United put on another disjointed away display as Aston Villa did their claim to the number four slot no harm with a credible draw at Villa Park. There is a lot to say in the post mortem analysis, so let’s get on with it.

Continue reading

It’s nice to be back. Being able to blog again — hopefully, regularly — gives you a feeling that’s difficult to describe; one of blogginess. Or perhaps, should I not be too happy to be blogging when I really ought to be having a life? Who knows!

On to the preview…

Continue reading

I know, after being inactive for what is certainly the longest period of, well, inactiveness, this might be pushing it a bit. But it sure looks like the main period that was sucking the life out of my offline world has passed, and I shall be able to bring back the regularity that characterized this blog in the past.

Anyway, where was I?… Yes! The Soccerlens 2008 Awards for recognizing excellence in blogging is back and I sure have the cheek to request everyone to nominate Red Rants for some of the categories — whichever is relevant. I suppose Best Blog Community comes closest, although you are free to nominate us for whatever category you feel like. If you scroll down to this page you’ll find a form where you can cast your nominations.

Cheers, and I’ll sure be back to catch up with United news, analysis, expert opinion, jokes etc. pretty soon.

A home game. Five goals banged in. The frustrations of last week should slightly be assuaged. But it won’t, because the same Arsenal team lost to Villa yesterday. Makes our defeat at the Emirates seem all the more perplexing.

But let’s not go there now.

Continue reading

Open thread again… I’ll add my two pence worth when I can. Till then, rant away.

Oh my, Rory Delap can throw, can’t he?!

This post has been long time coming. Ever since the Arsenal defeat angry words have been exchanged between fans over the direction the club seems to be taking on the pitch. And, while it’s too late to be doing a match report per se on the Arsenal game, it is a good time to reflect on the week(s) gone by.

So let this piece be a place where I look back at the days gone by.

Continue reading

Open thread folks: all links to streams, discussion on possible lineups, rants, frustration, optimism (blind and realistic), all go here.

Possebon is expected to return to the starting lineup alongside a host of other young prospects. Evans should get a run out too, and there is a good chance of getting to spot Manucho.

Otherwise, Fergie says there will be a fair bit of experienced legs alongside said youngsters.

As I said, open thread, as I can’t really do a full fledged review of this game.

PS: I know I haven’t written about the Arsenal game yet. I will do it sometime if it’s even relevant at that point — and even if I do it I will touch on points that haven’t been discussed. And believe me, my perspective of the game was far different to the majority opinion on the threads.

Anyway, that will come in good time… meanwhile, have at it. Over to you…

It’s early kick off time at the Emirates, and United’s meeting with the Gunners couldn’t have come at a better time. Arsenal have been in underwhelming form — yes, I know, form matters little during a game of this magnitude — while United have been kicking up a few gears in the league whilst also applying the brakes at times. The fact is, though, we still are scoring a lot of goals, whilst Arsenal have lost their first choice strike pair to injury and suspension.

Continue reading

First of all let me thank the majority of Americans for making a good decision. Hope’s now in the air. So, I suppose, when I wake up tomorrow, I’ll see my taxes halve, and my gas bills cut down a notch.

Oh.

Anyway, good to see a President who sounds intelligent. But enough of the political commentary for now. On to the game…

Continue reading