Nov 11
Man Utd 2-0 Blackburn: FT
Hit by, what we have now come to learn as, a ‘freak injury’ to Wayne Rooney, we take on a very good Blackburn side who are riding a wave of success. Sparky’s team have done a very good job nicking points off three of the big four and would hope to continue their habit of giant killing this season. And they have done it by playing some good football too. Their reputation as a ‘dirty team’ has been unfair on them as Hughes has plenty of creativity in his side — thanks to some judicious forays into the transfer market this summer.
Roque Santa Cruz from Bayern has been a good buy, while Christopher Samba has been rock solid in defence.
So it is little wonder when SAF says that Blackburn are the side that could actually break the hold of Big Four on the Premier League.
“Blackburn’s form makes it a really tough game for us on Sunday,†said Sir Alex. “They have been absolutely tremendous this season. “I think they can challenge the top four,†he added. “What they are showing at the moment is that nobody turns them over. They’ve drawn with Liverpool and Arsenal at home, and going away they are a handful, too.â€
True. And that’s why we must be wary today when we take them on. They wouldn’t roll over like Wigan or Aston Villa and they will match us at every step. Our confidence might have certainly taken a beating with Rooney’s injury which, for the uninitiated, was caused when his leg got caught on a piece of training equipment. [Link] What really is annoying is that he was in terrific form so far. Anyway, we hope he does get back to his groove soon, once he returns.
Meanwhile, Scholes seems to have had a successful operation on his knee. The boss says that he’s got ‘the knee of a 20 year old’ now — which is good to know. Remember when Scholes returned from blurred vision and the manager said he was like a new signing? Every one scoffed at him only to be proved terribly wrong. We hope he’s a new signing when he returns in January too. That would be a crucial time, as the second half of the season is the business end, and Anderson/Carrick could certainly do with a breather.
But let’s get back to talking about today. It’s just a day since SAF claimed that he planned to use Saha in a super-sub role and, now, he may have to change his plans slightly. If Saha does start, I wouldn’t worry about our team too much. If he manages to play through unscathed, we should be comfortable in our free flowing style. Saha would complement Tevez perfectly. He is an intelligent player, great in the air and can hold up the ball very well.
It’s the central midfield that would be very interesting. Would he go with Carrick and Hargreaves? Or would it be Anderson and Hargreaves? Giggs (due to his experience) and Ronaldo would take their customary positions on the wings. Evra, Rio, Vidic and Brown would form our back four. A proper 4-4-2, without doubt, should be the order of the day.
It is also the last game before the international break comes in. For a change, I am thankful for the break, what with Rooney’s injury. It couldn’t be more timely, especially if we survive today’s match.
On second thoughts, I wonder if it is a clever ploy by the boss to declare Rooney out for four weeks, instead of two to avoid McLaren calling him up for international duty.
Oh well, I’ll let the conspiracy theories rest for now.
Enjoy the game today. Come on you Reds!!!
Prediction: 2-1 to United.
And before I end this, just a reminder to those who haven’t been in the loop, or haven’t been looking through our comment threads (which you must if you haven’t). We have signed Ghanaian-born German John Cofie from Burnley. He’s, of course, not to be mistaken with the giant from The Green Mile as some people had been suggesting. And don’t get ideas, he’s just 14 years of age. So there will be plenty of time before he actually makes it.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Rooney Out For A Month
- Man Utd v Stoke: Preview
- Blackburn v Man Utd: Preview
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Man Utd v Spurs match thread
Tags: Manchester United News
Craig Mc (195)
RedDevilEddy (170)
Opti (138)
Ian (97)
Moscow is my heaven (97)
What going on?diabeties and all.come on lads this is a football blog.we talk about football.todays game was aite.(was hoping for 4 0 though.dam us spoilt united fans)i get the feeling anderson needs more confidence to start running at defenders again.nani needs to be more urgent with the ball and start running at defenders.giggs had his best game(especially his run).tevez worked as usual.saha was aite(hes still fit!)theres only 1 thing left to be said. GO READING!
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ha, “If you could not figure out that that comment was meant as a light form of humor” this coming from you, you know nothing about me, just that my mother is diabetic, how do YOU know that it isnt biological inheritance in my family, exactly you dont, for someone who says they’ve lost close friends and family, its a bit wierd to be making a mockery out of it.
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Dan; If you can’t digest a joke that is meant in good fun, you have serious issues. What’s with all the biological inheritance BS? If anyone would know about that stuff it’s me. Lets just forget about it and accept my apology although I am honestly offering it begrudgingly so that we can get back to talking about football. I may know nothing about you mate but if you knew me you would think twice about about your little tirade directed at me. It takes a big person who can laugh at his own calamity or disorder. No need to continue on this. Just accept that I above all people, never meant offense and live with it.
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Taehr; Honest to God man, I didn’t start it this time. And I do hope that Reading can come up with a miracle. It’s possible because I think Arsenal are not in great form over the last two weeks.
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Gotta feel sorry for Ronnie he seems destined to never get a hat trick for us. Other than that the most impressive thing about the team today was the fact that it swatted aside one of the form teams of the league (and a team that the rest of the big 4 have struggled with) without so much as breaking a sweat.
Betfair Kid: Saha wasn’t great today, but it must be difficult for him to reach a proper level of match fitness given the stop nature his season has followed to date. I’m not sure if he has been called up for France but if he hasn’t he at least has 2 weeks of solid training to work with.
Grognard: I was under the impression that you did not resort to personal insults, or has there been a policy change since yesterday? Maybe before you start typing take a minute to cool down first.
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JB; The policy changes when I feel it necessary. Why don’t you go back and carefully read what I wrote to start this mess and why I am justified to comment the way I have BASED ON MY BLOODY CONDITION (bad pun)? If you can’t see my point of view, I think it’s because you already have a built in dislike for me and you totally disregard my feelings. So I suggest you drop your snide remarks directed at me right now because I honestly prefer to talk football. You’ve been on my case for a while now and it’s beginning to unnerve me a bit. So kindly lay off OK?
To lighten things up a bit we really haven’t heard your analysis of the game just played.
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Which one is the good diabetes again ?
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Alright children. Calm down. From what I just saw Grognard’s wasn’t directed at anyone. And Dan took offence. God! Does everyone have to take offence at everything?!
Dan, it’s bad what you went through. But I certainly didn’t think this was directed at you at all.
Anyway, on to the football, please.
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wow theres no point arguing, dan and grognard you are two regulars of this blog you should know what its all about.
only just caught some of highlights on MOTD as i have just got back from birmingham, im really pleased with the result today, i thought it would have been a lot tougher with blackburn being on good form and rooney being out. but i suppose we were ok without him.
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Just quietly how good is cahill?? Those aussies are a talented lot arent they?!? Didnt see any of the game so I cant really comment, just great to get a result against what I think should be one of the hardest matches in the Rooney-free period.
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WTF Dan are you freaking insane or are you just shit-stirring?
Groggie’s joke was clearly not directed at mocking or disrespecting anyone, and could not possibly be construed as offensive to any individual even by a halfwit.
Clearly you were just having us all on; either that or you represent exactly why everyone hates political correctness gone wrong.
If you had your way every time someone even MENTIONED a disease there would be a lawsuit. Think before you type, son- otherwise you just end up looking like a moron.
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Nukeleus; I really appreciate the support. It’s good to know that some people out there can read. I couldn’t have said it better. Thanks mate…..
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shut it nuckleas, dan is right
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Supporter of Dan; sounds like Dan in disguise. Really juvenile!
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