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It is possible there is intelligent life on other planets, there is a chance Angelina Jolie is merely waiting for me, that the super-volcano in Yellowstone National Park could erupt at any minute and destroy the entire planet.
If these things can happen then United can still win the league. Whilst there is still hope I will cling to it. Undeniably though, we screwed the pooch a bit at the weekend.
In the week Old Trafford remembered a 100yrs of history, our defence had a couple of games to forget. Everton started the match expecting to lose, went behind and we let them back into it. This has happened too often this season. Our defence has been wobblier than that bridge in The temple of Doom this week and five goals conceded is the price to pay.
United's backline Virginmedia
No season in which we get our first win in Milan and produce those performances against Arsenal and City can be seen as a failure. Nobody has won the league four times in a row and, whilst I am not throwing in the towel, we would be lucky to pull it off from here. The next slip up is surely fatal.
We look to be in a strong position in Europe but United being United I would not be surprised if we were made to suffer more heart palpitations before the tie is over. Our obligatory gift of an early goal was evident midweek and one in the return leg would bring the jitters immediately.
All the signs seem to point to last season’s imperious defence slowly disintegrating. Is Rio an ex-player? I hope he proves me wrong in the coming weeks. Johnny Evans seriously lacked composure against Milan and my fingers are crossed that he does not follow the Ben Foster route of confidence decay. At least Evra has been in superb form.
Saha's teammates refuse to celebrate with him because of his ridiculous hair colour
©Empics
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The coming week sees us clock up a league match and a cup final. We seemed to be hitting our stride ten days ago but the pendulum has swung back. It sure ain’t dull but it’s at times like these I realize I suffer from football rather than enjoy it.
Allez les rouges
Footnote:
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Comments
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Posted by Lance on 02/22/2010
Ohh, poor, poor United. We've only won the league three times in a row. Whine, whine, whine. Dear God listening to a United fan complain about their 'misfortune' is sickening.
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Posted by simeon ntuye Kigali Rwanda on 02/22/2010
Mark, i salute you
i do agree with u.
My lovely team has been the best defence in years
losing games by just 1:0
what im seeing these days makes me feel abit worried. my back four should prove me wrong
long live MAN U
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Posted by my on 02/22/2010
the Saha comment is really funny!
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Posted by chigozie ofordum-Nigeria on 02/22/2010
Accepted that united defence have been poor this season but i still believe that the league has not been won,com'on boys lets prove our critics wrong cos' with united all things are possible.
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Posted by Ugochukwu on 02/22/2010
Ofcourse, man u should at this stage throw in the towel and succum to forces of higher instincts which is Chelsea. The championship is going to the Bridge this time, no two ways about it.
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Posted by onos B on 02/22/2010
with God all things're possible.I still strongly believe that man united will take the league.
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Posted by Tricky on 02/22/2010
When fergie puts gary nevile in the defense with wes brown and Johnny evans what do you expect? We won't win the league with that 3. Nevile is too old and slow and wes is just awful. Johnny is always come lately. evera is our best. dont get me started on berba and owens lack of use! me thinks Fergie is getting a little senil these days. attack us and we crumble but shhhhhhh don't tell no-body!
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Posted by Danny on 02/22/2010
I'm glad we got the consummate small-minded anti-United senitment out on the first response to your piece Mark.
I think we'd all love to get the defense of Brown-Rio-Vidic-Evra from two years ago to reappear. They were the best back four I've ever seen on a consistent basis. We'll be able to get those four names on the field together again soon, and I'm hoping that form will emerge for the final couple months of the season.
Chelsea certainly must have slip-ups left in their blood as well. Their form hasn't been consistent, especially recently. They still have to come to Old Trafford. They have plenty of teams that could potentially still take points from them. They have a lot of injuries and distractions now working against them as well.
I think the race is far from over, but I agree that any more hiccups from United in this race will seriuosly damage our chances both mathematically and mentally.
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Posted by chris on 02/22/2010
JEEZ would everyone please relax!!it's not even MArch. True this weekend's result won't make life easier but we still have a game against Chelsea. I think both MAn Utd and Chelsea will drop points before all is said and done. This race is far from done!!!!
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Posted by mr. Sem on 02/23/2010
Why do you have to be to be so negative at this point? C'mon chelsea still have to play A. villa liverpool and Us, so I think we still got a chance to overtake them... it won´t be easy and playing neville makes it even harder what´s he waiting for retiring by the way????
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Posted by Prophet of Doom on 02/23/2010
Good call Mark, as usual, you are spot on about our key personal has seen us drop unnecessary points :@ I think our attacking players should not be let off so lightly either. We have also missed a lot of 'easy' chances at vital stages of games where we should be putting teams to the sword. Chelsea have the 'harder' run of games to end the season with Utd, Pool and Spurs away in comparison to us, Chelski, Pool and Spurs at home. Chin up, we are still in with a good shot. And by the way Lance, you are a tool, Mark wasn't whinging about our 'misfortune', just simply stating that some members of our defence need to lift their game. And considering we have had 10 own goals this season, it would be highly inappropriate to suggest that we have been 'unlucky' :)
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Posted by locolito on 02/23/2010
like was said what is there to expect when u have a defence which includes slow gary, awful brown, and soft carrick in the middle, the useless berba on the field whiles owen is left on the bench. sir alex is senil when he needs a goal in 10 minutes he brings in owen. y? he should maybe luk for berba again.
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Posted by saufi on 02/23/2010
the last time i heard those kind of comments about sir fergie was when he played 4-5-1 with ruud up front alone and scholes as backup striker. sure it hasnt worked out as well as we hoped but then, we went on a winning spree that concluded with champions league glory. patience my fellow manu supporter. it always worked out well, one way or another, for manchester united. ALWAYS
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Posted by cdnred on 02/23/2010
We certainly miss the likes of Rio and Vidic, and dare I say it O'Shea, but if Evans is supposed to be the future then we are in some serious trouble. His reading of the game is truly terrible and he lacks pace. He has been victimised on more goals this season than I can think of. People keep talking about him as the replacement for Vidic if he bolts for La Liga but that would be a catastrophe. He was directly at fault for the first goal, left Evra hanging on the third, not to mention the Milan goals earlier in the week. Disaster!!! Oh and Mr Neville is clearly done. More Da Silva please!
Thank God for Rooney and Berbatov and thank god for UNITED!!!
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Posted by Amirul on 02/23/2010
what so good about chelsea??
they are strong cause every games they used all their star..Unlike united they used their youngster in order to find the replacement for their senior..
if chelsea without their star player they are nothing..i bet if chelsea used they youngster against united youngster of cause united will kick their butt..!!
united is still strong as ever but sometimes they just don't have luck on them even without Ronaldo..
neville is still struggle to get his top performance..
United can still win the EpL
thank you Rooney..this is the best performance you ever made for united..
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Posted by Darus on 02/23/2010
I don't know if the hell fergie was thingking about when he lined upped gary and was brown together. The defence lacked speed...Berbatov is also looking to be a player that lacks confidence and also speed up front. I think that fergie should give Owen a chance up front with rooney. I still believe that we can stil win the league. Long live Man Utd..
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Posted by Andy on 02/23/2010
It is tempting to write off Manchester United,given that awful performance against Everton.BUt its not over yet,Chelsea have injury and form problems of their own,and a little more consistency will bring home the title.The worrying bit of course is the defence;too many soft goals conceded. And are there any other strikers besides Rooney? Stand up and be counted!
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Posted by kieranto marcello on 02/23/2010
rio ferdinand.. i dun tink he is suppose to be at united's defense anymore..
he is no more than a passanger nowdays.. its really hard for him even to run i tink..
againts Everton that day.. alex should have just let the San Siro's team play again.. with rooney alone upfront..
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Posted by Tovarich on 02/23/2010
Saturday's result was really disappointing. We cannot afford to continue dropping points in the manner we have been doing lately. Enough has been said about our backline. i opine that our midfield is also another Achilles heel. I do not write off Berba, he has his moments and I believe that he will rise to the occasion in when we are clinging on the ropes. I just wish SAF could give Owen more game time. Like you guys say, it ain't over until the fat lady sings. GLORY, GLORY MAN UNITED!!!!
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Posted by Loko Sanchez on 02/23/2010
everton started the match expecting to lose? Whats up with that? If we had expected to lose, moyes would have fielded a weak side. Nope, we went in knowing full well that a victory is possible. And MU LOST! Good riddance!
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Posted by hamcung on 02/23/2010
United's youngster are good, but it's no doubt if United youngster vs Arsenal youngster, we will be torn apart.
Therefore, I believe we need to sign. There is no signing restrictions at Old Trafford (unlike at the Emirates)
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Posted by Asemota Peter on 02/23/2010
I do not think we are done with losses this season, we got four big games unplayed and a couple of tricky teams as well.
Its realistic to expect a couple of losses and draws as well, we possibly could end the league on 82 points that certainly doesn't translate to glory this season.
Our worse nightmare stares at us in the champions league, there are too many ways to get pass our back four.
Go reds!
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Posted by Dennis on 02/23/2010
I'm extremely Arsenal supporter. Dear all Chelsea and MU supporters. All fans sure support their favourite club and hope their club can win the premier league. Arsenal gonna to win the chmapion this season. Let's do some simple statistic.
Arsenal have tough game remaining against MC and Tottenham only......but gap with chelsea 6 point and MU 2 point only
Chelsea have to face remaining tough game against Aston villa, MC, MU, Liverpool and Tottenham
MU have to face remaining tough game against Aston villa, MC, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham
So, the possibility who will win the champion? Even i assume, Chelsea have draw result with all five teams, leading arsenal just 1 point only.
while MU have draw result with all five teams, Arsenal leading MU 3 points. Let be realistic all soccer lover...
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Posted by Ben Wamalwa on 02/23/2010
Our defence surely hasnt been good this season,i couldnt stand when put in the third and arsenal fans were shouting as if they had jaz won a treble.ithink the evra,vidic,ferdinand n wes backline should be restored.
After de lvpool game i told some asshole fan dat playng berba from 1st min,is like mam u playng 9men vs 10,SAF SEEMED TO AGREE WID ME BY GIVIN HIM less time but the losses to fulham n villa confirmed it n SAF used 1man attack,wid packed midfield with amazing results wid da flexible4,5,1 or4,3,2,1 or 4,3,3 patterns then the return of berba at everton n 4,4,2 n we lost,DEFENCE IS ABOUT DA WHOLE TEAM NOT JUST THE BACK 4.If our defendingis to improve even wid rio n vidic back berbe should be used when the game is sealed n we need to hold da ball upfront.Da guy is brilliant n smart bt he doesnt bond well with others in our style of play and that also affects the defence.GLORY GLORY MAN UTD,MAN U 4 EVER.IN KENYA WE SAY MAN U JUU JUU ZAIDI
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Posted by Marc on 02/23/2010
I was fortunate not to watch that match but i followed it on espn soccernet. There are some players that make a match hard for us. e.g. Gary Neville, Barbatov and even valencia. They are better as substitutes. I know Rafeal cause the second goal in Milan but he need to be playing, he is a better one to one player than gary, his crosses are more useful, he does not allow a player to enter our 18 before making tackles like gary. Barbatov is good but compared to Tevez he is no where, it was waste of money, nani needs to be coached a bit, he is by far more intelligent than valencia, valencia is only muscles obertan given more time will be better than valencia. Since scholes is not getting younger we need a new boss in the center of midfield, to me carrick is not commanding enough, if and only if Hargreaves will play again he is okay by me. For any reason I don't want Vidic to leave, if he leaves imaging Vidic, C. Ronaldo, Tevez, Haba Pls Sir Alex Don't give us HBP.
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Posted by Julién Castillo on 02/23/2010
A great read as usual, Mark. I too think that winning the league is just that little bit more out of United's control, however, with the Chelsea juggernaut still stuttering to find their early season consistency, there is still hope.
I do agree that Gary and Wes seemed a bit shaky back there, but maybe we need a cool head like Rio to organise things as he always seems to do. And of course our commanding Serbian who makes sure anyone who comes close to United's goal feels something (to say the least).
Remember we still have to play Chelsea at Old Trafford! Come one United!!
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Posted by Bartholomew on 02/23/2010
You win some you loose some,football is bloody hell.I think every player shld be given his chance.We win in Milan,and we lost to Everton,lets now focus on West ham and Carling cup final than to blame the guys,it was the team of the moment and i believe they have done their best but Everton was better that day.Chelsea supportes talk too much but at the end of the day,they are always receiving,lets wait and see but i think United will still be champions.
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Posted by SpitThatTruth on 02/23/2010
To Amirul: Which star youngsters at United are doing so great? I see Rafael, and.. thats about it. Personally, I look at only U-21s as youngsters. Under that token, Gibson, Rooney, Nani and Anderson don't count. What then? Possebon? Diouf? De Laet? These are the youngsters at United. They don't see action any more than Sturridge, Matic and Borini. Why? Because Carrick, Rooney and Evra kick the shit out of them just like Drogba, Lamps and Anelka do. So I guess what i'm trying to say is, SHUT UP.
And speaking of relying on your stars... For the first time in recent memory, Rooney wasn't running riot. The outcome, a Utd loss.
BIG 4 Title Challenge Summary
CHE - Drogba (ACN)
MAN - Rooney
ARS - RVP (injury)
LIV - Torres (injury)
LIV and ARS struggle without the best striker in their squads. CHE lose Drogba to the ACN but a good squad papers the cracks. MANURE have no such inconveniences and are aided by their second best offensive threat - the opponent, providing 10 own goals.
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Posted by Chuchill on 02/23/2010
hey peeps all i can say is United is still the Best Team in the World So Far, Even Without Our Defense back line we are still in the 2nd place, if we can work together as a team then we will marge up as Victors, i know we have lost a lot of chances in this competition But Man United Is the Best Team In The World No Matter What, I Love My Team Man U and will Cherish them for life and always give them the support required always
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Posted by chicagostars on 02/23/2010
Think about this: for all of the talk about United's defensive frailties and the injuries and immaturity at Arsenal, the title race should be all but wrapped up, right? Especially considering all of the talk of Chelsea's strength; shouldn't they be up by more than four points right now? And though some won't give them a chance, it is indeed possible that Citeh take points off of Chelsea this Saturday, tightening up the title race just a little bit more.
I do have a horse in the race, but I am in some ways happy to see things still up in the air for the title as well as the race for fourth place. Plenty to keep neutrals engaged and bring other interested parties in. Let's just hope that Pompey don't go belly up and screw everything up.
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Posted by seyi otah on 02/23/2010
I think our defence is the problem, the last time vidic played was November. u can not win a match when you concede three goals, we can score against any team in the world. i believe we can still win the league if we don't allow three goals in again.
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Posted by taffarian on 02/23/2010
whatever Gary Neville is still doing at OT...
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Posted by Blade on 02/23/2010
My Man U need to sign plyers especiaaly from S.america- who can do magiclike Cristiano
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Posted by Eddie G. on 02/26/2010
Hey Mark, kudos on the post again! Looks like the Merseyside is lacking hairstylists as it is lacking trophies.
I am however inclined to disagree with you this time round. This title race has become very, very open. And what Dennis said several posts ago is true - the Gooners may actually be the dark horse in all this.
I remember two seasons ago when Avram Grant was in charge of Chelski, Arsenal were flying high at that point, and everyone was talking about a United-Arsenal showdown for the crown. But the Blues kept clawing their way back slowly and before we knew it they were the major contenders for BOTH our trophies. In the same light, the reverse may happen to Chelski before April comes around the bend. Who knows?
Whatever it is, the title has never been more open. Along with many others, I believe all 3 teams on top will continue to drop points to the minnows, and some in spectacular fashion I may add! :)
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Posted by David on 02/26/2010
Arsenal will crumble pretty soon; like they always do when they get excited about the prospect of winning the premier league. Wenger will start getting too cocky for his own good and start announcing to the media that "we can win this" and blablabla, further jinxing his team. Its happened on every occasion Arsenal start putting together a run of amazing results. Starts with Wenger,then fab jumps in with a comment or 2 and then before you know it arsenal have dropped 6 or 7 points in a matter of weeks. I just dont see them as title contenders,not yet anyway.
Im just hoping chelsea are rocked by another scandal. the terry and cole fiasco might just prove very beneficial to man uniteds chances this year. Just praying that Lampard and drogba get caught in a threesome with Ancelottis wife. That would certainly make the title racing that little bit more interesting
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Posted by David on 02/26/2010
This is a continuation of my rant on the earlier post.
As a man u supporter i believe our defence is in crisis. that Neville should be let go. He is slow and his passing accuracy stinks. Each time he is put on, he is really hurting us badly. Had hope in Evans, until I saw what he did with Everton's last goal. Basically, he just let the man run right past him, kind of holding his hands out as if he was making some kind of defensive effort and gifted the toffees the match winner. We are really missing Rio, even if his recent form has been a bit patchy,he somehow seems to perform well under immense pressure. Vidic is our rock and if he doesn't play for at least 80% of the remainder of our games we don't have a hope in hell of winning the league. I would have evra, vidic, ferdinand and one of the da silvas as our first choice defense.
I sincerely believe that if we can avoid further defensive injuries this season, we stand a chance of reclaiming the title. GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED
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About
Mark Payne writes about football for a variety of media outlets. He reported on the 2010 World Cup for Australia’s ABC network and worked at one of the FIFA fan sites. He has been ESPN’s Manchester United correspondent for four years. His writing attracts a worldwide following and in 2011 this blog was nominated for an award. To contact Mark for football discussion e-mail him on markpayne.editor@hotmail.com at any time. He wears lucky socks on match days.
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