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.
Defending champions Manchester United gained their first Premier League home win of the season - after beating near neighbors Bolton 2-0.
The first half ended goal less with both sides just managing to find the target unsuccessfully. Midway through the second half, Rob Styles awarded a controversial penalty to the home side after Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to have been thwarted by Jlloyd Samuel. Ronaldo converted the spot kick and the penalty decision shocked Trotters and they began to lose the grip over the game. Wayne Rooney's excellent finish 11 minutes from time doubled United's lead, giving the wonder kid his first goal of the season.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted that his side got lucky with the penalty against Bolton. Even he accepted Styles had got the penalty decision wrong, but showed no sympathy towards the ref. Sir Alex said, "Rob Styles turned us down four or five times last year so maybe it is payback time. But he still owes us another four."
This win against Bolton puts the champions in the top half of the table, with more fireworks to come.
What promised to be a great match for this weekend was a damp squib as Manchester United could not hold to the 1 goal lead and had to be happy with a point.
JS Park had given the visitors the lead in the 18 minute after a blooper from the Chelsea golie. United dominated in the first half, but the second half belonged to Chelsea. They kept on piling the pressure on United and the Red Devils succumbed to it. New man Berbatov was a peripheral figure and Ronaldo was introduced in the 55th minute. The game was getting ill tempered in the mid way of second half as lot of United players were cautioned by the ref.
The defending was poor, especially the man to man marking and this gave Kalou space to head in an equiliser in the 80th minute to cancel United's lead. Its so frustrating to see that the champions are made to look so ordinary. Defeat at Liverpool, draw with Villarreal and now another draw at Chelsea. Common champs, pull up your socks and show your devilsih style.
The English Premier League resumes this week after the world cup qualifiers. An early lunchtime kick-off on Saturday sees champions Manchester United visit arch rivals Liverpool at Anfield, which promises to be a blockbuster tie.
There has been lot of talks going around the two teams, as they expext some of their star signings to taste rival games. United would be eager to field their new striker Dimitar Berbatov, while Liverpool would be keen on introducing their new winger - Albert Riera.
Manchester United grabbed a 1-0 win at Fratton Park to register their first Barclays Premier League victory of the season. The victory came after a scruffy goal in the 33rd minute, which Darren Fletcher claimed.
United were still missing some key injured players like Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves and the suspended Nani.
Now United will face a gap of nearly two weeks as they prepare to face Russia's Zenit St Petersburg for the European Super Cup in Monaco on Friday.
Manchester United retained the FA Community Shield by beating Portsmouth 3-1 on penalties, after both sides could not score during the regular 90 minutes. This victory gives United a perfect start to the new season, when they host Newcastle on Sunday at Old Trafford.
Man of the Match Carlos Tevez was the lone striker for the red devils and should have been awarded a penalty in the second half, when Hreidarsson pulled Tevez down with a firm grip of the ankle. It also marked the return of Gary Neville, which is a positive sign for United.
Finally, Cristiano Ronaldo made it clear that he will remain with Manchester United this season.
Real Madrid have been trying to lure Ronaldo to Spain since the summer. Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster believes it is a "shame" that Ronaldo has decided to stay in England.
Ronaldo wanted some new challenges after he had won all major trophies and individual awards. He was planning for a move to Spain, Real to be precise; close to his home to look after his mother.
Ronaldo has said that Sir Alex's human touch was what made him stay at Old Trafford. This is the reason why Fergie has been one of the best managers in the football world. He understands the needs of the player at the right time and makes them into reality.
Manchester United took a huge step towards retaining their Premier League title, beating West Ham United 4-1 despite playing more than half the match with 10 men, with Nani sent off after a scuffle with West Ham's Lucas Neil. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice at Old Trafford and Carlos Tevez and Michael Carrick netted against their old club as Manchester United moved to 84 points with one match to play. This means that if the leaders win at Wigan Athletic on May 11 they will be champions of England for the 17th time.
Second-placed Chelsea, who visit Newcastle United on Monday, have 81 points but a vastly inferior goal difference.
