United Matches Review

Newcastle United 3-0 Manchester United

4 January 2012

Sport Direct Arena

United suffered another blow in their quest for the 20th league after heavy defeat at Newcastle. It was second successive defeat for the Red Devils which again conceded three goals.

United fact file revealed that; 

United have conceded three+ goals in consecutive league games for the first time since Feb 2004 (4-3 v Everton, 2-3 v M'boro).

This is the first time United have lost two Premier League matches by at least three goals in the same season since 2005/2006.

It is nearly seven years since United last lost two successive matches to teams from outside the Traditional Big Four, losing to Norwich City and Everton in April 2005.

In this game United started brightly and dominated the game but when Newcastle settle down United was struggling. Again United was hit at right after half time where I considered a crucial time which was between 45 minutes and 55 minutes. This was a crucial time where United always conceded goals. However Newcastle was n amazing form that night.

United 3-0 Bolton

14 January 2012

Old Trafford

After conceded three goals in each previous two games United hit back with the same scoreline against Bolton. United also kept the clean sheet. Much better performance by United especially Valencia and Carrick. The latter proved that he had pivotal role in the squad and his performance been solid lately. Same to Valencia his been exceptional recently. Again he was chief tormentor for Bolton defenders. He was a great shape, his passes was exquisite, his looked sharp while his awareness made United very dangerous when attacking. He also read the game superbly.

But little bit worry with United backline especially Ferdinand. He seemed indecisive in most of the time. While his pace is declining he should not loss his composure and intelligent.

This game also capped the second debut for Scholes (in premier league). United proved that he still has it. Showing that he was not lack of match practice he scored United first goal that ease United pressure after Rooney failed to score from the sport. The United old guard was replaced by another old guard, Giggs, in 70th minutes and the legendary Welsh Wizard showed his masterclass by setting up the third which scored by Carrick in 83rd minutes.

Good game for the Devils.

Manchester City 2-3 United

8 January 2012

Etihad Stadium

United went into the game with back to back defeats. In the game that had everything, not just a cup tied it also a derby match where history, pride and passion were much in the occasion. United started well. Rooney headed the ball back at City net at early 10th minutes of the game. Then United seemed to get the revenged they wanted when in the 12 minutesVincent Company was send for straight red card after he was judged to tackle Nani recklessly. For me it was not a red card offence. But the man in black had decided it was red.

Quickly took the advantage to double their lead in  30th minutes through wonderful goal by Welbeck. It was pure class where we could only see the goal like this from Cantona or Berbatov.

City was totally in disarray and this proved when United was awarded with penalty in 39th minutes. Rooney stepped in but his shot was blocked by City's keeper however the ball rebound towards him. With no mistake Rooney headed it at the back of the net.

But City came back strongly after half time. Mancini made a tactical change. He also change his formation. He used three central defenders with four midfielders which two used as the wing back. Aguero was back Samir Nasri at the front. Mancini knew he cannot chasing the game like United did when Red Devils lost Evan for red card. Ultra defensive, be patient and hit back on counter were their game plan. It paid off as the scored two goals. United was living dangerously till the end.

Was sad with Ferdinand performance. He should perform better. However it was not so sweet revenge for United