Jan 22
Will United Rebuff Arsenal’s Revenge Quest?
As memorable as the last meeting was for all of the right reasons for Manchester United, it has to be put at the back of the mind. Or should be, at least.
But one can’t help but think of it ahead of today’s rematch at the Emirates Stadium, because it was such a memorable match and because you now have to be aware, if not wary, of the possibility of a backlash.
No one likes to be humiliated, and no one likes to lose to a rival. When you combine the two, it’s the ultimate stomach churner. United have been on the other end of the spectrum this season as well, and knowing how to respond and having responded to it, they know how to prepare for today. So, they’ll be ready for whatever Arsenal throw at them, aware of the need to put more distance between one rival and close the distance between another.
Manchester United
1. United were poor in their last league match away from Old Trafford, the 3-0 defeat at Newcastle. But since that setback, United have recorded an away win at City in the FA Cup and a 3-0 home win over Bolton in the league, so they head into today’s match with positive momentum.
United needed to step up after those back-to-back shock defeats to Blackburn and Newcastle, and they did so at City, then followed it up with a solid all-around performance against Bolton. It did take a lot longer than it perhaps should have to put Owen Coyle’s side away, but the result was achieved in the end with minimal fuss and with a goal from Paul Scholes to boot.
2. United come into today second in the league in goals scored with 52, and they’re third in the league in away goals with 19.
3. Just as Arsenal have been strong defensively at home, United have been strong defensively away from home, with the exception of the match at St. James’ Park Sports Direct Arena. United have allowed only six goals in their 10 away matches, half of those in that defeat. So, it’s no wonder then that United are 7-2-1 away from home this season after defensive struggles contributed greatly to a poor away record last season.
4. Things are far from perfect on the injury front for United, but Phil Jones and Chris Smalling will both be available today after missing the Bolton match. However, Anderson will miss out today after picking up a knock in training. Overall though, it’s not as good as it could be, but it’s not as bad as it has been at some points, so there’s that to be thankful for.
Related items from Red Rants:
The_Philosopher (483)
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Stephen (187)
Moscow (150)
Great game going on between Spurs and City. What a fightback from Spurs…looking every bit like they could win it!
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Damn! Well…now we know what we’ve got to do today.
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No defensive, cowardly bullshit today. In the words of OPTI, I want Viking style, pillaging football. City have opened up a 6 point lead and playing for a draw is unforgivable.
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@Moscow is my heaven: Agreed. If we don’t win, our margin for error from here on will be almost nil. We need to take advantage of their defense…no excuses.
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Lineups:
United: Lindegaard; Jones, Smalling, Evans, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Nani; Rooney, Welbeck. Subs: De Gea, Fabio, Rafael, Scholes, Park, Berbatov, Hernandez.
Arsenal: Szczesny; Djourou, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen; Song, Ramsey, Walcott, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Van Persie. Subs: Almunia, Park, Squillaci, Arshavin, Benayoun, Miquel, Yennaris.
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could only happen to spurs
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Fuck me… If anybody needs a reason to why you have to finish those chances, just look right there. Had Defoe slid it in just before Balotelli’s winner we would be talking about a Spurs win.
COME ON UNITED !!!
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any live streams for todays game guys
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@jos: coolsport (dot) tv
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@Eddie Griffin: thanks eddie
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ZZZZZZZZZ
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Deserved lead. Let’s finish it off in the second half!
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@Eddie Griffin: I was despairing at the amount of times Nani skinned Djourou and nothing came of it. Arsenal have been really poor, but Carrick and Giggs have been majestic so far.
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how was that not a red card and penalty.
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Wtf cmon man
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Damn, damn, damn!
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Two footed off the ground from behind ???
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how did we let arsenal get that chamberlain kid
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Ref is not helping us at all
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.
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Welly I love u
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@gator: I second that!
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How did he not get sent off?
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what do they have to do to get red carded in this game
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@gator: is he going to let them injure another 1 of our players
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@gator: yep. Roony and Welly limping…
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Le arse had as many yellows as we had injuries
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Winner, winner, winner!
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It’s a good thing Welbeck scored because that was a great collection of some woeful touch and finishing.
We played very poorly in my opinion, but Arsenal (or should that be Wenger) somehow conspired to fuck things up. Away win at the Emirates, and bearing in mind how City won earlier today, I can’t complain really.
Scholes and Giggs playing against Arsenal in 2012. Shocking. We lack star quality and a cutting edge.
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@Moscow is my heaven: I agree United were underwhelming but Arsenal were just woeful. I know that Arsenal used to be title rivals and this sentiment still runs deep but it is sad to see this great English club sliding downhill without end in sight. They are definitely out of the CL spot race and it will be extremely difficult for them to get back next season(s). I won’t be surprised if RVP moves over to RM in summer. At least to me it would be a better outcome than going to City which is definite possibility as Arsenal are becoming a farm club for City
As for the title race Spurs have been exposed as pretenders once again. It is between United and City now.
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@Andrei: Mate if the FFP is fierecely applied as it should be, then Man City won’t be able to afford to keep paying astronomical wages as they do now, so RVP would do better at Real M. I welcome the FFP because it will be fairer to all clubs, as a club cannot spend more than they bring in if I am understanding things correctly!
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@Craig Mc: they will just renew the naming rights to the training ground for 800m
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@gator: I thought that was what United were doing?
Are City copying us again? That lot at Wastelands don’t have an original thought in their heads! 
We took our silverware trophies to USA for the fans to handle and have photos – next we saw City copied what we did. They watch us all the time to see and duplicate our ingenious leads in football 
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@Craig Mc: If they offload Tevez and Adebayor City will be able to afford RVP and stay within FFP. Under FFP you don’t have to be profitable. You can stay in the red if it is within what is considered reasonable by FFP. Alternatively you should be able to demonstrate that you are making efforts to balance the sheets. I think City can successfully argue that getting rid of high spenders Tevez and Adebayour and replacing their ~450k wages with “just” 250k in RVP wages is the step in that direction.
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Chris Smalling – what a colossus
– that lad saved us with great clearance header after header, time and time again. Welbeck got his goal, but fook me he should have settled this game for us LONG before he did – the chances he had and such easy ones – WELL NUFF SAID! I must say that the Welbeck outfield all round play was good – certainly better than Rooney’s – whose 1st touch again and poor passing was so prevelant for all to see. Still once again Rooney was stamped on from behind and fouled time after time – no wonder he was hobbling. Rafael was upset he was brought off, but he was a lot responsible for what lead to the Van Persie goal – he rushed forward missed his opportunity, and left his side of the field totally open to the attack, because he had no chance of getting back to defend. So I am not surprised Fergie took him off shortly after that – we needed experience at that time to steady the ship. We still panic and can’t keep possession of the ball when under pressure and that is game after game – under pressure we keep giving the ball away cheaply – sort this out and we will be imposssible to beat – and why the hell this hasn’t been sorted out is un-fook-ing believeable because it has been a problem all season!
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@Craig Mc: Agree craig, smalling was fucking immense. Get him back centrally, and hope that these clyne rumours are true, and we put him or rafael in at FB from now on, cos smalling at CB, is just too awesome to be wasted out wide.
Likewise hope evra will now keep his recent run of good form going, as its a welcome change. More like the evra of old tonight.
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@tonymontanna4united: Yeah Tony mi man – Smalling keeps growing in stature with every game. He loves playing for Man Utd and he is a Utd type player. To think Welbeck wants more wages than Smalling – yeah right
. Sign your friggin contract Welbeck and stop rocking the boat – you’ll get the money in time if you prove your worth over a season and not just a few games 
. Smalling deservesa raise Fergie 
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Errr now can any of you brainy types tell me about the continuous tackling from behind – that is so dangerous and especially as players can’t prepare themselves for it not having eyes in the back of their heads – SO IS THE TACKLE BEHIND against the rules or what – because I thought that kind of tackling had been outlawed – so why are refs not calling it and doing their job anymore. Wow no player protection from these tackles and more and more bad injuries as a result! Somebody tell me if tackling from behind is still banned according to FA rules????? ANYBODY?
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Hope Jones, nani, Roony, and wellbecks injuries aren’t serious.
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A decent win overall really, made arsenal look like our bitches again but damn, we really need to start taking our sodding chances better. Welbeck in particular, could and should have got atleast a hatrick today. Fortunately those misses didnt cost us this time.
Valencia, smalling and cant believe im saying this, but evra, were all fantastic today, really impressed with them, but once again its clear that we really lack that cutting edge, as well as that presence in the midfield to help us see out games. Giggs and scholes in the midfield again, really?
Still think it’d be a bloody big mistake not to bring in a player or 2 this january, but there you go, if the papers are to be believed, were set to capture nathaniel clyne from palace, who i must say, i would be very very happy with. Great little player who most definitely fill a hole that is forming in the RB spot, but still, without that midfield spot being filled, i still have my doubts that scholes, carrick and giggs will be enough to see us through unfortunately.
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The Premier League is in alarming decline. Sky’s ‘Big 4′ have been systematically picked off in the past 3 years. First Liverpool, the scourge of Europe, fell to the insanity of Benitez. Then Arsenal, to the myopia and delusion of Wenger. Then Chelsea, to the egos of Mourinho’s old boys and Abramovich’s reckless intervention.
United only just remain, but not without any scars. We have been pissed on by City, cast into the Europa League, but thankfully, by sheer will and desire, have kept ourselves in contention for the title. It is working now, but it is unsustainable. We need to invest, and quickly.
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Rooney is very sloppy and predictable in midfield. It was painful watching him today. Arsenal’s dirty tackling didn’t help though.
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WELBECKWELBECKWELBECKWELBECK AND EVEN MORE WELBECK LOOOOOOVE!!!
Valencia I love you too!! <3
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Valencia was immense today again. Welbeck did better than Rooney but he still lacks composure on the ball. Wasted too many easy chances.
Hope injuries ain’t serious.
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giggs had some majik runs in the first half but is not young enough to finish a match. scholes is great to have now but we need something in the middle rodwell and a creative mf erikson or gotze and we would be tits.
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