Ram rules!

A venomous header from Vidic gave United their second goal.

Injury crisis again – Vidic this time. Oh my god. If this continues, then we have to buy some defenders come January. But what we most need is a left winger. The creativity is not just there. We have an out and out goal scorer in Owen, but there doesn’t seem to be enough service.

Coming to the goals. The first one was a straight forward penalty. Well taken though, taking Rooney to 13 already. Then came a venomous header. What force! The keeper couldn’t keep the ball. I have not seen too many headers hit more powerfully than that one.

Special mention to the third goal. Only Berbatov can even imagine such an outrageous pass, forget about executing it. The finish was superb by Valencia no doubt, but just can’t stop admiring the set up. If at all there was a player of grace, it has to be Berbatov. Brilliant. Just brilliant.

Can’t wait for the Fulham game now. Its an away game, so a bit tricky, but away form has been good of late. I imagine we will again play 4-5-1, with Rooney up front. But I sure think we should try Owen up front, with Rooney on the left. Any other ideas?

Ryan Giggs - BBC Sports Personality of the year 2009.

The week that went by was ordinary to say the least. Having a rough time with some personal issues, and to upset matters, United lost to Villa. Horrible. I am now just looking forward to the game against the Wolves. I hope we get it right this time. And Fergie SHOULD play 4-4-2! Even if the back four is weak.

I can’t help thinking that United is atleast one striker short. Berbatov seems to be more of a nicks and nudges player. He can set things up, but can’t score. Rooney tries to do a bit too much every time he has the ball. Inspite of all the good work that Villa have done, United should have won the match comfortably. Rooney and Giggs wasted a lot of opportunities by trying a tad too many flicks. Where is the Torres kind of striker who can kill balls off?

Talking about Giggs, its amazing what the old fox has been doing. Playing well for a season or two, sure. But in a team like United, to be playing for so many years is just awesome! And the guy’s attitude just rubs off onto the youngsters. If not for his playing abilities (although he has been United’s best player of the season so far), his contract should be extended for his presence in the dressing room. Imagine the amount of good he will be doing to the likes of Welbeck, Macheda and Obertan.

I am now looking forward to the midweek game against the Wolves tonight. Can someone do something about the timings please? The match kicks off at 1.30 AM IST! I will be up though. All the best United. Get back to winning ways. Take heart from the fact that Chelsea also dropped points. We are better than what we were same time last season.

It was unfortunate that Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Berbatov and Rooney all collectively failed to create a single moment of brilliance. That said, Liverpool probably deserved their victory, thanks mainly to Dirk Kuyt.

Although Torres scored the goal, I thought Dirk Kuyt and Benayoun were good. They created the real hurry. Rio was awfully off color, and I thought we should have played Neville and Valencia on the right.

John O’Shea had a decent game, but he is more of a sedate right back. You should have seen the chances created by Gary Neville in the game against CSKA Moskova.

Well, that was a very ordinary day at office, and we should not let it cover the fact that we have had a pretty decent start to the season, that too in the absence of Ronaldo – without whom, even Moneybags Real Madrid are finding it difficult.

I am now waiting for Owen Heargreaves and Gabriel Obertan to come in. I hope Sir Alex will buy a good forward – someone who can convert those half chances. Michael Owen was very slow, and Berbatov seems to be more of a midfielder than goal scorer. He is creating a lot with his deft flicks, but no finishes. And Wayne Rooney seems to be finding it difficult to play the role of a single striker.

Fergie, if you are listening, why not buy someone like a Niklas Bendtener (who seems to be unhappy at Arsenal)? Or someone from the Bundesliga – the front two of Wolfsburg were good in the game against us.

…and served with “red napkins”….

The feeling that a come from behind victory gives is extraordinary. If someone still questions the ability of this team to deliver without CR, then they should go back to their football lessons. What a good match that was! And Ryan Giggs just proved why he is considered one of the best winger of all times. That shot was tremendous. And so was Ando’s finish. People may say whatever they want to about his commitment, continuity, etc. He answered them with his boot!

Cant wait for the City game now. It will be interesting to see whether city would play Tevez, especially after the Ade-gate scandal. If Ade misses out, I don’t think city have got enough in their ultra rich selves to do the needful on the pitch.

Bring on the blues…..we are waiting.

Come on ManU….shoot em up!

Just cant wait to watch the match. Around 8 hours away from now. It will be interesting to see who the playing eleven will be. Will be good if Owen, Rooney and Berba can start together. Hows this –

                           Foster

———————————————-———————————————-

Evra             Evans         Vidic        Brown

———————————————-———————————————-

       Giggs            Fletcher      Valencia

———————————————-———————————————-

                  Rooney         Berba

———————————————-———————————————-

                            Owen            

 

And I am sure Fabregas will play. Arsene and his tactics !

Come on guys! What a way to get back on track…..tremendous action. Six chances in the first half, none converted. And guess what they do in the second half? 5 great goals.

I thought Nani was damn good, along with Valencia. They kept the wings going. Evra did very well, going forward, and Vidic brought that solidity back. I was surprised by Ben Foster. He either improved 10 fold this season over the last, or he was 10 times bad last season. Whatever it is, excellent result. Really looking forward to the Arsenal game now.

Come on gunners! We will shoot you down.

Disaster. Even that is a small word to describe what happened. If someone told be at the beginning of the season that Burnley would be the first defeat, I would have laughed at it. And now, I am weeping. Shameful, dismal performance.

Although one defeat should not trigger any knee jerk reactions, I will not be surprised if this makes Sir Alex buy someone as a cover for Rooney. Did I hear Auguero? Or even David Villa?

So, 1-0 might not be a great margin. But it is 3 points. Glad that we came off with a cleansheet. Only Evra was the first choice defender in the team that played on Sunday. Nice way to ease into the competetion. Burnley next. I am waiting for Owen to fire his first.

The new season is not long away, and I have been thinking – who are our main contenders this season.

Arsenal:

The only reason I put them on top is because of the “alphabetical” thing. Or else, I would count them as the last place chasers (I am talking of the top 4 only). Now, they have the money, won’t spend it. Good for us! I am sure Cesc Fabregas is about to leave. That means, Robben van Pierse is the only one in the “middle”. They don’t have Adebayor now, so…will Wenger play himself upfront?

Chelsea:

Shebby Singh, in one of his more poetic moods on TV said – “they can either play their best team or their best players!”. How true…assuming their new coach stays in his job until the start of this season, they might challenge for a place, that too if they get another play maker on the right. With all that money, I would think they will buy someone.

Liverpool:

I think they passed their prime last season. They couldn’t win the title, even when Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres together played well. So, if for some part of the season, either of them is injured, their changes go – poof!!!

Manchester City:

Well, the “true Manchester club” as they call themselves, will probably play 0-0-10 formation. So many strikers, they should win their matches (if they do) at 7-6 or 9-8. Weak in the middle, very weak at the back. I will be surprised if they finish in the top 10.

What say, guys?