Manchester United Blog | The Stretty Rant

If last weeks defeat against Chelsea was the defining moment then after a season full of near fatal blows to Manchester United’s chances of making history, the two points dropped at Ewood Park after an abysmal display not only finally signalled the death knell of the Champions hopes of winning a 4th consecutive title but indicates a probable 3rd place finish behind an abysmal Arsenal team.

Continue reading Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Manchester United Match Report

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Strikes from Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney settled this game against Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers who put up a stubborn and resolute defensive performance against United.

Continue reading Match Report: Manchester United 2-0 Blackburn Rovers

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Gabriel Orbertan is unlikely to start for United against Blackburn Rovers tomorrow as Sir Alex Ferguson thinks that it is still ‘too early’ for the young French winger after his impressive debut display against Barnsley in the 2-0 victory last Tuesday. Orbertan used his pace a number of times down the right hand side and showed some promising signs that he could be a valuable asset as the season progresses.

Continue reading Obertan probably won’t start against Blackburn

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Following on from the blog I wrote in October 2008 about Nani – I must say that I was very disappointed with his overall contribution yesterday and feel that he really needs to start putting in some decent performances in order to remain a Manchester United player.

Every time the lad picked up the ball there was the inevitable groan of dissatisfaction when he ultimately gave the ball away. Too many times the young Portugugese winger failed to put a much needed foot on the ball in order to take a more assured touch than his constant flicks that were nearly always intercepted.  Of course, he did put in a good ball for Rooney to score the first goal – however, a decent ball in is hardly enough for a young winger trying to break into the first team.

When he signed for United he was labelled ‘the new Ronaldo’ – something i’ve never seen.  Ronaldo, in terms of physcial and technial ability, was streets ahead of Nani at the age of 21.  Sure, Nani has a shot on him and has scored some superb goals for United since he signed in May 2007, but I just can’t see him ever cementing a place on the left or right flank for United.  I would give the boy another season – however if we are still talking about the same problems in a years’ time – I think it will be time to offload him.  Haven’t seen enough of Tosic yet to make an opinion on him, but I do hope we can try and bring in Valencia from Wigan – I think he has progressed greatly over the past year and you never know – we may even go back in for David Silva of Valencia.

Rovers Support

Bit of a moan about the away support yesterday – in the fact that there were hundreds of empty seats available.  Given the fact that the traveling support have to travel 32 Miles from door to door – you would expect a better turnout.  I know we’re in troubled economic times – however I would expect a better turn out considering how close both clubs are to one another.

Internazionale

I really cannot wait for this game now but am quite anxious regarding our defensive situation.  Jonny Evans isn’t looking too good and we’re already without the experienced trio  of Wes Brown, Nemanja Vidic and Gary Neville; could we expect a centre back pairing of Rio Ferdinand and John O’shea?   If we can get through the first leg with a score draw – I will be immensely pleased considering that I think we will definitely get a result at home.

Couple of facts for you that you may not be aware of – Tuesday marks our 200th game in the European Cup/Champions League.  In this period United have won 110 games, drawn 49 and lost 40 times. United’s first game in the competition was a 2-0 victory over Anderlecht in 1956 – Tommy Taylor and Dennis Viollet were on the score sheet.

Another good omen is that, we’ve only played Internazionale once and won the tie.  The two games occured in the treble winning season when a 2-0 victory at Old Trafford and a 1-1 draw in the San Siro send United marching on to the semi-finals of the competition.  A magnificent brace from Yorke, followed be a clearance off the line by Henning Berg and then a Paul Scholes strike were the main talking points of the tie.

Lastly, and not such a great point, no team since 2003 have won the competition and then gone past the last 16.  I blogged on this last August and although I am optimisitic we will be victorious it is something we will need to be aware of.  Is it just coincidence or is there a greater added pressure to the previous winners to progress?  Time will tell but I for sure cannot wait for the tie.

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You may also find these links interesting:

• United lineup
• 08/09 season statistics so far

An eight point gap (now seven as Liverpool drew today) was created at the top of the table as Manchester United fortuitously ground out a 2-1 victory over local rivals Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford.

The away side had to deal with plenty of pressure early on as both Givet and Nelsen made telling contributions to keep the game scoreless from some zipping through balls, but even Nelsen’s best efforts were in vain when dealing with Nani’s slide rule pass. The Rovers skipper got a touch but was unable to do anything when Wayne Rooney pounced to slot home.

Another goal could have followed soon after when Ronaldo and Carrick‘s quick move ended in a shot straight at Robinson from the Portuguese.

Old Trafford was stunned on the half hour, as well after 1,300 goalless opposition minutes, Andre Ooijer robbed the dawdling Nani and passed to Roque Santa Cruz. The Paraguayan forward took advantage of some slow defending from United to round stand in keeper Kuszczak and roll into the unguarded net.

Far from fire United or the crowd up, the Champions almost whimpered into half time, with Sir Alex Ferguson probably more concerned about the performance and way in which the goal was conceded with the Champions League tie at the San Siro looming than the loss of the proud defensive record.

However, right on the stroke of the whistle for the break, Jonny Evans headed in Nani’s corner, but referee Howard Webb ruled it out for a push, supposedly by Cristiano Ronaldo, that was impossible to spot in replays. It was clear to all that the decision was probably due to the fact that the corner the goal resulted from was wrongly awarded, but there had been a foul on Nani in the build up which made it a trio of bad decisions.

This was the first in a long line of contentious decisions by referee Webb as in the second half he first failed to spot a swipe by Ronaldo at a Rovers defender, and then booked the United number 7 for a clear dive on the edge of the box. Ronaldo’s 6 or 7 minute spell of controversy was concluded when he restored the Red Devil’s advantage with a truly sublime free kick from the corner of the box.

Blackburn could have taken the lead before Ronaldo’s strike as Nelsen hit the post and Diouf’s rebound effort was saved.

Webb then failed to spot a blatant kick out by Diouf and decided to not give a penalty after Gamst Pedersen fell to the ground ever so easily after contact with Rafael.

For television viewers it was somewhat of a nightmare as Setanta Sports colour commentator Craig Burley was on a one man mission to paint United as lucky beneficiaries of Webb’s howlers, consistently neglecting to mention the errors for Evans’ goal and Diouf’s kick.

United did manage to hold on to record a slim win which was probably only just deserved but, perhaps unfairly, the aftermath will focus on Webb’s performance as somehow gifting the Champions the win when his decisions had several negative impacts on both sides.

Source:(Yolkie)

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As Wayne Rooney took to the field against Fulham on Wednesday night it was clear to see he was itching to get on the pitch and it was no surprise to see him score with his first touch. Wayne Rooney is a tremendous football player and although he sometimes takes second fiddle to the more glamorous egotistic Cristiano Ronaldo, his talents on the football pitch are never in doubt.

I was scouring through 606 the other day in response to an Arsenal related thread about the comeback of Eduardo. Now in this day and age, we know that anyone can have an expert opinion about football – all they need is a keyboard and a monitor (which can even lead to the creation of a blog!) but I came across these two comments that pretty much summarises the ignorance of some people who don’t appreciate what a good footballer actually is at times (when one poster compared Eduardo to Torres, Ronaldo and Rooney):

Not sure why Rooney’s name is in there – He goes on a burst of scoring 7 goals in 7 games then dries up – he runs around alot and has alot of heart but so does Dirk Kuyt and he defo is not one of the best strikers about!!

And

He’s better than Rooney! Ronaldo is a one off! has the potential to be as good as Torres!

Now of course there are wums and of course you have a certain bias to your own football club, but come on! Comparing Rooney to Kuyt is simply ludicris. Rooney has a superb football brain, is physically first class and has the drive and determination to become one of the all time great forwards in England. His exploits with England in 2004 meant that the usual pressure placed upon one man for the national team continued and I believe too much is expected of him when he plays for England who adopt a completely different style to United.

I remember when he burst on to the scene with Everton and although he had raw talent he was an immense bag of energy running around the place. Obviously as time evoles, being the intelligent player he is, he matured as a player and is a vital player in the style and formation that United adopt today. He can drop deep, stretch the backline, be on the edge of our box setting up a counter attack move before finishing at the other end. He is a true footballer that plays for the team – which could be why some fans do not rate him as much as the glam boys.

For every goal Ronaldo scored last season, there had to be movement from the front players to allow him to obtain the space his talents need to produce. Rooney and Tevez were exceptional last season, but Rooney even moreso. He was never on the losing side in the league when he played. The only time United lost when Rooney was involved was the 2-1 defeat at Chelsea – even though Rooney had to be substituted due to injury. He had equalised for United, just for the record.

His movement and positioning is sublime and it is this that sets him from the rest of his generation in that forward mold. He drags defenders out of position, runs at full backs and closes down deep lying midfielders – trying to sabotage their passing. His injury against Wigan was a setback – but luckily in Carlos Tevez United have a superb, although not as good as Rooney, replacement.

I hope Rooney will be in the starting xi tomorrow – partnering Tevez whilst Berbatov rests for the trip to Inter on Tuesday. I expect Rooney can’t wait to step out on the turf at Old Trafford tomorrow – in order to help United ease past Blackburn Rovers and open up an eight point lead over Liverpool. He will also be lacking match fitness for the Inter game and we need him to be fit for the game in Italy. I’m not sure he will be – but I expect him to start tomorrow and get on the scoresheet. I’m glad Rooney is back because I truely believe he should be labeled a genius.

Looking back at previous Blackburn Rovers ties on ESPN (number 442 on Sky) I was pleased to see the 92/93 winning game against Rovers at Old Trafford to hand us our first title in 26 years. Cantona, Parker, Bruce, Irwin and Giggs – all present in the starting line up – with Robson and Kanchelskis joining the party later on. Giggs, Ince and goal scoring supermo Pallister where on the scoresheet that night and it still feels like yesterday. Gone are the likes of Cantona and McClair but I expect the result tomorrow to be the same and I expect Rooney to take centre stage.

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Manchester United 5-3 Blackburn Rovers

A stunning 4 goal haul for Carlos Tevez was enough to see off the never say die Blackburn Rovers – and the Argentinian’s hat-trick goal was a true contender for goal of the season.

Manchester United made 11 changes to their side against a Rovers side arguably at full strength, but there was no doubting the 2006 League Cup winners attitude to the cause as they threw everything but the kitchen sink at their Lancashire rivals.

Nani and Tevez went close before Darron Gibson’s header was cleared off the line – and five minutes before the break, Tevez scored his first. Ryan Giggs floated a free kick in and Tevez scored from what appeared to be a combination of neck and Blackburn defender. The Argentinian then turned provider, returning a one-two with to Nani – who to this point had been a mixture of fabulous and frustrating – but the precocious youngster slammed home a second moments before the break.

After a first half of domination from the home side, Blackburn made a change by bringing on Benni McCarthy at the break. It was a change that proved instantly effective as the South African who was once linked with United slid past Ben Foster to half the arrears on 47 minutes. Moments later, however, Tevez converted a penalty won by himself although veteran Oojier felt hard done by.

The following goal however will live long in the memory – just 4 minutes later, Anderson made a 60 yard burst, knocking a ball into Giggs who exquisitely flicked back, then one-two-ing with Tevez who slid the Brazilian through. In front of the Stretford-End, with the crowd encouraging him to score his first goal in his 18 month stay at Old Trafford, Anderson laid the ball off to Tevez who scored the goal to seal his first United hat-trick – joy for Tevez, and ironically greater cult glory for the brilliant Anderson.

United toyed, eased, and brought on Evra and Manucho – and welcomed Scholes back from injury – then Blackburn rallied late on and scored through Derbyshire and McCarthy (the second in injury time) but any thoughts of a unfairly close scoreline were eliminated by Tevez’s 4th goal in the dying moments – a super half volley after Anderson magnificently played him in.

The Red Devils now enter the semi-final draw for the first time since they last won the competition.

Source:(Yolkie)

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