[Brother Leon]

He gets so much unfair stick it annoys me. You see Hart and Reina do worse things than him this season and hardly a mention.

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by Brother Leon

He gets so much unfair stick it annoys me. You see Hart and Reina do worse things than him this season and hardly a mention.

Exactly, although I have noticed that some sensible Liverpool have finally started to notice about Reina and have given him some stick. Joe Hart is being too overhyped by the press but he is a very good GK!

So Chelsea again away in the COC, **** is gonna go down. Arsenal at home in the league after that.

[bbfan1991]

Chicha trolling the Cockney's.

[bbfan1991]

Win delights Carrick

Having seen a string of impressive performances go unrewarded at Stamford Bridge in recent seasons, Michael Carrick feels Manchester United's thrilling victory at Chelsea was long overdue.

The Reds edged a game shrouded in controversy as Chicharito turned in a late winner against the nine-man hosts, but the midfielder cared not a jot as the Blues' lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League was trimmed to one point.

"It's a huge three points," Carrick told MUTV. "Not winning here for a long time against our biggest rivals, we wanted to put that right and we wanted to win for that.

"Plus the fact that if we had lost today we would've been well adrift. I know there's a long way to go, but it wouldn't have been a good position for us to be in. So for those two reasons it was a big result.

"Over the last three or four years we've had some really great performances here and not come away with what we deserved, so today it was sweet to get the three points.

"We've really played some great stuff and the performances have been spot on, so to come away with no wins has been disappointing and we felt the next win was close. We have had some decisions not go our way and it's been tough for us here, but maybe that turned around for us today. We'll take what we get!"

Chelsea, United and Manchester City are now separated by a single point at the head of the table and, buoyed by the Reds' impressive form at imposing venues this term, Carrick insists it is key to keep winning such headline-grabbing encounters.

"Especially against your rivals – the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea, Arsenal next week – it's important you take points off them," said the midfielder.

"That's why it was important and next week is just as important. It's a good start to the season. We've obviously had a couple of defeats but we've bounced back and we're still in a good position, so we can be happy."

[bbfan1991]

Loans: Ex-Red inspires Amos


http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...ary-Walsh.aspx

[Legend killer]

I'm telling you now if Fergie puts out the right team I fancy our chances of winning in Europe this year. Barca are not the team they were and I think we could cause an upset. I think he has slowly started to get the message that Giggs and Scholes to a lesser extent stink up the place, now if he would finally start playing our best CM Ando

Carrick Clev
Ando

I really believe that trio could do the damage in euro and with Paddy actually defending again I am very optimistic. However Young is a BUM and should never start for us and Tony is shown up every time we play higher oppostion

[bbfan1991]

Rafael can emulate Neville

Sir Alex believes Rafael can achieve the same legendary status as Gary Neville.

The Brazilian has once again earned praise for his development after emerging as one of the club's best performers this season. Critics may have pointed out flaws in his game as a youngster but, now 22, the right-back is looking a world-class talent.

"He's a Brazilian who trains like a beast," said Sir Alex. "He never misses training - the boy is just a football fanatic. When he goes home in the summer, he plays every day for his street team back in Brazil.

"Maybe he had rashness and the impetuosity of a young boy but somewhere along the line that maturity comes along and the rashness disappears. His form this season has been brilliant and the boy is really tough now."

Sir Alex was asked if he can see Rafael going on to enjoy a career similar to Gary Neville's distinguished stint. "Definitely," he replied. "There's no doubt about that. Gary was not the finished article when he came into the team but was lucky in the sense that he came in at a time when we were trying to push forward all our young players. But Gary improved and became absolutely fantastic - probably the best right-back the club has ever had.

"It did take time for him in terms of his use of the ball and crossing but all these things developed because he wanted to work on them. Rafael is definitely the more naturally talented. Gary came to us as a centre-back, don't forget."

Rafael showed no ill effects from playing the full 120 minutes at Chelsea in midweek when producing another accomplished display in the 2-1 win over Arsenal.


Rafael has been awesome so far this season. I wonder if SAF will rest him soon?

[bbfan1991]

Evra hails 'terrific' week

Patrice Evra has hailed a "terrific week" for United in the league after back-to-back wins over rivals Chelsea and Arsenal.

After last Sunday's hard-fought victory at Stamford Bridge, the Reds secured a 2-1 triumph over the Gunners at Old Trafford thanks to goals from Robin van Persie and a second of the season from Evra himself.

"Accidents can happen and it's happened twice now this season!" he joked to MUTV in reference to his strikes against Newcastle and now Arsenal.

"I'm really happy to score again but the most important thing is the three points. We're a little bit disappointed we didn't keep a clean sheet but in the end it was an important win and that's what everyone was looking for before the game. It's been a terrific week for us."

Much like his manager, the Frenchman bemoaned United's inability to take more of the chances that were created, but he insists confidence remains high in camp.

"The expectations are very high here and we should have scored more goals - we felt like we had lost the game in the dressing room afterwards," he revealed.

"If we had taken every chance we created it would have been a different game, but to only finish 2-1 is a bit disappointing. That isn't because we don't respect Arsenal, it's because the expectations are very high here.

"When they are so high you can sometimes forget that you've beaten a team like Arsenal. It's a big game we have won. We've won at Liverpool, at Chelsea and now we have beaten Arsenal. Last season we didn't do that and that's why as a team we know we have the potential and the quality to win the league.

"The reason we are not really happy is because we didn't score more goals, but in the end he has been a terrific week for Manchester United. The confidence is really high in the team."

[bbfan1991]

RvP revels in 'new' position

Robin van Persie believes his flexible, interchangeable partnership with Wayne Rooney has forged a new position up front for Manchester United.

Since arriving at Old Trafford in the summer, the Dutchman has been in sensational form and is enjoying an irresistible attacking alliance with his English team-mate. He feels their fluidity and tactical knowhow means they no longer fit the classic definitions of 'a number nine' - normally the poacher in the penalty area - and 'a number ten' - the more creative player linking midfield and attack.

“I call it a nine-and-a-half because you have two positions, the nine and the ten, and we are both nine-and-a-half ,” says van Persie. “We are just helping each other out. We both play behind and a bit higher up. It seems to be working well and I am very happy with Wayne - hopefully we can keep it going.”

Sir Alex Ferguson, a former centre-forward who scored an impressive 186 goals in just under 350 appearances as a player, agrees with van Persie’s theory and says there is more to come from the burgeoning strike partnership.

“I think he's right,” the boss declared. “There's flexibility there and the right type of movement. They also both have the courage to play in these positions. Robin’s not far away in that respect.

“They're both mobile players and good footballers with a great desire to play and win. I don't think you saw the best of them as a partnership against Arsenal.”

[bbfan1991]

Best is yet to come

The underlying message from Rio Ferdinand sounds ominous for Manchester United's opponents: we might be in pole position but we can still improve.

Although the Reds have now beaten Arsenal and Chelsea in successive league games, the defender admitted his team have yet to find top gear over a sustained period; the complete performance and with it a comprehensive victory, remain on United's wishlist.

"Yes it's been good but we're aiming for better," said Ferdinand, when asked to reflect on that significant pair of victories.

"I don't think we have hit a real purple patch yet, which we are really searching for. We played quite well today as a team and we defended well. But getting it all in one package and doing it all in a ninety minutes at the right times, we're still aiming for that and it will come soon, don't worry."

Whether it will come in the next few weeks remains to be seen, with United heading into four away games on the bounce.

But should everything fall into place on the road, or back at Old Trafford towards the end of the month, it seems inevitable Robin van Persie will be involved.

"He's been doing well for us, he's a natural born goalscorer and long may it continue that he keeps scoring the goals," praised Ferdinand, after witnessing van Persie's tenth strike of the season on Saturday.

The defender commended his colleague for the way he played against his former club Arsenal for the first time.

"Those games against your old team go one of two ways normally," said Rio. "Either you get a goal, you play well and you win, or you have an absolute beast, get sent off and lose the game. So it was good to see Robin get on the scoresheet and he celebrated in the right way I think. He showed a bit more class than probably their fans did towards him."

[King Gizzard]

Congrats to united, I don't know how you do it but you do it bloody well

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by Nathan

Congrats to united, I don't know how you do it but you do it bloody well

It is that winning mentality, never give up. It will be disappointing for Villa to lose after being 2-0 down but hopefully the players and Paul Lambert will take the positives out of this game and push on.

[bbfan1991]

Boss to reward Chicharito

Sir Alex Ferguson feels Javier Hernandez deserves a hat-trick for his efforts at Aston Villa and certainly warrants a start in next weekend's trip to Norwich City.

The predatory Mexican came off the bench to score twice - and claim a third even though the equaliser is likely to go down as an own goal by Ron Vlaar. Chicharito now has at least seven goals in his last five games, netting in each of them, and deserves all the plaudits following another sensational comeback by the team.

"As I have been saying for the last few weeks, he's fresh as he had a good summer break and it's made a difference to him," Sir Alex explained to Sky Sports. "When he came to us two years ago, that's what we're seeing again today and, when you score a hat-trick, you pick yourself. I think he'll be playing next week.

"He does his natural thing. He's fantastic in the penalty box with his movement, his quickness and being in space and that has got him three goals today.

"It's an absolutely magnificent result for us, it was a magnificent game, I must say that. Aston Villa played fantastic today, they've run their socks off and you have to feel sorry for them, with the effort they put in. But we never give in. We hit the bar twice. Once we lost the second goal, we came alive. It was a fantastic game."

The boss was critical of his side's display in the opening period but finds it impossible to be too hard on his players when they continue to show such incredible resolve.

"We were careless in the first half with no real tempo to our game," he added. "We hadn't had a shot on goal so we had to improve on that and we did.

"I was disappointed to lose the second goal like that, when a player goes unmarked into your penalty box, but I started to think if we got a goal we could change the game and, once we scored, it did.

"We get inspired with the support we have and the challenge of coming from two-down to win the game is there for us. We didn't let ourselves down in that respect - we really did put in a shift in the second half to sort ourselves out - as did Villa. But we did put pressure on ourselves today, even though we got through it, and I think it's a little lesson that we really need to be defending better.

"I think I admire the team and the tenacity of the performance. When they need to do it, they do it and the attacking play is terrific at times."


Deserved! Chicharito's all round game has improved, his recent form has been sublime.

[bbfan1991]

Hernandez claims hat-trick

Javier Hernandez is claiming a first hat-trick for Manchester United – even if most observers have awarded the Reds' second goal at Villa Park to home defender Ron Vlaar.

The Mexican showed the same determination in his post-match interview as he did when he inspired his team's comeback from 2-0 down to 3-2.

"I’ve seen the replay and I think it’s going on target," Chicharito told MUTV.

"The defender tried to get it away but I think he kicked it in the same direction as I shot."

Chicharito symbolically carried the matchball off the pitch, and asked his team-mates to sign it in the United dressing room. But even if his triple is eventually downgraded to a double by the Premier League's Dubious Goals Committee, the half-time substitute will be happy to know he still played a pivotal part in the Reds' thrilling victory.

"It felt unbelievable to score the winner," said Chicharito, referring to the final goal that was definitely his – a header from van Persie's free-kick.

"But the most important thing is we get the three points and we’re still on the top with a four-point gap. We’re very happy."

Chicharito was sent onto the pitch for the start of the second half, when United were trailing 1-0 to the first of Andreas Weimann's two goals for Aston Villa. What were Sir Alex's instructions to him?

"To do my best, to do the things I have been doing in my last few games and on the training ground as well," the smiling match-winner revealed.

"I try to do that every time, to help my team with a lot of effort and to do the things I have done today."

United went 2-0 down early in the second half, but eight minutes later Paul Scholes picked out Chicharito with a long pass from the halfway line and the Mexican made his first impact on the match at a crucial time.

"I think it was very important. Sometimes you can score late as well and get the three points and that’s part of the game, but thankfully we recovered quickly after they got the second one.

"In the history of Manchester United, we never want to give up until the end. The game is for 90 minutes and you need to play until the last minute.

"We need to improve because we’re conceding a lot of goals but thankfully we got the three points.

"I have a lot of best moments with this club and this is one of them."


He is such a nice and humble guy.

[bbfan1991]

Boss hails away fans

Sir Alex Ferguson hailed Manchester United's travelling support on Saturday evening, claiming the Reds' away fans helped inspire the side to a dramatic win against Aston Villa.

United's supporters at Villa Park initially watched on in horror as the Reds went 2-0 down inside 50 minutes against a side lying 17th in the Barclays Premier League table.

But the 3,127-strong away allocation never gave up hope and roared the Reds on as Javier Hernandez led a thrilling comeback.

The Mexican was involved in all three goals and rightly claimed the post-match plaudits. Sir Alex, however, was at pains to point out the role United's supporters played in the win.

"The supporters were fantastic," he told MUTV. "[Birmingham] is one of the local games for us now, in a way.

"You saw them today - they were great. We were inspired by that. There's no doubt that with great support like that you get inspired and you do something for it.

"The second half today showed we never give in. We can come from behind [and win] against anyone, which is something we've done eight times this season.

"That's encouraging. Anybody who plays against us knows they have to play until the 95th minute."

[Brother Leon]

Missing it. Hope the whole thing is up on YouTube or something soon enough.

[bbfan1991]

I think MUTV might replay it again?

[bbfan1991]

King Eric earlier. He is so cool!

[bbfan1991]

David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo both made tribute to SAF by video, they could not be there due to other commitments and CR7 still calls SAF ''The Boss''.

[bbfan1991]

Cristiano Ronaldo to SAF: "Well done for what you do at #mufc you 100% deserve it."#mufc #mutv

SAF:"It's a proud moment. Normally people die before people see their statue. I'm outliving death!"

SAF on Cathy:"Someone has to control me & she's the only one she can.She has promised she'll come & bow to the statue every Sat!"

[Brother Leon]

Ruud . What a guy. Carried us pretty much during his time.

[Raph]

Reggie, this really is YOUR thread

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by Raph

Reggie, this really is YOUR thread

Thanks. You should have a Cardiff City one.. I would join!

[Raph]

Originally Posted by bbfan1991

Thanks. You should have a Cardiff City one.. I would join!

Ok I'll make one tonight when I'm done with work! The way things are going Cardiff will be the next team making it into the premier league!

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by Raph

Ok I'll make one tonight when I'm done with work! The way things are going Cardiff will be the next team making it into the premier league!

Cheers and I do hope so, fingers crossed.