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Posted by Mark Payne on 09/24/2009

This has been a terrible week for my health. On Sunday I nearly had a heart attack and for the following two days I couldn't draw breath. Since then I have been breaking out into uncontrollable fits of laughter. It is only this morning I realise the giggling must stop. We have troubles in defence guys.

Before we address the hoo-ha of added time it must be noted that we defended as well as Swan Lake cast members in the derby. I know matches of this nature have a life of their own but Rio and Foster did not play well in a pressure fixture. That is something that needs serious looking at.

Ferdinand has been imperious for so long now I feel compelled to forgive him but there may be more to it. He only started 25 league games last year and injuries seem to be popping up all over his body. There is a suspicion he hasn't been fully fit for a while and is playing through the pain to get to the World Cup. I'd probably do the same (call me Fabio).

Their third goal was largely his fault, obviously, and there is a strong argument to suggest he should have been covering position for the first too. Wes has not been the Wes of old recently and there is the thought of Pallister's slow demise to back injuries haunting my mind. Could this be the end of Rio? I hope not.

Foster gets less leeway. That is about the fourth time he has blundered so far this season. He is a great reactionary goalie but his decision making seems to shudder in big games. Fergie has all the patience of Mike Tyson without his meds when it comes to keepers and the odds on United adding a 13th nationality to men between the sticks since Schmeical left get shorter by the day. (Pint to anyone who can name the other 12).

On the huge, enormous plus side Evra, Giggs and Fletcher were magnificent and, of course, we won. Giggs was absolutely deadly all match long and, Given apart, was by far and away the best player on the pitch. Still no start for Carrick and the rumours of
a fall out between him and Fergie may possibly have some substance. It is perhaps possible, methinks, to fall out with Fergie.

Okay, time added on. Everybody has done the maths and realised that it was justified with the substitution and Bellamy’s disgraceful plane celebration. Then, those sages at the Guardian analyse United and print that we always get more injury time at home when we’re not winning. Did they analyse any other team’s stats? Nope, notta one. Thanks guys, that’s quality journalism that.
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And then we have have ickle Mickey Owen. I don’t know about you but he has endeared himself in my books. Ice cool with the finish and his role in Wellbeck’s goal last night was crucial too. Just about justified his price tag now.

Next up, away to Stoke. Put your shinpads on guys, I’m off to get a medical check-up.

In other news, Fernando Torres has been requested to undertake a gender test to prove he is not a woman. Well, he's got his knockers...
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Follow mark on twitter @markjpayne and www.thedevilinme.co.uk

Photography from my mate Eileen.

Comments

Posted by venu on 09/24/2009

hahahahaha!!! Nice!!! Carrick had a bad game yesterday too. Wonder if he's going to be around for very long... With Fletcher and Anderson being sure picks, and Hargo "on the verge" of fitness, I am not sire where he fits in.

Posted by porkie on 09/24/2009

Mark Bosnich - Australian
Raimond van der Gouw, Edwin Van Der Saar - Dutch
Fabian Barthez - French
Roy Carroll - Northern Ireland
Paul Rachubka, Nick Culkin, Ben Foster - English
Ricardo - Spanish
Massimo Taibi - Italian
Tim Howard - American
Tomasz Kusczcak - Polish
Andy Goram - Scottish
John O'Shea - Rep of Ireland

I can only find out as far as 11 nationalities! Who did I left out? You included Schmeichel in your list of 12?

Posted by Mark Payne on 09/24/2009

So close Porkie!
No cigar.
Well done on John O'Shea, most people don't get that one.

Posted by KenyanR10 on 09/24/2009

Lol!! Wht a nice piece.OWEN,true 2hs qualities,hs bn fantastc in th derby n agnst Wolves.FOSTER cn never b a replcmnt 4 VDS.th lad s jst awful against big opponents.he'snt rdy 4crucial games,h mks 2mch blndrs n bg stages.KUSZAK s no difrnt.SAF shd get us Shalke's NEUR.crk seems 2b ailng attitude scknes.he must up hs game.very HAPPY Hargo s back,jst hope he blends fast wth th lads n trainng.wht a boost!! RIO'snt fit bt sure he'll pick up fast.GIBSON played nice agnst Wolves.FERGIE shd gv hm mo 1st appearance n th League.
Generaly,th squad s nice n i hope it'll b a trophyfull season.

Posted by porkie on 09/24/2009

I feel that Foster is just another Bosnich. Great reflexes but poor general game sense. He would do well for mid-table teams where he will get more action on the ball per minute per game. A top team like Man Utd deserves and demands a higher class of keeper than what Foster is at the moment.

Side note: So Mark, who did I left out? I remembered vaguely Ferdinand and Yorke playing in goal before. Is Yorke the missing link? Haha.

Posted by SC on 09/24/2009

Didn't Rio make a cameo as a keeper?

Posted by lyousef on 09/24/2009

Rio Ferdinand I vaguely remember played in a cup game, cant remember who against.

Ben Amos

but they are both English! Hmmmmmm stumped! Has to be Schmeichel!

Posted by Ravneel on 09/24/2009

Man United has improve on it's defence or the memories of last season might come back to haunt us, common Rio(and the other backs) Step up- No more silly mistakes be confident and get ruthless!!

Posted by Jever on 09/24/2009

Ron-Robert Zieler - Germany

Posted by Jeremy on 09/24/2009

the 12th is Rio

Posted by Mark - in Canada on 09/24/2009

wasn't Rachubka an American?

Posted by Denny on 09/24/2009

A quality keeper makes for a good and confident defense. Foster's shakiness causes the defenders to to act uncertain and when a defender is in two minds as to how to deal with a particular ball at the time; lets say hesitation will get you into trouble, not making any excuses for the defenders but a sure keeper breeds confidence in a team. With schmeichel we were almost invincible.

Posted by #1 cdn MU fan on 09/24/2009

Please, Please, can somebody show Nani how to cross the ball into the middle! Otherwise let's change his name to "another poor effort" cause that's all I hear from the commentators after his touches.

Posted by Joseph on 09/24/2009

1. If Rio & VDS return to near-full or full fitness and get a sustained run in the team, then we'll see some of the solidity we saw last season.

Foster needs to go, not only because of his own mistakes, but because of how he's visibly unsettled the back 4. With VDS, the players can have supreme confidence in his reliability both in shot stopping, crosses, back passes, positioning and general decision making.

None of these are characteristics which Foster possesses after the Lampard, Arshavin, Barry & Bellamy goals. I'm not saying Foster has the potential and he's just not going to fulfill it - I'm saying he's not that good period.

I'm all for Kuzcack at this point.

2. Carrick simply isn't playin well, and doesn't merit starting. There's need not be any row involved.

3. In terms of the timekeeping - the Guardian article I saw (whilst the title was geared towards Utd) did state that Liverpool, Chelsea & Arsenal do get more stoppage time to salvage a result than we do at home.

Posted by baldwin on 09/24/2009

eish du not stress the pol iz ther

Posted by Darlington on 09/24/2009

Foster is a nightmare in goal.kudos to Rooney,Evra,vidic,Giggs & Fletcher;thumbs up as u try to salvage our hope of retaining the prem. crown.Sir, pls find a new keeper that can help restore the confidence in our defenders.

Posted by John on 09/24/2009

We're way ahead of last year, I feel very confident. Some players coming good and I feel we're more balanced. I don;t miss Ronnie and who isn't enjoying Rooney, Giggs, Evra, Anderson, Owen. Foster must go, worst since Paddy Roche & Barthez.

Posted by jika yakub on 09/25/2009

i dont buy d idea that foster shul go, he still has sumtin 2 proof lets giv him another chance. remember keano on flecth, 2day he is our saving grace. so let us b patient.

Posted by jika yakub on 09/25/2009

i dont buy d idea that foster shul go, he still has sumtin 2 proof lets giv him another chance. remember keano on flecth, 2day he is our saving grace. so let us b patient.

Posted by Francis Chidi on 09/25/2009

The Utd team needs a better shot stopper than foster and Kuszecs. I hope VDS will reconsider to stay until we can find a worthy replacement. Compared to last season, we are far ahead and hope we can build on this to get nearer to the top ahead of the close contenders.

Posted by Rishi Dayal on 09/25/2009

I'm awesome.

Posted by ReePhna RiCo on 09/26/2009

wakhahahahahaha...... Dunt Wory Be Happy Guys.... Man United Will always be d Best of d Best among all Team... Although City got many "Star" Players but Man United MORE Confident & MORE Strong Spirit Team..... is tat true Guy?..... & for me abot Rio... i cant blame him for his mistake tat time coz he been "Long Lost Show" & still in "Pain".....
So, GLory... GLORY MANCHESTER UNITED....

Posted by porkie on 09/26/2009

Jever: Zieler have not yet represented the first team, so hi doesn't count.

Mark Payne: Come on Mark, who's the 12th?

Posted by devil_kjit on 09/26/2009

Guys..seriously..MU has to get their act together in terms of defence and goal keeping..agree foster is making simply terrible mistakes that can cost us the title..SAF has reprimand him for his skills and our defence must improve further to be more solid and ruthless but be careful not to pick up any red cards. Match against ManCity..i believe we shud attack more n more until the last whistle is blown..we shud not count down the time..that was another mistake SAF should get through to the players. Never back down eventhough we r winning..just add more goals for better goal difference. Agree we r simply d best !

Posted by kev on 09/27/2009

wasn't the 12th dwight yorke??

Posted by ReePhna RiCo on 09/27/2009

No..... d 12th is ERIC CANTONA

Posted by win kyaing on 09/27/2009

I think Ben foster more work to keep his place.

Posted by Keith on 09/28/2009

Nani - must be the worst player to pull on a United shirt in years. No consistency, lacks ideas and control. Move him on (free!) give a youngster the opportunity.

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About
Mark Payne Mark Payne is a freelance journalist and general football obsessive. He has written for a host of travel, business and lifestyle publications and has also contributed to some second-rate TV shows. His constant United ramblings can be found at www.thedevilinme.co.uk and he can be contacted for football discussion at any time via markpayne.editor@hotmail.com.
He thinks Clayton Blackmore was underrated.
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