Rooney Sends United To Knock-Out Stage (at Rangers, 11.25.10)

Hello,

I am very busy working on getting my Old Trafford trip pictures online along with two new pages of the website so this will be a short one.

United travelled to Ibrox to face Rangers and Wayne Rooney returned to the starting line-up.  It was a tough day for a lot of players in my opinion.  Evans struggled at the back even though Rangers did not go forward very much during the game.  It seemed like every "chance" the Glasgow team got was on Evans' side.  Giggs looked a bit rusty but we all know we will pull it together after a spell on the bench.  In the last 3-4 games, Berba has looked like he did last year and this game was no different although I might give him a pass as serve to him was not great.   The highlight of this game was the return of Rooney who played well and helped stretch out the Rangers defence, something I feel United goes not do well without him.  Rooney took the penalty well and there was mixed feelings from the club, specifically from one Patrick Mooney.

I am also happy to report that Fabio also had a solid European game which is a good sign for the future.

Rangers had their chance when they were up 1-0 at home to Valencia and blew it in the final minutes.  If they had won that game, a loss here would not have knocked them out. 

United still has work to do as a loss in the final game against Valencia at Old Trafford would mean 2nd place and tougher opposition.  All United need is a draw but, knowing United, they will go after a win. 

That is why I love this team.

Derek

Ok, I Will Say It: "Turkish Delight" For United (v. Bursaspor, 11.02.10)

Hello,

As the numbers I reported in the previous entry reflected, United has an ok record in Turkey.  I like watching games in Turkey because the fans are electric and very loud for the entire 90 minutes.  While Bursaspor is no Fenerbahçe, it is still a hostile environment which makes for a good match and great experience for the younger players.  United brough lots of youth as they were without ten players on this trip, including the rested Rio Ferdinand, sick Anderson & Machada along with injured Rooney and Giggs.  Really though, all Sir Alex needed was a certain mid-field legend named Paul Scholes.  We will discuss him later.

It was another impressive Champions League away win.  A couple of weeks ago, I wrote that United played an almost perfect away game in Spain against Valenvia. While Bursaspor is no Spainish team, they have solid formation and ball control.  Take into account this was in Turkey and one could argue that United has back-to-back very impressive away wins. 

The first half was solid from United and really Bursaspor as well with no goals to report.  Nani came off early with an injury, which is the first of two United players to come off injured.  Second-half goals from Darren Fletcher, Gabriel Obertan and Bebe extended United's unbeaten record in all competitions to 23.  United also only need a draw against Rangers at Ibrox to claim their place in the knockout phase with a game to spare (against Valencia at home).  Fletcher also left the game in the second half with what appeared to be a ankle injury.  As readers of this blog may know, I think Fletcher is key to the line-up so let's hope this is not serious.   

Before we wrap this up, let's talk Paul Scholes.  I sit beside a gentleman named BILL BLAIR who could not say enough about Scholes in this game...and he is correct.  Scholes was open practically the whole game and has such a football mind that he find space and players with such ease it is scary to think of the team without him at this point.  Legend.

So this leave RANGERS away and VALENCIA at home to complete the group stage.

See you in a couple of weeks.

Derek

Some Turkey Numbers (10.01.10)

Hello,

Before the game in Turkey tomorrow, here's some United v. Turkish opposition:

Bursaspor P1 W1 D0 L0 F1 A0
Galatasaray P4 W1 D3 L0 F7 A3
Fenerbahçe P4 W2 D0 L2 F8 A6
Besiktas P2 W1 D0 L1 F1 A1

Overall:  P11  W5  D3  L3  F17  A10

See you tomorrow,

Derek