Knee-jerk reactions: Manchester United kicks Roma's ass, UEFA Champions League

VS

Now that we've vanquished Roma, it's time for us to focus on the next match. Our mission isn't complete, we're in the final stretch now and every game is absolutely crucial.

Not a lot to say about the match. United did a professional job and got it done. Although, Roma did have their moments, especially that penalty (fortunately missed by de Rossi), whichcould have made things quite a bit trickier for us. But ultimately, Tevez got the killer goal and that was that.

Great performances from the 3 who came in for Rooney, Ronaldo and Scholes. Tevez did well and came up with another important goal (he seems to have a knack for those). Park was generally excellent. And last but not least, Hargreaves did himself a lot of favours with a very positive all action performance. Given the license to roam, he was very impressive pushing forwards and created many chances with some quality crossing.

It seems like that's probably the best way to play both Carrick and Hargreaves together. To get Carrick to sit and Hargreaves to roam. This way enables both to play to their strengths. Carrick is accomplished in reading of the game, positional sense, linking play back-to-front and spraying passes from deep. Sitting deep in midfield also allows him to sweep up and keep things tidy in front of the defence (which he does very well) like a midfield version of Rio.

With him there, Hargreaves is freed to roam and put his boundless energy and mobility to good use. Many times I've criticised him for running around like a headless chicken and leaving us exposed in midfield. That wouldn't be a problem with the excellent Carrick there. And he can make his presence felt at both ends by buzzing back and forth, hassling opposing players all over the pitch as well as pushing forwards in support of the attack.

Our future midfield after Scholes could be a 3 man midfield anchored by Carrick with Anderson and Hargreaves going box-to-box. That will probably be our strongest midfield. Obviously, we would still play 4-4-2 with one of the 3 rested.

It was great to see Gary back. Also nice to have Silvestre back. To see them make their comeback after long layoffs...warms the heart.

Less great was to see Fergie risk Rio in this match. I would have thought that after getting a knock at Boro, that Rio would be rested. So imagine how worried I was when I saw blood on Rio's boots. Luckily it was only a small gash and nothing serious. But really, at this stage of the season, we can't afford to be without Rio. But I suppose a little "scratch" won't stop Rio from playing against Arsenal.

A lot of people are talking about facing Barcelona, about the semi finals of the Champions League. But we aren't playing Barca next. So forget about them for the moment.

A massive showdown against Arsenal at Old Trafford is coming up this weekend. This match is basically make and break for Arsenal's season. Lose and their season is all but over. So, although they're been through a rough, perhaps demoralising patch, there's a possibility that they would come out and give this game everything they've got. It's desperation for them now. Because of that, United will have to play with all the hunger and passion that they could muster. The players have a chance to finally put Arsenal away not to mention keep Chelsea at bay.

Don't lose concentration, don't be complacent and bring it every game. The finishing line is very close now...

Highlights

Knee-jerk reactions to Another One of Those Days AKA Middlesbrough vs Manchester United, English Premier League

VS

What can I say about that match?

I can be bitter of course. Like, why those cunts play as if it was a Cup Final, just about everytime they play United? You'd think if they tried harder more of the time, instead of just gearing up for United and the other big teams, they'd be fighting for a UEFA Cup spot instead of languishing close to the relegation zone. Tossers.

I can also be bitter about the officials, who again were less than competent. Rooney was definitely onside and it was a definite handball in the penalty box.

Why also did it look like the match was played in the Artic?

Why did that cunt Alves choose this game to stop being shite?

And why oh why did Rio get injured?

But, I choose not to be bitter. Considering the appalling conditions, Boro playing like they were on steroids and getting two goals via Route One, a draw is a fair result. It was just one of those days where things go crazy and anything will happen.

I'm happy that the players did well themselves. They played some good stuff and showed a lot of character when the going got tough. They dug deep and they didn't panic. I'm also happy that Rooney and Ronaldo scored again.

All that said, I would gladly give up the hard fought point for a fully fit Rio and Vida, right now.

The good news is, Rio had his scan and they found out that he hadn't broken any bones in his leg. However, they have yet to say when Rio will be back. Hopefully, its just a little knock and he'll be back for Arsenal this weekend.

We'll have to do without our first choice centreback pairing against Roma. So, its fantastic to have a 2 away goal advantage right now. Just that it isn't as reassuring as before. The players who come in, possibly Pique and O'Shea, with Brown and Evra will have to play their hearts out to ensure that we proceed to the Semi Finals of the Champions League.

I'd go for Brown and Pique at centreback, with O'Shea switching to RB. Brown will bring the experience and Pique will bring the size, strength and energy. But all 4 of them and van der Sar will have to work together and help each other.

It'll probably make sense to field a 3 man centre midfield to offer more protection for our defence as well. They'll have to work hard to provide cover and shield United's back four from Roma. Other than the defensive solidity, we're also better able to dominate possession and dictate play. With Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez marauding up front to terrorise Roma's defence.

Roma will probably be coming into this game with the mentality that they've got nothing to lose and will go for broke. So United have got to be wary of that. But United should still have more than enough to win the game, especially at home in Old Trafford, against Roma. The key thing being not to be complacent and play with the right attitude and the right desire. I hope to see that all of the players, especially those who have to come in as replacements, to really bring their A game and play their very best.

Highlights

No knee-jerk reactions to Roma vs Manchester United

VS

Why? Because I didn't manage to watch the game because it was in the undead hours of the morning. I caught the highlights and replay later.

It was a well played match. The boys did their jobs, defended well and scored the goals.

And how about that thundering header from Ronaldo. I didn't even see him in the screen when the Ginger Genius floated the ball into the middle of the 18 yard area. And then Bang! Out of nowhere, in comes Ronaldo soaring and scoring with a thumping downwards header. That was great instincts, determination and bravery to get there and put his head in where it hurts. Something you'd think only someone like Vidic would do, but then Ronaldo keeps on topping himself game after game and keeps on surprising us all with what he can do. He got pummeled by a Roma defender as well and later said that he couldn't remember much about the goal. Not surprising because he was left flattened and stunned on the ground and probably nearly gave Sir Alex a heart attack.

It was an important goal as well, the timing of it calmed nerves and gave us confidence. I've always felt that the reason United often under perform away in Europe is because we are a little bit unsure of ourselves. And this is partly filtered down from Fergie, who is a bit too cautious when it comes to European away fixtures. That I think, kind of explain our less than stellar results away from home in Europe. We are nervy and edgy and thus cannot express ourselves freely. So that goal was important that way, I feel. Because it lifted us at the right moment and United steadily grew in confidence, bit by bit.

The defending, especially after Vidic departed, was admirable. Rio and van der Sar especially, stood up to be counted. O'Shea did a good job stepping in for Vida as well. In the early parts of the second half the had to weather a period of Roma offence, that put them under the kosh and very nearly forced the equaliser if not for some great defending, luck and bad finishing from Roma.

And yes Fergie, you should have reacted a little bit earlier in adjusting our tactics to counter Roma's momentum. Rooney started playing more centrally and got the decisive second goal, a gift from Roma's goalkeeper and defender. Again, the timing was excellent, because Roma were deflated after that. And it was all one way traffic from then onwards. United even got their swagger back and should have got a couple more goals too.

But, not too much to complain about a result that means we've got 2 massive away goals advantage to take back to Old Trafford. The only thing that worries me from this result is complacency in the 2nd leg, which I think Fergie and the players themselves realise is vital, not to let creep into our game.

Now United must turn their attentions back to the league and up next is a tricky encounter at Riverside against Middlesborough, a team that often cause problems for United. So, they'll need to forget the results midweek in Roma and concentrate fully on overcoming Boro. Again, no complacency. Every game is a final.

Highlights

 

And as a reminder of what happened last season, when Roma visited Old Trafford. Relive a quite simply magical, majestic performance from United that night.

Manchester United VS As Roma
by kaillant

"Diaby shouldn't be playing football", Arsene Wenger

Well...that's what Wenger would have said if he wasn't a hypocrite or biased and was consistent in his judgement because...

On the left is Martin Taylor, who broke Eduardo's leg with a pretty bad tackle. On the right is one of Wenger's player's, Abou Diaby, trying to do the same to a Bolton's Gretar Steinsson.

I wonder what Wenger had to say on both occasions?

Wenger on Martin Taylor’s tackle on Eduardo:

“The tackle was horrendous and unforgivable.”

He did retract the statement that contained that comment, but presumably he would still stand by that part of it. “On reflection, I feel that my comments about Martin Taylor were excessive”, he later said, but nothing along the lines of “the tackle wasn’t that bad after all”.

So after Abou Diaby’s red card against Bolton (video), which to my mind was right up there with Martin Taylor’s leg-breaker, we get

“I was not upset with the sending off but I felt it was more of a protective tackle. But he was too high so I don’t complain. Just before that I thought it was a foul on him.”

Awesome.

And just what the fuck is a protective tackle?

Quoted from SoccerShout.com. Top image from RedCafe.com.

Mistimed, studs up and slightly high, knee-jerk reactions: Manchester United vs Aston Villa, English Premier League

VS

Truth be told, Aston Villa Football Club should really just be renamed Manchester United's Bitch. More so than Newcastle United even (another Manchester United's Bitch). The Villans have got their ass handed to them by United more times than I can remember. In fact, I always look forward to matches against Villa, because we almost always play well against them.

Part of the reason for this is thanks to Villa themselves, for which they deserve credit, no really. They, unlike many other teams that play against United especially at Old Trafford, don't come and park their team bus in front of goal. Villa almost always try to play football - as in trying to be positive, pass the ball and try to attack - against United. So, the end result is that inevitably they get out classed by United's slicker and better football. And I absolutely admire that, because with their wretched record against us, it would have been the perfect excuse for them to try anti football tactics against us, but they never did. If only all the other teams thought this way, it would make life a whole lot easier.

Anyway, back to the game which could be described in four words. Sublime. Genius. Ronaldo. Rooney. You just have to watch the replay of the goals to agree with me.

The first by Ronnie was the work of genius. The sheer impudence to even come up with that is just unbelievable. The Villa defence failed to deal with a set piece properly and the ball fell to Ronaldo, but he was surrounded by opposing players, with one closing right up on him, and the window to get off a decent shot pretty much gone. Except, this is Ronnie we're talking about, and with a fluid back flick, he put the ball past the defenders legs, past the surprised keeper and into the back of the net.

If the first was all about Ronaldo's genius, the second is about great team play, vision, passing and movement, but no less impressive. It was classic United this one. After a Villa attack broke down in front on the 18 yard area, United burst forward in typical United fashion. Tevez got the ball, just inside his half with a couple of players closing him down, he made a pass to Scholes who immediately Rooney. At the same time Tevez plowed forwards. Rooney cut inside and passes back to Scholes who has moved into a more advance position, who in turn finds an onrushing Ronaldo. Ronaldo dribbles into the box and delivers a cross right to Tevez's forehead for 2 nil. It was a beautiful, fluid, clinical move from start to finish.

The 3rd was more of the same. This time it started way back with van der Sar, who feeds Evra to Scholes then Giggs. Evra steaming forwards at this point providing an option, but Giggs opts for Ronaldo, who in another outrageous display of footballing genius, produces an almost improbable back flick right into the path of a goal-wards bound Rooney, who makes no mistakes this time, fooling Scott Carson with a drop of the shoulder and then rounding Carson and passing the ball into the net with his left foot.

United were cutting Villa open at will and the 4th was just inevitable and to be honest could and should have come a lot sooner. Again, incisive passing from United, lead by Scholes, fashions an opening in Villa's now demoralized back four. Ronaldo finds Rooney completely unmarked and he took his second goal with glee, striking it hard and low towards the near post.

The scoreline at the end was not flattering. It could well have been 7 - 0. Villa started out well and probably matched United for the first 15 minutes or so. But once United upped a gear or two, Villa just couldn't live with it. Rooney should have had 3 or 4, Tevez and Ronaldo should have had 2 each.

When we play with this kind of swagger, it is just fantastic to watch. It certainly looks like we're hitting our peak form at the right time. Rooney looks back to goal scoring ways. Ronnie is in irrepressible form. Most of the squad seem fit and ready, apart from a  few worries with Rio, Evra and Carrick (which I hope is just Fergie blowing it up to mind fuck the Romans). Unlike last season where we were severely depleted at this point and limping towards the finish line.

Now, that we are this close to the finish line, we've got to give it everything we've got. Every game. Concentration has to be 100%. We're so close. Next up is Roma in the Champions League. Although, we beat them 7-1 last season, they are a better team this time around and lets not forget they beat Real Madrid home and away in the last round. So they are tough opponents for sure.

I hope all the key players are fit and ready for this. Rio is absolutely vital to our defence. Evra is our best leftback by far. And Carrick offers fluidity to our midfield (not to mention starting the rout of Roma last season). Nani will not be playing in Rome which is a shame because he can offer lots of penetration and extra attacking edge. Giggs did slightly better against Villa so I hope he ups his game big time against Roma (he plays well against Italian teams, most of the time). Most of all I hope, Rooney and Ronaldo continue their awesome form and the whole team play with the kind of passion, determination and flair that we know they are capable of.

Highlights against Villa

Really really late, slightly hungover knee-jerk reactions: Manchester United vs Deluded Scouse Twats

VS

I'm back after a short hiatus. A combination of work and other responsibilities took its toll on bullshit writing.

Anyway, time for a kickstart and what better way than the awesome pwnaged United gave Liverpool. There's no other way to describe it other than the Scouse bastards got their asses handed to them at Old Trafford. In fact, we've pretty much owned them in this fixture for what seems like centuries. It's very important that we remind Liverpool of the gulf in class that exists between United and their little club.

Before the match, there was all the usual hype and all the usual bullshit trash talk. Most of which came from Merseyside. They've been yapping about their great recent form, their deadly duo of Gerrard and Torres and about halting United's title run. Yeah right.

And Benitez even attempted to play mind games against the master of mind games himself, Sir Alex Ferguson. And look how that backfired on him. His pitiful attempts to psyche the refs into perhaps favouring Liverpool didn't work. Fergie on the other hand chose to comment on the hot topic of giving match officials respect. Which you could say worked to perfection. Genius.

Contrast that to Mascherano, who must be the stupidest person on the planet. Really. I mean, with the current focus on respecting referees and all that, after the Ashley "The Cunt" Cole incident - during which Steve Bennett was the 4th official - you'd had to have been a lobotomy patient to even attempt to start any sort of bullshit with Steve Bennett. Enter Javier Mascherano, who decides to do just that. He's got more balls than brains that fellow. In fact, I think his skull is full of testicles instead of a brain.

After he gets a deserved yellow card for a mistimed tackle on Scholes, he then proceeded to have a go at Steve Bennett. And after that, for the next 30 minutes or so, he went on a personal quest to annoy the ref and get himself sent off. Why would somebody, who's already got a yellow, decide to do that? Only he would know.

The last straw came when he decided to get involved when Torres - who also had a lot to say to the ref - got booked. You could see what was coming from a mile away. The moment he started towards Bennett, I knew he was in deep shit. It didn't matter what the fuck he said to the ref (pay attention Rafa), because it wasn't that isolated incident that got him booked. It was his continued questioning of the ref's authority.

Now I hope the FA throw the book at him, since they're being so serious about dealing with dissent and respect for officials. Especially after Mascherano went ape shit crazy after Steve Bennett showed him the red.

Now although it was kind of fun to see a Liverpool player exhibit that kind of idiocy to get himself sent off, I would rather he didn't because now their deluded fans get another excuse for their teams embarrassing loss.

The fact is, United dominated even before the sending off. We controlled possession and made the most chances - clear cut chances - and scored a goal. It could easily have been 3 - 0 before the half, with the gilt edged chances that we missed. Rooney and Ronaldo could have had a hat-trick each. Liverpool barely threatened and occasionally mustered up a half chance.

Their double threats were hardly noticed. Rio and Vida took turns to make Torres their bitch. And Gerrard looked a bit like he was lost and didn't know what to do.

Like against Arsenal in the FA Cup, it was a great performance by all the lads (well mostly), who were up for it from the off and kept Liverpool constantly on the back foot. They showed more passion and more desire. Only when anxiety crept in, because we kept missing chances to put the game to bed, did Liverpool gain any sort of impetus.

The defence was solid and had Torres and co in Rio's pocket. The central midfield of Carrick, Scholes and Anderson, controlled the ball so well that Stevie G and co didn't get into the game at all. Although, I have to say I'm a bit disappointed with Anderson, who didn't show enough composure and seemed a bit over excited. Giggs, as he has been this entire season, was quite poor. I don't remember him getting anything right and contributing anything positive at all. Fergie should put him on the bench until he sorts himself out. In the mean while Nani should get a start because he has impressed everytime he is given an opportunity. His delivery is great and the boy packs quite a shot on top of his speed and dribbling skills.

No such complaints about Rooney and Ronaldo. Despite continuing to be wasteful, the both of them delivers time and time again for Manchester United. Ronnie was relatively quiet by his standards but he still manages to make game changing/match winning contributions. Wazza was just awesome. Although he really should have scored, his contribution was all round. He ran Liverpool's 2 centrebacks ragged and was a constant threat. Making chances for himself and others. That awesome first touch to bring van der Sar's goal kick down was incredible. It could and should have been tucked away pass Reina as the Goal of the Season.

I don't want to read too much into one game but this is certainly significant. Obviously we beat Liverpool, yet again, but Arsenal's loss to CSKA London at Stalingrad Bridge, increased our gap at the top to 5 points with a superior goal difference. At the end of the season, when United hopefully retains the title, we'll look back at this match as maybe the significant moment of the season.

But the road ahead is still brutally tough. We've got some tough fixtures, with several potential banana peels along the way, if we're not careful. Throw in the Champions League matches and things get even more interesting. The lads will have to take one game at a time and treat match like they did against Liverpool (except with much better finishing), with passion, determination and flair. If we do, then the title is as good as ours.

MOTD Highlights

Reload Machine Gun!

No more Misfire tonight! Let's reload our machine gun and smash Fulham...... 5-0