United second again!

Having missed out on the title in such dramatic circumstances last year, Manchester United will be more determined than ever to win the Barclays Premier League. Summer additions of Nick Powell, Shinji Kagawa and Robin Van Persie mean that Sir Alex Ferguson’s side will be there or there abouts again.

The arrival of Van Persie is a gamble from Sir Alex. Despite topping the goal scoring charts last year, the Dutchman has a poor injury record, and a £24million price tag for a player who’ll turn 30 next year is a lot. United go into the season with five strikers who can realistically claim a stake for a regular starting spot, meaning goals shouldn’t be a problem.

The return of Paul Scholes last season was as brilliant as it was desperate. The real lack of a creative midfielder was evident against Everton in their opener as they failed to cut open Everton as often as they’d like. Kagawa looked sharp and was a rare positive in the defeat at Goodison; however whether he’ll play centre midfield is unknown.

Despite deploying Michael Carrick there, United don’t need another centre half, as not every week you’ll have four players missing in one position. Ironically the one centre back who wasn’t injured was Nemanja Vidic who missed the majority of last season with knee ligament damage. The Serbian’s return is huge, and if he can avoid injury this year then United won’t be too far away from the title. It’s safe to say if United had Vidic last season then they would’ve conceded fewer goals, and probably wouldn’t have let a two goal lead slip vs. Everton.

Key player- David De Gea. The first six months for De Gea in a United jersey wasn’t ideal, with his inability to deal with crosses and the rough and ready nature of the Premier League, targeted by Premier League clubs. His shot stopping ability is up there with the very best, and without him Everton probably would’ve scored more than the one they did, and surprisingly dealt well with the set pieces that he came for. De Gea appears to have a turned a corner and his confidence is back, and looks set to have a good year.

Prediction- 2^nd A good Summer transfer window means United will certainly challenge for the title; however I feel they’ll just be edged out by their ‘noisy neighbours’ once again. 

View from a fan - Perry Blanchette

What would be an ideal season?

Winning the title back whilst improving heavily in Europe.

What would be a nightmare season?

Finishing third, something that hasn't happened often under Sir Alex, and a second successive season trophyless.

Do you have the right manager at the club?

Yes, Sir Alex is a legend at the club and when he goes he'll take some replacing.

Which Premier League player would you sign given the chance?

Joe Hart, he's a quality goal keeper with a number of great years ahead of him and he has more reliability then De Gea. Would also like Vincent Kompany.

Is it time United started to shift Rio Ferdinand out of the side?

No, Rio is still a quality defender with lots of experience. He still has two more years in him at the top level.

Would you rather win the Champions League or win back the Premier League?

Premier League title. I don't want City to win it again. 

Spurs 1 Manchester United 3 – The Autopsy

Yesterday was another perfect example of Manchester United winning when not at their best. For long periods of the match, predominately the opening hour, Spurs dominated; however lacked a clinical threat that United had in abundance.

Team Selection

Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad selection had no surprise element about it, with Wayne Rooney returning after missing the last two United games. Jonny Evans partnered Rio Ferdinand in the heart of the defence, which meant Phil Jones was again shafted out to right back, which I’m sure was a much more attractive role given the fact Gareth Bale missed the match.

Young follows United trend of not being at their best but producing the goods.

Like United, Ashley Young failed to exert himself on the game in the early proceedings; however in the second half the former Villa man took his two goals excellently, with the second in particular a brilliant finish.

Though Kyle Walker didn’t cover himself in glory for any of the United goals; during the match he kept Young quiet out on the wing. For me Young is at his best in the middle, just of the striker; however when you’ve got a certain Rooney whose up there with the best in the world in the number 10 role, Young will, in all likelihood, always have to settle for a place on the wing, meaning he is less effective. The goal that put the game to bed illustrated perfectly how good Young is given space in the middle of the park, with his curling effort giving Brad Friedel no chance in the Spurs goal.

Having dipped in form over the last few months, United fans will hope his two goals at White Hart Lane can help Young reproduce the form he showed at the start of the season.

Fortune favoured the Reds.

I’m going to come out and say it, yesterday we were a little fortunate. Numerous things combined to ensure we won the match. Tottenham were without three key players in Scott Parker, Rafael Van Der Vaart and Bale, all of whom would’ve made keeping Spurs at bay a harder task. Secondly Emmaneul Adebayor was perhaps unfortunate to see his strike, at 0-0 and a key stage of the game, ruled out as the former City striker couldn’t really get out of the way. Harry Redknapp’s side did dominate the first half, and despite playing their best player in Luka Modric out wide, Tottenham controlled the ball well and despite falling to create a host of chances were the better side, and for us to head in at half time ahead was very much a case of daylight robbery.

Rooney goal return in the big games

Yet again in a game against the top sides Rooney produced the goods with the all important opening goal. Against the other six of the top seven sides this season (not including the two goals he scored in the FA Cup win at Manchester City) Rooney has scored a brilliant 10 goals in 11 games. (2 vs. Spurs, 3 vs. Arsenal, 3 vs. Chelsea and 2 vs. Liverpool)

Rooney scored the all important opening goal in the win on Sunday and was a consistent threat throughout the match, dropping deep as ever and finding space in between the Tottenham defence and midfield with ease. Manchester United and Rooney in particular benefited from Scott Parker’s absence.

Improvement on the road.

Due to our rivals’ inability to sustain the pressure on us last year, we were allowed to only pick up a pitiful 25 points on our travels the whole year. This season however has been in complete contrast to last year, with our away form the best in the Premier League, with 33 points and just the one defeat to our name.

Last season we conceded goals for fun, and despite the injured Nemanja Vidic, we’ve improved incredibly and have only leaked 12 goals away from Old Trafford. Those doubting Ferdinand’s form at the start of the season have quietened over recent weeks as the former England captain has more then stepped up to the responsibility of being the leader at the back due to the absence of the aforementioned Vidic.

Run in

Manchester United have now picked up an impressive 19 points from 21 since the 3-0 defeat away to Newcastle, and when you consider the fact we’ve travelled to Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and Norwich in that run, the points tally is a fantastic achievement.

Having played all the sides towards the top of the table, bar the derby at Eastlands on the 22^nd April, our run in on paper looks slightly favourable then Manchester City’s, with Roberto Mancini’s side set to face Arsenal and Chelsea in the next few weeks. 

Why Michael Owen should leave United

Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Michael Owen to get back into the England squad, and I agree with him, however the only way he can do is if he leaves Manchester United.

The two goals Owen scored in United's 3-0 victory over arch-rivals Leeds were clinical and brought back memories of the teenager which burst onto the scene at Anfield.

Since then however Owen has had to settle for a place on the Old Trafford bench, with the returning Danny Welbeck favoured ahead of hm in the 3-3 draw with Basel with Ferguson's favoured strike partnership of Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney recalled for the league game with Norwich. United's fantastic depth of strikers, with Dimitar Berbatov and Federico Macheda also struggling to get a look in, you feel Owen won't get many opportunities.




Owen's chances at United have been limited





With Euro 2012 qualification in England's hands, it represents the last chance for Owen to show he still has the international pedigree which brought him close to Sir Bobby Charlton's scoring record. Minus Wayne Rooney for me no centre forward is guaranteed a place in the squad, and with game time Owen has a genuine chance of making the tournament.


The cold facts don't lie however, the boy needs games. With the January transfer window looming, if I was Owen, I'd be knocking on the gaffers door requesting a six month loan spell.

There have been consistent rumours that Owen will join Everton, however the question isn't would he want to move there, its would he suit the Toffees? Owen has already shown he isn't afraid to join Liverpool's closest rivals, I mean he currently wears the red of Manchester United! However I can't see him spearheading a 4-5-1 formation, it wouldn't work.

Where else could he go, Sunderland? Stoke? Villa? Not for me.

Michael Owen has always been at clubs who thrive on their football reputation. You'd do well to find a CV of clubs that reads as well as Owen's: Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle, Manchester United.

And for me he deserves his place at a top side, his goal ratio is still fantastic. That's why Arsene Wenger should be taking a gamble on him. Earlier I said he wouldn't suit a 4-5-1 at Everton, however he would suit a 4-2-3-1 at Arsenal.

Robin Van Persie is a fantastic footballer, one thing he isn't is a lone striker. The Dutchman's best position is off a striker. His ability to drop deep when playing up front for Arsenal is as good as anyone in the Premiership. However this leaves a gap in the box to score the goals, and Arsenal haven't had an out and out goalscorer since Thierry Henry, and to a certain extent Emmanuel Adebayor.

Yeah it'd be a gamble, but Arsenal are in the worst position they've been in since Wenger took over. What's the worst that could happen with a six-month loan deal. If he doesn't score goals the club have other striking options. But you can't tell me Owen isn't a better goalscorer then Marouane Chamakh and the new signing Park?

Given a run of games Michael Owen will score any team goals, and at Arsenal he'd definitely get the chances to score and possible fire himself into Fabio Cappello's thoughts.

Who would you rather have baring on goal in a Euro 2012 quarter final match, Michael Owen or Peter Crouch? Exactly.