25 September 2009

Man United 1 Wolves 0

MANCHESTER United progressed to the Carling Cup last 16 despite playing for over an hour with 10 men against Wolves.

Full-back Fabio Da Silva was sent off early on for a professional foul on Michael Kightly, but Danny Welbeck scored after the break to send the Reds through. Carrick played a ball to the Mancunian striker who exchanged a swift one-two with Owen before he drilled in a low shot that his more experienced front partner would have been proud of.

21 September 2009

Man United 4 City 3

United free transfer striker Michael Owen snatched an incredible victory deep into stoppage time in one of the most memorable derbies of all time.

Wayne Rooney scored early for United but Ben Foster gifted City an equaliser through Gareth Barry. Darren Fletcher and Craig Bellamy then traded goals to take the score up to 3-3 before substitute Owen's remarkable strike.

In the fifth minute of stoppage-time, when England’s fourth highest scorer had been shunted so far down the list of talking points he was not even worth a mention, the substitute strode onto Ryan Giggs’ precise pass, looked up and calmly found the bottom right corner.

Foster (4): Should have made a simple clearance instead of dribbling back to penalty area for Tevex to snatch it. Could have covered his near post better for 3rd city's goal.

O'Shea (5.5): Was a tad too slow for Bellamy.

Ferdinand (5): Looked rusty, should not have rushed him to play in the game.

Vidic (6.5): An average performance.

Evra (7): Most of the attacks comes from him and Giggs on the left.

Park (6): Shooting needs improvement, effort was ok.

Fletcher (8.5): Got better as the game goes on. Two good headed goals.

Anderson (6.5): Completely missing in first half, only woke up in 2nd half.

Giggs (9): How Giggs will be missed when he retires.

Rooney (7): Well taken goal, but did not do much after that.

Berbatov (7): Would have scored on a luckier day, good technique.

Subs:

Valencia (6.5): (sub Park 62) Strong on the ball and make decent crosses.

Owen (7.5): (sub Berbatov 77) Did well to stay on side and calm goal.

Carrick (5.5): (sub Anderson 90) Cameo.

16 September 2009

Besiktas 0 Man United 1

MANCHESTER United secured an opening Champions League victory against Besiktas thanks to Paul Scholes' second-half header in Istanbul. The game looked to be heading towards a stalemate but when Besiktas goalkeeper Hakan Arikan could only parry Nani's shot away, Scholes was on hand to head home after 77 minutes.

There were precious few other chances in a tight game, with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson electing to start with just Wayne Rooney up front. The goal came after Rooney and Michael Carrick were taken off for Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen. Nemanja Vidic was booked late on for kicking the ball away.

15 September 2009

Spurs 1 Man Utd 3

A great comeback against Spurs again. Defoe scored an acrobatic 1st min goal. Giggs hits back with a great freekick and Anderson finally scored a League goal just before half-time. Scholes got sent off for an offence that do not really deserve the 2nd yellow. And Rooney scored even when United is down to 10 men.

Foster (7.5): Great save from Jenas, looked more and more composed.

O'Shea (7.0): Make some good forward passes and generally comfortable in defence.

Ferdinand (7.5): Played well depsite just returning from injury.

Vidic (7.5): Another solid display.

Evra (8.0): Won the battle against Lennon. Made some forward runs.

Fletcher (7.5): Great tackling, but passes were sometimes poor.

Scholes (6.5): Played well till he got the harsh sending off.

Giggs (7.5): Great freekick and good stamina.

Anderson (7.5): Finally a goal! Is Anderson back?

Rooney (7.5): Good goal and harass the defenders.

Berbatov (7.5): Brilliant touches and flicks, could have scored.

Substitutes

Carrick (6.0) (sub Berbatov 61): Beefed up the midfield.
Nani (6.0) (sub Anderson 80): Some tricks here and there.

09 September 2009

Man Utd 2 Arsenal 1

A bit overdue...

Denilson slid a pass through to Arshavin in the 40th min, and he found space between United's defence and midfield which Ferguson's team selection was supposed to prevent. Quickly Arshavin turned and let fly with a rasper of a drive. There was plenty of pace on the shot but Foster can only push it into the roof of the net.

The Gunners were in front and on top when Rooney went down under Manuel Almunia's challenge just before the hour mark. There was at least some contact this time but it was limited enough to leave Wenger gnashing his teeth, especially as Andrey Arshavin had been denied a stone-wall spot-kick earlier. Rooney sent Almunia the wrong way from the spot to equalise.

In the 64th min, United got their second. In truth, Giggs' free-kick would not have threatened Almunia if Diaby had not stuck his head on it and deflected it straight into the corner of his own goal.