RedsUnite: a man utd blog

An abbreviated United Daily for all you junkies, as today is match preview day.

Gallas Avoids Punishment

If you aren’t already aware, William Gallas will not be disciplined for his unspotted kick at Nani on Saturday. While I do think the kick was deserving of some type of punishment, as he certainly would have been disciplined if it was seen by an official, I think Arsenal–Gallas in particular–have suffered enough. I don’t know where my sympathy is coming from, but for Gallas to have received a fine or suspension two days after a match in which they were defeated 4-0 under his captaincy, for a kick that was pathetic, childlike, and illustrative of his lack of leadership on Saturday would have been cruel. However, if the FA had decided to pile on the Gunners I certainly would not have complained. (more…)

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…)

Sixth Round FA Cup Draw

While United still managed to draw another Premiership side in today’s FA Cup quarterfinal draw, at least we avoided Chelsea. Manchester United were drawn at home to Portsmouth, a familiar foe. We are 1-1-1 in our last three fixtures against Pompey, with United winning 2-0 at home in our most recent encounter. The other quarterfinal fixtures are as follows:

Sheffield United or Middlesbrough v Cardiff City
Bristol Rovers v West Bromwich Albion
Barnsley v Chelsea

While we may have avoided Chelsea, our continuing streak of tough draws is unlucky if not suspicious. Still, we are fortunate to have received a home draw. We are–Manchester City aside–impenetrable at home. While I am inclined to agree with Wayne Rooney that we are in great form to take on Chelsea, the path of least resistance is probably advised in tournament play. While a home draw to Portsmouth isn’t exactly kind, it sure beats drawing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Responding to the draw, Fergie had this to say: (more…)

The morning after and I’m still surprised. How proud I am of the boys who took the field for us yesterday. I was cynical about them from the start yesterday and they spent the next 90 minutes proving me wrong. It was one of those matches where you watch the entire contest with a smile on your face, because you know that the result is not in question. This was an inspired United side featuring players who took great advantage of their moment in the sun.

Darren Fletcher. How proud of him are you? When you discuss the concept of a team, guys like this are often overlooked but how important was he yesterday. I can’t help but to cheer for the lad with my heart on my sleeve. I must confess, two years ago I detested Fletcher. In my eyes, he was emblematic of all the problems with that 2005/06 United side. While his workrate could never have been questioned, he was an unfinished product that needed more time before he was placed in the center of the pitch. In a squad seemingly full of 19 and 20 year olds that step right in and produce, I forget sometimes that not everyone matures at the same rate. Fletcher may have taken a little while to blossom into the player he is today, but he should be proud of himself today. I don’t know that I am ever happier for a player than I am when I see Darren Fletcher excel. Good for you, Fletch.

Ji-Sung Park. While it may not have entirely come off for him, yesterday was a celebration of the depth of the side and the (more…)