Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Some footballers are remembered for their statistics. Goals scored / games played, clean sheets, the number of titles won, personal milestones, international honours, and then some. Over time, legends are built and reputations are dismantled over numbers, because after a while, the memory fades and numbers are all that remain.

Others - a select few - are remembered for different reasons. Fans remember them because of how they served the club, unflinching devotion off the pitch, selfless service on it. These are players who etch a place for themselves in the history books by sheer effort and loyalty to the club. That’s not all there is to it, of course - the legend needs memorable highlights, and more often than not, these players provide ample highlights.

So it is with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, or as we know him, 20LEGEND. Whether it’s the 99′ final or the 4 goals in 12 minutes, the hair-raising reception at his return from injury that swept a 75,000 strong stadium to its feet or the songs sung in his absence, Solskjaer was a hero to all United fans, and he will be fondly remembered for a long, long time as the model United player.

Adrian Clarke caught up with Mr Solskjaer to discuss his time at Manchester United and how the club has evolved since he first signed on.

Continue reading “Interview with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a true (20)Legend”

The silver lining that came from yesterday was Chelsea getting ousted from the FA Cup. The biggest upset of the day did, in some way, assuage the pain of getting knocked out by the sailor men from Portsmouth. Because, prior to the Chelsea game I was really angry, not especially because of us getting knocked out, but because the Blues would have their easiest passage towards defending their FA Cup crown.

For us though, after being given more than our fair share of draws against Premiership opposition, it had to happen some day. As much as I hate to say it, we were knocked out despite playing football that was many times superior than our opponents.

Continue reading “Man Utd 0-1 Portsmouth: Muntari Penalty Sends Pompey Through”

Harry Redknapp has called on his men to sort themselves out if they are to prevent Manchester United from giving them a hiding at Old Trafford today. An experienced campaigner, Harry Redknapp would do well to pore over the performance of the team the last time we sent them to the cleaners. That match was known more for Ronaldo’s free-kick, and the trajectory of the ball, for which reams of paper (and webspace) were dedicated debating the merits of his technique.

As much as the Portuguese winger has been terrorizing defences this season, Nwankwo Kanu has said he doesn’t fear him as much as is being made out to be.

Continue reading “Man Utd v Portsmouth: FA Cup Preview”

Behold! Squeaky bum time is approaching and approaching fast for Manchester United and if you think that I am talking about the remaining five fixtures that Fergie’s men have left in March, you are gravely mistaken. Nay, it is not March which worries me, but April… that is a different story.

Of Manchester United’s eighteen possible fixtures left, nine of them would be next month. Aside from the four Premier League fixtures, they could have an additional four Champions League games and, if they get past Portsmouth on Saturday, the FA Cup semi-final is conveniently placed between the two legs of the Champions League quarter-finals (in place of a Premier League fixture against Middlesbrough).

Oh, did I mention that they will also be taking on Arsenal and Chelsea?

So onto the actual fixtures:

Continue reading “Manchester United’s tough, tough April fixtures list”

You know how bad the world around us is when the Telegraph, of all the papers, run a headline “Barcelona line up Cristiano Ronaldo bid” and follow it up in their article quoting the club as saying that Ronaldo is among a list of players they are ‘looking at’.

It’s simple, if you think about it; Barca = Big Club, Big Club Loves Big Player, Ronaldo = Big Player, So Barca Loves Ronaldo. It is this kind of specious Aristotlean Syllogism that papers get into, at times, that gets my goat. Not that I particularly detest the Greek thinker, but it gives one a rather convenient route of reasoning that results in pointless speculation; something that causes wastage of acres of webspace… ahem… I think I will stop talking about it here, right now.

Continue reading “Rooney Proposes, Barca Stalks, Fletch Loved.”

Manchester United have been, for several years now, circumspect in Europe (ponderous and over-cautious if you want to be picky about it). It’s not something the fans enjoy, but it is a combination of Fergie’s choices and how our players perform (both are equally responsible), so we have to come to terms with it.

On the surface, the season has gone well - United are one point behind Arsenal with a superior goal difference and Arsenal still to come to Old Trafford. United are also in the quarter-finals of both the FA Cup and the Champions League, and would be good bets to progress to the last four in each of the competitions.

But there are times when United’s performances disappoint and leave you wanting for much more. Last night’s performance against Lyon at Old Trafford was one of those games.

Continue reading “Manchester United players need to do better”

Alain Perrin thinks Karim Benzema would be a big hit at OT today — a big hit for Lyon, that is. The young hotshot was more than a handful for our defence, manufacturing a goal out of nowhere in the first leg. So he is certainly one to watch out for. I certainly rate the mountain of a player.

Continue reading “Man Utd v Lyon: Preview”

There has been a lot of talk on midfielders in the comments section, I realise Penguin did a post on this topic, however, his was more centred on individuals whereas I will be looking at partnerships as well. And there is a big decision to be made by SAF on who to play in the centre of the park on Tuesday when we host Lyon in the second leg of the tie.

Continue reading “SAF’s European Headache”

It’s Fulham today and United would look to put goals past the Cottagers and ensure the all important three points. Arsenal will be playing Villa at the same time.

So let’s get our preview in as soon as we can as we lead you up to the match.

Continue reading “Fulham v Man Utd: Preview”