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The numbers, like Shakira's hips, don't lie. We just don't play as well without Rio and Vidic. Nonetheless, there have been easier weeks to be a United fan. With Liverpool’s cup final now scrubbed off the agenda we can get on with the business of trying to get to the real ones.
Neither of our first choice centre-halves would have been able to do much about the opener I fear. Much as it made our defence look like muppets, Suarez’s work for their first goal was genuinely world class. Damn shame, because we were definitely the better team at that point. The score line violently flatters Liverpool, the truth of the matter is it just wasn't our lucky day.
Context is always a useful thing when looking at results. The final score at Anfield will likely be the best thing that happens to Liverpool FC, or in the lives of their fans, this year. Much the same can be said about Chelsea last week. Similarly, a crystal meth addict would celebrate a £500 win on a lottery scratch card with wild abandon; it doesn’t mean that the win is very important in the scheme of things though.
Let’s bear in mind that having lost twice in a week United still top the league by three points. It must be upsetting for fans of other clubs that they trail in the wake of the worst United team for years. They have my sympathy.
It is okay for United to be a major scalp for the other sides – personally I find it flattering. Indeed, the attempts of Liverpool and Chelsea fans make at being ‘dignified’ are a source of great amusement too.
What isn’t funny is Jamie Carragher’s attempt to end Nani’s career. Yes, the Portuguese is a big girl’s blouse but he is also one of the most entertaining players in the division. You can argue that United losing is good for the league as the Championship is now far more open. However, the way Carragher plays the game damages the sport in general. There is no excuse.
So, the biggest game of the Anfield club’s season is out of the way. Their team played well, if not a little dirtily, and they pretty much deserved their victory. When May swings around United are likely to be in the mix for a trophy or two. Liverpool won’t be.
Disclaimer: No referees were questioned in the writing of this column.
Follow Mark on twitter.com/markjpayne
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Comments
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Posted by Kartik on 03/07/2011
Agreed.. they were the better sides yesterday. But I am getting a feeling that there is no creativity in the field. Even with Nani being there for first half, not much chances brewed up. Same story as against Wigan, where, for 80 odd minutes, I was trying to figure out as to why I am watching the match. We might hang out for Premier league, but Chanpions League isn't our cuppa tea this time. What do you think?
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Posted by ABU on 03/07/2011
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Posted by Davd on 03/07/2011
"Damn shame, because we were definitely the better team at that point."
You've got to be kidding me. I mean, I know you love your team and all, but does that mean you have to be delusional as well? Aside from Berbatov's lovely strike from outside of the box that brushed the post, Man Utd never looked dangerous.
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Posted by X on 03/07/2011
Yeah, I honestly agree. We really don't have any creativity in central midfield. When Scholes has an off day we are in deep trouble, but even then he rarely makes it into the box. We are really sorely missing Park who plays really well behind one or two strikers. We need an offensive midfielder soon and Tony Valencia back on the field as well
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Posted by Red devil for life on 03/07/2011
After all the hulaboo thank you for bringing some perspective on yesterday's game..was it one of the most disappointing results we've had this year?.yes..did it bring Chelsea and Man City back into the tiltle race?.possibly yes..but we're still 3 points clear at the top and Arsenal's game in hand against Tottenham sure doesn't look like 3 points in the bag..add Anderson,Park and Valenciato the equation for the run-in and I believe we're still in with the best shout for a record 19th title..honestly,wouldn't you have taken a 3 point lead with 9 games to go at the start of the season?
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Posted by Chandan on 03/07/2011
We badly need a top class midfielder (or two may be). We need someone there who can not only keep the possession and command the game but can score a few goals as well. I hope Fergi will bring someone like Wesley Sneijder in the coming summer.
Other than that Johny Evans and Smalling are still growing so they will take some time to be able to replace Rio and Vidic. And our forwards has off and on time this season especially away from home, so that needs to be worked on.
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Posted by Karim on 03/07/2011
Hi Mark, well written piece. The United i know will bounced back from this. and i like the media silence. all is calm after a storm. huhu
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Posted by Muttaqa on 03/07/2011
I think,fergie,is trying 2 cover up,4 his team inadequaces,that's why he take the spotlight off his player on to the ref.We will see about them in mix for a cup or two in may.,remember bayernlevekursen of 2002/03.
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Posted by Dev...7 on 03/07/2011
How typical...conveniently forgotten to mention Rafael 2 footed lunge against Lucas! If you think Carra deserved a Red and be a man and say the same about Rafael as well...jeez...
And by the way our biggest game will be on Wednesday 18th May @ Dublin...
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Posted by Jono on 03/07/2011
Should think about losing your own line 'there is no excuse' as a preliminary thought to all these useless articles you're excreting, riddled with the stench of bias...
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Posted by Patrice-Kigali on 03/07/2011
Mark!
You put it right when you write "worst United team for years". The good thing is that I knew it right from August and when no one was brought in January-I feared for the worst.
This is the worst midfield i have seen since 1993 when i became a supporter/fan-Ooooh, and i will always be.
The difference between the current united team and the previous ones is the Quality! A lot of Quantity with less quality!
I love Scholes and Gigs but they are old.
Gibson, Carrick,Diouf and I am afraid Evans are NOT united quality.
Macheda has to pave way for J Hernandez.
Let Rooney assume Scholes's roles.
Bring back Wellbeck and Tom(I know they have a bright future at OT).
Play Fletcher as a holding midfielder until the season's end.
Lastly, i read comments from one supporter suggesting that we should stop criticising players due to poor performances, he even doubted whether we are genuine fans(Laughable)!
Nani-Get well soon. I wish the lads win the 19th title for u.
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Posted by DCIcon on 03/07/2011
I think your confused bout playing dirty and physically.
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Posted by TrueBlue on 03/07/2011
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Posted by kazim on 03/07/2011
This has to be the worst team united has in the last ten years. There is no mid filed to speak off, the fowards (perhaps with the exception of chicarito) are robots. And the defense as mentioned above sucks without the two stalwarts. Maybe we need the Qatari petro dollars after all. Hope to see a complete overall of the first eleven!!
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Posted by antivirus on 03/07/2011
I think enough is said about our team. The simple fact is that we are lucky to be at the top of the table just because we are the better of the worse, the same applies to last yr's close runners up position. The only two good signings I would say in the past few seasons are probably just Smalling and Hernedez. And it is such a disappointing news that we extend Carrick's contract. I trust most of us would also agree that Nani is becoming like a CR7 in a bad way - too selfish and always wants to win the game on his own. In my humble opinion the only ways for MU to shine are 1. get rid of the glazers so that we can invest in new players properly, and 2. have a new manager.
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Posted by Jackson Speare, II on 03/07/2011
Yes, I do agree, we are still in for the title and I'm very sure that the run-in with Part, Ando, Valencia and co coming back will be interesting. United all the way.
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Posted by Sam on 03/07/2011
I again would like to insist the importance of luck in any tight ball games like pingpong, tennis and especially football. How on earth could Luis Suarez trick one of the most experienced and/or the best stoppers in Premier League? And how on earth could Kuyt be there waiting without being marked by any Man U defender? How on earth did Nani make a spectecular but inexplanable asist to Kuyt for his second goal. And how on earth did Van de Sar punch Suarez's free kick toward the path of Kuyt? Answer: Liverpool's good luck .
How on earth did Berbatov's shot hit the outside of Reina's post instead of the inside? Answer: Man United's bad luck!
Man United can still win the title. If they don't, a major reason is because they've run of out luck.
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Posted by Tapiwa Mubonderi on 03/07/2011
This is what I was talking about teams who only live to play Man United. I was used to winning and singing now I have to wait for a victory for us to be merry again.
I hope SAF can now rally his troops for the charge towards the titles and help us forget the beginning of this crazy month.
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Posted by Giggs fan on 03/07/2011
Seriously? I'm a Man U fan, but we were not the better side, not even close. The scoreline could have been worse - Suarez, Meireles, and Kuyt were flying up the field all day.
And Carragher should have gotten a red, but he's a slow, bad tackler. Just like our beloved Scholes - no different really.
Lets admit that Liverpool were better and move on.
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Posted by RJ on 03/07/2011
Respect the game also means respect for your opponents (and match officials and the media). MU just going through a rough patch; not aided by some resurgent teams. Yes come this May, MU will win the title and take pride in their fans who show true spirit of sportsmanship.
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Posted by Hali on 03/07/2011
It must be hard to be a United fan when everything doesn't go as planned. Liverpool getting better, losing twice a week and a certain championship gone. Haha, funny text you wrote there!
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Posted by King Kong on 03/07/2011
Forget about Carragher's tackle as it will not mask the deficiencies of United in the last 2-3 games. The next two games may define their season and so far Chelsea and Liverpool games seems to have knock the wind off them and decisions aren't going their way, coaches blanking media and all negatives are creating cracks in the team. If they lose to Marsaille and Arsenal this week, they might just lose the title as well. It's crunch time and this isn't the same United of the past.
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Posted by Mike on 03/07/2011
I had a little trouble reading parts Mark, due to all the crap pouring out of your analysis. Kind of like heavy sobbing.
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Posted by Sam on 03/07/2011
Sounds like someone wrote and article whilst still high on emotion from the defeat. Maybe you should give yourself a few more hours before you put it out there so it is not so emotional. You are obviously hurting but I am sure you could come up with better than this
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Posted by shegz on 03/07/2011
its really ridiculous dt u could only come up with an incoherent& disjointed sentimental features on this page---so sickening ..Just accept u lost and u move on rather than hanging on to all ur baseless tautology.I'm so certain there are Better Man U fans dt wd come up with decent and objective analysis(while not losing the real essence of the plot)and without suffering from myopic delusion like yours..
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Posted by Ivan on 03/07/2011
Don't know what your smoking Mark,our team was pathetic, just as they have been all season.This must be the worst United team in Decades.
Nani was a total disgrace and should never be permitted to wear the United shirt again, unless of course he plays for the kindergarden squad.How embarassing to see a grown man crying and behaving as he did.How degrading.I wish they had broken his legs so that we could see the back of him (yeah yeah -i'm waiting for the comments)
Ferguson and half our squad should be shown the door.
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Posted by Julian on 03/07/2011
You bounce back and forth between saying Liverpool deserved the result and hinting at that it was a lucky scoreline and one that was gained through cheap tactics.
That's laughable. Liverpool attacked full force from the start and were clearly the better side. Pointing out Liverpool's disappointing season isn't tricking anyone either. It's no secret Roy Hodgson was the wrong man and ran the season into the ground. But as another poster said, let's not be delusional.
Deflecting attention to Liverpool after United's disastrous week isn't fooling anyone. You still may be three points atop, but we all know the United faithful are shaking after this week, because they look truly uninspired for two games that any player should be eager to play out of his boots in.
I don't know why I'm so surprised by this write up -- you are after all the guy who can be quoted saying you wouldn't rule out a Liverpool relegation. Great call, buddy.
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Posted by JJ on 03/07/2011
There was not a point where MU was a better side in the Sunday's match apart from Berba's strike that shaved the outside of the post in the first half. After the Chelsea game I was very angry (I think mostly with the ref). But during the L'pool game I was happy to keep a low defeat. The defference btween the 2 games was that at the Bridge MU played better in first half and could have got something had it not been for the ref who did not see any foul against MU players but saw the slightest of touches against Chelsea players. Against L'pool I feared for the worst and it happened. When we have a makeshift defence we play 4-4-2 away at Anfield. When we have our normal team we play 4-5-1 at OT against Arsenal. We don't sense Danger when it comes. L'pool by any imagination were waiting for a game against MU at Anfield to bolster their cofidence. That was their FINAL this year. We should have treated them with a corresponding urgency just like you would Arsenal or Barca in a UCL semi final
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Posted by Tom on 03/07/2011
This is the most bitter article I've ever read. You seem to be trying so hard to stay dignified in defeat but it's more amusing that anything I've read in a while. Your statements are delusional at times.
How can you say Carragher was trying to "end" Nani's career, there were high footed, studs up tackles through out the match and from both sides, If Carra was trying to end Nani's career, then Rafael was trying to end Lucas's, the only difference is Lucas was quick enough to jump out of the way.
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Posted by Zhau on 03/07/2011
Mark .. Wow .. are you stupid ,, or are you really really stupid .. How do choots like you get to write for ESPN ..
@Karim .. Now I know whom your Mommy did to get a worthless good like you here ..
Cheers to both of you! I am so happy you support Man United.
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Posted by Nathan Quao on 03/07/2011
Hi Mark,It's an interesting piece but I think we were poor yesterday.We didn't bring in the necessary drive and passion necessary for such a game.
However,that's not my worry.My worry is how we'll look like next season.We need to buy seriously and give the team a nitrous boost.We've lacked a midfield 'destroyer' all season.It's a huge pity Hargreaves didn't turn out well so we need a '' madman'' in the midfield to shut teams down.Fletch can't do it all on his own.I wonder how we overlooked a player like Cheick Tiote when he was in Holland.I think he's good enough to play for Man United.We should look at De Rossi, and maybe Lassana Diarra 'cause honestly we're being hit hard in that area.
In addition,we should freshen up the attack.An extra attacker will do us good.Sanchez and Young are good players so why don't we buy them.I think we should show more ruthlessness in the market esle we might fall behind.
As for this season,we should hit back hard and get that 19th crown and forever shut the opponents up.
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Posted by brotherjon on 03/07/2011
please work out your self-esteem issues in private. all this rationalizing makes for tedious reading (and writing, i bet).
"the worst United team in years" plays worse every time out, and Valencia won't be back soon enough. and Anderson and Park are nice lads but c'mon...
and lay off Carra. he took his yellow, and apologized in person. griping is for losers.
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Posted by Mike on 03/07/2011
I'm still very amused that Carrick just got a contract extension, lol! I thought he'd be the first to go in the summer.. Everybody knows Man U is sketchy this year, they do not strike fear into anyone especially away from home
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Posted by dubs on 03/07/2011
as i left a comment last week about the importance of michael carrick in midfield and how he would bounce back "to turn a match on its head" i have to apologize. my foot is very difficult to swallow, as was seeing our midfielders looking at the soles of liverpool players flying around and by them all day. i still believe they hold the key to united maintaining a strong hold on english footy (scholeys long passes were on the mark everytime), but i was left sort of perplexed by fletcher not starting/playing until the 84th minute. i feel his work rate (like that of a sorely missing Park Ji Sung) is crucial when you don't have the pace of Valencia and Nani on the wings to stretch the defense. players of that vain make it seem like there are 11 or 12 outfield players on the pitch.
Dark week indeed but my belief in United go unwavered. thanks for your perspective.
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Posted by Shoddy on 03/07/2011
United were the better team for about 10 minutes to start the second half and that's it. As for Carragher's tackle...it was clumsy, hard and dangerous. A red card was in order. You speaking to his intentions is silly...unlike Rafael, who launched himself two-footed, cleats up, from a sprint, in a temper tantrum that could have ended Lucas' mediocre career. Funny you didn't mention that.
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Posted by francier on 03/07/2011
this article has really brought much laughter in the office, and more shame upon our colleagues who are united fans. it just goes to show how much you hurt being beat by chelsea and liverpool recently.
i know its hard to swallow the bitter pill but some grace and dignity would make you a better journalist. even your own united fans dont agree with your story and are greatly embarrassed, it just smacks of sour grapes and delusion.
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Posted by urbanhikermc on 03/07/2011
Mark, admit it: United are starting to pay back the huge karmic bill they rang up after years of fielding the dirty little rat / man hybrid Gary Neville.
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Posted by oz on 03/07/2011
Mark we were never the better team, shit from start to finish- Liverpool didnt even need Gerrard to get out of second gear.
Everything was wrong with this game- starting with the formation and starting line up- although in SAF defence, I heard fletcher was sick? As someone mentioned previously, this was the day to play a 4-5-1 so we could shield the back 2. Also scholes still has the passing, but he needs some muscle in the mid with him, this covers for his older legs - sorry but Carrick is not muscle, in fact, theoretically Carrick should be used when scholes does not play i.e. passing mid, but he has gone down hill and does not seem capable of picking a defence apart with his passing. The other problem was when you looked at the bench for help, Hernandez was the only decent option, I cant remember such a weak bench.
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Posted by David Smith on 03/07/2011
Dear Bin Dippers and ABU's,
"He who laughs last, laughs longest" and while I'm at it, "You may have won the battle this week, but you won't win the war."
In other words, enjoy your brief gloating. Come May 22nd, when Vidic is lifting our 19th league title at Old Trafford, home wins in your Cup Finals will be long forgotten. As usual.
Some people just NEVER learn....
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Posted by Bige on 03/07/2011
This article is an embarrassment. We understand you are a United fan but come on not one word in there was unbiased.
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Posted by Reds on 03/07/2011
Mark, I swore I saw Nani's vagina on Sunday. After the Carragher challenge (which I admit was a poor one), Nani wept in a hysterical lament on the ground holding his leg; then, suddenly, as if touched by a divine spirit, got up and ran toward the referee with a perfect athletic gait, whined like the little bitch he is, and then fell back down again, crying and clutching his leg. I hadn't had a laugh so hard in weeks. I think he's been method acting training with Daniel Day-Lewis on weekdays.
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Posted by Ben on 03/07/2011
Not only that but we are top and if one looks at the games left for the teams involved (City Vs. Chelsea in 2 weeks and Arse at Spurs) there are very few scenarios for any other team to win the league that don't include either Chelsea and City winning every remaining game they have and Arsenal beating us on May 1-neither will happen-What will happen is that we now play three home game in a row with Rio/Vidic/Valencia/Park all coming back-on March 20th after we have won all three we will have a Semi Final at Wem-Ber-Ley, a quarter final (I can smell Bayern Munich) and a league leading spot not to mention a much happier fan base.
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Posted by wot? on 03/07/2011
nice sunshine pumping...thy were the better team yesterday??? i stopped reading after that so i don't know if your article had anything relevant to say beyond that, i suspect not.
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Posted by John on 03/07/2011
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Posted by Nashville Red on 03/07/2011
what a pile of homer manure - man up & admit you got beat, pure & simple...
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Posted by orangeca on 03/07/2011
Let's get out of the Champions League before we get embarassed, and also out of the FA cup. This team needs major surgery, and the re-signing of Carrick shows there are grey clouds on the horizon. This Summer will show us which direction we will be going. Is money available or not? Right now the midfield is dreadful. How we are in first place I will never know. I believe tha the title will come down to if Van Persie is fit or not. Without him, Arsenal will drop too many points, but we will struggle in every game from now to the end.
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Posted by YNWA on 03/07/2011
"When May swings around United are likely to be in the mix for a trophy or two. Liverpool won’t be."
Sums up what we already knew about Mark Payne and every other ManU fan: GLORYHUNTERS!
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Posted by JoeUSA on 03/07/2011
Your arrogance, of which I assume at least some is tongue-in-cheek, is hilarious. Arsenal have a game in hand, and United's abysmal away record has not improved in the second half of the season. No side has been playing well enough to be completely confident in the run-in, so let's just see how it unfolds.
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Posted by Ashish on 03/07/2011
I am not surprised as the article comes from a United fan. One of those deluded lot.I don't see Rio and Vidic stopping Kuyt's second and third goal as two wonderful assists were provided by your own team players. So don't hide behind the fact that those two were not there.
'we were definitely the better team at that point'. What match were you watching Mark???
'we are still on top of the league'. Let me remind you that Arsenal has a game in hand and if they score more than 3 goals they go top.
I agree that Carragher's challenge was dangerous on Nani, but at times you have to give people what they deserve. All this while your players have been diving around to earn penalties and free kicks. So this was just a taste of what real foul is like. And didn't you see what buffoonery Nani did after the tackle??
I really hoped that Rafael should not be sent off for his 'career ending' tackle on Lucas cause then you would have got onother excuse.
Learn to be quite after humiliation like Ferguson
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Posted by Amir on 03/07/2011
How many points will Arsenal take from the run of: Liverpool, @ Spurs, @ Bolton, Man United, @ Stoke between April 16 and May 7th--even if they are out of the FA Cup and the CL? With Chelsea playing City next a tie ends (almost) the chances of both and certainly would end the hope of the losing team. Man United play 5 of 9 at home (13-1-0 record to date) and the 4 away are Newk, Blackburn, West Ham and of course Arsenal (the patsies when it comes to playing United)---Only a very tough run in the FA Cup and the CL plus some injuries and more Atkinson games will deny the 19th title---And as for Mark---they guys is simply fantastic---read some of the other team blogs and you will see that writing skills are not required for most---Keep'm comin---make me smile
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Posted by United Glory on 03/07/2011
To all those "Livergetyourhandoffyourpoodlians" out there, this is a MAN United blog and it is going to be biased. Accept it and move on. If you can’t accept it, get a life, don’t read it and stop wasting our time posting pointless comments criticizing Marks journalism. As far as this week goes, yes you beat us, congratulations. However, to all the United fans out there, we are still on top with a chance to win the Premier League, the FA cup and the Champions League. To all "Livergetyourhandoffyourpoodlians", you can now pack up and go home as you have nothing left to play for this year. Don’t worry, there is always next year. The funny thing is, that’s what a friend of mine said 20 years ago.
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Posted by luuis on 03/07/2011
nani is entertaining in that he damages the sport by diving, and the game was a dose of karma for him. The boy who cried wolf had his leg broken and got told to get up lol. I thought he was putting in one of his oscar worthy performances when he cried. Who knew, he had a bloody leg, boo fcking hoo lol, he still managed to dive on gerrard's "shove"
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Posted by mike on 03/07/2011
This is the most arrogant, elitist article I have read in a long time. The convention is to focus on one's own team and their current form etc. rather than make sweeping generalisations about groups of opposing fans. You wasted an entire paragraph of an already short article in comparing Liverpool fans to crystal meth addicts. Not only is that offensive and totally outside the scope of what the article should be about, it also highlights the narrow-mindedness of the author and unwillingness to accept a loss with humility.
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Posted by rawr on 03/08/2011
This is a classless article to say the least. No self-respecting blogger/journalist should be comparing rival teams to crystal meth addict in an example. How you managed to get a column here is beyond me. Disgusting.
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Posted by david creed on 03/08/2011
1. The better team won. 2. The MU midfield looked static compared to Liverpool. 3. Carragher and Rafael should both have been sent off. Leg breaking tackles have no place in the game 4. Its past time Nani grew up. 5. Poor choice of line up by MU (2-5-1 better!) maybe affected by Fletcher being ill? 6. Suarez looks like a great buy. I heard SAF was considering getting him after the World Cup. Pity he didn't. 7. Chicharito was a great buy! 8. United will probably still win the premier league!!
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Posted by Sam on 03/08/2011
To be honest, reading some of the other clubs' fans commenting here makes me a little proud. At least fans of other clubs are still interested in our blog, even with the title 'Dirk Kuyt's Excellent (can I just say, with a little luck) Adventure.
Well, this is for those who are complaining that we are complaining. Yes, MU lost 2 games in a row. And at Anfield, we actually deserved to lose, unlike at the Bridge. At Anfield, we lost to the easiest hattrick in the world, scored by an unmarked winger-cum-striker (he always plays on the right doesn't he?).
And no, as any MU player or fan will tell you from the bottom of our hearts, it's not over. It's never over till the last whistle, or the last game. So be prepared. We are giving it our all in all 3 competitions, something none of you can shout about. And odds being we won't win all 3, we still went further than you, quoting Mark, with the 'worst United team for years'. Suck it up. A win is not a trophy, it's just 3 points.
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Posted by TheJepit on 03/08/2011
Dear all,
Might I remind you all that this is the Manchester United's fan comments as an author.
Of course it will be arrogant, we are all like that.
Come end of May, we WILL be celebrating the 19th title...
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Posted by canadared on 03/08/2011
What an absolute prat...focusing on slandering opposing teams fans instead of analyzing the match (a little bias is natural)in an educated and analytical manner. Your article is a disgrace to this website and brings no insight to the match in any way what so ever. Will an intelligent United fan (i know some exist) please step up and prevent this clown from embarrasing your fan base and himself anymore!
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Posted by canadared on 03/08/2011
oh yeah...you look like spud from trainspotting!
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Posted by John on 03/08/2011
Whether Liverpool is 1st or 20th in the league, the match versus United is the biggest of the year and its the same fucking way for you lousy Mancs. Granted Liverpool are not challenging for the title this year, but had the scoreline been reversed, you would be gloating about rubbing their faces in it. It's not scalp hunting, its playing United. Its the same bloody thing that it always has been, and this time you lost. Don't flatter yourself. The real fact of the matter is that the teams that ARE challenging for the title all claimed at least 3 points on United, and if you play like you did Sunday you're not going to fend them off. Its United's title to lose, and theres no reason to think they wont.
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Posted by zeron on 03/08/2011
Wake up!!! Man U were poor, dun just put all the attention on the carragher tackle, we knows he's not out to hurt anyone...
Sore losers Man U...
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Posted by Mindleftnumb on 03/08/2011
Top of the league! And thats a facht!
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Posted by parlie on 03/08/2011
This column is a joke, the writer is clearly a united fan and has the standard one sided opinion of football that only a united fan can have. The fact that livepool outclassed man united over 90 is no reason to have a dig at the club or the people who support by claiming this 'the biggest game of the anfield's club season'. Just deal with the fact that you were beaten soundly, take a look at the problems with your own team, acknwledge the skill that the liverpool players showed in this game and leave it be.
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Posted by Wilson on 03/08/2011
When Liverpool played crap a few months ago under Roy Hodgson, Liverpool fans all agreed it was crap. When Man U played crap, their fans say its bad luck. At least Liverpool fans are not delusional...
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Posted by Jme55 on 03/08/2011
I've been a Man Utd supporter for 47 years now and have to add my thoughts:
1. Yes, this is a Man Utd forum, but being biased doesn't mean we need to be insulting or delusional. Winning is pointless if you don't respect your opponents. Learn to have a little class.
2. I have very little respect for the author. Your sort of journalism is crude, insulting and more importantly, brings shame to anyone proud enough to call themselves a true Man Utd supporter.
3. Liverpool were the better team by far. We had a few chances but the fact is that we didn't show the same desire they did. Credit Mr.Dalglish. He has managed to shake up his team and they are obviously playing for one another.
4. Nani. In all my years, I have never been more ashamed of a player on our side. His theatrics were embarrassing.
5. For those of you calling for Carragher to be sent off - I agree. It was definitely a red-card offense. At least he had the class to apologize.
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Posted by Arthur on 03/08/2011
The language in some of the articles here is really demeaning, why can't you just make your point in clean language, so that all of us can understand your contribution, please. Nani cried and threw a tantrum, big deal. Its bad that we do not have the pleasure to witness some of you so called man with abundance of testosterone in action. Some of you are the guys who pick up fights even in boozers league. I have since stopped attending matches and am trying to steer my talented son from the most wonderful sport in the world because of the hooligans. You take out the pleasure and fun in sports.
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Posted by NiraIsMad on 03/08/2011
This might be repetitive, but I can't stop pointing out that two straight defeats to the bigger rivals in EPL has been explained by ill luck.
I think United fans should look at the bigger picture if they ever get a little time after reading what Fergie has to say about the FA and other teams
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Posted by Kris Asin on 03/08/2011
Mark is a Man utd correspondent so its all in MAN U's perspective,but even if i come from kenya where we speak less english, what is it that mark wrote to liverpool funs(arsenal or chelsea funs) to deprive you of your victory??..here are the facts:
1. Liverpool won,congrats
2. You beaten man u be4,but all you play for is 6th fiddle to man u.
3. the so called apology from Carra is simply PR, The real him was after the tacle accusing Nani of diving right at that moment on the pitch, it looked premeditated,unlike Rafael's (although also can fetch a red), where none of the players have the ball but they both fly in to win it. Nani had the ball, Carra came for it with blazing studs knee high.
4. Nanis tools of trade had been rocked, a threat to his career, his emotional outburst is one we all have only that our career threatening moments aint infront of Tv..excuse him.
5. Man united with blotted side is on top and from the celebrations is always the team to bit, shame to all oponent teams
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Posted by hmmm on 03/08/2011
i think you forgot to mentioned Rooney's elbow and Rafael's 2 foot lunge here...
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Posted by Archit on 03/08/2011
Bollocks.Typical united gobshite.
You are right fergie, united's fans are shite
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Posted by Mark's tears on 03/08/2011
The thing is Mark, you haven't won a major trophy in the last two years. This result puts your rivals back into the title race- Chelsea, Arsenal and City are superior sides to United and one of them will take advantage of this situation. You are without your player of the year for 4 out of the 9 games left. Without his goals and assists you have to rely on the erratic Rooney and old Giggs- both of whom have been poor this season. You still have to face Chelsea and Arsenal in the league. You may be top having played an extra game but there is every chance of you bottling it without your best player.
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Posted by Ashish on 03/08/2011
Mark, are you always stupid or do you write such articles just to annoy people?? I am a Bolton fan and have never read such obnoxious article ever. Supporting your team is one thing and being stupid is another. But that's how United fans are. They have no respect for the game.
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Posted by fazly on 03/08/2011
we need some fresh faces other than players like carrick..the united fighting spirit against their most bitter rivals were missing and i don't see the genuine united player other than giggs and scholes...get rid of glazers first and we built another hell of a team....
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Posted by Didi on 03/08/2011
Just to comment on Man Utd's recent results. Notice when Man Utd played Chelsea, Man Utd had a game the previous Saturday while Chelsea had the weekend off. Then comes Liverpool. Man Utd played midweek against a strong team and what did Liverpool had? More rest, more preparation time. I wont blame the team too much for these two results. The players are not machines. But hopefully the results will motivate the team to do better till the end of the season.
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Posted by Nemesis on 03/08/2011
Hey guys liverpool was the better team we have to give them that at least. but if carragher was red carded as the replays indicate, the match would have changed. no need to moan now cause we r the champions. lol . Btw i just watched arsenal being creamed by barca. what's wenger excuse for the fouls his players committed. When the same is done to his team he cries now lets see what excuse he comes up with. He should learn to keep his mouth shut
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Posted by Naz on 03/09/2011
When I watched the game, I thought Rafael would get sent off. But then I thought Carragher would see red too. Maxi's hit on Rafael just ebfore the lunge was dirty, dirty as well, but then it's Liverpool/Argentina on United/Brazil. Liverpool were by far the better side on the day, but I'd take losing to them (and Chelsea) anyday if we're still top!
Also yes, Arsenal were well and truly beaten by a magnificent Barca side.
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Posted by inexplicit on 03/09/2011
"However, the way Carragher plays the game damages the sport in general."
WTF? WAS THIS BLOG ALIVE IN THE DAYS OF MOTHER FUCKER ROY KEANE?
I would be more understanding if that sentence was rephrased to "the way Carragher tackled Nani damages the fucking sports in general.. I'm a muppet" perhaps? It's not as if Carragher breaks 3 or 4 legs a season! He's much, much, much more cleaner than Rio Ferdinand
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Posted by Brent on 03/09/2011
Mark, you should really be embarrassed about spewing this garbage onto the internet for everyone to read. I realize that this is a Manchester United blog, but the amount of delusion and lack of respect for other fans is alienating to an objective reader.
United lost, fair and square. How you reached the conclusion of United being "the better team" at any point of this match is quite astounding.
As for Carragher's tackle on Nani, he may have seen red were it not for Nani's hysterics. I'm usually pretty forgiving of it, but that was just shameful. Injured or not, he was embarrassing. You seem to have forgotten the two footed lunge by Rafael at someone when the ball wasn't even settled. What Carragher did was dangerous, yes, but violent? Not really. I've seen Rafael go in with two feet probably four times this season, twice against Liverpool.
You need to either wake the fuck up or relinquish your post to someone with a more sensible, realistic view of the game.
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Posted by Somnath Mallick on 03/10/2011
I think we were played off the park. After the first 20 mins.. It was hopeless and painful to watch us play. Seemed like a man with his eyes gouged out running in an open filed. Carragher's saw red or not doesn't matter, we played pathetic and only ourselves to blame.
Worst team for years: Yes. I have to agree.
We must pick ourselves up and get ready for the upcoming fixtures. Lets hope we don't mess up our UCL clash against Marseille. That would be disastrous. Or it could be a blessing in disguise. But we are not used to seeing ourselves knocked out so early!
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Posted by oz on 03/10/2011
In response to Liverpool fans
1) I agree the article by Mark was not good.
2) I agree that your team was the best on the day and deserved to win, our team was horrible and has been all year.
3) I agree Nani is an embarrassment, and I wish he would stop diving
3) I disagree with liverpool fans claiming that all united fans a biased, many united fans on this blogg have acknowledged that liverpool deserved to win
4) I think the attitude (and the language) of many of the liverpool fans using a Man united blog is down right disgusting!! by all means gloat a bit about getting one over your arch enemies, but Please display a bit of class and stop acting like gutter trash.
Oh, and I just checked your teams blogg, and there is not one comment- Nice to see your so infatuated by united that you cant wait to write on our website, but couldnt be bothered adding anything for your own team. sounds like a bit of big brother syndrome or could it be an inferiority complex?
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Posted by JJ on 03/10/2011
Two losses in row...yes, MU and any other team have been through such. MU have been in this situation before. But, they must buy players in summer.
My preditcion in the 9 games to come (10 for Arsenal) would be:
1. MU: 7 wins + 2 draws(Ars & Chel)= 83 points.
2. Arsenal: 7 wins + 2 Draws(MU and another) + 1 loss = 80 points
3. Chealsea, City and Spurs will scramble for 79 points.
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Posted by Lanre on 03/11/2011
Well written article,i must say...even though ManU did not play well,i believe we would have taken something from the game if 'Jamming' Carragher had been sent off.There were four martial arts incidents in that game i feel the ref should have taken actions against.1)Carra vs Nani(Black belt karate)2)Maxi vs Rafael(blue belt taekwondo)3)Rafa vs Lucas(Black belt kungfu)4)Suarez's pull on Rafa's hair(Female wrestling bout).
As much as i hate criticising officials,i believe Dowd should have done much better that day.Overall, the officiating this season has been nothing to write home about though...
Having said all these,i strongly believe ManU will be top in the end even though there are some potential 'banana peels' along the way.
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Posted by Loh KM on 03/12/2011
Just ask Sir Alex to shut his mouth. All ManU players are sore looser. Same as Arsene Wenger which his team lost to Barca in midweek and blame on referee controversial red card. Now Sir Alex is saying Carra tackle is disgraceful. Isn't it is more disgraceful than insulting the official at Chelsea match? Hard tackling is part and puzzle of the game. Every pro players should know this. Whether getting send off or not depends on the referee.Sir Alex and co just cannot accept loosing especially to their main rival. Just look at King Kenny.When they lost to West Ham, he only blame his team for not playing well. That what every managers should do. Loose gracefully.
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Posted by johanzul on 03/13/2011
1. Congrat to Liverpool. Enjoy won the battle but we're still on our way to win the war.
2. Direct quotation from SAF in SoccerNet "I have no excuses for the poor performance at Liverpool, who were the better team and deserved their win, Ferguson said. "I was disappointed because we didn't perform to the level I expect and which, to be fair, we generally achieve.
3. Great leaders admit defeat (but find ways to bounce back, hey where's Arsenal game comment Mark?) and be gentleman about it. Thank you SAF for being a gentleman and without any lame excuses. Understood that SAF love the game and disappointed with the results that he just can't give any comments earlier maybe due to anger too in which everybody knew he had anger management prob. Better sit back and strategize 1st.
4. Carrager tackle was a very bad one indeed no doubt about that. SAF is clever to make it as an issue to divert attention to him rather than the MU players especially Nani from the media. Smart old chap.
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Posted by Urmstonian on 03/13/2011
Well, here's a thought. Why should loving and supporting your own team involve rubbishing the opposition? Liverpool is a great club. Carragher may well be a thug, but he is an honest Liverpool-loving thug. I saw St Nobby Stiles play lots of times. We want Liverpool - and, yes, Leeds and various others - in the Premiership, don't we? Who wants to visit the half-empty terraces of Wigan every season. And, whilst we can have a little celebration when the likes of Hull and Reading and Watford emerge for a little while, who on earth can remember anything from any game we've ever played against them? Whereas, by contrast, that superb header from Carragher back to Dudek which he let through his legs will be remembered for decades.
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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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