Manchester United (Part 1)

Um, rright...and now back to the football...
United's defence v Swansea did the job. 5 clean sheets since THAT game.
Attack is a worry. Looked to lack creativity and flair without Anderson & Young; also Hernandez doesn't seem to come looking for the ball much - a bit one dimensional? Don't get me wrong, inside the 6 yard box there are few better. And Rooney played very deep; Park quiet for him I thought and how many times did Giggs fail to complete a pass?!! We seemed to really struggle to get into positions where we could take a decent shot - number of balls played into the penalty box to one of our players was woeful. Happy with 3 points but can't wait for Anderson and Young to get back.

Manchester United in Europe = sh*t

3 Champions League finals in 4 years, unbeaten away from home in Europe for several years, and 1 point away from this years knock-out stages.

Thanks for the intelligent input, Mickey Mouser.

You are right, but when you are 16 then you know everything.
There are no excuses, two sloppy goals conceded and 3/4 missed. Once again people assume that the oppossion is crap(Benfica)when if fact they are a pretty good side.

Although in all fairness, it has been a disappointing CL campaign for United so far - no wins in 3 games against Benfica and Basel (2 of which were at home) and qualification for knock-out stages still not secured heading into the last game of the group, which actually looked fairly straightforward at the time of the draw.

lol @ De Gea's clearance.

Jesus that photo gave me a fright.

A lot of pessimism there. Chin up, it could be worse, you could support someone else.

Sure keeper mistake meant we dropped 2 points v Benfica but some positives:
1. berbatov got a run & proved he's still dangerous; trick is finding the right strike partner and it ain't Young who is better suited on the wing.
2. Carrick and Fletch coming back into some kind of form but it needs to be one or the other partnered with Anderson or Cleverly IMHO
3. Fabio got a run; definitely a good attacking option; needs time to develop a combo with Valencia/Nani 9like to see Valencia play the ball in earlier, tho)
4. Nani back into form

Qualification is the main thing 'cos any game next round likely to be tough - though would fancy chances v Cypriot team!

Anderson out till Feb

It is a shame Anderson is out, but I have to say that he does nothing for me.Not a good passer and keeps giving the ball away.I would be more worried if it was Nani or Fletcher that was injured.

wow what a terrible penalty decision, risky but excellent tackle from ferdinand

thanks for the point lads!!

About time United got some of their own medicine at OT. Now you know how almost every team who has visited there in the past 20 years feels.

A bit of luck at both ends.  I'm happy with the point, though I wouldn't blame you lads for being disappointed.

yeah cos the last time arsenal went to old trafford what happened boofhead

I never said it happens every time, but the majority of the time it does and i'd wager all teams that have visited there have experienced it at one time or another in the last 20 years.

Seriously, thats such a tired cliche, have a look at the stats for last season, United got awarded less penaltys and fouls then more then 90% of the league. All it is crying on the hugest level.

Thought we moved the ball very well in the game this weekend, but really should've buried a couple more chances. Disgraceful call on the penalty, but we should've scored more.

Quite agree. Boo hoo

Gotta agree with Paulinho on all his points there.
Critical though now that we pick up maximum points pre Xmas (& hope Chelsea & Arse do us some favours v CIty; who have City have 3 home games in next 4).
Following excludes Cup ties.

Man U: Villa (A), Wolves (H), QPR (A), Fulham (A)
Man City; Norwich (H), Chelsea (A), Arsenal (H), Stoke (H)
Spurs: Bolton (H), Stoke (A), Sunderland (H), Chelsea (H)
Newcastle: Chelsea (H), Norwich (A), Swansea (H), West Brom (H)
Chelsea: Newcastle (A), City (H), Wigan (A), Spurs (A)
Liverpool: Fulham (A), QPR (H), Villa (A), Wigan (A)
The Arse: Wigan (A), Everton (H), City (A), Villa (A)

Man U's holiday season games are Wigan (H/Boxing Day), Blackburn (H/31 Dec) & Newcastle (A/4th Jan)

Great draw guys! Keep up the good work 

Not much to say about this game. Possession around 65%, but never really looked like we were going to win.Terrible result, but at least it showed 80% of the players on the park today are not forst team starters.
A pity really, as City will win this at a canter.

Don't worry, we can stop them! Although not sure how much happier that will make you...

It won't make me any happier, but I don't think you will stop them.They are the best in England at the moment.

How come Bebe didnt start?

^my bad just realised hes on loan. should have called him back

Dominant half, would like us to put at least one more in the goal though to avoid anything silly happening.

One of the good thing at the moment is that although we are not playing great football, we are still in second place.

SAF has obviously put a massive effort at trainings etc into tightning up the ship, good and all but just hope it wont stop us finding that attacking flair when we need it. We looked dominant tonight, but not that inventive.

And for goodness sakes. WOULD SOMEBODY PLEASE SHOOT THE f**kING BALL WHEN THEY ARE NEAR THE BOX. Rooney, Carrick, Jones and Welbeck were all guilty of running on to balls and not having a ping instead trying some neat pass to be able to walk it in. Giggs even ran onto one on his left foot and still tryed to pass.

Quick question for Utd fans, is De Gea expected to be playing in the next few games or was he dropped because of form? Need to know for fantasy. Thanks

Sorry, no idea, but I'm glad.

I'm a Utd fan and I'd love to answer that question He's also in my fantasy league team and being that he will be playing midweek Champs League and the fact Lindergaard is keeping a few clean sheets, who knows what could happen next weekend.

I'll be pretty worried if you guys actually start playing well. Seem to be getting the results on the back of some pretty sub par performances. 

My latest blog - have a read and let me know what you think - chees

Also - not sure if anyone on here has posted this but here's the MUFC NZ Supporters site link https://www.mufcnz.com/ PROAK2011-12-05 21:34:44

Good to read, One other thing. What about all the ex United players that were Managers.

I wish Wes Brown still played for you guys.