What will the New Year bring....

Well the new year is upon us, and after a busy Christmas schedule United are top of the league with a game in hand ( 2 on City ). The season so far has had ups and downs of all kinds, but here we are going into the New Year on top and still undefeated! Our title rivals must be concerned as the team have, with out question, not hit top form this season, and when we do....we could easily pull ahead by some margin.
With the Rooney saga behind us and his form improving, Rio playing the longest stretch of games that I can recall in the past few years, Berba really hitting his stride, Valencia still to return ( althought ulikely this campaign ), a question worth asking is, who will we go for in January, and if not January in the summer, what is United's biggest need? For me it is an attacking/creative midfielder, with Scholes and Giggs soon to hang up their boots I don't think Anderson and Nani will fully fill them when they are gone. Who is a question that is harder to answer as Fergie rarely buys the finished product, he prefers to buy raw talent and shape it the United way....and based on the evidence you can't say he's wrong!
I have been absent from the blog simply due to a very hectic period that should be over now, so expect lots of posts ( and rants ) in the future! To all my fellow United fans ( a little late but better late than never ) Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and have a safe and Happy New Year! Until Next time....C'MON YOU REDS!!!!

Seasons change....

It's been a while since my last post, I've spent it contemplating the season so far and the season that lies ahead. United, for the most part, have had and indifferent start to the season. Still undefeated, with some luck, sitting in 3rd place behind City. We have seemed to have trouble closing out games and holding on to leads late in the game, both traits you would never have associated with United in previous seasons. And now with more finacial turmoil coming out in the press and Anti-Glazer pressure rising, and Rooney still seemingly unsettled and still having not signed his contract, where is this season heading? I don't believe in my heart of hearts there is anything to worry about with Rooney....he will find his form again ( perhaps not the form of last season, but at least the Rooney of previous season ) and I have a hard time seeing him leaving the club or playing for another club in England, but stranger things...right. Currently I see promise and frailty with United, and although my preferance is to see them play cavalier football and win every match, there is something exciting about the unpredictablity....and not just at United but with the league as a whole this season. So let's strap in for the return of the league this weekend against West Brom and watch our beloved Reds put on a show. As for the blog....going forward I should be back after the weekends events!

Cheers!

Keep the red flag flying high.....

Well after an indifferent few matches in the Premiership, a Champions League draw that on paper looked easy and our star man being on the front ( and back ) pages for all of the wrong reasons, the Champions League resumed with uninspiring results.

United huffed and puffed but simply could not blow down Rangers house. With possession, chances and pretty much everything else in our favor we could not get the all important win at home. Now I stress there is no need to panic but one does have to wonder just where this young season is headed. The real lose this evening was Valencia....not the 2 points. He is a reliable and fairly consistent performer and has proven to be a big part of out team, and will be sorely missed.

I feel as though we are currently experiencing a large case of "if's" at the moment, if Rooney can battle through his personal issues and re-find his form, if Rio can stay health and become a consistent member of the back four again, if Berbatov and Scholes can keep up this early season form, if Chicharito can continue to develop and impress, etc we have a real chance of competing on all fronts...but what if it all goes wrong? We can only watch with batted breath...so to finish this piece off where it began......cause Man United never die!!!!

Cheers

Slow starts...or early warning signs?

After a good start beating Chelsea in the Community Shield and easily taking all 3 points from Newcastle at home we headed to London in highs spirits. It's no secret that Craven Cottage has not been a happy hunting ground for us these past few seasons but surely that would not continue, with a managerial change and the lose of their number one, or could it? United came out of the box guns blazing, depite Rooney's absense due to stomach flu, Berba and Chicharito were up front and looked good early on. And although we had lots of possession, and took the game to Fulham, we didn't really threaten their goal in the way we should have given our domination. Even at 1-0 through a great strike from Scholes, we never looked certain or assured. Now I had seen this in United last season, when Rooney was not on the field at times we lookes...at a loss for real direction. Berbatov played fairly well and looke confident on the ball while Chicharito ( who some supporters, I believe, expect too much of too soon ) was a none factor, but he is still finding his feet and I am sure will come good. After Fulham tied the game again we took hold and pressured, forcing an own goal, but almost immediately gave up the lead with poor marking in the box leaving us with one point on the day.

So is this just another case of a slow start, or early warning signs that our squad is not strong enough, or is it simply that the Premier League is becoming a more competitive league and no game is easy? Whatever it is we need get to forget this result and move on, with Chelsea off of to the start they've had we can't afford to have a slow start.

Cheers

Do we have room in the cabinet for this.....

The curtain raiser for the 10/11 seasons was a match that indicated what United supporters everywhere hope is a sign of things to come.

The first half was more of less a midfield battle, until Rooney's run followed by his cutback for Valencia put United up by one. Chelsea came out much stronger in the second half, but still went 2 behind when Chicharito finished ( and technically assisted by kicking the ball into his own face to score ). Chelsea managed to pull one back when Kalou pounced on a rebound in the area, but United were too much on the day and rounded off a strong performance with a brilliant chip from Berbatov ( who was played in neatly by Nani ).

Some may say this game is not important, or that it has no barring on the season, but do they truly believe that? Chelsea came into this match having lost their last 3 preseason matches, and really seemed to take a long time to really get going in the match. Drogba came on but to be honest I never even noticed him, and barely heard his name mentioned by the commentators. Granted Chelsea had more shots and slightly more possession but they did nothing with it. United made chances count, cut them open at times and played cool and patient when we did not have the ball. This game has solidified my faith in the squad, and my belief that this season we will challenge on all fronts. I look forward to next weeks match against Newcastle to get out season underway, and march towards our 19th league title. On a side not the pic of all those Chelsea fans booing Rooney in the first half does make me smile....hindsight is a wonderful thing!
Cheers

Pre-season is over...now it all begins!

With the last 2 preseason matches out of the way ( 3-2 loss to Chiva's and a 7-1 mauling of Airtricity League Select XI with some fantastic finishes ) United will start their march towards their 19th league title. First up is the Community Shield match this coming Sunday against Chelsea, which should provide a better test than the majority of the preseason matches. The league officially kicks off for United Monday, Aug. 16 against Newcastle at Old Trafford, a match which should see us secure 3 points. The squad looks good, I like the mix of youth and experience and really believe ( that barring too many injuries ) we have the squad to challenge on all fronts. My excitement for the coming season is reaching its fever pitch and surely this Sundays clash with Chelsea will push it over the edge. So for my fellow reds in the GTA come down to Main Event, for pints ( Guinness for myself ), sing song, and a great afternoon! For everyone else...Keep the Red Flag flying high......CAUSE MAN UNITED NEVER DIE!!!!!!

The kids are alright....

Manchester United definitely responded just how Ferguson would expect! After being beaten by the Wizards with a controversial goal, United came out with guns blazing against the MLS All-Stars taking a very early lead through Macheda, who latched onto a bad back pass and slotted by the keeper to put United ahead 1-0. From that moment on United attacked with flare and conviction that was refreshing to see in a fairly young side, who definitely gave Sir Alex something to think about for the coming season. With 2 goals by Macheda, a fantastic free kick from Gibson, a wondering bit of skill and finish from Cleverley, and all rounded off by a wonderfully timed run and deliteful chip from Chicharito it was a great evening of attacking football and would have given the lads loads on confidence with only one game remaining on the tour. The final score was 5-2 with Ching and DeRo scoring for the MLS All-Stars. Macheda was given the match MVP, and well deserved with 2 great goals and a match where he looked lively and dangerous throughout. Next stop Mexico before heading back the UK to meet up with the World Cup players and a few more matches before the Community Shield against Chelsea. If this tour has done nothing else it has made me realize that maybe we don't need a big name siging, these kids just might prove alot of people wrong. We have a good mix of talent youth and experienced pros who have been there before, so let everyone else waste millions on players and try to build their own real life fantasy squad, I for one will trust in Sir Alex and this group of players who are a real team, not a collection of individuals. Glory, Glory Man United!!!
Cheers

The curious case of the new kit.....

I'm not sure when it started, and I'm not sure why...but each new kit seems to bring a large amount of controversy. A quick search around football blogs all over the web will show you that most people seem to have something ( usually negative ) to say about the new United kit ( to be fair most teams have these kind of rants from supporters ). Now before we get into this too far we need to get one argument out of the way right from the off if we are going to actually talk about this, and that is...simple....yes new kits are a cash grab, every sports team does it so please let's stop banging that drum.
Now I for one have a closet full of pretty much every home and away United kit I have managed to get my hands on and to to be honest really like the new kit, and despite all the negative talk on the web and in pubs all over the world come the first home match of the new season Old Trafford ( as well as packed pubs around the world ) will be filled with supporters in this new kit. Which made me think....is the design really that important.....no...it isn't...if you really get down to it...as long as the home shirt is red....and bares the crest of my beloved Manchester United over my heart....the new kits will always find a place in my heart and closet as well as the hearts and closets of reds around the world!
Cheers

Catch United at Main Event!

For those supporters in the GTA, make sure you come down to Main Event this Sunday for the preseason match against Kansas City this Sunday, July 25 @ 6pm.

The place is always full of United Supporters and has the best atmosphere your likely to get without actually going to Old Trafford! It is also the offical home of Manchester United Supporters Club of Canada! Thanks again to Michael Singer and the gang for making this happen!

Cheers

Contract talks....but nothing signed, and Forbes rich list?

Yesterday saw David Gill announce that Vidic had agreed to new extended terms with the club...although nothing was actually signed yet and there has been no statement from the player or his agents, so while this would be great for United, I will hold off on my celebrations.

Also yesterday David Gill announced that the club would be entering contract talk with Wayne Rooney about an extension with the club. After the rumours of multiple clubs coming in for Rooney I would hope this deal is tied up soon and can put the transfer rumours regarding one of my all time favorite United players to bed. It seems clear that Rooney and the club want to get this deal sorted, so I would hope it is not long after his returns from holiday that the club and his people sort this out.

If those two deals can get finalized we can move forward with preseason with no drama, which would be great for the club and us the supporters.

Also this week Forbes has released a sports rich list with Manchester United topping the bill, I warn you now, nothing good can come of this. The Glazers no doubt will use this as some sort of justification to their staying at the club. I urge United fans not to buy into this and remember the debit not this silly article.

Cheers

Manchester United beat Philly, World Cup players return!

Manchester United beat Philadelphia Union in the second match of their preseason tour yesterday 1-0. The goal came 14 minutes from time by Gabriel Obertan to claim the victory in what was, for the most part, a scrappy match with both teams not really finding their rythm for large parts of the match.

Sir Alex Ferguson has said that he expects his World Cup players ( Rooney, Vidic, Carrick, Park and Evra ) to return to action August 4 when the Reds visit Dublin.

Also in this mornings sports pages was a few reports on the uncertain future on Vidic, with quotes from Ferguson confirm that his ( Vidic ) future at the club is unclear. Now as much as I love Vidic, he has been a rock in defence ( burned now and again with pace but no one is perfect ) I would like to see him moved on if he truely does not want to be at the club, if a player does not want to pull on the shirt I believe they should pack their bags.

Cheers

Manchester United v Philadelphia Union, Wed 21

For my fellow Canadian's looking to catch the 2nd match of Uniteds preseason tour tomorrow against Philly make sure you head down to Main Event, 2368 Yonge Street, Toronto ( Home of the Official Manchester United Supporters Club of Canada ) where they will be showing the match at 7:30pm. Thanks to Michael Singer for making this happen! Also be sure to check out www.muscc.net for info about the club!

Cheers

Manchester United v Celtic July. 16/2010

It is not often ( really never ) as a supporter of Manchester United in Canada do I have the pleasure of seeing my beloved reds here in my hometown of Toronto. Now I have heard people mutter things like " it's not the full squad" or " it's a meaningless friendly" etc, but that is something I can not bring myself to even consider. Having only made one trip across the pond to worship at Old Trafford in my life ( taking in two games, as well as a stadium tour and trip to Carrington ) this was truely a great night! How can anyone who knows anything about football say that seeing the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Edwin Van Der Sar, Wes Brown, Darren Fletcher and not to mention Sir Alex Ferguson to name but a few, consider it so unimportant and shrug it off....answer they are not true supporters.

As for myself the night was great, drinks, songs, laughs, a fantastic bit of skill and great finish by Berbatov, and my beloved reds romping to an entertaining 3-1 victory over Celtic! Now ( as if I wasn't already ) I am counting down the days till the kick off of the new season!

Cheers