Aug 24
United warmup for Arsenal with second half blitz
Wigan were given a right thrashing in a second half rout which saw first goals of the season for Nani and Berbatov and a debut goal for Owen.
There were plenty of positives to take from a match where we scored 5 goals — it is a gross understatement; after all, following the sluggish start, one can only take positives from such a result — but the most intriguing thing about the match for me was the absence of Michael Carrick, who didn’t even make it to the bench.
I don’t want to make a big deal out of all this (thus pouring cold water over our win) but I find it rather curious now that, for the second time this season Carrick hasn’t made the bench. This is a player who made about 50 appearances for us each season on average. When rumours circulated during the Birmingham game about him not being on good terms with Fergie, I was quick to dismiss them as idle gossip. I find it hard to ignore this now because Carrick has been the mainstay for much of his United career when Fergie used to rotate the side. More often than not, you’ll see Carrick make the starting XI. I find it surprising, to say the least, that he does not even make the bench. It just doesn’t add up to me. I won’t make wild assumptions and speculate too much on this, but it has been gnawing at the back of my head for a while now, and I had to let it out.
Anyway, on to brighter things, the match was a strange one for me despite the massive win. We started out well, but tailed off as the match wore on in the first half. Our best chances of the first half were through Nani and Berbatov and they weren’t converted. But other than that, I found us quite static. Wigan did well to hold their own in the first half, but they still did afford our midfield a lot of space to work with. Especially considering they had three midfielders to our two, I felt they did a poor job of making that extra man count. But more on the midfield in a bit.
The second half was also more of the same. We continued to huff and puff, and despite the domination, I found it hard to see where we were going to get a goal until it actually arrived out of the blue. From then on however, we were completely transformed. It’s a funny thing, they say, how goals can change a team. However, credit should go to our best attackers on the day, Nani and Berbatov. Berbatov especially, after the stick he’s had from a lot of people, including some on this site. It felt like we were watching an imposter — an imposter with the same silken touch, but an aggressive edge that gave it away. He went for tackles, won the ball on countless occasions and spread it well. And then came his goal. Whilst he did superbly to lob the ball over the ‘keeper and scramble it into the open net, what made this more special was his celebration. Like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders and someone walked by and offered to relieve him of his burden. He celebrated like he won a £20m lottery — I suspect that’s high even by footballer standards — which gave me the biggest high watching the goal. That, and the celebration of all the players following the goal. This is about the team, and as much as we recognize the importance of Ronaldo’s contribution, this right now, is about the collective.
At least that’s what I saw. I could, of course, just be hallucinating.
Wayne Rooney was once again above adjectives. If he stays injury free, and is played upfront, this will be his break out season. There are two big ifs there, but they are plausible hopes, I hope. He’s also shown marked improvement in his heading ability.
Michael Owen, scored off the toughest chance he’s ever had this season. It was the finish of a seasoned striker, and he’s impressed me with his movement in all the minutes he’s played since Birmingham. He needs a midfielder who can go forward and provide him with a telling pass. Which is what’s impressed me about Nani this season. He’s always been talented, and always had the gift of providing good crosses. But this season he’s shown a big improvement on his decision making. It’s all part of the learning curve, and hopefully this is a start of better things to come.
Cautionary tales
There has to be some, and what concerns me is the central midfield. Scholes was excellent on Saturday, but that was because he was allowed enough space. Fletcher was fantastic, but my concern rests with the fact that we need to have a settled lineup if we are to come through our next three matches (Arsenal, Man City and Spurs) unscathed. Scholes cannot, and I maintain, cannot be expected to produce standout performances against more physically imposing midfielders, or simply opposition like Arsenal who love to keep possession. Carrick, despite being poor so far, is our best bet alongside Fletcher. Fletcher deserves to lock in his midfield spot purely on merit. I am — and this might annoy a lot of his fans — not completely convinced about Anderson. He is still far too inconsistent.
A 5-0 win sets us up nicely ahead of the Arsenal game — a side that just pummeled Pompey into submission. But we need to be wary about not getting too ahead of ourselves. We aren’t necessarily “back on track”. If Burnley put us off our path, Wigan got us in sight of it. The next three matches will test us if we can get back and stay on it.
Related items from Red Rants:
- FC Seoul 0-4 Manchester United: First Half Blitz
- Nani Stars As United Easily Dispatch Fulham In Chelsea Warmup
- Chelsea v Man Utd: Preview
- Man Utd 5-2 Spurs: Were you watching, Merseyside?
- Mystery Man Advised Not to Leave United | SAF’s Big Interview | Right Backs, Anyone?
Tags: Match Reports
Opti (541)
Stephen (487)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (348)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@NicoQB:
Who would have known?! 
Like?
0 
0
@Footy4Eddy: Look Eddy this is really very simple. Never listen to her friends. They have their own agenda’s, believe me. Secondly, even if she has another boyfriend, she is fucking 16 or near that for crying out loud. She isn’t engaged or married to him or hasn’t been shacked up common law with him for ten years like I was with mine. She is fair game and nobody has a hold on her.
Now the question is if she truly likes you and what you should do? Mate, keep your pride and dignity and above all, never show yourself to be desperate. A girl who loves shopping, playing with her hair is obsessed with herself and with making an impression on others. She is too immature to be taken too seriously and even if you hook up with her, I have doubts about her fidelity. Think about this, she has another boyfriend yet she is flirting and interested in you. She may be drop dead gorgeous but is she worth the risk of heartbreak? Yet you are so young and inexperienced in life that learning these things for yourself is a necessary part of life. But for you to have the upper hand you must be forceful and show her that you are interested but only at a cost. She must sacrifice her BS and her boyfriend and she has to be into you and your interests 100%. If she is not into your football, or your friends, then frankly, don’t even bother. Like I said earlier, you are at a crossroads in your life where dedication to your school and your football future is paramount. Don’t let some two bit wench derail those dreams by fucking with your head and emotions. She’s either completely in to you, or she isn’t worth your time or effort. And you have to basically be honest with her and tell her that. If she isn’t then you know that all you were was an infatuation and passing fancy. No harm or foul done. Just don’t lose your priorities. I was in my my mid twenties and in a similar situation and made the wrong move.
It’s times like this when I fall back on the wisdom of the late great Tony Montana from Scarface. In his infinite but somewhat corrupted wisdom he did say something that back on reflection I consider to be highly profound and incredibly true. He said in regards to women and getting ones priorities straight, “First you get the money, then you get the power and then you get the woman.” Live by that creedo and you will not go wrong mate. Trust me. Until then, meet them, bang them and send them off on their merry way because in most cases, that’s what they will do to you.
Like?
0 
0
@Footy4Eddy: And we, the idiots, still love them though…
Life would be so much simpler if we were gay!!!
Like?
0 
0
@Footy4Eddy: Mate, love does not exist at 16. Trust me. It’s puppy love and sexual attraction. You need to believe that. That does not mean you don’t go after girls but you go in with the knowledge that this is just for fun and do not take things too seriously unless time and true love emerge from it afterwards. Liking a girl you have not lived with or really been with is not love, it’s infatuation and just being attracted. Be careful and just remember your priorities. This is not me being negative, just speaking the truth from a lot of experience. I had more relationships and one night stands before the age of 24 than you can possibly imagine. But what I always had in the back of mind is the knowledge of what I wanted and who the perfect girl would be when i saw her. So I had my fun but I never placed a girl on the pedestal and above me until I was 25, and even she was a big mistake in the end. Love is a many splendor thing but it usually comes at a price. Are you willing to pay that price? You need to get to know this girl a lot more and know where she is coming from and how sincere and serious she is before you dive in to the old love fountain. Caution and knowledge of your priorities mate and you will not go wrong. And don’t get her pregnant. It might sound silly to you but it’s a sure fire way to derail your footballing ambitions. Always wear a helmet.
Like?
0 
0
@Footy4Eddy: If she is in to Spanish, beware, she may leave you for Real Madrid.
Like?
0 
0
@Stephen: Classic! Thats what I would do too back when I was 16.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Okey, my plan for tomorrow is sealed! “Hey baby, I dig you. Are you into me, or do you just play around like a cheap hooker? If so, then fuck off!”
No serisoulsy, though, thanks for the tip. Gonna listen to it, and see how it turns out. But you see mate, Im not felled by beauty alone. If for that, I would have been a soft bitch! No, I look for more than that. Eyes, personality and spirit. She is shy, and Ive got this thing for “helpless” girls.
Fuck me, its getting annoying. Maybe its because I always seek a challenge, and I find the hot ones too easy to get. The shy and pretty ones are usually insecure and dont try too hard, actually settle for second best for often than not. Usually, the insecure ones are those who are difficult to get under your wing. Because they are afraid of the best. Damn, me and my thoughts… 
But Im gonna try it out tomorrow. I know friends of girls can be some real bitches, and if there is one thing I know its to make girls come to me. Im funny, cool, talented, full of life and, may I say, sexy.
Ive got what it takes, just gotta use it. Im gonna drive the girls insane tomorrow… 
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard:
Thinks I am the one getting her into Spanish. Hola Grognard, Que Pasa?!
When I speak Latin, it sounds so sexy the girls circle around me… Unoftunately also some boys, as Spanish sounds a little gay to be honest. 
Like?
0 
0
It could be worse, we could be scouse
Loosing 3 – 1at home to Villa! Gerrard diving around in the wrong box!
Like?
0 
0
@NicoQB: We are some hard ass bitches we too!
Always make it difficult for ourselves, dont we mate? 
Like?
0 
0
@Footy4Eddy: I remember a girl that was so in to me she was just obsessed. A that time I was 20 and a bit of a Marlon Brando from the Wild Ones type in terms of dressing cool and acting like a tough leader. She just thought I was so cool, calm, cocky and confident. When we hooked up and I showed a little bit more of my sentimental and romantic side she up and ran away because she wanted the bad boy or the myth I had created. She didn’t want a nice guy , a sincere honest and decent person who would respect her and treat her nice. She wanted Marlon Brando.
My point is that quite often the image that you bring out of yourself in school is not really the inner you and that is what immature girls who are blinded and obsessed by pop culture are often attracted to. The real you is something only a mature and well rounded girl who isn’t insecure and into shopping, hair and her friends will love and respect. Tread carefully my friend. Never underestimate the wisdom of experience when it is talking to you no matter how much you want to dismiss it. Remember what I said about hormones and pheromones. Don’t let them take you over like the dark side of the force.
Like?
0 
0
gerrard dived and gave a penalty to aston villa, how ironic.
Like?
0 
0
“this is gonna be our year” scouse cunts lost 3-1 to Villa in Self Pity City,
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: IIIIIIIIIIII LOVE YA MATE!!!!
Just what I needed to hear! Guys, none of you better show up at my school tomorrow! Because Im gonna sex them ALL up!!! 
As for this situation, Im gonna use a phrase my coach told my team a few weeks ago. “If you think the net is gonna run towards the ball, you`re fucking stupid! Its your job to put the ball in the net, and you better make it hard! Injure the goalkeeper while you are at it…”
Like?
0 
0
@NicoQB: That’s why my hero is the great Al Bundy from the American tv sitcom “Married With Children” who formed the club of like minded men called “NO MAAM” Stands for “National Organization for Men against Amazonian Masterhood”. I have my NO MAAM t-shirt and I wear it around proudly because I have lived through it and lived to tell. Al Bundy is my hero.
Like?
0 
0
@Footy4Eddy: Eyes are the windows to the soul mate or incredible tools of seduction and hypnotic power. My ex had the most beautiful eyes you have ever seen. Look up Nastassja Kinski or watch Cat people to see what I mean. She obsessed me with those eyes and she had me in her lair before I knew what hit me. Remember, eyes are the main factor when it comes to looks and if they have beautiful eyes, they have been told it by many more often than they go to the bathroom. They use it as a weapon so beware. I say look at her feet when you talk to her….unless of course you are a foot fetishist. No judgment.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Here is the image I give in school/by friends:
Confident
Funny
Cool
Careless
Caring
Sexy
Tough
Atletic
Social
Kinda Crazy…
ROFL!
Same goes for me in real life. Im happy with myself, and I see no reason not to act like I am as a person. I love myself for who I am, and I think other people enjoy it as well. I have nothing to hide, I have nothing to lose and I have nothing to fear. Those are the words I live my life by, and I will re-live them again. Love put me down to earth last week, but my God am I back.
Like?
0 
0
@Footy4Eddy: Spanish does sound gay because it forces men to speak with a lisp. From past experience, speaking with an Italian accent gets them much more horny.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: THERE EXISTS GIRLS THAT ARE NOT INTO SHOPPING, INSECURE AND OBSESSED WITH THEIR LOOKS?!
Best joke today mate, best joke today…
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: I am 1/4 Italian!!!
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Weird thing is her eyes are cold… Its like looking into an empty hole. But when those eyes face my eyes, they become rumbling firebolts who just shoots out sex! Its like watching a combo of the ocean, the stars and the wild nature of the jungle. Its like I see the essence of purity, but also something trapped which wants to be released. Get what Im saying?
BTW, not a foot fetish. Although I do have something for legs…
Long, tight and sexy legs just screams sex! 
Like?
0 
0
@Footy4Eddy: Funny, caring, social are not what they are looking. At to that sensitive, fair and intelligent. What they want and what makes them evil and not to be trusted is careless, sexy, tough, athletic and kinda crazy. All fine traits for you to have but not the trait s one should look for in a mate. Those are superficial traits when looked at without all your other more internal and meaningful ones. Stay away from girls that like those because they are useless and they will hurt you.
Like?
0 
0
@Footy4Eddy: OK, so I was trying to be positive for once in my life, sue me.
Like?
0 
0
@phoenix red:
Villa 0-2 Wigan
Wigan 0-5 United
Liverpool 1-3 Villa
Like?
0 
0
@Footy4Eddy: Then show her your inner Guido.
Like?
0 
0
@Footy4Eddy: Cold eyes are very sensuous and incredibly sexy. Mine had them and they used to drive me crazy. But when she hooked up with me she was so happy and content for such a long time her eyes went all friendly and warm and for me, she lost a little bit of thebeauty and allure her colder eyes gave me. Makeup has a big role to play in this. When she was athe night club where I met her, she used to wear a lot of eye makeup and because she was a model, she was taught to strut in a certain way and to use her eyes in a certain way. Those I were like assassins and I felt like JFK.
Like?
0 
0
Ok. That’s enough of love for now. Eddy, I don’t want you to bring up your love life here again. I’ve given you people enough leeway. Time to get back to topic. Enough now.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: I am who I am, and all my life Ive gotten girls because of my personality. First off they fall for my behavior, freedom and humour, then they fall for the caring and sensitive me. How the fuck could I forget my princibles this week? I who life every day with a smile on my face and with the confidence of no-one else. Repeat, confidence, not arrogance. There is a fine line between it, and I am by no means arrogant. Despise those people!
Anyhow, you lecture has brought me back to life. I needed a kick in the crotch, a slap in the face and a stretch for my thoughts. Thanks mate, appreciate it! 
Like?
0 
0
@Red Ranter:
Sure thing mate, I got what I came for. Needed to get my princips sorted out, finding the inner me. You understand yourself that this is confusing for me, and I promise you I wont bring this up again(unless something really, really, really dramatic happens! 
). Sorry mate, wanna get back to footy now! 
LIVERPOOL 1-3 ASTON VILLA!!!
Like?
0 
0
@Footy4Eddy: Eddi mi man, you are missing the feckin point mate
. Even if the girl you like, and even if she ditches her boyfriend, the point you are not getting is that girls are not like lads! If her friend really likes you, and would love to get together with you, then she will out of loyalty to her friend, not move in on you! After all, she’s shy, and only has the one friend, she is unlikely to hurt that friendship by stepping into it with you! Live and leran about this kind of psyche with girls friendships mate 
.
Like?
0 
0
@Red Ranter: Heard and understood Boss
.
Like?
0 
0
Okay here’s a challenge for you all. Who can pick a WINNING MF formation for United in the arsenal game? Here is my team:-
Foster
DeLaet Brown Vidic Evra
NANI Fletcher Gibson Giggsy
Rooney Berba
SAF’s team – what I believe he will choose -
Foster
Rafael Brown Vida Evra
Park Fletcher Anderson/Carrick Giggs
Rooney Berba
Like?
0 
0
Please don’t think I am telling you your job RedRanter, but I really think people who want to talk United will be chased away from this blog, unless there is a tightening up on keepeing ON TOPIC – i.e. Manchester United and FOOTBALL. Last night we digressed on MOVIES, and today the LOVE BOAT
. Serious Man United debaters will surely take one look, and think WTF 
. Maybe if we had a general digression thread for those who would like to talk other than what this BLOG was created for, might be a good answer. Just saying RR, not to offend or cause trouble, but because those just looking to talk football will flee from this blog 
. I intend, and have tried muchly to not digress myself. I think 2 or 3 post digression is enough, unless it is FOOTBALL digression – so what do you think RR.
Like?
0 
0
@Footy4Eddy: Eddi no offence mate, but I thought RR said to stop the love debating
. I think some of the post comments on your desires Eddi need to be erased now, or I fear, and I mean this seriously, not to be offensive, that it will turn soccer fans from visiting this blog. Apart from the fact, that it is a bit OTT, and visitors or even regulars to this blog will wonder what the fuck is going on these days!
Like?
0 
0
@Footy4Eddy: Without being an ass, I couldn’t care less about you talking about trying to get your end away mate! Write a blog or something!
Like?
0 
0
Eddy, no offence, but I had to delete that. I tend to not intrude on what people talk about (as long as it doesn’t get personal) because I trust, like adults they’ll return back to the topic of football. Unfortunately, since Eddy’s not even an adult (he’s 16)
so I had to delete it to put my point across.
I don’t have a problem with diversions occasionally, but if people hijack the thread after warning several times then I have to do this.
As I said, no offence, but we don’t want to hear the intimate details of Eddy’s love life.
Like?
0 
0
@Craig Mc: Fair point. I try to maintain some balance without appearing a dick. But it’s obvious this was getting ridiculous.
Like?
0 
0
id play:
foster
Oshea vida evans evra
ando fletcher carrick
NANI rooney Berba
Like?
0 
0
@united4life: Evans is OUT though mate, and United are looking at an operation for him on his troubled ankle injury
.
Like?
0 
0
Just read on the Mirror sports website that Anderson is to quit Old Trafford after a major bust up with SAF, because he was left out of the Charity shield game. SAF demanded he backed down, but Anderson refused, saying he was good enough to play, and wasn’t prepared to sit on the bench. So SAF has told him he can go – SUPPOSEDLY! This apparently is why he has been very little used in the few games we have had thus far
. Pouting Foreigners eh? 
Like?
0 
0
@Craig Mc: Blessing in disguise, eh?
Finally Fletch culd be installed as absolute no.1 midfield enforcer, or we could go on the transfer market..
If , of course this is actually true, which I’m sure it is not!
Like?
0 
0
@NicoQB: The daily mail are reporting it now too
. Headline, Vidic says he’s STAYING and has never said he wants to go to Barca, but ANDERSON’S future is UNCERTAIN. Vida also says AGAIN that his wife is not unhappy in Manchester!
Like?
0 
0
I wonder IF behind the scenes, (IF all the present reporting about Carrick and Anderson is true,) that United are working to bring in A WHOLE NEW MF
.
Like?
0 
0
@Craig Mc: That’ll be great. Either that or we gonna be seeing an awful lot of Scholes this season. Could be worse, but he’s always two tackles away from a red card, IMO.
By the way, we need to line up as a 4-5-1 or the Gooners will do a Barca on us!!
Like?
0 
0
@Footy4Eddy: Eddy, im the same age as you and i had the same issue last year with this girl except she was brunette (i think your girl is blonde not sure) but anyways. As a lot of peeps said never ever ever listen to the girls friends because they are either
1) Like you
2) Jealous as fuck of their friend getting a boyfriend
What you cant do is get in the “friendzone” because even if she doesnt have a boyfriend and you get in that zone then youre fucked and she will never love you in that way. Keep playing it all chilled and act very friendly to her and if she said she is single then she is single so go for her soon b4 its too late
Like?
0 
0
@Anthony Los: Enough already!! Can’t you kidlets go jerk off somewhere so we can get back to a topic that draws us all here in the first place!
Like?
0 
0
@Redrich: Mate im helping someone out because he is a fellow red and has a problem so why dont you fuck off and mind your own business and i’ll get back to ranting bout football
Like?
0 
0
@Anthony Los: ….so what is it you have to say??
Like?
0 
0
@Redrich: Totally with you on that.
Nothing personal guys, but this is meant to be a place to talk about the team and sport we love, and unfortunately as this is not a forum everything goes in the same place. There are plenty of other places online where you can talk about this. There is free webchat and IRC and MSN and pretty much a huge range of options that aren’t the comments section here.
Like?
0 
0
Anybody else think that the latest Citeh signing (Sylvinho) is just a window dressing to attract more “names”.
They seem intent in buying a team, don’t they!!
Like?
0 
0