Sunderland 0-1 Manchester United

Three points, another game chalked off, a new league record, if that floats your boat, but otherwise, pretty much a game to forget. Which for as much as i can't really say i enjoyed the 90 minutes too much, i can't complain too much at. The game that really matters for me, and Fergie by the looks of things is tomorrow morning's game in west London.
With two games in three days it was always going to be a much changed team, and when both Buttner and Anderson start, you can also say weakened and that's exactly what it was. Still it was a fairly strong side, one that should have been much too strong for O'Neill's side. Saying that i wasn't as confident as i usually would be going into a game like this. Given Sunderland's current free fall and United's weakened team, you never know whether the opposition will show up and give you one of those fighting for everything type performances.
I needn't have worried, the home team's first half performance was up there with Fulham's at Old trafford in the cup, as the worst we have encountered this season. They improved in the second half, they could hardly do otherwise they had been so abject in the first half, but by then we had got the goal. United completely dominated the first half, but it was one of those days where United were content to do just enough and no more.
The second half was a forty five minutes to be endured as United never really got going, as much as United had Monday on their minds, we really should have been beating that mackem side by more than one goal. But we got through it, not totally unscathed unfortunately as Rafael went off in the first half, that could be a blow if it's serious with the fixtures ahead.
Carrick was easily the outstanding player in red, he is in as rich a vein of form as he has had in his whole career at the club, at present. I thought Kagawa was excellent in the first half, but faded in the second, but i felt that was due to the players around him, more than through any fault of his own. Van Persie did reasonably well in general, aside from his goal, but i still wouldn't be surprised to see him start on the bench on Monday.
Negatives, as usual Anderson didn't last the ninety minutes and at times might as well not have been on the pitch for all that he contributed to the game. Some were more impressed by Buttners display than usual, i can't really count myself amongst them. Sure he had a couple of good moments, but he still looked like an accident waiting to happen against a better team to me.
The sacking of O'Neill was a surprise, it goes without saying, i wouldn't have been surprised if he had gone in the summer, but to sack him now, doesn't really make much sense. He hasn't improved this Sunderland side one iota since he arrived at the club though, i know they have been unfortunate with injuries, but that was a really spineless performance yesterday. Not one you would ever really associate with a team managed by Martin O'Neill. You have to wonder whether we'll ever see him managing again in the premier league after this.
So to tomorrow, a game to get you licking your lips and not one that i can expect to say i had to endure it come half two ish, tomorrow afternoon. I really fancy us for this, we will be fresher than we were for the first tie, no running out of legs in the second half in this one. I can see Rooney Welbeck and Nani all starting this, question is, as part of a front three or will we go 4-4-2. It's a biggie anyway, a crack at a bit of revenge against City for that semi final defeat should be all the incentive they need.

Rio says no

Most of the back pages earlier in the week, were taken up by the Rio Ferdinand recall, rebuff story. I wasn't surprised by Hodgson's attempt to bring him back, Englands last game against Brazil had been fairly promising for Hodgson, for the most part. But the obvious weak spot on the night and going forward has to be centre half. On the night, neither Cahill or Smalling looked up to the job.
So for that forward line and that three man midfield to be able to fulfill that promise this year and next, Hodgson needs an experienced classy man at centre half alongside a promising youngster with the legs that Rio has now lost. So for Hodgson, it was a no brainer.
I honestly thought when it was announced, Ferdinand would accept, whatever that meant to his relationship with Fergie, like Beckham, the feeling has always been that he put England before United. So i have to say i was surprised that he told them he couldn't make the two matches, either Hodgson really got his back up over the Terry affair, or he really does want to prolong his career with United, another years extension, looks odds on now.
It's obviously great news for United, after the decline of the last couple of season, he seems to have adjusted to his new elder statesman role in the squad superbly. If Evans has improved no end this season, which he has, no doubt having Rio next to him for the majority of the season has helped him greatly. It probably means that Fergie will not have to dip into the transfer market for a new centre half this summer, especially with something like the old Nemanja Vidic reappearing over the last month or so. And another season for Jones, Smalling and even Michael Keane, on loan probably, in his case to gain experience and ease into the role.

Music

Bad Brains - Into the future: The Washington DC hardcore/reggae carry on their unique sound on their latest album, i suppose you have to be able to appreciate both forms of music to be able to last the albums they produce. Luckily for me i do, it must limit their audience though. Anyway it hits the spot.

Divine fits - A thing called divine fits: US indie collaboration that justifies the effort, at times straight forward indie and at others a more reasonably radio friendly 80's electro/pop influence.

Godspeed you! Black emperor - Allelujah! Don't bend! Ascend!: My first listen to the Canadian epic, almost orchestral rock, what have i been missing, because i absolutely love this. Definitely not radio friendly, it probably would have been labelled prog rock in the 70's, i love this kind of heavy guitar led instrumental music.

Matthew Halsall - Fletcher Moss park: The latest album from the Manchester based jazz trumpeter/producer continues along the acoustic/chilled out jazz that would get him airtime on Giles Peterson. The type of music i could listen to on repeat and just get lost in it.

School of seven bells - Disconnect from desire: The second album from the US indie/pop group when they were still a trio carried on the promising ethereal dreamy indie of the debut. It's a mile away from Ben Curtis original band The Secret Machines indie/rock, though this track isn't/

Willy Mason - Carry on: This third album is full of the same kind of great indie/Americana sounds that made his first two albums so enjoyable. He's got so many cracking songs, it's hard to know why he isn't more successful.

Manchester United 1-0 Reading

It's been a curious season, before christmas, when nothing was decided we saw some cracking football, not always great performances, but enough memorable moments to be more than happy with the entertainment we had been served up. Since City started to fall away, the football, the Madrid games apart, has become more and more mundane. I'm not complaining too much after last season, we just want to get that title sewn up.
The team was completely reshuffled, with Buttner and Anderson in the starting line, a pretty sure sign, that Fergie didn't rate the opposition too highly. Unfortunately once again, both those players showed why neither will ever make it at Manchester United. Smalling came in at right back, and whilst i think he's a reasonable centre half, he is not really a right back. He can do a job there, defensively, but he gets a nose bleed when he crosses the half way line, so creatively, we were lacking a bit from the start.
Given the result at Goodison, earlier in the day, United's start to the game wasn't what was hoped for, or what i expected. Never mind not having a shot on goal during the first ten minutes, we didn't even muster an attack worthy of the name. Eventually United started to look a bit livelier, and eventually a goal came, even then it needed a deflection to ensure it beat the Reading keeper Taylor. It was a great run from Rio Ferdinand that led to the goal, a rare excursion into the opponents area that rolled back the years.
The rest of the game was just completely forgettable, i could say Anderson faded out of the game as usual after an hour, except one surging run apart, he might as well not been on the pitch. Van Persie is still a way off the form we saw until around a month ago. And when Carrick is rested, you don't half know about it.
Reading had a couple of decent chances, and should definitely have had a penalty when Vidic lost his marbles for a moment and rugby tackled a man out of the way to try and win a header. But United saw the game out comfortably enough in the end, to see that twentieth league title hove into view.
I'm not sure why everybody was so surprised at City slipping up, after last week's debacle against Everton, that was the perfect fixture for us, as Everton had to put up a show for their fans, and they did that to a tee.
It will be interesting to see the team selected at Sunderland next week, as i'm sure United really fancy a trip to Wembley and i think we'll see the stronger eleven start st Stamford bridge. At least we can be certain that won't be a dull forgettable encounter.

Manchester United 2-2 Chelsea

Well the result wasn't what the doctor ordered after the disappointment of Tuesday night's exit from this years champions league trophy, but given the way the game went, i'll settle for us still being in the hat for the semi final against City. Even though we got off to that sensational start, it was obvious from pretty early on, we weren't on top of our game, passes were under hit and over hit, and as the game went on it didn't get any better. Fortunately Chelsea weren't any better for the first 45 minutes and were poor at the back, that second goal was a pretty soft one to give away.
Unfortunately as the excertions of Tuesday night began to show themselves in the second half, and our players tired, Chelsea's game improved and they started to take advantage. It didn't help that Nani, once again didn't last the 45 minutes. Recent events sum up his luck at the moment. He was up there as one of our best performers, until sent off against Real Madrid, and yesterday he was again one off our better players, sending in some undefendable crosses, until a hamstring injury saw him substituted just before half time. It didn't help our cause, that his replacement Tony Valencia, then proceeded to give us possibly his worst performance in a red shirt and couldn't provide our tired midfield and defence any kind of outlet from the pressure Chelsea began to put us under. I'm beginning to wonder whether we have seen the best of Valencia in a United shirt, his confidence seems so shot at the moment, it's hard to ever see him destroying Ashley Cole again, the way he has done more than once, in the past.
Another worry was Cleverley's inability to match the physical effort needed against Chelsea that he was able to deliver on Tuesday night. It looks like Fergie has got it right when he drops him out every now and then for a couple of games. The problem was, with no Scholes, Jones and Giggs rested, that leaves just Anderson and Fergie obviously didn't fancy the Brazillian in a big game. I don't blame him for that. as neither do i, but it begs the question as to why Anderson is still at the club. Yesterday would have been an ideal game for Jones, no way would we have been as over ran as we were in the second half, if he had been available even on the bench.
To be honest, when they got that second goal to level the game, i would have settled for the draw right there and then as their was only one team going to win the game from there on in, and they weren't playing in red. I struggle to remember us creating a reasonable chance in the second half. Van Perise couldn't really lift us when he came on and i thought Welbeck came on too late.
The consensus amongst the press was that Rooney gave a decent rseponse to his axing from the team on Tyesday night, whilst i don't think he had a poor game, his performance didn't exactly convince me that Fergie was wrong to leave him out against Real. What's really become noticeable the longer this season has gone on, is how that old burst of acceleration that was once such a big feature of his game has completely vanished. He hardly ever goes past a man anymore, i don't know whether he's just lost it, or doesn't want it enough anymore. He's nowhere near the same player without it, is all i can say. If we were offered anything above £20 million for him this summer, i'm afraid i'm coming to the conclusion we would be mad to turn it down.
Anyway we are still in the FA cup and one thing is for sure, we will not play as badly as that in the replay. That unbelievable save from De Gea in the dying seconds for Mata could still ensure that we get a trip to Wembley at least once this season. I thought their celebrations at the full time whistle were a touch over the top, United were there for the taking in that second half, and they couldn't finish us off. We had to travel down to the bridge for a quarter final replay in the treble season and gave one of our best away performances of the season, so i live in hope.

Rooney: should i stay or should i go?

It only took the back pages of the press one morning to chew over United's dimissal from this years champions league to then flood the world with Rooney to leave United stories today. Some reds have ridiculed the idea, but i have to say, nothing would surprise me less than the Liverpudlian leaving in the summer. Nothing was ever the same after he handed in that transfer request.
Whatever Fergie's motive's, either thinking Rooney's best days are behind him or letting the world know that no one player is bigger than the club, i can't say i'd have a problem if United were to let him go, I laughed at some of the transfer fee's menioned though. £35 million is laughable, £20 million could be stretching it. Some of his performance's for United and for England over the last couple of seasons have been so poor you wonder how much he much he really wants it nowadays. He couldn't argue about being left out the other night, maybe he could have played ahead of Van Perise, but Fergie obviously see's the Dutchman as his main man now, so that was never going to happen. Though Rooney worked reasonably hard in Madrid, he had no effective influence on our attacking game. Just look how much Danny Welbeck contributed, both in Madrid and on Tuesday night. On the biggest stage, we have seen over the last couple of seasons, Welbeck delivers, maybe not goals wise, yet, but he is a big worry for the best defence's in world football now.
Who would want Rooney though, nobody mentions Barca, but to me that would be the best fit. A selfless worker who would give them a different dimension up front and somebody who may be able to take some of the weight of Messi's shoulders. But supposedly neither Barca or Real are interested, which shows just how his stock has fallen. City wanted him, but would they want him this summer, who knows what the managerial position will be there in the summer. To be honest, as much as i would be content for United to let him go, i still wouldn't want to see him in the blue of City, you just know there would be a sting in that tail.
For all the talk of Lewandowski or Ronaldo arriving in the summer, everybody seems to have forgotten that we have already signed Zaha for next season and he's another striker capable of playing across the line, which Fergie now seems to prize highly. I don't think Fergie has bought him to sit on the bench for a season. He won't play every week, but he will be involved more than Nick Powell has this season. It's shaping up to be quite a summer of comings and goings by the looks of things.
Well all that took my mind of Tuesday night for a bit anyway, i still haven't totally got over the defeat, Sunday afternoon can't come round quick enough, i 'd love us to add a long overdue FA cup to what will hopefully be a 20th league title.

Music

Alabama Shakes - Boys and girls: I'm not sure it quite lives up to the hype that surrounded this when it was brought out, it's a pretty good album with some belting tunes on it. Very southern sounding mix of rock/blues and soul, it's pretty retro, but i don't mind that as long as the songs are good.

Calexico - Algiers: The splendidly singular US outfit whose sound is hard to categorise latest is chock full of those songs and sounds that evoke those dry desert states that border Mexico. Not one of their very best, but still has some lovely chilled out tunes on it.

Crocodiles - Endless flowers: I haven't heard this US indie band before, this is very 80's sounding scuzzy guitar, a bit similar to The Horrors second album, or The Chameleons from the period itself. It's a decent album, some excellent songs, but not consistently excellent.

Fiona Apple - The idler wheel: The US singer/songwriter isn't that prolific, but when she releases an album they are always worth a listen. This a pretty sparse sounding record that grows on the listener, another cracking effort.

Oren Ambarchi -Audience of one: Not for those that like to hum to their records, this one. The Aussie guitarist/instrumentalist soars into way out sonic exploration, that takes a while to appreciate, but gets better with every listen. The half hour long Knots really hits the spot, if you can take half an hour of him that is.

Porcelain raft - Strange weekend: Entertaining indie pop from this Italian instrumentalist, another album that takes time to appreciate, but is worth the effort, and another very 80's sounding affair.

The bad plus -Made Possible: I don't know how would classify their music, not strictly jazz, not strictly rock/prog, but not easy to class as fusion either. Either way they make very listenable music, no rock covers on this, but the drum work sounds more rock than jazz.

Manchester United 1-2 Real Madrid

I'm still totally gutted about last night, yes there were positives to come out of the tie, but that's not much consolation at the moment. If we had got the victory we looked as if we were heading to, before the game changing sending off, we would have had a great chance of getting to Wembley, and this time of winning the final. The way the game went and the way the sending off happened, kept bringing back memories off Bayern Munich at home, a couple of years back, when if we had got through that night we were almost assured a place in the final, Lyon were that poor.
I was as surprised as the next red when i saw the team, i was surprised but not shocked he had picked Nani, but i was amazed he'd left Rooney out. I was also taken aback by the inclusion of Vidic in front of Evans, that's the first time he's played back to back games since doing his knee. More often than not, Fergie gets these things right though, and given our first half showing and our start to the second half, Fergie the bold was vindicated. The proof to that being the fact that Ronaldo couldn't get into the game at all until the sending off of Nani.
Welbeck's inclusion was not a surprise, but the position he was given, slightly behind Van Persie was another big call, and once again, Danny did not let anybody down. He did his job defensively and was probably our most dangerous forward, perhaps alongside Nani. His runs and ability to keep the ball in tight spaces were invaluable. It has to be said, that over the two legs, Van Perise was a bit of a let down, he didn't have bad games, but didn't impose himself as much as he or we would have liked. It was a pity neither man seemed to have their shooting boots on though. As to the omission of Rooney, he may not have liked it, but he can't really have any complaints. Whether it's the end for him at United, time will tell, maybe those Lewandowski rumours have something behind them after all.
I wouldn't say United dominated the first half, out tactics of sitting back and trying to catch them on the counter saw to the that. But we were the better team, and the only team that looked capable of getting that all important first goal. Vidic hit a post and Welbeck forced a save from their goalie, when he possibly should have scored. Yet again Real Madrid came to United and their goalie had a bit of blinder making important saves in both first and second half's.
When we took the lead, it really looked like we would go on to clinch victory and a place in the quarter finals. And then came the sending off. It was a daft tackle, that has to be said, we all know what European referee's are like about raised feet. It was never a sending off in the premier league, but it was a hostage to fortune in an important European tie. I wasn't surprised when the red card came, as soon as the challenge went in, the Turkish official was steaming towards Nani with a body language that made me fear the worst.
Of course down to ten men, all United's pre-match tactics went out of the window, and for ten minutes or so Real were all over us and got the two goals that effectively killed the game off. Or should have killed it off, as United then got back into the game and had two or three great chances to equalise, the best chance falling to Rooney who haplessly blasted it over the bar. True Real created chances on the counter with Ronaldo at last free of the shackles, but the way Real wilted towards the end suggested to me if we had got a second we may well have got a third. I can't say i was overly impressed with Real Madrid either, take Ronaldo out of that side and it would be distinctly average. Yes Modric did well when he came on, but once again he was playing against ten men, I'm still no big fan of his.
So no treble, but the double is still on, i would have settled for one trophy at the beginning of the season, so life goes on, it hurts so much more though, when you know that this was a year when we were good enough to win a fourth European champions title.

Manchester United 4-0 Norwich City

With quarter of an hour to go, most of us would have just have been happy with a second goal to kill the game off, so to walk away from the ground to sink a jar or two to celebrate a 4-0 victory was very nice indeed. Norwich didn't really deserve that scoreline, they had come to do a job and for the most part, had done it. But in getting everybody behind the ball they had hardly bothered De Gea's goal at all, so it's hard to feel too sorry for the visiting team.
The closest they came was in the second half, with what looked like a chance that couldn't be missed, only Russell did miss it, scooping it over the ball. It wouldn't have counted though as the referee had already blown for a push on Evra.
United had huffed and puffed for most of the first half, playing nice stuff in the build up, but not being able to find the finishing ball. Carrick was at the heart of everything that United did, Kagawa on the left was doing alright, but as he comes in a lot from the left, the only real width we had came from Valencia and sadly he is still not on top of his game. It didn't really help him having Smalling behind him though, the tall centre back can fill in at right back, but he's not the best going forward.
A goal didn't look like coming as half time approached, only for Van Persie to tap the ball into the path of Kagawa who made no mistake. That was obviously a bit of a kick in the balls for Norwich who would have felt like they had done a good job in restricting our chances.
The second half plodded on with United looking for that second, but not really looking like getting it, until Van Perise and Anderson went off and Welbeck and Cleverley came on. The injection of pace and energy did the trick and after the second goal went in after fine work from Rooney and Kagawa, United became rampant, looking like scoring from almost every attack. The hatrick goal was a fine team goal and Kagawa's finish was the icing on the cake. I still wouldn't start him myself on Tuesday, but a display like that wouldn't go amiss against Real Madrid. The fourth, a wonder strike from Rooney, where he basically just put his foot through the ball, just topped of the day. Three points and four more goals to the goal difference represented on excellent afternoon's work. Now to Tuesday for a game i can't wait for.