Match Report: Norwich City 1 - 2 Manchester United

Norwich City 1 - 2 Manchester United

Sunday 26/02/2012

Premier League

Ryan Giggs snatches all three points for United on his 900th appearance for the club.

For the second game running Wayne Rooney was not fit enough for the squad as United were looking to close the gap at the top of the Premier League to two points. Chicharito partnered Danny Welbeck up front in Rooney's absence as Dimitar Berbatov was dropped to the bench.

Paul Scholes was selected along side Ryan Giggs who was making his 900th appearance for the reds. And it was Scholes who made an instant impact, heading home a Nani cross from close range after just seven minutes.

Norwich were struggling to contain United as Danny Welbeck almost made it two as John Ruddy just managed to turn his shot around the post. Despite this early pressure the home side slowly began to get a foothold in the game and were increasingly looking the more likely to score as David De Gea had to be sharp, repelling brilliantly with his feet from a close range Anthony Pilkington shot.

Norwich forced De Gea into another good save as he reacted quickly to hold onto a Grant Holt effort. United managed to hold on to the lead going into half time, Alex Ferguson must have been disappointed that after such a bright start his side were unable to put the game to bed. Norwich seemed determined to not give United an easy time of it as they began the second half how the left off in the first, pushing the visitors deep into their own half.

Norwich's attacking threat was being kept at bay by impressive defensive performances from David De Gea and Jonny Evans. In the 65th minute United had another great chance to go ahead as Danny Welbeck saw his chip over Ruddy cleared off the line by Zak Whitbread. Ten minutes later United came close again, this time denied by the crossbar as Ryan Giggs's volley thundered against the woodwork from a Phil Jones cross.

Going into the last ten minutes of the tie Norwich again upped the tempo, firstly Aaron Wilbraham's long range effort forced De Gea into another good save, before Grant Holt turned Rio Ferdinand in the box before firing into the top corner of goal.

Norwich more than deserved their equaliser as United now only had seven minutes to find a winner. Just two minutes later Welbeck should have had it, as he got onto the end of a fantastic Ryan Giggs cross, only to head wide. Just as it seemed that Norwich had done enough to earn the draw, Ryan Giggs popped up at the far post flicking home a superb Ashley Young cross from close range.

The 1,500 travelling United fans went wild inside Carrow Road as they snatched all three points at the death courtesy of their talismanic Welshman Ryan Giggs.

Match Report: Manchester United 1 - 2 Ajax AFC (agg. 3 -2)

Manchester United 1 - 2 Ajax AFC (agg. 3 - 2)

Thursday 23/02/2012

Europa League

United through to the last 16 of the Europa League despite stumbling at home.

After an impressive 2 - 0 win away in Amsterdam in the first leg, United just had to avoid defeat by two or more goals to secure progression to the next round. Wayne Rooney was left out of the match day squad due to a throat infection picked up shortly after the first leg. This meant Dimitar Berbatov and Chicharito began the game up front. Sir Alex Ferguson opted to field a very youthful side with six of named eleven aged 22 or younger.

United began the game in style as they took the lead after five minutes. Berbatov set up his strike partner Chicharito excellently, as the young Mexican took his chance confidently,placing his shot past Kenneth Vermeer. It was a fine start from the home side, putting them 3 - 0 on aggregate.

Ten minutes later United were almost out of sight as Chicharito tried to repay the favour by setting up Berbatov but before the Bulgarian striker could slide the ball home, the cross was cut out by Jan Vertonghen at the last minute.

As the half wore on the home side became a little complacent and Ajax began to take hold of the game. David De Gea saved well from a Aras Özbiliz shot before the Armenian pulled the Dutch side level on the night with a 20 yard strike just before half time.

After an explosive start United had been pegged back by an Ajax side that was gaining in confidence. The Eredivisie side had given themselves a lifeline giving them hope for the second half.

The second half continued much as the first ended with Ajax frustrating United as they looked for the two goals they needed to give themselves a chance of turning the tie around. David De Gea was forced into a excellent save just before the hour denying a Siem De Jong header from close range.

Just as it seemed the game was fizzling out to a draw, Toby Alderweireld powered home a header from close range to give Ajax the lead. Now only needing one goal to pull off an unlikely turn around. However a shaky United held on to go through three goals to two on aggregate.

A combination of inexperience and complacency almost cost United a place in European competition for the second time this season, after they crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage. The reds progress to face Athletic Bilbao in the last 16.

Match Report : AFC Ajax 0 - 2 Manchester United

AFC Ajax 0 - 2 Manchester United

Thursday 16/02/2012

Europa League

Manchester United take control of the tie with a professional performance in Amsterdam.


Phil Jones and Tom Cleverley were brought back into the side after lengthy lay offs with injury as United embarked on their first European tie since being knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages against Basel. Chicharito was chosen ahead of Danny Welbeck to partner Wayne Rooney up front as United fielded a strong team.

United were facing an Ajax team that also fell out of the Champions League at the group stage and were fired up for the match at the Amsterdam Arena. However It was a lacklustre start from both sides and despite United controlling the play in the middle of the park, they were incredibly wasteful with possession going forward.

The home side struggled to get a foothold in the game as United slowly began to look more threatening, Nani wasted a golden opportunity, blazing over when a simple pass to Rooney would have left the England forward with a tap in. Ajax created the best chance of the half as David De Gea pulled off a stunning save to deny a 30 yard effort from Siem De Jong.

On the stroke of half time Ajax had a penalty shout as Rio Ferdinand clashed with Miralem Sulejmani on the edge of the area, despite the appeals from the Ajax players, the referee, Gianluca Rocchi, waved play on as the sides were level going into the break.

It had been a tentative half with neither sides able to control the game. This was all about the change as United came out for the second half a different side, bossing proceedings from the off. Their passing was sharper and more fluid as the visitors were soon encamped around the Ajax penalty area in search of the opener. And after Nani had come close and Chicharito had had a penalty appeal turned down, it was Ashley Young who opened the scoring latching onto a deflected Nani cross.

It was not less than United deserved, as they continued too boss the half with Ajax now chasing the game. However the home side rarely troubled De Gea as the defensive pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans reduced them the speculative efforts from range.

United wrapped up the tie late on as some fine interplay between Antonio Valencia, Rooney and Chicharito saw the Mexican striker squeeze his shot past Kenneth Vermeer to given United a comfortable lead going into the second leg.

Match Report: Manchester United 2 - 1 Liverpool

Manchester United 2 - 1 Liverpool

Saturday 11/02/2012

Premier League

Wayne Rooney scores twice in four minutes to secure United the points in a tense match at Old Trafford.


With Liverpool striker Luis Suarez returning for his first start after an eight match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra in the return fixture in October, tensions were running high even before te kick off. Much had been said about whether the players would shake hands before the game, and it was here where the sparks began to fly as Suarez ignored the outstretched arm of Evra. The action almost led to a fight, as Evra showed his disbelief in being denied a chance to calm tensions by the guilty party meant it wouldn't just be the football discussed after th game.

United opted to start with Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, with the Welshman starting on the left but floating in and around Scholes and Carrick helping United retain the ball comfortably in the early stages. In fact it was a cagey start from both sides as Glen Johnson, from left back, saw a early shot curl around David De Gea's post, was the best chance in the first ten minutes.

United's man of the moment Antonio Valencia was giving Jose Enrique a hard time down the right flank as the Spaniard struggled to keep pace with the Ecuadorian winger. This almost led to an early inroad as Enrique brought his man down just outisde the area, however the freekick came to nothing. United had the best chance of the half after some sublime interplay between Giggs, Rooney, Welbeck and Scholes saw the latter firing a header towards goal, however the chance was stopped comfortably by Pepe Reina.

Just before the half time break Suarez found himself played through for the first time in the match however Rio Ferdinand made a pin point last ditch challenge to swipe the ball from Suarez. As the Uruguayan went down he thought he had been fouled, demanding that Ferdinand was sent off. However Phil Dowd called the decision correctly, allowing the game to continue.

The appeal from Suarez hadn't helped the tension that was building throughout the half, as the players left the field of play, arguing between both teams began. Police intervention was required to seperate both sets of players. The mood of the game was sour, the football in the second half would have to improve if this was going to change.

And that's exactly what happened as Manchester United exploded out of the box in the second half. two minutes after the restart United won a corner. Jordan Henderson failed to deal with Giggs' ball as Wayne Rooney was at hand to thump home a volley to give United the lead. The home side had been the better side and now had a goal to back it up.

Just four minutes later Rooney doubled his and United's advantage to put them firmly in the driving seat. The England striker dispatched calmly through Reina's legs following a pass from Antonio Valencia as the Old Trafford crowd went wild.

Liverpool looked distraught as they desperately tried to hold onto the game, United continued to look dominant and could have been out if sight. Rooney found himself with the ball 10 yards from goal, however his momentum was too great and he only managed to poke his shot harmlessly wide. United kept their shape following the goals, not allowing Liverpool the opertunity to create any chances.

This was until the 80th minute when the visitors grabbed a lifeline, through who else but the under fire Suarez. Poking home from three yards after a defensive mix up following a Charlie Adam free-kick. The goal gave the visitors hope and put the home crowd on edge for the final ten minutes. However Liverpool didn't manage to rally as United kept their composure seeing out the final stages with relative ease to secure a valuable victory.

After the game Patrice Evra couldn't hold in his delight as he celebrated with the fans and his team mates, as he felt justice had been done. An important result in the title race as United move to the top of the table for a day at least, with rivals Manchester City not playing untill Sunday.

Match Report: Chelsea 3 - 3 Manchester United

Chelsea 3 - 3 Manchester United

Sunday 05/02/2011

Premier League

United make a dramatic comeback after being three down to grab a point at Stamford Bridge.

It had been 10 years since Manchester United had recorded a win against Chelsea at Stamford Bride in the Premier League and the reds were looking to set the record straight in pursuit of their 20th League title.

After it was revealed midweek that Anders Lindegaard is set to face up to six weeks on the sidelines through injury, the heavily criticised David De Gea was back between the sticks for United. Wayne Rooney was also reinstated in the starting eleven after missing United's last two outings against Liverpool and Stoke.

It was a cagey start from both sides as the game became a midfield battle of wits, with neither team managing to make any real inroads. This was until the 10th minute when Danny Welbeck got in behind the Chelsea back four and débutante Gary Cahill was forced into a last ditch challenge bringing Welbeck down on the edge of the area. Cahill failed to reach the ball, However the referee Howard Webb didn't agree, waving play on much to the England strikers disbelief. Moments earlier Webb had waved away another penalty shout as Ashley Young had his shirt pulled in the box, on another day United could have had two penalties and been a man up in the opening quarter of an hour.

The half continued with neither side giving much away in a half that passed with much incident. This was until the 36th minute when Daniel Sturridge got past Patrice Evra for the first time, crossing across goal from the byline, the ball clipped Jonny Evans and bobbled over the line to give the home side the lead. 1 - 0 it stayed, with Chelsea taking a slender advantage into the second half.

If the first period had been quiet then the second was anything but, as the blues came flying out of the box. After just 23 second half seconds they had doubled their advantage as Juan Mata slammed home a second following a pin point cross from Fernando Torres to put Chelsea in the driving seat.

United were stunned, and as they scrambled Chelsea smelt blood. Four minutes later they had a third as David Luiz headed home from a Mata free-kick. Chelsea were in dreamland as they lead 3 - 0 with less than an hour played.

United were shell shocked, but slowly began to find their rhythm thanks to the introduction of Chicharito soon after the 3rd goal. United had a lot to do if they were to get anything of this game, with their title aspirations fading by the second. And just before the hour United had a lifeline, when Sturridge, the creator of Chelsea's first brought down Patrice Evra in the area to give the reds a penalty. Wayne Rooney stepped up and hammered home a confident shot into the roof of the net to reduce the deficit to 3 -1.

The Champions were now in the ascendency looking like a transformed side. Ten minutes later it was 3 - 2 as Danny Welbeck was tripped in the box to give United their second penalty of the afternoon. Rooney slotted home again as an unlikely comeback now looked on the cards.

Chelsea responded well shoring things up at the back, reducing United's attacking threat as they looked to hold onto the three points. Fernando Torres, who had produced the miss of the season in the return fixture in September had the opportunity to give Chelsea back their two goal cushion, however like the game at Old Trafford he fluffed his lines opting to take another touch instead of striking for goal as United cleared.

Going into the final stages of the game United were piling on the pressure in search of the equaliser, when Rooney saw his shot parried by Petr Cech, Ryan Giggs had time to place his cross from the byline as Chicharito lost his man to head home from close range.

United had come from three goals down two pull things level at 3 - 3. And just as you thought they might go on and win it, Chelsea almost snatched back all three points as David De Gea made two world class saves. The first direct from a Juan Mata free kick as he just managed to tip the ball around the post. The second came moments later a he denied Gary Cahill from long range getting a fingertip to a ball that was flying into the top corner.

United held on for the point, and despite dropping two in the title race. Coming from behind to earn a point where title rivals Manchester City had lost might just be enough to swing the pendulum in favour of the reds.

Match Report: Manchester United 2 - 0 Stoke City

Manchester United 2 - 0 Stoke City

Tuesday 31/01/2012

Premier League

Manchester United move level on points at the top of the table after comfortable victory over Stoke.


After last Saturday's disappointing defeat at Anfield last weekend, United were looking to bounce back in pursuit of the Premier League title. There was a surprise in the starting line up as Ben Amos was handed his first ever League start after Anders Lindegaard and David de Gea missed the game through injury and illness respectively. This meant that United's forgotten man Tomasz Kuszczak was United's substitute keeper. Dimitar Berbatov and Chicharito were both selected up front with Danny Welbeck on the bench.

This meant Wayne Rooney and Luis Nani were again rested as they both recovered from knocks picked up in the 2-1 win over Arsenal. The game started at a slow pace with United holding the ball in midfield with composed passing from midfield duo Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick. United lacked drive as they struggled to involve Chicharito and
Berbatov in the action. Despite the lack of guile, United were by far the better team as Stoke provided almost nothing going forward as strikers Kenwyne Jones and Peter Crouch were reduced to speculative efforts from outside the area.

One bright spark for United was again Antonio Valencia, who looked threatening down the right flank. It took until after the half an hour mark for the first clear cut chance, when Paul Scholes saw a trademark strike from the edge of the area glance wide for a corner. Just as it seemed the teams were happy to play out until the break on level terms United got a spring in their step, as Park Ji-Sung played his way into the box he was brought down by Jermaine Pennant to hand United a penalty. Chicharito stepped up and confidently stroked the ball into the corner of the net to give the reds the lead.

Moments later United should have had a second penalty as Patrice Evra was again brought down in the area, this time the referee Mike Jones waved the shout away. United went into half time one goal to the good and in complete control of the tie. The second half start much as the first finished with the home side dominated proceeding and slowly but surely stamping their authority on the game. In the 53rd minute United extended their lead, and it came from the spot again, as Berbatov placed the ball calmly past Thomas Sorensen after Antonio Valencia had been fouled by Jonathan Walters.

United were now in cruise control and took their foot of the gas, which spelled a 10 minute phase of Stoke pressure as Jermaine Pennant and second half substitute Cameron Jerome looked threatening. Stoke only mustered one chance of note in this spell forced Amos into his only save of the game as he stopped a Jerome header. For the last 20 minutes United brought on youngster Paul Pogba who made a bright league début with some smart passing and a few flashes of skill. In the dying moments United should have had a third but Berbatov skewed his shot wide following a Valencia cut back.

United picked up all three points with relative ease against a Stoke side that lacked invention. United move level on points with the leaders Manchester City and are only separated by goal difference. Next up for United is a tough away trip to Stamford Bridge.