Four games. Four Wins: Just how good is this Manchester United team?

Four games, eighteen goals, twelve points.

That is the story, so far, of Manchester United's season.

It means they are top of the table, level on points and ahead on goal different with their city rivals, Manchester City.

Both teams have set a blistering pace to the start of the season, with the other usual contenders struggling to keep up.

Liverpool stuttered against Sunderland and lost against Stoke.

Chelsea have looked unconvincing.

And Arsenal? Well, the less said about them, the better.

United are traditionally slow starters to a season- normally kicking into gear after Christmas and powering on into May, claiming the title and any other silverware that happens to be lying around on the way.

This season however, they have started in fifth gear. A shaky opening performance against West Brom aside, a 5-0 victory against a talented Tottenham, 8-2 demolition of an under strength albeit equally aged Arsenal team and a 5-0 thrashing of a resiliant and vastly improved Bolton team, sounded a message to the rest of the league, and Europe beyond.

But how good are United?

I mean, really, how good are they?

Well, with the additions of Phil Jones and Ashley Young, they are certainly better than the championship winning team and Champions League finalists of last season.

David de Gea has had a slow start, but he will undoubtedly prove to be a great signing- people forget he is only twenty year old- young, especially for a goalkeeper.

Young, in particular has been in fine form- dragging United to a victory against West Brom, being equally impressive against Spurs and excellent against Arsenal.

Phil Jones though, shouldn't be overlooked- against Bolton, starting at the unfamiliar right back position, he ripped apart the far more experienced Paul Robinson, setting up two with a fantastic delivery and mazy run respectively, whilst also contributing to a clean sheet.

United seem to have a more youthful look about them this season- not only with De Gea (20) replacing Van Der Sar (40) and the addition of Jones (19). But academy players Cleverley (22) and Welbeck (20) back from loan periods have come straight into the first team and impressed. Not to mention Chris Smalling (21) doing so well at right back he earned two England caps.

I haven't even mentioned Wayne Rooney.

Two hat-tricks in his last two games- a goal in every Premier League game this season- need I say more?

The style of football United are playing is not only effective, but beautiful to watch- Nani's goal in the Community Shield was full of inter-play and passing Barcelona would have been proud of.

And so we come to it.

The elephant in the room.

Barcelona.

Are they better than the European Champions?

Well first things first- United are better than City.

Despite City's impressive start to the season (and it has been incredibly impressive), I expect them to fall away at some point during the season.

Mental toughness is United's biggest weapon- and that has been earned through experience, not bought.

As the winter sets in, Sergio Aguero gets a taste of the English weather and Yaya Toure jets off for the African Cup of Nations, I can see City falling away- not by much- but I think points will be dropped.

So back to Barcelona.

The bane of Ferguson (and probably the reason he's staying on).

In last season's Champion's League final, United were schooled.

It was a performance that illustrated the gulf between the Catalan club and the best of the rest.

So now.

Have United closed the gap?

The short answer is yes, I believe they have- although Barcelona have undoubtedly strengthened, I think United have done slightly more- not to mention the gradual evolution of their youth players.

But still, I don't think United are as good as Barcelona.

United are good, Barca are better.

Despite throwing away of 2-0 lead today and coming away with a 2-2 draw, Barcelona just seem to be on another level to everyone else- even the seemingly unstoppable United.

The gulf in class so massive last season, it may take a few years before this crop of Fledglings can challenge Barcelona's dominance of Europe.

But challenge they will.

Experience is key, and I see a couple more lessons in Europe needed before Ferguson can get his hands on that famous trophy for the third time.

So how good is this Manchester United team?

They'll probably win the Premier League this season.

They're better than last year.

But they're still only the second best team in Europe.

Liverpool vs. Manchester United: What will happen?

After my poor attempt at predicting the Chelsea vs. United match (see Predictions for Chelsea vs. Manchester United) I thought I'd give it another go.

Now, contrary to what I predicted for Tuesday's game, I see this as a fast, end to end affair with Liverpool pushing on more and trying to take advantage of the makeshift United defense.

The back four of Sir Alex's side will likely be O'Shea, Brown, Smalling and Evra- the latter being the only first choice of the four.

It is possible Rafael will replace O'Shea, but with the aerial threat of Liverpool and their lack of out and out winger, that seems to be unlikely.

The rumored inclusion of Andy Carroll will spice things up even more and make the prospect of Edwin Van Der Sar keeping a clean sheet seem even more unlikely.

I expect Berbatov to return, given his incredible performance in the mirroring fixture earlier in the season. This will give United added potency compared with Tuesday- Hernandez did not get much of the ball and may not be quite ready for games of this magnitude.

Suarez will add some attacking flair to the Liverpool offence and although without the excellent Kelly, Liverpool will have a very strong side.

I think, providing Johnson can deal with the threat of United's best player this season, Nani, Liverpool will have a great chance to snatch a win and hand the advantage of this year's title race back into Arsenal's hands.

I therefore can see this being a 2-1 victory for Liverpool.

If Carroll plays, I see him scoring on his debut, but even if he doesn't, I think the injury hit defense will affect United badly.

With the fire power United have, I think they will score- but I can't see them coming from what will be an amped up Anfield, with a victory.

What do you think?

Any predictions?

Carrick signs new United deal.

er Michael Carrick has signed a new three year contract to keep him at the Theatre of Dreams until 2014.

Now, I know I'm not the only person to ask this but: Why?

United fans have been lobbying for him to be left out of the first team, never mind be offered a new deal.

It is common knowledge that over the last two seasons, and this one in particular, Carrick has been far from his best. In fact, he seems to be on the decline and as he is approaching thirty years old, that may not be far off the mark.

His passing has been abject at best and his tackling not much better.

United fans were hoping, that with Carrick's contract running out at the end of the season, Sir Alex Ferguson would use this as a time to re-shape the midfield and bring in some new, fresh and exciting faces.

This is looking increasingly unlikely.

So should Carrick have been given a new contract?

Does this mean new faces will not be brought in this summer?

What do you think?

Does United's loss open a window for Arsenal?

Sunday 1st May 2011

Put that date in your diary because that is the day, more than likely, that the 10/11 Premier League title will be settled.

After United threw away a 1-0 lead on Tuesday night against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, the title race has been blown wide open, and providing Arsenal win their game in hand, they will be just one point behind the Manchester side.

With Arsenal having arguably the easier run in too, the wind is behind the Gunners, although their loss at the weekend did not help- it could well provide them with an incentive to dig deep and snatch an unlikely championship.

Given, as there is likely to be, there will be two or less point between the two sides by May 1st, a winner would only have three games to go before the end of the season. It would be like a golden goal almost.

The window is certainly open for Arsenal although United are guarding the door since they are still four points ahead, and will be one point to the good provided Arsenal win their game in hand.

It certainly looks to be an exciting end to the season and the neutral should be salivating at the prospect.

Let me know who you think has the upper hand now.

Do Arsenal really have the momentum? After all, they too are coming off the back of a loss.

Or can you see someone else sneaking it? Perhaps City will pinch it?

Let me know and thanks for reading.

Predictions for Chelsea vs. Manchester United

Tuesday's huge game between the two biggest clubs in England promises to be a star-studded affair.

The television crews will have you believe it will be a goal-fest with breathtaking football from both sides and neither team taking a step back.

It will be billed as Van Der Sar vs. Cech, Vidic vs. Terry, Lampard vs. Scholes and Rooney vs. Torres.

The fact of the matter though, is that it is far more likely (although the "neutrals choice" prediction may still come true) that both teams will cancel each other out.

Chelsea, it is true, have nothing to lose, but equally, neither side will want to risk dropping points to their big rivals.

It will be a tight, scrappy affair with barely any room.

Look for Patrice Evra to get booed and there may well be some tasty challenges and maybe a few cards, but that will probably be the end to the excitement.

A goal, if there is to be one will come from either a set-piece or mistake a la Arsenal on Sunday.

My prediction is 0-0 although if I had to choose a winner, I'd say Chelsea could well nick it simply because they will (should) show more ambition than United.

Let's all hope I'm wrong, with is very very possible, and the match will be a thriller down the bridge.

But to be honest? I just can't see it.

Let me know your thoughts and predictions.

Things which are wrong with the modern game.

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We love our beautiful game. We live for the passion of a Saturday afternoon, the drama of the injury time winner, the adrenaline rush of that big tackle.

But if we compared the game today with that of the one of fifty, forty, thirty or even twenty years ago, we'd see some significant changes.

It is true that many of these changes are for the best- advances in technology such as boots, drinks, stadium designs and clothing.

Television has perhaps made the biggest impact- bringing the game to everyone while providing it with enough money to make the advances in technology that have just been listed.

But there are things in our current game which would never have been dreamed of in times past.

And these things are what I shall be writing about today.

The first thing I perceive that is wrong with our modern game is...diving.

Diving or "simulation" has been slowly creeping into our game since the Klinsmann era. It started being out rightly condemned and looked upon with scorn by fellow professionals and fans alike.

But lately, over the last ten years specifically, it has become common place in whichever league you watch- be it La Liga or in the local five a side tournaments.

People have even began justifying it. "If the defender put his foot there, then what does he expect the attacker to do?". This attitude is symbolises what is wrong with the game.

Cheating is now OK.

I remember seeing footage of George Best being clattered from behind by a huge center back as he was through on goal.

He did go down?

He he roll around screaming like a small child?

Nowadays, a player would do do all of the above and more, but did George?

No.

He adjusted his center of gravity, rode the challenge and went on to score a memorable goal.

Best was a flair player in the truest sense of the word, but he was also brought up to believe football is a contact sport and he accepted that and dealt with what that involves.

Michelle Platini has talked about making football a semi-contact sport, like Basketball to "protect the flair players".

I'm sure everyone can agree this would be the most shocking decision ever made in the history of our game. The spectacle would be lost, never mind the logic is shaky at best. Did Best need protecting? Did Cruyff? Did Maradona?

No, the cream will rise to the top no matter what. In fact, it is the ability of these such players to avoid contact which makes them so watchable.

The fact that players would openly cheat to win a free kick turns my stomach and I do wonder what they think when they watch the footage back at the training ground the next day.


The next thing wrong with modern football is related to diving, but boils my blood just as much, if not more.

It is when a player brandishes a card at the referee in order to get another player booked or sent off. I've never seen just disrespect and lack of sportsmanship.

Not only should it be the referees' decision, but how could anyone want a fellow professional to be sent off?

This truly does sicken me to the core and I hope the powers that be implement a punishment of those brandishing the imaginary card in the future.


The final thing which I think is wrong with the modern game is the lack of loyalty displayed by players.

There was a time when a player would spent ten years at a club without much thought, and even if someone did move on, it was fully his manager's decision, certainly not his and definately not his agents.

Nowadays though, a testamonial game is very hard to come by.

A pity as there was a time when players saw that as the ultimate mark of how successful they have been in their career.

More and more often we hear the phrase "it is my dream" when a player is angling for a move away. The more I hear that phrase the less I believe those using it.

I'm sure many players "dream" to play for their boyhood favourites but that doesn't always happen. They certainly don't try and force a move. Jamie Carragher? Paul Scholes? Both long term servants of clubs and both have another club they list as the one they support.

Sadly, these are the last of a rare breed and the regularity of players demanding moves will only increase.  Perhaps there will be a ruling put in place to stop this, but I can't see what anyone could do.

Contracts don't seem to mean much anymore. They are there to protect the player, not the club and it's fans.

There are many other things wrong with the modern game, such as 'snudes', Ashley Cole and the extraordinary amount of money given to players- although I do understand it is a short career and I don't begrude making as much as you can- I sure would.

Despite all the negatives though, our love for the game remains in tact. The passion, agression and drama will hopefully never die and I'm sure in thirty years time, we will reminise on this time period as the "Good old days".

What do you think?

Is there anything you would love to change with today's game?

Is there anything you don't agree with me on?

Let me know.

Will Fernando Boom or Bust?

I can think of many many ways I would spend £50 million.

A new car, or twenty. A huge house with my own small stadium in it's grounds. Maybe a new pair of jeans?

Roman Abramovich however, has decided to spend his £50 million on something different (probably because he already has everything listed above and more). Abramovich has decided to spend his money on a World Cup winning Spaniard who quite frankly looks like a walking talking been pole at six feet tall and 70 kilograms.

Torres, in all seriousness, has not been at his best this season. Many have said he hasn't performed for the last eighteen months, but a look at his eighteen goals in twenty-two starts at Liverpool tend to refute that claim.

Torres' first two games have left little to be desired, however. Liverpool fans have been smiling smugly, believing they have cleverly got rid of a player past his prime for a price tens of millions of pounds more than he is worth.

Sadly for them though, Torres is far from past his best and they have spent it on something of a risk in Andy Carroll (but that is for another time).

The bottom line is Fernando Torres is a touch of class.

Despite what Liverpool fans may outwardly say, they would rather have him leading their attack then a combination of Carroll, Kuyt, Suarez and N'Gog.

Why? Because Torres is a bona fide superstar. Chelsea are already gaining back that £50 million in shirt sales and gate receipts.

His goalscoring record is beyond doubt and his last match against Copenhagen went a long way to suggest he is slowly getting back to his destructive best.

His runs and drive panicked the defence for 90 minutes and the only thing between him and his name on the score sheet was the excellent Johan Wiland between the sticks.

As soon as Chelsea decide what formation to play him in, Torres will prove that form is temporary and class is indeed, permanent.

Is is only a matter of time before Torres will boom at Stamford Bridge.