[bbfan1991]

FA Cup: Monday night football

Manchester United’s FA Cup fifth round tie against Reading will be played at Old Trafford on Monday 18 February (20:00 GMT). The match will be broadcast live in the UK on ESPN.



It will be the 13th FA Cup meeting between the teams and the sixth at Old Trafford. The Reds have lost just one of the previous 12 ties against the Royals, a 1927 third-round second replay, but United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists nothing should be taken for granted.

“The draw gives you no guarantees,” he said, “but I always say you can only ask for a home tie.

“We’re looking to go on a run in this year’s competition. After nine years without picking up the trophy it’s important for us this season.”

[Legend killer]

Keane behind Beckham FACEPALM lets be real whether you like him or not his impact on our team is only matched player wise by Eric and Ronnie

As long as there is not any stupid over the top rotation tonight ie: Giggs and Scholes in the middle we should win by 3 maybe 4 goals even though they havee improved a lot

Also although RVP has been sensational our player of the year has been Rafa the guy is a MONSTER endless energy and passion for the team and he is not even in his prime yet which is scary

Is it bad that I would rather have Giggs on the wing then either Tony or Ashley??? For all the well deserved criticism he has received from me when playing in the middle the guy is a monster on the wing LOOOL

[bbfan1991]

Manchester United team to play Southampton:mDe Gea, Jones, Smalling, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Anderson, Welbeck, Rooney, Kagawa, Van Persie.

Subs: Lindegaard, Buttner, Rafael, Rio, Nani, Valencia, Cleverley.

I like the look of this team and the subs bench.

[Brother Leon]

Nani for Welbeck and Welbeck Vs Fulham I would of gone for. Also for me our player of the season has been Carrick. RVP will win it though and obviously no complaints if he does.

[Brother Leon]

Nani for Welbeck and Welbeck Vs Fulham I would of gone for. Also for me our player of the season has been Carrick. RVP will win it though and obviously no complaints if he does.

[bbfan1991]

Javier Hernandez absence is because he has a hip injury, not serious so he should be fit to play a part in the Fulham game at the weekend.

[bbfan1991]

2-1 to United full time. Well it was all Southampton in that second half and they pressed us very good, but sometimes you need to grind out results and that is what United did. Points are what most matter!

Wayne Rooney and Shinji Kagawa impressed me tonight and they are developing an exciting understanding.

[bbfan1991]

Match Report:

United 2 Southampton 1

http://www.manutd.com/en/Fixtures-An...ue-report.aspx

[Brother Leon]

Good 3 points, but that 2nd half is embarrassing. I kinda dread taking the lead vs Madrid if all we are going to do is sit back and stop playing like we always do. Will only end in tears.

[Brother Leon]

Good 3 points, but that 2nd half is embarrassing. I kinda dread taking the lead vs Madrid if all we are going to do is sit back and stop playing like we always do. Will only end in tears.

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by Brother Leon

Good 3 points, but that 2nd half is embarrassing. I kinda dread taking the lead vs Madrid if all we are going to do is sit back and stop playing like we always do. Will only end in tears.

I agree. Southampton pressed us and we just sat back, where was United's ball retention too?

We play Fulham before City play Liverpool at the weekend, so if United win it would really put the pressure on City to get a result in their game.

[Legend killer]

Tonight was a prime example of why Carrick will NEVER BE WORLD CLASS. Once under pressure he CRUMBLES have seen this time and time again however does not change the fact he does a solid job for this team

Also can someone explain Fergie's persistence on playing Danny out wide it's nearly as bad as his Giggs CM vendetta which he thankfully seems to have given up on

Good 3 points none the less

[Legend killer]

Guys also the pitch needs sorting ASAP will cost us points sooner rather then later bloody dreadful

[bbfan1991]

Vote: Man of the Match

Five Manchester United players made the shortlist for ManUtd.com's Man of the Match award after the Reds came from behind to beat Southampton 2-1.

Wayne Rooney is an obvious contender after scoring the crucial two goals and he was denied a hat-trick when Saints keeper Artur Boruc came out from his goal to save at his feet. For all his attacking work, Rooney was also needed to help out in defence towards the end of the 90 minutes and made a couple of meaty challenges.

The Reds needed to be resilient at the back, particularly in the second half, and captain Nemanja Vidic was a solid presence despite picking up a booking. Fellow defender Patrice Evra shone with some tenacious play and teed up the winning goal with a flying header at the far post.

Shinji Kagawa was particularly effective in the first period and was unlucky not to score when hitting a post. The Japan international also split the visiting defence to set up Rooney's equaliser and was bright and inventive before being replaced by Nani with 17 minutes remaining.

Danny Welbeck was another who did most of his eye-catching work before the break and forced a decent save out of Boruc. The forward, playing wide, put in another good shift and kept working hard throughout.

http://www.manutd.com/en/polls

Wayne Rooney MOTM for me.

[bbfan1991]

Boss' relief after scare

Sir Alex Ferguson cited United's narrow, nail-biting victory over Southampton as 'a bit lucky' and paid tribute to the Saints' second half display at Old Trafford.

Wayne Rooney's first-half double had the Reds ahead after Jay Rodriguez's second-minute opener, but the Reds were pinned back inside their own half for much of the second period as Southampton dominated possession, albeit without often breaking down United's resolute defence. Sir Alex told MUTV:

"In my experience at the club, when we're going for championships there's always a game where you say to yourself: 'we were a bit lucky,' and I think this was one of those nights. I thought Southampton, in the second half, gave the best performance anyone's given here this season. I think they pushed right on top of us and didn't give us time to settle."

The Old Trafford playing surface has been showing signs of wear and tear this winter, and Sir Alex admitted the pitch had been detrimental to the Reds' play.

"In the second half, the players just found the pitch impossible," he said. "We tried to play the way we normally play and found it difficult because the pitch had dried out a lot. We lost an early goal in the first half but it didn't deter us from playing some fantastic football and we could have been four or five up at half time, but once the pitch started to dry out the players found it difficult to play a different way and it really required us to play the ball into the gaps, which we don't normally do. We can't use the pitch as an excuse, but it didn't help us. It's a worry. We've won the game and I think that's the one thing we can take out of it."

Well done SAF for admitting that Southampton were the better side in the second half, although the state of the pitch at Old Trafford does look awful.

[bbfan1991]

Vidic's title warning

Manchester United skipper Nemanja Vidic has warned that there is still a long way to go in the title race despite the Reds opening up a seven-point gap at the top of the table.

The Reds were far from impressive in defeating Southampton with a Wayne Rooney double and the Serbian accepts that the Southampton match became a real battle on Wednesday night.

With the result all important after Manchester City's draw at QPR, there will still be a determination to put on an improved collective performance at Fulham on Saturday.

"We had to fight to win this game at the end," Vidic admitted to MUTV. "You see we couldn't have possession of the ball and they were attacking all the time.

"Sometimes it's important to win this type of game. Obviously, the performance in the second half, we're not really pleased with, but I think we played some good football in the first half and had some good chances. All in all, we have to be pleased with the result. If you look at the other teams, they all drew, so we're in a good position now.

"We have to now focus for the next game against Fulham. Away games are always hard so we need to think about that. It's a good position we're in. It's important to win games, especially at this stage of the season, and every game now is important. We know that we have to forget the games that come before and always focus on the next ones. Nothing is finished yet. There is a long way to go but we're in a good position."

The defender feels there were positive elements to take out of the victory against the Saints as it again illustrated the team's ability to grind out three points.

"Of course you have to show character," he asserted. "Sometimes even when it's not happening for you. You have to defend and I think the whole team was pushed to the limits physically. It was a hard game and the pitch did not help.

"Again, we went 1-0 down, and it was not a great start, but I think we had a spell of maybe 20-30 minutes of good football where we had a few chances and scored the two goals. We stopped after that. I don't know why. The last 10 minutes of the first half, we just stopped but sometimes you have these type of games and you still have to win."

Vidic also praised team-mates Rooney and David De Gea for their contribution to the hard-fought success.

"Wayne is important for the team," said the centre-back. "He is working hard. Obviously, he scored the goals and I think the more games he plays, the better he is. We need him, especially for the second half of the season, as we need all the players to be fit. We have a good squad now and it's going to be hard for the manager to choose the first XI.

"It was a great save from David [to keep out Rickie Lambert's free-kick]. Actually, I see the ball in the net but instead it was a magnificent save. He showed he has the talent. He is a good keeper and I think the more games he plays, the better he is going to be."

Vida is just class.

[bbfan1991]

Carrick holds his hands up

Michael Carrick has shouldered the blame for Jay Rodriguez’s opening goal during United’s comeback win over Southampton on Wednesday.

The Reds midfielder was caught out when his weak back-pass was pounced on by the Saints forward, who duly slipped the ball under David De Gea to earn Mauricio Pochettino’s side a shock lead at Old Trafford, where two Wayne Rooney goals were ultimately enough to seal a hard-fought triumph.

Afterwards, when quizzed on the matter, Carrick took full responsibility for the early concession and praised his teammates’ ability to overcome the deficit and secure a crucial victory, moving seven points clear of title rivals Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League as a result.

“I just didn’t get enough on it, it’s totally my fault and I take the blame for that,” Michael explained to MUTV. “As it popped up I just tried to flick it back to David and I didn’t get enough on it. But we bounced back from that and got the goal and played some decent stuff in the first half. We showed character, it wasn’t an easy game and we are happy with the three points.

“I think I gave us a bit of a bad start but we bounced back in the first half and played some good football. For the majority of the first half, we were quite happy with our performance but the second half was a bit of a write-off to be honest, we didn’t play well at all.

“We just found a way to get over the line so we are delighted to get the three points. There are a few things to work on but we can still take the positives and we are still in a good position.”

Despite dominating the first half and holding a comfortable half-time advantage, United struggled in the second half and were put under pressure from Southampton, who continually pumped the ball forward in search on an unexpected point at the Theatre of Dreams.

In the end, the Reds defended admirably and although fans were forced to endure a nervy climax, Carrick is convinced the result was rarely in doubt - citing the fact that De Gea had very few saves to make against the spirited Saints.

“To be honest, I thought we defended well, it was my mistake that led to their goal and you can’t really legislate for that, it wasn’t really a defensive error in terms of the team,” Carrick noted.

“I thought we looked quite solid when defending the goal, David had the free kick to save and apart from that he didn’t have an awful lot else. It’s just one of those things.

“We are delighted with the three points, we knew it was a big game and it was a terrific result for us. People will look at it and think we shouldn’t be too happy because we haven’t played well.

“But Southampton have improved of late and we knew it would be a tough game. We can improve on the performance and I’m sure we will do that on Saturday. We are happy with the three points.”

Good on him for being honest and admitting the goal for Southampton was his fault, no doubt the press will continue with their agenda and blame David De Gea for it, such is their problem with him.

[bbfan1991]

Fletcher will return

Sir Alex is optimistic Darren Fletcher will return to first-team football next season, but expects a different sort of player to the box-to-box midfielder that proved so crucial in recent campaigns.

Fletcher, whose career has been severely interrupted since November 2011 by the debilitating bowel condition ulcerative colitis, underwent surgery last month and will miss the remainder of 2012/13.

But the United manager is confident the procedure – and subsequent six months’ recovery – will help ensure Fletcher returns to full fitness.

“The rampaging Fletcher of old has gone but I’m sure he will be a success in a better-paced job,” Sir Alex wrote in his Southampton matchday programme notes.

“We hope to have him back in action for next season and there will be a different role for him along the lines of how he played this season, sitting in front of the back four as the holding midfielder.

“Darren coped well during the last few months and he made a return to football [after his initial spell on the sidelines] with 10 senior appearances. His treatment was going well, but the problem surfaced again and the advice was [to] have surgery. The decision was taken with Darren’s long-term health in mind just as much as getting back to his career.

“It hasn’t been an easy journey for him, but he has shown great courage. There isn’t a nicer boy at the club and he's a star professional. All his team-mates wish him well and I am sure the fans join me in wishing him a good recovery and a speedy return to football.”

[bbfan1991]

Boss hopes for Kiko break

Sir Alex Ferguson is desperate for a break to fall Federico Macheda's way after loaning the striker to Stuttgart.

Previous moves for the Italian, to Sampdoria and QPR, have seen the club's manager axed shortly afterwards, and injury also cut short his stint at Loftus Road. After Stuttgart won the chase for his signature last week, there are hopes that the Under-21s' top scorer will be able to show his quality and get the regular first-team football he craves.

"I pray for the boy," Sir Alex told MUTV. "I must say with his experience he got at Sampdoria as they sacked the coach when he'd been there a week. The new coach came in and didn't play him. So that was four or five months lost.

"The same thing happened when he went to QPR last season. They sacked the coach and Mark Hughes came in. Of course, Mark had his own ideas about the front players and, once again, for four months, he doesn't play.

"He's been back with us since the summer obviously and he's done well in the Reserves' team and scored a few goals. This is an opportunity to get football at a higher level. It's too good an opportunity to miss."

[bbfan1991]

Smalling in England squad

Chris Smalling has been recalled to the England squad for the upcoming friendly with Brazil.



The defender is one of five Reds in Roy Hodgson's plans for the Wembley fixture next Wednesday and returns to the fold after an absence of around 11 months, largely due to injury.

Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley are included as midfield options with Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck among four strikers chosen by Hodgson.

The prestigious clash is part of the FA's 150th anniversary celebrations.

Squad: Jack Butland (Birmingham), Joe Hart (Man City); Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Joleon Lescott (Man City), Chris Smalling (United), Kyle Walker (Tottenham); Michael Carrick (United), Tom Cleverley (United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), James Milner (Man City), Leon Osman (Everton), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal); Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Wayne Rooney (United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (United).

Well done to Chris Smalling on his England recall and to the rest of the United lads called up in the squad.

[bbfan1991]

Jones handed Under-21 call

Phil Jones has been handed a surprise England Under-21 call-up ahead of the friendly with Sweden in Walsall next Tuesday.



The United defender, who has been capped at senior level, is joined in the squad by fellow Reds Ben Amos and Wilfried Zaha, who is arriving from Crystal Palace in the summer.

Versatile performer Jones has been in excellent form of late and moved into midfield during the win against Southampton after starting at right-back.

Squad: Ben Amos (United), Declan Rudd (Norwich), Jason Steele (Middlesbrough); Ryan Bennett (Norwich), Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton), Craig Dawson (Bolton, on loan from West Brom), Phil Jones (United), Tom Lees (Leeds), Jack Robinson (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Southampton), Adam Smith (Millwall, on loan from Spurs), Andre Wisdom (Liverpool); Nat Chalobah (Watford, on loan from Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Will Hughes (Derby), Henri Lansbury (Nott'm Forest), Jason Lowe (Blackburn), Josh McEachran (Middlesbrough, on loan from Chelsea), Jonjo Shelvey (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool); Benik Afobe (Bolton, on loan from Arsenal), Tom Ince (Blackpool), Connor Wickham (Sunderland), Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace).

Well done to Phil Jones and the other United lads in the England Under 21 squad.

[bbfan1991]

Petrucci stays with Posh

United have agreed to allow Davide Petrucci to stay with Peterborough until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old has only featured twice since joining the Championship club on loan due to the bad weather and FA Cup but is likely to have a key role to play in the remainder of the campaign.

Posh are currently bottom of the table but a win in their game in hand would take Darren Ferguson's side above Bristol City and Barnsley.

Petrucci, who is getting his first taste of first-team football, is one of two Reds at the club with centre-back Scott Wootton completing his second stint at London Road.

"The ones I brought in have made a difference," commented Darren Ferguson to Posh Player. "Wootton and Petrucci were a no-brainer coming from there [United] because they are good players."

The creative midfielder added on Peterborough's official website:" I am very happy. I only signed for a month in the first place because it was my first loan spell. I didn't know what to expect.

"However, since the first few days, I realised that I wanted to stay for longer and I am very pleased to be here until the end of the season."

Good luck to Davide with his extended loan spell.

[bbfan1991]

Rooney named star man

Wayne Rooney came out on top in the ManUtd.com poll for Wednesday's Man of the Match award after his two goals sank Southampton.



The Reds' No10 cancelled out Jay Rodriguez's effort with a calm finish after being put in the clear by Shinji Kagawa and grabbed the winner from even closer range from Patrice Evra's diving header.

With 58 per cent of the vote, Rooney was a clear victor ahead of Kagawa in second place after a bright performance from the Japanese schemer, particularly in the first half.

Skipper Nemanja Vidic finished in third spot after a dominant display at the heart of the defence with Evra and Danny Welbeck completing our shortlist.

Man of the Match results:

Wayne Rooney: 58%
Shinji Kagawa: 27%
Nemanja Vidic: 9%
Patrice Evra: 5%
Danny Welbeck: 1%

Well done to Wayne Rooney.

[bbfan1991]

Boss quashes Jones row

Sir Alex Ferguson has quashed speculation that he is upset with Phil Jones' call-up to the England Under-21 squad, although he is surprised by the youngster's inclusion.



The manager thinks the versatile defender, who has enjoyed a tremendous start to 2013, should be in Roy Hodgson's senior party for the friendly against Brazil at Wembley.

Despite press reports that United are unhappy at the prospect of Jones playing in the European Championship in the summer for Stuart Pearce's side, Sir Alex understands the situation.

"I haven't paid much attention to it," he admitted at his pre-Fulham press conference. "I'm surprised he's in the Under-21s and not the full squad.

"I think it's happened quite a few times to players [being dropped back to Under-21s]. Is it understandable to the players? That can be the difficult thing to manage. The players, once they're in the full squad, think they've achieved that - he's played for the full squad.

"If they then take a step back, it can be hard to manage that. But he's 20 years of age and Stuart Pearce wants to pick as good an Under-21 squad as he can get. And that includes players like Phil Jones."

[bbfan1991]

Reds play on with pitch

Sir Alex has confirmed United will not replace the deteriorating Old Trafford pitch until the end of this season and expressed hopes that conditions will improve with warmer weather.

The playing surface at the Theatre of Dreams was ravaged by heavy rainfall over the festive period and has since suffered as a result of frost and cold weather, making it almost unplayable at times – particularly against Southampton on Wednesday when the boss cited the turf as a hindrance.

But now, having taken advice from grounds man Tony Sinclair, the boss is optimistic improvements can be made before important home fixtures with Everton, Reading and of course, Real Madrid.

“It's not good,” Sir Alex told, when quizzed on the pitch's quality during his weekly press conference at Carrington. “We're changing the whole pitch in the summer but we've got 10 days before Everton now and 10 days before Reading.

“We're getting more sunlight now as well and that will help in terms of regenerating it. It's definitely a bit worn out, in my mind. On Wednesday there was a lot of water before the game, which helped us in the first half. But in the second it dried out and that made it difficult for us.

“The grounds men work their socks off. He's as concerned as anyone and he's disappointed with how it is at the minute. We’ve got 10 days before Everton so hopefully that makes a difference. It's not been the same since that game against Newcastle and the deluge of rain.

“We've had this pitch now for a number of years and it's been great. If you go back before that we had to renew it maybe once or twice a season. Although that helped it was never perfect. The turf would lift out sometimes.

“We've declined to replace the turf at the moment because we believe Tony will get it right. We've got the artificial lights on it all the time. We also have to hope for better weather and a bit more sun. That really helps. The more light we get the better it is for the pitch.”

Glad the pitch will be replaced in the Summer because the current state of it is awful.