The Bulgarian was given a very bad reception from the home fans; quite an expected reaction from them given the way and manner Berbatov used to behave before leaving the club.

The 27 year old, often criticised for his so-called lazy performance, did not play any better on Saturday. He wasted a couple of good chances, especially in the first period, to put the Reds ahead.
Ronaldo slid in a great ball into the penalty box but Berbatov couldn’t connect with it; Spurs’ goalkeeper Gomes was the quickest to react.

While Manchester United’s back four – which included O’Shea as a replacement for the suspended Evra – dealt with the pressure caused by Aaron Lennon, Park and Tevez were dynamic upfront.

Cristiano Ronaldo fired in a shot into the net out of a corner, thinking he had broken the deadlock. However, the referee wrongly disallowed his goal for handball.

Manchester United did not have too many chances after that; credits should well be given to the Brazilian keeper Gomes, though.

So 0-0, the score line remained after 90 minutes, meaning that both sides had to leave the pitch sharing a point each.

Manchester United once again failed to close within four points of Liverpool who could only draw 2-2 at Anfield against Hull City. Obviously, it would have been a different story if the referee had a better judgement on Ronaldo’s clean goal.

The Reds are now already in Japan for their Fifa World Club Cup semi-final game against Gamba Osaka which takes place on Thursday.

Written by: Angela Asante

Martin O’Neil’s side are only the second team this year, and the third in all, to beat the Gunners at the Emirates – after loosing twice in a row to Newcastle and Middlesbrough respectively.
The Premier League’s English Top Scorer, Gabriel Agbonlahor, is the Star Man of the Match after powering his team to a famous 2-0 victory last weekend against Arsenal – Villa’s first win over the Gunners in up to 15 years.

As for Man United, they have just commenced a new winning track with a resounding 5-0 victory against Stoke City after suffering defeat in the hands of Arsenal, which Aston Villa beat.

Gary Neville is out with a groin injury while Wes Brown is also in the sidelines for an estimated 4 weeks. Berbatov too is amongst the list of injured players after being hurt during Bulgaria’s match in midweek. This could give the opportunity to Tevez – who is subject to a move to Real – to start tonight.
Ferdinand, Rooney and Fletcher all missed midweek internationals and should be able to feature while Paul Scholes is still not included in the team though being present in training.

Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo return to domestic action after a humiliating 6-2 defeat to Anderson’s Brazil earlier on Wednesday and they will want to put this story behind them.

Manchester United have been inconsistent away from home this season, drawing 1-1 at Goodison Park and loosing 2-1 at the Emirates in their most recent outings.

The Red Champions are in a position where any more slip-ups will leave the title race open to rampant armies Chelsea and Liverpool only.

Written by: Angela Asante

Ferguson has also been charged for arguing with the referee after the match against Hull City which Manchester won 4-3.

Ferguson will start serving his ban on December 2nd. This means that the boss will have no right to be in touch with his players at the training session and during their game against Blackburn in the League Cup.

The Scottish manager will also be restricted from the touch line when his side face Roy Keane’s Sunderland.

Written by: Angela Asante

Back in September, the Reds lost their way at Anfield after Tevez scored the opener. They subsequently saw all three points blow away by a Brown own-goal and a Babel winner.

The following week at the Bridge, Man United succumbed to Chelsea’s pressure and had to settle for a controversial 1 – 1 draw.

Now in Saturday’s early kick-off, the Champions lost 2 – 1 to Arsenal at the Emirates, meaning that they have earned only one point out of the possible nine against the rest of the Big Four.

Substitute Rafael Da Silva pulled a goal back at the 90th minute but it was too little, too late. Even 6 minutes of added time wasn’t enough for Manchester United to get something out of the game. At the end, the hosts went away with all three points thanks to Samir Nasri’s double.

Inefficiency in front of goal

In fact, Manchester United have been inconsistent this season and even playing beautiful football is not the answer to their problems.

The Reds had a good performance against the Gunners and managed somehow to ease the pressure that Arsenal created each time they launched an attack.

Manchester United had the better of the ball in the second half and created an awful lot of chances. However, this could not help them win the game; as Gary Megson said it before, goals really do change fortunes.

Carrick blew his shot wide in the first moments of the match. Rooney also had a wonderful opportunity to score his 100th goal but the striker astonishingly fired over the bar, though he was right on the penalty spot.

Converting chances into goals has indeed been Manchester United’s main problem this season: the Reds really should have scored at least 10 goals against Hull City last time, and against the Hoops in the Champions League, a bit more quality in front of goal will have seen Manchester United cruise to a comfortable win at Celtic Park. Unfortunately, for the Champions, this case should not have occurred at all against Arsenal who are now two points above them in the Premiership standings.

Let’s think twice. It is obvious that Manchester United supporters will be puzzled by this goal-scoring problem: how can this be when there are so many strikers in the team?

Fergie’s fault

Well, it is the coach’s fault if Manchester United struggle to find the back of the net! Carlos Tevez was certainly right to suppose that.

The Argentine forward has been left out on the bench for much of the season so far, for an obscure reason. Fergie seems to have faith in Berbatov and Rooney as the perfect pair upfront for Manchester United… but he might be wrong to think so.

The Bulgarian, who is often criticized for being a lazy footballer, just doesn’t feet in the team although he contributes at times to the team’s success.

Unlike this 32 million pounds signing, Tevez is more the dynamic and dangerous player who can grab crucial points for the club. People may well remember how he saved Man United against Lyon in the Champions League, as well as against Blackburn or even Tottenham in the Premiership last season. And after all this hard work, the bench is his reward this year!

Well, perhaps there is a valuable reason why Tevez hasn’t featured enough for the Reds since the pre-season tour… a reason that everyone would love to hear.

Talking about the defensive area, Manchester United are not a team who usually concede that much but their recent results have been shocking.

Since Fellaini’s equalizer who broke their five consecutive clean sheets record in all competitions, Manchester United have let in five more goals in three EPL games, and six goals in all.

What is the cause of this problem? It’s simply the recent form of Ferdinand, Vidic, and Gary Neville. These three men have lacked concentration in defence lately. Consequently, Manchester United conceded three goals against Hull City (for the first time since AC Milan beat them 3 – 0 at the San Siro back in 2007).

Rafael Da Silva and Johnny Evans have been impressive and they certainly have enough quality to deal with the challenges that forwards can pose at the back.

In a very direct way, Ferguson got it all wrong against Arsenal on Saturday.

The coach kept Rooney – who wasted a bunch of chances – for far too long on the pitch. Giggs, who is best known to have a good performance on watered surfaces, came in only 20 minutes from time while Berbatov played the entire match; this really shouldn’t have been. Tevez was not in the starting line up and Cristiano Ronaldo’s dynamic Portuguese mate never came on. Evra was out on the field almost as an attacking player while Ferdinand, Vidic and Gary Neville struggled whenever Arsenal counter-attacked.

Well, Fergie’s strange decisions and Manchester United’s inefficiency in front of goal are the two major causes why the Reds lost to Arsenal – above other reasons like the Emirates Stadium factor and the controversial disallowance of a clear penalty after Clichy handled the ball in the box.

Manchester United’s run of twelve matches unbeaten has finally ended against the Gunners. Now they must look forward and start new. Learning front these two mistakes – inefficiency towards the goal post and strange decisions by the manager – will definitely power Manchester United to build a winning run of matches and go all the way to success.

Written by: Angela Asante

This is a must-win game for both sides and this factor should elevate the passion in the match.

Arsenal have suffered a set back after drawing 4-4 against Spurs and then loosing 2-1 at Stoke. Their goalless draw against Fernabache in the Champions League was not the best of responses, so the Gunners will certainly want to get it right at all cost today.

Samir Nasri, Toure or even Bendtner know how important it is to win this titanic encounter just as much as Cristiano Ronaldo does. Speaking to the press, Ronaldo said that Manchester United should go for all three points. He admitted it would not be an easy mission but an essential task.

Manchester United were seconds away from a famous win at the Emirates the last time they met there against Arsenal, but Gallas’ injury time equalizer ruled out Ronaldo’s strike to make it 2-2.

It is obvious that Arsenal’s new stadium, the Emirates Stadium, could have an impact on the outcome of the game. Hull City are only the second team after West Ham to trample the Gunners in their fortress.

Manchester United will hope to do the same as their desire to retain their Premier League title is still burning.

Arsenal’s injury worries may have a major effect: Adebayor is sidelined, Van Persie serves his three match ban while Walcott is a major doubt.

However, Wenger’s youngsters can never be written off and everyone knows the capacity they have and the surprise they can produce.

The Red Champions are one point above Arsenal in the league standings with a game in hand. A win will not only be a response to last time’s shaky 4-3 win against the Tigers, or Wednesday’s draw at Celtic, but it will also boost their chances to challenge for the title against the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea.

Written by: Angela Asante

Hull City have been impressive so far in their first ever appearance in top-flight football. Phil Brown’s men have also experienced only two defeats in 10 games; the most recent one being the heavy 0 – 3 defeat to Manchester’s rivals Chelsea.

The Tigers have been living a dream and one player who worries about Hull’s capabilities is Patrice Evra.

The defender, still upset and baffled by Man United’s disappointing draw at Goodison Park, believes Brown’s men will go into the match with the sole vision of beating the Champions.

Manchester United are currently eight points off the pace with a game in hand though; but clinching victory against 5th placed Hull City is a must if they want to get past them.

Fergie should fill in a strong squad to face the Tigers, and Carrick’s return to the side has been a big boost for the midfield.

However, with all the big names in there that are most likely to feature today – Tevez, Berba, Ronaldo, or Ferdinand – there is no room for complacency.

Even home advantage is not enough to be sure of bagging all three points against “The Unbelievable” Tigers.

Written by: Angela Asante

The Reds survived a seven-goal thriller, clinching all three points thanks to a narrow 4 – 3 victory that took them third with 21 points in the league table.

Manchester United are only 5 points behind joint leaders Chelsea and Liverpool, and they have a game in hand. Hopes to retain the Premiership title are now well alive but there are also fears that the bubble might burst soon.

The ultimate thing in a league match is to grab all three points – which Manchester United just got right last weekend, but despite that, the Reds had more negatives than positives to learn from the game against Hull. And their reaction at the end of the match proved that; if one had missed the whole of the ninety minutes but seen the reaction of both sides after the referee’s final blow, there is no doubt they will think Man United lost the game.

Indeed, they lost the tempo though they managed to survive. When Vidic had inscribed Manchester United’s fourth goal minutes into the second half, everyone thought of a goal harvest. But even with a 4 – 1 score line, Manchester United had not buried the game.

Hull City did not bend their shoulders. They provoked defensive mistakes and the three goals margin was soon reduced to only one.

Luckily enough, the Champions escaped with a narrow 4 – 3 win but this came more as a disappointment than a relief; Man United missed the chance to boost their goal difference.

One man who really felt the discontent was midfielder Michael Carrick who put his side back in front after Daniel Cousin had equalized for Hull City.

Speaking to the BBC, Carrick avowed his disappointment at the result. He explained how much he did not understand the fact that Man United had to hang on after being 4 – 1 up at a point in the game.

The Red Champions are going through a ‘second half crisis’ at the moment and Ferguson needs to get things right as quickly as possible.

As Evra noticed a week before, Man United lost their way in the second half at Goodison Park, which cost them two points at the end of it all.

Manchester also failed to find the back of the net in the second period against West Ham and it was Ronaldo’s first half double who had to guarantee them a victory.

Yet again on Saturday, their 4 – 1 lead was cut to 4 – 3, and the Reds were inches away from an unacceptable 4 – 4 draw – a bit similar to what happened in midweek between Tottenham Hotspurs and Arsenal.

What is happening to the Champions? Why should it be so hard to defend victories?

The thriller that was at Old Trafford on Saturday involving the Tigers is another great warning to the double title winners.

They face Arsene Wenger’s damaged Arsenal next Saturday in a clash where one mistake could cost them dearly.

Manchester United also play Celtic in midweek in the Champions League; a game that Ferguson can take as a rehearsal for the great battle in the Premier League against the Gunners.

The defending Champions could claim a strong third place– and think of reaching top spot – if they beat Arsenal at the Emirates. They task is hard, true… Manchester United must rely on mental power throughout the whole of the season to achieve success.

Written by: Angela Asante

Now, retaining the cup for the third time in a row is not an easy task for the European winners.

This new generation of players – with Ronaldo being at the centre of attraction – have raised standards to a much higher level.

Last season, the Reds set amazing records, such as netting the highest number of goals (88) in 38 matches, which helped them win on the final day of the league.

If it took Manchester United the strength of an army to win the double in dramatic fashion, it takes them even more to defend these titles.

Other clubs have watched Manchester climb to the top of the hills, waiting impatiently for the start of another season to engage in new battles and dethrone the reigning European and English Champions.

One team who looks to have swallowed enough anxiety, misfortune, bitterness, and deception to pour it all out this year is Liverpool.

It has been over sixteen years since the Merseyside Reds last won the Premiership, and while Ferguson plans of equalizing Liverpool’s 18 EPL titles record, Benitez’s side have one mission: to bring back the cup to Anfield.

Liverpool are really looking like serious challengers for the title, and their victory on Sunday that ended Chelsea’s unbeaten home record, has lifted up their hopes of clinching the EPL title for the first time since over a decade.

Liverpool are the new league leaders, with 8 points ahead of the reigning champions Manchester United who missed the chance to be only 5 points behind with a game in hand.

Manchester United’s fine form suffered a shock in the hands of the Toffees on Saturday and this draw could cost them dearly.

The Champions have earlier been beaten by Liverpool this season, and that should be enough to give woes to Ferguson.

Manchester United lie only 6th in the league standings and with the EPL taking more shape after 9 weeks, there’s a sensation that the challenge for the title is getting tougher than ever.

Manchester United should be on their guards: Fergie’s Red Army could see their title slip away from their hands to be in those of their bitter rivals Liverpool, who will then be crowned the next Red Champions of England.

Written by: Angela Asante

It was supposed to be Rooney’s day but the striker never looked to be at his best in the whole of his game and his wish of netting his 100th club career goal flew away under the influence of misfortune.

Manchester United started the game very well, dominating the home side who quickly felt the pressure.

Darren Fletcher opened the scoring on 22 minutes, finishing off a sweet move and a good pass from the lively Ryan Giggs.

Everton were fortunate to head into the dressing rooms down by only one goal, and manager David Moyes felt exactly how much his side needed to turn the tables around after enduring seven consecutive games without a win.

Manchester United failed to take on from their first half excellent performance. On the other side, the Toffees came much stronger and dangerous.

Marouane Fellaini, arguably the best player on the pitch on the day, headed the ball home to give Everton a 63rd minute equalizer.

Ferdinand accumulated his mistakes, and Man United was just fingertips away from going behind when Yakubu found himself one on one against Edwin Van der Sar.

Ferguson thrown out all his cards: the tactician brought on Nani, Anderson and, Tevez as a replacement for Rooney, Ferdinand and, Fletcher respectively.

But even that couldn’t help Manchester United clinch all three points.

The game was a real thriller, played at around 100 miles per hour.

Manchester United had a last chance to win it deep into added time, but Ronaldo’s ball out of a free kick, came off the wall for a corner, which time did not permit to take.

1 – 1 is certainly not the score line Fergie would have loved to get. But this is what happens when you don’t kill a game off quickly. Luck and mental power will have done it for the Reds instead, it’s Everton who produced shocking results.

No one will have expected David Moyes’ struggling team to end Manchester United winning form on Saturday, especially because the double winners have currently been displaying outstanding football.

Fellaini is now the first player to score against Manchester United who had not conceded in over 510 minutes of football.

This draw is a woe to Manchester United who now found themselves 8 points behind Chelsea and Liverpool who don’t play until Sunday.

Written by: Angela Asante

The defending champions play Everton in Saturday’s early kick-off and they hope to clinch their seventh consecutive victory since their goalless draw against Villareal back in September.

Man United’s squad has received a boost with the return of Patrice Evra and defender Rio Ferdinand: both were left out of Tuesday’s European encounter.

Everton will go into the game with the aim of turning around their inconsistent season however, they know it will be hard to contain Berbatov, Ronaldo – whose double last season gave the Reds a 2-1 win over the Merseyside Blues and, Rooney – their former young striker who could hit a century on Saturday.

Written by: Angela Asante