Paken Iskandar: 2009

United 5 Wigan 0

The end-of-year celebrations came a day early at Old Trafford as United saw out 2009 with a flourish, disposing of Wigan Athletic with ease and panache.

Wayne Rooney was the bright spark, while Rafael and Antonio Valencia also impressed in a second 5-0 win over Wigan this season. Rooney, Michael Carrick, Rafael, Dimitar Berbatov and Valencia all found the net as United’s excellent run of big wins against the Latics continued unabated. Roberto Martinez’s men simply had no response to an imposing Reds display.

Sir Alex can celebrate his 68th birthday on New Year’s Eve safe in the knowledge United are within striking distance of leaders Chelsea (two points behind). He made just one change from the team that beat Hull on Sunday; Ji-Sung Park replacing Ryan Giggs on the left flank - such continuity has been rare given the chopping and changing the United boss has been forced into in recent weeks.

This fixture has been kind to United though; the Reds have won all ten meetings with Wigan, scoring 30 goals. Now was no time to stop that free-scoring trend. Sir Alex’s men set out on a pursuit to continue it with unrelenting determination. The first attempt on goal came in the fourth minute when Valencia, who shone against his former club, made a darting run into the area and forced a fine, low save from Chris Kirkland in the Wigan goal.

After 15 minutes Rooney, who looked right up for this match from the off, arced in a wonderful cross from the right that Berbatov headed tamely at Kirkland.

Source : Man Utd

Wayne Rooney had a hand in all four goals as United edged a scrappy, but entertaining game laced with festive generosity at Hull City's KC Stadium.

The prolific striker opened the scoring in first half injury-time, before inadvertantly laying on the Tigers' equaliser with an errant backpass which spawned a Craig Fagan penalty. Rooney subsequently atoned, however, by drilling in an un-defendable cross which Andy Dawson turned into his own goal, before laying on a late third goal for Dimitar Berbatov.

United were uncharacteristically sloppy in possession for long periods, but just about did enough to deserve a victory reels in league leaders Chelsea to within two points, after the Blues' recent stuttering form continued on Boxing Day with a goalless draw at Birmingham.

Already armed with that opportunity to move closer to the summit, United's pre-match hopes were further bolstered by the sight of a back four containing four recognised defenders, after some partial respite from the recent spate of injuries. Recent mainstay Patrice Evra was rejoined by Rafael, Nemanja Vidic and Wes Brown, allowing Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher to curtail their moonlighting and return to the centre of midfield.

With round pegs back in round holes, there was more comfort about United's opening than in recent weeks. It took just five minutes for the Reds to fashion the game's first chance, when Antonio Valencia outstripped marker Andy Dawson, sped down the right flank and crossed for Ryan Giggs, whose volley dropped onto the roof of Boaz Myhill's goal.

Source : Man Utd

There was little festive cheer for United fans at Fulham on Saturday afternoon as goals from Danny Murphy, Bobby Zamora and Damien Duff consigned the Reds to a fifth league defeat of the season.

Sir Alex’s men were under-strength yet again due to the club's ever-mounting injury crisis, but did themselves few favours on a ground that, before 2009, the Reds hadn’t lost at for 45 years.

Too often United were sloppy in possession and the makeshift backline struggled to find an answer to Bobby Zamora’s physical presence. Last weekend United lost to Aston Villa despite dominating much of the game. At Craven Cottage on Saturday, however, the opposition were good value for the three points.

The home side worked hard in midfield and restricted the Reds to optimistic pot-shots from long range. Meanwhile, Zamora and Zoltan Gera caused havoc against a makeshift Reds defence that included young Beligan Ritchie De Laet, making just his third league start at senior level.

Of course, this wasn't the first time Sir Alex has been forced to field a weakened side in recent weeks. For the most part, however, United have largely coped well with depleted resources. But at Fulham there was a feeling that this was one step too far, one game too many for players who have now been playing out of position for almost a month.

With seven defenders unavailable through injury, Michael Carrick was again utilised at the heart of the defence, alongside fellow midfielder Darren Fletcher and the young De Laet.

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United bounced back to winning ways with a routine victory over a depleted Wolves side, thanks to first-half goals from Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic and a stunning second half strike from Antonio Valencia.

The Reds were scarcely troubled by a visiting side featuring 10 changes to that which overcame Tottenham last weekend, and the game was buried after Rooney's penalty and a powerful Vidic header on the stroke of half-time. When Valencia capped a stunning move with a blistering finish on 65 minutes, it was merely a matter of reducing Chelsea's goal-difference advantage.

More defensive injury concerns had prompted another reshuffle for Sir Alex Ferguson, who replaced the injured Wes Brown with Michael Carrick, and brought in Ritchie De Laet at right-back, with Darren Fletcher rested, but ready if required on the bench. There was also a restoration of the Reds' 4-4-2 formation, with Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov in tandem ahead of a midfield four of Antonio Valencia, Paul Scholes, Darron Gibson and Gabriel Obertan, with the latter making his first league start.

That news was overshadowed pre-match, however, by Mick McCarthy's decision to make wholesale changes to the team which shocked Tottenham at White Hart Lane. With a Molineux clash against Burnley looming this weekend, the Wolves manager made 10 changes to his side. Not so much Wolves as lambs to the slaughter, on paper at least.

United dominated the opening exchanges. Rooney found himself with time and space inside the visitors' area after Gibson's drive had ricocheted through to him, but Marcus Hahnemann saved the striker's low shot.

Source : Man Utd

United missed the chance to close the gap on league leaders Chelsea after a first defeat to Aston Villa at Old Trafford since 1983.

Gabriel Agbonlahor’s 21st-minute header was the difference on a day when United huffed and puffed, but never really hit top gear. Villa's win moved them to third in the table with Martin O'Neill's side having now claimed victories over three of the big four this season - Chelsea, United and Liverpool.

The Reds received a couple of welcome boosts before kick-off as news of Chelsea’s dropping of two points at home to Everton filtered through to Old Trafford and the return of Wes Brown and Nemanja Vidic to the back four was confirmed. Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs were also back in the first eleven after missing the midweek Champions League victory in Wolfsburg. There was no starting place for hat-trick hero Michael Owen, however, who was named on the bench alongside fellow front man Dimitar Berbatov.

The opening exchanges were fairly even with both sides enjoying mini spells of possession. Rooney’s lovely dummy on five minutes afforded Antonio Valencia some space on the right wing to run into. The Ecuadorian cut inside and looked certain to strike one left-footed, but instead he tried to find Rooney and the move broke down. Four minutes later the winger had the ball taken off his toe by Richard Dunne just as he shaped to shoot from close range after a cross from the left.

United were beginning to slip into gear and should have made more of an electric break forward involving Rooney, Giggs and Valencia.

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United marched into the last 16 of the Champions League as emphatic group winners, thanks to Michael Owen's second hat-trick on German soil.

The Reds’ number seven, previously the nemesis of Germany's national team with England, grabbed three goals to destroy Wolfsburg and cap a fine rearguard action by an unfamiliar looking line-up. A header from Nani’s cross just before the break, a late tap-in from Gabriel Obertan’s low centre and an unstoppable solo surge in injury time gave Owen a triple to remember as he continues to build hero status at United.

The 3-1 victory was surely better than most fans had dared dream of when the full extent of United's injury crisis became apparent on the eve of this fixture. Sir Alex Ferguson was forced to play several players out of position, with midfielders Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher filling in admirably alongside his only fit senior defender Patrice Evra.

Tomasz Kuszczak continued in goal behind this unorthodox back three and was called into early action by a powerful first-time shot from Getafe. Misimovic also gave the Pole some work to do, but Anderson’s deflection took the sting out of it.

Carrick’s capabilities as an emergency centre-back were given their first serious test when Hasebe threatened to hare past him in the box, but thankfully United’s number 16 slid in to clear the danger. With Wolfsburg’s appeal for a penalty promptly waved away, the Reds regrouped to repel the resulting corner kick.

United’s defending was less convincing at the next corner, however, and had it not been for a bad header from Barzagli – over the bar from an unmarked position – the Reds could have been behind.

Source : Man Utd

United’s young charges put last week’s Champions League defeat to Besiktas well and truly behind them with a solid display against a near-full strength Tottenham Hotspur side which booked a spot in the Carling Cup semi-finals.

A first-half double from Darron Gibson, who fired two fine efforts past the helpless Heurelho Gomes in the Spurs goal, was enough to seal victory over the same side United beat in the final to claim the trophy last season.

Sir Alex Ferguson, who was once again watching from the stands as he completed his two-game touchline ban, stuck with a number of those youngsters who had been harshly criticised after the Besiktas defeat last week – in fact eight of those who started against the Turks kept their place. The only new names on the teamsheet were Tomasz Kuszczak who remained in goal following an impressive display in the weekend's league win at Portsmouth, Ritchie De Laet who filled in at left-back, and Dimitar Berbatov who made his first appearance for a month after an injury.

United came bursting out of the blocks with Anderson dispossessing Wilson Palacios in midfield after just 50 seconds. The Brazilian burst forward before firing a low drive just wide of Gomes’ right-hand post.

It was a promising start from the Reds, but with Tottenham at virtually full strength it wasn’t long before the visitors had their first sight of goal. Robbie Keane collected possession in midfield and slotted a pass to the in-form Jermain Defoe who prompted a smart save from Kuszczak after a well-struck shot.

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A Wayne Rooney hat-trick, allied to Ryan Giggs' 100th Premier League goal, saw United edge a pulsating encounter with Portsmouth on a rain-sodden afternoon at Fratton Park.

Having taken the lead through Rooney's early penalty, the Reds had to overcome the concession of a baffling spot-kick for the home side, which Kevin-Prince Boateng converted. However, Rooney struck twice after the break, once in open play, once from the spot again, before Giggs struck a late free-kick to cap a superb personal display.

United were off-key for much of the first 45 minutes, with Pompey deservedly level despite the controversial nature of their goal, but after the interval the Reds ran amok, comfortably strolling to all three points in the teeming rain as Sir Alex Ferguson watched on from the shelter of the Fratton Park stands.

The United manager, serving out the first instalment of a two-game touchline ban, would have been delighted by the clinical second half display from his side which put paid to the hopes of a home side straining every sinew to impress new manager Avram Grant.

Pre-match, Sir Alex had warned that he would again be patching up his defence, with Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, John O'Shea and Fabio all out injured. The absence of Edwin van der Sar, forced by a knee injury, also meant a rare start for Tomasz Kuszczak in goal, with Ben Foster occupying the substitute goalkeeper's role.

The game's first two chances came within seconds of one another. First Giggs slipped a low corner to the lurking Paul Scholes, whose 20-yard half-volley cleared the bar by just a yard, before Aruna Dindane escaped the United defence, only to be thwarted by a terrific close-range save from Kuszczak.

Source : Man Utd

United and Wolfsburg will play for top spot in Group B next month after both sides lost on Wednesday night.

CSKA Moscow defeated the German champions in Russia while bottom-of-the-group Besiktas ended the Reds’ 24-game unbeaten home run in Europe with a scrappy 1-0 win at Old Trafford.

United were left feeling aggrieved after Patrice Evra was denied what looked a stonewall penalty on 85 minutes and Besiktas goalkeeper Rustu Recbera pulled off two stunning stoppage-time saves. But the Reds should have converted possession into at least one goal before then. In the end, Rodrigo Tello’s deflected strike proved decisive in a game that, until second-half injury time, was distinctly low on goalmouth drama.

Sir Alex made eight changes to the side that beat Everton and placed his faith in youth, handing starts to both Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda. Gabriel Obertan started his first Champions League game, while Darron Gibson was paired with Anderson in the centre of midfield. There was also a rare start – this season, at least – for Ji-sung Park. The South Korea international has been plagued by knee trouble but made his first Reds appearance for two months.

It was Obertan on the opposite flank, however, who made the game's first meaningful impression. With barely a minute played, Anderson found the Frenchman in space and his low ball flashed across the penalty area. Five minutes later, Macheda teed up Welbeck on the penalty spot. Danny did well to shift the ball onto his left foot but dogged defending kept the score at 0-0.

Source : Man Utd

United are back on Chelsea’s shoulder after midfielders Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia engineered an easy 3-0 win over Everton.

It was the perfect response to two results at Stamford Bridge – the champions’ unjust defeat there a fortnight ago and Chelsea’s comprehensive home win over Wolves earlier in the day. The bonus of Arsenal’s loss at Steve Bruce’s Sunderland enabled the Reds to regain second place in the title race.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s line-up showed several changes to the side which dominated in West London. At the back, Rafael replaced John O’Shea on the right and fit-again Nemanja Vidic returned to the centre in place of the now-injured Jonny Evans. Further forward, the boss deployed an extra forward – Michael Owen, a boyhood Evertonian – at the expense of midfielder Anderson.

The Reds took the game by the scruff of the neck and pitched camp in Everton’s half, albeit without fashioning anything for ex-United goalkeeper Tim Howard to save until Ryan Giggs’ tame strike curled towards the bottom corner in the 15th minute.

Opposing full-backs on the South Stand flank caught the eye early on, with Rafael tucking into his tussles with Louis Saha and Marouane Fellaini and delivering a low ball into Everton’s six-yard box that just failed to find Wayne Rooney. Meanwhile, Toffees left-back Leighton Baines thwarted Antonio Valencia with a sturdy tackle at one end, and a cross at the other that resulted in van der Sar’s first save from Saha.

Source : Man Utd

United were excellent at Stamford Bridge, and Sir Alex Ferguson’s near-perfect game-plan only went unrewarded after the Reds conceded a goal from a highly dubious second-half free-kick, which led to Chelsea skipper John Terry’s winner.

The Reds had bossed possession for large periods of the game and looked the stronger, more confident side – with Darren Fletcher and Wayne Rooney both outstanding. United at least deserved a draw, but the overriding feeling is of injustice, made worse that the Reds slip to third and Chelsea boast a five-point lead at the top of the league.

Chelsea are formidable at Stamford Bridge, with a 100 per cent home record under Carlo Ancelotti this season and only one goal conceded. United also haven’t won in West London since April 2002, a record Sir Alex was keen to arrest. The opportunity was there to return to the league’s summit, and though most outsiders predicted the Reds would have no joy, Sir Alex had his men fired up to prove any doubters wrong.

But he would have to do it without either first-choice central defender, as troublesome calf problems kept Rio Ferdinand out and Nemanja Vidic on the bench. That meant a centre-half pairing of Wes Brown and Jonny Evans up against the pace and power of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka. They coped admirably with the task.

Source : Man Utd

As expected, United dramatically reached the knockout stages of the Champions League - but not without the mother of all frights.

Goals in the final six minutes from Paul Scholes and Antonio Valencia - albeit via a huge deflection - saved United from a first Champions League home defeat since February 2005, after CSKA Moscow had stunned Old Trafford by roaring into a 3-1 lead.

The Russians, who looked a team transformed from the sides' meeting in Moscow a fortnight ago, repeatedly took advantage of defensive generosity from the Reds, striking before the break through Alan Dzagoev and Milos Krasic. Michael Owen had briefly levelled in-between, but Vasili Berezutski struck early in the second half to seemingly put the game beyond United.

Inevitably, the Reds rallied late on, especially after the introduction of substitute Wayne Rooney and, after Scholes had headed home on 84 minutes, Valencia's 20-yard strike took a huge deflection off Georgi Schennikov and flew past the impressive Igor Akinfeev.

From the first whistle, the signs suggested United were in for a tough evening. An unfortunate ricochet threatened to deal the Reds' hopes a blow inside 20 seconds, as Dzagoev led a break of three visitors against two home defenders, but he could only fire over the bar from 20 yards. Two minutes later, Deividas Semberas chanced his arm from similar range, and his low drive skidded just past Edwin van der Sar's post.

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United are another step closer to retaining the Carling Cup after seeing off a spirited challenge from Championship side Barnsley.

The Reds made the perfect start at Oakwell, taking a sixth-minute lead when Danny Welbeck buried a free header from Anderson’s right-wing corner. A masterclass in finishing from Michael Owen early in the second half sealed a place in the last eight of the competition, despite Gary Neville's red card then reducing United to ten men.

The night was also notable for Gabriel Obertan's senior debut, more than three months after signing for United. The Frenchman completed a full 90 minutes, switching from one flank to another and showing flashes of promise.

Obertan started on the right and helped to create United's early breakthrough with a jinking run on that flank. The corner he forced was whipped in by Anderson and although he had defenders on either side of him, Welbeck was unchallenged as he nodded the ball past former United goalkeeper Luke Steele.

The cool-as-you-like youngster nearly had a second reason to show us his Usain Bolt style celebration when he killed a ball into the Barnsley box with a sublime first touch and fired in a low strike that Steele did well to save. It was an impressive move, even if Owen was in a position that cried out for a pass rather than a shot from Welbeck. A third chance for Welbeck was more difficult, his header sailing high and wide from Obertan's cross.

Source : Man Utd

Sir Alex’s message prior to Sunday’s clash with Liverpool was simple: form counts for nothing in these matches. Unfortunately, he was right.

At Anfield, the team in the midst of their worst run of results in 22 years beat the side who hadn’t tasted defeat in 11 games. Goals from Fernando Torres and David Ngog – the second in the sixth minute of injury time as the Reds threw men forward in search of an equaliser – gave Liverpool all three points in a game United never looked like winning. To make matters worse, Nemanja Vidic was given his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card in the 89th minute. It’s the third time in a row he’s been sent off in this fixture.

In isolation, defeat isn’t disastrous: the Reds lose top spot but it’s only October and a trip to Stamford Bridge – an opportunity, in all probability, to wrestle back the lead – beckons in a fortnight. No, it’s more a matter of pride and a blow to the momentum Sir Alex’s men had built up over the last two months.

Heading into Sunday’s clash, the boss made four changes to the side that won in Moscow in midweek. John O’Shea and Patrice Evra slotted back into the defensive line and Ryan Giggs took up a position on the left wing. But the pre-match discussion on the terraces and in pubs up and down the country centred on Wayne Rooney’s return. Out of action since the international break with a calf injury, the boyhood Everton fan came through Saturday’s training session unscathed and took his place in Sir Alex’s starting XI.

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The Reds may not have left the Luzhniki Stadium with a trophy this time, but Sir Alex's men departed Russia on a high once more after Antonio Valencia struck his second goal in two games to secure a 1-0 win over CSKA Moscow.

United deservedly reaped maximum reward for a patient and professional performance when Valencia, who had earlier clattered the woodwork, fired home in the 86th minute to maintain the Reds' perfect record in Group B.

Sir Alex was without five first-team regulars for the trip to Russia with Wayne Rooney, Patrice Evra, Darren Fletcher, Ji-sung Park and Ryan Giggs all nursing knocks back in Manchester. But with his side in pole position in the group, there was no need to go for the jugular and that was illustrated in his team selection with John O’Shea providing defensive steel alongside Paul Scholes in central midfield. Anderson, Nani and Valencia provided the attacking threat with Dimitar Berbatov up front on his own.

The Reds dominated much of the early exchanges with Nani, who looped a curling effort just over the bar on two minutes, and Champions League debutant Fabio linking up particularly well down the left flank. Juande Ramos’ CSKA side were not about to be overawed however and Milos Krasic almost made the most of a rare defensive lapse by fellow countryman Nemanja Vidic after four minutes, but the Serbian attacker’s well-struck drive flew high and wide.

Much had been made about the Luzhniki’s plastic pitch before the game and it almost led to a United opener on 25 minutes. Paul Scholes took aim with a 20-yard screamer which bounced just in front of CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev. The Russian stopper's parry could have gone anywhere and he was no doubt relived to see the ball bounce up over the bar and away for a corner.

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For once, United fans were delighted there were no late goals at Old Trafford.

After cruising through the opening 60 minutes and creating enough chances to have hit double figures, Sir Alex's men ended the match clinging on to a narrow advantage and weathering a barrage of Bolton attacks.

There was a collective sigh of relief when Mark Clattenburg finally blew for full-time, followed by a chorus of “United, top of the league” from the Stretford End. Indeed, despite the visitors’ best efforts and a Matthew Taylor goal 15 minutes from time, an early Zat Knight own goal and Antonio Valencia’s first strike for the Reds netted the three points and ensured United’s top-dog status after Chelsea’s earlier defeat at Aston Villa.

With Wayne Rooney sidelined with a calf injury sustained on England duty, Sir Alex turned to Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen to lead the line against 13th-placed Bolton. It was the first time the pair had started for the Reds and it took just four minutes before United were in front. Owen played a part in the goal, glancing Patrice Evra’s cross before the ball bounced off the hapless Knight and into his own net.

Sir Alex had made wholesale changes in midfield after the Reds’ abject performance against Sunderland a fortnight ago. Anderson and Michael Carrick were preferred in the centre, with Antonio Valencia and Ryan Giggs on the flanks. Anderson was particularly effective, battling well for possession and using the ball intelligently when he invariably won it. When he’s in the mood, the Brazilian’s pass-and-move game is a joy to watch.

Source : Man Utd

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10 October 2009

"Good friends are like stars! You don't always see them but you know they are there"
May all your wishes come true

United maintained top spot in the Barclays Premier League – even if it is only temporarily with Chelsea and Liverpool in action on Sunday – after a scrappy draw against Sunderland. But it could have been a lot worse for the Reds, who delivered their least convincing performance since losing at Burnley.

Darren Bent put the Black Cats in front on seven minutes, then Dimitar Berbatov hit back after the break with a stunning scissor-kick. But Sunderland regained the lead again through Kenwyne Jones, only for an injury-time leveller courtesy of Patrice Evra and a huge deflection off the heels of Anton Ferdinand.

Credit to Sunderland, who came and fought for every ball, passed it well, and took their chances. United, you can’t help but feel, played the get out of jail free card. The Reds’ aim was to extend the lead over Chelsea and Liverpool, and did that, only by one point rather than three.

Sir Alex Ferguson highlighted the strength of his squad before Sunderland’s visit, and he attempted to utilise that strength by making seven changes from the team that started Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Wolfsburg. In came Ben Foster, Jonny Evans, Darren Fletcher, Paul Scholes, Nani, Dimitar Berbatov and Danny Welbeck, making only his second league start.

Typically autumnal conditions welcomed the teams at Old Trafford, a mixture of rain and sun in the hours before kick-off and, more tellingly, a swirling wind rattled around the inside of the ground. The game started at an almost leisurely pace for United - much too leisurely.

Source : Man Utd

A United substitute made all the difference against German opposition in the Champions League. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

Ten years after Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored sensational injury-time winners against Bayern Munich to bring Europe’s most prestigious trophy to Old Trafford, Dimitar Berbatov came off the bench to orchestrate a battling come-from-behind win to sink Wolfsburg and keep United on course for a third consecutive Euro final.

Of course, there’s a long way to go before Sir Alex’s men can even dream of walking out at the Bernabeu in May, but the Reds’ 2-1 win over Wolfsburg means United now top Group B, three points clear of the Germans and CSKA Moscow, who beat Besiktas in the night’s early fixture.

Berbatov, thrown on for the injured Michael Owen on 20 minutes, delivered what was arguably his finest performance yet in a red shirt. Astounding touch, vision and accuracy of passing permeated his play from start to finish, as everything United created seemed to go through the Bulgarian.

Sir Alex had begun the match with just six members of the side that beat Besiktas 1-0 in Istanbul on Matchday 1. Tomasz Kuszczak started between the posts, while Michael Owen was handed his first Champions League start in a United shirt.

Paul Scholes, the match-winner in Turkey a fortnight ago and the man confirmed this week as the Premier League’s most accurate passer, had to settle for a place on the bench as Sir Alex opted for a central midfield pairing of Anderson and Michael Carrick.

Source : Man Utd