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There were pretty absurd games all over the place in the Premier League this weekend. It was like a collective practical joke of comedy misses, own goals and Fernando Torres. Blows were traded on both sides of the North West vs London divide and I suspect most of us fans feel a lot older this Monday morning.
When I re-read the results on paper this morning it looks like a fully satisfying couple of days work at the office. Liverpool have been humiliated, City have dropped points, the Arsenal sitcom continues and United have beaten Chelsea. It is the hard work that our team made of the latter which has me reaching for the sedatives.
Several of our players had not adjusted the sights on their boots before kickoff and many a pass went long and astray early on. Hernandez is a quick lad, but he is yet to break the land speed record that some of our cross-field passes would have required.
In fact, had we not scored early on we could well have been taught an ugly lesson here. Large spells of the play were ALL Chelsea and were it not for large swathes of luck it could all have been so different. Nonetheless, the last 45 minutes were pretty agonizing to watch and prompted by match going companion to remark, “I’m not sure I can take another eight months of this.”
Saying all that, the second half did at least show the side producing the kind of grit that has not been required so far this season. In terms of learning experiences for the younger players, they should get the message and they haven’t dropped points doing it.
And if you detach for a second you can appreciate the comedy of it all. Livid as Ferguson will inevitably be about Rooney’s slip and John Terry-tribute penalty miss, you can only say we have been asking for that one. For the last three years. Repeatedly.
This is not to mention the huffing and puffing of el Nino. Torres actually played quite well and looked fairly dangerous but that miss will go down in history. The poor lad has fallen a long, long way now and if he had scored you would have fancied Chelsea for the draw. He and all his teammates know it too.
Inevitable barn door reference (C) Torres photography
The better news for Manchester United is that David de Gea looks like he belongs. Ramires will want to commit hari kiri after falling over with the goal at his mercy but Dave was there to save on that and several other occasions. I also really like his distribution of the ball, it is a terrific addition to our arsenal, particularly seeing as it comes from a goalkeeper. He earned his dosh on Sunday.
Another huge positive to draw from this game is Nani’s confirmation as a big game player. His goal was sumptuous and some of his close control beggars belief. He can miss as many player of the year awards as he like if he keeps playing like this for us.
Despite the general madness of the fixtures of the last round United have managed to emerge two points clear at the top and looking good on paper. However, the watching managers of Leeds and Stoke will no doubt think they stand a chance against us in the upcoming fixtures. Fabulous as this start to the season has been, the players need to focus and not believe their own hype. Otherwise, God forbid, some of them could end up with Fernando levels of comeuppance.
Early reports that Ronnie Rosenthal has launched a class action lawsuit against Torres for breach of copyright over the missed sitter have been rejected as untrue.
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Posted by Shahdil on 09/19/2011
I feel sorry for Torres, the enemy may he be. The lad is (was?) a class act, and for a little while everyone believed "Torres is back". Until that miss, which must have brought his confidence back to where it was before the game started. #GGMU
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Posted by Justin Roland Luo on 09/19/2011
Kiddos to United. Chelsea to be honest were better than us, midfield pairing of (less than 100% matchfit) Fletcher and slow Carrick were guity of letting Chelsea bossing the game. We won due to ice cold finishing. Mark of champions, winning through grit.
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Posted by David Smith on 09/19/2011
This match reminded me of my favorite Western: "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly". The Good: We beat a title rival. Our 5th in 6 against Chelsea and another three points. Nani's brilliant performance and goal. I said last week if we are to maintain our 100% start, he needed to have more of an impact and boy did he. Top class; top drawer. De Gea's performance was also very, very good. Time does wonders and time will eventually see him world class. The Bad: Anderson's right foot. He should get one. United fans on here rave about the Brazilian (I'm certainly not one of them), yet Fergie keeps hauling him off. He's not the answer in the middle. Waaaaaaaay too much space in the middle of the pitch. Our midfield was poor today and the back four got caught napping too many times. The Ugly: Rooney's penalty. Chicharito's injury. Meireles' stupid hair cut and tattoos. United's finishing. Chelsea's finishing. THAT miss. On to the Sheep Shaggers next and Berbatov, Park, Giggs etc. to do the biz!!!
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Posted by Doug on 09/19/2011
Before any anti-Utd fan comes in to say we rode our luck, let me just say this: Goals win games. No goals, no points. Near misses, lucky let-offs, moot points!
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Posted by d on 09/19/2011
Probably the worst performance of the season so far despite the ample scoreline. Agree with David Smith when he says that our mid field was over run. Fletch had some moments of vision, composure, and a good over all work rate, but not his 08/09 self. I wouldn't mind seeing SAF push Jones up and letting him make those runs from the half instead of the penalty area against Leeds. Either way, 3 points earned the hard way, but 3 points none the less.
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Posted by KW on 09/19/2011
People forget that we were missing our first choice centreback pairing. If Chelsea had Terry and Ivanovic missing they would not have expected to beat United. Yet despite a 3-1 win against Chelsea (which we would have taken in any other season) the expectations this time round have been ridiculous.
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Posted by AARON MARK HENDRIX on 09/19/2011
Chris was brilliant until injured,Phil is getting better each game,Rio might be due a spell on the sidelines u know,Nani,what a game.,He's starting to fulfil the "promise" he showed all this while.And De Gea has finally shown what I always knew he was,A good keeper.Lindengaard is pretty damn good too,so that's good news as well.Chelsea dominated everything but we won.That should tell it's own story.The game was really astounding,with moments of brilliance from both sets of players,as well as howlers etc.These kids have shown that they can manage against the cream of the Prem,but Im not sure about Europe.We do look fragile,erratic and lacking creativity at times.But we've got a good nucleus allright,Jones,Smalling,Cleverly,Wellbeck,The Twins,Chicarito et al.It's also easy to forget that Wayne has some years left in him.I'm sure we will challenge this season,but the next stretch of games until we visit those scousers will be vital must wins,and then maybe we can sit back and take stock..
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Posted by Sam on 09/19/2011
Crazy match! Probably deserving of a draw if the chances are anything to go by but Man U have gained themselves a reputation of being clinical and receiving a little luck from the linesman. No qualms there though they offsides were only by a hair at best.
Surprised no one has made more of the two sitters Rooney missed, the penalty and the virtual open goal when he hit the post. Had it been Torres the media would have lambasted him. On Torres his miss was appalling but sometimes when things are not going for you they just dont go for you. He played pretty well I thought and the premier league needs him to do well.
Overall another good win for United but they will only need to look at Chelseas start to last season to know that they cannot rest on their laurels. One loss can start a chain reaction.
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Posted by PaulJB on 09/19/2011
If we didn't ride our luck at times then we wouldn't be United. Football.... Bloody hell, Eh!
Torres is a class player and on another day would have punished us severly. Like Rooney last season, his head is not in the right place. Hopefully by the time he sorts himself out it will all be over bar the sacking of yet another Chelsea manager.
Special mention must go to Nani, not just for the goal (amazing as always - the boy just doesn't do simple) but the fact that he tries to stay on his feet despite the 'close attention' he receives from opposing players. Take note Mr C 'they hate me because I'm so beautiful' Ronaldo.
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Posted by Don on 09/19/2011
United is too lucky. None of the other EPL clubs receive so many calls. Which leads one to believe there is a match fixing scandal in the EPL...
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Posted by mr camio on 09/19/2011
man-united was in a very big lucky aganst chelsea, but NANI was very good i can say if he keep it on he will be 1 to 4 in the world best. I LOVE UNITED
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Posted by Tapiwa Mubonderi on 09/19/2011
The results of this week confirm that Man United have raised the bar a little, and the squad will have to maintain the streak for the next 7 months and increase the standard end of season. I prefer yesterday's result where we were outplayed but won than Benfica where we won possession and lost 2 points. I hope the mid week team do create need for a replay and solve the tie within the first 45 minutes.
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Posted by segun naija on 09/19/2011
Super Sunday's double header really lived up to its billing. I reckon all the matches produced spectacular views. The best result not being our thumping of the blues but the noisy neighbors dropping 2 points which is very critical for us. I hope the lads can take learning from the mistakes we were lucky not to cost us and consolidate on their very outstanding performances.
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Posted by Yandrix on 09/19/2011
Don said..."United is too lucky. None of the other EPL clubs receive so many calls. Which leads one to believe there is a match fixing scandal in the EPL..."
U know what Don? Go in a horse stable and eat some shit there dummy...thats free., not the 3 pts United got off Chelski. We may not have played as soundly as we have all season, this season but we deserved our win considering a possession of 56% to 44% or u didnt watch the game??? U probably listened on BBC radio live commentary...I was there at OT and even though there were hairy moments, everyone else but u felt we deserved our win!
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Posted by oz on 09/19/2011
@don - good one Don, at least one idiot had to turn up on this blog- congratulations you get the prize for being first.
what a stupid comment.
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Posted by bigfem on 09/19/2011
@oz that waz guuuuuuuuuuuuuud. may I be honoured to present @don with his trophy.........#dumbidiot. GGMU
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Posted by Trooper on 09/19/2011
It can only get better from here. A shocking loss of urgency playing with a 3 then quickly 2 goal lead in the 2nd half.
Has anyone noticed how much of an inconsistency Anderson is to us defensively? And on a day like yesterday when he doesn't get it right going forward, how dismal does he look?
Anderson does NOT track back with urgency (always jogging), apparently lacks the ability/decisiveness to effectively close out the dribbler, and when he does take up good positions, he doesnt really cut off a pass, nor try to win the ball the majority of the time. He just postures until a pass opens for the dribbler, which then renders him a moot point for us defensively. He has the skill and intelligence to do better, to be a quality, if not the best BOX to BOX midfielder? Why not consistently work harder?
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Posted by tererai on 09/19/2011
we missed cleverly in midfield and that created an awful lookind department. Overally games are won wit goals, feel sorry for chicha and berba
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Posted by Jikik on 09/19/2011
Apart from all the obvious above, I actually think Evans and Evra need a mention. Both went about their job, soaking up all the pressure created by our non existent midfield.
Very assured performances.
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Posted by DT on 09/19/2011
Great win for ManU, Don your comment makes no sense. Cashley Cole should have seen red for the challange on Hernandez. This was a deserved win we did not play our best but that does say much for Chelsea, they had some misses but we did too, and we hit the bar and the post plus miss a pen. ManU all the way
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Posted by Andrew Kagya on 09/19/2011
Fellow manutd followers, stop being greedy, we played well, and pressed whenever needed. You have to remember that we were playing Chelsea and not Swansea! The total control of the game by Chelsea is not true. Go back and count the open chances we missed and scored and what they missed and got, then for sure you will understand that the boys did a good job. Am sure if we were required to step up the game to look for a winner, then you would have seen a different ManU.
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Posted by joseph ndowa on 09/19/2011
this time with a bit of luck we managed to sail through chelsea.our midfield needs to be tight and our passing really needs some polishing ,this is an area were l miss cleverley.we failed to convert so easy chances at goal and needlessly subjected ourselves under unnecessary pressure. l hope SAF will fine tune the weak points before the next game
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Posted by Bob on 09/19/2011
Amazing game and I must confess and agree that we played rather poorly especially in midfield. I think Anderson is the right player for our midfield, however I really think he had a bad day at the office yesterday and could have cost us the game with his misplaced passes and all. BUT, I think he will do better next time around, maybe needs to deal with his fitness levels and lose some weight, was it me or did he look slightly overweight yesterday? All in all, congrats MAN U, pull up your socks, sort out the middle of the park and we should have a stellar season!
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Posted by razy abdul on 09/19/2011
kudos to united for anotherclassy game against chelsea. But the linesman was poor for the first goal. and the ref though fair got it wrong by awarding cole a yellow. chicharito had already played the ball. what was the ref thinking? nice one cole. their goal scorers are reducing by the minute. lol reducing by the minute. lol
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Posted by pittito on 09/19/2011
what the balls nonsense is this Chelsea was better bs? they had more chances and produced squat. you can shoot from 35 yards like cole did and it's on the stat sheet; quality chances were squandered on both ends. for every whiff by chelsea we had our own. we hit the bar twice and blew a penalty.
so rooney's passing wasn't perfection but berbatov should have buried an open goal anyway. how about cole's challenge on hernandez? after the shot or not, that's a friggin' red card. we need a few holes patched here and there fo sho. i like evans. i like anderson. they're red devils so that makes it so. but in fifa i sell them every time i start a new career with United.
it's frustrating to watch welbeck, cleverly and smalling hobble off the field and hopefully they're back soon. jones included, it's awesome to see our youth kicking some ass.
and Don, what are you smoking?
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Posted by Kareem Olayiwola on 09/19/2011
pretty superb performance.The boys started a bit nervous though.Anderson is beginning to stamp is authority as one of the best holding midfielders in England.But We shouldn't get carried away with this.The young squad is helpful.Anticipating October 23rd when we would play our noisy neighbors..
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Posted by torontored on 09/19/2011
Another fine result and coupled with the gifts on the scoreboard elsewhere, this was quite a weekend. While we were far from our best the result is what matters. Five from five with a tough opening schedule is fine by me.
With all of the plaudits going to the young players and derservedly so (hello Phil Jones and Chris Smalling) there is one young gun that sticks out like a sore thumb. How many more times do we need to see poor Johnny Evans beaten like a rented mule before Fergie ships him off to the championship. Spun like a top while losing his man against Benfica mid week, beaten by Torres for the goal, beaten by Torres on the miss of all misses and prancing around with his arm in the air on Ramires' miss. Enough is enough, and what is with the pundits saying he is playing well. every goal we have shipped lately has had his postmark.
With that said De Gea had another strong game, Nani continues to grow and this team looks like something special.
Glory Glory Man Utd!!!
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Posted by andy on 09/19/2011
It was one of those "if only" games. Come to think of it, the MISSES from both sides, United could have won by 4 goals or if the "offside goals" were ruled offside and Chelsea could have lifted their game a bar higher if Utd had not taken an early lead and so on and so forth... It was a footballing lesson for our youngters and and they should take cue from it. All said and done we were darn lucky to get 3 points.
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Posted by Taher on 09/19/2011
The officials didn't have the best match. Two missed offsides (they were tough ones)and a hack down in the box where no foul or pk given but a yellow card was awarded.
Don - grow a brain please
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Posted by Brent on 09/19/2011
The 2-0 lead was because of bad non-calls and the third was a fortuitous deflection. Luck was well ridden, indeed.
Nani was world class.
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Posted by David Smith on 09/19/2011
You've got to laugh, yet again, at our ridiculous, noisy neighbours. Mancini said his side of mercenaries were "tired after Champions' League" and that he lacks depth in central midfield. No wonder Stockport's finest are hated more than the Rent Boys now. Tired after playing a mid-week match at home? What utter bollocks. Hundreds of million quid spent the past three years in an attempt to buy attention, success, glory and a history and Citeh lack depth in midfield? You couldn't make this stuff up.
Great comeback by Fulham. Made my day, well, that and Nani's performance.
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Posted by Nas on 09/19/2011
Manutd were worthy winners, chelsea tested us however all the ifs are irrelevant, if my aunt had a male appendix she would be my uncle LOL, and yeah evans isn't good enough for united.
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Posted by Geezer on 09/20/2011
Glory Glory United... Well, where do I start. Another Utd game, another whinging session at the refs. Even in victory, you find the time to have a moan at your bad luck, yet trivialize other team's lack of "ref justice". So Utd's first goal was only "marginally" offside. So that makes it alright does it? In other forums, I was reminded of Drogba's offside and everyone conveniently forgot Macheda.
Utd fans, you lot are so addicted to "glory glory" that you forgot that this is about football sometimes, two teams playing a game. ManUtd is a great club with a terrific history but have got the most arrogant, disrespectful fans. Mercenaries, Cashley, rent boys, this is what you think of your opponents. So if we're all that rubbish and undeserving, you don't get much glory then in beating us, do you? Chelsea gave you a good run for your money on your own turf. The club is in transition and by the time they get it together, you lot will have a trip to Stamford Bridge. I, for one, cannot wait.
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Posted by Raizzen on 09/20/2011
I don't understand Evans' critics. The boy does his job and I think has been QUITE solid at the back covering in the absence of our first choice defenders. And let us not forget that devastating pass a la Scholes to Nani that led to the 2nd goal.
Cut the boy some slacks and I guess that's why SAF is the best manager of the game while we sit on the sidelines throwing clever lines about how the game should be played.
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Posted by konspyresi on 09/20/2011
We got lucky...... we just got lucky. Phil Jones defensive positioning at times was awful. Thank God for Vidic and Rio, I'd take experience over age any time of the day....Phil and Evans still need to learn from Vidic and Rio....but congrats to United...if we win all the games from now until Dec, then we'll win the league...as long as we don't become too cocky..!!! GGMU!!!
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Posted by Raizzen on 09/20/2011
The club in transition. Pfft. What about us ? We played with an average age of 20s and you come to us talking about transition. lol.
Well, I can't wait for the return fixture either when all our big boys are fit and will give you a run for your money in your own turf. But by then Chelsea might have a caretaker managing stuffs at the Bridge.
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Posted by David Smith on 09/20/2011
Give it a rest Geezer. You're a blowhard and you're rhetoric is old and tired. I hope Smalling's next goal against the Rent Boys is more than just "marginally offside". I hope it's a full 5 yards offside, comes in injury time and helps deliver Number 20 to the Theatre of Dreams. You see, when United have gone to Stamford Bridge the past few years and come away with nothing thanks to those highly dubious referee decisions, then one can quite rightly claim we were due the rub of the green Sunday. You say United fans are arrogant and disrespectful. Not so. There's a banner, often seen at United away, which goes some way in clarifying this silly myth you speak of: "Not Arrogant Just Better". You say you were reminded of Drogba's offside in other forums? It is in those other forums you should stay, son, if, of course, you're not too busy waiting around for the Champions'-Rent Boys re-match. Next.
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Posted by Uncle Richie Rich on 09/20/2011
Well said,Raizzon,well said...Johnny's only 23..he's spot-on and likely to improve into a world-class defender. Did any one of u get to see defenders like Carragher,Kompany,Vidic,Nesta,Puyol etc and how sloppy they were as kids? Johnny's played more high profile games and come out tops more dan any of these dudes aforementioned..all said and done,i think d lads deserve some more credit frm us man utd supporters..as for anderson,lets cut him some slack cos no one on earth can be a hundred percent all d time.
Glory, glory, Man utd!y one of u get to see defenders like Carragher,Kompany,Vidic,Nesta,Puyol etc and how sloppy they were as kids? Johnny's played more high profile games and come out tops more dan any of these dudes aforementioned..all said and done,i think d lads deserve some more credit frm us man utd supporters..as for anderson,lets cut him some slack cos no one on earth can be a hundred percent all d time.
Glory, glory, Man utd!
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Posted by Somnath Mallick on 09/20/2011
Hi Mark,
The game was full of excitement. I was on the edge of the seat for most times. I was pretty impressed by the way Chelsea played. Kudos to them. And to be honest i was happy to see Torres played so well. Its a miracle what a goal can do. As soon as he scored, he was cutting our defense in half 2-3 times till that miss happened. I was pretty impressed with Evra. Last season he was not so good, but this year he looks up for it. Nani seems to get better every match and is awesome. My man of the match! Evans is slowly getting better. He really has taken some stick in the past from the fans. But SAF stuck with him. De Gea although made some wobbles was overall good. He does need to work on balls that come low at him. Needs to get his hands down a bit more quickly. Also need some protein shakes for him. :)
With this result we have the #1 spot all to ourselves now. Lets hope the momentum continues. But do get the feeling that SAF is targeting the UCL more this season!
GGMU!
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Posted by tBadrilah on 09/20/2011
Chelsea was good, no doubt. Because they played like angry men, with revenge in their mind. Torres definitely had to raise his game or else (history?) Still fumbled when it matters ( probably he we thinking " THIS IS IT, GLORY" & celebrate.
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Posted by Robbie Smalls on 09/20/2011
"You see, when United have gone to Stamford Bridge the past few years and come away with nothing thanks to those highly dubious referee decisions, then one can quite rightly claim we were due the rub of the green Sunday. " - well said David Smith... people tend to forget how we have been robbed as well... lovely win. very proud of Nani. he's grown stronger and has matured his game to be a much better player than that of old. also, watching him shoulder ivanovic onto his backside was quite pleasing... LUHG from NY
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Posted by taiwo gbenga on 09/20/2011
The Game was not 2 impresive 2me.Both teams shows d stuff they were made up off!NANI,DE-GEA,JONES should be praise 2d sky 4their remarkable contributn 2d team.however d game was fair amid d eror of margin both side display.taiwo 4rm morogbo.
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Posted by David Smith on 09/21/2011
Well, that was easy. Outplayed, outclassed, outsung....Leeds AFC contributed mightily to a rather dull and drab second half. Their giddy fans were apparently up for the arrival of the mighty Manchester United, but when your only retort is the false-ringing "Marching On Together" all hope quickly evaporated. Poor Ben Amos; reduced to taking goal kicks and counting the blades of grass in front of him, as Michael Owen put the sheep shaggers to the sword. Predictably reduced to taunting Legend Giggs, Ryan tore the second division side apart, sealing the tie in grand style. Cue the hand gloriously cupped to the ear, as the hosts sudden silence became deafening! Carrick did well at the back and Diouf and Park galloped all over the pitch. Great to see Welbeck back as well. Pogba had a few nice touches and passes, but wasn't spectacular by any means. What 18 year old would be. Special congrats to the 3,000 United fans who sang their hearts out for 90 minutes - more songs than Leeds fans!
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Posted by @Geezer on 09/22/2011
don't group all Man Utd fans into one category. there are plenty of rational fans out there who are supporting Man Utd without criticizing your favorite team, whichever it may be. Getting riled up reading posts is unnecessary. you can still enjoy the game watching with your buds ignoring these posts. all that said, I'm an MU fan. good luck to your team, but have fun playing catch up with us. XD
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Posted by Robert Elias on 10/23/2011
I am from Trinidad( T'dad&Tbgo). I played Soccer at First Division Level in the "60's. My position was "STOPPER"( center back defence). Anytime an opposing player entered the area, mainly the box, I would be between my Goalposts and Him. Never would I stand and look on like your defence did today. Sir Alec, YOU HAVE A VERY POOR DEFENCE. Try spending some money and buy some good men. Your "FERDINAND" is a "HAS BEEN". Time for him to pack up and go home. 6 Goals ???? I do hope that I will be able to forget this defeat ( cut ass ) and be able to sleep tonight. Please concentrate on your defence. No one ought to be free in the box area. It ought to be "MAN TO MAN" as the opposition enter the box area. I am Robert Elias aka De Mighty Trini. I played in the '60's for MALVERN, at the highest level then. I wish that you would send me your contact telephone number. I will really like to speak to you, or, if you care to, please call me at 868-680-7622 We are five hours behind your clock time
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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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