Having not conceded a goal since losing to Arsenal in November last year, Edwin Van Der Sar has registered an impressive eleventh straight clean sheet. He achieved this feat in United's demolition of West Brom. The Dutch goalie needed to survive 84 minutes against West Brom to break Petr Cech's record of 1025 minutes without conceding a goal.
While he didn't concede, his team mates scored five at the other end to go three points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League table.
The Dutchman is now unbeaten for 1032 minutes and can extend this to 1122 minutes if he can keep Everton at bay on Saturday. I feel that even the defenders made a big contribution in helping van der Sar acheive this feat. It needs to be noted that for most of the 11 games, United did not have a settled back four. The fact that everyone has come in and done a job shows the strength of the squad. And this has been possible only because Sir Alex and the back staff have put in a lot of hard work.
It took Manchester United injuries to demolish West Bromwich Albion. With many of the first team players injured, United had to depend on their youngsters and the starting 11 has been a makeshift since the last few games. But that provided the much needed spirit as their ruthless streak is back after their 5-0 win at The Hawthorns.
With Rooney injured, Tevez got a chance in the starting eleven and he made good use of this opportunity. He and Dimitar Berbatov set United on their way to victory with a goal apiece in the first half. Nemanja Vidic powered home a third and Cristiano Ronaldo netted twice for the Reds to make the scoreline look impressive. I always knew that one team had to suffer once United's merciless form returns, but never thought it would come at such a stage. The ruthless streak that they displayed has been lacking all season. With March & April being crucial months, I hope United continue this form all along to win the quadruple.
With 11 consecutive wins, United find themselves 3 points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League table. Also the goal difference is looking aggressive now. Pressure is back on Liverpool as they try to catch United for the top spot.
With many of the senior players missing through injuries, Sir Alex had a big challenge when he entertained Tottenham at The Theatre of Dreams. But he kept his promise and we saw youngsters like Fabio and Welbeck in the starting eleven.
The match started on a worst possible way for United as Roman Pavlyuchenko's early opener stunned everyone. Nemanja Vidic got himself in a muddle and allowed Pavlyuchenko to give him the slip and turn home a deft header to give an early lead for the Londoners. But United were always in the game as they moved freely around the park, until they leveled through Paul Scholes.
Carrick spotted Scholes lurking with menace on the edge of the box and coolly rolled a corner into the veteran's path. The shot was pretty fierce and once it had flicked off Tom Huddlestone, Ben Alnwick did not have a hope of keeping it out. Within a minute Carrick floated a pass over the Spurs defence and the ball landed with Berbatov. Berbatov's first-time control was awesome. His second touch was a precise shot into the bottom corner that again left Alnwick flailing. That was it, United had done it. Now they were set to remain on track for an unprecedented quadruple after reaching the last 16 of the FA Cup.
What impressed me in this match was the way Carrick got so much space to play. He has been a very important player in Sir Alex's team. Just in the blink of an eye, he transformed the tie in United's favor. But the game saw some more injury woes as Fabio collapsed in agony in the early moments of the second period after he had landed awkwardly following an aerial duel with Spurs substitute Giovani dos Santos. Welbeck too joined the injured list late in the game.
The team that lacked the leaders a week ago, now leads the way for others to follow. Manchester United scored a late late winner at The Reebok to move 1 point clear of Liverpool and capture the top spot for the first time this season.
Dimitar Berbatov scored the winner late in the match by heading Carlos Tevez's cross past the Bolton goalie. Tevez was lucky enough to run with that ball supplied by Giggs as 3 players collided for the same. But Tevez keen to impress Sir Alex to extend his tenure at the club, marched on fearlessly and crossed it just in time for Berbatov to head in. Jussi Jaaskelainen was the most frustrated man on the field. His heroics for 90 minutes had kept United at bay and it looked as if the match would end in a draw. With saves from Cristiano Ronaldo, Scholes and Carrick, Jaaskelainen was doing everything to prevent United from scoring.
But alas, United did score late. Sir Alex also looked happy with the late drama that he witnessed. Five consecutive wins now have United at the head of affairs, piling the pressure on Liverpool ahead of Monday's Merseyside derby at Anfield. Rafael Benitez might be repenting for his words against Fergie as United have taken Liverpool head on. When they touched down after their successful Club World Cup quest in Japan they were seven points adrift of their fierce north-west rivals. Liverpool should note the statistic with alarm. Also, United maintained another clean sheet to equal Chelsea's record of 10 consecutive clean sheets.
The Brazilian maestro Kaka, who is currently a target for Manchester City has said that he would love to play for the Red Devils. He said he loves English football and Manchester. But he would like to move to the red side of Manchester and not the blue.
Kaka rates Manchester United and Arsenal as the best teams in England and Europe. He described the two giants as the most "agile teams" in England. Manchester City's stunning £108 million bid has surprised everyone and forced AC Milan to capitalize on the situation. Even Sir Alex was shocked and surprised at such a heavy bid for a single player.
Meanwhile Premier League Champions Manchester United take on Bolton Wanderers today to hit the front of the race for the title for the first time this season. Victory at The Reebok Stadium would lift United one point clear of Liverpool, who are not in action until Monday night when they host Merseyside rivals Everton. With Rooney injured, Carlos Tevez should surely get a chance to start up front with Berbatov.
Another milestone that United would like to achieve would be a clean sheet. The Red Devils are one clean sheet away from equaling Chelsea's record for most number of consecutive clean sheets. Edwin van der Sar has gone 852 minutes without conceding in the Barclays Premier League since Samir Nasri put the ball past him in November last year. I hope United wins and moves top of the table because once that is done, it would be very difficult for any team to knock United off the top. Glory glory Man United!
As expected Manchester United closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to two points - with a game in hand - as they struggled to victory against Wigan. Wonder kid Wayne Rooney slid in Cristiano Ronaldo's cross in the first minute, but limped off with a hamstring injury five minutes later.
Sir Alex Ferguson made five changes from the side that beat Chelsea so comfortably - and they carried on where they had left off by taking the lead inside a minute. Rooney's
substitute Carlos Tevez then missed United's best chance after 25 minutes. It was a lucky day for the Argentine who was again left on the bench but Rooney's injury got him a chance to play the full 90 minutes. Unfortunately, Tevez could not score. Already under pressure to decide his future, Tevez was advised by Diego Maradona to leave Old Trafford. But Tevez wants to stay at Manchester and he does love the fans and the atmosphere. Maybe we might see some reshuffling at United at the end of this month.
With yesterday's win United have displaced Chelsea and if they win against Bolton, they would lead the Premier League table for the first time. And this will surely indicate that this season title race would be fought between Man United and Liverpool; with Arsenal no where to be seen and Chelsea handling their internal problems.
United winger Cristiano Ronaldo became the first Premier League star to be named FIFA's world player of the year. He beat AC Milan's Kaka, Liverpool's Fernando Torres and Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Xavi to take the award at a star-studded gala in Zurich.
2008 -09 season was fantastic for Ronaldo as his 31 league goals and 42 in total, won him the European Golden Shoe as the continent's top scorer. His performances also won him the Ballon d'Or by France Football magazine, and named FIFPro's player of the year. It caps a stunning year for the 23-year-old in which he played the starring role as United won the Premier League, Champions League and Club World Cup.
While speaking after collecting the award from Pele, Ronaldo dedicated the award to his family but also paid tribute to influence of United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. He said: "It's a dream come true for me to get this award and I would like to dedicate this to my family. "But it's also true that the manager always has an important role to play. It was a great season for me and for my club, and the coach was important for me because I learned a lot for him.
"His experience over so many years is of paramount importance - it's a privilege to have such a great club manager. "This is the climax of a fantastic era for me. I'm happy and proud about what has been done by my team and what we have won. "I am lucky to to be part of the history of a club like Manchester United."
What a game it was. I always knew that it would be a great exchange between England's top 2 teams and with Liverpool dropping points, a win was necessary.
75,455 fans had gathered at Old Trafford to witness Manchester United take on Chelsea. With both teams needing a win desperately, it was Man United that went away as the winners. The final score read 3-0 in favor on United. I had never seen such a brilliant display by United since many days. And they played extremely well and turned the heat up under Luiz Felipe Scolari with a thumping win.
First half was full of chances, but neither was converted until a corner drew some angry exchange of words. The way Rooney went to the corner and just rolled the ball in and asked Giggs to swing a kick till Ronaldo guided it past Cech was something the ref and his assistant never understood. The move is legal but the officials termed it illegal. I was cursing the ref when within seconds Vidic scored and put United ahead. The ref blew his whistle and I said not again... But he was indicating the end of first 45 minutes :)
Second half was better as both teams passed the ball, but United always threatened. Wayne Rooney then turned in Patrice Evra's cross after 63 minutes to set United on the path to a deserved three points. United embarrassed Scolari further when Berbatov rounded off the win by grabbing the third from close range four minutes from time.
Jose Mourinho who had been sitting in the stands did not do Chelsea much good as the win leaves Man United five points behind Liverpool with two games in hand. Benitez might think about the timing and content of his tirade against United and Ferguson - as Fergie appeared inspired rather than deflated. United now face in form Wigan on Wednesday to move up in the table.
Manchester United marched into FA Cup fourth round with an easy win against 10-man Southampton. Goals from Danny Welbeck, Nani and Gibson sealed the match with Dimitar Berbatov being named man of the Match.
17 year old Danny Welbeck headed United in front in the 20th minute after John O'Shea's header was turned on to the bar by Southampton keeper Kelvin Davis. Southampton's Matt Paterson then saw red for a wild lunge on Nemanja Vidic, reducing the home team to 10 men. Come second half and United had a chance to further increase their lead when referee Mike Riley awarded a penalty. With Rooney on bench and Cristiano Ronaldo rested, Nani scored from the spot after 48 minutes. Rooney was brought on in the second half and the wonder kid did show his class. Rooney was the creator with a display of pace and power to set up Gibson for an emphatic third goal, 9 minutes from time.
Man United will now face another date with their FA Cup nemesis Harry Redknapp, who ended their hopes in this competition at the quarter-final stage last year with eventual winners Portsmouth. Harry who now manages Spurs has FA Cup victories against United to his credit with Bournemouth and West Ham United as well. But this time around, I hope Harry bites dust.
Manchester United have started their winter shopping by completing the signings of Serbian pair Zoran Tosic and Adem Ljajic from Partizan Belgrade. I am not sure what figure was given to the Serbian club, but some reports claim a combined figure of £16.3m.
The 21-year-old Tosic goes straight into United's squad after getting a work permit earlier. While 17-year-old Ljajic will be loaned back out to Partizan to return to Manchester for the 2009/10 season. Tosic - nicknamed Bambi because of his lean build - has appeared 12 times for his country and can play on either flank, having also starred for Serbia's Under-21 side. He will join countryman Nemanja Vidic at Old Trafford and wear the number 14 shirt while Ljajic will arrive back at United for the next season.
Sir Alex Ferguson said: "That's it for us in the transfer window. We're done with our business this season."
I am sure Fergie has his eyes on some more players, but doesn't want to disclose it. With the schedule becoming hectic in the second half of the season, United has plenty of cover up players. Probably, Frazier Campbell might also arrive from Spurs as Spurs look for some experienced striker. Tosic's arrival increases manager Sir Alex Ferguson's options on the left wing with Ryan Giggs and Nani already battling it out in that position.
