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Saturday, September 26, 2009

Stoke 0 - 2 United

A dominant display from the Reds coupled with goals from Dimitar Berbatov and John O’Shea secured an impressive 2-0 victory over Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium, but the star of the show once again was Ryan Giggs.

Having run rings round Manchester City’s defence last time out setting up three of United’s four goals in the dramatic derby win, the club’s record appearance-maker came off the bench to inspire the Reds to a seventh straight victory in all competitions with two more vital assists.

Stoke offered little in attack and simply couldn’t cope with United’s Welsh wonder who, five minutes after entering the fray, crossed for Berbatov to tap home, before curling a free-kick onto the head of O’Shea who flicked home United’s second.

Sir Alex Ferguson made ten changes to the side that overcame Wolves in midweek with Nani the only survivor from the Carling Cup third round tie. And the Portuguese winger was heavily involved in United’s early attacks. Just three minutes in, his deflected cross fell to Wayne Rooney whose instinctive overhead kick flew over the bar.

The United pair combined well four minutes later from a short corner with Nani sending a low curling effort just wide of Thomas Sorensen’s left-hand post.

Former Reds’ defender Ryan Shawcross breathed a sigh of relief 60 seconds later when he lost out in a challenge with Antonio Valencia allowing the Ecuadorian a free run on goal. Despite having Rooney alongside him, the winger opted to shoot himself with the opportunity to open his United account too good to pass up. Unfortunately he clipped the ball wide of the far post.

The visitors were dominating possession with Paul Scholes pulling the strings in midfield, Rooney as busy and as bright as ever and Valencia and Nani seeing plenty of the ball leaving the Premier League’s loudest fans somewhat subdued. The Potters’ faithful raised the decibel level on 13 minutes though when Liam Lawrence ran clear of Patrice Evra down the right, but thankfully his cross-cum-shot did not trouble Ben Foster.

Soon after United broke forward at pace from a Stoke corner with Rooney finding Nani down the right, but the Portuguese international wasted the opportunity, blasting over when he could have simply rolled the ball back into Rooney’s path on the edge of the box.

Nani did hit the target a minute before the break, but Sorensen was on hand to brilliantly punch his curling effort clear.

United carried on where they left off after the restart possession-wise, although Stoke seemed a little more ambitious in attack. Thankfully, Foster and his defence were alert to any danger and dealt comfortably with any high balls into the area.

The Reds were still struggling to find a way through at the other end, but the introduction of Ryan Giggs, for Nani on 57 minutes, proved pivotal and ultimately led to the breakthrough.

A superb threaded pass from Darren Fletcher into the path of Giggs, who had sprinted into the area from the left, was followed by a pinpoint low cross from the Welshman giving Dimitar Berbatov the simple task of slotting home from three yards in the 62nd minute. It was the Bulgarian’s second goal of the season and he was the first to acknowledge yet another fine assist from Giggs.

The Reds were lucky not to go down to ten men soon after when Scholes was penalised for handball. Having already been shown a yellow card for a late tackle on Lawrence earlier in the half the midfielder breathed a sigh of relief when referee Howard Webb opted not to produce another.

Giggs found himself through on goal after a long ball forward but Sorensen did well to put him off and his effort sailed wide.

The United veteran turned provider once more on 77 minutes when he swung in a free-kick from the right wing. John O’Shea, making his 350th appearance, rose to meet the fine cross and sent a fine header into the top corner to put 2-0 ahead.

Three minutes later a delicious clipped pass from Scholes found Giggs in acres of space in the area, but despite great control to kill the ball with his first touch, the midfielder’s second touch wasn’t quite as pinpoint as he scooped the ball over the bar.

Source: manutd.com
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Sunday, September 20, 2009

United 4 - 3 City

UNITED striker Michael Owen snatched an incredible victory deep into stoppage time in one of the most memorable derbies of all time.

Wayne Rooney scored early for United but Ben Foster gifted City an equaliser through Gareth Barry.

Darren Fletcher and Craig Bellamy then traded goals to take the score up to 3-3 before substitute Owen's remarkable strike.

In the fifth minute of stoppage-time, when England’s fourth highest scorer had been shunted so far down the list of talking points he was not even worth a mention, the substitute strode onto Ryan Giggs’ precise pass, looked up and calmly found the bottom right corner.

Sir Alex Ferguson danced, City boss Mark Hughes looked punch drunk. One of the most eagerly awaited Manchester derbies had become one of the most dramatic.

Hughes was sick, angrily asking how referee Martin Atkinson had managed to come up with so much additional time. He, more than anyone, knows what United can do with it.

It left the rest rather superfluous.

United caught City cold early on with a quick throw in releasing Rooney in the box, and after a smart swivel of the hips he created room to score.

Carlos Tevez, who started for City, then stung his old club.

The ball was bouncing into no-mans land but Foster clearly felt it would eventually run into the area.

Eventually, Foster realised more urgent action was required as Tevez stormed in, just as he should have expected.

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Sunday, September 13, 2009

Sir Alex defends sent-off Scholes

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson hit out at referee Andre Marriner for sending off Paul Scholes in their 3-1 win at Tottenham.

Scholes was dismissed for two bookable offences, the second of which seemed a debatable challenge on Tom Huddlestone.

"It was a terrible decision," raged Ferguson. "He was sent off because his name is Paul Scholes.

"I've watched it on a replay twice now and I think the Tottenham boy caught him more than Paul caught the boy."

Ferguson, who watched his team move up to second in the Premier League, added: "I didn't see any sending-off in what he did at all."

After Jermain Defoe opened the scoring for Spurs inside the first minute, goals from Ryan Giggs, Anderson and Wayne Rooney earned United the three points.

"It was always going to be hard game," said Ferguson. "Tottenham are in great form and they got off to a fantastic start in the first minutes of the game.

"It was a marvellous finish from Defoe but it was early in the game, there were still 90 minutes to play. We had to gather our game and show composure."

The loss was Tottenham's first this season after four consecutive league victories.

"I have never got carried away," said Spurs boss Harry Redknapp. "It's still a great start, 12 points from five games.

"It wasn't an easy start for us in terms of games this season, with Liverpool and Man United at home, but I fancied us to get something.

"We had a fantastic start (against United) and we were seeing three points again. But we knew they would come back - that's why they win titles and European titles.

"They have outstanding players - (Darren) Fletcher was fantastic."

Source: BBC Sport

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Friday, September 11, 2009

Preview: Spurs v United

Hello guys, this Saturday is the game between Tottenham Hotspurs against The Red Devils @ White Hart Lane.

Ryan Giggs believes that the match will live up to the fine traditions of United v Spurs fixtures.
Football purists have often purred in the past about meetings between the glamour clubs of Greater Manchester and North London, pointing to the many creative sparks on both sides. Giggs himself is one such player and he can see several other exponents of the beautiful game in the current Spurs squad.

"They’ve got a lot of players who are on song like Aaron Lennon, and Jermain Defoe’s scoring the goals for them. Spurs are also good defensively and this season they've started really well," said Ryan Giggs about the Spurs.

Giggs scored one of his greatest goals at Tottenham in the early years of his remarkable career and he's enjoyed many other entertaining contests there.

"Over the years there have been some great games," he added. "It’s a fixture that’s famous for two teams who like to play football the right way.

"White Hart Lane is a great place to go but it's always a tough game. We know we'll have to be at our best because we’re playing against a very good side."

Another good news is Rio Ferdinand could return against Spurs. He may make an ahead-of-schedule back from injury in time for Saturday's trip to Tottenham.

Rio has been out of action since the Community Shield due to a thigh injury, but has trained all week and may now feature @ White Hart Lane. "Rio has a chance for Saturday, I'm not sure it's a big chance but he has a chance," said Sir Alex Ferguson.

Sir Alex confirmed Gary Neville had trained every day after playing for the Reserves last Thursday and will be available for selection on Saturday. John O'Shea, however, is unlikely to be passed fit after returning from international duty with a calf injury.

Source: RedView & ManUtd.com

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