http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/ Mark Payne also found at www.thedevilinme.co.uk en Copyright 2009 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:34:06 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Like a particularly plump man who was invited to dinner by Hannibal Lector, I had feared the worst about this fixture. Looking at recent form a massacre wouldn’t have been entirely unexpected. But I had a feeling that if we actually had a go and went for it we had a chance. So it proved to be. This was not the most attacking formation Ferguson has fielded in his 23 years at United, however, it was one with intent. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/11/chelsea_1_0_united.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/11/chelsea_1_0_united.php Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:34:06 +0000 There have been a lot of grumbles about Real Madrid from our side over the last couple of years. The protracted Ronaldo transfer and the manner in which it was conducted has put an awful lot of people's backs up. Madrid are now seen as lacking class and respect to the red side from Mancunia. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/11/the_forgotten_fixtures.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/11/the_forgotten_fixtures.php Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:08:15 +0000 Regular readers of this column will know all about The Crinkleys. They are a group of curmudgeonly old United fans made up of my Dad and his school mates who I often attend home matches with. One of their catchphrases, no doubt chiselled from decades of watching the team, is "they make us suffer". My goodness they did that tonight at Old Trafford. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/11/they_make_us_suffer.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/11/they_make_us_suffer.php Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:14:40 +0000 Dune. But enough about this Jupiter of a man (Big Sam has my total respect by the way, this is the guy who made Bolton a force). United are famous for big things too. We have had Big Ron, Big Norm, big crowds of course and are The Biggest Football Club in the World TM. What we have not had yet this season is a big performance. We need one.]]> http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/11/middle_ground.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/11/middle_ground.php Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:38:44 +0000 this, knee socks were in fashion and United didn’t lose to Liverpool. The days of Whiteside nobbling Steve McMahon and wee Gordie Strachan's cigar celebration are a distant memory on the horizon. ]]> http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/10/balls.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/10/balls.php Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:00:11 +0000 It was interesting to see the club still advertising 'tickets available' in the run up to a home game against local opposition. It has taken a while, but the Glazers may be starting to pay for the continual, cynical raising of ticket prices. Cancel the ambulance, my heart is not bleeding. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/10/thankless_tasks.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/10/thankless_tasks.php Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:40:36 +0000 It is hard to get philosophical about an away game at Stoke. It is going to be difficult and is likely to be grim. What’s more, last week we were being fed the football equivalent of lobster on the top of Mount Olympus by a naked Marilyn Monroe – so it was always going to be a come down from there. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/09/stoke_0_2_united.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/09/stoke_0_2_united.php Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:33:58 +0000 This has been a terrible week for my health. On Sunday I nearly had a heart attack and for the following two days I couldn't draw breath. Since then I have been breaking out into uncontrollable fits of laughter. It is only this morning I realise the giggling must stop. We have troubles in defence guys. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/09/the_fat_lady_sings.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/09/the_fat_lady_sings.php Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:59:22 +0000 Character is alive and well at Manchester United FC. With all due respect to last year’s Mickey Mouse Cup Final this was probably the biggest match off between the two clubs since the sixties. United were fantastic. As one of our readers has pointed out, the commentators on ESPN were very Spurs biased (thanks Roberta) which was pretty out of order. I’ll turn the sound off and take the three points any day of the week. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/09/united_battle_back.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/09/united_battle_back.php Mon, 14 Sep 2009 07:38:45 +0000 You have always got to question yourself if found agreeing with Mark Lawrenson. Monsieur mole-moustache and moi were both of the opinion that Fergie would buy again and we were both wrong. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/09/transfer_window_shuts.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/09/transfer_window_shuts.php Thu, 03 Sep 2009 02:07:00 +0000 It really has been a wonderful week. United win five nil, England claim the ashes and fortress Anfield is ransacked by men in purple shirts. There has been a bit of glow to bask in – but just as we start to relax the Arsenal team bus comes into view. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/08/deception.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/08/deception.php Thu, 27 Aug 2009 01:17:54 +0000 Order a bouquet of red roses now. Go home with a box of chocolates and find the slow CD, this was a result for the romantics. Owen Coyle’s purple clad side in their wooden stadium sent United home looking like planks. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/08/the_moor_murder.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/08/the_moor_murder.php Thu, 20 Aug 2009 04:23:11 +0000 Whilst United were not utterly convincing in their defeat of Birmingham there are a lot of positives to glean from the performance. There were many shades of last season’s impenetrable run in that we had several injuries but held firm. There was also the expected return to 4-4-2 to assess. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/08/the_kids_are_alright.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/08/the_kids_are_alright.php Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:14:21 +0000 You can start counting them now. We had about thirty seasons wondering 'who will be this year's 'next George Best'?' and now the new Ronaldos will start clocking up. It doesn't surprise me in the slightest that after a decent hour of football Nani has been proclaimed as the next Portuguese hope. I remember a friend of mine remarking that Russell Beardsmore reminded him of Best. Shortly afterwards that friend returned to his pint, yet to return with his head held high. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/08/united_22_chelsea_lost_14_on_p.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/08/united_22_chelsea_lost_14_on_p.php Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:31:23 +0000 So here we are. Not gigantic amounts can be read into who wins these games, neither for the following season’s champions nor for the form of the competing teams. But there is one thing I am interested in seeing from the fixture. What on earth is going to be United’s formation this season? http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/08/charity_shield_preview.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2009/08/charity_shield_preview.php Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:18:51 +0000