Feb 01
Tricky night made easy as Stoke pay the penalties
Manchester United returned to the top of the table after beating Stoke City 2-0 at Old Trafford, while City fell to a Darron Gibson strike away at Goodison Park. Dimitar Berbatov and Javier converted one penalty each on either side of half time, and a United side going into the game without 14 first-team players looked comfortable throughout.
With De Gea sick and Lindegaard on crutches, Ben Amos got his Premier League debut for United, and luckily for him the defence kept Stoke at bay for most of the game. The backline consisting of Smalling, Evans, Rio and Evra managed to stop the threat of Crouch and Jones, and although the latter had a couple of shooting opportunities they often went high or wide.
Scholes and Carrick was paired in the middle for the second home game running, and the two pass-masters impressed throughout and controlled the game without seemingly breaking a sweat. The two of them completed 50 more passes(242) than the whole Stoke team(192), and the Ginger Prince seems back to full fitness completing 90 minutes of football for the first time since his return from retirement.
Carrick, Valencia and Park all had chances to score for United, but the deadlock was not to be broken until the Red Devils got a penalty on 38 minutes. Some neat passing by Scholes and Berba outside the area ended with Park getting fouled by Jermaine Pennant, and none other than Javier Hernandez stepped up to take the penalty. He aimed hard and low into his left-hand corner, and duly converted with aplomb.
United got their second penalty of the game when Antonio Valencia was man-handled within Stoke’s box, and this time a Bulgarian magician stepped up to the place. Dimitar Berbatov, who celebrated his 31th birthday just two days ago, aimed for the other corner and scored, and although Thomas Sørensen got a hand on the penalty was too hard, and too well placed to be saved. His 7th Premier League goal of the season, as many as Chicharito.
Pogba came on for Chicharito after 65 minutes, and the young Frenchman impressed the Old Trafford faithful with some delightful passes and clever movement, and could have had himself a goal had his shot from 10 yards out not been blocked by Ryan Shawcross. He swung in some brilliant crosses and was unlucky not to get at least one assist, with Scholes, Berbatov and Park proving either too short or too slow to convert. The boy is a Manchester United player alright!
United could have had themselves their third penalty of the night had referee Mike Jones spotted the lunge on Patrice Evra, but it was not to be. It looked like the most nailed-on penalty of the night, but United had to settle for the two. Berbatov shot just outside after some wonderful build up play by Valencia, but United just looked to walk the win in by keeping the ball, finishing up with 73% possession. A comfortable win for United, who now look towards Sunday’s game away to Chelsea, without Ashley Cole who got sent off against Swansea. Antonio Valencia, it is made for you.
RedDevilEddy (@Eddy93Ram)
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Tags: Manchester United · Match Reports
The_Philosopher (398)
Redrich (217)
Opti (207)
Moscow (147)
Stephen (145)
Good game, Defense look sharp, Pogba look decent, think Berb and Rooney cancel each other out for most games. When Rooney does not play, Berbtov tend to play well imo. If we keep defensive performance well then league title may be achievable.
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I loved Chicharito’s penalty, hard and low into the corner without any fucking around. Perfection!
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And Pogba is a Manchester United player alright, looked every bit the talent we’ve known of today, brilliant performance!
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Pogba showed today that he is ready for big games. Great performance
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@Muadh: Well Stoke isn’t a big game mate – so the jury has to remain out regarding big game readiness until we see Paul Pogba perform against some of the big teams. If however his cameo performances against top teams are as scrumptious as todays cameo – then Paul has got it made at United, and I can understand if that is the case why all the big teams want to sign him up from us. Fergie needs to get the deal done and PRONTO!
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Scholesy was majestic again today – hardly put a foot wrong. Pogba has the best magician in scholesy to help him to know how to get it done as a AMF player – which is where Pogba mostly played today – and he took his chance like a duck takes to water
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Also VIVA the Darren Gibson – you did the wastelanders Darren – so thanks mate
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@Craig Mc: Tonight was Gibson’s best ever performance for Manchester United.
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@Traverse:
– your so right Trav – what a goal it was too!
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I think it’s a master stroke by Fergie to play Pogba on the day Morrison leaves. Who wants to bet he signs that new contract in the next few weeks?
Also encouraging is the twitter feed of Ryan Tunnicliffe. After a tweet mentioning his disbelief at Morrison leaving he posted ‘I won’t be going anywhere. As long as united offer me contracts. I will always be signing them. #mufc’. Good lad.
Talking of twitter new signing and former member of the Manchester City Elite Development Squad (or NAMBLA) Frederic Veseli posted the following series of tweets that will no doubt endear him to the United faithful and wind the bitters right up.
‘Hello tweeps! Just to officially confirm on twitter, I signed with the Great Manchester United! I’m looking forward to wearin the red shirt!’
‘#MUFC fans have really suported us tonight, so we are level on points with #MCFC ! Let’s do it !!’
‘Its official its done! Direction: Manchester United! Let’s work hard! Its a HONOUR ! #MUFC’
‘I’d like to great every single #MUFC. Fan all over the world! You
have my word that I’ll give my very best for you!! #retweet!!’
And then noticing his profile picture was still one of him in a Citeh shirt….
‘Sorry to ALL #MUFC fans , I will change my pic as soon as I get on my computer! #UNITEDCHAMPIONS !!!’
‘I am Honoured to be part of the Massive Manchester United! Great club, great history, great FANS! Let’s make it 20 !!!! #MUFC #retweet’
Man are the city fans bitter about it! hahahahah.
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@Traverse: I gotta say the Vaseli kid is really annoying my Tweet feed, not only is he spamming me but he seems a real suck up. I’ve got nothing against suck-ups like Tunnicliffe or the Berbs, but he seems kinda desperate and I hope it’s not about him wanting to be loved, rather than him loving to be here. Love United!
Oh, and I was really impressed with Pauly P. I’ve stood by Fergie’s behaviour towards him lately, and I’m pretty sure it’ll continute. Sir Alex has done it as he usually does with a shy youngster. Started off in the reserve team, then got some Carling Cup games… Looked nervous, but started to train with the first team, and after 1 or 2 months he started being on the bench. He’s been on the bench for most games the last month, and today he got his debut. He seems a totally different guy. I mean, against Leeds and Crystal Palace he looked frightened, reluctant to do more than pass the ball 5 yards. He didn’t pass the ball forwards once in the whole game against Aldershot, or do anything fancy. He honestly looked like wanting to dig a hole and hide. But look at him now! Here he was, performing in a must-win Premier League game in front of 74,000+, passing the ball here and there, getting into tackles, making some marvellous body-feints and expressing himself like he’s done in the reserves. We all know he’s got the talent, but his mind is still inexperienced. I bet we won’t see a lot more of him until after the Spurs game to be honest, he’s had a taste of the action now and he’ll want more of it. He’ll be great one day, he just has to knuckle down and work harder. Improvement is vital.
God I bet he’ll be the footballing version of Viagra one day!
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@RedDevilEddy: Give Veseli a break Eddi – doesn’t everybody want to be loved, its human nature to want to talk to United fans and desire to be accepted. It is important to the lad obviously – but I better send him word to avoid you as you are badmouthing the lad already
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@Traverse: What’s the bet City are so not happy, and will no doubt be determined to try and get Pogba or one of our other top youth in a tit for tat payback – by offering Pogs agent the total world. Fergie is already saying it is complicated getting the lads contract sorted!
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@Craig Mc: They did it first by signing Tevez and then curly hair to only play him in a couple of games and place him on the subs against us.
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Yeah good to see Pogba impress. I’m not too fussed about losing Morrison as he was trouble with a capital T, but I would have been gutted had we lost Pogba. Here’s hoping he gets some serious game time this season and signs a new contract.
I don’t know much about this Manchester City defender we’ve signed. But one thing we have shown ourselves to be good at is bringing through young defenders and I’m sure if this kid has talent he will thrive at the club.
Does anyone know if we have ever had a Swiss player before?
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@colver: The paps were saying that Veseli is the Swiss under 23 captain – so lets hope he proves an excellent signing for us.
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After watching the way we played yesterday and at Anfield on Saturday It dawned on me that maybe one problem in our game is the reliance on our two most talented players Rooney & Nani to the extent that when their form dips we suffer. In the past two games the team played more as a unit without everyone trying to find rooney or Nani for some magic and most lads exhibited serious team ethic.I remember Champs league a couple of seasons ago when a visibly limping rooney tried to play and SAF was extremely jittery about his injury. Im sure it would demoralise the grafters in the team who know their limitations and do the basics right.
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Interesting to see Saha go to Tottenham. It is the sort of gamble Harry built his career around. When fit Saha is still a very excellent player capable of scoring in the big games. Harry is a master of giving players confidence and smart at managing injury prone players. I wish him all the best with his new club.
Eddie lets get behind our new Swiss defender. If we have learnt anything in the Champions League campaign it is to respect Swiss players! I’d prefer over-eager to can’t be bothered (Morrison).
Vida Dollar you have a point. However we do have two other players with star quality: a certain Count Berbatov and Tony Valencia.
I have no idea why we froze out Berbatov to such an extent. In the past (Sheringham, Cantona) Ferguson realized the value of having an old experienced head upfront. Maybe Berbatov cramps our style a bit in the big games but against little sides he has the creativity and flair to break them down.
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Spot On Colver hadnt commented on Berba because he rarely plays. And valencia in spite of his skill is never pressured to carry the team on his own. He does the basics when he needs to ( stays on the line, releases others at first opportunity and tries to cross where possible). Our two knights above will try to go through 5 defenders when they feel the others are not up to the task esp on big games something that somehow limits Ronaldo at Real against Barca.
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From last post:
Check out this gem from Fergie:
“Pogba did really well when he came on. You can’t believe he’s only 18-years-old. We’re negotiating his contract at the moment, but it’s a bit complicated because he’s changed his agent.”
Interesting. I have a sneaky suspicion that this chance in agent happened after Ravel was told to find another club… and I feel like Fergie is happy about the change of agent. Pogba will remain a United player for a while, methinks.
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Speaking of Agents, it seems like Vally has left his agent now too (and represents himself).
Crappy translation of original article:
“Regarding the split between Valencia and [agent] Diego Herrera in both their sporting said have agreed to break their relationship as he (Valencia) wants to handle alone and Herrera has understood without problems.”
Fergie player-agent revolution underway?????
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@Opti: I hate agents, get rid of them I say! Valencia seems like a fella who’s in it for the game, not the money! God bless Antonio
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I’ll be going to the European Championship this summer, anyone else having plans of going to Poland?
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@RedDevilEddy: Say hi to Sneijder.
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Have we found our New Penalty taker? Hernandez was as cool as the Ruud machine……
Pogba’s cameo was extremely pleasing…. looked dynamic and could certainly do a job in a midfield 3 at the moment in the prem!
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Now it might not have been a big tough game, from the view in the stands, or sofa, but Pogba had a very exciting cameo. For the first time in a long time, we have a player who is easy with the ball. Okay, Berbatov and Scholes included, but it’s nice to see such technical quality from such a young player. So naturally gifted. Typical of French football trainees. Technique is always excellent. I’m thoroughly excited but equally fearful. If he gets more games and a few starts before end of season, I’ll be happy even if we lose the league. But I’m afraid Ferguson’s desperate attempts at appeasing him now are a bit too late. Seriously hope I’m wrong because this kid is a future superstar.
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