1st goal : Wayne ROONEY
2nd goal : Diaby (OG)

Manchester United have won 72, Arsenal 66 and there have been 42 draws. So i'll be expecting another great encounter today..

Eduardo has been left on the bench by Arsene Wenger as Arsenal put their free-scoring start to the season on the line.

The United line-up misses both Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen as Sir Alex Ferguson plumps for a major reshuffle from the champions.

Ryan Giggs will support lone frontman Wayne Rooney with Antonio Valencia and Nani on the flanks. Michael Carrick is partnered by Darren Fletcher rather than Anderson in midfield. Gosh, was i glad to see Carrick!!!

Rooney has scored five Premier League goals against Arsenal, more against them than either of the other big four sides.

Foster


Sheasy Wesley Vida Evra


Valencia Carrick Fletcher Nani


Giggsy


Rooney

SUBS: Kuszczak, Owen, Scholesy, Gaz, Berba, Park, Ando.

Eboue has the first shot of the match but his effort from 20 yards is screwed wide of the post.

Patrice Evra is making his 100th League appearance for United today.

Abou Diaby goes over Nemanja Vidic's outstretched leg and Arsenal have a chance to swing in a dangerous cross.

Andrei Arshavin's delivery is claimed by Ben Foster, albeit at the second attempt.

CHANCE! Arsenal fail to clear their lines and Rooney flights a ball into Fletcher but he puts his shot over the top from 12 yards.

John O'Shea finds Rooney with a superbly flighted pass in the penalty area but William Gallas is strong and fends off the danger.

Carrick catches Eboue on the knee. Not malicious but painful for the Ivorian.

Nice passing from Arsenal and Eboue forces Wes Brown to concede a corner.

Brown climbs high at the near post to clear the danger but it's another corner.

This time Foster claims Robin van Persie's delivery untroubled.

The game is being played at a frenetic pace.

Nani bursts into the penalty area but a great recovery tackle from Bacary Sagna means it is only a corner.

Gallas meets Giggs' corner firmly at the near post.

Van Persie plays a short free-kick to Denilson but he cannot pick out a team-mate in the penalty area.

A quiet 20 minutes in truth. No shots on target yet.

Arshavin tries his luck from distance but his effort is charged down.

Evra gets to the by-line but he cannot quite pick out Rooney. Gael Clichy dallies on the ball in the penalty area but gets away with it.

Arsenal's best chance as van Persie cuts inside Vidic and earns himself half a yard but Evra makes a crucial block.

Foster flaps at the resulting corner and the ball drops to Arshavin who opens his body but curls his shot just inches over the top corner.

Eboue gives the ball away cheaply and United have 3 on 2 but the pass is cut out on the edge of the penalty area.

Ryan Giggs and Nani on a different wavelength and the pass from the Welsh veteran rolls through to Manuel Almunia.

Rooney has hardly had a kick in the opening half-hour and his free-kick curls wide of the near post.

Van Persie controls Denilson's free-kick with aplomb and feeds Arshavin whose low drive is cut out by Vidic.

Evra is booked after a foul on Sagna, his third infringement in the opening 35 minutes.

Nani does well to dig out a cross but Gallas climbs well to head clear.

Carrick tries to pick out Giggs but Gallas has been immense so far and shields the ball through to Almunia.

Denilson loses out to Valencia who tries to pick out a cross but Almunia claims.

Van Persie beats Brown but cannot get the better of Evra and hits the deck to the derision of the home fans.

GOAL!!!!!!!!!!! What a hit from Arshavin. He unleashes a rifle from 25 yards and although Foster gets a hand to it, he cannot keep out a rasping shot from the Russian maestro which nestles in the top corner. UNITED might be a goal down, but i'm amazed by that strike.. gosh, he's good..

Only moments earlier Arshavin was claiming a penalty after Fletcher slid in on him. I am sure he does not care now. He celebrated in his usual finger to mouth manner.

Arshavin on the prowl again but Vidic intercepts the pass intended for van Persie.

Song fouls Nani but the quick free-kick from the left is headed away by Gallas for another corner.

Great chance for Vidic from the resulting corner but he scuffs his shot from no more than eight yards.

Van Persie booked for a foul on Giggs but yet again it is Gallas who blocks Rooney's shot.

HALF-TIME and the Gunners lead through an Arshavin wonderstrike. Arsenal are unbeaten in 68 games when they have led at half-time.

2nd half on the way.. No changes to either side..

Arshavin gets to the by-line and his cross from the left is met by Van Persie but Foster makes a superb save with his outstretched left foot to deny the Dutchman. A superb save.

If Foster was partly culpable for the goal, he has certainly made amends there.

Clichy's deep cross finds Eboue unmarked eight yards from the goal but the Ivorian fails to either shoot or control and the ball runs under his foot.

Valencia pulls the trigger from 25 yards but way over the crossbar.

Only eight goal attempts in the match. United have had just three and none have tested Almunia.

Clichy wins a foot race with Evra in the battle of French left-backs but is forced to concede a corner.

From the corner, the ball drops to Carrick on the edge of the penalty area but his shot is blocked by Sagna.

Diaby's probing pass into the penalty area is cut out by the sliding Evra.

PENALTY! A long pass down the left channel and Rooney goes down under a challenge from Almunia. Gracias Almunia!!!!!!GOAL!!!! And Rooney converts as he sends Almunia the wrong way. 1-1 GAME ON.

Rooney tries to catch Almunia out from the halfway line but the Spanish keeper gallops back to catch the audacious effort.

Brown is booked for a horrid lunge on Diaby. And Rooney also goes into the book for a swipe at the back of the Frenchman during his marauding run.

Van Persie smacks the middle of the crossbar with his swinging free-kick from the right. Not sure if the Dutch striker intended to catch the keeper off his line.

Park replaces the ineffective Valencia.

2-1 UNITED!!! Giggs swings in a free-kick from the left and inexplicably Diaby heads past his own keeper under no real pressure. A gift for United. Thanks DIABY!!!

Diaby almost makes instant amends but after creating an opening with his twinkle feet, he drags his shot wide of the far post from 14 yards.

Rooney has got his tail up now but his long-range effort is way off target.

Nani beats Gallas once but not a second time and the big defender clears.

A snap shot from Evra from 14 yards but Almunia gets down well to claim the shot, low to his left.

Sagna is the ninth player booked for waving his arm in protest at a Dean decision. As always.. UNITED v Arsenal will be feisty!!!Arsenal will be fined as they have received six cautions.

A long ball is pumped into the penalty area and Van Persie goes down under pressure from Evra but clearly nothing doing.

Arshavin cannot quite reach a Van Persie pass and is limping after overstretching.

Nani tracks back well but Arsenal win a corner. It looks like Nani is doing well defensively..

Thomas Vermaelen meets the corner at the near post but cannot direct his header on target.

Dimitar Berbatov replaces Giggs.

Diaby beats Evra with ease but cannot pick the right pass in the penalty area.

Berbatov earns a corner.

Five minutes added time to be played. That is quite a lengthy wait..

United will go third if the score remains the same.

Clichy's cross is cleared by Berbatov of all people in his own penalty area.

A great pass from Nani but Berbatov, who had raced from his own half, horribly shanks his shot way wide when clear on goal.

Arsenal piling people forward and on the break Berbatov picks out Nani who sees his first shot well saved by Almunia before blazing over the rebound.

Van Persie puts the ball in the back of the net but Gallas is offside and the flag goes up.

Wenger has been sent to the stand by the fourth official.

And time is up.. we prevail as winner.. huhu.. i should say.. this is a lucky win..

UNITED v ARSENAL
Sunday, 30th August 2009
1210am LIVE on ESPN!!!

Interesting encounter this weekend for UNITED.. I've always looking forward to this occasion.. why? because, it will be a cracker and of course feisty battle will be involved.. both are feeling high as both have been scoring goals for fun in midweek.. so will it be another goal feast for either side? or will it be a narrow win?

WHO's OUT for UNITED?
- Hargo : u guys know why he's missing..
- Rio : Thigh Muscle Strain (will be missing him for a while)
- VDS : thumb injury
- Obertan : will not feature til October
- Rafael : clueless of when he's available..


WHO's OUT for ARSENAL?
- Walcott : slight chance of returning to the squad.. but not a 100% sure..
- Djourou : Knee injury
- Rosicky : injured as usual suffering from hamstring
- Fabianski
- Samir Nasri : Broken Leg

The advantage we have is that.. Arsenal will face Celtic in midweek to secure their UCL participation.. and i bet they might be a lil fatigue ..

We kinda sux during the 1st half against Wigan , so i hope i won't see another awful performance like that from UNITED.. 2nd half as we all knew was a joy to watch.. so many things to celebrate for during that half.. and i expect that sort of performance.. might not be the greatest performance ever.. but still.. UNITED are capable of showing more qualities.. and we got to remember it was just Wigan .. and this is Arsenal.. no matter how sux they're in a season.. they will surely stepped it up when they're going against us.. so we shouldn't be too overconfident..

Carrick was missing from the squad.. i wonder why.. but i do hope he regained his place this weekend.. Fletcher is a must.. and Foster is improving little by little which is a good sign he did well against Wigan.. so i'm expecting him to keep up that sort of performance..

The Back 4, eventho in a crisis.. is sound enuff .. but i don't think GAz is suitable for this one.. so i'm opting for Fabio or Sheasy.. Vida is back.. i hope he won't be having any sort of nightmare during the match.. The midfield is a concern.. so they should buck up this weekend..

FOSTER


Fabio/Sheasy Evans Vida Evra


Valencia/JS Park Carrick Fletcher Nani


Roo Berba

Let's look forward to this weekend.. and let's hope it's a blast! Would love it if we end up as winner.. GOOD LUCK LADS!

1st goal : Wayne Rooney
2nd goal : Dimitar Berbatov
3rd goal : Wayne Rooney
4th goal : Michael Owen
5th goal : NANI

UNITED are looking to avoid losing back-to-back PL matches for the second time in 2009, and only the second time in the last eight years. Their only consecutive PL defeats since 2001 were 4-1 at home against Liverpool (March 14) and 2-0 at Fulham (March 21).

Wigan Athletic and Manchester United have met eight times in the league. Wigan Athletic have won none, Manchester United eight and there have been no draws.

Carrick is missing from the squad.. and i wonder why.. Rio will be out for quite a while.. it's good to have Vida back..i hope we're not rushing him.. Michael Owen returns to the bench for the visitors, who are still smarting after their defeat at Burnley on Wednesday.. Gary Neville plays his first game of the season for United at right-back, while Alex Ferguson opts for a midfield of Valencia, Fletcher, Scholes and Nani.

Foster


Gaz Evans Vida Evra



Valencia Fletcher Scholesy Nani


Roo Berba


SUBS :Kuszczak, Owen, Giggs, Welbeck, Fabio Da Silva, O'Shea, Gibson

A combative start, with Mohamed Diame getting stuck in for Wigan in midfield.

A sloppy Scharner pass nearly lets Rooney in but Bramble just gets there first..

Rooney finds Berbatov who plays it to the overlapping Nani, then crossed to Fletcher whose GOALBOUND EFFORT IS BLOCKED BY BRAMBLE!!

A typically uncompromising clearance from the returning Nemanja Vidic, who will hope to bring some stability to the United defence.

SCHOLES!!! Berbatov backheels into the path of the onrushing Scholes, who has a free hit from the edge of the box but blazes it over!! Bad miss for a player of his quality.

Wigan work the ball nicely to Figueroa on the left but his cross booms out of play.

Neville concedes a free-kick on the Wigan left, 40 yards from the United goal... headed clear and the champions now break.

Good industry from Berbatov (no, really), who wins a throw on the United left. The move ends with Evra sending a cross into the side-netting.

United might be two up by now, but Wigan have ridden their luck and have finally settled. A much more even game now.

The visitors pass the round their own half in a pretty but inconsequential fashion.

Valencia has got a reasonable reception from the Wigan fans on his return to the DW Stadium. Hardly rapturous, but not overly hostile either.

ROONEY!! He turns Bramble and fires a low right-footed shot straight at Kirkland.

Yellow card Scholes for sliding through Jordi Gomez... at his age, it's probably fair to say he'll never learn.

A slight clash of heads between Rodallega and Evans, but the result is a Wigan corner.

Lightning counter-attack from United as Valencia clips a long ball over the top for Rooney, who strays just offside!

It's raining goals at the Emirates.. The gunners are two up.. ish ish..

Berbatov!! Gets his head on a left-sided cross, but directs it straight at Kirkland.

The ball comes in from the left to the United box, and is helped messily along to Rodallega, who cannot make proper contact with his header.

KOUMAS!!! Cuts inside from the left, burns past Vidic and fires a curling shot that Foster does well to tip behind for a corner!

United give it away cheaply in midfield and here come Wigan. We've got a real game no our hands here.

More defensive uncertainty from United as Hendry Thomas fires a low ball into the box... finally cleared.

Long ball over the top for Rooney, who traps it brilliantly and SHOOTS LOW!! SAVED BY KIRKLAND!

Valencia clips a cross from the right to Rooney at the far post... he heads back across the face of goal but Wigan clear.

Melchiot leaves his foot up after a challenge in midfield with Evra and catches the United left-back.

Wigan have a two-on-two here and the ball is with N'Zogbia... well tackled by Vidic!!

Berbatov lobs it to Scholes, helped on to Fletcher... cannot get his volley away.. what a goal that would have been! Another wasted opportunity..

Valencia crosses again from the right...cleared as far as Scholes who finds Fletcher, and the Scot turns his man and hits a left-foot volley that is deflected for a corner.

Bramble brings Evra down and United come forward for the free-kick... out to Valencia on the right but again his cross is blocked.

Goalless at the end of an entertaining first half... but United's drought in front of goal continues.

HALFTIME!!!!!


United kick the second half off and immediately get forward, with the cap-wearing Kirkland punching away a cross from the left.

Valencia heads down a cross from the left for ROONEY!! Miscues his volley and Berbatov's follow-up is blocked!

Now Wigan come away on the break as the ball is played through to Rodallega... Vidic nicks the ball away from him!

United want a penalty after Rooney goes down under Scharner's challenge... nothing doing, says Howard Webb!

Frustration is clearly setting in for the visitors... how long until Michael Owen gets a run?

GOAL!!!! WAYNE ROONEY BREAKS THE DEADLOCK FOR MANCHESTER UNITED!! He heads in a Valencia cross from the right and the goal drought is over! Finally, now i'm a bit relieved!!Anyway.. That is Wayne Rooney's 100th goal for Manchester United, and the relief is palpable!

RODALLEGA SO CLOSE TO THE EQUALISER!!! Koumas drives a diagonal cross and the Colombian hits a looping header that Foster just keeps out! GOOD JOB BEN!!!

GOAL!!! DIMITAR BERBATOV!! Yay..our lazy Berba scored!!!!It's two for United and it's a brilliant goal!! Rooney plays a one-touch pass for Scholes, who lofts the ball over the top, Berbatov lifts it over Kirkland, collects his own lob and finishes from six yards!


What a couple of minutes' action! But the upshot is that Manchester United are two goals to the good at the DW Stadium.

GOAL!!! Three for United, and here comes goal 101 from Wayne Rooney!! Antonio Valencia and Dimitar Berbatov combine to find Rooney on the left, and his shot goes in at the near post via a generous deflection from Mario Melchiot.

It is surely game over now. United have been devastating since half-time, and this might just kick-start their season.

Dimitar Berbatov has been superb today, and that may have put paid to any hopes Michael Owen had of breaking into the United first-team.

Wigan continue to come forward through Jordi Gomez and the ever-dangerous Rodallega, but you cannot imagine them conjuring any sort of comeback.

Well, this is Owen's chance. He comes on for Rooney, while Darron Gibson replaces Paul Scholes. AND John O'Shea comes on for Jonny Evans. A triple substitution.

Darron Gibson belts a curler from 25 yards, and Kirkland holds it.

There is an altercation there and referee Webb has to physically restrain Rodallega from attacking Vidic! Unbelievable!

Berbatov drills a low cross in front of goal from the left, but the supposedly predatory Owen is snoozing at the edge of the box.

GOAL!! Michael Owen!! Runs onto a cute through ball from Nani and clips a deft left-foot shot in off the far post! His first goal for Manchester United! HEY PEOPLE MICHAEL OWEN JUST SCORES, what did i tell ya?

Sinclair again!! He has looked lively since coming on, and brings another good save from Foster from a tight angle on the right.

Nani strikes a powerful free-kick, but sends it high over the bar.

GOAL!! NANI!!!! He finds the back of the net, curling a relatively weak effort past the statuesque Kirkland! As always a stunning goal from Nani

Started off quite miserably but end up on a high.. gosh.. it feels good.. Congrats Roo for his 101 goals, Owen for his 1st goal for UNITED..

UNITED v Wigan
Saturday, 22nd August 2009
955pm LIVE ON ESPN!!!

I won't say it's a do or die game.. but more to, the needs of bouncing back from that defeat in Turf Moor.. i should say, we didn't have any spark at all.. everything just went miserably wrong for UNITED earlier this morning.. Defensive matter is one thing.. but midfield is a big concern IMO.. they needs to toughen up.. i guess this is the impact of changing the dynamic in the squad.. Foster on the other hand is improving step by step and it's good to see that..Anyway.. i won't give much thought about it.. we played miserably so we lose.. FULLSTOP.

We're going to entertain Wigan this weekend.. So i expect the lads to take this defeat as a motivation to do better.. Evans seems fine in defence against Burnley.. so i expect him to start again this week.. Vidic although expected to join the squad for this match, will start on the bench IMO.. Still out are Rio & VDS plus the usual absentee..

FOSTER


Fabio Evans Wesley Evra


Valencia Fletcher Carrick/Ando Nani


Roo Berba

It's just a blip against Burnley.. i hope the lads come back stronger this weekend at home.. so GOOD LUCK!!!!

Champions Manchester United travel to Burnley for the first time since 1976 hoping to maintain their winning start to the new season.

Burnley know they are in for a tough game tonight - United have won their last 16 games against promoted sides and haven't lost to Burnley in 17 meetings - although the Lancashire side's home form last season was excellent.

United's defensive 'crisis' continues, with Edwin van der Sar, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville, Rafael ,all deemed unfit to play tonight. In their place could be Ben Foster, Fabio, Wes Brown and John O'Shea with Patrice Evra the only member of Alex Ferguson's first-choice backline likely to feature.

So, the big news is that Michael Owen starts for United, alongside Wayne Rooney. Jonny Evans is fit to partner Wes Brown in the centre of the Reds' defence, while John O'Shea plays right-back. In midfield, it's all change as Michael Carrick, Anderson, Ryan Giggs and Park Ji-sung all start for the first time this season.

Foster


Sheasy Wesley Evans Evra


JS PARK Carrick Ando Giggsy


Roo Owen


Subs: Kuszczak, Neville, Berbatov, Scholes, Valencia, Gibson, De Laet

Real chance for Owen after great work on the left by Evra... but the little striker can't connect with the ball as he stabs at it, totally unmarked, at the near post! He puts his head in his hands, and so he should!

Owen chests down for Rooney now... he takes a touch before letting fly from 25 yards! Well blocked by Bikey though and the ball pings away to safety.

Owen has the ball in the back of the net! He slots home at the second attempt after Rooney slips him through on goal! But the linesman's flag is up on the far side and it won't count!

Anderson centres, looking for Rooney, but the Brazilian's effort goes over his head and out for a throw.

But that's a poor ball from Rooney... straight to Blake, whose long ball forward is headed back to Foster by Brown.

Swift attacking play from United now as Carrick links up well with Rooney to force a corner!

Giggs takes it... Carrick gets on the end of it with a languid standing volley... the ball hits the turf before landing on the top of Jensen's net!

Rooney tries to skip his way through the entire Burnley defence, but is eventually stopped by Jordan and Bikey completes the clearance.

Oooh! McCann loses his marker in the United box, but he mistimes his run and the ball goes over his head when perhaps he should have connected. If he had, Foster would have had to be at his best to keep it out!

GOAL! WHAT A GOAL IT IS! ROBBIE BLAKE PUTS BURNLEY INTO THE LEAD WITH A SUPERB VOLLEY! Evra can only half head clear and Blake pounces with a stunning hit past Foster and into the top right hand corner!

This will be a real test of character for United now... have they got what it takes to win these kind of games?

More spectacular stuff from Burnley! This time it's Fletcher with an acrobatic scissor kick after another headed clearance by a United player only reaches a claret shirt... Fletcher's effort, by the way, doesn't trouble Foster at all.

United break for the first time for what seems like ages and Rooney fires a sidefooter well wide of the post... that's the first time they've ventured into the hosts' half since the goal went in.

On the other hand, United are beginning to look a bit ragged... a loose pass from Rooney is followed by one from Brown and the champions look rattled!

Oooh! Nearly an exquisite pass from Giggs to Park, who only just fails to get something on the Welshman's cross-field ball...

Super defending from McCann as he tracks back to foil Giggs's run forward... corner to United anyway...

But Burnley deal with it admirably... moments later Rooney fires well wide from 30 yards out...

OWEN! Oh dear! What a miss from the England wanabee! Brown delivers a great cross right onto his head, but Owen barely makes contact and the ball skims off the top of his head and away to safety!

Bikey slides in to put Rooney's cross behind and United have another corner... but again the champions can't make anything of their position.

Big penalty shout for United as Blake upends Evra in the box! And the ref gives it! PENALTY TO UNITED! JENSEN SAVES IT! Carrick hits it to the Dane's right, but he guesses the right way and gets a big hand to it! What a wasted chance!

HALFTIME!!!

Burnley on the attack again... but Mears's cross from the right hand side sails way over the bar and out for a goal kick.

Evra does well to recover a ball at the byline before turning back to Park! The Korean takes a touch, but his eventual shot is well blocked by Mears!

Brown upends McCann right on the edge of the United box and Burnley have a free-kick in a very dangerous position!

Oooh! Blake fires the free-kick low and hard past the wall, but just the wrong side of the post! Burnley are still a threat after the break! Berbatov warming up...

The game's a little flat at the moment and is struggling to come to light again after the fireworks of the first half.

Rooney advances with the ball at his feet... but he goes for goal and fires over the bar, with Jensen not forced to break a sweat.

United make a change now... off goes Anderson and comes Antonio Valencia... that's a positive change for the champions - they certainly need some spark from somewhere!

O'Shea bundles Paterson over by the corner flag... a sign of frustration if there ever was one. Foster does well to claim the resulting free-kick.

Chance for United! Valencia arrives at the far post to meet an awkwardly bouncing Evra cross but his header goes wide!

Time for another United switch as Owen is taken off - the watching Fabio Capello doesn't look impressed, but then again he never does, does he? - and Berbatov comes on in his place. COME ON BERBA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's a dangerous ball across the face of goal by Paterson! But there's no one there to get on the end of it and the chance goes begging!

Berbatov! Ooh, that's not too far away from the substitute! His curler flies wide of the top corner, although Jensen looks to have it covered...

Park! Great save by Jensen who gets another big hand on the Korean's snap shot! Then the ball appears to hit Bikey's hand as Valencia crosses... but the referee waves play on!

Foster is brought into action again by a sharp drive by Elliott from 25 yards... the England keeper snaffles it at the second attempt!

Jensen again comes to Burnley's rescue, this time to deny Giggs after a lovely one-two with Rooney!

United make a third change... Brown off, Neville on.

Time running out for United to snatch an equaliser, let alone a winner... just 15 minutes remaining...

Berbatov and Rooney leave the ball to each other and the ball runs out for a goal kick, much to the delight of the home crowd! It's just not happening for the visitors tonight.

Giggs wins United's 12th corner of the night as the pressure mounts on the Burnley goal... but the United captain is then wrongfooted by Valencia's return on the short corner and the ball goes out!

Oh dear, that's a terrible challenge by Rooney on Mears! And he rightly goes into the book...

Rooney centres... it's a dangerous one, but there's no one there to capitalise! Still no joy for United!

Corner to United as the game moves into injury time....It's poor though and Burnley clear their lines.... surely that's it now?

There it is! All over at Turf Moor and Burnley register a famous win over the champions! Last weekend.. Scums were the laughing stock.. so will it be us this midweek?

UNITED v Birmingham City
Sunday 16th August 2009
825pm LIVE on ESPN!!!

It's the kick-off of the new season.. a new chapter with some new faces in our squad.. this season we are no longer with Cristiano Ronaldo.. and many are eager to know whether UNITED are capable of coming up with a good performance still.. it's quite exciting to me.. see how we are going to make it without one of our key player.. we're never a one man team.. but Cristiano Ronaldo nevertheless made us look perfect with his presence and he will be missed.. it's not about replacing Cristiano Ronaldo.. because he's simply irreplaceable.. player of his charisma is a dream of any teams.. a great player like that didn't popped up that often..so i'm glad he was part of ours for many many years.. now, back to the fact that ppl kept on mentioning this player is going to be the new Ronaldo or this player is going to replace Ronaldo.. that's BS.. right now we're focusing on who will carry on Ronaldo's duty .. and let's hope our new lads will be up to the task..

And now to the match.. as i was typing this post.. the international friendlies are yet to take place.. we are all informed that many of our players will be out on national duties today and let's hope they'll come back safe & sound.. Besides the already sidelined players, as for today we have no more addition of injured players.. Nani dislocated his shoulder on the weekend and i hope he'll be just fine.. Wesley is on his way to recovery.. and Foster who is said to have a minor injury should also be available for the squad..

We're entertaining Birmingham City at home.. we're still a strong squad and we should be able to overcome this team.. so a win shouldn't be a problem for us.. it's a question of whether we are make to work to get our win or the other way round..

Here's my probable line-up :


Kuszczak


Sheasy Rio Evans Evra


Valencia Carrick Fletcher/Ando JS Park


Roo Berba

UNITED v CHELSEA
Sunday, August 9 2009
955pm LIVE ON STARSPORTS

It's the curtain raiser event yet again.. huhu.. FINALLY, some competitive football.. and i'm of course looking forward to this match.. specially because we're seeing Chelsea.. Both have a good pre-season performance.. i should say both should start strongly for the new BPL season next week.. Chelsea with another new coach, Carlo Ancellotti.. one of my favorite manager.. i wanna see how he actually works at CHelsea.. will he do wonder or will he flop?

Anyway.. back to the game.. i saw UNITED v Valencia earlier.. and i could say we're pretty much ready for the new season.. great display from the key players plus the youngsters and i'm pretty much impressed.. Gibson, Kiko, Nani, Tosic, Evans, Fabio all did well to impress the fans.. let's hope they'll do wonders this season..

UNITED are missing VDS for 8 weeks.. so it's an opportunity for both Foster & Kuszczak to impress.. Brown who was injured earlier should be okay by now but he is no where to be seen just yet.. maybe SAF just won't risk him unnecessarily.. Vidic is still kept on the bench.. i don't know whether he'll start for this game or not.. but i do badly miss him and wish to see him soon.. Gaz was back early from the pre-season tour and i don't expect him to join the squad so soon.. Rafael is still out as far as i knew.. who else are out? i'm not so sure..

So, what to expect from this match? FEISTY encounter as always i assumed.. with Owen joining the squad in the summer.. i'm thrilled to see who will SAF choose to partner Rooney for this particular match.. As for Valencia.. he did exceptionally well during the pre-season.. he even scored a goal of his own.. plus plenty of assists.. seeing him providing so many assists from the wing.. just remind me of the Beckham's days where most of our attacking were made from the flanks.. Valencia if he kept doing the job right.. we'll do wonders on the wings.. and made the strikers' job easier..

I can't wait for this Sunday.. let's hope it will be a fun one.. a new beginning for us..

My first 11 selection :


Foster


Sheasy Rio Evans/Vida Evra


Valencia Fletcher Carrick Nani


Roo Owen/Berba

UNITED v City
Sunday, May 10 2009
825pm LIVE on ESPN!!!

After that thumping of Arsenal at the Emirates, we're back to Old Trafford.. It's the Manchester Derby.. Our rival, City will make a visit on Sunday which also means Sparky back at OT but going against his mentor yet again but with a different team..

End of November last year.. We managed to get a win away from home at City.. Rooney was the goal scorer that day.. And when last season is concerned.. we wouldn't want to be reminded of the 2-1 defeat to City at home in February 08.. City was leading 2-0 courtesy of Vassell and Benjani.. Carrick did get one back for UNITED but it was far too late.. i'm hoping such drama won't repeat as we're in a pretty confident mood now.. we're through to the UCL final again.. that should be a big boost.. and with few games remaining, i was hoping we could end this season in flying colours..

UNITED didn't have much concern in the injury department.. apart from the long absentee of Hargo .. there's only GAz that is in the injury list.. none of our players were injured in the semi final encounter.. so that is a healthy squad we have at the moment..Ron's goal scoring tally is now up to 25 goals and i'm expecting more from him.. and so does Rooney.. but if he is to be deployed on the flank again this weekend, that would be a lil bit difficult to achieve.. but he's Wayne Rooney he's capable of scoring from anywhere.. hehe..

City on the other hand, are missing Sturridge, Benjani, Zabaleta, SWP, Bellamy and Hamann.. Robinho is their leading goalscorer with 14 goals this season.. this is a man to watch for.. he's dangerous.. and Fergie should keep note on that.. City only managed to get 2 wins on the road all season long.. so i can safely say that their away record sux..

i'm in such a good mood.. i didn't have much to say.. so here's my team selection..

VDS


Sheasy Rio/Evans Vida Evra


JS PArk Fletcher Carrick Ron


Roo Tevez/Berba

and again, i'm hoping Roo will be playing a central role this weekend.. i wanna see him as a striker again.. i already missed seeing him playing that striker role.. COME ON ROO, gimme more goals!!!!!!!!! And as for Ron, i knew he did quite well playing the free-role .. in fact, he looks more like himself when given that free-role.. perhaps another goal from Ron too?

1st goal : JS Park
2nd goal : Cristiano RONALDO
3rd goal : Cristiano RONALDO

Gunners vs Red Devils for a spot in the Champions League final.. we're in need of goals to seal this off.. so COME ON UNITED!!!!!!!!!!

This will be the fifth straight year that England have had a side in the Champions League final. And if United win, they'll become the first team to defend the title since the old European Cup was superseded by the Champions League.

There was plenty of speculation about Carlos Tevez starting tonight, but once again the South American is on the bench. Rooney starts on his own up front. Ronaldo will play down the centre for United.


FULL SQUAD :

VDS


Sheasy Rio Vida Evra


Carrick


Fletcher Ando


JS Park Roo


Ron

SUBS: Kuszczak, Rafael Da Silva, Evans, Giggs, Scholes, Berbatov, Tevez

United - playing in their all-blue strip tonight - come forward to make the first move of the match, but the ball is cut out by Song just as Park is about to deliver a ball.

First chance comes for Arsenal as they win a corner from a deflected shot by Fabregas. The chance is blown straight away: United took a short corner, and when the ball came in Vidic had moved offside.

GOAL FOR UNITED!!!! Ronaldo runs on to a ball up ion the left side of the box, cuts it back across the penalty box - and Gibbs slips over! Park is there to pounce, and he right-foots the ball past Almunia!!! And that's the away goal we are aiming for.. Arsenal now has to find 3 goals to stay in the competition..

That's something of a disaster for the Gunners already, who now need to score at least three times to make it through to the final.

United have a free kick... AND RONALDO HAS SCORED!!!!!! It's the second for UNITED now.. Wenger is shaking his head..Superb strike, but the ball went almost through the hands of Almunia!! Incredible start for United who are already making up for their profligacy last week!

Almost another great chance for Ronaldo, trying to get on the end of a long ball but ending up offside.

Ronaldo and Rooney combine well as they chase a long ball... both onside...

Ronaldo takes the ball and cuts it back for Rooney - who shoots well, and it's a lovely save from Almunia at full stretch!

Ronaldo leaps to meet the corner, but his header goes over...

Arsenal keep on coming back, Nasri putting a good ball through to Adebayor who wins a corner - but Van der Sar takes the ball well.

Ronaldo comes up the right into the box and wins a corner...

Rooney gets his head to the corner but heads wide - he's penalised for a push in any case.

With the freedom of a 3-0 aggregate lead the holders are pinging the ball round the park as if they think they're Barcelona...

UNITED push up again - they're looking dangerous with every move - but Rooney on the left flank is marginally offside.

UNITED hit on the counter and Ronaldo hits a neat, dipping shot on target inside the left post that Almunia gathers well.

Ronaldo is cut down by Sagna and wins a free kick just outside the box despite the fact that the Arsenal man seemed to get the ball...

Ronaldo himself takes the free kick - and pings it hard, on target... but this time Almunia's hands are solid .

Ronaldo has gone down wincing and holding his leg after a minimal-contact challenge by Fabregas.

Another free kick won by United, this time Park gets the decision after jumping on top of Fabregas's head - a baffling call by the ref.

UNITED are totally efficient in closing down their opponents at the moment, closing in at least two or three on one every time the ball comes near the final quarter of the pitch.

Nice move from Arsenal is throttled by the United defence. The Gunners are starting to look a bit more effective now, but the visitors are keeping five or six men behind the ball.

Rooney wins a free kick from a 50/50 tussle with Walcott, and United try to clip the ball upfield again...

Rooney finds space to chase a ball on the left, pulls it back across the box straight to Ronaldo - but the Portuguese superstar's left-foot effort is weak and straight at the keeper.

HALFTIME!!!Just a few seconds of injury time and the ref blows up to signal the end of the first half. It Looks like game over to Arsenal.. but i am not taking anything fore granted... it's not over until it is over.. so we need to keep focus & keep up the momentum.. GIVE NO ROOM FOR ARSENAL TO RECOVER!!!



We're back in action, and butter-footed Kieran Gibbs has been replaced by Eboue. A positive move by Wenger, but it's not exactly pushing the panic button just yet.

Corner for the visitors, whipped in by Rooney but headed clear by Sagna.

UNITED hit on the break as Arsenal cautiously push up... and Ronaldo has a great opening...

OMG!! I just saw Becks!!!!! OMG, i miss him as a UNITED player!!!!

Ronaldo cuts back in from the right flank and unleashes a left-foot shot from the edge of the box - GREAT SAVE BY ALMUNIA! The keeper pushes it just around the post - and then collects the resulting corner well.

United are frustrating the Arsenal players at the moment, hanging on to the ball ruthlessly and running the clock down.

Rooney charges up field on the break from Park's great ball... and SLOTS A GREAT BALL TO RONALDO - WHO BURIES THE BALL IN THE ROOF OF THE NET!!!!! Superb goal on the counter - and that's surely it now. The only question is who United will face in Rome. who United will face in Rome.

It's surely game over for the GUnners.. but let's keep the goal coming LADS!!!! A hat-trick for Ron perhaps.. VIVA RONALDO!!!!!!!!

Evra comes off and Rafael comes on for United, while Rooney - who was one yellow card from missing the final - is switched for Berbatov.

It's all over as a contest now, with the pace of the match dropping hugely as both sides begin conserving energy for other battles to come.

It's now UNITED who seem to be pushing harder again, as the match begins to take on the patterns of a training ground match.

Cesc is taken out by Fletcher in the box - AND IT'S A RED CARD FOR FLETCHER! HE MISSES THE FINAL!!!! THAT IS UNFORTUNATE FOR FLETCHER!!! AND IT'S A PENALTY!!!

Van Persie hammers the penalty into the top right corner - superb strike, but replays suggest that Fletcher got the ball with his tackle. Still, it was a clumsy scissor kick round Van Persie's waist in the six-yard box - that's asking for trouble.

Fergie is already arguing calmly with the third official about trying to get the red card overturned... It's desperately unfair on Fletcher if he has to miss the final. No appeal can be made for this one. UEFA officials have just confirmed that there is no right of appeal except in cases of mistaken identity. FLETCHER WON'T PLAY IN THE FINAL.. THAT IS A SHAME.. DISGRACEFUL!!!!

Free kick for the holders, and it's Ronaldo - of course - to take... he strikes it perfectly, but it's just too high.

Three minutes to be added on.

And it's the final whistle. UNITED are safely through to another UCL Final..

CONGRATULATIONS UNITED & CIAO ROME!!!!!!!!!

Arsenal v UNITED
Wednesday, April 6 2009
230am LIVE on ESPN!!!

It's the second leg of the UCL semi-final.. we're away to the Emirates in London.. The good news is we didn't any goals.. but the bad news is we only managed to get a goal.. The Gunners are quite lucky to walk away with just one goal.. we should got more goals.. but that's all in the past.. We're now in the 2nd leg so, we need to stay focus & protect that slender lead .. of course we need to find that valuable away goals & keep a clean sheet as well..

Both teams managed to get a win for their respective matches.. UNITED went to the RIverside and sealed 3 points after beating them 2-0.. thanks to the likes of Ryan Giggs & JS Park.. THis match was played with one eye on the midweek all-english european encounter.. Macheda was given his 1st Premiership start alongside Berba.. While Roo was deployed on the left yet again.. Tevez on the other hand started on the bench.. Ronaldo did make the UNITED bench but didn't play any part for the Red Devils on Saturday.. nice good rest for UNITED's no 7.. Fletcher & Carrick are both rested for this match..

Arsenal too fielded their youngsters.. all their big guns are rested against Pompey.. Even with that squad.. they won the game 3-0 away from home courtesy of two Bendtner goals & Vela...

Rio suffered rib injury last THursday but is expected to be back in time for this clash.. but i doubt Rio will make it.. Brown is still nowhere to be seen... Arsenal also had their fair share of injury worries with Silvestre the latest to be ruled out.. THey're already without Gallas, Clichy, Van PErsie & Eduardo..

All good mood from both camps & of course they will be fired up for another great encounter between these two.. we all knew, it's not going to be easy at the Emirates, but i believe UNITED has what it takes to win it.. I just pray that Roo will survived another day without any caution as he might be risking his chance of making the final.. SO, let's all pray that the calm ROO will remained.. both Cesc & Walcott are still a big threat for us so we need to neutralize their effectiveness this Wednesday..

My Choice..


VDS


Rafael/Sheasy Evans Vida Evra


Fletcher Carrick Ando Ron


Tevez/Berba


Roo

Roo might once again be used on the left flank but i just wish he could play in the middle this midweek..

1st goal : Ryan Giggs
2nd goal : JS Park

Manchester United have a chance to go six points clear at the top of the Premier League if they win at the Riverside, but Middlesbrough are fighting for their lives at the opposite end.

An interesting team selection from Alex Ferguson. He brings in Ben Foster for Edwin van der Sar and Federico Macheda for Carlos Tevez, but otherwise it is a pretty strong line-up. Wayne Rooney starts but Cristiano Ronaldo is on the bench. No Carrick & Fletcher for UNITED today..

FULL SQUAD:


Foster


Sheasy Vida Evans Evra


JS Park Scholesy Giggsy Roo


Kiko Berba


SUBS: Kuszczak, Ronaldo, Nani, Tevez, Gibson, Rafael, Ando

Downing looks to win a free-kick off O'Shea... referee Mark Halsey waves play on... Rooney gets an early touch on the United left... he cuts inside but nothing comes of it.

Rooney fires at goal now after having cut inside McMahon from the left wing! Over the bar, but worrying for Boro nevertheless...

The crowd want a hand ball decision against Foster now! The United keeper comes out to collect a long ball through, but takes it inside his box, and the ref doesn't give anything...

Giggs clips a ball forward looking for Park... headed clear by Wheater...

Rooney tries to cut back inside from the left yet again but this time his intentions are well read by McMahon and Boro come away with the ball...

Scholes is pulled up for a handball... and Boro have a free-kick, 40 yards out...

Vidic leaps into the air to powerfully head clear...

Downing swings it in... Wheater goes up with Vidic, but the United man wins the ball and heads clear... it's knocked back in soon enough... TUNCAY WITH AN OVER HEAD KICK! But it's wide and the flag is up for offside anyway!

It opens up in front of Rooney for a moment, and he lets fly! Over the bar! That was very close..

Poor touch from Vidic and Boro pick up possession again... but Downing's final ball is straight at Ferdinand...

Wheater piles into Macheda after a suspect handball by the Italian and United have a free-kick... the locals don't like that one at all...

Giggs plays into the box for Macheda who tries a little Maradona turn on the ball... it doesn't come off and Boro break with Tuncay, who ends up winning a throw deep in the United half...

Scholes flies into what can only be described as a typical Scholes challenge...

Rooney is again allowed to run forward... but again the United ace's effort fails to hit its intended target... unless of course, its intended target was a fat bloke in Row C, in which case, he pulled it off superbly.

And now Scholes fires wide! United still finding their range...

Rooney centres for Giggs! But what a challenge by Bates, who gets back in time to put in a challenge!

GOAL! GIGGS OPENS THE SCORING! Again, the Boro defence fail to close a United player down in shooting range and the PFA Player of the Year makes them pay with a crisp low drive into the bottom right hand corner! 1-0 to the champions!

McMahon tangles with Rooney and the pair fall to the ground... Rooney looks like he's about to lose his temper, but Mark Halsey races over to diffuse the situation...

Big handball shout in the United area as the ball appears to hit first Vidic and then Berbatov on the arm! But the ref waves play on!

Boro come again... Foster flaps on the cross... it falls to Tuncay... great block by Vidic!

Macheda becomes the first recipient of a yellow card... for a sliding challenge on Wheater on the touchline.

Vidic is penalised for holding King and Boro have a chance to launch a ball into the United box just before half-time...

United break now with Park... he plays into Berbatov, who leaves the ball for Scholes... again he's allowed to strike at goal! But again, it's drags wide of the mark!

SCHOLES! Again, he drags a shot wide of the mark from the edge of the box! Poor shooting from United this half...

HALFTIME!!!!!There goes the half-time whistle and United head in a Ryan Giggs goal to the good!

MACHEDA! Ooh! Rooney twists and turns past McMahon before pulling back for the Italian! But he can only fire wide of the upright!

Giggs marauds through the Boro defence now... past one, past two... but he can't get a shot off and in the end his attempted backheel fails to find its target...

GOAL! PARK MAKES IT TWO! It's a great finish to a great move to put United right in the driving seat! Rooney is the final architect, playing a lovely reverse pass to the South Korean - which sees Wheater completely wrong-footed - who runs onto it and finds the bottom right corner! That's the goal United needed... they'll be able to relax now and this should be comfortable from now on...

United make a change... on comes Tevez to a huge roar... Macheda departs....


Tevez looks to play a one-two with Berbatov... it doesn't come off though as Bates shields the ball out for a goal kick.

Evra's down for United... he looks like he's in pain following a challenge from Aliadiere... it's his left ankle...

Giggs centres for Tevez, who tess himself up for a shot on goal... well blocked by Huth!

Park is brought off for Nani... job done.

Oooh! Rooney turns his man inside and out before curling one just over the bar!

United make a final change now as Rafael comes on to replace Evra... This means Ronaldo will not play any part today..

Nearly brilliant from United! Berbatov, Tevez and Rooney are all involved before O'Shea is played in on the United left! But the Irishman's shot is blocked and Boro can breathe again...

Rafael delivers a dangerous corner into the box which Jones pats down into the turf... not the most confident goalkeeping from the home keeper, but United can't capitalise...

United are coasting to victory here... Boro have offered little up front and Foster has had just the one save to make.

2-0 victory for UNITED and we're now 6 points clear on top for at least 24 hours..

Middlesbrough v UNITED
Saturday, 2nd May 2009
740pm LIVE on ESPN!!!

UNITED will be away to Riverside Stadium for the weekend.. and it will be a lunchtime kick-off.. so early footy match for us this week.. The Riverside proves to be one of our tough venue in recent seasons.. Boro appears to be stubborn when they had an encounter with us.. and it's never easy.. they managed to get a point even when they're down.. huhu..

Boro right now is fighting for Premier League survival.. they're currently 19th in the league.. This game will be important to them & it will definitely be important for us too.. Boro's away form has been poor.. and their home form is not that healthy too.. huhu.. 5 wins, 4 lost & 8 draws.. Their topscorer is the Turkish, Tuncay Sanli with 6 goals so far..The only injury concern is Pogatetz who is currently out with knee injury..

UNITED who got a win against Arsenal early this morning & Spurs thrashing on the weekend will surely boost the confidence of the team ahead of this trip.. However, i think they will also be cautious as it has not always been a happy trip to the Riverside.. Rio was injured this morning and was taken out due to rib injury.. we're still waiting for the scans.. hope everything will be just fine.. Brown is still nowhere to be seen and has not been involved since he made the Reserves comeback.. i wish i could see him soon..

Early this season, we've met Boro in the Carling Cup where we end up winning 3-1.. With Ron, Giggsy & Nani scoring that day.. We then met them again in the Premier League where we only managed to win 1-0.. Berbatov was on the score sheet that day..

We will know what to expect when we travel to the Riverside Stadium this weekend.. I hope nothing is taken foregranted.. as every win is important now.. I'm hoping that Roo will play as a striker this weekend..

HEre's my selection :


VDS


Sheasy/Rafael Evans Vida Evra


Ron Carrick Ando/Fletcher/ JS Park


Roo Berba/Tevez

UNITED 1 - 0 Arsenal

1st goal : John O'Shea

It's the English battle between UNITED & Arsenal.. Should be a cracker & feisty encounter.. it has always been that way.. Keano used to say, if there's a game he would want to play again, it would be against Arsenal.. Ray Parlour also voiced out the intense rivalry between the two clubs.. it's never dull between UNITED & Arsenal.. i'm hoping the style continues.. I'm up for an enjoyable footy display.. Even though we've meet so many times before, this will be the first time that these two teams meet in the Champions League..

The newly-crowned PFA Player of the Year enjoyed one of his greatest moments in a semi-final against the Gunners, and his experience could be telling for United. And let's hope it's a glory day for both us & Giggsy.. However, Giggsy starts on the bench today.. This will be his 800th appearance if he is involved and i'm pretty sure he'll be involved later on.. Dimitar Berbatov finds himself on the bench alongside Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes with Darren Fletcher preferred and Carlos Tevez starts after Saturday's heroics against Tottenham. John O'Shea gets the nod at right-back with Wes Brown not considered fit enough to replace Gary Neville and Rafael probably not experienced enough. Evra will have a daunting task to tackle the quick Theo Walcott.. He was rattled by Lennon in the weekend, i'm hoping for a better display from the Frenchman.. As fancied by me, Ando will start for this match..

Full Squad :

VDS


Sheasy Rio Vida Evra


Fletcher Carrick Ando

Ron Roo


Tevez


SUBS: Berba, Giggsy, Scholesy,Park, Foster, Evans, Rafael.

GREAT SAVE! Fletcher's cross is met at the back post by Wayne Rooney and his header loops off the back of Bacary Sagna's head and is clawed away by Manuel Almunia.

Great start from United and after Gibbs slips, Cristiano Ronaldo fizzes a ball across the face of the six yard box but Tevez can't apply the finishing touch.

Nasri has a little flick out at Anderson but referee Claus Bo Larsen gives him a warning rather than issuing the second yellow which would have ruled him out of the second leg.

Rooney cuts inside Sagna and almost picks out the advancing Tevez but the pass is cut out.

Ronaldo on his bike down the right flank but can't quite reach the searching pass.

Decent run by Fletcher into the penalty area but Nemanja Vidic can't pick him out.

Rooney is very much hugging the left flank with United playing a tight three in midfield.

Tevez tees up Ronaldo but he scuffs his 20-yard shot which rolls harmlessly through to Almunia.

Arsenal put their first decent move together but when Theo Walcott gets to the by-line, his pull back is cut out by Vidic.

Rooney gets ahead of Sagna but his cross from the left is cleared by Toure with Ronaldo and Tevez waiting to pounce.

Michael Carrick is playing the quarterback role and he comes very close to picking out Ronaldo's diagonal run with the perfect pass.

INCREDIBLE SAVE! United work the ball to the right and O'Shea squares the ball to Tevez whose slightly mis-hit shot from seven yards is superbly saved one handed to his left by Almunia.

GOAL!! UNITED LEAD!! From the corner, Carrick is left alone at the back post. Arsenal are attracted to the ball and leave too much space as the ball reaches O'SHEA who slashes home from close range with the ball taking a slight deflection off Silvestre. Thanks to KING SHEASY, we're leading 1-0!!! huhu...

An Arsenal free-kick sails harmlessly through to Edwin van der Sar.

Vital flick from Gibbs to prevent Ronaldo meeting a cross at the back post.

United force another corner as they dominate. Too much on Anderson's delivery and the ball runs out of play.

An incredibly ambitious effort from Rooney from just inside the halfway line but it fails to test Almunia.

Rooney tracks back and does just enough to put off Fabregas, his attempted shot embarrassingly comes off his standing foot.

Great first touch from Walcott, he finds Adebayor who tees up Fabregas but the 20-yard drive from the Arsenal skipper is held by van der Sar low down. Best move from the Gunners.

O'Shea's header sends Ronaldo clear but Toure nods away the cross.

YET ANOTHER GREAT SAVE!! Tevez stands the ball up at the back post but Ronaldo's header from no more than four yards hits Almunia and stays out.

Ronaldo's shot from 20 yards is held by Almunia at the second attempt and that is his sixth save of the match.

Almunia is brave to come off his line and get to the ball ahead of Tevez whose studs rake the neck of the keeper. Indeed Tevez has gone into the book for that challenge. That is stupid, Carlitos shouldn't get that yellow..

Ronaldo loses his footing which gives Gibbs the chance to cross but his delivery is headed away.

A full blooded 50-50 between Toure and Patrice Evra is won by the United man.

Anderson almost finds Rooney down the left channel but again the ball is intercepted.

Arsenal seeing more of the ball as the half goes on but without any penetration. Looks like we're slowing our game down after that goal.. I've always hate it when we decided to defend this early..

Rooney cuts inside Sagna once more and looks to bend it inside Almunia's left-hand post but it is just off target.

Arsenal probe once again but yet again the move ends 30 yards from goal. Samir Nasri's pass intended for Adebayor is cut out.

A lovely move from United ends with a fine tackle from Silvestre on the advancing Carrick.

Walcott gets past the stumbling Evra but he opts to find Adebayor only for Rio Ferdinand to cut out the flick.

HALF-TIME! An unlikely hero has given United the lead but it could have been more if it wasn't for Almunia. I still think we shouldn't be defending that early.. We should be seeking for more goals...


HALFTIME!!!!!!!!!!!


Getting Ready for the 2nd half.. no changes from either side..

Carrick given space but his pass for Tevez is cut out by Toure.

Carrick steals the ball off Song but Tevez has drifted offside to end a promising position.

Tevez picks out Rooney but he can't pick out a colleague with his square pass across the 18-yard box.

Foul by Song on Rooney. He is also a booking away from missing the second leg. So Rooney, please be extra-careful.. PLEASEEEE!!!!!!!

Ronaldo is not closed down quickly enough and his shot deflects off Silvestre for a corner.

For the second time Anderson's corner is way over hit and runs out of play. That's a waste..

Evra's ball across the face of the six yard box is hooked away by Silvestre on his weaker side.

Ronaldo finds Rooney who tries to stand the ball up at the back stick only for Silvestre to nod away.

Sloppy from Fletcher who is caught in possession by Fabregas but Ferdinand gets back to nip the ball off the Arsenal skipper. And this is not the first time.. CAUTIOUS DEAR FLETCHER!!!

Ronaldo's cross from the right is repelled by Toure.

Walcott almost meets Nasri's cross at the back post but Evra does enough to block the header.

Ronaldo goes down on the edge of the penalty area but no free-kick and correctly so. Some histrionics from the Portuguese in response.

A double change for United and Giggs brings up 800 as he comes on along with Berbatov. Anderson and Tevez depart.Giggs has gone to the left flank with Ronaldo down the middle in support of the laconic Bulgarian. And that means Rooney will now shift to the right flank.. isk2.. COME ON ROONEY!!!

Vital header from Toure to prevent Ronaldo nodding home Rooney's cross from close range.

Great skill from Berbatov, the ball is worked to Giggs whose cross back to the Bulgarian is headed away by Silvestre with the Bulgarian lurking.

Adebayor slashes at Giggs' corner but the return cross from the Welsh legend is too high for Ferdinand.

Giggs marks his 800th appearance with a goal but it is chalked off for offside. A borderline decision as he looked to have timed his run perfectly. That goal should have stood.. Giggsy is clearly not offside..

Giggs gets behind Sagna but Almunia is off his line to quell the danger.

Another menacing run from Rooney but not an easy ball to find either Ronaldo or Giggs and Sagna comes across to clear.

Ferdinand goes through the back of Eduardo and Bendtner reaches Fabregas’ free-kick ahead of the advancing van der Sar but the Dane gets far too much purchase on his header from seven yards and a great chance is lost. A glancing nod would have seen the Gunners steal an equaliser and that vital away goal.

Ferdinand has had a dodgy back recently and goes down heavily after being clattered in the ribs by his keeper there.

Jonny Evans replaces Ferdinand.

Rooney goes down in the penalty area but the impressive Gibbs is strong enough to hold him off. Optimistic appeals but nothing doing.

Rooney's pass bounces around like a pinball on the edge of the penalty area but is eventually cleared.

Four minutes added time.

Fabregas gifts the ball away and this time Ronaldo's shot from 30 yards is wayward. Six shots tonight and four on target.

Of course one goal at the Emirates from United and Arsenal will need three.

Sagna's cross is flicked away by Vidic.

And it's the final whistle.. John O'Shea has fired Manchester United to a 1-0 victory in tonight's Champions League semi-final first leg against Arsenal at Old Trafford.

I wouldn't say that this is not a fair result.. but we should have done better.. at least we're not conceding a goal.. that's the only good thing i can gather from this match.. 1-0 is not a healthy result ahead of the Emirates' trip next week.. HARD HARD WORK AHEAD..

Ryan Giggs was named the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Players’ Player of the Year at a gala dinner in London on Sunday night.

Giggs, 35 and enjoying his 19th season in the top flight, has never previously won the award – voted by fellow professionals – but pipped team-mates Nemanja Vidic, Edwin van der Sar, Rio Ferdinand and Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard to this year’s gong.

"It's right up there with personal accolades," Giggs admitted. "It's the best to have as it's voted by your fellow players.

"I've been fortunate to win a lot of trophies - I won the young player award twice - but this is the big one."

Renowned in the world game as one of the best left wingers to ever take to the pitch, Giggs has operated largely as a central midfielder this season.

Despite the positional change, the Welshman has proved just as effective – these days it’s his guile, craft and ability to pick a pass that opens up opposition defences.

Speaking at the gala dinner, Giggs recognised the contribution United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has had on his development.

"The manager has been massive in my career, from when I first met him when I was 13," he said. "That's over 20 years and he knows me better than anyone and our relationship has been brilliant and just gets better.

"I've been so fortunate to have such a great career in so many great teams. It's not even worth thinking about what it would have been like without the manager."

Giggs is the 32nd different player to win the award and takes the crown from fellow United star Cristiano Ronaldo, who won both the senior and young-player awards last term.


p/s:sume org duk trget vidic y dpt kn.nk wt mcm mana,pngalaman ttap penting.
Ashley young dpt young PFA award....mmg btul2 young la.

UNITED v Arsenal
Thursday, 30th April 2009
230am LIVE on ESPN!!!

I'm blur & lacking of ideas.. so i'll just go straight to the point & make it short.. huhu..

We'll be welcoming Arsenal to OT in midweek .. this time around.. it will be the UCL semi-final fixture.. should be interesting & feisty.. because encounter between these two is never dull.. huhu.. so i'm hoping for an entertaining footy match come Thursday morning..

UNITED will be without their captain Gaz due to injury .. Arsenal on the other hand will be missing, CLichy, Van Persie, Gallas and i can't recall if there's anyone else who is in the injury list..

Let's cut to the chase.. here's my selection..

VDS


Sheasy/Rafael Rio Vida Evra


Ron Carrick Ando Roo


Berba


Tevez


OR


VDS


Sheasy/Rafael Rio Vida Evra


Ron Carrick Ando Giggsy


Roo Berba

Anyway.. any of the formation used will please me if it includes Roo, Ron & carrick.. huhu.. so i'm praying for the best possible result in midweek.. we all knew, it's going to be tough.. let's hope we can come up with another great footy display..


credit to : fasha @ http://fsdevils.forums-free.com/




as we know,game ni mmg da cnfirm team EPL akn da kt final.
lg 1 game semi,chelsea lwn barca.
apa2 pn,hrap UNITED go through dis game easilly....