Preston NE vs. Manchester United view from the oppo

Posted on February 15, 2015  by Stretford-end  in FA Cup, Man United, Match Previews   No Comments »
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Paul Huntington scores as Preston beat Sheffield United in the last round of the FA Cup

The last time Manchester United faced Preston North End in any competitive competition was back in the 1971/72 season, ironically in the FA Cup. The previous United team sheet included the likes if Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and of course, George Best. The like of Angel Di Maria, Robin van Persie and Falcao will line up over forty three years later in what is a very different competition.

Preston are riding high in League One and are a good bet for promotion – but will be looking to pull off one of the all time FA Cup shocks when they take on United at Deepdale, in a tournament that has already seen the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City lose at home to lower ranked teams.

United struggled to beat Cambridge in the previous round and Louis van Gaal was critical of his United side in the 3-1 defeat of Burnley last week – so United fans will expect a performance in the FA Cup, which looks like the only trophy United have a chance of winning this season.

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Manchester United vs. Leicester City: Heskey, 5-3 and Falcao

Posted on January 31, 2015  by Stretford-end  in Leicester City, Man United, Match Previews, Premier League   No Comments »
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Jamie Vardy stuns Manchester United in the 5-3 victory for Leicester back in September

It was one of the most barmy, spectacularly topsy turvy games in living memory. Manchester United were 3-1, cruising you could say. The same arrogances that Arsenal fans succumb to when leading against Bolton in the title race back in 2002/03 – and we all know how that finished! You could of course have been excused in reading the last few pages of the match programme whilst putting your feet up and talking to the bloke next to you about that berk at work, considering at 3-1 – United looked home and dry.

Then of course, Jamie Vardy won a penalty, bald since birth Esteban Cambiasso rifled in the equaliser before that man Vardy (who quite possibly might want to consider shaving his head) netted the fourth. He was then of course brought down for another penalty, which saw youngster Tyler Blackett sent off. Laurie Sanchez (if you squint) lookalike Leonardo Ulloa then slotted home Leicester’s fifth as United’s capitulation was confirm – Leicester City 5-3 Manchester United.

United last faced Leicester City at home back in the spring of 2004, when Gary Neville got on the score sheet! Louis van Gaal will be hoping to bounce back from the disappointing results against Southampton and also Cambridge in the cup. Leicester are unbeaten in their last two away games, winning at Hull City and coming back from 2-0 down to draw with Liverpool.

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Soccer AM’s Max Rushden answers questions ahead of FA Cup tie

Posted on January 23, 2015  by Stretford-end  in FA Cup, Man United, Match Previews   No Comments »
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“Rushden was petrified on his first day at the Soccer AM offices”

Manchester United travel to Abbey Road for the FA Cup fourth round tie against League Two outfit Cambridge United. The visitors last played the U’s back in 1991/92 (when United won the competition) beating their opponents 4-1 on aggregate. The match at Abbey Road finished 1-1, with Brian McClair scoring for United.

One man who was there that day is Max Rushden, Soccer AM’s co presenter since 2008, who has kindly answered a few questions for us ahead of the tie. What does he think of straight talking Louis van Gaal? Was Dion Dublin really responsible for United buying Eric Cantona? And if he could ask Sir Alex Ferguson one single question – what would it be? To find out – read on! –

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Stoke City vs. Manchester United view from the oppo

Posted on January 01, 2015  by Stretford-end  in Man United, Match Previews, Premier League, Stoke City   No Comments »
Chicharito scored a brilliant headed winner at Stoke in 2010. Will he have a similar impact tomorrow?
Javier Hernandez scores a wonderful header for Manchester United against Stoke City

Manchester United travel away to Stoke City on New Years Day, hoping to continue their unbeaten run into 2015.

United missed an opportunity to close the gap on Chelsea and Manchester City, following the 0-0 draw with Tottenham on Sunday.

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Spurs vs. Manchester United view from oppo

Posted on December 28, 2014  by Stretford-end  in Man United, Match Previews, Premier League, Spurs   No Comments »
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Wayne Rooney scores in the 2-2 draw against Spurs last season

The festive games keep on coming and if you’re fed up of listening to aunt Maple moan about the “loud music of today”, then lock her in a room*, lie back on the sofa and read our Spurs view from the oppo! Wayne Rooney is in superb scoring form having picked up a very impressive brace in the 3-1 victory over Newcastle United (not to mention that he is now captain of my dream team), whilst Juan Mata is really starting to show his true class following his move from Chelsea last January.

United and Spurs are 2nd and 3rd respectively in the Premier League form league and it will be a tight affair in North London today. United are likely to be without Angel Di Maria who picked up a pelvic injury on Christmas Eve, but the visitors welcome back Luke Shaw from an ankle injury.

*Obviously, don’t lock her in a room

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Manchester United vs. Newcastle United view from oppo

Posted on December 25, 2014  by Stretford-end  in Man United, Match Previews, Newcastle United, Premier League   1 Comment »
Manchester United v Newcastle United
Manchester United take on Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Boxing Day

Manchester United take on Newcastle United in the boxing day fixture, with the home side looking to avenge the 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford last December.

We posed a number of questions to Ed who blogs over at the NUFC Blog. We caught up on Pardew, Beardsley and did he actually like Eric Cantona?! You can follow Ed and the lads @TheNufcBlog

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Southampton vs. Manchester United view from the oppo

Posted on December 08, 2014  by Stretford-end  in Man United, Match Previews, Premier League, Southampton   No Comments »
Manchester United's Robin van Persie
Robin van Persie scores a hattrick against Southampton in 2012/13

Manchester United travel to Southampton this evening, looking for what would be a fifth successive win over fourth placed Southampton. Ronald Koeman has made a great start to his career on the south coast and, as we reach the halfway point of the season, are serious contenders for a Champions League place. Having said that, Southampton have lost the previous two matches – a 3-0 thumping from Manchester City and a tight 1-0 defeat away at Arsenal – and Koeman will be looking to snatch back third spot with a win over United.

United have faced some tricky ties away at Southampton. During the mid-90s, United lost 3-1 at The Dell when Sir Alex Ferguson blamed the invisible grey strip and of course the quite ridiculous 6-3 hammering a season later with Eyal Berkovic’s celebration resembling an erratic drunkard at a wedding. Since that day in 1996, Southampton have only beaten United twice at The Dell/St Marys – once in 2001 (with the league title already wrapped up) and in early 2003/04, when James Beattie scored a late header.

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Manchester United vs. Stoke City: Bojan, Sparky & van Persie

Posted on December 01, 2014  by Stretford-end  in Man United, Match Previews, Premier League, Stoke City   No Comments »
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney, right, and Stoke City's Geoff Cameron in the Premier League
Wayne Rooney, who is in top form at present, in action against Stoke City

Manchester United welcome Stoke City to Old Trafford on Tuesday night and will be looking to win their fourth game on the spin following victories over Crystal Palace, Arsenal and most recently, the 3-0 demolition of Hull City. Louis van Gaal will be delighted with Robin van Persie’s goal in that win and will be hoping his fellow countryman can push on against a side who have not won at Old Trafford since the 1975/76 season.

Angel Di Maria is set to miss the match following a hamstring injury he picked up in the game at the weekend. Wayne Rooney did appear to pick up a knock towards the end, however – is set to be involved. United fans will be hoping to see Radamel Falcao, who is now fully recovered from a calf problem. The visitors are without Glenn Whelan, Steve Sidwell, Robert Huth, Victor Moses and Peter Odemwingie.

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Manchester United vs. Hull City view from oppo and match preview

Posted on November 29, 2014  by Stretford-end  in Hull City, Man United, Match Previews, Premier League   No Comments »
Wayne Rooney scores Manchester United's second goal against Hull City in the Premier League
Wayne Rooney scores a cracker against Hull City last season

Manchester United welcome Hull City to Old Trafford today looking for their third win on the bounce, following victories over Crystal Palace and more recently, Arsenal. The visitors haven’t won a game since October 4th and have lost their last three games. Their only victory at United came in the 1951/52 FA Cup third round, when the second division side beating the hosts 2-0.

There is a suggestion that today could be the day Louis van Gaal drops Robin van Persie to the bench in favour of either James Wilson of Radamel Falcao. Marcos Rojo faces a late fitness test, whilst Daley Blind and Luke Shaw will miss the match through injury. Gaston Ramirez is banned for the match following his dismissal against Tottenham last weekend, whilst the visitors are also without Abel Hernandez who has flown back to Uruguay. Mohamed Diame has been passed fit.

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Arsenal vs. Manchester United preview & view from oppo

Posted on November 22, 2014  by Stretford-end  in Arsenal, Man United, Match Previews   No Comments »
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Robin van Persie scuffing a great early chance against Arsenal last season

Manchester United travel to Arsenal today to face their old adversaries and one of their own. Danny Welbeck will lineup for the first time against his old club, since Louis van Gaal deemed United’s former number 19 surplus to requirements, following the arrival of Radamel Falcao. The Colombian’s career at Old Trafford hasn’t got going following a string of injuries that has kept him sidelined. Welbeck has played more minutes and has netted five goals to Falcao’s single strike, which came against Everton back in October.

It is ironic that United’s last win at The Emirates came in January 2012, with Welbeck scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory. United have a very good record at Arsenal in the past fifteen years, only losing
three times since that 3-1 defeat with Barthez gifting Thierry Henry two goals. United have had some superb moments at Arsenal, with the 4-2 victory (at Highubury) and the 3-1 victory in the Champions League semi final – the pick of the bunch.

The title decider label may have disappeared some time ago, but a win is vital for both teams who are falling behind Chelsea, Southampton and Manchester City.

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