Mar 15
Derby County v Man Utd: Preview
A bad cold (or is it flu? I can’t tell) has not allowed me to move around freely. Since I need to keep a thread active here, I’ll put up a short preview.
Right, where do we start? Ben Foster looks certain to make his debut, forced into action due to EVDS’s injury and Kuszczak’s suspension. So that’s something worth looking forward to as Derby aren’t exactly the team that would threaten most defences.
While Derby are quite easily one of the worst of the teams that have played in the Premier League, the team must realise that there cannot be any easy games from now on, to use a cliche. So we need to keep focus and do a job and, if it motivates the players enough, we are in a position where wins from now would keep us in front till the end.
Fergie will surely rotate the team. And with the kind of opposition it’s hard to guess the formation. Although, if fit, Saha should start.
Our prediction: 3-0 to United.
Meanwhile, a word on the Champions’ League, we got Roma, again. I don’t feel easy about this considering we face Barca in the semis. I’d have preferred Barca now rather than the semis, because we could have taken advantage of their poor form and the absence of Messi. But that’s what we have now, and we hope we beat them, and we hope our fans are well protected this time.
That would be all. Now to snuggle back into my bed before I wake up for the match.
Related items from Red Rants:- Man Utd vs Derby County: Preview
- Reds Warm Up for Anfield, With Derby Win
- SAF Sounds Words of Caution | Safety Arrangements for Roma
- Man Utd v Portsmouth: FA Cup Preview
- United vs Wigan: Preview
Tags: Game Preview
March 15th, 2008 at 11:03
My team:
Foster
Brown-Rio-Vida-Evra
Ronaldo-Carrick-Anderson-Nani/Giggs if fit
Welbeck/Saha-Tevez
I dont know, but I have this wierd feeling that Ronaldo will score a hat-trick or more today. With the quality our strongest team compared to their….well, lets say shitty team, we are capable to win 7-0, 6-0 or even 8-0! I dont think Derby will just lie down, but their defense is worse than Newcatles, and that says something. They have the worst defense in the wountry, and with Stubbs out they know they dont stand a chance against us and Paul Jewell seems to be an United fan! His team never seems to do anything right when they play us. I know its optimistic, but I think United will win 7-0 if they take their chances! Ronaldo(3), Anderson, Welbeck/Saha, Vidic and Tevez to score. If Chelsea can score 6 against them, why cant we score more.
March 15th, 2008 at 11:52
haha how diplomatic of you reddevil
but I agree, I’m in the mood for a thrashing (to lift the confidence of the side after pompey at least).
I don’t know if he’ll start any total outsiders (like Welbeck)…but if we’re crusing in the second half then why not.
March 15th, 2008 at 12:15
Always a bad idea to predict thrashings, it rarely ends well. Remember the last ‘worst ever’ Premiership side we played. Everybody was going on about double figures and we ended up drawing at home with them.
March 15th, 2008 at 12:28
Rooney needs a rest to find himself and Scholes and Hargreaves should be rested for Liverpool next week. Since we play Bolton in midweek I dont think United will field their absolute strongest team. If Fletcher can play after his toilet-injury he should start too. I have had a bad week so I would really enjoy a hammering today that would boast our goal-difference!
BTW; JB which team are you talking about? And when?
March 15th, 2008 at 12:38
RedDevil: Sunderland 2005-06, we drew 0-0 in a home game late in the season despite the fact that if they weren’t mathematically relegated at that point, they were effectively down.
That was quickly followed up by another game in which cricket scores were predicted, Boro at home where we drew 1-1, after they had sent a bunch of kids up due to FA and Uefa Cup commitments. Also the Wolves game at the start of the 2003-04 season springs to mind, when we struggled to a 1-0 win at home.
All I am saying is when you predict big scores you rarely get them. I’d be more than happy with a nice, simple, routine 2-0 or 3-0.
March 15th, 2008 at 12:50
I would be happy even if we got a 1-0 win, its just that with the quality this squad has we should win by more. Think about it:
Liverpool 0-6, Arsenal 0-5, Chelsea 1-6, Tottenham 0-4, United 1-4 with us hitting the post twice….Its not like they know how to defend. Football is football, its unpredictable and exiting, but today should be a game when we score some goals!
March 15th, 2008 at 12:50
I was hoping to see welbeck today.I thought when fergie said hel be involved once or twice he was referring to today.Hes not in the squad though.I hope anderson starts.I cant remember the last time he started a domestic game.
March 15th, 2008 at 12:55
JB we also lost against them that same season, but it really would be quite unreal if we struggled to beat this Derby team, I mean even their manager has lost all hope in his team, at least Sunderland and Wolves maintained some belief. Although I do think 7-0 or 8-0 is highly unlikely with the amount of chances we’ve been missing lately, I can see us scoring 4 or 5, although really that will all depend on what attacking players we play.
March 15th, 2008 at 13:08
The players will be rested today.,.. Don’t expect a score of above 3-0… We have bolton midweek, Pool weekend, UCL in midweek after that and another BPL tie the next weekend and then the UCL midweek tie… Last rest chance,…
March 15th, 2008 at 13:18
These are the games we got left: Derby, Bolton, Pool, Villa, Roma, Boro, Roma, Arse, Rovers, Barca/Shalke, Chelsea, Barca/Shalke, West Ham, Wigan and then CL final!
March 15th, 2008 at 14:16
the remaining fixtures work in our favor, we can beat everyone of those teams(a draw with Chelsea though).
March 15th, 2008 at 14:41
Anyone know about a link to the game?
March 15th, 2008 at 14:43
http://myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=8109&part=sports
March 15th, 2008 at 15:04
hay RD, do you post on bbc 606?
March 15th, 2008 at 15:08
No…why?
March 15th, 2008 at 15:12
Team News:
GK: Foster
RB: O’Shea
CB: Brown
CB: Vidic
LB: Evra
RM: Park
CM: Anderson
CM: Scholes
LM: Giggs
ST: Ronaldo
ST: Rooney
Subs: Heaton, Fletcher, Carrick, Hargreaves, Saha
March 15th, 2008 at 15:16
Great team, they should crush Derby. My prediction now: 6-0 to United with Ronaldo bagging a hat-trick, Anderson with his first goal, Vidic and Rooney.
March 15th, 2008 at 15:23
Tevez not even on bench, he has looked tured in recent matches, so fair enough. Fergie obviously doesn’t think he’s gna need to make attacking changes- with no Nani there either. Saha is back. Let’s see if he gets past the warm up this time. I think, if fit, he will prove very useful over the rest of the season.
Rooney: I’m not sure whether he needs a rest or some regular games, Fergie obviously thinks the latter, so I’m not going to disagree there.
Be interesting to see Scholes and Anderson again- they didn’t work last time, agianst City- ie whether Ando will play as the bruiser like at the Emirates, or whether they will both play uber attacking and we try and score a hatful. That would be nice.
No defenders on the bench, though Fletch can go right back- let’s hope the back four stay fit, then.
Anyone know about Rio? Injured? Suspended? Rested? Rested would make sense, he’s played a lot, this is Derby. Still, I’m sure Foster on his debut would have preferred Rio to Brown. I love Wesley, but he’s not great alongside Nemanja. Remember the San Siro last year?
Still, should be fun today.
Touch wood.
March 15th, 2008 at 15:28
no nani or tevez or rio…
March 15th, 2008 at 15:28
JB, where do you get these lineups so quickly? Are you Carlos Queiroz or something?
March 15th, 2008 at 15:34
good question red .
March 15th, 2008 at 15:37
He’s got his sources. o.O
Hopefully we can see Ronaldo play well as a striker, he and Rooney have always had a good relationship on the pitch.
March 15th, 2008 at 15:41
just a wild guess; but could it be setanta
sports
March 15th, 2008 at 15:44
Rooney and ronaldo big gamble.It could fly or sink
March 15th, 2008 at 15:46
its uefa, he says this everytime.
March 15th, 2008 at 15:49
Great, thanks Dan! For the link too! COME ON YOU REDS!
March 15th, 2008 at 15:50
Only Uefa.com for the CL games Dan. I actually write down the team sheet for SAF and give it to the referee
Just be happy you get the teams so early 
March 15th, 2008 at 16:22
Sh$te Giggs, another f@ck up. I really don’t know If I can stand watching him play anymore.
March 15th, 2008 at 16:32
what is giggs doing with the MU line up…hes past it..cant run past a player, cant deliver, cant pass !!! step up or sit out
March 15th, 2008 at 16:40
Ben foster dam…
March 15th, 2008 at 16:41
welcome FOSTER!!!
March 15th, 2008 at 16:42
YEEEAH FOSTER! Come on United, you should do better. Score a goal now!
March 15th, 2008 at 16:49
all i can say is poor…
March 15th, 2008 at 16:52
Fergie, please take giggs off. I can’t stand it.
March 15th, 2008 at 16:53
Wow guys, not even in my time at Leeds did we allow a team of Derby’s quality let us run out of options as Derby have managed the last 15 minutes in this half! Utterly disappointing half, but I hope it will improve considerably the next 45 minutes!
March 15th, 2008 at 16:53
Take on Saha, take off Giggs and we score. He is shite!
March 15th, 2008 at 16:54
Watching Giggs take free kicks and corners actaully pains me. Awful, awful first half from United, though created lots. Giggs through on goal shot about 15 yards wide after rounding keeper. Need. To. Improve. Or. Retire.
Better see a new side after the half. If we get to 70 mins with no score we might actually drop points. Against Derby.
Oh and Foster is simply class.
March 15th, 2008 at 16:57
This is so stupid. Giggs and Scholes shouldn’t play together. Without Nani our corners are a waist of time. rooney needs to get his act together and if it wasn’t for Foster’s brilliant play we would be in a worse position
March 15th, 2008 at 16:59
Yea Giggs was poor and dare i say it, Rooney has been poor to. Foster looks good, needs to work on his kicking though.
March 15th, 2008 at 17:03
wow, the first miller shot on Foster actually scared me for a sec, because from those missed kicks, i was getting worried, but did he ever pull through. 2 GREAT saves from Foster. So does any still think we dont need an out and out striker yet? SAF, please buy Huntelaar.
March 15th, 2008 at 17:04
We are not going 2 score at all.Championship material my foot.RoonALDO is not really working but damn is the midfield disjointed or what
March 15th, 2008 at 17:06
Who’s likely to score? Apart from Ronnie, I sincerely can’t see anyone on this kind of performance.
Foster: great saves, huge kicks, but have to be careful about those backpasses from the back four.
And where is Tevez? He needed a rest ok, but recently he’s been featuring as if he’s a fringe player. Baffling considering he’s our 2nd offensive threat.
March 15th, 2008 at 17:16
its just 1 of those days…
March 15th, 2008 at 17:24
If we lose today it will serve us right as we cannot just simply turn up at these places and expect to win just like that. A little humility wouldn’t go amiss, even if it is Derby County we are playing. But I’ll back United to salvage a goal in the last ten minutes here and nick it by the narrowest of margins.
March 15th, 2008 at 17:28
no rhythm wat so ever, could we be poorer than this, giving derby a chance to make their game…
March 15th, 2008 at 17:28
This is agony to watch.
March 15th, 2008 at 17:35
finally
March 15th, 2008 at 17:36
Jesus christ, why do you do this to me. Ronaldo Ronaldo!!!
March 15th, 2008 at 17:37
phew…that was a scare….get in now, one more to finish it off..come on u reds
March 15th, 2008 at 17:38
This is why we need Rooney.
March 15th, 2008 at 17:56
WHAT A GAME! that was not derby, that was some other team, i’ll tell you you this, if derby played like that for the whole season, they would not be bottom right now. FOSTER FOR 1ST TEAM! FOSTER FOR ENGLAND!
March 15th, 2008 at 17:58
That was a close call
March 15th, 2008 at 18:00
Maybe Fergie should spend less time at Cheltenham and more time preparing the team!
March 15th, 2008 at 18:01
Come on Dan, I don’t think Derby played all that well. IT’s because they didn’t play well that we didn’t lose that game. One change at half time. Saha for giggs thats all. Almost all of our forward play was broken down by giggs bad play. I don’t know how Fergie couldn’t see that. How many more games till he reaches his record? I think he’ll have to wait till next year to accomplish that. This is not the time for Fergie to be sentimentel.
March 15th, 2008 at 18:03
That was a fucking disgrace. Miss after miss. We’ve improved after he left the club but van Nistelrooy would have scored five today. We need a finisher up front , Rooney is a great player but he couldn’t hit a fucking hangar these days.
March 15th, 2008 at 18:09
It was a bit scary. That was really close, and if that last shot by Carroll had gone in, it would’ve made Derby’s pointless existence worthwhile. But at the end of the day that was 3 good points and we go top atleast for sometime.
However, our away performances are getting quite alarming. Derby gave us a good rollicking and apart from the first half hour, they looked more dominant.
1. Our midfield pairing (any) just can’t seem to make an impact. And impact not in the sense of passing, but in case of getting forward. When was the last time a person from our central midfield pairing scored? Apart from Fletcher against Arsenal, and Hargo versus Fulham, we have to way back to i don’t know when.
2. Someone apart from Ronaldo has to start putting the ball at the back of the net. To be honest, Im quite tired of watching Rooney winge and whine which he did alot of in the first half today. More than half our shots were taken by Ronaldo. Isn’t there anyone who gets a sighter at goal?
3. Another downfall was the players were stretched. they were supposed to push and finish off the game and rest Rooney and Ronaldo. Didn’t happen.
4. WHAT THE FUCK was with the REF?? It was thug culture on the pitch. Ronaldo and others got pushed, impaled, kicked, stamped. ITS TICKING OFF
March 15th, 2008 at 18:14
Good point, utsav. Derby sabotaged the play time and time again today. Were they punished? Of course not. It’s no wonder Ronaldo gets frustrated. It seems players have a license to do whatever they want against him.
March 15th, 2008 at 18:15
Jesus Christ, Rooney missed one chance, one!! Ronaldo missed a good five, yet guess who gets the blame
The defence was a shambles today. Anyone who thinks Vidic is better that Ferdinand needs to take a good look at that game again. The less said about the distribution (maybe it would be better described as hoofing) from the back the better. Finally Giggs and O’Shea were a disgrace today, their passing wasn’t even up to Derby standards.
The central midfield was MIA and failed to get the game under control for most of the day and didn’t improve until Carrick’s arrival. We have one CM showing his age (Scholes), one showing his lack of experience (Anderson) and another yet to hit top form (Hargreaves). So here is an idea SAF, play your best midfielder and stop benching him!!
The Scottish Player: RVN wasn’t beyond missing a crap load of chances either, just take a look at some of the games I mentioned earlier in the topic.
March 15th, 2008 at 18:20
JB,You answered yourself, mate. Just one shot by Rooney. Isn’t that a bit less for a striker, even if hes playing off another?? I must tell you, Im not one who wants Rooney out. But in the first half, I noticed him whining alot. To other players, ref… He needs to put his head down and concentrate.
March 15th, 2008 at 18:22
thats not fair jb you cant say that about vida, look its like this, andy cant play with scholes, he is shite, but when he plays with carrick he is class, you see what im getting at.
March 15th, 2008 at 18:23
A class act! A legendary player playing at top level for the whole of his career. And ageing well, well into his thirties and having the humility to ask himself as seasons go by if he is still good enough to play on at top level…
I’m talking of course of Paolo Maldini.
Other players have even stopped shorlty after the peak of their careers . . . Seagulls and sardines!
Now if all players could be level headed enough to see that sometimes even if the mind wants to, the body simply does not follow.
But I’m not to blame Mr Giggs, or at a lesser level, Scholes, for the simple reason that they do not make the team selection.
But bloody hell SAF! The picture is plain for everybody to see.
Oh, and on a side note the french commentators called Scholes and Giggs the GROGNARDS of Utd. Obviously, because of the Napoleonic references and stuff.
Cheers.
March 15th, 2008 at 18:27
Nah,Rooney was pretty good today.The pass to ronaldo was great and he played another good one at the end.Phew,if we drew with derby i wouldnt know what to make of things.And my mind is made up on giggs.HE IS FINISHED.theres nothing no one can say about giggs no more.He is past it.His corners are pathetic,he has no pace,his free kicks were overhit and he cant run past no one.I think the time for resting is over.Carrick should start every game,giggs should not start anymore.
March 15th, 2008 at 18:34
Dan: I’m not slagging Vidic off and I understand that the cover from the CM to the defence was poor. However we just simply cannot afford to be without Ferdinand, his composure, ability to bring calm to any situation and distribution are invaluable and we don’t have another defender with those qualities in their locker. CM should be Carrick and another at the moment.
NicoQB: I would have thought Maldini has maybe actually hung on too long. It must be very hard on a tea, particularly in defence to only be able to rely on a player for one out of three games.
Utsav: I was watching Rooney closely today and he played well enough. Movement, workrate and creativity were all good. He had one chance which he missed but it was a tricky enough shot to execute. His movement was good and he was getting into good positions for most of the game. In that case if the chances aren’t falling to you then there is nothing much you can do about it, other than be patient.
March 15th, 2008 at 18:44
Yes, 1-0 middlesborough
March 15th, 2008 at 18:48
Inevitably we get worked up after a game and exaggerations and strategic amnesia is common place on this forum esp when scapegoats are needed.Rooney played in CR7 a number of times and it was his inch perfect pass/cross led 2 gol.The main problem 2day was with Saf and Quieroz.Tactics were appalling.I think rooney actually played better and his passing was more productive
March 15th, 2008 at 19:12
arsenal are losing this could be an opportunity to extend gap 2 4 points!! hopefully arsenal and chelsea draw and utd win against scousers and we’ll be 6 clear to arsenal and 5 ahead of chelsea by next weekend!!!
March 15th, 2008 at 19:14
Did u guys hear the ManU fans chanting the new Anderson song?? “Annnnderrrr…son son son, hes our midfield magician. hes better than Kleberson. With the brass hes class and he shits on FABREGAS!” The away crowd was awesome today!
Foster was simply utterly brilliant with those two saves today…just some initial glitches leading to scuffed shots and catching backpasses. But that might just be first game nerves.
Rooney, extremely creative with through balls and assists. But please please please take some shots on goal man…Dont be so utterly selfless! Sometimes, u gotta be Ronaldo.
On paper, and perhaps in practice as well, Scholes and Anderson dont make a good midfield team. Anderson is a free bird, a marauding midfielder who has a great eye for attacking play. In other words, hes the young Scholes. He needs to be with a more defensive MF ala Carrick/Hargreaves (but i prefer Carrick, atleast in games against lesser teams)
At the time of writing this, its HT at Emirates Stadium with Middlesbrough leading 0-1! Lets hope it stays 0 to the Arse!
March 15th, 2008 at 19:16
For heavens sake. Whose making who a scapegoat. Let me quote what I said
“2. Someone apart from Ronaldo has to start putting the ball at the back of the net. To be honest, Im quite tired of watching Rooney winge and whine which he did alot of in the first half today. More than half our shots were taken by Ronaldo. Isn’t there anyone who gets a sighter at goal?”
Its hardly a dig at Rooney. all I pointed out was that he wasn’t concentrating in the first half. Does it say anywhere that he played bad? Or that he should be thrown away? or am I being strategically amnesic?
March 15th, 2008 at 19:20
the dull chant is
ander-son-son-son hes better then kleberson
ander-son-son-son hes our midfield magician
to the left to the right to the samba beat at night
he is fast he is class
and he shits on fabregas
the he is fast he is class is actually unknown, some people say he is brass he is fast, some say he is the brass of the class, football chants are funny you know!
March 15th, 2008 at 19:39
Foster was amazing today, he’s got quite a foot on him. Hopefully EVDS stays injured for a while and we can see more of him. Maybe he’ll be able to plant a spot in the XI? As for Giggs, he was extremely disappointing today, not sure why Nani wasn’t on the bench. For me, Nani should start over Giggs, but let’s remember he just returned from a minor injury, maybe he needed a game to get back into it. I read earlier someone stating that our central midfield needs to get foward more, I agree, but did you not see Rooney! Not sure why we bought Anderson because Rooney would be an amazing attacking midfielder the way he is playing right now. Disappointed with his striking performance today, but I thought he was one of our best players out there. His vision was terrific today, better then Anderson’s or Scholsey’s. Saha held up the ball well at times, maybe he could start of up front with Tevez and we play Rooney in midfield? Not likely..
March 15th, 2008 at 19:40
Despite winning this was probably the most disappointing match since the year began.As much as players need 2 be rested, some games u can’t afford such democratic luxuries.Oh it was just Derby u say.I say it was one of our only practical chances 2 go above Arsenal therefore it was an all important game.So why put scholes and anderson in the mid. Thats utter foolishness on saf’s part.Then taking off Park who imo was one of the beta players instead of giggs who was more counterproductive
March 15th, 2008 at 19:42
hehe…its been a looooong looooong time wish of mine to actually be there at the Theatre of Dreams and watch Man Utd play and chant with all the fans, too bad I live a couple of thousand miles away
March 15th, 2008 at 19:50
I hope saf gets his head straight becoz sentimentality 2gether with zero tactical acumen could have cost us this and other games.Firstly giggs got enough playing time after 60min and should have given way 4 saha.Park didn’t put a foot wrong so it warranted a substitution.We may win the league coz Arsenal are dropping but 4get the UCL.Such tactical and technical disasters will inevitably show in the Ucl
March 15th, 2008 at 19:53
My point about Maldini is that for many seasons now he has been publicly question his capacity to keep a decent level of play in his game, and asking if its not the time for retirement.
Certainly those things must be working inside Giggs’ head, but I’d like a little bit of acceptance on the part of players. Like VDS who we all know was considering retirement, but thankfully decided to carry on for one season more.
Anyhow, interesting song! I didn’t really catch it on TV, to what tune was it sung? Just a shame that today Andy produced one of his worst performances under a United shirt.
March 15th, 2008 at 19:54
Jay Wire: Saying he has zero tactical acumen is plain wrong. Let me quote what you said
“Inevitably we get worked up after a game and exaggerations and strategic amnesia is common place on this forum esp when scapegoats are needed”
SAF lead us to the treble in 1999 and has enough acumen.
you may blame his errors but we still won. Period
March 15th, 2008 at 20:01
Fergie’s ineptitude at picking a competent midfield in quite a few games this season, has been almost catastrophic at times. I believe HE cost us the FA cup, and we almost came unstuck again in the premiership today. Every time we need to go take advantage of opportunites afforded us, when opposing teams have given us an opening, Fergie team choices become questionable!. Anderson, Carrick AND Scholes are offensive midfielders. Hargreaves is our only true defensive midfielder, and according to his fellow professionals especially Mascherano - Hargo is Englands BEST DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER. There is no justification for Fergie not playing him, especially in the closely fought games. Our defense today was very exposed, and if you can’t admit it, your in denial. Our goalkeeper saved us from being 3 goals down by half time. We need to play our defensive midfielder, otherwise we can forget the European cup - yet again.
March 15th, 2008 at 20:17
Sad that arsenal equalised in the end but hell top of the table baby
March 15th, 2008 at 20:20
Craig mc u are a man with perspective.To say that saf’s tactics were not rubbish is a statement based on the same sentimentality that resulted in a stupid selection we saw 2day.Sometimes being conventional is necessary ie playing players 2 their strengths.And as craig pointed out why have OH on the bench and play anderson in his role.Has totti ever played as a gattuso.Why not have rooney as DM 4next game then. Absolutely rubbish tactics
March 15th, 2008 at 20:21
WoW What a day !
As i told april is month for us and arsenal will slip up and they did.
Next Stop Chelsea away for them !
Last season Chelsea had 5 consecutive draws at the end of the season .. Arsenal have 4 so far .. I guess history might repeat itself
March 15th, 2008 at 20:52
Arsenal draw with Borough…We are top of the table on goal difference which we could increase to 3 points after the bolton game..
This is the best thing to have happened today because we played like shit today..I know it’s only two games but it worries me to see the number of chances we have spurned in the last two games..It has already cost us the cup and i hope our finishing improves..
Please someone other than Ronaldo to score…..But i can’t complain as long as we keep winning.RONALDO FOR GOLDEN BOOT THIS SEASON…
We have some big games coming up and our forwards are well rested and hopefully they go on a scoring spree…Let’s beat the scousers next weekend…GLORY…GLORY…MAN UNITED..
March 15th, 2008 at 21:39
Poor old Arsenal can’t buy a win in the league. What would they have given for the kind of scrappy 1-0 we got out today?
I said it before today and I say it again. Chelsea, not Arsenal, will be our closest challengers for the league.
March 15th, 2008 at 21:54
Champions need luck, we got that today! Arsenal lost points, we won on a really hard day and United can make it three points ahead of Arsenal on wednesday, my birthday!
And I agree with panks; RONALDO FOR GOLDEN BOOT!
March 15th, 2008 at 22:00
Craig mc: The thing is that we shouldn’t really need Hargreaves against Derby. You get a hold of the midfield against them and you won’t really need a dedicated defensive midfielder on the field. However Carrick looks to be the only one of our midfielders to get control of the midfield in a passing sense regularly this season. Basically what I’m saying is whatever combo you pick Carrick should be the first choice and then select round him.
I agree that SAF’s selections have been questionable. I am personally quite concerned that we are going into the business end of the season without a clear starting 11. Some people say it is a sign of a strong squad but I’m not comfortable with it at all. I would never have thought that after the dark days of Smith/Giggs/Fletcher/Richardson combos that I would be asking myself do we actually have too many midfielders?
March 15th, 2008 at 23:08
JB - maybe we shouldn’t have needed a defensive midfield HOLDING player against Derby, but after the 1st 25minutes it was obvious that we most definately did need one. Derby were coming on strong, and we didn’t have our strongest defence out!. It was only the heroics of our GK that prevented us being 2 or 3 goals down by half time. Hargo was on the bench, and we were losing possession a little too much. I think Hargo should definately have come on with Carrick, even sooner, at the start of the 2nd half - it was obvious. But hey we got lucky again. I do see your point though JB.
Jay Wire - Glad you see the need for playing the right players in the right positions. I agree with what you said.
March 15th, 2008 at 23:47
oh how the tables have turned i see.
March 16th, 2008 at 0:16
What tables Dan?
Craig mc: I think we can agree that at least one of the two of them should have been starting
March 16th, 2008 at 0:23
Rooney was the player who really pulled us out today he was creating chances for ronny from the start too bad ronaldo didn’t have his shooting boots on. Does anybody else think that ronaldo is getting way too selfish? For a while now he has been taking free kicks from over 30 yards out and wasting 9 out of ten of them. Would the team ( and ronaldo) not have more chance of scoring if lets say the ball was knocked high into the box for Vida or ronaldo to try to head it in. Vida saved us on a few occasions last season with headed goals and I don’t think he’s even gotten 1 this season but right now every attack is going through ronaldo and he won’t be getting 5 good chances to score against the dippers and Chelsea so someone should tell him to pass the ball once in a while
March 16th, 2008 at 2:26
Well lets just say that the Grognard was pissed off enough with todays performance that he needs to calm down for 24 hours to better give his game review with a little more posititve perspective. Yes we won but I for one am embarrassed by that shite performance. More tomorrow. Have a good one!!!!
March 16th, 2008 at 2:52
I think ur just upset that Energie Cottbus, Energie Cottbus who?? beat Bayern
We won the game, played shit, But we are top of the league!
Beautiful
March 16th, 2008 at 10:39
nah we played crap but c’mon, has to be derbys performance of the season.
March 16th, 2008 at 10:56
my take on Rooney is that first half, he was playing like his regular self this season, mis-hitting passes, moaning to the ref and team-mates, then in the 2nd half for about the last 20 minutes he looked like he was finding his form of old, BUT that was not in the striker position or the second striker position, it was wide left.
March 16th, 2008 at 11:51
how can anyone blame rooney for tomorrow’s performance….he was united’s best player on the pitch yesterday along with foster and vidic…
ronaldo was the one who should be blamed…..rooney missed only one chance when he received a great long ball from foster and created shooting opportunity out of almost nothing……on the other hand he played so many good passes to ronaldo but ronaldo bottled them all except one……do you guys remember rooney’s through balls to giggs and park yesterday, that was an example how his every aspect of game is great (except finishing at the moment)….
on the other hand ronaldo had quite a few chances to play rooney when he was in good positions…but most of the time he chose not to…and when he did his passes were not of top quality…
Now everyone agrees on one thing atleast that the worst players for us yesterday were O’Shea and giggs…O’Shea was so bad that by that performance he woudnt even make it to the derby team…everytime he got the ball he lost the possession which resulted in good chance for derby…the two attacks that foster saved were both started from O’Shea losing the ball….i was just praying that the ball just didn’t go to him….giggs was also losing the ball just too much….
but anyways…..we are top again, shall stay here after the last games of BPL this season…
March 16th, 2008 at 14:29
Clearly Carrick is our in form midfielder at this moment and I just cannot understand why he was
left on the bench in the last 2 games. Rooney has his best game for some time.
March 16th, 2008 at 15:49
viva ronaldooooo
viva ronaldooooooo
running down the wing
hear united sing
viva ronaldooooooooo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFPU2CooBfs
March 16th, 2008 at 16:18
Well it looks like buying Gomez could become a real possibility this summer, although that could lead to us getting into a bidding war with Chelsea which the last few times has ended in Chelsea winning the war. And he really does seem great just from looking at the stats, 14 goals in 16 Bundesliga games, and even better 3 goals in 4 Champions League games, plus from what everyone is saying about him he seems like he’d be a great buy for us, although I don’t think Tevez would be too happy if we bought a new first class striker because he’d know Rooney would get droppped a lot less than he would. Rooney played well for the whole match Dan, although the highlights don’t really prove that he was our driving force during the entire match and really he was the only one who showed any sort of creativity before Carrick came on, who I though was great in the short space of time he played. Oh and by the way I think it’s only fair to say what a ball from John O’ Shea, I have no idea where he pulled that one out of. Giggs was poor, Park didn’t do much, Scholes drifted in and out of the game, Anderson also, which again proves their partnership is the worst of the 5, our defense was shaky without Rio, not only because of his distribution skills but also it shows how important it is to have a defender who can organize the back four. Foster was great except for his kicking, although normally he is great with his feet so I’m going to blame nerves and the pitch for that, Ronaldo saved us again so I don’t think its fair to blame him for all of our missed chances, at least he can score one of them, really I can’t see anyone else scoring in our team.
March 16th, 2008 at 17:09
no conor, rooney was playing rubbish in the first half and rubish for the first 25 minutes of the second half. and what ball from o’shea? the goal was from foster kicking it down the field to rooney who then crossed it for ronaldo to score.
March 16th, 2008 at 17:24
He was the only one who looked like he was going to create anything for us, he put Giggs through on goal, he crossed it in for Ronaldo when he tried to bend it into the top corner with the outside of his foot, he won 2 free kicks which Ronaldo both nearly score from, and then he created more in the second half, another chance which Ronaldo hit into the side netting, never mind his assist and great movement. And O’Shea played the ball over the top with his left foot from around the halfway line to Rooney, not Foster.
March 16th, 2008 at 17:25
Dan: Have to agree with Conor, his best spell may have been in the last 25 minutes but he decent the rest of the time and our most creative looking player for the full ninty. On the goal it was an O’Shea ball over the top that Rooney latched on to and crossed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSAjmTmnHyA
March 16th, 2008 at 17:25
Even watch for yourself
March 16th, 2008 at 18:02
k i was wrong, o well…
March 16th, 2008 at 21:53
Alrighty then; time to spew some venom. Actually it’s not that bad folks. I’ve had over 24 hours to cool down. The team actually worked hard and no one can say they were going through the motions because they were creating chances. Big problem was that they were weak at the back because Derby could have had 2 or 3 goals if it weren’t for some outstanding reflex and diving saves from good old Ben Foster. He really impressed me with his diving and reflexes which were sharp after such a long layoff. I’ve been one of EVDS critics this season and last when it comes to making saves of that nature. His reaction time is slower with his advancing age, especially with long shots.
Anyway, back to the game. Why? Why! Why did we not destroy these cheap EPL pretender wannabe’s with the kind precision attack we are capable of? In one word FATIGUE. Fatigue can come in many forms but I honestly feel that the long season has payed an ugly toll on teams like ManU, Arsenal and Chelski. Too many games have caused many of the stars to lose a little edge in their game and the first thing to go is concentration and focus. Contrary to what many may think it’s not the physical aspects of the body, it’s the mental. This is what has been hurting Ronaldo’s play for a month now. Even if he scores the odd goal, his touch and concentration has not been as fine tuned as when he was playing his best. He’s mentally tired people, bottom line. It’s showing with others too but Ronaldo is our go too guy and he’s been absent mentally on some of his attempts. Will he get it back? Yes of course, but only with some rest. How do you rest him now when every game is do or die? Also, I have no problem with his selfishness because if he doesn’t take shots God knows Tevez, Rooney and Saha combined won’t take as many shots in a game as him. At least he smells the goal and wants to score. I’m surprised in his early days in Portugal that a coach never tried to turn him into the next Cruyff-like or Pele-like CF.
As for Rooney, I’m sorry to all Rooney supporters but I’m fed up with his lack of goal scoring opportunities and of course his poor finishing. Fortunately he can still make a play and set up others but give him a crack at goal and he will make a meal out of it 9 out of 10 times. I have said in past posts what should be done so I won’t repeat it here but I am in tears watching this guy’s play especially after I placed his first game ever for United in the dvd player. He scored a hat trick that night and looked like the greatest player on the planet. He also looked like a striker and a natural goal scorer with a hunger for the box. Somewhere down the line something happened. I personally think it was a combination of injuries, DARE IS SAY POOR COACHING and the goal scoring emergence of one Cristiano Ronaldo. They may be friends but deep down in Rooney’s mind memories of Germany and the incident against Portugal still nag at his heart. I think he has a personal deep competition in his head with CR and this has caused undo pressure on him to perform above his skill set. This is why you see him losing the ball making stupid back passes and flicks that were never apart of his game before. His was a simple direct approach, now he’s trying to be too cute and he is hesitating. His first touch has eluded him because of injuries but I think he is also trying to do too much with his first touch and his indecisiveness when shooting has cause his aim to suffer too. This all started when Ronaldo became a selfish goal scoring machine. These are only my theories and so I am not asking any of you to believe them or buy in to them. I’m just sharing my gut feelings on the subject so please refrain from the typical insults and replies questioning my allegiance, loyalty and mental competence. I do have the right to my beliefs and I do take the time to share them if only to spark debate, not abuse.
I read today that Fergie is concerned with our lack of finishing. NO SHIT SHERLOCK! Well spend less time at the track Fergie and four hours a day on the training ground practicing shooting and first touch drills. Also, sit Rooney down for the game against Bolton. He needs to wake up and sometimes tough love is needed. I cannot believe there isn’t a coach on the biggest team in the world who knows how to get inside his head and to force him to alter and simplify his style. And please stop selecting Paul Scholes and Anderson over Carrick and Hargreaves. I am losing my patience with Anderson and his lack of vision and ability to alter pace and flow of a game. Sometimes he reminds me of a chicken with his head cut off. He’s like a crazed terrier running at full speed for no apparent purpose. At least Scholes knows how to change the pace and tempo of a game and look up to pass. Teach Anderson to keep his head up and add a little finesse into his overall game. He’s young, with a bright future but right now I would put him 5th on the CMF’s that I want to see.
As for the future, I suppose it’s comforting to know that Arsenal are sucking more than we are and that Chelsea can only beat up on bad teams at Stamford Bridge. As for Roma, be scared. Be very scared. To quote Han Solo, “I’ve got a bad feeling about this”.
March 16th, 2008 at 22:33
grognard, a little harsh on anderson don’t you think, everyone knows the andy-scholes partnership hasn’t worked and most likely never will, and aside from yesterdays match, in his recent performances he has been playing in the kaka role which yes, that’s what he was bought for, but now its obvious that he is a MUCH better CM than a CAM.
March 16th, 2008 at 23:40
Hmmm, it appears there might be a bit of youthful inconsistency in Anderson’s game at the minute and he is a bit of an unpolished diamond. Funny, I remember getting the head chewed off me for daring to suggest such a thing earlier in the season
Now on Rooney, I seriously wonder how some people analyse a game. I watched him closely yesterday and his movement was GOOD. The chances weren’t falling for him today and there is nothing he can do about that. He had one difficult chance that he had to set up by himself. Did you notice him make a couple of brilliant runs when Giggs and Ronaldo failed to pick him out? Or the counter attack when Ronaldo completely fluffed the through ball to allow Carroll to clear?
P.S. Ronaldo started off as a striker in Portugal.
March 17th, 2008 at 1:06
JB, I do now remember 2 counter attacks where Rooney could have been through on goal if Ronaldo hadn’t muffed up passes.
March 17th, 2008 at 1:18
JB yea i think fergi is using ronny as a striker and putting park/nani on the right and calling it a rest for ronaldo he can just chill in the attacking third and take crosses and threw balls it is not his strongest position but he is not a bad option for a third striker no. and i could see him in this role more and more as he ages down the road a few years when his pace slows. as you age your speed goes but you retain your power for long into your 30’s
March 17th, 2008 at 5:35
i think theres a lot of over-reaction from lot of ppl over here. this is the time of the year when lot of teams (esp the 5-6th types and the lowest in the tables ones) start playing out of their skin as they are playing for something. games like these become too tough. I think we ought to give some respect to other clubs as well even if they are the likes of Derby and Bolton. Derby had a lot to play for (fight to avoid being branded worst team in history of premiership).
This is the part of the season when points rather than performances are the main thing. we will have a game almost every 3-4 days from now on. players will get tired, htere will be surprises and there cud be injuries as well. the man who knows how to cope best with this is already at the helm of things so instead of being critical about everything lets just enjoy (we are at top now with a game in hand) and give our support. we r still fighting for 2 major trophies.
those of you attacking ronaldo seem to be forgetting he was played s a striker today! he responded with a goal (the winner) that is surely more than enough. i seem to remember he did create one outstanding chance for saha (cross across the goal) but that paperman had no guts to at least slide and try to go for it! this season so many times rooney and other strikers have fluffed that prob ronaldo now longer trusts them and prob because of his own form in front of the goal leads him to believe its better he takes them! In any case I think I would trust ronaldo more than any other striker to score given a chance!
March 17th, 2008 at 5:58
JOS; This is the time of the season when the big teams are spent on energy and they literally have to gut out wins. Sometimes they catch a second wind but right now they are all sucking wind. Lets face it the season is far too long. It really may hurt our chances in the CL although the good news is that all the other teams in the CL except Schalke are jut as tired. German teams have that long break and their seasons are only 34 games long. This gives them an advantage when it comes to fitness and energy.
JB; As far as Anderson is concerned I think many jumped on the bandwagon early in the season. He has great potential but I think he is just too young and inexperienced and that’s catching up to to him. Give him time and he may work out well for us. Nevertheless, I just have a personal feeling that he won’t be what we are all hoping he will be.
As for Rooney, the problem is not that he wasn’t getting the ball, its that he was never in a good position to get the ball with a goal scoring chance. I hate it when I see him with the all in midfield or on the bylines. And yes the boys did miss finding him a few times when he did make good runs. This also happened against Pompey. I’m telling you this is all mental fatigue. The message from the brain to the foot is delaying a split second and people are missing their shots and their passes. I hope they can get it all together for all our sakes or the season could go down the drain.
March 18th, 2008 at 14:35
The fatigue thing is absolutely correct. It’s getting harder and harder to play on more horses; to challenge for more than one trophy per year. We just have to remember that most other teams in the cl are also in some form of struggle in their leagues. Chelsea, Arsenal and ourselves fight it out for the title, and Liverpool still have work to do to secure their 4th spot - even though it’s a clear advantage for them compared to the energy we have to put in. Barcelona still have a shot at the domestic title, allthough they look further and further from it these days. The rest of the teams are not good enough to win the CL. Of the 5 potential challengers, I’d say that Liverpool and Barcelona will put the most into the CL, since that’s their best chance of a title this season (Barcelona are also still in Copa del Rey and have to use energy on that, even though it’s not as prestigious as the CL obviously). Liverpool will be a real threat in the CL, even though we all know, our squad is miles better than their’s… it’s just a matter of our players playing a lot more vital games (every game from now on for us, pretty much only the CL for Liverpool, because they’ll probably get the 4th spot even if they don’t perform at their best in the league). I’d be devastated, if Liverpool win it once again, because their team is clearly not good enough for more than one trophy. Actually their team is only good enough to challenge for the CL, because it pays to be able to draw away from home in that competition. It doesn’t in the PL, where their strict tactics fail to beat opponents over and over again.
To me Liverpool are the most threatening, and it’s all because our players are getting mind-tired. I just hope that the tendency we’ve seen this season will continue. We’ve so far been able to grind out a lot of results, and it’s all due to the increased experience in the squad imo. The experience from last season will do us a world of good these coming weeks, and I think we’ll see us beat strong teams with little margin over and over again. Everytime we do, we’ll be nervous in here, because we don’t look as convincing, as we’d like to, but that’s all it comes down to in the business end of the season: Which team is better at winning? And I think we’re miles ahead of the others on that front. Here’s to 2 trophies for us this season.
March 18th, 2008 at 16:46
Well said Tomas.