United On Fire

Venue: Stamford Bridge
Date: Sunday, 21 September
Kick-off: 1400 BST

Last time we played Chelsea at Stamford Bridge we lost 2-1 but it turned out not to matter.  We did was was required in the remaining games in the season and won the league.  If we were to lose tomorrow, it could be a bit more of a problem.  For a start we’d be 9 points behind the second richest team in the world, and we’d struggle to get back from that (although Liverpool’s 0-0 draw with Stoke proves that no wins are certain in the Premier League)

Fergie has many selection problems for the game, one forced by the suspension of Vidic.  Either Jonny Evans will continue in central defence, a gamble on the young man’s ability to handle the big game, or Wes Brown will move into the centre and Gary Neville will continue at right back, a gamble of Neville’s ability to continue at the highest level.

The other major problem is up front.  Which two (or three) strikers should he play.  Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez or Berbatov?  Controvercially, playing against the United forwards, will be John Terry.  Let’s make sure there is a rounding chorus of “She fell over” to welcome him.

Popularity: 22% [?]

Uefa Champions League, Group E - Man Utd v Villarreal
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Wednesday, 17 September Kick-off: 1945 BST

Just time for a very short preview today.  United have to bounce back from the defeat to Liverpool on Saturday with a good win against Villarreal in the Champions League.  Last night both Liverpool and Chelsea won, so it is even more important to get a morale boosting win before the game at Stanford Bridge.

Scholes is suspended following the Super Cup, Carrick is out with a broken foot and Berbatov is a doubt with knee trouble (I hope Dimitar isn’t a direct replacement for Louis Saha in the injury department as well).  However, tonight could see the return of Christiano Ronaldo after an operation and a summer of transfer rumoured discontent.  Virrarreal will be without ex-United player Giuseppe Rossi who would have received an excellent reception from the United crowd.

Popularity: 47% [?]

It feels like the season is just starting now.  After a draw at home to Newcastle, then an away win against Portsmouth, United’s season stopped.  First there was a “friendly” in Europe and then there was an international break.

So, it starts again away to Liverpool.  Good place to start, even though Gerrard and Torres have been declared fit.  Incredibly we are seeking our 6th straight win over Liverpool which is a remarkable run against one of the Big Four teams.   However, for as long as I can remember, United have done well over Liverpool.  Even when Liverpool were winning title after title, United managed to raise their game.

It is expected that Berbatov will make his debut tomorrow but I wonder who will make way for him.  Carlos Tevez has played well so far for us this season, and returned early from international duty after a red card for Argentina.  Tevez also scored the winning goal at Anfield last season.

Wayne Rooney was excellent against Croatia when England astonishing stuffed them 4-1 (but then he is usually underrated by the media when playing for England. Of course, Ronaldo is still injured so the temptation is to play all three.  But the Champions League starts midweek and I expect some sort of rotation to occur.  With Berbatov having no Champs League experience, he will probably be a sub on Wednesday.

I’m really looking forward to the match.  It feels like the season really starts tomorrow.  Come on United.  Good luck Berbatov in your first match.

Popularity: 23% [?]

Well, if the Premier League really is a marathon, we’ve just got to that last bit with Manchester United and Chelsea level at the front.  It has turned into a sprint at the death, and we’ll see which team has the energy left to get themselves over the line, or fall over embarrassingly 5 yards from the end.

If both teams win, we’ll need a photo finish, but luckily United would win it then.  Chelsea have to better United’s result.  The last time this happened was 40 years ago and then it was United and City.  United fell over losing to Sunderland away, but picked themselves up to win the biggest prize of all, the European Cup.  The last time the league was won on goal difference was 1989 when Arsenal beat Liverpool in the last game of the season.  I still remember the goal by Michael Thomas.  That was something else.  Arsenal needed to win by two goals and did so, but only in the 88th minute.

All, we can do now is cross our fingers and hope that United are able to do the business.  Wish them luck.

Popularity: 35% [?]

It comes down to this game at Stamford Bridge, 12:45 BST to decide the title, more or less.  A win and the title is our (except not mathematically), a draw and we need one more victory to be sure.  A defeat would not be good news, but unless we lose 20-0, the title would still be in our hands, but we’d have to beat West Ham at home and Wigan away.

At this point, it is pointless trying to predict or demand the team that should play.  Fergie is the expert at winning close run ins.  Can you remember any season where United haven’t won the league when they have been in the position to do so with less than 3 games to play?  Except for 1995.  Because that doesn’t count.  Because of Eric Cantona and that Crystal Palace fan.  If Ronaldo had attacked a fan in February and been banned we wouldn’t be close to winning the league this season.

Let’s just say no other team deserves to win the league this season.  Arsenal fell away badly and blew it after doing so well early on.  Chelsea are no where near as strong this season and are hanging onto our coat tales this season, instead of pushing us over the line.  I think we’ll prove that tomorrow lunchtime and get the three points.

I sort of think that was the plan in Barcelona.  The performance was defensive, and we played well within ourselves, but made sure we were still in the contest.  We are still very fresh for Chelsea.  Fergie even took off Rooney, probably to rest him for this match.  Tevez started on Wednesday because he won’t be starting tomorrow.  Anderson will be.  I’m not sure about Giggs.  Will Fergie go for the experience, or send in Nani to try to blow a hole on the slower legs of the Chelsea rightback.  Ashley Cole is quick, so is Carvalho.  Terry and Ferreira are not.

Let’s see.  I’m going for a 2-1 win (Ronaldo and Rooney).

Popularity: 19% [?]