United Zone Player of the Month – February 09
February was a month in which we were all reminded of the brilliance that some of our older players are capable of. Stunning performances from the likes of Paul Scholes, against Fulham, and Rio Ferdinand, away at Inter Milan, served as a reminder that, whilst they may not be getting younger, our superb veterans have much to offer the club.
This month however, it has been the performances from another golden oldie that has captured the imagination of fans and pundits alike. The eternal Ryan Giggs has been in sparkling form this month with starts against West Ham and Inter Milan, and another cameo against Blackburn.
Inspirational Goal: Ryan Giggs United Zone Player of the Month – February 09
Inter Milan vs Manchester United: Pre Match
It’s getting closer and closer to a thrilling climax to the season and that can only mean one thing: Champions League knock out stages, starting this week with the round of sixteen. There are some cracking ties on show. Chelsea vs. Juventus, will Ranieri come back to haunt his former club? Arsenal vs. Roma, can Arsenal stop the rot against an improving Roma side? Real Madrid vs. Liverpool, who will win this battle of continental heavyweights, and surely, the two clubs most despised by United fans? All these questions will be answered, but undoubtedly the tie of the round has to be Manchester United vs. Inter Milan.
Old Foes: Mourinho and Ferguson
Evans: The One That Almost Got Away
After some impressive performances for Sunderland in two separate loan spells, Sir Alex Ferguson had no doubts that Jonny Evans was a player with a big future at United. And boy, has Ferguson got it right or what? Evans has come on in leaps and bounds this season, and this can be largely attributed to the faith and reassurance shown to Evans by his manager. His performances in big games have been nothing short of spectacular and in this time he has managed to make some of the most experienced and talented strikers look like children. In the most recent victory over Chelsea, an emphatic 3-0 win, Evans ensured Drogba would not have the chances to cause United any problems. He was vital to our clean sheet against Villareal, in this season’s first Champions League clash, and in fact, nearly scored what may have been the winning goal when his header hit the post.
Evans impressed in his two loan spells at Sunderland
What Manchester United Means To Me
Although I had been following football for a few years already and was a big fan, my first enduring memory of being a Manchester United follower was one of pain not glory. I was eight years old and it was still the era of listening to matches on the radio or refreshing teletext every five minutes to get the latest scores. My dad and I would sit down at 4.45 every Saturday and tune into Grandstand to watch the scores trickle in on the vidiprinter. But on this particular Saturday I had bucked the trend and was outside kicking the ball around. My father came out with a solemn face and I knew something was not right. United had lost 5-1 he told me. A result that was bad enough in itself but when you consider the opposition, Manchester City, it was gallingly intolerable. I was so confused and hurt, all I wanted my Dad to do was to explain to me why this had happened but there was nothing he could say that made any rational sense of it. It was my first lesson in the harsh reality of competitive sport. Far from discouraging me though, it spurred me on. (more…)
Video Of The Day: Nemanja Vidic – The Terminator
Nemanja Vidic has become one of the best players, if not the best, so far this season. With Rio Ferdinand being injured a couple of times, Vidic had to take under his wing Jonny Evans. And that means he had to work for 1.5 men. He has been brilliant in defence and very good at scoring goals – 6 so far this season.
As he was named Premier League January Player of the Month, let’s all enjoy his talent and skills:
UnitedZone Player of the Month – January 09
The votes are in and January’s UnitedZone Player of the Month is no surprise really.
Congratulations to our solid Serb, Nemanja Vidic on a month of sublime defending, clean sheets and even a goal against title rivals Chelsea. Nemanja Vidic’s contribution this month was vital to United’s title aspirations and was pivotal to our record breaking run of league clean sheets. Twelve games and counting, and it would not have been possible without Vidic.
The constant in a defence which, in January, was ravaged by injuries to many of United’s most sturdy defenders, Vidic has been by far United’s most reliable player over the last four months. Whether playing alongside the veteran Ferdinand, the up and coming Evans or utility man O’Shea, Vidic did not fail us once all month, and this consistency has been recognised by the members of UnitedZone Football Forums who took the time to vote.
No Through Road. Vidic: UnitedZone Player of the Month
Video Of The Day: He Scores Goals Galore….
You guessed it.
The one and only Paul Scholes.
Given the fact that he has recently announced that his playing days are drawing to a close, I think we should all take the time to sit back and take a look at the brilliance of our Ginger Prince.
Here is a video showcasing some of his finest moments!
Credit to Mikeyt086 for the video!
Are Fans Killing The Playmaker?
It seems to me that modern football is rarely graced with the talents of exceptional playmakers in the way that it once was. The game today is dominated by and large by pace and power whilst the ability to read the game and pick a precise pass, once the most prized qualities, are no longer revered in the same tones.
This summer Manchester United signed Dimitar Berbatov for over thirty million pounds. Within weeks the gifted technician came under criticism for his languid, slow paced style with many fans blaming him for the team’s loss of form. Statistically Berbatov has covered more ground in some games than many of his more vaunted team mates, he leads the team in interceptions and steals (an alien term to many football fans) and is light years ahead of Tevez in terms of assists. Meanwhile his team mate Carlos Tevez, a man who has contributed very little in terms of goals and even less in ways of assists, remains a popular figure with the Old Trafford faithful. So much so in fact, that many insist the Bulgarian should be dropped to the bench in favour of the Argentinian. So why do fans identify so much more with Tevez than they do with Berbatov?
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Video Of The Day: Edwin van der Hero
Edwin van der Sar – the man of the moment. He has set a new record of minutes played without conceding a goal. So I invite you to take a look at some of Edwin’s best saves in an United shirt.
P.S. I’m sorry but there is no sound as it has been disabled.
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