Manchester City vs. Manchester United – Carling Cup Semi Final (First Leg) – Match Preview
Manchester City vs. Manchester United
Carling Cup
6. 01. 2010
Match Preview:
It isn’t often that fans are treated to four Manchester derbies in one season, but this season, thanks to the two legged semi final of the Carling Cup, that is exactly what fans will see this season. On Wednesday, United will face fierce rivals Manchester City at Eastlands in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi final. Following United’s thrilling 3-2 win in the last Manchester derby, played out at Old Trafford, this is a match being eagerly anticipated by both sets of fans and neutrals alike. (more…)
The Manchester Derby – No further introduction required.
If you happened to glance at the English Premier League table this morning, you would find that, as it stands, the top four teams are, in order: Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City. Anyone care to pick the odd one out? Of course, Manchester City is the name which jumps out more than most in that list. When you consider that it’s been 33 years since their last success in any competition it does come as a bit of a surprise to see them occupying third place, even this early, in the Premier League. They are the club on everyone’s lips. Having spent over 200 million pounds in the transfer market this season, big things are expected of Manchester’s “other” club, and why not? With a much stronger squad than last season, more money than God himself, and a 100% start to the season, whose going to stop them from finally enjoying a successful season? Well, that’s an easy one: Manchester United.
The real deal: Manchester United
Michael Owen: Has been hack, or another brilliant piece of buisness by Sir Alex ?
Well, well, well. What a start to the transfer window. It’s only the fourth of July (at the time of writing) and United have already sold Cristiano Ronaldo for 80 million pounds, lost Carlos Tevez and signed Luis Antonio Valencia for a reasonable fee of 16 million pounds. So what next? Well Sir Alex was strongly linked with a move for Benzema, after his ex-Lyon team mate Pranjic stated that Benzema was on the brink of a 40 million euro move to Old Trafford, statements which he would later deny having said. Of course, Real Madrid would eventually open their cheque book to sign the French talisman. In typical fashion, the tabloids went overboard yet again. “United In Transfer Crisis!” read the headlines. “Madrid pip United in transfer battle again!” they cried. What would Fergie do now? Losing his prized possession in Ronaldo, and being beaten to Karim Benzema, the rumour mill picked out names such as Huntelaar, Aguero and Luis Fabiano as possible targets for the wily old manager. However, in true Fergie fashion, Sir Alex pulled what will surely be the biggest shock signing of the transfer season. Welcome to Old Trafford Michael Owen!
Michael Owen: United’s shock second summer signing
How Far The Hero Has Fallen…
Alright Tevez. Enough is enough. I have tried to hold my tongue on this issue, as I understand he is a popular figure with the fans. I thought, if people still want to love him even though he rejected the contract which he begged for over the last twelve months before declaring he would happily play for City (his most likely destination) well fine, that’s their own prerogative. Having made it very clear he had no intention to play for Manchester United next season I thought that finally the disillusioned Argentinean would stop whining and complaining about how unfairly he was treated at United. However this does not seem to be the case. Here are his most recent comments:
“You cannot argue with Alex Ferguson, He is like the president of England. It is impossible. You always lose. But he made a mistake to leave me on the bench. That was the only final the team had lost since I had been at Manchester United.”
Time for the Next Step – United Youth
However it ends, this season is certainly one that will go down in history. Whether or not this will be for good reasons or bad reasons remains to be seen, but one way or the other this season will not be forgotten any time soon. It has thrown up all sorts of surprises, and many twists and turns. We have seen United play poorly, and we have seen them play magnificently. We have seen our veterans play sparkling, champagne football, and we have watched them fail to meet their own high standards. Most importantly however, we have seen the emergence of some incredible talents in the famous red shirt, and when taking into consideration the impressive nature of these performances, coupled with United’s worrying blip in form, the question must be asked, is it time for United to give their young guns a more central role? (more…)
United Zone Player of the Month – March 09
A month which will probably be remembered for all the wrong reasons after United’s first consecutive losses in over three years, March was not without its positives. In particular, March was the month in which United won their second piece of silverware for the season, after the Club World Cup in January, in the form of the Carling Cup. After some great saves from Foster, United were unlucky not to win in normal time, however, it was United’s composure which saw them lift this trophy, winning 4-1 on penalties, after Tevez, Ronaldo, Giggs and Anderson all put away their penalties nicely. March also saw United claim wins over Newcastle in the league, Fulham in the FA Cup and secured their place in the UEFA Champions League Quarter Finals after defeating Inter Milan 2-0 at home.
It was United’s tireless players that impressed the United Zone membership this month, with Tevez, Rooney and Park sharing the majority of the votes, however this month’s United Zone Player of the Month award goes to Carlos Tevez.
Workhorse: Carlos Tevez United Zone Player of the Month – March 09
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?
(more…)
Hear The United Fans Sing “Argentina!!!”
After a fruitful season, ended with the winning of two major trophies, the future couldn’t seem to be brighter for Carlos Tevez. The Argentinian even claimed he was ready to commit his future to United as he was very happy with his place in Manchester, with his teammates and the general atmosphere in the team.
Argetina!!! Argentina!!!
Recent talks about Carlos Tevez’s future made some folks forget about his contribution to last season’s success. For those who doubt that Carlos’ place is at United, I recommend watching his goals for Manchester United and acknowledge their beauty!!!
Middlesbrough vs. Manchester United: Preview
Last time United played Middlesbrough, the put on a masterclass performance from Ronaldo, Nani, Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney. The prototype of the constant interchanging football team, full of spirit and audaciously creative in their passing worked to perfection at Old Trafford. In their current form it is difficult to see how United will not repeat history.
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