Red Army To Invade Moscow

22 May 2008 will be D-Day for United. It will be the day when Manchester United have the opportunity to clinch the biggest prize in club football.






















Who would've thought that an all-England final would take place?
























To me, this is the perfect night for Manchester United to show the world & all the Blues fans that just because your club owner is a mega-rich oil tycoon, does not guarantee you the Champions League trophy.


Wasn't that biased? Of course, I'm a Man.United fan through & through.


Frankly speaking, I'm tired of seeing Abramovich luring players to Chelsea by flashing his cheque book. And what does that say about the players? Well, don't they sound like football mercenaries?


I'm sorry if "mercenary" is such a strong word, but how many Chelsea players play for Chelsea because they love the club? John Terry is the perfect example. He's Mr.Chelsea. He's the "Keano" of Chelsea. What about the rest of his team mates? Do you think they love Chelsea or Roman's billions? Go figure.
















Anyway I can't wait for the final when England's Red Army sweeps Moscow and win the Champions League!


Pictures courtesy of:

www.fannation.com
www.soccerlens.com

We're Getting Closer...!

Another win in the bag!

Man.United took another crucial step towards retaining their Premier League crown by thrashing East Londoners West Ham 4-1, at Old Trafford.

















A brace from Portuguese wizard Cristiano Ronaldo, as early as the 3rd minute gave United a commanding lead inside the opening half-an hour.


Carlos Tevez's strike from 30 yards was simply unstoppable and extended United's lead.

















However, shortly before half-time United were reduced to 10 men when Nani was given his marching orders after tangling with Lucas Neill off the ball. The West Ham skipper pushed him, and the young Portuguese retaliated by head-butting. Both players fell theatrically to the ground. After seeking advice from his assistant, referee Mike Riley produced the red card to Nani.


I totally agree with the match official's decision. It was a moment of pure immaturity from Nani, and he will learn from his mistakes.


Right before the hour mark, Michael Carrick became the second ex-West Ham player to score against his old club when his low drive shot was deflected and wrong-footed the helpless Robert Green. United were 4 goals up and cruising. It could've been 5 up had Darren Flecther's side-footed shot not rebounded against the post.





















When the final whistle sounded, the entire Man.United squad did a victory lap to thank their fans for all the support given, as this was the last match played at Old Trafford this season.


United's last game of the season will be held at the JJB Stadium, home of Wigan Athletic.


A win at Wigan will guarantee Manchester United their 10th Premier League title.


Pictures courtesy of:

www.premierleague.com
www.news.bbc.co.uk
www.soccerlens.com

Despair....

What should've been a day for United to wrap up the title, turned out to be a defeat instead.

















I knew that Man.United were not going to win at Stamford Bridge the moment I saw the line-up. Why isn't Ronaldo, Scholes and Tevez in the starting eleven? And why is Giggs playing?


Don't get me wrong, I consider Giggs to be one of United's legends, but he has lost that pace to be a winger. Instead of fielding Ronaldo, Giggs was played, with Nani slotted on the other flank.


There was also no depth in midfield either. Scholes was missing, and his footballing brain and wit was needed to neutralise the strength and passing by Essien.






















Things did not look good when Vidic was taken off due to injury. On paper, Chelsea were the more balanced side on that day.


I think Ballack had a terrific game, and his display was the reason that Chelsea won. Nevermind that Drogba tried to brush the German captain with his ego, Ballack was just superb.

































Rooney's goal was a fluke, and it was really charitable of Ricardo Carvalho to hand United the equaliser. At this point, the game was level again, and United should've brought on Ronaldo and Tevez to beef up their side and match Chelsea.






















When United do decide to bring in the young Portuguese, he was clearly held, wrestled and obstructed by Ballack which should've been a clear cut penalty, but somehow match official Alan Wiley missed the incident, when replays clearly showed the offence.


This decision incensed Fergie and the entire United fans in Malaysia. And as if that wasn't enough, in the dying minutes the linesman flagged Michael Carrick for handball inside the penalty box, and awarded Chelsea a penalty instead! Replays clearly showed that it was ball-to-hand & NOT hand-to-ball. Linesman is soooooo BUTA KAYU!


















In my personal opinion, Fergie made a mistake with his selection for this match. Instead of fielding a strong side, he opted to rest several stars and paid the price for it.


















I was really disappointed.

Pictures courtesy of:

www.premierleague.com
www.soccerlens.com
www.goal.com

Red vs Blue

Everybody is waiting for this game. This Saturday, it's a head-to-head clash between the top two teams in the English League.


















League leaders Manchester United will take on rival Chelsea in an afternoon kick-off in London. United will be going into this match wanting to beat Roman's Blue Army at their own ground. While that is easier said than done, Chelsea have this impressive record of staying unbeaten at home since 2004.














Despite having a far superior goal difference over their opponents, United would love to break Chelsea's unbeaten run at home, while Abramovich's men need a win in order to halt "Fergie's Fledings" from winning the title.


Pictures courtesy of:

www.football-kit.org.uk
www.fifa-mra.com

Honours Even

Man.United and Barcelona drew 0-0 in the Champions League semi-finals played at the Nou Camp.


Although Cristiano Ronaldo could've nicked a goal as early as the third minute from the penalty spot, United looked a solid side as they neutralised the Catalan giants potent attack.
















With the stakes so high, both teams were happy keeping each other at arm's length and were very cautios in their approach.


In the first half’s final act, Ronaldo was again tripped by Marquez outside the area, and the Mexican was punished with a yellow card which rules him out of next week’s return leg. From the free kick, Ronaldo curled his effort a yard wide of the far post.


At the other end, Wes Brown was alert to block a goal-bound shot from the ever-dangerous Eto’o, while Edwin van der Sar comfortably clutched a low 25-yard free kick from Deco.

Into the second half, Xavi went one better just before the hour mark, hitting the target with a powerful effort from 20 yards, but van der Sar contorted well to hold the Spaniard’s low, deflected shot.

With United so resolute at the back, pot-shots were Barca’s best hope of establishing a lead. Substitute Thierry Henry and Iniesta both tried their luck from distance, but found van der Sar equal to their efforts as the game wound towards its climax.


With 90 decisive minutes to come in Manchester next Tuesday, however, it’s safe to assume that the second course will be a far tastier affair.


News source: http://www.manutd.com/

Pictures courtesy of:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/
http://www.football.co.uk/

Nou Camp again...

Did I mention that Man.United made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League this season?


Well, Man.United MADE IT to the semi-finals this season!


And we're facing, in my opinion one the best teams in Europe-Barcelona.


Despite the off-form of Ronaldinho, I still believe that Barcelona would be the most difficult opponent that United had faced this season. Forget how we beat Roma, that was not such a tough match.


But playing against the Catalans is a whole different game altogether.






















No Ronaldinho, no problem. Barca have Henry.





















No Deco, Barca have Xavi to pull the midfield strings.







































No Messi, Barca have teen sensation Bojan Krikic & Giovanni Dos Santos. Let's not forget they also have 'steel iron hardman' Carles Puyol to galvanise the team & lead the defence.























Believe me beating Barcelona is no easy task, what more trying to do it in Spain. But I'm confident that United can bring back an away goal for the return leg at Old Trafford.


I'm praying for another glorious night for Man.United. A repeat at the Nou Camp like it was in 1999.

4 more matches & we're there!

Last Sunday, Manchester United took another crucial step towards retaining their Premier League title, with a 2-1 win over bitter arch nemesis Arsenal. It was a killer blow which totally ended the Gunners' title race for this season.

















Arsenal started the match brightly with some fluid passing which is their hallmark signature over the years. United were finding it difficult to settle down & find their rhythm, despite playing before a full house in their own back yard.


The Londoners was clearly the better side in the first half, but were unlucky to register on the score sheet.


However, after the break, Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor found the net with a rather peculiar header, which replays shown to have come off his hands rather than his head. Arsenal was 1-0 up, and Old Trafford was silent.


















Lady luck was smiling at United when William Gallas was penalised for handball. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up & scored his 38th goal of the season with such confidence despite being instructed to re-take his initial spot-kick due to players enroachment into the box.



















In my opinion, this penalty was the turning point for United to gather their strength & go for the win & kill off the game.















18 minutes from time, Owen Hargreaves curled in a glorious free-kick 25 yards from goal and sent Old Trafford into a frenzy, and Arsenal into a glump.


Manchester United 2....Arsenal....1


I guess this made West Londoner Blues cursed such profanity. Arsenal was doing Chelsea a favour by leading 1-0.


Even at 1-1 it was still a wide open title race.


But at 2-1 to United, the EPL title looks pretty much sure to remain up in the red side of Manchester.


But we're not celebrating just yet. Anything can happen with 4 more matches remaining. Until then.....GLORY...GLORY...MAN.UNITED.....!

Cheers! :o)


news source: www.manutd.com

pictures courtesy of: www.premierleague.com