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

The Mancunians will have the chance to be just one point behind second placed Chelsea if they clinch all three points.
United have been wasteful in front of goal this season, managing only three goals in their last four games in the league.

Their 3-0 FA Cup win earlier last week gave some kind of relief to Ferguson who thought that his team had found back their killing instinct, but Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat away to Derby proved that the Reds have some work to do if they want to get things right against the Blues this weekend.

Manchester United have an excellent home record this season though, and after enduring tough trips in the first part of the season, they kick off the second half of the league at home against Scolari’s Blue Devils.

The Londoners dropped precious points in their last two matches; their run of 11 consecutive away wins finally ended up with a disappointing goalless draw at Goodison Park last month, followed by a painful 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage.

With owner Roman Abrahamovic negatively displaced in the list of Football’s richest personality and reportedly said to be tired of his club Chelsea, the Blues will definitely want to overturn their fortunes around.

The clash promises to be a cracker which is not worth missing.

Written by: Angela Asante

The Red Devils went to Stamford Bridge with the task of clinching victory to have their campaign back on track. Man United started well, and Ji Sung Park’s 18th minute goal came as a reward to their good work.

A second goal would have certainly killed off Chelsea’s hope of getting a point from the encounter, but this never happened.

Instead, it was the Ivorian substitute, Solomon Kalou, who got the Blues an important equalizer at the 79th to maintain their incredible unbeaten home record since more than four years.

At the end, the dramatic game ended with Scolari being the happiest man. However, if Chelsea were lucky to escape with a draw, credits should well be given to the bias referee.

Manchester United had a clear appeal on penalty turned down in the second half when Ronaldo’s ball from a free kick hit Obi Mikel’s arm.

This would have certainly turned the game around and worked in favour of the Reds.

Seven Manchester United players got yellow cards, one of which controversially went to substitute Ronaldo.

Man United are currently struggling to find their way out, and referees are playing a major role in the Reds embarrassing fate.

Written by: Angela Asante

The Reds have managed only one win in four premiership games and have netted only four times in six matches – which include the European Super Cup and Wednesday’s Champions League encounter at home to Villareal.

Manchester United faces Chelsea at the Bridge on Sunday, a game which the Reds cannot afford to loose. The recent history between these two rivals tips the Blues as clear favourites to win this big clash… and that would worsen Manchester United’s current situation.

Soccer analysts in England are wondering about Fergie’s ability to lead his club to yet another successive campaign. The manager lost his former assistant Carlos Queiros in the summer and now has to deal with injury worries. Despite these excuses, pressure is mounting on the Scottish coach to get much better results, as Manchester is a squad made of talented star footballers. Ronaldo’s absence in Man United’s opening fixtures certainly affected the team’s unconvincing results. However, Fergie should have been able to manage the rest of the squad and commence the season on a high.

If getting good results has proved to be so difficult so far, whose fault is it and what it the cause of it?

Are players too tired to continue on the good track that they left after winning the double last season?

Is the team facing reality after relying on only one player – Ronaldo – to achieve success in these last couple of years?

Is it not time for Fergie to leave the club and give way to someone else, perhaps less older than he is and who will be able to cooperate with modern day football?

If answers to all these questions cannot be given, at least, one thing is clear: Manchester United needs a revolution as quickly as possible to shake off its slow start this season.

The Red Devils face Chelsea on Sunday, in a game where victory should be Manchester United’s sole aim.

No team has ever beaten the Blues at Stamford Bridge for more than three years in the Premiership. Now, it is about time that Fergie’s men break this amazing home record.

Written by: Angela Asante