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There is a great episode of Irish comedy show Father Ted in which Father Ted Crilly is the coach of the ‘over 75s all priests 5-a-side’ football team. His role as coach, in that episode, is heavily inspired by Sir Alex Ferguson, even down to the coat he wears, and it was my great fortune to rewatch that edition shortly after the Spurs match. I noticed some eerie similarities with this year’s United line up.
United would probably field either Scholes or Giggs at the moment even if one of them were recently deceased, such is the boost it gives to the other players to have them on the teamsheet.
The good form of the veterans almost glosses over the fact we have some new signings on board too. Ashley Young I had almost forgotten about after his excellent early season form. I suppose he was rather laid up with injury but he’s had an outstanding week and both of his goals in north London were superb.
Thank goodness they were because the rest of our performance was fairly average. The results have been great since our blip at Christmas, but so have Manchester City’s, and although things look rosy, I suspect we’ll need to perform better if we want to win the league
One team that won’t be winning the league is Chelsea who have absurdly sacked another good manager because Frank Lampard and John Terry have had a tantrum. When you compare our senior players to the ones in London it makes me grateful to be a fan of the team in the north. Good luck to AVB wherever he shows up next.
United will remerge in the Europa League this Friday and Old Trafford against Athletic Bilbao, who are doing respectably for themselves in La Liga. Bilbao’s form has been patchy of late but in Llorente they have a dangerous striker who can potentially change a game. United will need to play better than they did in the second leg against Ajax to progress.
Follow Mark on twitter.com/markjpayne
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Posted by Mkhatshwa Bongani on 03/06/2012
its easily said than done,surely we may hardly accept but the score line was not a true reflection of the game,nonetheless what wins you the league is not the performance but the results lets hope mother luck will always be by our side. GGGGGGO man UTD GO
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Posted by FireRed95 on 03/06/2012
I agree, the match against spurs shows that we have the quality to fight against mc. As the schedule is helping united as they will only face mc,the only strong team in the remaining fixture. As Mu faced Bilbao, they must always remember to score as much as possible. The home of Bilbao is nearly undefeatable, only Real Madrid,Barca,Valencia may defeat them, wemust continue this momentum until the end of the season.By doing that,we have the confidence of winning every match as Scholes say.For Chelsea, i only can say it is too unfortunate for AVB. Work hard,play well,glory united and we can expected our trophy cabinet with the Europa League.
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Posted by timmy red devil on 03/06/2012
Wow Scholes really are an amazing footballer!!!just 12 more wins and history are rewritten.sir alex definately the best football manager of all time,just a pity he never gna win a world cup winners medal or do you guys think the old man can achieve that as well?
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Posted by Olu Baggio on 03/06/2012
Mark, u re absolutely right that we really need to up our game as the season enters a crucial stage. All the same, the experience of being in title race battles will stand us in good stead. Thanks to our 'old heads' in Giggsy, Scholesy, n Rio to surely pass on their invaluable experience on to the next generations of our future stars. I believe.. One United.
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Posted by kenneth on 03/06/2012
this particuler stage of epl is always hard for united,but faith always see them through.hopefully united would claim their 2oth epl..but they need to work like brothers in and outside the field.
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Posted by kay on 03/06/2012
Seriously,I think United are better placed to winning this league.the key is getting wins together until the derby day. Then again,we would hope to win that.
As for Chelsea,that job is becoming a near-impossible one lately.I pity Villas-Boas.I just don't get it what Lampard and co want.read before AVB's sack when he suggested that if he has to be on the bench,then the team that plays should win.as if he wins every game he plays for them.
Having said that,its all about United for me!
www.nigeriantalkative.com
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Posted by Nazri on 03/07/2012
No doubt that the Scholes and Giggs still a vital part of the team, but one man that I should also particularly mention is Carrick.
He has been done so well on the midfield and given a balance between the defensive and attacking.
Agree with you, Mark, that United should play way better than the Ajax match, as Bilbao are for me is a stronger opposition. Llorente with his aerial prowess and the emerging talent of Iker Muniain surely a key for them.
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Posted by AARON MARK HENDRIX on 03/07/2012
Outplayed in the first half,better in the second,average overall.This was one of those games where a few individual performances pulled us thru.You only need 5-6 of your players to play great during a game to see it thru and that's exactly what happened.Young,Wayne,Rio & Evans had very good games,and De Gea put in a shift allright!Say what you want,but there's no denying one thing,this kid can make some saves.Lindergaard doesnt look a slouch either so that's good for us.
I'd like to think that "we won without gettin out of 1st gear" but in saying that,Spurs didnt punish us with the chances they had.This kinda performance wont win us the league,but is vital in winning the league,if you get what I'm sayin.
1 draw and 3 wins against Arsenal,Spurs,Chelsea and Liverpool is a good haul of points considering the events during those games.Championship form no doubt,but still a long way to go.The City game will only matter if we keep us this form,coz at the moment,they dont look like slouches
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Posted by ife ogunduyile on 03/07/2012
Hi Mark,
One of the attributes of a champion is the ability to win a game when playing below par. Its good to have Giggs & Scholes both doing their part inlifting the team. That being said I wonder what the outcome of the game would have been had the referee not disallowed Adebayor's goal or had Van der Vart & Bale been present to add to the attack that laid bare our defence. We were indeed lucky.
We need to make a bold statement this week against Bilbao in OT cos d away game could be quite tricky.
As for AVB, Roman had his hands tied, 3 league wins in 12 isn't a favorable return for a team aspiring for 4th place.
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Posted by Eduboi on 03/07/2012
Yea, no doubt United's performance against Spurs last weekend was lack-lustre, but at the end they came out with 3 vital points which are massive to remain in the title race.However,i agree with Mark that for United to remain in the title race they must up their games and maitain a winning attitude. The presence of the veterans (Giggs and Scholes) in the team has gone a long way to boost the quality of their play no doubt. We must maitain a winning attitude till the end.
As for Chelsea owner Abramovic, my advise to him is to be patient and give and give whomever he signs some time to win titles. Several Big clubs in the world today didn't just come on board and started winning trophies. They worked had till the got to the top. Football ain't some kind a magic.You have to work had to really be a champion. And this takes quites some painstaking time. Bravo United! See you @ the top by the end of the season when we clinch our record 20th league title.
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Posted by Mike on 03/07/2012
Good write up but I must warn you guys that playing beautiful football and winning though not exclusive are too different things. I have always been a fan of he 1-0 game so I will take a win over a brilliant passing game any day. That said the icing on the cake is when you win and play well so by ll men's win all th 12 games left and hen we cn worry about laying well early next season.
Giggsy and Scholsy have been a bonus for us. But credit to Rio nd that Jonny Evans they put up a resolute how and Johnny is making fewer mistakes as the partnership solidifies with Rio.
Can't wait for Antonio's return though he is a class act for the Reds.
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Posted by Microsoft OEM Software on 03/07/2012
kquid9 Major thankies for the article post. Want more.
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Posted by Kirk on 03/07/2012
Great article again Mark. I am als o happy about the performances of both gigsy and scholes but I am really glad to De Gea building in confidence and looking world class right now. I am worried about Phil Jones who seems to have lost some confidence and both Welbeck and Javier don't seem to be on their game also. We are talking about easy teams remaining, but remember, it was the team at the bottom of the league that got victory over us at Old Trafford so don't count the chickens yet. I believe that we could do it but time alone will tell and I do believe that if it comes down to beating city, I know that we can. On the Chelsea issue, I don't know why any manager would want that job. Abramovich seems to want results immediately and that don't happen in football, as you need time to build and determine what is the right system for your players. No manager would be comfortable being at Chelsea right now and with good reason.
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Posted by MCapital on 03/07/2012
PG,
we are worse for it not signing Paul Pogba.
SAF swallow you pride once in a while old man.
We have tolerated your mistakes for a while now.
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Posted by Urmstonian on 03/07/2012
They say that sailors out on the ocean can smell the land before they see it. And that animals hibernating deep in darkest forests know that spring is at hand even though the earth is frozen. At Old Trafford, after those two away wins, the scent of No 20 is in the wind. Watch us go, world!
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Posted by David Smith on 03/08/2012
What is it with you self-styled United fans who come on here crying over Paul Pogba? You people have seen him in a United kit for about 5 minutes, if that. Stop carrying on like he's the next Messiah. Just because Soccernet gushes over his potential, it doesn't make him the next Eric Cantona. Besides, if he was that fucking good, he'd be signed already and not on his way to bloody Juventus. De Gea and Evans are the United comeback players of the year, but Rio was our Man of the Match at Spurs. The crocked-one was immense and we need him now, more than ever, to stay healthy. Young scored two good goals, but him and Nani were absolutely the reasons we lost the midfield plot at White Hart Lane. Nani has been shite just about all season long, but at least Fergie's finally seen the light and stopped him taking the corner kicks. Rooney's vital goal was from a proper corner, but what do I know. Enough of the fucking tears for everything Chelsea as well. It really makes for ridiculous reading.
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Posted by TorontoRed on 03/09/2012
Well this makes it 4 matches in row (Ajax, Norwich!?, Spurs and bilboa) where we were completely outclassed.Absolute shambles. At least we're able to overcome these horror shows in the league. these clubs played us off the pitch at times. There are a lot of holes in the club that need fixing and sadly Scholes and Giggs are really just papering over the cracks. We lack a real CDM, a striker other than Rooney who can actually create and score. the Da Silva twins have regressed, Nani is a disaster and as much as i like the potential of Jones and Smalling they are not there yet. And sorry David but Evans?! really!?! hes played better but was terrible again last night. He had a couple of decent outings but has been on the pitch (or sent off) in all our big losses this year. A veteran CB is needed to marshall the back four when Vidic and Rio are inevitably injured. at least De gea has been great!!! he has really bounced back nicely.
BTW, Gary neville is fantastic calling games. who knew?
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Posted by aderoju on 03/10/2012
Great article again Mark.I'd like to think that "we won without gettin out of 1st gear" but in saying that,Spurs didnt punish us with the chances they had.De Gea and Evans are the United comeback players of the year, but Rio was our Man of the Match at Spurs. The crocked-one was immense and we need him now, more than ever, to stay healthy. Young scored two good goals, but him and Nani were absolutely the reasons we lost the midfield plot at White Hart Lane. Nani has been shite just about all season long, but at least Fergie's finally seen the light and stopped him taking the corner kicks. Rooney's vital goal was from a proper corner, but what do I know. Enough of the fucking tears for everything Chelsea as well. It really makes for ridiculous reading.They say that sailors out on the ocean can smell the land before they see itgames.Championship form no doubt,but still a long way to go.The City game will only matter if we keep us this form,coz at the moment,they dont look like slouches
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Posted by Anthony on 03/11/2012
Hi to all the MAN-U fans bravos and kudos. I think
the main disappointments in man-u are due lack of
consistence in holding the centre play ''THE ENGINE''. SIR ALEX needs to get at least two mature and creative midfielders who can push ball forward to the strikers and the man-u bus will be back on it's winning ways.legendary players giggs and scholes are retiring soon and replacement is urgently needed for smooth transition in midfield.
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Posted by David Smith on 03/12/2012
Great insight that Anthony....TWO FUCKING YEARS AGO, MATE.
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Posted by Paul on 03/16/2012
SAF scholes and giggs need to all go together-looks like maybe in 2 years time.
To me a United supporters biggest concern from here on out should be who takes over for SAF. Me personally I think the 2 best options are Laurent Blanc and believe it or not - Roy Keane. Yes I think a (hopefully) maturer Keano will have that absolute desire to win at all costs, and go to any lengths to produce results. I personally feel that hes had troubles in the past at clubs with lesser resources than what he was used to for so long. But if given a choice, I would opt for Blanc as I think he has everything it takes to be a top manager.
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Posted by Gopek on 05/11/2012
He was a legend when he left the first time.So what is he now? A god?Can't bveleie how amazing this man is. I feel really emotional about him because at times these past many years it feels there hasn't been a single player at the club proud to wear the shirt. He is, and I love him for it.I guess the other reason this has been so emotional is that since he's left, we've gone through some painful rebuilding, with no success, and nothing but abuse from both inside and outside the club. Seeing him back at Arsenal and scoring important goals reminded us of good times gone; and his departure reminds us of how far we've fallen since he left the first time. That may sound like hyperbole I suppose it is but can you imagine us saying six years ago that our desperate fight every year was not for a trophy, but for a fourth-place finish?I get what the club is doing. I understand, rationally, the self-sustainable model and its focus on long-term stability. But Henry reminded me what it was like to live with my heart, not my mind. Too often these past many years, it's felt the other way around. 25 0
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Posted by Lilian on 05/13/2012
i have said once,but i want to repeat again,why don't we give the coach a break. A pruendt man will know that the coaches we do hire is not our problem. And now it's even worse than ever,because we are going to experience a transition in age and style of football,from dirty football to entertainment football. (which is what Abramovich yearns for). But it's never going to be easy,with the calibre of players that we have,knowing fully well that we lack players that have qualities like,1 good ball control, 2,dribbling,3,quality passing eye sight,4,unselfish creative players. This coach succeeded in porto because he has almost half of these quality players there. And to think that he will succeed like this in chelsea,then we must be dreaming. Lets just hope Abramovich releases money to aid him in buying such players. With prayer,lets hope we qualify for champions league. Don't worry guys,good days are coming.
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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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