Manchester United Dugout

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United's poor results away from Old Trafford is due to the difficulty of their fixtures. And after traveling to Spain in the mid week, they head to Manchester City for Sunday's derby showdown.

"We have had a lot of hard games. Chelsea, Arsenal and now Man City away from home, straight after a European (match) is not easy." reflected Ferguson. United would be looking to impress all on Sunday's short journey across Manchester to Eastlands, where United have won only twice in six trips.

Dimitar Berbatov is hopeful of recovering from his hamstring injury. Even Carrick and Ronaldo, who limped out in the last game should be fit to face the rivals. Everyone is talking about the £32.5million Brazilian superstar Robinho these days. But I don’t think he can be a major threat to United. Of course, he has got great pace and great technique, but he will only run on the pitch. He cant score a goal, because United have got all the strategies to control him.

United will and surely will beat Man City to keep their challenge for the premiership title.

It was a golden chance for ManU to redeem their contender ship for the title this season. But as usual, they wasted a great opportunity to close the gap on current leaders Chelsea and Liverpool. United were held to a goalless draw at Villa Park as Martin O'Neill's side ended their 14-match losing sequence against the Red Devils.

Wayne Rooney missed a great chance to win it for United when he fired over the bar from close range in the second half. Rooney started with Tevez after recovering from his injury and with the absentee of Berbatov. But the wonder kid could not produce a goal with his usual magnificent class. Sir Alex Ferguson's side pressed for a winner in the closing stages but rarely looked like finding it, completing an unusual day when none of the Premier League's so-called `big four' could muster a goal between them.

The worst part of the match was Ronaldo limping out of the draw in the closing stages with a leg injury. This could mean that Ronaldo will miss Tuesday's Champions League crunch game with Villarreal. I hope Ronnie's injury is not very serious and he comes back to his top form soon as United need him desperately to repeat the accolades they won last season.

Sir Alex Ferguson has been given a two-match ban and US$15,000 fine, following his row with referee Mike Dean during their match with Hull. The 66-year-old was fuming that Dean did not send off Hull defender Andy Turner for a foul on Michael Carrick during United's 4-3 win at Old Trafford. And later on the ref awarded Hull a penalty for an innocuous Rio Ferdinand challenge on Bernard Mendy, which infuriated the Scot even more.

The suspension starts on December 2 and means he will not be able to watch the Carling Cup match against Blackburn. He will also not be able to welcome the ex red devils captain Roy Keane, when he visits Old Trafford with his Sunderland side.

I feel that the FA has deliberately banned Fergie, since they know that their man was wrong and hence are trying to defend him. Even last year, Ferguson served a two-match ban for a finger-jabbing rant at referee Mark Clattenburg after a defeat at Bolton.

Cristiano Ronaldo's 100th goal made it a double cause for celebration at Old Trafford as Manchester United marked 50 years in the game for Sir Alex Ferguson with a comfortable 5-0 win over Stoke. Tony Pulis side which has attracted lot of awe from the football pundits, were crushed by the Red Devils.

Ronaldo took just three minutes to reach his personal milestone with a trademark free-kick and rounded off United's biggest win of the season in similar fashion at the end. And during the course of these 90 minutes Michael Carrick, Dimitar Berbatov and debutant Danny Welback found the net. Sir Alex marked his own landmark day with a trio of Premier League debuts in the form of Danny Welbeck, Darron Gibson and Manucho.

With Chelsea and Liverpool also capturing 3 points, United trail them by 8 points. A long way to go to catch the leaders. Ofcourse, I am happy with United's emphatic victory, but I just can stop watching and appreciating Welbeck's goal again and again. Boy, it was some shot. It was fabulous. I am sure the England Under-19 forward will be one the leading strikers in the coming years.

England and Manchester United defensive midfielder Owen Hargreaves has been ruled out for the rest of the season. Recently he traveled to Colorado for a meeting with renowned surgeon Dr Richard Steadman after being plagued by a tendinitis problem for almost two years.

And Manchester United have confirmed Hargreaves has had surgery on his right knee and will have a further operation on his left knee in a fortnight, ruling him out for the remainder of the campaign. Although Hargreaves played in May's Champions League Final triumph over Chelsea in Moscow, it was virtually the only time he did get on to the field. He was also ruled out of his first pre-season campaign following an £18million move from Bayern Munich, the 27-year-old sat out another this summer.

He has been frustrated at a problem that does not seem to go away. One good news though is that will have some company from former United star Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has flown to see Steadman for treating his recent knee injury.

Cristiano Ronaldo feels Manchester United must go for the jugular to reinforce their title ambitions at Arsenal on Saturday.

United have dropped points against Newcastle and Everton this season and Portugal winger feels Sir Alex Ferguson's side have much to prove as they go for a title hat-trick. United had an excellent record at Highbury, but they have so far managed just one point from two visits to the Emirates, conceding late goals on both occasions. Wenger's reputation of promoting youth has back fired so far but still they are a strong side to face and defeating them is not an easy task on their turf.

Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner is confident Arsenal can beat Manchester United and prove their league title chase is back on track.

While United's Darren Fletcher expects a wounded Arsenal side to "come out fighting" at their own Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Whosoever says whatsoever, I am confident that United would thrash Arsenal and would definitely retain the title for a 3rd time.

Ryan Giggs used his head to claim a deserved 1-1 draw against Celtic in their clash at Parkhead. When Scott McDonald lit up the Parkhead sky with a fantastic goal after 13 minutes,lifting the ball over Ben Foster, stunned United. But the persistent attacking football from the Red Devils ensured a point to remain in control of Group E.

United made an explosive start with Ronaldo seeing a shot blocked by a mass of players after the ball broke kindly to him inside the area following a corner. The Portuguese winger then saw a 25-yard free-kick fizz just over Artur Boruc's crossbar. But the 13th-minute goal, coupled with some tireless defending, looked to have earned a victory for Celtic. Until Giggs struck six minutes from time, after Artur Boruc had failed to hold a Cristiano Ronaldo thunderbolt. A stooping header from Giggs rescued a hard-earned point in this Battle of Britain contest.

Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed that he want to progress in the next stage by winning the group. And he has every chance of doing it when United travel to Spain to face Villarreal in three weeks. BUt right now he is more focussed on Saturday's showdown with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Sir Alex Ferguson has again fanned the flames of Manchester United's battle with Real Madrid over Cristiano Ronaldo.

United boss has now claimed he does not believe Real's pursuit is over in enticing Ronaldo to Bernabeu. The Premier League and Champions League winners refused to sell the Portuguese forward and Madrid president Ramon Calderon recently said they would only reignite their interest if United wanted to do a deal. But this week has seen a war of words between Ferguson and Calderon.

I wonder whether Sir Alex has started to entice Real for a Ronaldo transfer in the winter. This is still very possible. What do you think?

Being a United fan, I know how difficult it was to get all 3 points against Hull. With united having a comfortable 4-1 lead, they threw away 2 goals to eventually win it 4-3. With Ronaldo netting 2 goals to take his tally to 7 for this season so far, Carrick and Vidic scored for the Red Devils.

But Hull's triumphant march continued in the league. Even after they were thrashed by Chelsea last week, and in a bad position at Old Trafford, they bounced back and forced United to cling on for maximum points. With victories at Newcastle, Tottenham and, more pertinently, Arsenal this season, Hull had every reason to travel across the M62 to Old Trafford for a league game and they played brilliant football. Hats off to Hull, as not many teams come and get 3 goals at United's home turf.

Champions Manchester United will host Hull today and hope to overtake them in the standings by a comprehensive victory. Hull boss Phil Brown has been phenomenal in Hull's progress so far. But after their 3-0 defeat against Chelsea, they must e charged up to take the champs.

Meanwhile, Tevez has said that he would like to stay with United despite Real Madrid and Manchester City are looking to sign him. Tevez has been an irregular start this season so far and expects that his solid performances will get him back in the starting 11.

I am eagerly waiting for United vs Hull. Should start in exactly 150 minutes from now.