RedsUnite: a man utd blog

Champions League Preview

Ryan Giggs, our illustrious winger, will make his 100th Champions League appearance Wednesday when United travel to Lyon for the first leg of the knockout phase. This match will mark the third meeting between the clubs; the previous meetings were in 2004/2005 in which United drew 2-2 away and won the return 2-1. Those matches, obviously, do little to forecast Wednesday’s match, as both sides have a combined 16 players remaining from that 2004/05 season.

United, as I need to tell no one reading this article, enter tomorrow’s match coming off of their most impressive win of the season–a 4-0 drubbing of Arsenal. Our recent form has been nothing if not erratic, however, as our previous match–our 2-1 Derby embarrassment–marked the low point in the season. It has been a tale of two sides and which side makes the trip to Lyon will determine the outcome of the match. (more…)

(For the match review, click here.)

I stated last week, following our deflating loss to Manchester City, that United has reached its lowest point of the season. Coupled with the previous week’s uninspired draw against Tottenham Hotspur, United is certainly trending downward. Conceding the derby double to Man City is depressing enough, but the manner in which the match was lost has left the United community scratching its collective head looking for answers.

We looked egregious. There we stood, adorned in 1958 retro jerseys in honor of a team known for its free-flowing, authentic brand of football, yet we had no identity of our own. We were uncreative, inaccurate, absent-minded, unprofessional, uninspired and, in stark contrast to the side we were honoring, boring. In a match historically characterized by its great intensity and rivalry, United looked unprepared for battle and were exposed from the beginning.

It was a game in which you must battle and United, due to Ferguson’s arrogant side selection, had no teeth. He selected a side without a genuine holding midfielder. Out of the six midfield and attacking players SAF selected, only one, Anderson, could be said to be a decent tackler. This left our backline, which was uncharacteristically out of form, exposed to a City counter-attack that proved capable. The offensive benefit such an attack heavy side would seem to present was absent. We looked incapable of penetrating City’s defense. With Wayne Rooney absent, we were forced to play a manipulated side with Ronaldo in attack. Usually Ronaldo does capably in this role, but not on Sunday.

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When I write these match reviews, I normally do quite a bit of research. I look into recent trends, home form, away form, historical successes, historical failures and any other indicator that may be a sign of how United will perform in their next match. Tomorrow, however, is Derby Day, so all these things can be discarded.

Let’s be certain, United are the stronger club. We have yet to lose at Old Trafford, while City has only won two games away from home. We are 6-1-1 in our last eight fixtures, City are 1-5-2. We stand 17 points clear of City, with that gap only increasing as the season goes on. If Manchester City went by any other name, I would be touting the inevitability of United’s victory tomorrow, but they do not go by other names. They are the Blues, our long and storied rival.

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Match Preview

Didn’t I just write this article a couple days ago? Oh, we’re away this time. Well I guess that changes things enough to write another one.

Not much has changed since United defeated Tottenham 3-1 last weekend. United’s stellar form has continued. A midweek double from Cristiano Ronaldo saw United dispose of Harry Redknapp’s Portsmouth side within the games first 15 minutes. The remainder of the match was a mere formality. The Reds have now won 13 of their past 14 matches and are in the best form in England.

There are two primary reason’s for our success of late, Cristiano Ronaldo and our defense. Ronaldo’s form is in a continues state of ascension, scoring at a clip greater than a goal per game. He has had his way with defenses across the league, with it almost becoming a given that his name will find the score sheet. His performance against Portsmouth was of such repute that it still dominates the headlines today, two days later. His free-kick, a “marvelous hit that no goal keeper in the world could have saved,” according to Alex Ferguson, has served as the crown jewel of a season filled with gems.

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Match Preview: Manchester United v Portsmouth

Portsmouth travel to Old Trafford today as one of the strongest road sides in the EPL. Touting the fourth strongest away form in the Premiership, the Blues travel north with hopes of building upon that strength. While the likely absence of Nemanja Vidic may make the task seem less daunting, Pompey’s mass departures for the African Cup of Nations has left the Blues a weakened side. They have won their last two contests, however, if only against the likes of Derby County and Plymouth Argyle, so the Reds should be cautious in their optimism.

Winners of three of their last five away contests, Pompey has not experienced such successes in recent trips to Manchester. Winning the last five contests against Portsmouth at Old Trafford by a combined tally of 13-2, United has had their way with Portsmouth at Old Trafford. If this season’s form is any indicator, today’s match should be no different. Undefeated at home and winners of 11 of 12 at Old Trafford, Manchester United should have the class to dismantle the undermanned Blues.

Today may feature the premier of Milan Baros for Pompey, as the aforementioned departures have forced Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp to bring in some reinforcements. Baros will look to exploit the unfamiliarity and miscommunication displayed at times between Wes Brown, Vidic’s likely replacement, and Rio Ferdinand. I don’t like Baros’ chances, however, as United’s have conceded only two goals in their last five home contests.

United enter today looking up at Arsenal. The Gunners duplicated this weekend’s scoreline, beating Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle side 3-0 for the second time in a short spell. The pressure will, once again, reside with Sir Alex’s men, as there is little room for error. If only for psychological reasons heading into our fifth round FA Cup draw, it is important that we do not concede ground to Arsene Wenger’s side. Arsenal, while young and not nearly as deep as some sides, have proven repeatedly that they have no intentions of slipping.

Again, as it often seems, United should win this match based on all measurable criteria. We are the stronger, deeper and sharper of the sides and that should translate into tonight’s match against a weakened Pompey side that has struggled at Old Trafford. A fortress of late, Old Trafford has been a difficult place for any club to take anything away from. I look for United to win easily, 3-0.

We Can’t Play Under These Conditions

Stories are being kicked around today about Fergie’s tirade following Sunday’s 3-1 win over Tottenham. His venom was not directed at his players, however, but at the groundsman. Never one to shy away from the dramatic, Fergie claimed that United’s title aspirations could be jeopardized if the substandard pitch is not replaced. With the stadium extended in size, the pitch has suffered from the lack of sunshine and wind that has resulted. The cost of replacing the turf is said to be around £250,000. Considering the Glazers blow their snot into smaller currency, I suppose they should relay some new sod. We pay Cristiano Ronaldo nearly that much every two weeks, so to inhibit his abilities by forcing him to play on a pocked pitch is silly.

Blog Report

• Man City and Newcastle make it a week not to forget…(A Kick In The Grass)
• You Believe Evra wants £120,000 a week? Really? (Republik of Mancunia)
• FA Cup 5th Round Here We Come (RedConspiracy)
• Man Utd v Portsmouth Preview (Red Rants)

Here’s hoping for a solid result tonight. Let me know what you think of our chances….