Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[yinyang]

What will it be tomorrow morning? 2nd liner teams for both sides?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20053672

And Rooney'sin for prestigious award

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/20140253

[mr_missile]

Chelsea edge cup thriller

Chelsea came from behind to reach the last eight of the Capital One Cup with a pulsating 5-4 extra-time victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

Just four days after suffering their first Premier League defeat of the season at the hands of the same opposition - when the Reds edged a five-goal thriller - the Blues enjoyed a measure of revenge following another goalfest in west London.

However, the Blues had to come from behind three times and needed a last-gasp Eden Hazard penalty to take the match into overtime.

United were gifted an opening goal on 21 minutes when Oriol Romeu was robbed by Anderson who set up Ryan Giggs to fire a low curling left foot strike beyond the reach of keeper Petr Cech.

Yet the Blues were level from the penalty spot eight minutes later: Alexander Buttner tripped Victor Moses and David Luiz smashed the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of the net although keeper Anders Lindegaard managed to get a hand on it.

Javier Hernandez was at his predatory best to fire United back in front two minutes before half-time.

After Anderson pounced on a Luiz mistake, the Brazilian spotted Hernandez who raced clear of the home defence before slipping the ball past an advancing Cech.

Chelsea were level for a second time seven minutes after the break when Juan Mata's corner was crisply headed home by Gary Cahill.

However, Nani superbly chipped United back in front just before the hour mark after playing a quick one-two with Anderson - who collected his third assist of the night.

And with 93 minutes on the clock, a clumsy Scott Wootton bundled over Ramires in the box and Hazard cooly slotted home Chelsea's second penalty of the evening to take the tie into extra-time.

Wooton was also at fault when Chelsea went ahead for the first time just seven minutes into extra-time.

The youngster's weak mis-directed header back to his keeper was gratefully gobbled up by Daniel Sturridge who made amends for his previous misses to fire Chelsea 4-3 ahead.

And four minutes from the end of extra time, Hazard set up Ramires who rounded Lindegaard to slip the ball into an empty net and put Chelsea 5-3 ahead.

There was still time for Giggs to score the ninth goal of the evening from the penalty spot, following a foul by Cesar Azpilicueta on Hernandez in the 119th minute, yet it came too late to save the visitors as the Blues made it through to the quarter-finals of a competition they used to call the League Cup.

[yinyang]

Kns, we were cruising home until that teenager sub W fella gave away penalty in LAST 4th minute injury time. And another gift goal by another teen defender. But no no shame with 2nd liner away in SB, and sco line at least says AET. Even if it's mickey mouse cup

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by yinyang

Kns, we were cruising home until that teenager sub W fella gave away penalty in LAST 4th minute injury time. And another gift goal by another teen defender. But no no shame with 2nd liner away in SB, and sco line at least says AET. Even if it's mickey mouse cup

yes bro. sir alex made a whopping 10 changes to the side that beat chelski on sunday. the only player to retain his place last night was rafael.

chelski made only 4 or 5 changes and retained their "big" guns hazard, mata and ramirez.

and yes, butner gave away the 1st penalty and wooten gave away the injury time penalty for chelski to draw level 3-3 at 90 mins. but got to give credit to our "reserves" for putting up a good fight at stamford bridge even though it is just the mickey mouse cup.

[VoltaRedonda]

I dunno why chelsea celebrated so hard haha... After substituting 3 players during the 2nd half... Chelsea had 9 players who are from the 1st team that lost against us in the previous fixture... We only had rafael, welbeck and chicharito.... Well hope michael keane and scott wootton learn from this experience as their inexperience cost us the game... Lets look forward to the fixture against arsenal this weekend and show them what our first team can do!!!!!!

[kiko]

Tomorrow Big Game Man Utd vs Arsenal.

I will take Man Utd 3 Arsenal 0.

Go Spore Pool buy , Man Utd will win.

[VoltaRedonda]

Originally Posted by kiko

Tomorrow Big Game Man Utd vs Arsenal.

I will take Man Utd 3 Arsenal 0.

Go Spore Pool buy , Man Utd will win.

Cant help but agree with you , if Man Utd defence dun leak in any goals would be better because I know Man Utd will always score.

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by kiko

Tomorrow Big Game Man Utd vs Arsenal.

I will take Man Utd 3 Arsenal 0.

Go Spore Pool buy , Man Utd will win.

wah, 3 kosong. very confident! will take united to win. but maybe 3-2?

rvp to score against his former club?

[mr_missile]

Wenger: Don't abuse van Persie

Arsene Wenger has stressed Arsenal fans must not disrespect the efforts of their club by abusing Robin van Persie at Manchester United.

The Gunners are likely to come up against their former skipper for the first time since his £24million summer transfer to Old Trafford.

Wenger believes goading Van Persie from the terraces would serve no purpose - especially in the current climate where all clubs campaign against discrimination of any kind.

"We cannot promote respect and then say 'look it is respectful on Saturday'," the Arsenal manager said.

"I hope it (reception) is a respectful one because he has played for us for eight years, and he has done very well for us.

"We campaign against discrimination, it was still the case last week so why should it not be the case this week?"

Wenger, though, maintained Arsenal must not worry about just trying to put one over their former skipper on Saturday.

He added: "For us, what is important is the result at the end of the game, and the quality of our performance. We do not even talk about him."

Van Persie netted a total of 132 Arsenal goals - 37 of which came last season to help secure third place in the Premier League.

The Holland forward, 29, has certainly come a long way since Wenger brought him to the club as a raw, temperamental talent from Feyenoord in 2004.

Much of that is down to the guidance of the Gunners boss.

"You would think that one of the parts of my job is to have a positive influence on people's (lives) as a player. When you manage to do that, you are always kind of satisfied," said Wenger.

"You want to try and have a positive influence on people you cross in your life. I think my influence was not too bad."

Van Persie, who turned down a lucrative offer from champions Manchester City, has settled quickly into his new side, scoring seven Premier League goals already.

Wenger said: "I am not surprised by how well he is doing.

"In Manchester United, you have good players around him, and Robin is very intelligent around the box, his runs are fantastic and his technique is absolutely amazing.

"There are a lot of players in offensive positions, so with his intelligent runs, of course he will take advantage of that.

"Robin is certainly the most efficient striker."

Arsenal head to Schalke for a Champions League tie on Tuesday night, so Wenger will take that into consideration ahead of Saturday's trip back to the stadium in which they were thumped 8-2 last August.

Winger Gervinho is expected to be out for around three weeks with an ankle problem, while goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, full-back Kieran Gibbs and midfielder Abou Diaby remain unavailable.

England forward Theo Walcott netted a hat-trick in the amazing Capital One Cup comeback at Reading in midweek, but after completing the whole of extra-time may be on the bench again.

"I will see how he recovers," said Wenger, who is ever hopeful a new contract can be agreed with Walcott.

"We play again in Schalke on Tuesday, so I will consider the global situation - some players will be available maybe more for Tuesday than Saturday."

[dc7176]

Van Persie nets in United cruise



Robin van Persie struck inside three minutes against his former club as Manchester United eased to a comfortable 2-1 victory over 10-man Arsenal at Old Trafford.

The prolific Dutchman was taunted throughout by visiting fans but reminded them of his talents in the opening moments in a Barclays Premier League contest United dominated from the outset.

Wayne Rooney missed United's fourth penalty of the season but Patrice Evra added a second and Arsenal's misery was compounded by the sending off Jack Wilshere before Santi Cazorla hit an injury-time consolation.

England midfielder Wilshere had been making only his second appearance for the Gunners after a 14-month injury lay-off.

United were superior in almost every department against a side they fought out a bitter rivalry with in the last decade.

The sight of Van Persie in their ranks will have hurt, and the Arsenal fans made clear from the moment his name was first read out what they now thought of their former hero.

Van Persie's eight year stint in north London culminated in last season's magnificent 37-goal campaign but he was cheered when he slipped in the opening minute.

But the 29-year-old needed little time to remind the Gunners of what they lost when he left the Emirates Stadium in a £24 million move over the summer.

Arsenal's defensive frailties were again in evidence as United swept forward and Antonio Valencia bypassed Andre Santos by releasing Rafael down the right with a deft backheel.

The Brazilian whipped in an awkward low cross which caught Thomas Vermaelen off balance and his attempted clearance rolled straight to Van Persie, who fired past Vito Mannone from inside the box.

It was his 10th goal for United in 13 games but he avoided antagonising Arsenal supporters further by deciding not to celebrate.

Conceding so early may have led to some anxiety in the Arsenal camp after their 8-2 capitulation in the corresponding fixture last season.

United may not have threatened a repeat of that scoreline but they continued to control the game and the best response the visitors could initially muster was a wayward long-range drive from Santos.

That was a rare moment of opportunity for Santos, who found himself under considerable pressure at left-back.

United may have seemed content to build a patient game but attacking Santos' flank seemed a fruitful avenue for the hosts, with Valencia troubling the Portuguese at every opportunity.

Van Persie went close again as he raced onto a defence-slitting pass by Rooney but Mannone saved well.

Arsenal did show some positive intent with Aaron Ramsey, the only starting member of their side who played in last year's thrashing, reaching the byline but David de Gea pushed away his cross.

Valencia predictably beat Santos to cross and Michael Carrick clipped the ball to Rooney after Bacary Sagna had half-cleared.

Rooney steadied himself to shoot but Mannone produced another good save and Van Persie headed straight at the goalkeeper after the ball was worked back in.

United could have doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time after Cazorla handled an Ashley Young cross at point-blank range just inside the box.

The Spaniard felt the award was harsh and he could argue he was protecting his face but it did not matter as Rooney dragged the resulting spot-kick wide.

Another goal might have been the least United deserved for their first half superiority but it was a reminder of their early season deficiencies from 12 yards.

Questions will certainly be asked as to why the in-form Van Persie did not take the responsibility.

United were close to doubling their lead again after another Vermaelen error early in the second half allowed Van Persie to break but Valencia could not turn in his low ball.

Carrick then shot wide from distance after a shot by Rafael was half-cleared as far as the England midfielder.

Arsenal continued to lack a spark but Olivier Giroud almost provided one after a neat touch beat Rio Ferdinand and gave him a shooting chance but he could only hit the side-netting from a tight angle.

Van Persie was booked after a late challenge on Sagna but was back in more familiar position just after the hour as he was picked out by a fine cross by Ashley Young, but Mannone got a vital hand to his low shot.

Arsenal could not hold out much longer and from a short corner routine Rooney crossed for Evra and the Frenchman planted a firm header inside the post.

The Gunners' agonies grew as Wilshere, booked in the first half and fortunate to escape a second yellow card for a bad tackle on Van Persie, was penalised for one bad tackle too many, this time on Evra, and saw red.

Van Persie and substitute Anderson both thought they had added a third for United but were both correctly denied by an offside flag.

United played out the closing moments with little alarm until Cazorla netted a fine consolation from the edge of the box with what proved the last kick of the game.

[machoman]

Again, the defence let 10-men Arsenal score a stoppage time goal.

Really disappointing despite the victory to climb to the top of the table, leapfrogging Chelsea.

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by machoman

Again, the defence let 10-men Arsenal score a stoppage time goal.

Really disappointing despite the victory to climb to the top of the table, leapfrogging Chelsea.

the defence just can't seem to keep the goals at bay. vidic is out for at least another month or so although jones and smalling are near to make their comebacks by this week.

however, i guess the problem our defence have right now is mental. we do not have a "no-nonsense" man to take charge on the pitch to push the players through (think bryan robson and roy keane). the closest we have now is vidic and fletcher and maybe even rooney (i thought he had a fantastic game despite the penalty miss). but all 3 have yet to reach robson's and keane's level of leadership on the field.

but it's great to have the results in our favour over the weekend as both chelski and the noisy neighbours dropped points.

[mr_missile]

United are fired up - Evra

Patrice Evra has warned rivals that Manchester United "are back" after moving to the top of the Barclays Premier League at the weekend.

United may not have been at their most formidable, but back-to-back wins over Chelsea and Arsenal have shown they are a force to be reckoned with.

And Evra thinks things should get even better because the overwhelming feeling after beating Arsenal 2-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday - despite collecting the three points - was one of disappointment at a failure to win more convincingly.

United certainly had the chances after Robin van Persie struck against his old club after just three minutes but it was not until after Evra's 67th-minute header that the scoreline looked comfortable.

But even after Arsenal had Jack Wilshere sent off, United might have faced a nervy finish had Santi Cazorla's injury-time consolation come a little earlier.

Left-back Evra told MUTV: "It has been a terrific week, we are really happy. It is just the expectations are so high.

"You win at Liverpool, at Chelsea and against Arsenal - I don't think we did that last year - and that is why I think the team know we have the potential and the quality to win the league.

"Just why we are not happy is because we should score more goals.

"In the end, it has been a terrific week for Man United, don't get me wrong.

"I think the confidence is really high for everyone in the team and you could see that in the game in the Capital One Cup we lost.

"I feel sorry for them because it was a great effort and in the last second we conceded a penalty - but Manchester United are back."

United hammered Arsenal 8-2 in the corresponding fixture last season and while a repeat of that scoreline would have been harsh on the visitors, they were fortunate to escape further damage.

"That is why it is true some players were feeling in the dressing room like we had lost the game," said Evra, whose efforts helped United produce one of their best defensive displays of the season.

"To only win 2-1 we are a little bit disappointed, not because we don't respect Arsenal but because the expectations are very high."

United turn their attention to the Champions League this week with a trip to Group H rivals Braga.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men came from behind to beat the Portuguese side last month and another positive result would secure their place in the knockout stages.

[VoltaRedonda]

Originally Posted by mr_missile

the defence just can't seem to keep the goals at bay. vidic is out for at least another month or so although jones and smalling are near to make their comebacks by this week.

however, i guess the problem our defence have right now is mental. we do not have a "no-nonsense" man to take charge on the pitch to push the players through (think bryan robson and roy keane). the closest we have now is vidic and fletcher and maybe even rooney (i thought he had a fantastic game despite the penalty miss). but all 3 have yet to reach robson's and keane's level of leadership on the field.

but it's great to have the results in our favour over the weekend as both chelski and the noisy neighbours dropped points.

Bro, our lineup is so attacking minded until there is no need to defend . I must say though the goals conceded this season are hard to swallow as some are from comical errors and simple mistakes such as leaving ur man unmarked.

I was quite delighted to see that the old man started with my favourite cleverley in midfield with Carrick as god knows what would happen if he had started the Arsenal game with Scholes . I figure out that the champions league match this wednesday night away to braga would feature the same lineup as the one that played Chelsea in the Capitol One Cup!!! With that being said, Chris Smalling should be back in the first team this week right???

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by VoltaRedonda

Bro, our lineup is so attacking minded until there is no need to defend . I must say though the goals conceded this season are hard to swallow as some are from comical errors and simple mistakes such as leaving ur man unmarked.

I was quite delighted to see that the old man started with my favourite cleverley in midfield with Carrick as god knows what would happen if he had started the Arsenal game with Scholes . I figure out that the champions league match this wednesday night away to braga would feature the same lineup as the one that played Chelsea in the Capitol One Cup!!! With that being said, Chris Smalling should be back in the first team this week right???

united's lineups have always been attack-minded. that's sir alex's philosophy. united would never put out a team with the intention of parking a bus infront of the goal.

cleverley was a lucky man on saturday. am quite sure he would be sent off like wilshere if sir alex did not take him off.

anderson did a commendable job replacing cleverley. i guess he would feature in the champ league game vs braga. however, i don't see youngsters like wooten and keane playing that game in central defence. sir alex would want to ensure qualification (and top of group) before blooding our young players.

yes, smalling and jones could be back in this game or if not, this weekend latest.