Analysis explained that a victory for the Red Champions would not only see them go back to third in the table, but also reduce the margin off the leaders Liverpool to only five points with two games in hand.

Traditionally, Manchester United are exceptionally ‘unplayable’ in the second part of the season. That is when they put the foot on the pedal and pick more points to claim their authority.
Therefore, Sunday’s game to Chelsea came as a huge test to check out if tradition is on Manchester United’s side this year again. And the Mancunians had the chance to do so in their own fortress – the Theatre of Dreams.

Going into the game, United had not lost a single home match this season, and they were keen to extend their record of six consecutive home wins out of seven. The Reds – who had not conceded a goal in the league since their defeat to Arsenal – were defensively boosted by the return of Patrice Evra who missed United’s four previous games through suspension.

On the other side, the pressure was on Drogba to find the key to unlock the Reds’ defence; the Ivorian striker was back in the starting line up at the expense of the French man Nicolas Anelka who was on the bench. Chelsea’s team spirit also received a boost with the return of skipper John Terry after serving a three-match ban; Joe Cole and Ballack were also fit to start but Malouda was out.

Coach Scolari understood how badly his side needed to put an end to their sluggish late form and his line up explained how much Chelsea was going into the game with the intention of preventing a loss.

The performances of both teams were of high quality; United looked more threatening though the visitors kept a lot of possession.
With more than half an hour gone down the clock, the score line was still goalless. Ronaldo tought he had put United in front when he headed home the ball from a Giggs cross, only to learn that his goal had been ruled out for offside. Berbatov missed a great chance to put United in front after the Reds had launched a wonderful attack. At a point, there were fears that Fergie’s boys will once again be wasteful in front of goal.

Man United continued to knock at the door in search of an opener; their thrilling football spiced up by Ronaldo’s flicks and crosses came very much at Chelsea’s anxiety.

With only seconds to go in the first half, Serbian Star Nemanja Vidic headed Manchester United in front from a corner. It was the defender’s fifth goal of the season, meaning that the Reds could go into the dressing rooms with their noses in front.

Ferguson knew that a second goal would kill the game off, and his belief in the pair of strikers upfront composed of Rooney and Berbatov did not failed him.

The England forward doubled Man United’s lead on 63 minutes, finishing off Evra’s accurate cross with a shot from six yards out to leave the home fans ecstatic.

However, even with the score line being at 2-0, United could not afford to seat back and relax. Park and Ronaldo continued to worry the likes of Ashley Cole and Bosingwa and their resilience and game plan paid off when Berbatov rounded up the match with a third goal for Manchester United.
The Bulgarian connected Cristiano Ronaldo’s excellent shot out of a free kick with a header on 86 minutes to emphasize United’s win.

This historic victory witnessed live by millions around the world means that Chelsea have been handed their heaviest defeat in the Abrahamovic era, and their second away loss since December 07.

Manchester United play Wigan on Wednesday, then Bolton this weekend. If United manage to win both games, they’ll be seating at the top of the table – one point clear of Liverpool who only play next Monday.

Written by: Angela Asante

After securing a crucial win away to Stoke City three days earlier, the Champions of England became favorite once again to clinch this year’s EPL title.
While Middlesbrough were desperate to end their miserable spell of 7 matches without a win, Manchester United were determined to keep their hopes of winning the Premiership alive.

How the game unfolded

With Patrice Evra serving his controversial four match ban and skipper Rio Ferdinand sidelined with a back injury, youngsters Johnny Evans and Rafael Da Silva were given the chance to play in replacement.

Both sides started on a good note but Manchester United had the better of the possession.
Rooney’s aggressive performance was eye-catching; the Fifa World Club Cup Player of the tournament was at the centre of United’s numerous attacks.
Once again, creating chances wasn’t Manchester’s problem. However, converting them into goals remained the issue. Cristiano Ronaldo missed a handful of opportunities to put his side in front, but he also came very close at times to break the deadlock through a number of well-taking free-kicks.

A question of justice

Boro’s keeper was outstanding in his post, making several saves to rescue his team – one of which was an impressive punch to tip Rooney’s hot ball over the crossbar.
So 0-0 was the scoreline at the end of the 45 minutes, but would it have been the case if the referee had performed a lot better?

Manchester United were denied a clear penalty after Middlesbrough’s O’Neil handled the ball inside the area at the 42nd minute. Ronaldo’s complaint was even more obvious some moments later; the visitors’ skipper Pogatetz was spotted by cameras crushing Ronaldo down to the ground to prevent his side from conceding a goal out the corner.
The so-called ‘bad boy’ had some words to say to the referees at half time, and as it looked that nothing really would be done, Ronaldo went to Pogatetz to make his points. An argument broke out all the way down to the tunnel.

In the second period, Boro’s Bates harshly fouled Wayne Rooney on the edge of the penalty area; one more time, the Middlesbrough player went away unpunished and Manchester United were denied a clear free-kick.

A wasteful but lucky United

Manchester United created at least 25 chances in the whole of the game but could only score a single goal to clinch all three points.

Turkish international Tuncay came inches away to give the visitor a shocking lead one minute after the hour mark with a powerful header that went just wide.

Manchester United understood the alert and did not wait to respond by pressuring their opponents with attacks. Ji Sung Park’s fired a long range effort only to see his shot punched away by Boro’s outstanding keeper. United had to wait four more minutes to find the breakthrough when Berbatov volleyed in a shot from inside the box to inscribe his side’s only goal on 69 minutes.

Park again then missed a wonderful opportunity to double Manchester United’s lead three minutes later as he awfully drove the ball over the bar from close range.

Ronaldo then had to come off at the 84th minute after being the subject of reckless tackles on a frustrating night for him. Middlesbrough seemed completely broken since Berbatov’s super goal but in the dying minutes of the game, it looked like they could turn the fortunes around.

Manchester United hanged on well though, saving themselves from the horror of conceding a late goal out of a Boro corner.

Manchester United have closed the gap to 7 points now against Liverpool. They’ll face an intriguing task on January 11th at Old Trafford against second placed Chelsea.

Written by: Angela Asante

One man who will receive a lot of attention is Manchester United’s new signing Dimitar Berbatov. The Bulgarian had a good time in midweek as he scored a brace in his side’s 3 – 0 Champions League win in Denmark and he hopes to keep it up:

“It was very important for me (to score).I’m glad to have done so. I scored the goals with the help of my team-mates and I think we played well tonight,” he said on Tuesday. “Our next game is on Saturday and I hope to score again then.”

The number 9 striker aims to fill in the hole created by Wayne Rooney’s absence, whose great goal rounded up Manchester’s win last week at home to Bolton.

The Reds are currently 11th in the league standings with only 8 points out of a possible 15.

Written by: Angela Asante

Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and Dimitar Berbatov started in front with the aim of playing a direct positive game.

Aalborg’s players were very physical and bad challenges cost them several yellow cards. Paul Scholes was stretched and had to be taking off after only 16 minutes. Ryan Giggs came on to replace the good old Scholes and the former Wales captain did not take long to make an impact in the game. His intelligent ball found onside Wayne Rooney who netted in with a low shot.

Ronaldo missed a bunch of chances to widen the margin; Aalborg was fortunate to end the first half being only a goal down. However, their worst moments were just about to arrive.

New signing Dimitar Berbatov stroke twice in the second period to seal Manchester United’s emphatic 3 – 0 win away in Denmark. The Bulgarian capitalized on a defensive mistake to score his first Manchester United goal on 55 minutes.

…And the best of Berba came 11 minutes from time. Ronaldo made a superb cross, setting up Berbatov who stepped up high to fire the ball in spectacular fashion from 12 yards out of the post.

The new comer had already received much criticism from the public following his lack of impact in his previous first games for the club. But last night, the 27 year old explained why he was a number 9 player by proving his worth and ability.

Berbatov has got his first ever Champions League goals in his first ever Champions League appearance and his inclusion in the squad last night was nothing less than vital for Man United to record their third consecutive victory. T

Written by: Angela Asante

Berbatov sustained a knee injury during the game against Liverpool and was forced to miss Wednesday’s Champions League encounter at home to Villareal.

Berbatov’ knee had swallowed at the end of the match last week and the club’s doctors are working on Manchester United’s new signing to be fit.

The Bulgarian striker from Tottenham might have completed his dream move however, he is yet to enjoy a dream career under the red shirt.

Though Vidic will be unavailable on Sunday after sustaining a red card against Liverpool, Paul Scholes’ return from suspension could give Fergie more options to build the right squad.

Ronaldo and Berbatov are also expected to team up for the first time.

Written by: Angela Asante