Post-season thoughts, hopes, doom, gloom and Welbeck (and Carrick) love
Ten year anniversary for a key, unsung, cog at United
Podcast: transfer rumours assessed, youth development, buying success and more…
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Tweet Author: Doron Follow Doron on Twitter Naturally, fans tend to think about the players or a manager when either praising or...
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AUTHOR: – The Mancunian Red (Guest Blogger)
In a recent debate with Lee Clayton, I called his decision to support Scott Parker for Football Writers’ Player Of The Year as a demonstration of bias rather than a meaningful reasoned and thought out decision. It is difficult to put over a reasoned argument over twitter so I would like to thank the excellent Stretford-End website for allowing me to put over my argument!
AUTHOR: – Doron
Manchester United have temporarily opened up an eight point gap over Arsenal. Down at half-time, the team did it the ‘United way’ and came back to seal a stunning victory in London and a rare away win. Here we discuss the talking points of today’s game and welcome and comments from both United and West Ham fans.
AUTHOR: – Doron
The internationals are finally over, there will be no more disruptions now until the season is over. United will be looking to put some pressure on Arsenal with a lunch time win at West Ham who themselves are in a battle but at the other end of the table. With plenty of players missing, the task facing United is hard, this is a big game.
AUTHOR: – Doron
Are Manchester United lacking a midfield spark? – It was a question posed by a BBC tactical blog after the defeat against Wolves last month. The idea of a spark, or creative midfielder in the United side has been something that’s bugged me for a while. I’ve never been convinced it’s what we need and with that in mind I plan to make a potentially surprising transfer suggestion.
Carling Cup holders Manchester United were unceremoniously dumped from the competition by the ruthless Hammers; a comprehensive 4-0 scoreline did not flatter the hosts. Former United player Jonathan Spector scored his first goals in English football and Carlton Cole added 2 goals after half time to crown a historic night for the London club.
West Ham have previous; having put United’s league title chances to the sword in 1992 and 1995, this defeat ends the Red Devil’s chances of winning a domestic cup for the third consecutive time for the first time ever. While it is not quite as painful a conclusion as those early 90’s late season setbacks, it did raise some pretty important talking points regarding the strength in depth of the squad at Sir Alex Ferguson’s disposal.
As much as I wish this wasn’t the case, the only major story for this issue of Stretty Stories is last night’s lose against West Ham and reactions to that result.
Manchester United’s Carling Cup title defence continues today at Upton Park against West Ham. Only three matches stand between United and a third consecutive trip to Wembley for the League Cup final, and Sir Alex is urging his side to complete a Carling Cup hat-trick. This will be the second time these two sides have met this season; United emerging 3-0 winners when West Ham visited Old Trafford in the Premier League.
Manchester United comfortably overcame a West Ham side who have now lost three of their opening matches, their worst start to a League season since 1977. Wayne Rooney, Luis Nani and Dimitar Berbatov completed the scoring – with United’s football breathtaking at times. If truth be told, United will face sterner challenges in the season ahead, but credit should be given for the way in which the players moved the ball once the West Ham players tired from their early pressing and high energy levels. The victory puts United in third place, level on points with Arsenal in second and Chelsea leading the table.
West Ham have been tricky opponents for United in the past, but rarely at Old Trafford. Under new manager, Avram Grant, they will be looking to buck a trend that has seen them defeated on each of their past three visits. Manchester United will feel they have a point to prove on many levels – three points quickly became one point at Fulham last week whilst rivals Chelsea have already racked up a goal difference of +12 after just two games.
Wayne Rooney scored twice and Michael Owen came off the bench to net another as Champions Manchester United strolled past West Ham at Old Trafford. It was a poor game of football to mark the 100th anniversary of the Theatre of Dreams but Rooney did at least do his best to illuminate the fixture.
