THE COMEBACK KINGS-REDS ARE BACK TO THEIR VINTAGE PERFORMANCE

THE REDS GO MARCHING ON AND ON

Last night was a memorable night for the Red Devils in a season of despair and anxiety, a luxury of getting good sleep for David Moyes and his men has been rare and would have been so had United suffered a loss to Olympiacos and bowed out of the Champions League. Remember The Champions League is the only silverware that United can hope to get realistically, but pundits believe that reaching the semi finals would be a herculean task forget about winning it.

It really was a vintage display by the Reds and all the players performed really well. The team played as a unit. The scoreline of 3-0 in favour of the Reds could have been easily 4-0 or 5-0 had luck been on United's side. Rooney's header deflected of the post, Welbeck missed a sitter. Moyes knew that he had to go all out attack in order to get those 3 goals and thus named Welbeck in the starting XI alongside Rooney and Van Persie. The midfield comprised of Carrick the Evergreen Giggsy and Valencia. United dominated on all fronts and looked superior than Olympiacos on the night.

There were a lot of positives for United as they prepare to face Manchester City in a week's time at the Old Trafford. The Hat-trick by Robin Van Persie would prove to be vital morale booster for him. Jones as a centre back proved why pundits call him the future captain of Manchester United. He defended like a warrior. Welbeck also played well for 90 minutes and thus could see himself playing in the Manchester Derby ahead of Adnan Januzaj.

But many would also say that despite the win United were far from convincing. Olympiacos is not a very good team compared to Europe's elite. More so they sold their prolific striker Mitrogolou to Fulham in the January transfer window. Once again the concern was the defensive midfield and the full back positions to be exact. Carrick did play well but Giggs who is already 40 wasn't being able to mark players once the game entered the final stages. Well it will be unfair to say anything against him because he already has aged so much but still played better than the other CDM'S in fray with the United squad. Evra did attack well but forgot that his main objective is defending and as a result United were left napping in the defence. Once Evra moved forward and lost possession Olympiacos had acres of free space to run and create openings. These things need to be adjusted if United dream of winning the next stage, because from here on it will be business and no joking around. Evra will miss the next game and thus it will be interesting as to who takes his position in LB position.

My last segment is devoted to the heroes of the match.

• THE OLD TRAFFORD FANS
• LEGENDARY RYAN GIGGS
• RED DEVIL ANTONIO VALENCIA (Played 75 minutes with one eye after getting hit in the eye)
• THE HAT-TRICK HERO ROBIN Van Persie

But one stand out performance for me was David De Gea. He is one of the positives for United this season. He saved two clear goals and the rest is history. No Doubt he was named the Man Of The Match by the fans. 

Thus it was one good memorable come from behind win for us.

Can we turn it around?

MATCH PREVIEW : THE RIVALRY RESUMES

Come this Sunday and we will see a hell of a game when the merseyside team LIVERPOOL FC come to THE OLD TRAFFORD for the ROUND 29 fixtures at the Barclays Premier League. Well I wouldn't say that the stage is set only because Liverpool are far ahead of us this season. 11 points to be exact and our only hope to fall down the TOP 4.

No doubt this game means a hell lot to all the RED DEVILS around the world. Not only that it is a crucial tie for United given the circumstances we are in. A win and we will be able to cut the difference to 8 points and hope Liverpool drop some in the coming months. Sounds unrealistic that we will have to fight for the TOP 4 places. But this is what separates us from all the other fans round the world. We have the belief in our team no matter what happens. These games hardly have a relevance on the playing XI as each and every individual will be fighting for glory. 

United will definitely have an upper hand going into the match. More so because it will be played in front of their home crowd. Add to that the two consecutive victories which haven't been a regularity. So consistency will play an important role given Liverpool didn't have any fixtures to play this week.

The fixture in Anfield this season ended in the favour of Liverpool winning it 1-0 but United took revenge when they beat them 1-0 in the League Cup this season. The last five meetings also support United where they have won 4 times and lost just 1. So history has been with United the past couple of years.

But we really don't know if David Moyes would want to send in a perfect playing XI or will he choose a team keeping in mind the Champions League home fixture against Olympiacos at the Old Trafford. I think Moyes will play an unchanged XI which I think will be best suited given any player wouldn't want to rest before a crunch game. What is certain is that Juan Mata will play because he will be unavailable for the Champions League fixture. David Moyes was quoted as saying that Shinji Kagawa will be given more match time. So does that mean Januzaj will be rested and Kagawa might play.

PREDICTED LINE UP:

David De Gea; Patrice Evra , Phil Jones, Chris Smalling , Rafael; Michael Carrick and Moruanne Fellaini , Juan Mata , Adnan Januzaj; Wayne Rooney; Robin Van Persie.

Mark Clattenburg will be the Refree for the game.

I think this line up to face Liverpool will be ideal. The centre Backs need to forge a partnership together given Vidic is going out and Rio about to retire. This team looks solid and looks formidable to get 3 points required against Liverpool. The biggest challenge will be to keep the Suarez and Sturridge partnership in check. So if Vidic and Ferdinand start United will automatically fall behind given the fact that the S$S partnership has pace,agility,power,stamina and goal scoring ability. Thus it is important that Jones and Smalling start. But I think either Vidic or Ferdinand will start given their vast experience and the hint Moyes threw by stating that they ( Vidic and Ferdinand , on the eve of WBA game) were being kept fresh for some massive games coming in future days.

In other news Manchester United signed a 10 year 600 million pound deal with shirt manufacturers NIKE. This will come as boost for the REDS who are looking at motivation.

More so many people believe that it is impossible for us to get into the TOP 4. Keeping in mind Liverpool's fixture I think we can. Liverpool have games like Chelsea Manchester City and obviously next week's 6 pointer to deal with. Most probably I think there is a lot at stake if United win the fixture. Hence it is massive for United. 

Just keep calm and wait for Sunday. Hues and Cries are in store for sure.

MANCHESTER UNITED SEAL WORLD-RECORD 600 million NIKE SPONSORSHIP DEAL

Manchester United are set to announce a world-record kit deal worth more than £600million.

The faltering Premier League champions will make a major statement that proves they are still the biggest name in world football by renewing an arrangement with Shirt manufacturers NIKE.

It will bank United more than £60million-a-year over the course of a decade-long agreement.

That is almost double the current best kit manufacturing deal, which sees Real Madrid earn £31million from their arrangement with adidas.

United currently have a deal with Nike worth £23.5million-a-season - less than Real, Arsenal, Barcelona and Liverpool.

But that 13-year agreement expires next year and, while the figures being demanded by the Old Trafford club were exceptional, there was no shortage of interest. Puma, Warrior and adidas all emerged to challenge Nike, but the Amercan giants were determined that United would not escape from their portfolio.

With a £35million-a-year short sponsorship deal with CHEVROLET set to kick in next season , it is clear that United can ride out the financial problems caused by a failure to finish in the top four this season.

The two new cash streams will provide David Moyes with significant funds to challenge for the top players with sheer financial muscle, even if United drop out of the European elite.

A REVIEW. Wayne Rooney's Contract extension and Van Persie's exit.

Its been 10 months since David Moyes took over the most sought after and one of the hardest challenges of his life, managing Manchester United. Arguably one of the most difficult top post to succeed at any level in the world. Time was given to him. Patience was the key. Stability was much talked about. Where do we really stand?
Fans say. In Doldrums. My Opinion? Not quite so. Manchester United at the moment are languishing at the seventh spot 3 points behind Everton and a whooping 14 behind Liverpool and Arsenal for a spot in the Champions league. The league table for United is dismal. Given that having played 27 times in the Premier League they have just won 13 games , drawn 6 and lost a whooping 8 things seem out of hands for David Moyes and his boys to try and be among the Top 4 for this season so that they can atleast be eligible for UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE qualifying rounds. So what would they be hoping for? At least get to Top 5 and play in Europa League next season. Things really are out of hands at the moment. Even breaking the bank for someone like Juan Mata didn't help the cause. Even after getting him on board didn't impact on the results. Now the latest addition to that was the Champions League Round Of 16 away leg match to Olympiakos which the visitors lost 2-0 making it almost impossible for them to get into the quarters , let alone thinking about winning the competition. Thus Moyes has lost faith amongst the Old Trafford faithfuls.

But actually I think it is harsh on David Moyes. He came in as a manager of this squad and wasn't helped by Ed Woodward and the scouting team to get his desired targets. How could he get the desired results with a team that hasn't seen anyone else than Sir Alex Ferguson in the dressing room? To adapt to the situations was always going to be difficult. It is evident. The likes of Nemanja Vidic , Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Micheal Carrick, Luis Nani are the ones who were the back bones of United squad when Sir Alex was at helm. But the Top 2 Centre Backs have fallen out of favour. Nani remains injured and Carrick is also finding life difficult. In these circumstances Moyes should have been given the authority to land his primary targets like the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Leighton Baines, Fabio Coentrao and Luke Shaw at any cost. To play with this team was always difficult and I look forward to the summer transfer window.

The Wayne Rooney contract situation I guess is again a good sign for United and I don't think that the 300,000 pounds weekly wage is something big for Rooney. He is a guiding force and Moyes has done a remarkable job by asking him to commit for the team for the rest of his life. That is something massive given that he is a fan favourite at Old Trafford.
Missing out on Champions League for a season won't matter much. Players would still want to come to United I guess. There are a number of players who are going to go out at the summer window. Thus I guess the squad is there for a complete overhaul. The likes of Anderson, Kagawa, Vidic, Young and Cleverley are rumoured to be getting the axe. The players who Moyes has said to be his Top transfer Targets are Tony Kroos, IIlkay Gundogan as the two CM'S. Mangala as a CB and Luke Shaw as a LB. Edinson Cavani is also rumoured to be a transfer target along with Mario Mandzukic for the striker positions given that Van Persie is certain to be leaving the squad next summer. Thus it will be worth to wait for the season to end and the transfer Window to start.
But if David does get the sack at the moment very few people are there to actually take over from him. Luis Van Gaal is the top target given United even fail to qualify for Europa League. The Netherlands manager wants to exit the team after the WC14 in Brazil. Another target that the United officials have drawn up is the present German Manager Joachim Low. They are the top 2 targets for the Glazers and Ed Woodward along with the other officials. Thus we can expect a sacking but not before the season ends.

Match Preview-Rene Muelensteen returns, Man Utd vs Fulham, Old Trafford

Rene Muelensteen returns to Old Trafford once again but this time with Fulham. Both the teams have a battle in hand for sure. Fulham is fighting to avoid relegation and on the other hand Man Utd's pride is at stake. Manchester United are lying 7th in the premier league table 10 points adrift of the Champions league places but do have a game in hand. Last week the trinity of Rooney Mata and RVP started the fixture at Stoke but lost 2-1. Thus piling more pressure on David Moyes.
In these circumstances this game would prove crucial for the Red Devils as they cannot afford any more slip ups. With the announcement by Nemanja Vidic that he is not going to be in United for the next season has piled on more misery. Fulham game looks easy but United will go into the fixture keeping in mind mid week fixture against Arsenal at the Emirates. Thus we don't expect a full strength line up today. But Fulham alongside United had a great transfer window. They acquired the services of Mitrogolou and Holtby along with Clint Dempsey. Thus it is not going to be easy three points for United. With due respect to all the players I think David Moyes has tried different formations like the 4-4-2 and the 4-2-3-1 none of which has really flourished. It is so because the wingers haven't lived up to their expectations. Antonio Valencia has not been consistent. He has just played in patches. Same has been the case with Ashley Young. Nani hasn't yet got chance to show his quality and class because of injuries this season. Thus it is better to go with a formation of 4-3-3 and go all out attack because we have to win most of the matches from here on. With wingers not providing much help 4-3-3 will be liberating experience for the Reds which will give them the liberty to go all out attack.

My Predicted line up for United keeping in mind the mid week fixture against Arsenal.
Formation 4-3-3
GK-David De Gea
RB-Rafael Da Silva
CB-Phil Jones
CB-Chris Smalling
LB-Patrice Evra
RCM-Antonio Valencia
CM-Darren Fletcher
LCM-Shinji Kagawa
RS-RVP
ST-Wayne Rooney
LS-Danny Welbeck

Subs-Anders Lindegaard , Adnan Januzaj, Javier Hernandez, Michael Carrick, Juan Mata, Nemanja Vidic, Alex Buttner

The Big Week. Kroosing and Matas with Stoke City.

The signing of Juan Mata from Chelsea has turned out to be a boon for the Reds as he assisted one goal and had a passing percentage of 85% against Cardiff. But,even though he started the fixture along with Van Persie this was far from a vintage display that Man Utd were known for. The problem of lack of world class central midfielders has been a problem. With Michael Carrick out for a month it looks quite difficult for the gaffer to field players in that position.
Man Utd have been linked with Ilkay Gundogan and Tony Kroos for the past few days. Yesterday things became in favour of Man Utd as Kroos was clearly dissapointed after being subbed off in Bayern Munich's 2-1 win at Sttutgart. With just 18 months remaining in his contract he was given a contract extension yesterday which he rejected. This is a good sign for a team like United who want midfielders in their squad for a top 4 finish. Many reporters closed sources have said that Kroos wants to play for a team like United. No wonder David Moyes was present to watch him play at Mönchengladbach. Lets hope we have good news at the end of the transfer deadline date. Even Guardiola didin't rule out a possibility of him moving to Man Utd , he was quoted as saying "He is an important player but things can move fast in football. Here today, gone tomorrow."
United play Stoke at The Britannia Stadium on Saturday and going by this seasons record united should win the game. They won against them in the first half of the season and also in the capital one cup.
Red devils should we get Kroos or not?? Air your views..

Juan Mata- The Answer to Manchester United's woes??

Is it another rumour? Another shitty Mourinho tactics or a face saver for Mr. Moyes and Ed Woodward after crashing out of the Capital One Cup courtesy missed penalty kicks and a rare goalkeeping blunder by David De Gea?

No fellow readers it is not those things which people are thinking. The deal is almost complete with both the parties accepting the terms and as you read news may get flashed all over the news channels stating Mata is no longer a Chelsea player. Will it be a pro decision for United or turn out to be a con decision? Let us have a look at all the aspects one by one.

With only one addition to the squad during the summer transfer window things looked very bleak for the Red Devils. Even Sir Alex knew that he didn't have a very strong team. Barring Antonio Valencia the other two wingers didn't have the same potentials to match a world class line up. So was the case in the Central Midfield where only Micheal Carrick played for probably both the CM'S alone and in process covering ground , Passing and shooting at the same time. Thus big reinforcements were needed no doubt. But Moyes could only land Fellaini and that till now has backfired. Last season the reality was the fact that RvP and Rooney alone in most cases took the game away from the opponents. They were the mainstays of the team but with both of them out injured this season the loophole has been exposed and thus the statement "Man Utd a One Man Team" was proved to be right. In such a situation the January transfer window started and Man Utd fans were eagerly waiting for a signing. Indeed a signing of a STAR and not someone like Fellaini. Unlike Fellaini Juan Mata is a versatile player who can play in the wings and indeed as an Attacking Midfielder and also at times can be deployed as a striker. Thus making him perfect for signing at a stage where United are stuttering to find form and win games.
This automatically would be a morale booster for the players who look forward to big name signings each season. Something similar to what RvP did the last season. MATA definitely can be a face saver for United.
This automatically can be something good indeed with Kagawa being released for a swap deal with IILKAY GUNDOGAN . No wonder Klopp rates him highly and this deal would definitely be worth before 1st of February. Thus this deal can also signal the start of MOYES ERA.

At 25 Juan Mata is definitely going to be a good buy for United given he already has played 2 and a half season for Chelsea and named Player Of The Year on two occasions.
All I can say for now!
Welcome to Manchester United Juan Mata.
Reds what do you think of this signing? Share your views.