Manchester United retained the League Cup today having beaten Aston Villa 2-1 at Wembley today. Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney scored the crucial goals to give United their fourth League cup win, with our number ten getting lots of superlatives thrown in his direction. Wayne Rooney is without doubt the best player on the planet and our star player by a mile – however, United demonstrated their strength in depth today with superb performances from Dimitar Berbatov, Antonio Valencia and Ji-Sung Park as we enter the business end of the season.

Dimitar Berbatov contributed to both United goals and was a constant threat, despite some wayward shooting. His hurrying of Richard Dunne resulted in Michael Owen’s strike to equalise, whilst his superb flick out to Antonio Valencia for Rooney’s winner was different class. He demonstrated today, in a big game, as to why Ferguson spent £30million on him. Yes, you will argue that he should be bought to challenge for major European honours, rather than a tournament that was born in 1960. I would agree that his purchase hasn’t worked out as best as we all would have hoped, especially considering Fergie stated recently that he doesn’t believe he can include Berbatov and Rooney in the same side when playing a 4-3-3 formation – which of course is our preferred formation in the latter stages of the Champions League.

Berbatov is our joint second highest goal scorer (other than ‘own goal’ of course) and has a 0.38 goals per game ratio in the Premier League – a decent return for a forward that isn’t a renowned goal scorer. Regular readers of this blog might be a tad confused with this praise for the Bulgarian considering I have blogged about him running out of time at Old Trafford. I still believe that the purchase of the Bulgarian hasn’t been as successful as Sir Alex would have hoped for. I stated that the transfer fee was a major factor combined with the results in big games that he has played in. I’ve always thought (and stated) that I think he is a superb footballer with one of the best touches I have ever seen. But I think the next two months are a big two months, for Berbatov especially. He needs to persuade Fergie that he can play in a 4-3-3 with Rooney, which would result in our top scoring operating on the left of the front three. You only have to look at the Arsenal and Barcelona games last season, with Ronaldo being the main forward in a 4-3-3 – at the expensive of our most expensive player. We will have to wait and see what the line up will be against Milan, but Berbatov put in a great performance today and was pivotal in both goals.

Antonio Valencia has been a major hit since signing from Wigan last summer. £18million looks a snip for the qualities he brings to the side. Pace, athleticism, versatility and most importance in recent games – accurate delivery from a wide area. He is more direct winger, like Andrei Kanchelskis over Ronaldo for example, which is great when there is space in behind the full back for him to gallop into. In the second half he set up Wayne Rooney for his 28th goal of the season and five minutes later put in another superb cross for Rooney to smash against the post. You may be surprised to learn that Valencia has the most appearances for United so far this season – with 38. Ferguson has recently rested the Ecuadorian International, whilst before Christmas he was present in most starting line ups. There is no doubt he is being rested for the final push and will be present in the starting line up against Milan Wednesday week. He received the man of the match award for his performance today and added yet another assist to his statistics this season.

Ji-Sung Park, for me, was the best player on the pitch. Some fans still question the quality of the Korean and Ferguson’s decision to include him within the side. If you asked the majority of United fans to pick their ideal starting Xi, when all players are available – I guarantee that Park wouldn’t feature in 95% of the them. So its a good thing that Fergie picks the side and not us! Today, he really showed why Ferguson does include him in the side for major games. Park usually occupies the left hand side, but recently against Milan he drifted inside to occupy the space in front of Carrick, Scholes and Fletcher. He may well have been put there to nullify the impact of deep lying playmaker Andrea Pirlo, however his attacking quality where on show in abundance today. He was unlucky not to score as his first half strike smashed the post just before half time, whilst his movement from left to the centre of the park – saw him pick up the ball behind Milner and Petrov and drive forward. I have always been a big fan of Park and believe that he is an important part of the squad that Ferguson has. His performances against Arsenal over the past two season have been exceptional and he was excellent against Barcelona at Old Trafford in May 2008. He hasn’t featured too much this season (less than Vidic and Nani) and i’m pleased he is showing his qualities as we approach the final hurdle. For me he was man of the match today.

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Sir Alex Ferguson steered his Manchester United side into the record books once again as it was the first time in history that the club had ever successfully defended a cup competition – a result that wasn’t without fortune, though, and a result that was secured with a familiar combination.

Antonio Valencia confirmed his rise from Premier League potential to Manchester United star in the making with a man of the match display from the Cup sponsors but it was Wayne Rooney who scored with a header from the Ecuadorians cross to win the game against Aston Villa, fittingly saving his best header of the season for this cup final.

In another re-writing of the domestic games’ history the Red Devils followed up last seasons equalling of league titles with Liverpool with a levelling of domestic and major club trophy hauls – while some may downplay the importance of winning this trophy, it has twice acted as a springboard for further success for Ferguson’s side and this success has indicated that there is a lot of life in this side that was written off after high profile pre-season departures.

Predictably it was done the hard way but admittedly it should have been much harder; Gabby Agbonlahor got goal-side of Nemanja Vidic in the opening stages and the Serbian could barely cope with the strikers pace. After seemingly – almost literally – getting to grips, the big defender felled his foe in the box leaving Phil Dowd no option but to award a penalty. And, according to the rule book, send Vidic off as he was the last man but Dowd – not exactly heralded for his lenience towards the holders given his decisions in the past – not only let Vidic reain on the pitch, but didn’t even book him, leaving to justifiable incredulous disbelief from the Villa faithful. James Milner wasn’t caught cold on the big stage, however, coolly turning his penalty past Tomas Kuszczak to give Villa a 1-0 lead after just 4 minutes.

It was a goal that immediately cast aspersions on Ferguson’s decision to bench the blisteringly in form Rooney (with the official line being a bout of influenza) and caused panic given the impressingly talented list of absentees of United players that included Ferdinand, Hargreaves, Anderson, Nani and Giggs to name just five. But before the United faithful even had choice to voice their displeasure at the selection, on 12 minutes, Richard Dunne provided an intervention, slipping on the ball long enough to invite Dimitar Berbatov in. Berbatov cantered towards goal and almost apologetically, and criminally, let Dunne back in, and while the big Irish defender won the ball, he only succeeded in diverting it into the path of Michael Owen. Owen has been the subject of press speculation recently regarding his World Cup pretensions but he grabbed this chance with both hands to slot home from 18 yards, on what was incredibly his first Wembley Cup Final appearance.

The goal was the sweet part of a bittersweet afternoon for the veteran forward who probably gave watching England boss Capello a full exclosure of his career in a nutshell – coming off after pulling up with what was clearly a hamstring injury when presented with a goalscoring opportunity. Owen was replaced by Rooney on the 40th minute, by which time both sides had only conjured up one notable chance each – Milner was allowed to drift with the ball unchallenged on the 15th minute and once he found himself with a reasonable sight of goal opened fire but Kuzszcak was equal to it, and in the 20th minute, Park and Berbatov worked an opening well with the South Korean failing to trouble Brad Friedel.

Rooney’s introduction gave the opposition defenders an instant new headache, although it was lack of concentration on marking his partner in crime in recent weeks, Valencia, that almost gifted United a half time lead. Valencia skipped past Warnock who slipped unfortunately, and then played the ball to Park 10 yards out. Park shifted feet quite smartly but his shot hit the post, went across goal and was cleared by Cuellar on the line.

After the break, though, United were clearly the team in the ascendancy, even if the open feel of the first period gave way to a more traditional, cagey, final feel. Villa were obviously wary of the threat posed by the Valencia/Rooney combo but it was another Berbatov back heel that almost exposed them in the 49th minute, finding Carrick who moved the ball onto his right and forced a smart stop from Friedel.

The tentative approach from either side was finally blasted away when a patient build up finally broke the deadlock – United were trying to exploit their most potent option, and they managed to do that in the 74th minute when Fletcher made space to turn the latest passing movement into Valencia’s area. The winger played the pass into Berbatov, whose flick was extravagant and functional, and Valencia’s cross was right into the path of Rooney. Admittedly, the recent combination has afforded United’s leading scorer the luxury of just moving into the right space to finish the move, however the cross, though accurate, was lacking in pace and required a demonstration of Rooney’s reported aerial improvement over the last 12 months. That demonstration was duly delivered beyond the flailing hand of Friedel. The frightening combination almost struck again just 4 minutes later, but Rooney’s header hit the post and was moved to safety.

Villa did, in fairness, push to equalise and did hit the woodwork themselves when Stewart Downing’s cross was met by Heskey and deflected by Vidic onto the crossbar, but aside from that and a last minute cross, again from Downing, that was met by Dunne and was unlikely to trouble the keeper, you could sense that the belief was gone through the majority of the second half. Indeed, had United had been more inclined, you had the feeling that they could have extended the advantage. In the end, though, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men had done enough to once again ensure English football history was due another re-write.

Ratings : Kuszczak 7, Rafael 7 (Neville 6), Evans 6, Vidic 6, Evra 7 , Valencia 8, Fletcher 8, Carrick 7, Park 8 (Gibson), Berbatov 7, Owen 7 (*Rooney

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A chance missed; a man light but Manchester United came from behind to draw against Aston Villa. Carlos Cuellar’s header was almost immediately leveled by a James Collins own goal to send United to within a point of leaders Chelsea who lost at Everton.

The Champions played well but were desperately handicapped by referee Peter Walton’s decision to send Nani off in the first half – Sir Alex Ferguson’s second half tactical reshuffle was constantly negated by Villa’s almost incessant refusal to take the initiative on their own ground.

Despite a bright start from the visitors it was Villa who got the first goal – Carlos Cuellar reacted quickest to an attempted Rafael clearance to head a looping effort over van der Sar and into the goal. Cuellar had earlier headed a similar chance over but United were asleep for the second, but fortunately their response was pretty rapid. Nani had started well (an 8th minute free kick was struck well enough to give Friedel problems) and his cross was accurate to Giggs – the Welshman’s volley went across goal and Collins diverted it into his own goal, taking “OG” for the Red Devils into double figures in the league.

5 minutes later, on the half hour, the whole approach of the game shifted for both managers – Nani was sent off by Walton for a reckless tackle where both feet left the ground. There was a case for complaint by the in-form winger who claimed he won the ball – a claim replays later backed up – but the truth is having lost control of his body the referee had no option and he had to go. To best describe, it was the kind of tackle that had it happened against your team you would want the player sent off for it, and it was the right decision.

Not that the decision suddenly influenced Villa to go all guns blazing. With Milner, Dowing and Young the home side have serious pace and creativity with genuine aspirations of a top four finish but their blunt refusal to take the game to a lessened United side ruined the game as a spectacle. The visitors could in fact have taken the lead in the remainder of the first half but Carrick’s shot was tipped over and Friedel reacted well to snuff out Rooney who had been imaginatively put through by Giggs, though the hosts did have a shout for a penalty when Rooney’s charging down of a free kick looked like it was assisted by a hand.

The second half promised much when Scholes was replaced by Valencia – Ferguson was making his intentions clear by still trying to exploit the width but Martin O’Neill was presumably more than happy with the point. Valencia almost made a real impact with his first contribution, Giggs’ cross found him but he fired over. Villa’s only meaningful effort in the second half came when Milner received an Agbonlahor pass to work van der Sar but the shot was still comfortable.

Chances were at a distinct premium in the second half – Giggs again found Rooney who found space but fired over before the English striker worked a chance of his own only to see it saved by Friedel, and other than that the most you could say is that the visitors were restricted by their hosts’ own lack of ambition. Unlike the return fixture though, United could claim to have put in a real show this time round, at least until the last 20 minutes when Giggs was replaced by Berbatov which severely impacted on the forward mobility. The feeling after Chelsea dropped points may justifiably be one of frustration but the reality is that United did gain ground on the leaders in difficult circumstances, and every point counts in the run in.

Ratings : van der Sar 6, Rafael 7, Brown 6, Evans 7, Evra 6, Fletcher 7, Carrick 7, Scholes 7 (Valencia 6), Nani 6, Rooney 7, *Giggs 7 (Berbatov 5)

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After the battering by Fulham in December made it 5 league defeats in the season, Manchester United have responded by dragging themselves back into contention with 6 wins out of 7 in the league to set up a massive eleven days in the clubs season – three away games against in-form, top class opposition will undoubtedly prompt Sir Alex to use the 4-3-3 formation. In doing so, we’ll find out more about the future of Anderson. Should Fergie swallow his pride if it is in the clubs best interests short term?

Anderson was dropped and fined after apparently going AWOL back to Brazil and there were reports of a deadline day move to France that didn’t materialise. Like Nani, the Brazilian has divided fans opinions, but with huge games against Villa, Milan and Everton coming up, the fact that recently the most effective performances have come with a 4-3-3 will not be lost on the manager, and it is with this in mind that he really does have a decision to make.

Gibson’s cameo at the weekend seemed to indicate this, because after Scholes, Carrick and Fletcher, without Anderson we are short of both numbers and variety. Giggs is an option; and a completely valid one; however he has been more effective as part of that front three. And as much as Gibson has improved, he still doesn’t quite offer much in the way of the variety that will be needed against the experienced and energetic midfield we will be coming up against.

It’s understandable that Fergie wants to teach Anderson a lesson; being named for the postponed reserves derby last week just a couple of weeks after giving a decent performance in the real thing was proof of that. And let’s be clear, Anderson does only have himself to blame, it’s a good thing that he is frustrated by not playing, but if the reports are true that he absconded then he has to be disciplined. The question here is whether the fine and the gesture of a reserves game is enough to shake some sense into him.

Beyond the bosses principles there is a recent example for the youngster to note; Nani’s outburst cost him some time from the team (though Fergie cited injury, that seems to be a smokescreen) and he has responded in the right way – his on-pitch performances can only really be put down to increased concentration and awareness and these are mental factors – strangely, it’s not really performance where Anderson has faltered this season with a notable improvement on last years form. There is of course plenty of scope for improvement but has the relatively short time since the incident been long enough to give him a reality check? Is it sufficient punishment?

Regardless of whether or not he has a future at our club – and I for one hope he does and that he goes on to fulfil his massive potential here – he has to look at himself and understand that behaving in such a way is unlikely to curry favour with any of the big European teams.

Of course, some United fans don’t think his form this season has been that great and could argue that he doesn’t deserve his spot in the team – whatever your opinion on that matter, though, it is unlikely Paul Scholes will complete 90 minutes or start in all of the 3 games coming up. The Carrick/Fletcher/Scholes combination looked impressive against Arsenal but I’m still not convinced that a midfield three wouldn’t be better with Anderson – and let’s face it, with the likes of Milner, Petrov, Fellaini, Arteta, Pirlo, Gattuso, Flamini, there is going to be a huge test on our energy levels – does Scholes or Carrick for that matter have enough to be able to firstly contain the opposition and also dictate the game throughout all 3 games?

I’m not ruling that out; our recent form has got me thinking anything is possible, but I just can’t see it. Giggs and Gibson give us more bodies but aside from Fletcher (and Anderson) we don’t have another bombastic, driving, mobile midfielder. Hargreaves may be back in training but the simple fact that Fergie, in dropping him from the CL squad, doesn’t feel he’s ready in the short term. What’s after that? Possebon is back from his loan, Pogba has impressed in his performances at the various levels behind the first team, but neither of those are in serious contention.

At Liverpool earlier in the season we played a two man midfield and it cost us dear – Scholes and Carrick were not the most mobile, the absence of Fletcher and Anderson was huge. Against Chelsea Fergie changed to a 4-3-3 and Anderson put in one of the best performances of the season on Essien, with Fletcher similarly brilliant. The formation was used to good effect against an in-form Birmingham and then looked good against City in the away game despite the defeat – good enough to tempt Fergie to use it in the return leg and Arsenal the next game, with results that I’m sure you don’t need to be reminded of. With this in mind you would reasonably assume Fergie will stick with a winning formula but you would also reasonably assume that the components of that formula will have to be mixed up.

So, what’s the solution? Relent somewhat from his trademark disciplinary stance and recall Anderson? Stick to his guns and have faith in what’s available even though it may cost us? Will he not even play 4-3-3?

Personally, I’m hoping for a “Nani effect”, but my head says it will be between the five players I earlier identified. I’ll keep the faith, I’m just not sure faith will be enough – these three games won’t win us the title if we win them all, but they may just knock us out of the trophy hunt if we don’t.

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Yolkie and I have been discussing the 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa last night in depth and we’ve both got conflicting views on the events at Old Trafford.  I generally feel that we just had a bad day at the office, even though United didn’t play that badly.  Yolkie feels that, Giggs aside, we’re missing a creative spark from midfield, whilst many first team players are simply going through the motions.  We are going to try and have at least one ‘Stretty debate’ every month, which looks at a conflict of opinion.  We encourage you to get involved, pick a side and join in the discussion!

Stretford End reckons it was an off day

It was a disappointing defeat to Aston Villa yesterday, considering we could have taken full advantage of a 3-3 draw between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge – but by no means was this Manchester United losing ground in the title race nor a performance that suggested United’s firm grip on the Premier League trophy would be surrendered any time soon. For me, it was a bad day at the office where we most probably should have got something out of the game when looking at the amount chances we had. This entry will not be looking at Aston Villa as I thought they defended exceptionally and have an extremely pacey forward line that will trouble any top side. Their constant harrowing and closing down – wanting United to clear the ball rather than pass out from the back – worked a treat, with United looking very hurried in the first half. So for any Villa fans fuming at the lack of praise for their efforts – it was a fantastic goal from a great cross, but I still believe United could and should have got something out of the game.

Firstly, lets not forget that United have massive injury concerns defensively and for a second game running – Fergie was without our first choice defense. Nemanja Vidic didn’t play against Wolfsburg because of a virus – something that can take a while to clear. Wes Brown also pulled up against West Ham and was rushed back for the game yesterday. Fletcher deputised at right back again and whilst he does a decent job there – he is much more effective in the centre of the park. So our injuries haven’t helped and we all know how important it is to have a consistent back line and goalkeeper. On the goalkeeper front – out of the 16 games we’ve played so far this season – Foster has played in eight of these, Kuzczak three and Edwin Van Der Sar five. Looking at Kuzczak’s opposite number – Brad Friedel – the American has started in every game for Villa this season.

Looking at the game yesterday we had nineteen shots on goal (four on target, seven off target and eight blocked shots) whilst Villa had eight (two on target, three off target and two blocked) – hardly the statistics that suggests a team has trouble creating chances. Wayne Rooney’s sublime first touch and shot that rattled off the bar was stroke of genius – one inch lower and we would have been back in the game right before half time. I can’t stress the brilliance of that first touch to create space for himself and get in a shot. With Rooney’s technique and ability – I would have put money on him blazing that into the roof of the net, sadly it just wasn’t to be. Second half, Berbatov missed an absolute sitter, whilst Ji-Sung Park was on his heels when Owen drove in a low cross, which was missed by everyone. It was a cross that our number seven would have thrived on – but the chances to get back into the game were there for all to see. For me, these chances weren’t in desperation, shots from miles out or long direct balls into the box hoping for the ball to fall to a Red shirt. These were chances that on another day United would have converted.

The there was the opposition. Martin O’Neill has put together a fearsome forward line that mixes up brute strength, pace and movement. Gabriel Agbonlahor is lightening quick and proved to be a handful last season in the 3-2 victory – giving Gary Neville a torrid time. Fletcher was also exposed at times yesterday, but then again Fletcher isn’t a fullback. Ashley Young has come on a bunch since signing from Watford a couple of seasons ago. I was a bit skeptical when they forked out twelve million for him at the time – however that looks like an absolute bargain now. He is versatile, operating on either flanks – whilst can deliver, as he showed yesterday, excellent balls from wide areas. At the back Ricard Dunne was superb in marshaling the backline and looks to be a good signing from Manchester City. So we weren’t playing against any mugs – we were playing against a team with Champions League aspirations. They’ve beaten Liverpool at Anfield and Chelsea at Villa Park – we’ve lost to both teams so far this season.

Lastly, we are three points behind Chelsea, the league leaders – who we totally outplayed on their own turf, only to lose the game 1-0. We have to play both Liverpool and Chelsea at home and remember its still on December – there is plenty more football to be played and yes, we are going to lose again – but so are Villa, so are Chelsea and so are Arsenal. Do you remember 1995/96 around the same time? We played Liverpool just before Christmas and lost 2-0. Two goals from Robbie Fowler gave the Scousers a victory, although we were playing in our grey kit. Then the week after, on Christmas Eve, we lost 3-1 away to Leeds. Two of our biggest rivals getting the better of us in less than a week. We went into the next game against League leaders Newcastle knowing that nothing else other than a win would do. We won 2-0 (goals from Andy Cole and Roy Keane) and we all know how that season ended.

Now I want to make this clear – I don’t expect United to win the league every season. Look at our results over the last four years. We’ve won three Premier League titles – do you know that has only happened on four previous occasions (Huddersfield, Arsenal, Liverpool and us in 1999-2001). No team has ever won a fourth Championship in a row and to be honest, in this current footballing world, it is near on impossible to think a team could ever be that dominant over such a long period of time domestically. We should get our expectations too high. Yes, we suffered a disappointing defeat but does that make Michael Carrick, JI-Sung Park, Dimitar Berbatov, Anderson and Valencia bad players over night? With the exception of the Ecuadorian, most of those players mentioned have come under the firing line for a lackluster display. I still believe that Park is a good player to have in our squad. Yes we all know about his lung busting runs and the nullification of attack minded full backs – but he does have an impressive dribbling style, which I admit wasn’t on display last night, but he still is an important player in our squad. I don’t know what is going on with Berbatov to be honest. I’ve never been critical of the Bulgarian because I think he is a fine, if overpriced, footballer – but I do wonder why he has not featured more recently. I know he has been injured but I think it spoke volumes last night when Owen was brought on ahead of him.

So, to conclude, I totally agree that it is a disappointing result, but this isn’t a case of ‘United getting found out’ or ‘United on borrowed time’ – its basically a bad day a the office. There is no papering over the cracks on any kind of the nonsense the press or Chris Waddle will have you believe. It is a bit of a stuttering start and we rarely look like we’ve got out of second gear other than the odd performance away at Spurs, West Ham or at home to Everton. However, looking at last year – it was the same. We based our formation on a solid defense but could attack when we wanted to – like at the Emirates in the 3-1 victory in the Semi Final of the Champions League. But when the spine of that defensive setup is taken out – there can be consequences. We’ll bounce back and in my mind – can become the first team ever to win four Championships on the bounce. Over to you Yolkie…..

Yolkie reckons its a bad omen for the rest of the season

It’s clear that we do have problems that need addressing and I can’t believe that last night’s performance was acceptable. Yes, Villa were good and I won’t take anything away from that but obviously as a United fan I’ll concentrate on our shortcomings.

Indeed, Villa being so good should not have come as a surprise and our line up worried me to the extent I knew if we conceded we would struggle to score two; if we conceded first we wouldn’t get back into it and that’s exactly what happened.

Let me elaborate on the problems with the selection : essentially, picking Park and effectively lining up a 4-3-3 played into Villa’s hands. I’m not slagging off Park for the sake of it because he remains a crucial player but only in certain games, as a reducer or a counter to an opponents tactic. With all due respect to Villa there should be nothing there we needed Park for and especially not at Old Trafford. And, in any event, Park was so shocking that he contributed nothing at either end, Villa brilliantly exploited their wide areas and Park offered nothing in support of either full back nor did he look a threat going forward.

Bringing off Giggs at half time put the writing on the wall because elsewhere in midfield we admittedly have Anderson’s energy but that needs something to complement it. Step forward Michael Carrick; another chance to show what he is made of. Another chance lost. Again, not a criticism of Carrick per se but United fans have afforded the lad a lot of patience to come good in big games but he hasn’t, bar the odd performance, and did nothing at all yesterday. As a squad player or to be brought on when a game is being controlled he looks very comfortable; as a changer of a game or a dominator he is found wanting at the level needed at United. Villa could have probably scored more but decided to sit on it with half an hour to go and that was when Carrick was needed. Did he step up? The answer’s in the scoreline.

Up front. Well, having brought off Giggs for Owen, we ended up with Anderson and Park off for Berbatov and Gibson. Owen signed for predatory instinct and spent much of his time chasing deep for the ball. What would he do once he had it? Berbatov, well, he should have started if he was fit – Fergie seems to be going off him as he has sat most of the recent run out. Rooney was lively as ever – yeah, there was the dive which was despicable (strange how this is getting attention though Gerrard’s at Blackburn was glossed over though?) but generally he looked our best shot. However when he gets shifted wide for the meaningless Berbatov and Owen, we looked worse still, especially when the best thing about us going forward was the link up between Rooney and Valencia.

If it was a one-off performance then fair enough but it’s been time and time again this season, when we go behind, we rarely look like we have any chance of getting back into it. The Arsenal game was a one-off but look at all the league losses – Burnley, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Villa, we didn’t ever look like scoring one let alone two, perhaps we were unfortunate at Chelsea and Liverpool with penalties we should have had, but not in all four. In fact in the Burnley game Carrick even missed one and with Friedel in goal yesterday there’s no guarantee we would have scored. In Europe it’s been a similar story with the home embarassments against CSKA and Besiktas.

We’ve lost four of our league games, a quarter! Losing at the same rate for the rest of the season will mean 9 or 10 losses and despite the tough league there’s no way such a figure will see us win the league. On the face of it; all the defeats we’ve suffered could have been avoided if the selection had been different, with the exception of Chelsea. Burnley have done great at home this season but if we had matched them for energy? Liverpool were there for the taking if a 4-3-3 had been applied but Berbatov again went missing. I smelled trouble with the selection again yesterday and unfortunately correctly called that we would not get back into the game or even score once Agbonlahor scored.

So what needs to be done? Certainly last night I would have started with Obertan or Berbatov instead of Park and moved Giggs about. Elsewhere there’s really not much else but I would have had Welbeck or Macheda on the bench. They at least offer unpredictability if only by virtue of their youth whereas it seems to be the case that Berbatov merely needs to be man marked. He’s a good player with a wonderful first touch but more often than not he needs space rather than just creating it and that is a woeful trait for a £30m. If you don’t know what I mean look at Cantona and even Sheringham, two players whose intelligence often saw them get 4 or 5 yards of space; Berbatov doesn’t have that in his locker. Ferguson concurs at some level because if we had signed Benzema there is no way it would have been Rooney who sat out.

Is the answer within? Well to some extent. I know Scholes and Giggs have been brilliant and are still more than capable of doing a job but that’s for 1 or 2 out of 3 and that third one where they’re not capable either through lack of form or being rested seems to be the one where we fall apart because no-one else is capable of stepping upto the plate. Carrick hasn’t took to the responsibility; Park isn’t good enough on the ball, Anderson as said has huge talent but really needs to find a complement, and Rooney and Valencia can’t do it on their own – and after all is said and done, even the good players will have off days too, it’s the off days that really show where we’re lacking in the othes.

Looking at the current side and how difficult we find it to break sides down just makes me realise how woefully underrated players like Nicky Butt, Phil Neville and even Quinton Fortune were. I’m not saying that individually Butt is better than Carrick but there is clearly something missing in our midfield. Butt and Phil Neville could quite easily have played against Arsenal and could quite easily have played blinders. I’m not sure Carrick can make that step up; he’s 28 now so he’s hardly likely to make that leap. I would hardly call him a flop; however we’ve been figured out with him in the side.

My conclusion is that yes, we need a creative midfielder and we need one in the January window – who – I don’t know. Gibson looks like he has all the tools but my god does that kid need to learn to pass the ball and be aware of team mates. He’s certainly capable of doing so but he isn’t at the moment. Long term I think we need a winger. Valencia is improving and Obertan looks good, Tosic doesn’t seem favoured and we need another option. If Ribery is available for £30m we should snatch Bayern’s hands off. We need a pacy front man. This could come from within with Macheda or Welbeck and if Fergie doesn’t trust Berbatov then it’s time to bit the bullet and give one of the kids a run.

The pressing concern for me is a creative or dominant midfielder and if we don’t get one in January I think we may as well kiss the title goodbye.

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Manchester United welcomed back Wes Brown to partner Vidic with only Darren Fletcher an unfamilar face in the back line after the recent injury crisis, though the defensive nightmare was far from over.

With midfield places seemingly up for grabs following Paul Scholes’ two games in the last week and Michael Owen never likely to start following his 90 minutes in the Champions League, Sir Alex Ferguson opted for Park to play on the wing and what looked more like a 4-3-3.

The Champions looked lacklustre despite some decent build up, and when Aston Villa’s sucker punch in the 21st minute arrived, it was hoped that it would surely spark them into action. Ashley Young put in a peach of a cross that Gabriel Agbonlahor – a scorer in this fixture last season – could not fail to head in.

United did hit back with pressure to try and equalise, the closest – with to be fair, the only real chance – Rooney, with wonderful control, somehow smashed at the crossbar from 5 yards.

It seemed clear to all but the manager that penetration was desperately lacking and with the removal of Giggs and Anderson it was completely removed. That’s not to say that either had great games, but Owen and Gibson were hardly likely to provide anything extra. The exchange of the appalling Park for Berbatov bode well but the lack of midfield quality really meant that the pressure was on Rooney solely to try and rescue a result. Particularly after Villa decided to protect their result rather than risk it and add further gloss – and make no mistake, the visitors were always the more likely to score. The closest United came in the second half was a Berbatov half chance that Friedel comfortably saved.

It was clearly a chance missed after Everton held Chelsea earlier in the day and complete respect should be given to our opponents for a fully deserved win. It is clearly the case that this season will crown Champions who lose more games than on average – however it is more clear than ever that it’s all well and good putting on strikers such as Berbatov, Owen and Rooney but if there is an incredibly noticeable lack of creativity in the midfield then it means little. And the fact that despite his 36 years, United still have nothing to replicate the brilliance of Giggs, means that the Champions face an incredibly uphill battle to hold onto their title.

Despite the unpredictability of the the league so far it seems unfathomable that United can afford to lose more than 2 more games and with 22 remaining in a season where they’ve already lost quarter of their league fixtures, it will surely be a season where Sir Alex won’t be able to knock Liverpool “off their perch”.

As a side note it did seem rather peculiar that broadcasters ESPN began to concentrate their efforts on backing in the glory of United’s defeat, with commentator Jon Champion making countless added time related jibes at Sir Alex and presenter Ray Stubbs declaring that “Villains were the heroes”. Incidentally, while the added time awarded was ridiculous – and Villa wasted a minute during that period taking a goal kick – United could have played until Christmas and not scored, such was their appalling display.

Author: Yolkie – Follow me on Twitter

Ratings : Kuszczak 6, Fletcher 5, Brown 6, Vidic 6, Evra 6, Valencia 6, Carrick 4, Anderson 5 (Gibson 4), Park 4 (Berbatov 4), Giggs 6 (Owen 5), *Rooney 6

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Seventeen year old prodigy Federico Macheda scored a stunning injury time winner to send Manchester United back to the top of the Premier League – though that sentence alone gives no indication to the roller coaster ride the Champions sent their manager and supporters on to get there.

A sensational game of football was capped off in storybook (and almost, some would say, inevitable) fashion with the most impressive debut for a United player since current world player of the year, Cristiano Ronaldo in 2003.

But stripping past all of the drama was a game that the home side were very fortunate to win – a resurgent Aston Villa played their part in the tussle, and perhaps it was only their half desire to waste time after scoring their second which ultimately cost them.

With United missing more than half a dozen players who would have probably walked into the first team, Villa were always likely to fancy their chances to restore some pride after their Anfield mauling, and began brightly, before falling behind – James Milner and Brad Friedel were both careless with a backpass which led to an indirect free kick. Ryan Giggs rolled it to Ronaldo who showed tremendous ability to zip the ball into the top corner.

Despite his lack of options Sir Alex Ferguson will probably concede to making a tactical error by deploying Gary Neville in the centre of defence against John Carew – it was simply an accident waiting to happen, and when the big Norweigan easily headed in from Barry’s cross, United’s makeshift side suddenly looked bereft of options. It was no surprise when Gabriel Abgonlahor put the visitors in front just before the hour, and it was this goal that prompted Ferguson to think with his heart and not his head by taking the abysmal Nani off for the young Macheda, who had scored a hat-trick in the reserve outing at Newcastle last Monday.

The youngster immediately began to put himself about and gave United the much needed up and at them attitude that was required in the place of the lack of creativity, and a game of end to end began where first Macheda was denied a penalty after being manhandled in the box, and then Curtis Davies almost extended Villa’s lead.

Out of nowhere, Ronaldo popped up at the edge of the box and coolly stroked home with his left foot – the ball seemed to take an eternity to roll in, but it did, and with 10 minutes to go, the Champions knew that the remainder of the game was likely to play a major part in their title push.

When first Fletcher and then substitute Welbeck were denied by Friedel – who had seen his blatant red card against Liverpool rescinded, which surely must have made Sir Alex think he should have appealed against Vidic’s recent sending off – it seemed that the writing was on the wall, but then came Macheda’s moment of history.

Up there with Bruce against Sheffield Wednesday in 1993, Cantona against Tottenham and QPR in 96, and O’Shea against Liverpool in 2007, Macheda latched onto a Giggs through ball, skinned his marker with a Cruyff turn on the edge of the area, and, almost losing his balance, curled in a stunning winner past the helpless Friedel in the third minute of injury time to signal wild celebrations at the Stretford End. It was harsh on Villa, who had clearly done enough on the balance of play to deserve a draw, but there was nothing untoward in the manner United got their victory.

Make no mistake – Macheda, in his brief spell on the pitch, was a clear man of the match even before his winning goal with his aggressive attitude and his composure on the ball, and the esteem the striker is held in was summed up by club captain Neville after the match when he said, “If there was anyone in the team you wanted that chance to fall to, it was him”.

Such an introduction may lead to expectations that are unrealistic, but the talented forward has certainly done enough in one historic game at Old Trafford to show that he is ready to be called upon – and in such testing times, you wouldn’t count against Fergie doing just that before the end of the season.

Source: (Yolkie)

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Manchester United drew 0-0 with Aston Villa and failed to capitalise on the dropped points of Liverpool and Chelsea earlier on in the day.

League leaders Chelsea had drawn 0-0 at home to Newcastle United whilst Liverpool were held at home by Fulham – the scoreline also ending in 0-0. Sir Alex Ferguson and United knew that a win over Villa would leave the team six points, with a game in hand, behind Chelsea and Liverpool.

The game provided little goal mouth action with Villa operating with a 4-5-1 formation – trying desperately to stifle United’s attack. Ronaldo was his usual frustrating self, going to ground under little pressure or after a good tackle. There is no doubting the boy’s talents but he’d go even further if he cut the simulation totally out of his game.

United had a few chances in the first half with Ronaldo unleashing a powerful shot, having cut in side from the left, with Brad Friedel making a good save to his left. Ji Sung Park also had an opening but was foiled by a superb tackle from Ashley Young. Moments later Park had another good chances after Rooney swung in a right footed cross, which flashed across the six yard box and the Korean was only inches away from converting.

The second half saw a great improvement from Villa who proceeded in keeping the ball much better. Young and Milner were industrious on the flanks with Agbonlahor causing Vidic some problems. The Serb was also accused of bring down the young Englishman in the penalty box, however television replays show that the defender did win the ball and any offense, for pulling a shirt, occurred outside the area.

Rooney had the best chance of the game, which he blazed over high into the stand. Michael Carrick lofted the ball over his shoulder which dropped to Rooney who proceeded in making some good ground towards the Villa goal. He should have then got behind the ball and struck it low past Friedel, however the ball ended up being blazed over the crossbar. A great chance squandered by United’s number ten.

A clearly unhappy Carlos Tevez was withdrawn to be replaced by Nani who operated on the left with Ronaldo given a free role behind Wayne Rooney. The Argentinian’s lack of playing time has clearly had an effect on the forward who was disappointing yesterday.

United pressed and pressed however couldn’t break down a stubborn Aston Villa defense. United can’t be disappointed with a point as the result was a true reflection of the game. United did miss their Bulgarian striker, Dimitar Berbatov, who was out injured from his international match in the week. Sir Alex Ferguson will be disappointed that United couldn’t close the gap, however will be confident that not many sides will travel to Villa Park and come away with a point this season.

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With trips to Villa, Villarreal, and Citeh in a spell of 8 days, perhaps it’s an easy statement to say the next week or so is massive for United’s season.

The fixture list has not been kind to us this season but we are in a position where we have visited Fratton Park, Anfield, Stamford Bridge, Goodison Park and the Emirates and we’re 5 points from the top. Dropped points at Arsenal and Everton can quickly be put down to sheer wastefulness and slack defending. A cutting edge could have seen us rack 4 or 5 goals up in either game.

Arguably our last toughest away games are our next two – and our position then will give some kind of strong indication of where we stand in the title race. Villa, in particular, are looking the real deal. I don’t think it will be an easy game against Villa – indeed, I’m concerned, it’s been 13 years since we lost against them in the league, and any run has to end at some point.

The trip to Villa Park comes with it’s injury concerns – Wes Brown out until next year, but also, the probable absence of Dimitar Berbatov for the triple header.

I’m not doubting the impressive performance of the Bulgarian since he’s arrived (and I was a fence sitter on the signing given the huge fee), however, will his absence be a blessing in disguise?

Fergie can now unleash last years front three of Tevez, Rooney and Ronaldo on Villa Park – and despite the supposed lack of a target man, those three were the driving factor behind two 4 goal pummelings of Villa. And throw in the City games and the trio might just have some kind of revenge in mind for last seasons double by our rivals.

Like I said, I don’t think it will be easy, but a potential return to the same line up that was so potent last season makes me look forward to this week with optimism, especially considering we now have a plan B in either Welbeck or Manucho on the bench – both unknown quantities, both prepared to wait for and take their chance with no sulking.

The ideal, realistic, scenario would be two league wins and a draw in Spain.

I believe the absence of Berbatov could inadvertently aid United’s season at a crucial point. Am I crazy?

By (Yolkie)

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