I was contacted by ESPN (Asia) to do a small interview with them, taking stock of the season so far. I believe it will be up on their site in a day or two. But one of the questions that had me stumped was when I was asked to name an unsung hero for us this season. I think Fletcher had been unsung in past seasons, but there have been enough noise made about his importance this season. And Park Ji Sung has been too mediocre to qualify (Maybe his cause may have been helped if his name was Park Ji-Unsung.). Anyway the main impression I got was we have blown hot and cold far too often to have any heroes, sung or unsung.

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Betfair is the official Manchester United betting partner and we here at Red Rants have partnered with them to offer a free £25 bet when you register. Unlike other betting sites, Betfair allows you to place bets when the game is running and choose the odds at which you want to play. What allows you to do these things is you’re betting against other fans, not the bookie, so if you want better odds than are currently available, for example, you can place an order for a better price (but bear in mind that if your price is unrealistic your bet is unlikely to be accepted). So, give this a run if you’re up for it.

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The games come thick and fast during this time of year and later today Manchester United face off against Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford in their last match of 2009. United find themselves in a favourable position in the Premier League, if they win this match that would take them back to within two points of Chelsea at the top of the table. Considering our form of late and the less than convincing performance over Hull at the weekend, we must look to push on and continue the title fight.

Due to Edwin van der Sar’s absence for family reasons, we wish him and his family well; Tomasz Kuszczak will continue his stint in goal and hopefully continue his fine form.

Wes Brown and Nemanja Vidic both returned from injury against Hull and after assessing their fitness it is expected both will retain their respective places in the United side. Rafael also returned to the side and should start at right-back, while the ever present Patrice Evra will play in his usual left-back slot. The usual list of absentees continue to watch from the sidelines, those being Rio Ferdinand, John O’Shea, Jonny Evans and Gary Neville. Fabio and Ritchie De Laet will again find themselves on the bench.

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Betfair is the official Manchester United betting partner and we here at Red Rants have partnered with them to offer a free £25 bet when you register. Unlike other betting sites, Betfair allows you to place bets when the game is running and choose the odds at which you want to play. What allows you to do these things is you’re betting against other fans, not the bookie, so if you want better odds than are currently available, for example, you can place an order for a better price (but bear in mind that if your price is unrealistic your bet is unlikely to be accepted). So, give this a run if you’re up for it.

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Merry Christmas, after a few days of relaxation the hard graft of the Premier League gets underway once more. Manchester United face a trip to Hull City and the KC Stadium later today, with Chelsea slipping up once more and the defeat last week against Fulham, it is imperative we return to winning ways. A positive result would leave us a mere two points adrift of the league leaders, unthinkable a week ago.

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Greetings, merry men. It’s been a fairly hectic few days and, as the holiday season wears on, it’s bound to stay the same.

While I was away, a few things happened and among those few things included United losing its fifth game of the season; this time a 3-0 loss to Fulham. I wasn’t home that day, and missed the match. On most occasions of my United supporting years it would be a bad thing. Most readers would agree this was an exception.

I wouldn’t want to dwell on that and re-open wounds that are in the process of being stitched (presumably). So I will just move on.

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Betfair, Manchester United’s official betting partner, has offered Red Rants readers a free £25 bet when you register with Betfair through us and place a bet on a United game or any other game. Bet with Betfair and claim your free £25 bet.

Injury problems continue to dog United and this Saturday’s trip to Fulham could be trickier than Betfair layers predict – the champions trade at 1.56 (4-7) for the win.

The Cottagers have produced some tidy and effective football this year, suffering just two defeats at home with Liverpool among their victims. Only Chelsea and Arsenal can claim league wins at the Thames-side fortress and it’s now four Premier League games unbeaten for Roy Hodgson’s men.

So, it’s unlikely to be a walk in the park for Sir Alex and co., especially with Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher lined up to fill in at the back again. Wolves may have been shut out but Fulham will test the back four a little more than Wanderers’ reserves.

Given United’s defensive issues it’s a surprise to see over 2.5 goals trade above odds-on and that is the main selection. Fulham may not be free-scoring but they’re usually good for one or two goals while United aren’t too bad at finding the back of the net…

Only Chelsea have beaten Fulham by more than one goal this year and there’s little to suggest this won’t be a tight affair. Yet most of the markets point to Reds’ dominance. A small lay of United on the Asian handicap market -1&1.5 at odds of 1.92 (10-11) will mean a winning bet for you should the Reds win by a solitary goal or fail to win at all. Granted, it’s not the most loyal bet for a United fan to make but a winner is a winner…

As for individuals on the pitch, Anotonio Valencia has hit stride in recent weeks with goals against West Ham and Wolves. He could figure again and a price around 4 (3-1) may reward a tentative bet.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, Liverpool look short at 1.62 (5-8) to win at Portsmouth. Avram Grant’s charges have shown improved form in recent weeks, giving Chelsea a scare in midweek to prove that the players are still on side despite the club’s financial troubles. The new manager still has time to work things out while Liverpool were hardly convincing against Wigan. A lay of Benitez’s boys could be the shrewdest bet of the weekend.

Bet with Betfair and claim your free £25 bet.

Betfair is the official Manchester United betting partner and we here at Red Rants have partnered with them to offer a free £25 bet when you register. Unlike other betting sites, Betfair allows you to place bets when the game is running and choose the odds at which you want to play. What allows you to do these things is you’re betting against other fans, not the bookie, so if you want better odds than are currently available, for example, you can place an order for a better price (but bear in mind that if your price is unrealistic your bet is unlikely to be accepted). So, give this a run if you’re up for it.

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After comfortably overcoming a Wolves reserve side Manchester United must travel to Craven Cottage to face an in-form Fulham team fresh from Europa League duty. Expect a tight match as Fulham are unbeaten in their last six games, in all competitions. United on the other hand are hindered by the same plethora of injuries that have become commonplace over recent weeks.

For United, Tomasz Kuszczak will start in goal, as Edwin van der Sar has not recovered from a knee injury in time to face his former club. Ben Foster will remain benched.

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The Champions League draw results have been out, and as most of you know, United get AC Milan in the round of 16. The papers’ analysis of the draw is Beckham’s return to Old Trafford and Jose’s return to Chelsea. It begs the question: is a draw, which is presumably a glorified roll of the dice to determine which sides face each other, really something worth analysing? Thoughts?

Of course, the talking point for United fans is Beckham’s return to Old Trafford as a player. Before Ronaldo he was our biggest marketable star, and like Ronaldo, his departure has split opinion amongst supporters. His reception will intrigue me. So, thoughts on Beckham’s arrival, welcome.

And finally Ryan Giggs has agreed another one-year contract extension. At this rate it’s quite possible I will be reporting a new deal for Giggs in 2065 to my grandchildren. The extension is unsurprising, which is why it’s incredible.

“Ryan deserves a new contract and I am sure he will play for another two years,” said the manager. “His form is fantastic at the moment and he is playing some of his best football.”

Giggs on his extension: “I am enjoying my football more than ever and I am looking forward to hopefully winning more trophies with United.”

Right, so there’s your lot. And, once again, thoughts?

Betfair is the official Manchester United betting partner and we here at Red Rants have partnered with them to offer a free £25 bet when you register. Unlike other betting sites, Betfair allows you to place bets when the game is running and choose the odds at which you want to play. What allows you to do these things is you’re betting against other fans, not the bookie, so if you want better odds than are currently available, for example, you can place an order for a better price (but bear in mind that if your price is unrealistic your bet is unlikely to be accepted). So, give this a run if you’re up for it.

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The greatest tonic for a shock defeat is a relatively straightforward fixture as soon as possible. That’s what Manchester United have when Wolverhampton Wanderers visit Old Trafford later on this evening. After two straight wins, the first time that has happened in the top flight for 26 years, Wolves will not be short on belief especially after the 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, and United will be looking to bounce back in emphatic fashion against the newly promoted side.

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