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Although not a great film The Expendables was a terrific concept. Lump together all of the action stars from yesteryear and surround them with some new explosions. As February begins, it looks like Alex Ferguson's Manchester United and Arsene Wenger's Arsenal will contest the title this year. There is nothing like a good old-fashioned feud to get the juices flowing.
If I were an Arsenal fan I’d look at the table right now and think we could win it this year. Especially with United having to visit the Emirates and play a reinvigorated Chelsea twice.
Wayne Rooney’s two goals from open play make those fixtures look a far less daunting prospect than they might have done. Both strikes were put away with aplomb and the first in particular, reminded me of a goal he scored against Milan a few years ago. It would be nice if he could do something similar in the upcoming fixture against City.
Great satisfaction can be taken from the knowledge that Ryan Giggs cost us nothing when we pinched him as a 15-year-old from the neighbours. When you see that he has made decisive contributions in three games this week, and Andy Carroll has cost £35million, it seems truly incredible. Even more incredible, perhaps, than spending a fortune on a Geordie striker who never wanted to join you in the first place.
Top of the league is the place to be right now but it looks awfully precarious when you consider the upcoming fixtures. As the club wades back into the Champion’s League we can only hope that the squad doesn’t find itself too stretched. An adventurous struggle with Arsenal should provide just the motivation we need to keep on keepin’ on. Just like old times, eh Arsene?
Follow Mark on twitter.com/markjpayne
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Posted by brisbanefan on 02/02/2011
'..and play a reinvigorated Chelsea twice.'
Both to be played in May I believe.
It might be all over by then with UTD preparing for the 20th title next season.
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Posted by Mindleftnumb on 02/02/2011
Haha. That truly is a riot to compare Giggs freebie to yesterdays ridiculousness.
Going to be a great run-in indeed. The way I see it, though, United will need to be held winless in their 5 big games against City, Chelski, Arsenal, and Liverpool to be taken over. Magic number is 37: check my logic and play with a fun spreadsheet here: http://www.itsonlikedonkeykong.com/united.html
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Posted by jason on 02/02/2011
just like old times! Loved it.
-Arsenal fan
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Posted by Red on 02/02/2011
Well said, Mark. Mu have already sealed their position with 5 points cleared Arsenal, their match against Chelsea twice and a visit to Emirates won't actually affected their position. Ryan ability actually too good, just below Ronaldo and Messi. He make a special impact of the game, comparing him with other attacking midfield, maybe only lampard and gerrard can match him. As Mu still got Nani, Obertan, Valencia, Park and cleverley on the wing supporting their attack. I think the upcoming Manchester Derby will be exicting.
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Posted by Doug on 02/02/2011
Quite surprised that Fergie didn't sub Hernandez for Berbatov in this match. Berba was off form today.
I just feel we're gonna need Chicharito's contribution in one of the big 4 clashes.
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Posted by Scleto_Uno on 02/02/2011
Well, well, well....andy carroll may not have wanted to come but he's here now...i think liverpool play ManU once more. we'll see who has the last laugh
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Posted by krontekag on 02/02/2011
Rooney's first goal reminded me of a certain Mr. E. Cantona....
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Posted by oz on 02/02/2011
Torres speaking about his relief at finally joining a "top level" club in Chelsea.
thats just gold!!!!!
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Posted by Turjo on 02/02/2011
"... Even more incredible, perhaps, than spending a fortune on a Geordie striker who never wanted to join you in the first place."
Classic! Funnier than Torres relieved about joining a "top club". Last 72 hours of Premier League was the most hilarious in my memory. All in all, Mike Ashley wins.
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Posted by UnitedFox on 02/02/2011
I'm lookin forward 2 a breath takin finish 2 diz seasons title coz of d amount of cash dat changed hands in d January window. Liverpool fans will hope TORRES harms UNITED'S title ambitions 4 a record 19th title n they host UTD at ANFIELD,plus d double against CHELSEA n Arsenal away will make all UNITED HATERZ pray 4 UTD 2 drop some costly points. But i c UNITED proving doubters wrong as we aim 2 maintain our lead at the top. UNITED has proved difficult 2beat n diz season n deserve some credit 4dat!!! I C dat high level of commitment bringin d TITLE BAK 2 OLD TRAFFORD,ITS MOST ACCUSTOMED HOME.
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Posted by David Smith on 02/02/2011
Boy/Girl Torres to the Rent Boys...naturally! Desperate times call for desperate measures, so its not surprising that Roman's trying to buy his way up the table yet again. As for the bin dippers, one kinda feels for them a bit. Knocked off their perch by Sir Alex and United, then their beloved no. 9 loses all interest after the fat Spaniard is sacked and finally, forced to shell out 35 million quid on a one hit wonder who doesn't want to be there either. Lovely! Rooney and Co. played better last night and it was nice to have a halftime lead again. Credit to Villa though; unlike our noisy neighbours at Leastland, Houllier's side played some decent footy and actually got at United. Bent's tap in made it a wee bit nervy, but Nemanja's bullet saw the three points home. Great to see Wayne bag a brace, too. Nani's cross for our second goal was top drawer, but his overall play is still poor. The lad still can't put a cornerkick into the box. Potential banana slip at Wolves on Saturday though.
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Posted by nick on 02/02/2011
whatever happens when liverpool play utd, they wont be having the last laugh or any laugh at all.
i think the torres trade was a good one, chelsea overpaid for an unmotivated unhappy striker BUT liverpool are how many points behind utd?
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Posted by John Yusuf on 02/02/2011
all d way,man utd....one luv
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Posted by dozer on 02/02/2011
"forced to shell out 35 million quid on a one hit wonder who doesn't want to be there either"
I'd be a bit circumspect about knocking Liverpool for buying Carroll - SAF spent a ridiculous sum (back when 25M+ was still considered ridiculous) buying Rooney when he was only young and hadn't been playing at the top for very long.
And talking about Carroll not wanting to move, how much have the Glazers just spent trying to convince an unhappy Rooney NOT to leave?
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Posted by David Smith on 02/02/2011
After tonight's 2-2 at St. Andrews, is that silly Citeh out of the title race? No. Our noisy neighbours were never in it. Hearing Birmingham fans taunt Hart and the traveling Berties with "England's number one" after Foster gathered the ball in the dying minutes, showed a complete lack of respect for the world's biggest money wasters. Leave that to United fans when Citeh come to Old Trafford and put 11 light blues behind the ball, please. Congratulations on your retirement, Gary. I was shocked he chose do it now rather than in the summer, but a great/loyal servant to the club nontheless. United through-and-through, Gaz hated the Scousers more than Rent Boy Torres ever could! A glorious, trophy-laden career highlighted by constantly getting under the skin of the bin dippers and 30,000 Citeh supporters (pre-money) from Stockport.
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Posted by Trevor on 02/03/2011
@ Scleto_Uno........We've long since had the last laugh. The Anfield fixture is just for bragging rights. Y'all are languishing midtable, you aren't in the champions league and with each passing day looking more and more likely to be the SECOND winningest team in English history (speaking only of the First Division and Premier League we already surpassed you in FA and Carling cups, you only have the European cup now) so hear's one for the Kop.....HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
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Posted by FlyingBlues on 02/05/2011
It will be again a title from REFEREES biggest errors in favor of UNITED, and surprisingly none talks about the rash challenge on Blackpool no 3 in the box.. 19th to you UTD again with pathetic refreeing
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Posted by Sam on 02/05/2011
@FlyingBlues I guess Chelsea lost the linesmen and referees to us this year?
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Posted by Tommy Shannon on 02/05/2011
Wow!! First loss in league this year to Wolves. To think I almost went with that scrappy bunch from W.Hampton against Man U's line-up. I would've been thrown to curb or worse if I picked Wolves over Man U. My 1st thought,"Man U will beat them by 3 goals",(Berbitov 2 of them).Utterly dissapointed to say the least, but what do I know, I'm shouting from across "The Pond" in Florida
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Posted by Vamuyan Sheriff on 02/06/2011
When it's come to the lost yesterday to wolve, with all due respect Sir alex is your fault,I think it's the time you start to put things right, or else this tittle will cost us like last
year. Here is my little knowledge, you need to drop Evan altogether he is the problem like last
year Ben foster. And you have to seriously warn Gibson, when he is
playing let him score when it's is necessary his job is to detribute not to kick all the ball him posses for goal.
Let him turn to the great Paul Schole for advices.Finally let Anderson play if he is not tire. Thanks again Sir alex
for the great job I
love you
Posted by FlyingBlues on 02/07/2011
Yess of course he made amends for right away when certain Players started volleyball match there...
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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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