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The spirit of generosity is alive and well this Christmas time and the presents under United’s tree have been particularly lovely this holidays. If it hasn’t been our rivals dropping points, it has been a kind fixture list or a card happy ref. Truly 'tis the season to be jolly.
Having said all that, the best give we have received was something we had all along, Dimitar Berbatov. The Bulgar is the only player in the league who takes a leisurely sip of cognac before scoring a goal, he is pure class and I love seeing him play. He himself is not to blame for the poor 2011 he has endured. Simply he has been a victim of Hernandez’s excellence.
The Mexican fared less well at Old Trafford on Boxing Day but it mattered little as we racked up an aggregate score of 12-nil for a week’s work. Not bad for a side who were being written off about five minutes ago.
The way United field teams is quite imaginative at times. All season long we have been hearing about a lack of midfielders yet in this fixture we had one playing at centre half. What’s more we finished the match with five forwards on the field including one Wayne Rooney playing passes from the centre.
Dimitar Berbatov
The more you look at it the more our dressing room looks like a collection of footballers rather than a collection of specialists. One might suggest that improves the team ethos around the place if everybody is ready to pitch in where necessary.
Wigan were horribly unlucky with the sending off. It can only be considered a harsh decision although I doubt it robbed them of a comprehensive victory they are entitled to feel aggrieved.
There are others in this league who are likely to feel distressed as this year draws to a close. There is an argument to say that City, having played brilliantly all season, deserve to be more than goal difference in front. Whatever.
Liverpool and Chelsea have also had a tough week of it. This concerns me greatly as there is now the distinct possibility that I might die laughing. My guess is that the impartial neutral would like to see Spurs finish top of the league and I would heartily agree they are an entertaining side.
This New Year though, United are still right there in it. Hope you are all enjoying your holidays.
Follow Mark on twitter.com/markjpayne
Comments
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Posted by zinc on 12/27/2011
Actually am enjoying the holidays, SAF is truly a genius the way he manages this club makes me think Man Utd might be the same when he retires. Great game Kean you r NEXT
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Posted by David Smith on 12/27/2011
Let's face it, Wigan were incredibly poor, but I'll gladly take a 5-0 win and a place at the top of the league any day of the week. Citeh's once seemingly invinceable goal difference is now down to a paltry five and the noisy mercenaries are no doubt nervously looking over their shoulders. Berba took his goals really well and he'll keep his place for Blackburn. The way we're scoring for fun at the moment, it wouldn't surprise me if we knocked Rovers for six. Another injury, this time to Jonny Evans, takes the gloss off what was a real stroll in the park. The red card was probably a bit harsh, but the player did look up and he absolutely knew Carrick was there. Phil Dowd's obviously seen the images of Phil Jones getting battered by Clint Dempsey, so there you go....well done Phil Dowd. Nothing wrong in looking out for our Player of the Season. Just like with injuries, you should never trust Fergie when it comes to transfers. I expect a big signing now because of all the injuries.
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Posted by Ben on 12/27/2011
"This concerns me greatly as there is now the distinct possibility that I might die laughing." Brilliant, and I'm right there with you. This is when United's class shines through and it seems we get results with any 11 chosen randomly from the squad list. The red card was harsh, but United were already dominant and on their way to a win. Happy holidays!
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Posted by Kartik on 12/27/2011
I disagree, Mark... this is probably one of the best point tally, in Premier League Era, for United.... & Unite's strenght comes from a fact that they manage to win on a bad day.... ex... Norwich... among others.... so we are where we should be and City are where, they couldn't be without stockings full of money...
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Posted by Oz on 12/27/2011
Wigan were so poor, my over 35s team could have beaten them, so I wouldnt get to excited about that win. The sending off was a disgrace! football is getting soft if thats a sending off offence. However, United putting Fulham to sword at Craven Cottage was very pleasing!!!
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Posted by Daniel on 12/27/2011
It is time to celebrate, the team looked stronger little by little because of weak opponents, results are helping in confidence, but we still have many injuries and will have stronger opponents in near time, we must be reserved. Berba is world class player and SAF a genious in rotation.
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Posted by Eric Be3S on 12/28/2011
I just wanna quote a comment that I really like from Shaikh in ESPNStar.com.....it truly represents what i feel and appropriate relevant to this article....
Man. City moans to God :
Oh God!
What's going on? We beat United 6-1, We won more convincing than them, we score more goals, we played excellent football throughout the season, we have more star players and playmakers than them! They lack in midfield, their back (defenders) is facing in injury problems! But why they have same points like we have. :p
God:
We can't do anything! They have mentality and experience to do things well without having star quality and performance, see you next season, United will go better and better in second half.
Kudos to that,
Eric
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Posted by Peter Bangkok on 12/28/2011
City are where they couldn't be without stockings full of money. Well, likewise you started the spending and we are just carrying it on. Utd have had a great start, City the same, why you have to bring your in your one sided bitterness with regard to the current finances of the clubs is beyond me. Class will tell, Utd have the record but does the squad have the class of City's. I think it will come down to Mancini can he hold it all together.
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Posted by Pg on 12/28/2011
@ Peter Bangkok Let me tell you what class is - 20th title in the making; Racking same points to be EPL joint top with half fit squad; Ferguson admitting the ref's error and commiserating with Martinez at Sammons sending off. Now that's class!
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Posted by Aegean1985 on 12/29/2011
Can't really say that SAF is a genius at rotation as he did rotate us out of UCL.
Do Utd really need Europa? It will be amazing if City and Utd deplete their squad because of Europa and Spurs nick the title lol.
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Posted by johanzul on 12/29/2011
1st of all, congrat to SAF, mgmt and players!
Well, MU still in 2nd/3rd gear, not full strength yet. As a football fan, I felt pity for Wigan as they had put a strong fight and if they were with 11 players, the game should be an interesting game to watch from a football fan perspective.
As a United fan, I'm overjoy to see that we are now level with City as EPL now is on middle of the season.
As we had already knew, SAF won't bring any players regardless pressure from media or fans. Dear SAF, do whatever you think is right as long the team and fan profit from it. If SAF wants to play 5 players instead of 11 players which seems illogical but if SAF can win that game with that strategy, who cares and why not, it is SAF DECISION. If SAF had stated, it is not about the money, it is about getting the right player, it is SAF DECISION.
For me, SAF has every right to hold HIS DECISION as HE WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE for it, for better and for worse, he is doing his job as the fans shall remember.
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Posted by Raizzen on 12/29/2011
Peter Bangkok, stick to using Thai. You are where shouldn't be - this is English section.
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Posted by Osa Regi on 12/29/2011
Peter Bangkok, shouldnt you rather be reading Shitty Blogs than coming to stick ya nose on the United blog? C'mon now, u've no place here, u guys're scared becos u know United are back and for real...if we'd half the depth u've at Shitty, we'd be like 15 points ahead of u now and coasting home for the title already!!!
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Posted by Ben on 12/29/2011
@Osa Regi: That would be a mathematical impossibility, as City and United have only dropped 9 points this season. Apart from that slight issue, your point is well taken.
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Posted by Kevin Klinkenberg on 12/29/2011
If Berbatov can be the consistent goal scorer he was last season and if we have a consistent defense then there is no question in my mind that we will win the title. Man city is a great team, but if we have three great goal scoreers in Hernandez, Rooney, and Brebatov then we will win the title.
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Posted by aussiered on 12/30/2011
Believe In United. The performances will follow.
Happy New Year
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Posted by Brian on 12/30/2011
It's nice to see we are starting to bang in some goals again, we definitely have to take advantage of our opportunities against the weaker teams.
Certainly the injuries are concerning but as far as bringing in help in the transfer window. Sir Alex will do what he needs to do if he sees fit. After 25 yrs of managing United so successfully we as fans should know better than to second guess him.
I expect the league will be a close race all the way and all being well our experience will see us through once again.
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Posted by Sam on 12/31/2011
@David Smith:
"The way we're scoring for fun at the moment, it wouldn't surprise me if we knocked Rovers for six.".......Whoops
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Posted by Mike on 12/31/2011
Are you dying of laughter now? ha ha ha
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Posted by blackburn 3 united 2 on 12/31/2011
Man city have the oppurtunity to go 3 pt. ahead. i think whoever goes 6 plus points ahead 1st will win the title.
a city fan
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Posted by aaron mark hendrix on 01/01/2012
And then we lost to blackburn rovers!of all teams!!happens though.we'll only be 3pts behind if city win but it just goes to show,tht when we needed some creativity,we couldnt find none.this squad is good,but not great.and we havent had a sustained run of good form.it'd be easy to blame the keeper,but when u can head the ball up,and have all the time to head it into goal unchallenged,it says alot.everyone bar berbatov was poor.still,we're in it and hopefully the new year will bring god form,luck and a 20th title..a world class player or two would be nice too...
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Posted by aussiered on 01/01/2012
Isn't football just the best game going around. only two of the top five teams get a result. Shitty are feeling that pressure. lets just hope the medical team can start to get players back. wheres an international week when you need one.
Believe in United
Posted by David Smith on 01/01/2012
Yes, "Mike", I most certainly am dying of laughter now. Sunderland's 94th minute, offisde winner just knocked the stupid smirk off "Sam's" face....whoops indeed!
Posted by Raizzen on 01/04/2012
Yeah David am dying with laughter now. And it sounds like - Ji Ji Ji
Posted by Osa Regi on 01/04/2012
Posted by Gladys on 02/25/2012
Yeah United ulsaluy lets the creativity come from the wings. Our central midfielders are ulsaluy more defensive(one of the reasons that Anderson has been so inconsistent for 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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