Match Report: Manchester United 1 - 2 Crystal Palace (AET)

Manchester United 1 - 2 Crystal Palace (AET)

Wednesday 30/11/2011

Carling Cup Quarter Final

United's kids stumble to quarter final defeat to a defiant Crystal Palace side.


The starting line up came as a shock to the United faithful as Sir Alex named internationals amongst the starting XI. The likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Park Ji-Sung and Antonio Valencia were fielded, and can be explained as them needing match time. There was still plenty of youth present, with the likes of Federico Macheda, Ben Amos, and Mame Biram Diouf all awarded starts.

United started well, dominating possession and earning early numerous corners in the early stages of the game, however Crystal Palace had a game plan of getting men behind the ball and it was working well, as the home side struggled to make any clear chances. Crystal Palace also posed a threat of their own through Wilfried Zaha and Sean Scannell who didn't look afraid to run at the United defence.

A lacklustre first half came to end with the most noticeable event was Fabio being replaced by youngster Ezekiel Fryers due to a 37th minute injury. Another change for United was forced at half time as Dimitar Berbatov, who had taken a knock to his ankle, was replaced by another promising youth talent Ravel Morrison.

United came out in the second half with renewed energy, Antonio Valencia looking most likely to make an impact on the game. And after just five second half minutes he almost did, when Palace defender Anthony Gardner stumbled over the ball releasing Valencia clear. However the Ecuadorian pulled his shot agonisingly wide of Lewis Price's goal. United were getting into their stride looking the most likely to score.

It didn't take much longer for the opening goal to come, but surprisingly it was against the run of play. When second half Palace substitute Darren Ambrose picked the ball up just inside the United half no one expected him to turn and fire into the top corner from nearly 40 yards, but that he did, leaving Ben Amos in the United goal no chance. The 5,000 visiting fans went wild as they saw their side take a shock lead with a stunning strike.

United were invigorated by the goal and it only took four minutes for the home side to pull things level. When Federico Macheda was hauled down in the box, he made no mistake from the penalty spot, sending Price the wrong way. This is where you would have thought United pushed on to win the game on a counter, but this simply did not happen. Palace continually kept United at bay. 90 minutes were up and we were into extra time. United had been forced into another substitution in the second half with Rafael picking up United's third injury of the night, Paul Pogba was his replacement. United's team was starting to look very inexperienced and in the end it was this that cost them the tie.

In the 98th minute Glenn Murray headed home from an offside position following a rare free kick in the United half, miraculously for the second home game in the row the referee's assistant made a critical error, allowing the goal to stand.

United just could not find a second equaliser despite Macheda and Valencia coming close in the dying embers of the game. Crystal Palace held on for a famous victory, which was only United's second defeat of the season in all competitions. A disappointing result will perhaps be a blessing in disguise, as United now avoid a two legged semi-final in a competition which will always be their lowest priority.

Match Report: Manchester United 1 - 1 Newcastle United

Manchester United 1 - 1 Newcastle United

Saturday 26/11/2011

Premier League

Manchester United are denied all three points after contentious penalty decision.


Wayne Rooney was deemed fit to start after missing the mid week draw with Benfica. Nemanja Vidic also found himself back in the starting line up after missing the draw through suspension. United were looking to build on the three consecutive league 1-0 victories since the 1-6 loss to Manchester City.

And it was United who started the brighter forcing Newcastle back into their own half. Chicharito was looking sharp with two early shots on goal, both comfortably saved by Newcastle 'keeper Tim Krul. It didn't take the Magpies long to find their feet with Jonas Gutierrez and ex-red Gabriel Obertan looking threatening down the wings.

Neither side was able to dominant the game, with both sides being careless is possession. In the 30th minute Luis Nani released Chicharito through on goal with a cutting through ball, but the Mexican scuffed his shot over the bar. Seconds later Tim Krul made a fine reaction save to deny Ryan Giggs following a cross into the box from Fabio.

United struggled to maintain the pressure and the game soon fell back into a midfield battle. The sides went into half time level, Newcastle had been more than able to cope with United. Neither side made any changes during the interval, but it was Manchester United that came out with increased vigour as it only took four minutes for United to take the lead as Chicharito was in the right place at the right time as the ball ricocheted off him and into the net following a Wayne Rooney free kick.

Newcastle were not deterred by the goal, and in the 59th minute when Fabricio Coloccini forced David De Gea into a world class reaction save. Moments later Newcastle were awarded a penalty, replayed showed Rio Ferdinand had made a clean challenge on Hatem Ben-Arfa, a truly awful decision from the linesman. Demba Ba despatched the spot kick to bring the scores level. Sir Alex Ferguson, enraged by the poor decision fired his team up to try and make things right.

With twelve minutes to go Jonas Gutierrez picked up his second yellow card following a late challenge from behind on Luis Nani. From the results free kick Tim Krul made a stunning close range save from a powerful Nemanja Vidic header.

The final stages were manic as first Ashley Young hits the post with a driven shot, shortly followed by a goal-line clearance from Danny Simpson after a flicked Chicharito's header. Deep into stoppage time United thought they had won it as Chicharito tapped home from close range, but it wasn't to be as he was ruled offside. Replays seemed to show he was in fact on side.

1-1 it stayed and United can feel incredibly hard done by as they drop two more points in the title race.

Match report : Manchester United 2 - 2 Benfica

Manchester United 2 - 2 Benfica

Tuesday 22/11/2011

Champions League Group Stage

Manchester United stumble at home leaving everything to play for going into their final group C clash.


United were without injured Wayne Rooney and suspended captain Nemanja Vidic for the Old Trafford encounter with Benfica. Instead we saw a return of Dimitar Berbatov up front with summer signing Phil Jones starting in the centre of defence along side Rio Ferdinand. Ashley Young was making his first start after a three week lay off with a toe injury and found himself playing as the support striker, with Luis Nani and Antonio Valencia deployed on the wings.

United were stunned just three minutes in when Nicolas Gaitan broke down the left, playing a low cross into the box which Phil Jones inadvertently turned into his own net. A cruel piece of luck for the 19 year old. United found themselves behind and in need of a win to have any realistic chance of topping the group. The home sides play was lumbered with a real lack of cutting edge in the final third. Benfica were looking to hit United again on the counter with Gaitan and Pablo Aimar, who both looked particularly threatening.

Twenty minutes in, the hosts finally started to get some rhythm to their passing. On the half an hour mark United were level after Berbatov rose highest to meet Nani's cross. Berbatov's sublime finish was his first Champions League goal since 2008 and now they were back in it. The crowd roared as United looked to push themselves into the lead. Mere moments later this almost happened when Ashley Young was one on one with the Benfica 'keeper following a precise through ball from Berbatov. Artur smothered Young's shot well as United missed their opportunity to go in front. Seconds later Benfica broke and David De Gea had to be on full alert to palm away Pablo Aimar's powerful drive.

Following a frantic few minutes of play the game calmed down into half time with the score still one a piece. The second half started like the first with the visitors looking composed on the ball and not giving United's midfield time to breathe. However like the first again United began to find their feet as the half went on. Fabio wasted a golden opportunity as he attempted to chip Artur from close range, where the Portuguese 'keeper simply caught the ball. As we reached the hour mark United made their pressure tell, following a penalty area scramble Patrice Evra swung in a quality cross from the left which Darren Fletcher dispatched from close range after a second bite at the cherry.

United were ahead in the tie for the first time, and their lack of concentration following the goal would be their downfall on the night. A mere 80 seconds after the restart Pablo Aimar levelled things once again as he poked home from close range following an ill-advised pass out of defence from David De Gea. This lack of composure meant all United's hard work had been undone in an instant, as they found themselves back at square one.

United struggled to replicate the pressure which had managed to put them ahead, and one clear cut chance they forged was wasted, as Dimitar Berbatov volleyed over from 10 yards. 2-2 it finished as United had drawn their 3rd game of the campaign leaving them them needing at least a draw from their final group game away at FC Basel to ensure qualification.

Match Report: Swansea 0 - 1 Manchester United

Swansea 0 - 1 Manchester United

Saturday 19/11/2011

Premier League

Manchester United record their third successive 1 - 0 victory in the Premier League.


After the international break United were looking to continue their good form, which had seen them win their last five games in all competitions without conceding a single goal. Wayne Rooney found himself in a more familiar role up front, with Micheal Carrick and Ryan Giggs deployed in central midfield. United were facing a Swansea side who were unbeaten at home and had only conceded one goal at the Liberty Stadium all season.

The opening stage were cagey with neither side taking control of the game. Despite this the first real action of the game resulted in a goal, when after 11 minutes Ryan Giggs took advantage of a defensive error by Angel Rangel, squaring the ball to Chicharito who simply dinked the ball over Michel Vorm in the Swansea goal to give the Champions the lead.

Swansea looked stunned as they had more than equalled their opponents, but found themselves behind. The game continued to pass with little incident until the 22nd minute when Scott Sinclair found himself 5 yards from goal destined to score, however he managed to get his feet completely mixed up, letting United off the hook.

As the half grew older Michael Carrick found his feet as United dominated the rest of the half without really threatening to extent the lead. The Swansea manager Brendan Rogers needed to change things in the second half if his side were going to maintain their unbeaten home record. The introduction of Joe Allen seemed to have the desired effect as the hosts came out with increased vigour in the second period.

Sinclair almost made up for his woeful miss earlier as he forced David De Gea into a good save at the near post. The Swans were coming into their own, gaining more of the possession, showing United that they weren't going to get it all their own way. However the Welsh side struggled to create any clear cut chances and as the game drew to a close it was United who almost wrapped up all three points when first Phil Jones struck the post after a powerful run from right back, followed by Luis Nani who curled a low shot inches wide with seconds remaining.

United hung on for the victory and another improved defensive performance, which can be attributed to the return to action of captain Nemanja Vidic. The Champions stay five points behind their city rivals in the race for the title, but with 26 games to go there is still everything to play for.

Match Report: Manchester United 1 - 0 Sunderland

Manchester United 1 - 0 Sunderland

Saturday 05/11/2011

Premier League

Manchester United marked 25 years service from Sir Alex Ferguson with all 3 points at Old Trafford.



The day was, for once, not just about the game as the astonishing achievements of Sir Alex were the flavour of the day. Before the match Fergie was given a guard of honour by both sides, in his 25 years at the club he has enjoyed unprecedented success both domestically and in Europe. The big surprise came as the North Stand was renamed the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand, a fitting tribute to the greatest manager the game has ever seen.

There was still a game of football to be played as United lined up against a Sunderland side that included former reds Wes Brown and Kieran Richardson. Anders Lindegaard was preferred in goal ahead of David De Gea, with Wayne Rooney again deployed in central midfield as he was in the 2-0 victory over Otelul Galati. After only moments of play the game came to a stand still as Sunderland forward Connor Wickham had to be stretchered off following a bad fall. Sunderland were forced into an early change with Ji Dong-Won coming on to replace him after only four minutes.

The black cats were defending in numbers and for long periods of the half had all 11 men behind the ball. United were struggling to break them down or find any rhythm at all. Chances were very few and far between, Sunderland's organised defence keeping United at bay. This tactic saw the visitors reduced to trying to hit United on the break through Nicklas Bendtner. It took until first half stoppage time for United to make the breakthrough, when Ex-red Wes Brown headed into his own net following a Nani corner. United had the lead going into the break to the relief of the 76,000 inside Old Trafford. Their team had not played well, with perhaps the occasion hampering the performance.

In the second half United were more sprightly and were playing with increased urgency. However the game continued without incident until the 64th minute when Kieran Richardson managed to clear Chicharito's header off the line following another superb cross from Nani.

There was a moment of contention late on when Sunderland thought they had won a penalty. Assistant referee Jake Collin flagged for a penalty, it looked at first that it had been awarded. However the referee overturned the decision instead awarding United a free kick in their own box. Replays showed Lee Mason had made the correct call, it had in fact been Ji- Dong Won that had handled in the area. Sixteen minutes from time Keiren Westwood kept the score to just 1 - 0 when he completed a phenomenal double save first stopping a Wayne Rooney shot before tipping over Patrice Evra's effort.

United held on for all three points in what was a game that took second stage to celebration of Sir Alex Ferguson's success at the club. The Old Trafford side have now kept four clean sheets in a row in all competitions, winning all four games. This will be a welcome return to form for the Manager and fans alike following the 1-6 loss to Manchester City.

Match Report : Manchester United 2 - 0 Otelul Galati

Manchester United 2 - 0 Otelul Galati

Wednesday 02/11/2011

Champions League Group Stage

Manchester United moved top of Group C after a low key win at Old Trafford.




The positional change of Wayne Rooney was the main talking point as the team sheet was announced, as we saw the United top scorer start in central midfield. This deeper role left the striking spots up for grabs, and starts were awarded to Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen. The duo had had limited game time this season and were looking to make a big impression. Rio Ferdinand was reinstated at centre back, replacing the suspended Nemanja Vidic.

It was the home side who started the stronger putting Otelul under immense pressure with their high tempo passing game. It didn't take long for this pressure to tell, when after just 8 minutes Phil Jones broke down the right and fired across the face of goal, Antonio Valencia had an easy tap in to take the pressure off United. Michael Owen had made a dash to the near post in the build up, his determination had cost him, as moments after the goal he was withdrawn for picking up a muscle injury in the lunge. Chicharito was his replacement for the remain 80 minutes of play.

The early goal had settled the United nerves, but perhaps it had come too soon, as they struggled to settle into the game, being far too sloppy in possession. Otelul were getting men behind the ball and United were finding it hard to break the Romanian outfit down. As the game developed the visitors were finding themsevles with plenty of time on the ball, but lacked cutting edge, failing to create any chances of note.

Phil Jones from left back was providing United's strongest attacking threat with his marauding runs, and was unlucky not to double United's advantage when his curling shot was headed wide for a corner. On the stroke of half time the hosts almost threw their lead away when an Nani lost the ball deep in his own half, this gave Ionut Neagu a clear shot on goal, David De Gea was equal to the shot and beat the ball away well.

An unspectacular half, with United holding just a single goal lead meant the result was far from in the bag. If the fans were expecting a demolition of the Romanian minnows then it wasn't to come, as hosts were continually subdued in the second half. The resilience of Otelul was paying off as the enjoyed long periods of possession, and for a spell looked likely to pull things level. United weren't doing themselves any favours as Chicharito and Anderson in particular were incredibly sloppy with the ball.

Wayne Rooney's central role was proving to be a plus point as he sprayed quality passes around the field, working hard at both ends of the pitch, more than warrenting his man of the match award.

The hosts mopped things up late on when Rooney struck a shot from outside the box, it took a heavy deflection giving the Otelul keeper no chance. This was to be the last flash of excitement in a routine victory for United. The performance from the Old Trafford side was below par, but they did what was required to move to the top of Champions League Group C, after Benfica had drawn 1-1 at home to Basel.