutions, it involved shifting Rooney back in the centre of the park, the centre of the park he's complained about. That and Van Persie moving behind Hernandez, along side bringing Januzaj on, saw us look like a really potent attacking force for the first time in the match.
So yes it was a reminder of what United are all about, never say die comebacks, but I'm not sure it will be the turning point some are hoping that it may turn out to be. Turning to tomorrow's night league cup tie, of course a win would be much needed, but i would like to see a couple of our youngsters get a look in, even if it's only coming on the bench. I'm not particularly hopeful it'll happen I'm afraid

Manchester United 1-0 Real Sociedad

A win, three points, a decent performance, but I don't think I'll be getting too carried away with things. Of course the result should mean that that if we don't completely fall apart during those last three games of the group, we'll be in the pot for the last sixteen. Given our league position and form, I think Moyes really needs that sorting out as quickly as possible.
I expected far more from our Spanish opponents, they really were pretty poor, their position in the table doesn't lie. Right from the off, they looked dodgy at the back and didn't show anything special going forward.
Rooney started the game as though he was determined to prove the Fergie book comments wrong. He actually went past two men during the setting up of the first goal. One of Fergie's and my criticism's of his form over the last couple of seasons has been his inability to take players on and beat them. He did it last night, against poor opposition though, if he can do that against the better teams I'll eat my words, I don't expect to have to. He had a good game last night, but was he really all that. He still got dispossessed too easily at times and disappeared from the game during the latter stages of the game, until Hernandez went off and he miraculously sprang to life again. Ian Ladyman of the Mail spoke of him as one of our few world class players this morning who all the top teams in Europe would like to have. Why weren't they beating the doors down to get him this summer then?
The big plus of the night was the display of Kagawa, we all know he is good enough for United, it's just giving him the chance to prove it. He had a reasonable game on the left, but he really came alive when he moved into the number ten slot behind Rooney when Hernandez came off. He epitomised everything I want to see from that position, plenty of movement, an ability to beat a man, vision and the ability to get into goalscoring opportunities. Of course, he should have done better with the chance the chance that fell in his lap. But that last ten minutes were a hopeful sign, we started to play at a decent pace, instead of the ponderous stuff we have had to get used since Ronaldo left.
It wasn't all positives, Hernandez never got into the game. We've seen it before of course, if he doesn't get any service in the box, the rest of his outfield game just isn't good enough to compensate. Of course it can be argued that he needs a run of games, but that wouldn't really change anything, he's been hear long enough for us to know his game. I suspect a few will leave next summer and wouldn't be at all surprised if he was one of them.
There have been a couple of rumoured reports of Valencia being on the exit plane out of OT next summer. I don't know what to make of them, to be honest. He didn't have a bad game last night, but the Valencia of his first two years at the club seems to firmly in the past. It will be midfield and out wide that form the crux of that exit, so may be there will turn out to be something to those transfer rumours.
I was surprised and pleased that Evans and Jones continued their partnership at centre half and thought they did reasonably well again. The wobbly moments, usually came when the central midfield disappeared in front of them. With all the furore in France over Evra's interview, i thought he may have been rested last night. Given his performance, it might have been a good idea, it wasn't one of his better nights.
So to Saturday and Stoke at home, where we really do need to kick start our league campaign. No idea what team we'll see, but expect to see Januzaj start and would love to see Kagawa start alongside him. 

Manchester United 1-1 Southampton

This season seems to be one step forward and then another one back. The morning started with the news at lot of us wanted to hear that Januzaj had signed a new long term contract. So most reds walked to the stadium with a spring in their step, hoping we could string two wins together for the first time this season.
Having said all that, given our form, and even though we had won up at Sunderland, the actual performance hadn't really been anything to write home about other than Januzaj's superb staring debut, I don't think there would have been too many reds who were over confident ahead of the game. Add to that Southampton's fine start to the season and excellent defensive record, the three points they took at Anfield and we all knew United would to have to be near their best.
Well United were never really at their best, Southampton put in a performance the equal of the last time they visited Old trafford when their pressing game caused us all sorts of problems and yet we had enough chances to have took the three points.
It was a strange games in some respects, because even though United's performance faltered the longer the second half went on, until the last ten minutes the opposition hardly threatened De Gea's goal. What was very apparent though, was how they grew stronger towards that last ten minutes, whilst United seemed to wilt. Whilst some of that was down to tactics and questionable substitutions, tha amount of times that teams have seemed stronger, fitter and faster than United over the last couple of seasons is starting to become too regular an occurence. This was an issue before Moyes took over, so whatever the merits, or not, as the case maybe, of Moyes more strenuous training regime, it's a problem that needs a solution.
Once more Januzaj was a sining light in the gloom of our poor early season form. He provided three passes during that first half that showed there will be life after Paul Scholes after all. I thought Nani had a reasonable game on the other flank, he created a couple of great chances during the first half, Rooney should have scored from one of his pull backs.
The central area of the park, once again was a problem. I don't really see how we can go on playing two out and out centre forwards, which is what we seem to be doing. There wasn't much evidence of Rooney dropping into the hole, especially during the first half. What was worse, when he did drop back, he was as much of a problem for our defence as for them. He almost set them up for two goals for Southampton with lax passing and the longer the game went the worse his game went. Broken record time, but he's nowhere near the player he was, whatever propoganda United and the media try to give out.
Up front, Van Persie got his goal and hit the woodwork with a fine header, but his body language looked shit. Moyes is on record as saying he's trying to forge a partnership between Van Persie and Rooney. Well it aint working at the moment, in any shape or form. It's obvious they both want to be the main man, the number nine, well on form there isn't much to choose between them, but we know, I think, Van Persie will be here next season, can we say that about Rooney. Given all that, Moyes, it seems to me, is going to have a big decsion to make, a possible headache, that he and United's board gave themselves when they insisted Rooney stay at the club in the summer.
Tactically, Moyes substitutions were very iffy, bringing Giggs on was fair enough, but for Nani, surely it should have been for either Fellaini or Rooney. Personally I would have preferred to have seen Kagawa come on for Rooney, playing deeper to try and improve our possession. As for Fellaini, he just looks absolutely lost, he doesn't seem to have anything in his locker at all. I'm on record as saying I didn't fancy him, never particularly rating him when he was at Everton, but i never imagined he was as poor as we have seen so far at United. I don't know whether it's his injury that's impeding him, he's overawed playing with better players or whether that is his actual level. Whichever it is Moyes needs him to come good, if the gimps are ever going to trust him with those scarce transfer funds.
The substitution that still has me scratching my head was Smalling for Rooney. The central defensive partnership between Jones and Evans at centre half was the best we have seen so far this season. The longer the game went, the stronger Jones, in particular, became. So for Moyes, so late in the game, to break them up and push Jones into central midfield, lost me I'm afraid. Of course that meant the marking for that fateful corner would have been all altered, which can't have helped during the muddle that led to their equaliser.
I suppose some will think it's just not good enough to be failing to be Southampton's and West Brom's of this world at Old trafford. But they have both given the lie to the theory that the premier league isn't as strong as the media hype would have you believe. I would have gone along with that over the last few seasons, but both West Brom and Southampton had players of a pretty high standard and both outfits played as teams. Saying that, of course you can't only be taking only home one point against them if you have any aspirations to reataining the title. It's too early to say that's impossible yet, despite our league position and the amount of points we are behind Arsenal. But given our form and tactics I fear it won't be long before we can say it's impossible

Januzaj for St. George?

So the world cup qualification phase is over and England are through, I'm afraid I belong to the camp of reds that doesn't much care for the international team or international tournaments. That said, those last two matches, actually saw England produce two very watchable football, get two results and suggest that they may actually be evolving a recognisable style of football, that's exciting to watch to boot.
I have to admit I was a little dubious about the merits of Hodgson as a manager, no blame could be attached to him for the usual lethargic and uninspired football that was shown during the last Euro's in Poland and Ukraine, that was the squad he inherited. But for the majority of the world cup group stage, England had played some pretty uninspiring stuff and the team selection had, at times been fairly conservative.
But credit where it's due, for those last two games, he really went for it, selection wise and tactically. It was far from perfect and if Lewandowski had taken that first counter attacking chance, who knows how the game would have panned out. But the balance up front was very good, with the wide men giving both opposition teams a host of problems.I'll leave my thoughts on Rooney, i've been told, i'm not objective on the subject, i hate him too much, one thing i can't resist though, if he lights up the world cup in Brazil i will eat humble pie
Midfield and the back four are a different matter though, i can never understand how Carrick isn't one of the first names on the teamsheet, and he showed why that's excatly what he should be with his performance against Poland. Why he was took off with twenty minutes to go, was utterly baffling, even more so given Lampard's contribution once on the pitch.
Baines was excellent going forward, though not as solid as Cole at the back, i'd stick with Baines though. Despite Roy Keane apparently really rating Jagielka, i'm not so sure, i'm definitely no big fan of Cahill. Jones would be my centre back, but if he's not playing there fairly regularly for us, he won't get a sniff, i fear. The annoying thing for Jones will be that he should be playing there reasonably regularly.
The problem i see for England and for that matter most of the European teams, is how they will be able to produce an aggressive pace based game amidst the heat of Brazil. Even Spain will struggle, yes they keep possession, but to do that they press hard, will they be able to press that hard for 90 minutes, every three or four days for a month. I was pretty doubtful that Brazil would do much during the summer, even with home advantage, they're nowhere near the best eleven that country have ever produced, but having seen that mini tournament last season, they will be there or there abouts.

Anyway, thank fuck that's over, United on Saturday and who knows, januzaj's full home first team debut. With him being stuck back at the ranch, whilst others have been galivanting the continents, i wouldn't be at all surprised to see him start on Saturday.
Oh well back to international thoughts, some reds guffawed, when the chance of Januzaj playing for England was mentioned. All i'll say on the matter is, as long as Kosovo are denied international status, given his obvious lack of patriotic feeling for Belguim, nothing would surprise me less than him turning out in the white of England. Think of the commercial deals he would be able to command, turning out for United and England, let's face it he's going to be one of the best players in the world, they'll be throwing sponsorship deals at him. Depressing, but realistic i feel.



Music

Fick Buttons - Slow focus: Three albums in and they're still producing excellent driving techno that fans of noisy rock would probably be right at home with.

Martin Simpson - Vagrant Stanzas: This is his first album i have heard, i prseumed i would like his music, but was surprised by just how much i like it. It really is excellent stuff for anybody that likes the singer/songwriter stuff that leans towards folk.

Matias Aguayo - The vistor: It's surprising how many German based techno artists there are around, but one thing they seem to have in common is producing non generic progressive electronic music. This is pretty good, though there are a couple of iffy tracks to my mind.

The last skeptik - Thanks for trying: This is very good, experimental electronica, instrumental hip hop, very trippy, almost chilled out at others.

Ty Segall - Sleeper: The Californian based garage, psych, freak out guitarist turns it down, but it's not totally unplugged, he's not gone Americana, there's still an edge to the music. A qualified success, it doesn't hit the heights of his plugged in material.

Various artists - A rough guide to African disco: It's not really disco in the late 70's, 80's mode, but it's definitely foot tapping, funky booty shaking music, no filler at all and a couple of real killer tunes.


Vondelpark - Seabed: It took me a few listens to appreciate this, it's a bit of a slow burner, but the more you listen to the electro pop for want of a better description of their music, the better it gets.

Sunderland 1-2 Manchester United

Saturday could turn out to have been a day we'll look back on and say that was an important day for any number of reasons. Coming into the game, it was obvious to everybody we really needed the three points to get our season back on track as well as shut the press up for a couple of weeks at least.
Moyes made a couple of big calls, bringing in Januzaj, though for some of us, that wasn't really that big a call at all. The young Belgian, if that's still what we can call him, has looked ready for the move up since the pre-season tour. He has impressed with his two first team appearances as a substitute and on Monday playing for the reserves looked on a different planet to everybody else on the pitch, scoring a screamer to boot.
The bigger calls, given our indifferent defensive form was leaving Vidic at centre half after his midweek excertions in the Ukraine and giving Jones his first start in his favourite possition this season. I think it's fair to say that those calls were only a qualified success.
We started woefully, with Evra being turned far too easily after four minutes and Jones only managing to clear the cross to the feet of Vidic. In fairness to the big Serb, the ball came to him quickly, but he should still have done better than turn it straight into the path of Gardener who made no mistake with the gift presented to him. So in a must win game against the bottom placed team we were a goal down within five minutes, not the start we were looking for. That seemed to panic the team as our midfield and defence were harried into some poor defensive play and in attack we seemed to have no shape at all. It's hard to see Vidic doing back to back Wednesday to Saturday games after this.
As we ended our last game during the defeat to West Brom, the flank was where our threat seemed to come from.  I suppose after ages of absolutely nothing coming from the flanks, this is an encouraging sign. Our game seemed to rely on Nani and Januzaj to deliver brilliance off the cuff, with Van Persie and Rooney barely getting themselves into the game. Carrick and Cleverley struggling to control the middle of the park didn't produce much as an attacking force. Our best chances during a desperately disappointing first half display, came from the flanks. Januzaj went tantalizingly close with a right foot effort from the edge of the box and Nani had one long range effort and a volley in the box that he maybe should have done better with.
At the other end, we were as wobbly as we have been during any game this season, in fact it was painful to watch Vidic at times he was having such a hard time. Jones seemed to sink to his level at times and disastrously lost the ball just inside his own half, and though he made a superb saving tackle, against a better team, we'd probably have conceeded a second, possibly killer goal. Not long before half time De Gea, who was blameless for what went on in front of him, made an absolutely outstanding save, to keep us in the game.
Now time to wax lyrical about a possible season defining debut. Though he made mistakes and lost the ball at times when he tried too much, on his debut and at all of eighteen years of age, Januzaj was by far and away our best player on the pitch, and that was without the two goals. It's hard to see how he hasn't just ensured that he now becomes a very valued member of our first team squad. I don't expect him to play every game, but I'd be disappointed if wasn't at least on the bench for most games for now on. He is simply too good and too important for any other option.
What was embarrassing, for me anyway, was that during the second half, the teenager was head and shoulders above any other United player on the pitch. I wasn't particularly impressed by Carrick or Cleverley again, and further forward, Rooney was in and out of the game, being easily outshined by Januzaj, who i'm sure if he'd have moved into the middle would really have shown us just how mediocre Rooney's present form really is. More worrying, was Van Persie's form, he started the season on fire at Swansea, but since then, due to a combination off United's general lack of form and niggling injuries he seems to have lost his game a little. Still he managed to fashion two great chances, that should have seem him leave the north east with at least one goal.
It's an annoying time for an international break, when is it anything else, just as things potentially start to look up, we've got a fortnight before the next game. At least when we come back from the break, we can hopefully start to look at our future optimistically again. Since Ronaldo left we haven't really had a player who you know is going to get you out of your seat with excitement, Januzaj does that, and then some. I have had a feeling for a while that the next two to three seasons we will see more and more of our exciting youngsters replace some of the dead wood in our squad. I've a feeling that Saturday was the beginning of the end for Ashley Young and Anderson's career's at United to name just two.

Arctic Monkeys AM & other assorted doodles

Music

Arctic Monkey - AM: It's been heralded as a return to form, or even by a few critics as their best album yet. I'm not sure it's better than either of the first two albums, but it's definitely on a par. Not that I've not had time for the last couple of albums, they were both good, but didn't tend to linger in the memory.

Attic Lights - Super de luxe: Scottish indie bands second album is a bright and breezy guitar pop affair. They've been compared to Teenage Fanclub, I don't really see that much similarity myself. It's a decent listen, but not anywhere near the level of the Fannies.

Jah9 - New name: Excellent new West Indian singer/songwriter's 1st album blends reggae and soul to very good effect, consistently good and two or three real stand out tracks.

Son Volt - Honky tonk: I don't listen to very much country music, but i do like it from time to time. This is a pretty good alt country/Americana album, full of fiddles, acoustic guitar as well as more up tempo electric fare.

The National - Trouble will find me: These are extremely well regarded by some, the only album of their's I have tried was Boxer, which i thought was a six to seven out of ten type of album, but was not really as good as I expected. This album leads me to see why some really rate them, it's a really strong album with some really memorable tunes on it.

Thundercat - Apocalypse: Bass for hire Stephen Bruner returns to solo status, I really loved this funky effort taking from 70's funk and the smoother Prince type 80's funk, it really hits the spot.

Valerie June -  Pushin' against a stone: Another really strong album from across the pond, she's to blend a bit of everything into this album. Folk, blues, soul, this is real Americana and there are some great tracks on it, it goes electric near the end on You can't be told to dazzling effect.

Willy Moon - Here's Willy Moon: I'm not sure how cool it is to like this, it's been out a fair while now, I think, but I have to say i do. It's commercial as hell, but the songs are just so catchy.

Shaktar Donetsk 1-1 Manchester United

Well I won't pretend that last night's display was sexy football, but it was a decent Euro away performance and a decent point to boot. They have an excellent home record, so to restrict them to so few chances, and even to impotency in attack, during that first half was pretty creditable. Given our defensive performance so far this season, it was a pleasant surprise. It would have been nice if we'd had more bite up front, and then kept possession better in the second half, but in the context of our season so far and the context of the group, it was a good night.
Vidic was back in the heart of our defence, and not the Vidic that we saw during the eastlands battering. Accompanied by Smalling and with both first choice full backs in place, the back four was more like a Manchester United back four. The change of formation defintely helped give the team a more solid look. During the first half we had plenty of possession, without ever really looking like opening them up too much. But whilst United had the ball, their dangerous attack never really got a look in.
Cleverley looked a better player in the 4-3-3 floating around making himself available, giving and getting. As with others though, he couldn't keep it going and faded out of things during the second half, a perrenial problem for him, though his defensive work was fine. Carrick gave a reasonable performance, though I don't think he's really carried last season's form through yet.
Fellaini carried on his indifferent form, though he was nowhere near the finished article in the first half, he stil managed to create them problems. But his game went from bad to worse during the second half. There's an argument Moyes left it too late in taking him off, maybe we could have regained the intitiative before they equalied if Giggs had come on earlier. You can only hope Fellaini's finding his feet at the club, because at the moment he's showing signs off being the player I always thought of him being at Everton. When he gets the ball in the final third, he looks like a duck out of water when it comes to our passsing game.
Van Perise was left isolated a little too much, especially in the second half, I'd presumed Cleverley would try and get forward to help him, but that wasn't the case. Welbeck and Valencia both had solid games, I'd have Welbeck in my teams every time for the biggest games, that's without the goal. Apparently he still get's tons of stick, absolutely loses me that, he does a job and a half for the team and when he's given more responsibility later in his career he will shove the criticism back down their throats, positive of that. Anway fuck the thicker elements of our support, Moyes obviously fancies him in  the big games, as did Fergie.
So on to Sunderland on Saturday, I suppose with all eyes on us after our disappointing start, it's pretty imperative we get the three points. Even after yesterday's improved display, I'll wait until I see the team sheet before I dare to hope we've turned the corner.