Braving The Weather

The last few weeks have been tough. We have not seen the exciting form United was in in the first few matches of this season. Some of this could be due largely to injuries. Then comes the ever frustrating tie with the Scousers. United have not been getting great results there lately so the draw on Saturday might be sufficient for the time being. The red's to the field with an unusual side. The commentators were saying that if United were to not perform that Fergie's choices would come into question and criticism. Well I am pretty sure SIR Alex Ferguson does not have to answer to any critic much less a commentator. If he chose a different side, he had reason to do so.

As for the match, United did not play particularly well but not particularly badly either. Liverpool showed up strong and were particularly effective defensively. Every play United made into the attacking third was met with at leas four Liverpool players already back and ready to defend. It was a pretty dificult game but United earned the point they got. The one player that shone through the grey was Patrice Evra. He is beggining to look like the player from season before last in which he was our most capped player. He definitely looks more confident on the ball as well asin making attacking runs. He also was strong in defending at the back. Overall he was definitely our best player. There was definite lack in creativity. Both Nani and Rooney's absences were glaring problems. It shows how much Nani has improved to say that his impact on the game was that sorely missed.

After such a tough match, United would have been looking for a big (and much needed) win in the Champions League on Tuesday. Unfortunately the match against the Hungarian side proved just as difficult as the one at the weekend. Once again the Reds were thrust into slow and gritty battle where few oportunities were created. With attackers Nani and Rooney back in the squad, United looked a tad bit more aggressive and creative. However the team still left much to be wanted in front of goal. The major talking point for yesterday's game is of course Vida's sending off. It looked like it should have been only a caution to me. It was a fairly aggressive and rought tackle but I dont think it warranted a red. Carrick had a decent display with one really awful miss in front of goal. For a player with such a beautiful shot it was an absolutely horrible miss. Carick did make up for this mistake somewhat as serving as one of our more competent creators as we moved up the pictchOnce again our stand out player was Patrice Evra. A solid as he was defensively on Saturday, he was just as effective attacking on Tuesday. He made several very impressive runs into the box and looked supremely confident on the ball. Its good to have the old Pat back!

Saturday we face those noisy blue neighbors. While these are usually my favorite fixtures of the campaign, I would be lying I said I wasn't just a little anxious about Sunday. I have complete faith in this team but, with the shakiness of the last few matches, I just hope this derby proves just as exciting as the las few have! I am glad that we play them at home. Hopefully the Stretford End will inspire the side to a big win! It will be an important match and a win would do a lot for us. The injuries still seem to be quite hindering and I will be happy to see the likes of Cleverly and Vidic permanently back in the squad.

PS We should hear some interesting Banter and chants about old Carlos this weekend!!!

Glory Glory Man United!

Chris

What the future holds

I usually write about Manchester United, but I want to mention something else that is important to me. I am from the United States, so the state of the sport here is something I am always concerned about. Big things are happening for the US men's team as well as soccer in general in this country. Klinsmen has been appointed the team's manager and of course has big plans for US soccer. Klinsmens appointment could and should mean big things for the US. We can all still see the effects of his leadership with the German national team. The Germans played some of the best soccer in the world cup in 2010. So its very exciting to think about the changes that could be made here. Some changes can already be seen in the few games the US have played since his appointment. We have always relied on counter attacks and short spurts of possesion for our goal scoring opportunities. Now we look to be holding possession for longer periods of time as well as moving the ball around better. I for one like the look of it.

I am hearing a lot of grumbling about how we are not winning games and scoring goals. To be honest, I think Klinsmen is looking at the bigger picture. He is not planning for the next match or the one after that. He is preparing this to be serious competitors for the next world cup. That is no easy task. Many things need to change in the world of US Soccer. Everything from youth development to the strategy the national team. This is something that will not happen over night. However, the fact that the team's style of play has changed this noticeably is miraculous. There are of course positional problems that must be faced. The most glaring problem being the fact that the team does not posses a world class forward. Some people may think the world of Jozy Altidore, but I for one am exhausted of his belief that that he is as good as Messi or Ronaldo and his endless attempts to play that way. I don't mean to take any credit away from Landon Donovan or Clint Dempsey. They are great players. They are midfielders though and it is unfair to place the responsibility of scoring every goal on them. The emergence of of Brek Shea (maybe a little early to tell) could bring more goals as well as talent to this team. He looks great out wide and unlike many American players doesn't have that vexing need to run the ball up the field himself. He is strong, fast and and a decent passer of the ball. Hopefully we will see big things from him in the future.

So to those of you complaining about not enough goals and a loss to Ecuador, I say try to look at the big picture. Try to imagine what can happen if this development is successful and we see a team emerge that is world class. If Klinsmen does succeed, we could see the US become a major threat at every world cup. It all depends on the kind of support the German manager receives. So far so good!

Lets hope United come out on top against Liverpool on Saturday.

We all love United!

Chris Sandbach

Red Commentary

Is anyone else stoked that Gary Neville is commentating. I am! Not only because he is a a former United player but because he is such a hard ass and has no problem telling it how it is. He was all over some of United's players in the match against FC Basel. He also provides some really interesting insight into the Reds' dressing room and Sir Alex's methods of management. Hopefully we will hear him on a lot of United matches!

Sloppy complacency, The Swiss and lazy referees

Today was just one of those days. I have not gotten this out of sorts about a United match in awhile, at least not this season. Still, these games will happen and it could be good that it happened early on rather than later on in the campaign.

A draw against FC Basel at Old Trafford is not an ideal result. The youth in our squad this season has been something United supporters have been excited about. Unfortunately today, some of that inexperience could have contributed to the reds' complacency on the pitch. The most obvious problem with the reds' game was the sloppiness of passing and defensive shape. FC Basel was provided with far too many chances and as much as I hate to admit they deserved the draw. To come to the Theater of Dreams and create so many chances, you should get to walk away with a point. The defense looked unorganized and looked out of position on several occasions. They continually provided plenty of space for the swiss side to create attempts on goal. On top of this, United's passing was not the precision passing of late. Instead the ball was simply given away on several occasions. There was a definite problem with connecting with the forwards whether it be from the wings or from the back.

 There were glimpses of brilliance. Ryan Giggs was as spectacular as always. His second assist was absolutely stunning and he continues to blow me away with his vision and creativity.  Anderson continues to become more active in the center of play as well as tracking back to defend more often. These are definite signs of maturity. I would still like to see some more magic from the kid though. Although he was involved in some of the sloppiness at the back, Phil jones did look great going forward. His aggressive surges up the field in the closing minutes of the game definitely provided important energy that contributed to United's equalizer. David de Gea did look confident in goal which was comforting. None of the goals were because of his mistakes. Although not as effective as I would have liked, Nani was fearless around the box and his cross to Ashley Young was spot on. He is shaping up to  be the player I was worried he never would be. Fortunately he continues to be world class this season.

Now Im not one to gripe about referees but i must comment on this. The Italian gentleman that refereed the match today apparently did not understand that his job also includes staying out of the run of play so that it can continue. On more than one occasion he obstructed the ball and or player. The most obtrusive of these instances came when Park was running on to a pass and the Official just stood there and completely obstructed the play. I don't believe it necessarily changed the match. I am more upset because this man is supposed to be world class if he is working in the Champions League. Today he was definitely not. In other news, Tevez is causing more problems at City. Looks like we are well shot of him for one more reason.

Glory Glory Man Utd

Chris Sandbach

The Kids Are Alright

      No matter what, I think my favorite team to beat will always be Arsenal. So let's just say that United's win on Sunday was even more exciting for me. That being said I could not help but feel bad for Arsenal's squad. Mostly because Mr. Wenger fielded an unexperienced team with almost no specific strategy to address the United side. That aside, it looks like they have gone and made some signings that should at least keep them a float. However, I dont see anything silver in their near future.
    Once again United's youth ran rampant and looked extraordinary. Anderson for one seems to finally be moving around the pitch when he doesnt have the ball. All I can say is that it is about time. Hopefully he will find new form for this season. Rooney has been absolutel magnificent and he will be paramount to the rest of this season's campaign. He looks good on the ball. He looks good off the ball and in front of goal. At the moment there is nothing he can't do. Keep it up Roo!

Fergie's Fledglings: Part 2

     Manchester United has always been a club where young players are valued and given there shot. It is a theme recurrent through out United's history. You see it with the Busby babes and again with Fergie's Fledgelings. Now it seems that Sir Alex wants to have another go. This will be old master's 4th team and it is looking to be another great one.
    This summer was rampant with rumors concerning United's midfield and what player would replace Paul Scholes. The most popular rumor suggested a move for Wesley Sheijder. However, this move seems highly unlikely. Fergie has already made his purchases for the summer and seems set to give his young players a chance to prove themselves this season. So far, they have done a great job. The Pre-season friendlies always provide opportunities for the youngsters to show what they can do and this summer was no different. I actually had the pleasure of being able to attend the match in D.C. against Barca. It was amazing to see the two top clubs in the world face off. United winning was an added bonus. Tom Cleverley was magnificent. I have been becoming more and more impressed with Cleverley impressed with the midfielder over the past few seasons. He has been loaned out to several different clubs. (actually winning the player of the season award at Watford). Finally, it seems, that Sir Alex thinks it is time to give Cleverley his chance with the first team. Kudos to him for that because the young midfielder looks set to shine.
     Following the club's pre-season tour of the U.S., They faced off against their crosstown rivals in the community shield. This was a big match considering City's spending and new claims to the top four. Down 2-0 at the half United came back for a spectacular win of 3-2. Fergie replaced many of the starters with his younger players. Both center backs came off and were replaced by Johnny Evans and Phil Jones who looked cool and confident at the back. Nani had a spectacular game with two goals and Cleverley once again shone in the midfield. It is always exciting to beat City but the youthful side ( average age 22) made this match even more special and showed what Fergie's side are capable of this season.
     The match against West Brom had similar previews of youthful talent. Both Vidic and Ferdinand came off with injuries but, their replacements seemed up to the challenge. Even though it was a bit of a gritty match, United were clearly the better team. De Gea is getting some greif about two missed saves. The spaniard has more great saves under his belt than misses for United but, the media is out to cause problems, Personally I am not concerned. It would take anyone sometime to settle in at the biggest club in the world let alone a twenty year old. In the end I think he will come through.
     This year is shaping up to be an exciting new campaign for the Reds. Dont get me wrong, I love the old guard but there is something exciting about young players coming into the club and being successful. Lets hope that is the case because United has a tough schedule over the next few weeks. They face Totenham, Arsenal and Chelsea over the space of just a few weeks. With Ferdinand and Vidic both sidelined by injuries this could prove a tough task. However, it could alson prove to be the stage where Fergie's new fledgilings show their worth. As usual I expect United to come through.

Summer Soap Operah

     I feel like the summer transfer window turns into a show like Nip/Tuck. Lots of craziness happening for no reason. Well, here it is again, the drama of the summer transfer windo. Who will go where etc etc. To be honest I love it. Its pretty exciting to try and figure out who each team is going to by. Sometimes this becomes a bit ridiculous though. It seems that the British media will print anything whether it is true or not. This makes it near impossible to believe anything the papers say untill a player is actually confirmed by the club to be signed. Still it is interesting to follow.
    In the last two years or so the market has become increasingly inflated. This is probably why managers such as Ferguson and Wenger are nopt going out and spending on big names. Although the latter doesnt seem to invest in an reliable players no matter the cost. Still I understand where they are coming from. United just signed Phil Jones, a u21 defender from Blackburn Rovers for a price quoted to be upwards of 20 million pounds. As impressed as I am with the player and the signing, I feel this is quite a price for such an unexperienced player. He could turn out to be another John Terry but he also could turn out to be an average defender. It is this chance that makes many of Ferguson's spending decisions from the last few years make sense. For instance, last summer, United were rumoured to have been interested in the Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano. However they signed Mexican striker Javier Hernandez for probably under half the price of what the Brazilian would have cost. Chicharito turned out to be the signing of the season and was a great success. I highly doubt if the Fabiano would have performed as well. This signing makes so much more sense then dropping a ton of cash on a big name when you can get the same quality for so much less. Ofcourse big names such as Wesley Sneijder are exciting and fun to hear about. However, these players usually aren't the right by for United. Look at the history. A lot of United's great players in the past were either from their own academy or surprise purchases.
   This brings me to another topic which has been fairly prevalent over the past few years. Every United fan has seen the green and gold scarves dotted through out Old Trafford on match day. In fact they have become increasingly more prominent. The Glazer's ownership has been controversial from the get go. Big money, corporate American owners. The initial negative reaction the new owners is not unfamiliar to other clubs. The transition of ownership from the homegrown benevolent buisiness man to the massive corporate ownership did not begin with the Glazer take over. It is just another side effect of globalization. In fact these side effects have been positive ones. While ticket prices have increased (which is always a major issue with the working class fan), violence involved with the sport has decreased and Stadium safety and quality has increased. Still the Glazer family is the main point of attack in major movement by United fans. The biggest complaint is against the debt that Manchester United has aquired because of the Glazer ownership. These fans believe that this debt is also effecting United's spending ability in the transfer market. Howeveer, I believe the lack of big spending in the transfer market is less because of the Glazer debt and actually because Ferguson believes there is no value in the market. He has come out and said this himself and he is right. The inflation in the market is becoming more and more horrendous. Still I think Fergie is clever enough to navigate these problems and secure the right talent at a price he is willing to pay. When it comes down to it, as long as Ferguson contros the club like he does at the moment, I wont have a major problem with the United ownership. Let's not forget United has won 4 EPL titles, 3 League Cups and 1 Champions League trophy. So, they have not been unsucessful by anymeans under the Glazers considering the lack of silverware in the few years leading up to their take over.
    All things aside I am sure it will turn out to be another dramatic summer transfer window. I for one am looking forward to seeing who Fergie signs up for next season.