Manchester United Dugout

Manchester United produced a brilliant second half performance to come back from behind and win against a youthful Arsenal team. This game at the Theater of Dreams, which I suppose was the first test for Sir Alex's team this season. The games so far have been against OKish teams you know, Arsenal is always special.

Right from the start, Arsenal looked threatening and controlled the ball very well. United did have 2 very good chances in the first half but as they just blew it away; just like they have been doing it this season so far. And Arsenal punished them for not converting their chances. Andrey Arshavin put the visitors ahead at the end of the first half with a blistering shot that kissed Ben Foster's fingers.

Just seconds before Arshavin scored, he was brought down by Darren Fletcher in the box and the Arsenal players were demanding a penalty. But the referee was spot on - Fletcher had got the ball. Had he been a fraction out, it would have been a penalty.

But a penalty was awarded at the other end of the pitch when Wayne Rooney went down under Manuel Almunia's challenge just before the hour mark. I was surprised to see Rooney take the spot kick, specially with Giggs, Carrick and Nani all available. But the wonder kid duly sent Almunia the wrong way and brought United back into the game.

Arsenal did go into a shell after that and United started to take control of the game. Diaby just lost his concentration due to the pressure when he headed the ball into his own net on a Giggs free-kick. Diaby did get a chance to redeem himself when he smashed a shot past Ben Foster, only to see it go wide.

Finally, the game ended at 2 - 1 and Diaby's own goal wrecked Arsenal's 100% start to the season. As if it was not enough, their manager Arsene Wenger was shown the Red card when he kicked a water bottle on the sidelines. He was frustrated with his boy's performance and just when it looked that Arsenal could grab a point out of the game, Van Persie's goal in the stoppage time was disallowed, courtesy Gallas was offside. Wenger vented out his anger on the poor water bottle and the referee asked him to clear the area.

Wenger did create some scenes before the referee restarted the game and blew his whistle soon after to indicate United's victory. This game saw a great performance from Rooney, Nani and Giggs. With their confidence sky high, Manchester United now need to keep the consistency going since Chelsea and Spurs are looking in great form, winning all their matches so far.

The first day of a new season in football is always special. You get to see your favorite team in action after a break, there are a few new faces that you see in the promoted teams and most importantly, you are ensured for another thrilling and great season of football.

Today, the title holders Manchester United played hosts to Birmingham City at the Theatre of Dreams. Though it was the second day in the premiership, but United opened their account today at home to entertain their fans. With Chelsea edging past Hull City and Arsenal destructing Everton by a huge margin yesterday, there was some pressure on United. Not because they fear defeat, but because it was United’s first game without Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, who had been the admired boys of the red part of Manchester up till now.

And the champions did not disappoint their fans. The game began at a fast pace with the Red Devils running long distances and causing problems for the Birmingham goalie. But he did pretty well to keep them at bay until Wayne Rooney scored the opening goal with a header cum kick. United dominated possession and focused on their pin-point passing with Scholes and Fletcher being at the heart of the midfield. Darren Fletcher had a great chance to make it 2-0 just before the half time interval; but he made a mockery of a shot that lacked conviction and placement.

Second half began with Giggs coming on for Nani who was knocked down a couple of times in the first frty-five minutes. The veteran did trouble the Birmingham players with his short runs and passes. Even Giggs was very close to score when his precise free-kick was deflected by Jerome. Sir Alex made his final substitutions when he handed Michael Owen his Premier league debut in United colors by replacing Berbatov. Wes Brown too joined his mates on the field after a long gap by replacing Jonny Evans.

All and all, the result of game was as expected. United defeated the visitors but I feel United could have won more convincingly by scoring more goals. Maybe, that’s one issue Sir Alex will address during his post match team talk. What are your thoughts about it?

Usually, player’s heroics are considered to win matches and trophies to their teams. But today’s FA Community Shield saw something bizarre. Referee Chris Foy’s horrifics helped Chelsea win their first trophy under their new head coach.

Manchester United started the game very well and were rewarded when Nani scored inside the first 10 minutes. After that United did look a bit shaky but still had more chances and looked more attacking than Chelsea. The score remained in United’s favor at the interval.

However, after the interval, Chelsea looked very different and started to pass the ball very well. Their consistent possession of the ball coupled with great passing and shaky defending from United gifted them an equalizer when Ricardo Carvalho scored with a diving header.

It was all square again and the game looked very competitive with no team allowing the other to score a goal. That’s when referee Chris Foy decided to play spoilsport. His fucking decision making abilities allowed Chelsea to take the lead and that delivered a blow to United.

Chelsea substitute Michael Ballack clearly elbowed Patrice Evra, and knocked him down. Even while he was laying hurt on the ground referee Chris Foy allowed play to continue. This distracted United’s attention and Lampard scored to make it 2-1 to Chelsea.

United players did make appeals to the referee but he paid no heed. Neither was Ballack booked nor was he reprimanded. Rather, minutes later Evra was booked for a cynical foul on Ballack. Common Chris Foy, how much did Chelsea pay you for all those decisions?

Wayne Rooney did equalize in injury time to send the match in a penalty shoot-out, but United fumbled there and lost. I do agree that United had some serious chances to nail this match much earlier and they failed to convert those chances. But I have a strong belief that referee Chris Foy was responsible for United’s loss. I think he prevented Manchester United from winning their third successive FA Community Shield. Fuck you, Mr.Chris Foy.

What’s your take?

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson poached French midfield starlet Paul Pogba from French Ligue 2 outfit Le Havre, under the nose of Arsenal chief Arsene Wenger. The 16 year old who has been a regular in the France under 16 national team had been attracting lot of interest from United, Arsenal and Liverpool.

However, the arrival of United’s new 16-year old prodigy has created a bit of controversy. His current employers Le Harve have been frustrated at the way United have hijacked one of their star players. Le Havre claim that the 16-year-old was bound by an agreement with the club until at least the end of the 2009/10 season. But United offered big money for the youngster’s services, which forced his parents to cut short that agreement and send their son to England.

This news has also created lot of fire in England because one of United's fieriest rivals - Arsenal were also looking to get Pogba. But they could only watch one of their targets move to Manchester. This signing marks a triumph for Ferguson who hasn't been able to dominate the French market in the past few years due to Wenger's name and his contacts.

What might also frustrate Wenger is that Fergie is trying to add another French star to the squad. His name is Frank Ribery. Yeah, you read it right. United are in touch with Bayern over the transfer of Ribery. It seems United will table a bid of around 35 million for the French star. Although Bayern have so far rejected all offers for Ribery, but my hunch says that he just might choose United over other clubs. What do you think?