Mar 23
Man Utd v Liverpool: Preview
Our dear scouse friends appear fairly bullish ahead of today’s game and fair play to them — they have been knocking in more goals of late. Chelsea play Arsenal at the Bridge in the Grand Slam “Bang Thank You Ma’am For Such Over-Hyped Match Ups That Almost Always Produce Less of A Spectacle Than Was Promised By The Mugs At Sky” Sunday. I just can’t stand the hubris over such announcements by television people. But then, they have to make their living too and events such as this Sunday only serve to keep them going. Speaking of Sundays, a Happy Easter to all who celebrate this festival. Oh, and let me break a secret: the easter bunny is fictional. It does not exist. So wallow in your disappointment as I begin to preview the all important game against the ‘dippers. I also have a secret about Santa that I’d want to let in on, but I’ll leave it until Christmas.
Anderson is doing the talking ahead of his meeting with Steven Gerrard.
‘Names don’t matter to me. I am finding that I can raise my level and offer more when I am playing against the big stars and this is how it was when I played against Gerrard.
It would be great if he does, indeed, raise himself for the big games because otherwise talk would be cheap. Anderson has exceeded all expectations since his arrival, but he is still raw and needs to calm things down rather than going on a rampage. We did very well last time with a midfield of Hargreaves and Anderson, but it remains to be seen if SAF retains that midfield combination; the temptation to play Scholes would be high on his mind. Personally, from what I’ve seen of Carrick, he’s almost always up for it in the big games this season and with his rather impressive form he might feel hard done by at times. However, our team composition will hinge around one important player.
Rio Ferdinand remains a doubt and it will be a big blow if he doesn’t make it. Last time at Anfield, he had Torres in his back pocket, and with the form the Spaniard is in, Rio’s pace and reading of the game would be priceless. So if we assume he’s not playing then there is a good chance that we might go for a 4-3-3 to protect the defence. Hargreaves would be asked to do that job. My preference for the other two midfielders would be Anderson and Carrick, but then, Sir Alex could throw the form book out of the window and play Scholes for a game like this. Brown and Vidic would take up the centre back slots with O’Shea and Evra at full back. While Ronaldo and Rooney would certainly figure in the starting line-up, no one can be sure if it would be Nani, Giggs or Tevez for a start.
Either way we’d do well to avoid playing a high back line that might only serve to help Torres’ pace and power — neither Vidic nor Brown have that pace to play catch up.
On current form, pundits would love to pick Liverpool, but when did current form matter at Old Trafford, in these games? I would be infinitely more confident if Rio plays, but I’ll still be positive about my prediction.
1-0 to United.
Come on you Reds! (Of course, the Old Trafford ones!)
Edit: A mini-roundup post is also up with some articles linked for you perusal.
Update: Scott on the Republik of Mancunia interviewed me in the lead up to this game. Here’s the link to that interview in case you’re interested.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Porto it is then…
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Man Utd v Stoke: Preview
- Rooney Out For A Month
- Man Utd v Spurs match thread
Tags: Manchester United News
Craig Mc (195)
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Ian (95)
http://livefooty.doctor-serv.com/sun23.3/ManU_Liverpool.html
only use internet explorer
good half.the midfield are doin their job.hope to see rooney get a goal cause he deserved it.gald to see macherano.did he not read the debate bout talkin back to ref this whole.stupid man.go manchester united.hope to see we win 3-0
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[Indianpunk]
Turn off the caps lock mate.
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@RR sorry bro typing from the cell phone and was too excited to notice it
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I never thought in a million years two thing would happen. First, that Wes Brown would score a goal. And second, that my least favorite referee (I hate him more than Clattenberg) Bennett
would make the right call and send that candy ass whiner Freddy Mercury (aka Mascherano) packing after his complete disregard for the rules of the game. This abuse of refs has to stop. Now does anyone have anything to say about whether the great Fergie doesn’t deserve a bit of credit for the way he lured the ref into this no tolerance attitude by his own whining and mind games earlier in the week?
As for the game so far, United own Liverpool and if only poor Rooney could once again find his first touch. Too bad Ronaldo hit the post too. We deserve the lead and it should get better but that brouhaha just before the half may remotivate a bitter Liverpool and may bring their best out come second half.
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49′ Throw-in: Patrice Evra takes it (Attacking)
49′ Throw-in: Patrice Evra takes it (Attacking)
49′ Throw-in: Patrice Evra takes it (Attacking)
50′ Injury: Patrice Evra’s arms fall off
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Whats wrong with rooney anyways calling that masochistic psycho freddy mercury is really gonna get fredy rolling in his grave but at the moment its us who are singing we will rock you
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What a miss from Wayne?!!! Would have been a fukin wonder goal(would have shut evryone up 4 a while) We gotta stop messon bout n kill the game quick….
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So much said about Rooney’s first touch…
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Hargreaves for scholes nani for giggs n weve got it in the bag
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Man, im sweating buckets… c’mon lads get the second………..
damn..as we speak…ROnaldoooooooooooooooooooooooooo
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future of united strikes in quick succession knocked off liverpool of their fucking perch and yes the look on fergies face was priceless
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AHHHH. NANDO MA BOY. WHAT A SCREAMER FROM THE LAD. Too good. crossing, scoring, dribling- hes got it all
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There are no words for Sir Alex Ferguson.
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OK Rooney cannot finish but his creativity and movement is just fabulous today. Ronaldo is pretty much a one man show, but when Rooney is on form it just lifts the games of everyone else.
Amazing finish by Nani! But Anderson has no eye for goal at all. I’d love it if Nani started to cut inside like Ronaldo, I reckon with time he could be scoring double figures a season.
Scholes was amazing too, running the game from midfield and producing the most exquisite chip that Ronaldo could have maybe finished off.
But I was amazed at the number of one-on-ones we created. We just opened Liverpool up at will!
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how bout that groggy, 3-0.
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Man Of the Match has to Paul Scholes… He was magnificent today… What chips, touches and movement… Looks like he’s steadily making it back to his last year’s form..
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All Man Utd players were amazing today. Brown made some howlers and Ronney missed a few chances but overall, they played magnificently, each and every one of them. Take that Rafa “We Will Win” Benitez!! You and your players have just been schooled!!
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great win today.rooney is man of the match.anderson need to his when he shooting for goal.his kick is too wild.he must learn from nani who was the same at start of the season.overall the gys played great.we control the game from the starting.no one can stop ronaldo 34 goals for the season already.manchester united for the cup.
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Well great game guys, we were a bit lucky with red card, but let’s not take anything away from the lads, even without it we would have won this game. I complained a lot about Rooney not being able to finish, but today even without that he was great and I also should add, that if it wasn’t for Reina’s great game Rooney would have scored. Well Ronaldo does it again, even with that marking he still scored, great start for a day
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once again rooney couldnt finish to save his life, but he had a great game besides that. I really think it is time to try rooney as a attacing midfielder cause his vision and creativity is sublime. and how in the hell did ronaldo miss that absolute SITTER? even rooney would have slotted that home, im glad he redeemed himself immediately with that header. I couldnt watch the first half because the sopcast wasnt working but the entire second half against a 10 man liverfoul was a walk in the park.
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All the talk is about Rooney and Ronnie who were great but Scholes and Carrick were magnificent
and what about Rio, best defender in the world?
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Paul Scholes, all i hear is “too old”, “not good enough anymore”, “don’t play him”. He was the best player on the pitch, his passing at times had to be seen to be believed and he was as good as ever. Wayne Rooney, again all i hear is “put him on the sub bench”, “he hasn’t got a first touch anymore”, “he can’t buy a goal at the moment”. Well, Rooney was every where today, beautiful passing, great movement and what about his first touch??? The long ball from VDS then the touch by Rooney, wow it was out of this world!!! Nani made a big impact when he came on but Giggs didn’t play badly at all. Anderson was great but just lacking that shooting ability today. Torres hardly got into the game as we were totaly dominant in midfield. Gerrard didn’t do much apart from the one or two shots from distance. The only pool player who was half decent was Babel, twisting Brown inside out, but Rafa went and took him off. Reina at times was fantastic but at times was quite frankly shite! Mascherano’s sending off seemed harsh but i’m not complaining. 3 points in the bag and now we can hope for a draw in london!
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SAF had warned his players, with the happenings of mid week, to stay away from the ref.. I did not see a single United players remonstrating even on questionable decisions… Out thought Rafa…
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My ratings:
VDS – 7 – Not much to do, but did the job when needed
Good job at the back too
Brown – 7 – Got a goal for once
Vida – 6 – Got some good tackles in, but made quite a few mistakes
Rio – 8 – Solid, providing quality passes forward too
Evra – 7 – Good running down the left, lots of support as always
Ronnie – 7 – Great goal, but not up to his best standards
Anderson – 6 – Good passing, but the finishing was terrible!
Scholes – 8 – Great vision, passing and reading of the game
Carrick – 6 – Played as the CDM by SAF, did well tackling, but every pass was negative
Giggs – 7 – Good covering and running, but didn’t see many crosses
Rooney – 8 – Can’t score at all atm, but made up for it with his creativity
Tevez – 6 – Not enough ball time to judge
Nani – 7 – Great goal, tireless running and tracking back
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That was the old rooney!
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Everyone was great! One of the best performances of the season, no doubt. Ronaldo 34 goals…WOOOOOOOOOW! Who could believe that in the end of september? Anyway, with Chelsea playing Arsenal at the bridge I cant see Lè Arse win, so I would say we lead the Prem by 5 points. Its great, I couldnt feel better now. Now I am going to enjoy it……HURRRRAAAAAH!
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My analysis:
VDS: 6. Not b’coz he had a bad game, just did not require him to do much
Brown: 7. good goal, but was found out defensively at times
Vidic: 7. Good strong presence.
Ferdi: 8. Fantastic. Kept up with Torres and made him look bad.
Evra: 8. Although people don’t think his foward runs have an end product, but he really requires a marker of his own.
Anderson: 6.5. Looked a bit out of sort with finishing and in the 2nd half, the touch was missing. Was great in the first half defensively.
Ronaldo: 6.5. Finally showed up in a big game. And with his ability, he had to score.
Giggs: 7. I thought he had a great game. His control was brilliant.
Scholes: 9 . Easily the man of the Match.
Rooney: 8.5. Was great today
Carrick: 7.5. Did very well in controlling from the back of the mid field.
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let’s not get carried away – it was a good win and we would probably have won even if Mascherano hadn’t been sent off, but the sending off made our job a lot easier.
Having said that, solid performance by all 11 players, although everyone had their lapses. Let’s see how Arsenal-Chelsea play.
One thing is for certain though – the Reina-Carragher-Mascherano-Gerrard-Torres axis is a very dangerous one. Carra might have made a couple of errors (ditto for Reina) but if Rafa stays and is given the time to build around this core, Liverpool may well get better in the league next season.
Of course, when United get that all-out striker (whether it turns out to be a current striker like Manucho or someone we buy), we’ll be improved as well.
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Bloody Frakken Ecstasy. This was a real treat. Not cause we played incredible breathtaking football, but because we demolished the hearts of all Liverpool loving scousers and help embarrass a woefully outclassed side that had no business believing they could match up against us. Yes the Mascherano (aka Freddy Mercury) sending off killed off the match. That may have been one of the stupidest displays by a player I have ever seen. What in Gods name was that wanker thinking? Anyway, thanks Javier, you tosser.
United were by far the better team before he was sent off and I have no doubt they would have won the game comfortably even if the scousers were at full strength. Rafa showed he has about as much tactical acumen as Avram Grant. His substitutions were ridiculous and the fact he never brought on Crouch to change things up and give United a new look just baffles me.
Now for my player ratings. 1 being poor and 10 being Frakken outstanding.
EVDS 6/10 – Did he even have to make a save. Talk about protecting an injury by bringing out a lawn chair and having a leisurly sun tan with a pina colada.
BROWN 7/10 – Yes he scored a big goal but he also got skinned a few times in the back. Still, he recovered well and had a decent game. The goal was sweet.
RIO 9/10 – Rio was fantastic. Total control and composure. Like JB often says, there is nobody better in the game. He really played well today.
VIDIC 8/1O – Next to Rio you wonder how some teams ever manage to score. Solid effort and made some great tackles.
EVRA 6-10 – I think Patrice had a poor game. Even though he defended fairly well he was not really challenged. However his passes and touch seemed to elude him on the offensive side of things.
GIGGS 6-10 – Not spectacular but he did make some nice runs and a few quick passes that caused problems. Still looks like he really has lost that little extra step that makes the difference.
ANDERSON 6-10 – I thought he had a pretty decent first half but he faded in the second half and actually I thought he did a poor job shadowing Gerrard. He did promise us all that Gerrard would be no problem. Well he did cause some anxious moments where Anderson was nowhere in sight. Also, he has to be the worst striker of a ball from midfield that I have ever seen. Just awful finishing skills.
CARRICK 7/10 – Was solid if unspectacular but he also had total control of himself and his passes were accurate albeit one that caused a counter that could have been dangerous had a good team played against us.
SCHOLES 9/10 – Alright, I know I am going to get a little stick from JB, Dan and others for this one. Did I right the Ginger Ninja off all these months? Yes. Was I wrong? Well…….PERHAPS. Scholes for me was the man of the match. His control of the tempo of the game, possession of the ball and fantastic distribution of the ball in a tight contest was just world class. He along with Rio were truly the great and Carrick and Scholes made the e3ngine room in midfield purr like a frisky kitten. Now can he find the consistency to make me feel he has a few years left?
RONALDO 8/10 – This rating may create some eyebrows to rise but I honestly thought Ronny played a super game where he played a controlled and disciplined game and took what the opponent offered but never forced things. He had his chances and like Rooney was woefully unlucky. But when it counted he rose in the air delivered the knockout punch. True greatness. He also showed no selfish streaks today and layed a much more team oriented game.
ROONEY 8/10 – This was one of Wayne’s best games of the year. He didn’t score but he was also very very unlucky not to score a few. Credit to Reina for some solid stops. His first touch betrayed again in the first half but he regained it in the second half. But the reason he was so great was for that other dimension to his game is that he made great runs and passed the ball beautifully having had a say in the first goal and having set up other for what should have been goals. He really played well but his frustration must be rising over the fact he just can’t find the net. Also, I hope his injury isn’t a bad one. When I saw him stop and favor his leg I was worried about another foot break. But he carried on and did very well. Way to go Wayner!
NANI 7/10 – What a stunning strike and a 10/10 for the acrobatics too. He just didn’t play long enough to warrant a higher rating.
TEVEZ 7/10 – Imposed some fresh energy coming off the bench and chested down a ball perfectly to Ronny for what looked to be a sure goal. After that he ran well into space but his passes were all a touch to heavy. Needs to calm his passing foot down a bit.
All in all an outstanding effort and a great early Christmas gift from one Javier Mascherano, who quite literally may be the stupidest player on the face of the earth. Will Scousers ever forgive him for his selfish and thoroughly moronic act. Thanks also tot he referee for clamping down on the nonsense however, I’m still trying to understand the yellow card decision against Rio.
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Rooney: 2 assists
Nani: 1 goal, 1 assist
Ronaldo: 1 goal, hit the post twice
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The yellow card decision against Rio was given as he kicked the ball. It was only a simple foul according to the ref and then Rio was not happy with the decision and kicked the ball. You can read it in the lips of the referee on the replay.
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Fuck! Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal, Sagna from corner
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Hey, anyone can do us a favour and post some reactions from pool fans, like just after the Barnsley game where we all had a good laugh?
Thnks.
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Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal, Drogba with 10 min left.
And as I write, Drogba score again, 2-1 to Chelsea.
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Full time: Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal; Drogba 72, 81. Sagna 59.
1st Manchester United 73 points. Goal difference plus 49
2nd Chelsea 68 points. Goal difference plus 32
3rd Arsenal 67 points. Goal difference plus 35
Aint too bad, is it?
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Not bad at all! A win at Stamford Bridge, to win the title in style.
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James: Lets take it one step at a time, please.
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i expect a draw at the bridge and full points everywhere else(optimist much?)
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yes Dan, a bit optimistic.. but then what the hell… we just won a big match, we should be over confident and over celebratory…even if its just for today…
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naah not bad at all dude we’re gonna go all the way and keep whats ours
some might say its early but i am counting arsenal out of the race now and hopefully when we meet them it’ll be the final nail in the coffin for the gooners
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yes, yes, yes! i’m savouring a great day. The dippers were never in it, even though the sending off didn’t help their cause, it definetly didn’t affect the outcome. Fave chant was the old classic, “Steve Gerrard gerrard, he kisses the badge on his chest, then hands in a transfer request, steve gerrard gerrard”. Oh the bragging rights are secured for another year, would love to meet them in moscow, oh yes, now that would be the cherry on top.
MUFC there is only one, UNITED
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it would nice if we could win the league with a couple of games to spare to concentrate on Europe.
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scholes had a great game but to me the real difference in this lineup compared to previous others was carrick…anderson and scholes has never worked well together but today both of them had acres of space ahead of them and neither needed to worry about defense or ball retention…we even moved into second gear once we switched to 442 and scholes really blossomed,…a glimpse of our game of last season
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Lets not count our chickens before they hatch. The title is far from won. But it’s looking awful good right now.
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Hey, stop stealing my team news slot guys
But that’s what happens when you take yourself off to the pub for Grand Slam Sunday (I know the hype sucked me in).
I would like to single out one man for some praise after the game. I’m generally not one for hyperbole, but what more can you say about Rio. This season it has been top class performance after top class performance (excluding Man City at home). No doubt when the awards are being handed out at the end of the season Ronaldo will collect the accolades, but can anyone honestly say the Ferdinand’s performance level has been any lower this season? In the Fergie era I believe only McGrath is capable of standing alongside him (yes that means I would have him over Bruce, Pallister and Stam). I can honestly say we are blessed at the minute, not only do we have the world’s finest attacker at our disposal but we have its best defender holding things together at the back.
I would also like to give a shout out to the CM today. Carrick and Scholes are a joy to watch at times. They seem to have an innate understanding of each other. When you watch them play they always make sure that other one never gets isolated and there is always a passing angle open. It just shows the benefits of a CM partnership that has had some significant time to play together and build a relationship.
On a more general note, I have said this previously but I believe its worth reiterating. The foundations of our team are built around three men; Rio, Rooney and Ronnie. These three guys are what separates us from the rest of the pack. One gives us calm, coolness and composure. Another gives us flair, penetration, incisiveness and panache. The last one gives the team its heart, creative edge and provides the spark that sets everything else off. All hail the three R’s
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As I mentioned earlier, United defenders have a habit of scoring against Pool. Just look at these stats:
2004/05: 2-1, Silvestre 2
2005/06: 1-0, Ferdinand
2006/07: 2-0, Ferdinand and Scholes; 1-0, Oshea
2007/08: 3-0, Brown, Ronaldo and Nani
Good night everybody!
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Well said JB. Rio is a giant amongst men. And Scholesy was magnificent today. Him and Carrick together has won me over. I say move Hargo to RB. Regarding Scholes, don’t get me wrong, I love it when I’m proven wrong. It makes the team perform better.
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