Man Utd News

In April last year United ripped Arsenal apart at the Emirates. A two goal lead at half time, a Portuguese winger the star of the show and a consolation goal for the hosts at the end. No one would have predicted the same this time around, but somehow - so poetically- history repeated itself. It did not matter that we had no Rio or Vidic, nor that we played 4-5-1, the players just got on with it and tore Arsenal’s midfield and defence to shreds.

The concourse was buzzing pre-match as a result of Wednesday night’s result. “Wemberley Wemberley they’re not going, they’re not going cos their fucking shite” was the shout to the tune of last year’s song about Istanbul. Just as it reached peak volume, Tevez hit the post against Pompey which we could all see on the screens around the Emirates. Superb. There was also a real anti-Glazer feel with green and gold all around and Arsenal fans outside the ground not understanding it at all! David Gill thinks it will all be forgotten if the team keeps winning, but the noise of the protests even at 3-0 shows he is very very wrong indeed.

Arsenal looked sharp in attack but just could not get a shot on target. Wes Brown looked vulnerable when Arsharvin was running at him, but at the other end Nani was giving Clichy nightmares. Cross after cross went across Arsenal’s box, all being scrambled clear. Until Nani decided to go it alone that is, and his goal was absolutely stunning, wven if they do try and take it away from him. Moments later - when we were still celebrating- there was an exact repeat of the breakaway goal last season and Rooney finished fantastically to put us two up before the break. Fast flowing decisive football is what we have lacked this season, but yesterday it came back in abundance with Nani at the helm. “One more, and you’ll fuck of home” was the cry and we were not wrong - when Park ran half the length of the pitch and slotted home unchallenged the empty seats started to show.

3-0 and it was all over. But the home fans who left early missed half an hour of us mocking them, endless chances for us to make the scoreline even more emphatic, and even their own consolation goal. In fact it was so similar to last season that I am amazed Fltehcer did not get sent off for no reason again.

What a day out that was. The away support in fine form, the team in their best performance for quite a while and a real message to the rest of the league not to count us out.

“The city is ours, the city is ours, fuck off back to London, the city is ours”, they sang with wide grins as the first leg at Eastlands came to an end last week. Eight days later and they had been silenced. For all their millions (and all our debt for that matter) United can still show their bitter neighbours up when need be, and this was done int he best possible way.

Read more

Due to technical problems I have not been able to update the blog for a few games, so thought a quick update would sort it out.

1. Burnley - revenge for that August defeat was sweet but the scoreline flattered United. The Burnley fans were great, Chris Eagles caused us loads of problems, but our three goals ensured the points were all ours. The game will be remembered for two things - firstly Diouf scoring on his debut and secondly the protests starting after 80 minutes against the Glazers. The noise was deafening and caught the media’s attention loud and clear. It set the scene for the green and gold campaign which is now well underway.

2. City - an undeserved defeat on a chaotic night ruined by a dodgy referee. This was an incredible night, a tense game, a hostile environment and an amazing atmosphere from both sides of the divide. United were so unlucky to lose it but revenge on Wednesday is still possible. Bring it on - the atmopshere will be electric and things on the pitch should be pretty tense too.

3. Hull- the Rooney show. Yes Rooney was the star of the show but this was all about the growing tension between the club and its fans. They have ignored us, they have treated us badly and now they demand our loyalty - but the world doesn’t work that way. The Newton Heath campaign is well and truly alive and the Stretford End rocked with new colours and anti-Glazer songs. Green and gold til the club is sold. It will have hit home to Gill and co who sat in the directors box looking awkward, and the fans will not show and signs of letting up, no matter what Fergie’s apathetic programme notes say.

This game won’t be remembered for either of the goals, the chaos in the concourse at half time or the game itself- it will be memorable for the extreme cold that faced the 28,000 supporters, including 3,500 Reds. We parked in a road covered in snow, saw on the dashboard that it was -5 degrees, then proceeded to stand outside for the next two and a half hours with ice forming on the seats and around the pitch. Read more