Manchester United Blog | The Stretty Rant

As one attacking talent joins the club, another leaves on loan. The club confirmed today that Danny Welbeck has joined Sunderland on a season-long loan. It was reported that Welbeck was at the Stadium of Light for a medical today and now the deal has been confirmed. He becomes the second striker to leave the club on loan this season, following Mame Biram Diouf’s move to Blackburn.

Continue reading Danny Welbeck joins Sunderland on season-long loan

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Nani’s expertly hit drive just before the half hour kept alive Manchester United’s slim hopes of retaining the Premier League. Sunderland at the Stadium of Light were formidable opponents with one of the best home records in the league, but United were able to overcome a physical battle on the pitch and the psychological blow of the most unprofessional of surrenders up the M62 to push the most unpredictable top of the table merry go round in modern memory right the way to the last game.

Continue reading Sunderland 0-1 Manchester United

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Abysmal, lacklustre but very very lucky – Manchester United salvaged an injury time draw against a Sunderland side that had completely dominated and outplayed them at Old Trafford.

A selection that excluded the injured Michael Owen and the rested Ryan Giggs was always likely to be struggling to find a plan B – no strikers on the bench, and an odd midfield that featured Welbeck out wide meant that it was plan A or bust for the Premier League Champions. On the first half evidence it was truly “bust”, as Sunderland’s energetic midfield thoroughly outran their opponents. The early exchanges were dominated by the visitors and on 7 minutes they were rewarded with a 20 yard strike from in-form Darren Bent.

Continue reading Match Report: Manchester United 2-2 Sunderland

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Sunderland have completed the signing of Manchester United forward Fraizer Campbell for a fee believed to be in the range of £3.5Million – with the potential fee rising to £6Million dependent on the players success in the North East. Campbell spent a season long loan at Tottenham Hotspur where he scored three goals for the North London club. Campbell played in the 1-1 draw on the opening day of last season against Newcastle United for United due to a lack of striking options.

Continue reading United sell another youngster

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Federico Macheda gave the travelling fans a thrilling sequel to his Old Trafford heroics by scoring a crucial winner to rescue Manchester United – going one better and scoring with his first touch after coming on for club record signing Dimitar Berbatov.

United put their followers through the wringer yet again but this moment from the young Italian was confirmation of his ability and perhaps more importantly, given the path of the season so far, his momentum.

The first half saw a compelling contrast between the two sides when in possession – the Red Devils showing a composed, cultured and comfortable approach and the Black Cats’ whipping their support with frenzied attacks. Sir Alex Ferguson had made another team selection that prompted many scratched heads – with O’Shea and Neville in both full back positions, Park and Scholes still in the side, and Wayne Rooney operating from the left while Cristiano Ronaldo warmed the bench.

Unsurprisingly, as these things go, Wayne Rooney defied expectation by being the main creative outlet for United – first almost scoring with 15 seconds on the clock and then with around 16 minutes gone, turning provider by knocking the perfect ball into the box. Paul Scholes was there to meet it with a lovely header reminiscent of those he scored during a spell for England and United in the autumn of 1997, to give fans worried about his recent form (including this writer and website!) a timely reminder that he could provide a classy contribution.



Indeed, Scholes and Carrick’s ability to keep and move the ball was a feature of the Champions’ play – but the hosts were not about to lie down and helped to provide a pulsating first half with a shoot on sight policy that saw them come close on a number of occasions, hitting the post – while United had an attempt of their own cleared off the line.

Sunderland started the second half just as ferociously and after surving a scare caused by a stunning Rooney bending effort, they deservedly drew level after Park was easily skinned and Foster flapped at a cross, Kenywne Jones stretching to stab home.



In response, Scholes shot narrowly wide, and Tevez couldn’t convert a move that had intricately weaved on the edge of the Mackem’s box. With a quarter of the game remaining Ferguson finally brought Cristiano Ronaldo on in response for the not only ineffectual but also increasing liability Park.

And with 15 minutes left Fergie took what surely was a championship gamble – replacing £30m record signing with 17 year old kid Macheda. It was quite a statement to make even if it was later apparent that Berbatov was suffering badly enough to require treatment.

Would the substitution prove to be inspired or a desperate last throw of the dice, almost an admission of surrendering the title? There was hardly time to form your own opinion – within the same minute we had our answer, as Macheda swung a hopeful, opportunistic, but meaningful, and ultimately fateful boot in the direction of a wayward Michael Carrick shot – the ball unbelievably nestled in the corner of the net to restore the advantage for United, and ultimately prove to be the winner.

Sunderland played their part in the nervous closing stages but United – who brought on the returning Anderson to shore up things – were rarely seriously threatened from that point.

Cynics will say United got out of jail again following a bad initial selection from Sir Alex and they may have a point, but this latest fateful interjection from Macheda may just make the gaffer realise that the youngster has the confidence, ability – and, crucially, as mentioned before, the momentum, to play a more prominent part in the Champions’ run in.

And with Porto next in a seemingly impossible task, it could be such a player who continues to write such a stunning story in a potentially record breaking season.

Source: (Yolkie)

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Managerless and rudderless Sunderland defended with ultimate resilience but Nemanja Vidic’s last gasp strike secured a vital goal for the Champions.

It had been a frustrating afternoon for Manchester United as the Black Cats, instilled with steely desire after their turbulent week which saw ex-Reds legend Roy Keane depart the managerial hotseat, set up their side with only a point in mind – illustrated by their lack of any attempts at all on goal.

The 23 shots that the home side mustered meant that they just about deserved the win, but a question mark or two was raised over Sir Alex Ferguson’s selection. Sticking with the same eleven that won well at neighbours City last week may not on its own have been a surprise, but after the stellar performances of Tevez, Anderson and Giggs in midweek the trio may have felt their inclusion was merited.

As it was, the visitors two banks of five in front of the keeper restricted United to few clear cut opportunities – a Berbatov effort, a Rooney drive from a Ronaldo free kick and a Park scuffed shot from a Rooney pass were the best chances of the opening half. And after the interval, it took a while for United to get back into the swing of it. Fletcher and Park showed plenty of effort but nothing in creativity – the talents of Rooney, Ronaldo and Berbatov were ineffective, leaving the brilliant Carrick to occasionally excel but all too often find his own range limited.

Changes were made after an injury to Ronaldo to see the trio that performed so admirably in the Carling Cup introduced – and almost immediately they made an impact, Giggs screwing a volley wide, then cleverly finding Anderson whose shot was blocked with the goal gaping, then the Welshman found Vidic who headed straight at the stand in keeper Fulop.

Carrick and Rooney had chances before Berbatov found himself with lots of room, but could only head over.

It seemed as if United were heading to a frustrating goalless draw but with exactly 90 minutes on the clock, Vidic reacted quicker than anyone to a deflected Carrick drive that hit the post and rebounded, to convert and ensure the champions stayed in touch with their rivals.

Source:(Yolkie)

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