MANCHESTER UNITED vs BLACKBURN ROVERS – PREVIEW

KICKOFF – 31 December 2011, 12:45 GMT at Old Trafford

LEAGUE POSITION – 2 

FORM GUIDE – WWWWW    

LEAGUE POSITION - 20

FORM GUIDE – WLLLD  

PREVIEW:

It’s the last game of 2011 and it’s a chance for Manchester United to go on top of the Premier League table. With Manchester City not playing until Sunday, the Champions will end 2011 at the top if they win or draw against Blackburn.

Not only it will be the last day of 2011 but also the 70^th birthday of Sir Alex Ferguson. Sir Alex will turn 70 on Saturday, of which he has spent 25 glorious years at Manchester United. The United players will be keen to gift Boss a win on his birthday.

United have now gone nine matches unbeaten in the Premier League of which they have won eight.

United have scored 5 goals in their last two games and face Blackburn on Saturday. United beat them   7-1 last season with 5 goals from Berbatov. With Blackburn again struggling this season, this could be another thrashing.

United will be hoping that Rio Ferdinand and Phil Jones will be fit for this one, as United struggle for options in defense. This will be Phil’s first game against his old club.

United are currently level on points with their noisy neighbours with City having a better goal difference. Saturday’s game is a chance for United to reduce that goal difference and go on top of the Premier League. This will be an ideal scenario to go on top for the last game of 2011, a year in which United won their 19^th League title.

MANCHESTER UNITED vs WIGAN – REVIEW

Man United 5

Park (8), Berbatov (41, 58, 78), Valencia (75)

Wigan 0

Sir Alex has stated that United have hit top form and top form it was on Boxing Day as they thrashed a 10 man Wigan 5-0.

There were many eyebrows raised when the team sheet was published. United were missing Vidic, Ferdinand, Smalling and Jones at the back. This meant that Carrick would partner Evans at Centre Back. Valencia started at Right Back and Darren Gibson started his first game of the season in midfield. Rooney was on the bench with Berbatov and Hernandez starting upfront.

United scored another early goal with Park Ji Sung getting on the score sheet. Patrice Evra burst into the penalty box dribbling past defenders and making a perfect pass to Park who netted United’s first goal.

At the 39 minute mark Wigan were down to 10 men after Conor Sammon was sent off for a supposed elbow on Carrick. Replays showed that it was it was not a deliberate foul and should have been just a caution rather than a sending off.

United capitalised soon after. Berbatov scored in his second consecetive game and put United 2-0 up just before half time.

Evans was substituted at half time as Ezekiel Fryers came on at Left Back. Patrice Evra shifted to Centre Back. Wigan started the second half with a 3-4-2 formation.

Berbatov added his second on 58 minutes as he turned beautifully to poke the ball into the net.

Wayne Rooney and Federico Macheda came on for Ryan Giggs and Nani.  At 66 minutes Franco Di Santo missed a golden chance to score as he beat Fryers and snatched at the shot and tuned out to be an easy save for Lindegaard.

Valencia scored a wonderful goal at 75 minutes. His thunderous shot beat Al-Habsi who had no chance.

Soon after United were given a penalty as Park was fouled near the penalty area. Berbatov stepped up for his hat-trick and made no mistake.

This was a good result for United as Manchester City could only manage a 0-0 draw against West Brom. The goals also meant United closed in on the goal difference and are now level on points with City.

MANCHESTER UNITED vs WIGAN – PREVIEW

KICKOFF – 26 December 2011, 15:00 GMT at Old Trafford

                                                                        LEAGUE POSITION – 2 

                                                FORM GUIDE – WWWLW    

LEAGUE POSITION - 18

FORM GUIDE – DDWLW

PREVIEW:

A 5-0 win in midweek has given Manchester United a big boost going into the Boxing Day match against Wigan.

Manchester United have never dropped any points against Wigan in the Premier League and it looks unlikely they could trouble United on Monday.

The Latics have not been in good form this season and are currently lying in the relegation zone.  However they have had a boost in the last two games, drawing against Liverpool and Chelsea. Manchester United will be a much tougher opposition though.

United have been in top form since the loss to Basel and have scored eleven goals in their last three games. As we come to the end of 2011, it looks like a two horse battle between the Manchester clubs for the Barclays Premier League title.

Sir Alex will be hoping Phil Jones will be fit for Monday’s match. Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Young will be unavailable due to injury. Rio could be fit for Blackburn, however Ashley Young will be out for 2-3 weeks.

Antonio Valencia will face his former club and will look to inspire another win for United along with Ryan Giggs who was also excellent in the last game. The veteran has now scored in every Premier League season so far.

United have always played well on Boxing Day matches with wins in their last 8 Boxing Day matches.

BOXING DAY BONANZA

The festive period has always historically been a special period for Manchester United. It is usually during this period that Manchester United find their best form and make a charge towards the title.

Manchester United have historically performed on Boxing Day matches. The festive season seems to raise the spirit at Old Trafford.

Manchester United have lost only once in their last eleven Boxing Day matches. It was a 3-1 loss to Middlesbrough in the 2002-2003 season.

Since then Manchester United have won their last 8 Boxing Day matches scoring a total of 18 goals in 8 matches. 

Sunderland - Old Trafford:  2-0 (W) , 2010-2011

Hull City - KC Stadium, Hull:  3-0 (W) , 2009-2010

Stoke City - Britannia Stadium:  1-0 (W) , 2008-2009

Sunderland - Stadium of Light: 4-0 (W) , 2007-2008

Wigan Athletic - Old Trafford: 3-1 (W) , 2006-2007

West Bromwich Albion - Old Trafford: 3-0 (W) , 2005-2006

Bolton Wanderers - Old Trafford: 2-0 (W) ,2004-2005

Everton - Old Trafford: 3-2 (W) , 2003-2004

Middlesbrough - Riverside Stadium: 3-1 (L) , 2002-2003

Everton - Goodison Park: 2-0 (W) , 2001-2002

Aston Villa - Villa Park: 1-0 (W) , 2000-2001

FULHAM vs MANCHESTER UNITED – REVIEW

Fulham  0

Man United 5

Welbeck (5), Nani (28), Giggs (43), Berbatov (90), Rooney (88)

It was a five star performance from Manchester United against Fulham on Wednesday night. United won their second consecutive match in London after beating QPR on Sunday. This was United’s first victory over Fulham in nearly four years at Craven Cottage.

United scored in less than a minute at Loftus Road and it took United only five minutes to score their first goal at Craven Cottage. An unmarked Danny Welbeck scored off Nani’s cross to give United the lead.

United were a goal up but a man down. Phil Jones was hit on his jaw by Dempsey’s challenge. Although he did carry on for a few minutes, he was replaced by Ashley Young on 20 minutes. Jones who was back in the defence after Ferdinand’s injury could be sidelined for a few games.

United were 2-0 up in the 28^th minute. Ryan Gigg’s great curled of a short corner was headed by Nani into the net.

United were not given a certain penalty when Philippe Senderos fouled Danny Welbeck inside the box.

Ryan Giggs scored just before half time. Giggs shot took a deflection and beat the Fulham keeper for United’s third goal. Giggs has now scored in 22 consecutive seasons and in all seasons of the Premier League era.

United had some good chances in the second half. One of which was Welbeck’s chip shot going over the bar. United only scored their last two goals late in the match.

Wayne Rooney’s thunderous strike in the 88^th minute made it 4-0. Berbatov’s back heeled shot into the net rounded things off and completed United’s five star performance.

United will be delighted with the performance, although injuries worries seem to be increasing for Sir Alex as Jones and Young were the latest causalities last night.

FULHAM vs MANCHESTER UNITED – PREVIEW

KICKOFF – 21 December 2011, 20:00 GMT at Craven Cottage

LEAGUE POSITION – 11 

FORM GUIDE – WDLWL    

                                                                            LEAGUE POSITION - 2

                                                    FORM GUIDE – WWLWL

PREVIEW:

Manchester United are breathing down the necks of Manchester City as we go into the busy festive period. The gap stands at 2 points after both teams wiining over the weekend.

The United squad has been stretched this season with loads of injuries. With the busy festive period approaching, United will welcome some key players back. The likes of Cleverly, Anderson, Berbatov and the Da Silva twins could all be in contention during the festive period.

Wayne Rooney will be looking to continue his impressive form after scoring his 12^th league goal this season. The English forward could start upfront with Hernandez who came on as a sub against QPR after missing a few games due to injury.

Manchester United will travel to Craven Cottage. The Cottager’s recorded a 2-0 win over Bolton on the weekend.

United have a good away record this season. This is in contrast to last season, when United had a dismal away record. Manchester United have won their last four Premier League away matches, all without conceding a goal.

Carrick and Jones could once again start in midfield after an impressive performance against QPR. Carrick’s form could be the key to United’s performance.

QPR vs MANCHESTER UNITED – REVIEW

QPR  0

Man United 2

Rooney (1), Carrick (56)

Manchester United marched to the top of the Barclay’s Premier table with a 2-0 win over QPR, well for a few hours at least. City beat Arsenal later in the day to regain the top position.

United who look they are regaining their best form started attacking early on.

The first goal came very early on. Wayne Rooney scored an awkward header from Valencia’s cross inside the first minute to give United the lead. This was an early intention that Rooney and United are showing signs of their best form. This was Rooney’s third goal in 2 games.

United had some great chances to increase the lead in the first half with chances for Welbeck, Jones and Evans. This meant that United went into the break with a 1-0 lead.

The second half saw an excellent solo effort from Michael Carrick who ran all the way from the halfway line to shoot past Cerny. This was Carrick’s first goal in 18 months and the first of the season.

Cerny made sure it remained 2-0 with some spectacular saves. Phil Jones was denied a goal after his curled shot hit the post.

This was another strong performance from United. The backline looked solid again with Evans and Ferdinand guarding the goal. Evra was probably the weakest link of the back line.

However the match was probably won in the midfield. Carrick and Jones had an outstanding game and are showing a good partnership. Jones has been outstanding this season wherever he has played. Carrick is starting to show his best form and is looking very fit. The great run from midfield proved that.

With Berbatov and Hernandez back and Cleverly, Anderson and the Da Silva twins scheduled to return soon United are looking good going into the busy festive week. United next 3 games will be against three struggling sides – Fulham, Wigan and Blackburn.