Match Report: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 - 5 Manchester United

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 - 5 Manchester United

18/03/2012

Premier League

Manchester United put five past 10 man Wolves at Molineux.



After a month lay off with injury, Ecuadorian winger Antonio Valencia returned to the starting eleven for United as the reds looked to open a four point gap on rivals Manchester City. His return meant Ashley Young dropped to the bench as Danny Welbeck was chosen to start the game on the left, with Wayne Rooney and Chicharito started up front.

United were facing a Wolves side struggling for form, losing their last five home league games. However if anyone was expecting a walk over then opening twenty minutes proved anything otherwise, with Wolves matching United in all areas of the pitch. On seventeen minutes Wolves had a penalty shout when Rafael clashed with Matt Jarvis in the box, however the claims were waved away, in what was a coming together at most.

Just as it seemed Wolves were getting the upper hand Manchester United took the lead through Jonny Evans. After conceding a corner, Michael Carrick evaded his marker and with a smart run to the back post, headed the ball back towards goal for the Northern Ireland international to volley home for his first goal for the club.

United had the lead on the ground they took the lead at last season before falling to a 2-1 defeat, so were well aware of what Wolves were capable of. However the goal frustrated the hosts as Ronald Zubar picked up a booking for a reckless challenge on Wayne Rooney. United continued to probe but Wolves resisted well. This was until the 40th minute, in a moment of stupidity Ronald Zubar again lunged in for a challenge, this time on Danny Welbeck. His effort was no better than his first and he had to go. Wolves were down to 10 men with five minutes still to play before half time.

Wolves struggled after the sending off as United added a second when Wayne Rooney released Antonio Valencia on the right. United's number 25 ran the length of the Wolves half with the ball before smashing home across Wayne Hennessey's goal. Moments later United added a third this time through Welbeck, who fired a low shot past the helpless Henessey to give United a commanding lead going into the break.

Wolves were three nil down with a man sent off and in need of a miracle if they were to salvage anything from the game. The reds were in complete control going into the second period and it took only ten second half minutes to grab their fourth, this time through Chicharito. United's Mexican striker headed home a simple chance, as he went completely unmarked in the box, dinking home Rafael's cross.

It wasn't long before it was five, Chicharito grabbing his second as he hammered in a low Valencia cross. United looked like they were going to run riot, having five goal lead with half an hour still to play. Sir Alex Ferguson saw this an ample opportunity to rest some key players with Michael Carrick, Patrice Evra and goal scorer Jonny Evans making way for Paul Pogba, Fabio and Chris Smalling.

Wolves used the United shake up to rally themselves when second half substitute Michael Kightly forced De Gea into a smart stop. However the pressure was short lived as United almost added a sixth late on through Danny Welbeck.

A comfortable win for the reds in the end as they open up a four point gap at the top of the Premier League. After the disappointment of the trip to Bilbao in midweek, United will be happy to return to winning ways.

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: 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.

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: 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: Everton 0 - 1 Manchester United

Everton 0 - 1 Manchester United

Saturday 29/10/2011

Premier League

A resilient Manchester United side grind out all three points at Goodison Park.


Manchester United were looking to build on their mid week victory over Aldershot Town, and were in league action for the first time since losing 1-6 at home to Manchester City. Jonny Evans returned to the starting line-up after serving a one match ban for the sending off in the derby. United also starting with an attacking trio of Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Chicharito.


The match started with a blistering intensity, as both sides create chances within the opening minutes. Park Ji-Sung side footed a close range shot straight into Tim Howard in the Everton goal, just moments after Seamus Coleman had had a low drilled shot well saved by David De Gea. It was a high tempo start the game, but began to settle with United controlling the game in midfield.

And after 19 minutes they made this possession pay when Chicharito side-footed home from close range, following a superb cross from Patrice Evra. The away side had taken the lead, and had a spring in their step. United were looking to extend their advantage. A powerful attacking run from Phil Jones was stopped in the area through a last gasp challenge from Leighton Baines.

As we passed the half hour mark Everton began to get on top, winning a dangerous free kick on the edge on the United area. The free kick was chagered down, but in the following play Leon Osman had a close range shot saved by De Gea. Seconds later Everton had another chance to level when Jack Rodwell blazed a shot wide from a decent position, following sloppy defensive play from United. Everton come close yet again when on 40 minutes Leighton Baines hit the cross bar with a free kick from the edge of the area.

United held onto their lead going into half time and the second half was poised perfectly. Neither side were able to gain a foothold on the game in the early stages of the half, both being wasteful in possession. However as the game drew closer to the hour mark it was Everton again dominating the play with United reduced to trying to break on the counter. Even the introduction of Luis Nani and Dimitar Berbatov, wasn't helping United get on the front foot, as Everton continued to probe.

The Goodison Park crowd howled in anguish as the home side had a penalty appeal waved away in the closing stages, replays showed it would have been a very harsh decision, if awarded. United tried to retain possession as they ran the clock down, and 0 - 1 it stayed as United took all three points in what had been a very even game. The poaching instincts of Chicharito are what separated the two sides, as United claimed their 3rd away victory of the season.

Match Report: Liverpool 1 - 1 Manchester United

Liverpool 1 - 1 Manchester United

Saturday 15/10/2011

Premier League

Manchester United grab their first point at Anfield for three years, maintaining their unbeaten start to the season.

Sir Alex Ferguson shuffled the pack ahead of their encounter away at Liverpool, with Wayne Rooney, Nani, Anderson and Chicharito finding themselves on the bench. Instead in came, Danny Welbeck, Park Ji-Sung, Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher. The omission of Rooney was a result of his sending off for England the previous week, with the manager explaining 'his head wasn't in the right place'. United had lost their last three league visits to Anfield, and were looking to put an end to this run to keep them top of the premier league.

It was Liverpool who made the brighter start to the game, with the return of their captain Steven Gerrard, for his first start of the season, spurring the home side on as they pushed United back into their own half. The game soon evened out, play was scrappy with both sides wasteful in possession. Chances were few and far between, and it took until 16 minutes for the first half chance, when Phil Jones rose to meet a Patrice Evra cross, which he headed wide from close range. Both sides seemed nervous as the game was becoming a midfield battle with neither team looking like making a breakthrough.

It took until the 35th minutes for the first shot on target when Luis Suarez managed to turn Johnny Evans in the box, but his shot was straight at David De Gea who beat the ball away comfortably. The half finished goalless, with both sides struggling to get going, in what had been an edgy first half.

Both United and Liverpool were more composed on the ball as the second half began, and it was the hosts who were looking more of a threat as both Suarez and Gerrard had shots saved by De Gea. United's Spanish 'keeper was looking solid between the sticks, keeping Liverpool at bay with ease for the first hour. However this was about to change, when after 67 minutes Charlie Adam went down easily on the edge of the area following the slightest of touches from Rio Ferdinand. Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard stood over the free kick, and proceeded to strike the ball through the United wall to put the home side 1-0 up. Replays showed that Ryan Giggs was at fault, moving in the wall allowing Gerrard's shot past him, giving De Gea no chance.

There was an instant response from the United manager, who brought on Wayne Rooney and Nani, as they now needed to come from a goal behind. The match opened up as United piled forward, determined to escape from Anfield with at least a point. Phil Jones was replaced by Chicharito with fifteen minutes left, as the visitors went all out for the equaliser. And after only a matter of minutes of coming on it was Chicharito who squared things up, heading home from close range following a Danny Welbeck flick on from a Nani corner. United were jubilant as they had forced their way back into the game However a minute after the restart they almost threw all the hard work away when Dirk Kuyt had a close range shot brilliantly saved following an excellent early cross from Stuart Downing. Moments later the home side were denied again by De Gea as he managed to claw away a chipped volley from Jordan Henderson in the 90th minute.

1-1 it finished, as both sides had rallied in the second half making it an exciting finish to one of the biggest games in world football. By only picking up a point United had relinquished the top spot to their cross city rivals, but coming away with a point from Anfield has to be seen as a point gained. United remain unbeaten in the league after 8 games, with Manchester City up next in the league as they travel to Old Trafford next weekend.