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 »
helen chamberlain
“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 »
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - Premier League
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 »
VanPersie-earlychance-arsenal
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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Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace view from the opposition

Posted on November 07, 2014  by Stretford-end  in Crystal Palace, Man United, Match Previews   1 Comment »
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney, left, scores his side's second goal against 10-man Crystal Palace
Wayne Rooney scores against Crystal Palace in the fixture at Old Trafford last season

Manchester United welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford looking to bounce back from a disappointing derby defeat last Sunday. The visitors are winless in their last four matches, whilst United lie in tenth position – thirteen points of league leaders Chelsea. Palace haven’t won at Old Trafford since 1989/90, a 2-1 victory for the South Londoners with Russell Beardsmore netting for the home side, when of course – Alex Ferguson picked up his first trophy at Wembley six months later against the same opposition.

There are suggestions that James Wilson could replace Robin van Persie up and that Colombian striker Falcao is still sidelined with an ankle injury. Louis van Gaal is without Marcos Rojo, who will be sidelined for up to six weeks with a dislocated shoulder, and of course Chris Smalling – who was stupidly sent off against Manchester City last weekend. United have had a ridiculously poor start, considering the amount of money that has been spent on strengthening the squad, but a win against Palace could move United up to sixth place.

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Manchester derby: Match preview and view from the opposition

Posted on November 01, 2014  by Stretford-end  in El Rob, Man United, Manchester City, Match Previews   1 Comment »

Yaya Touré has dominated this fixture for years, but he’s in poor form while Fellaini has done well recently.

The first Manchester derby of the 2014/15 season takes place on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium, with Manchester City playing host to Manchester United. United go into the game on the back of two consecutive draws in the league – a chaotic, enjoyable 2-2 away at West Brom, followed by a tense, tactical 1-1 with Chelsea at Old Trafford last Sunday. For their part, City have hit a poor patch of form, winless in their last three games – including a 2-1 reverse at West Ham in the league last weekend. City did the double over United in the Premier League last season, and they’ll be looking to make it four league wins in a row against their cross-town rivals. United will be attempting to reverse that trend, and a repeat of the performance and result from this fixture in November 2012 would be most welcome. We’re joined by Steven from the View from a Blue blog, and he’s kindly answered our pre-match questions. You can follow Steven on Twitter here.

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