Two bruising encounters inside four days held the propensity to leave their mark on Manchester United; the concern being more of the abstract than physical, despite the aggressive approach displayed by Stoke City and West Ham United. Yet, with four points secured in the past week against anything but passive opponents, Sir Alex Ferguson has every reason to feel pleased with his team’s work. Pretty United’s form is not, but it is championship winning stuff.
Ferguson’s side should take another step towards Premier League glory with victory over Aston Villa on Monday night, although United’s inclination for ‘doing it the hard way’ ensures that there could yet be more drama to come this season. This shouldn’t be the case against relegation-threatened Villa, but in hubris there is always danger.
Still, while United’s performance at West Ham was, in keeping with a recent theme, somewhat underwhelming, Ferguson had little but praise for his players. Little wonder the encomium; in a brutal encounter, the Scot’s team stood up to the physical challenge, and twice came from behind to earn a crucial point.
“The team were fantastic the other night in terms of standing,” said Ferguson, whose team could yet seal the title against Villa on Monday
“It’s the type of game you get with Big Sam’s teams. We had to deal with it and I think a point was well deserved. We maybe could have won it in the last 20 minutes when we had all the play and one or two chances.
“Nonetheless you have to be satisfied coming back after being down twice and getting a point. The last two away games have shown how determined we are to win the league. I’ve admired my team in these games. We’ve done very well.”
Villa pose a different challenge again, with Paul Lambert’s young side finding some form at just the right time. Three victories in the past five Premier League matches has proffered the Birmingham side hope, although the draw with Fulham last weekend could yet prove damaging.
Yet, Lambert’s side has won four times on the road this season, scoring 20 goals in the process. That’s as many wins as Everton, West Bromwich Albion and Swansea, and just three goals short of Arsenal’s record away from the Emirates. Villa pose a genuine threat to United’s short-term ambitions.
Tom Cleverley could earn a recall in midfield, while Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie should start in attack despite recently speculation about the Scouser’s future.
“Every game now seems to be more important than the last one, when you get nearer to that line that’s the way it is,” adds Ferguson.
“I have the same squad for Monday and hopefully we’ll pick the right team. We’ve got a few bumps and bruises from Wednesday. Vidić had got a beautiful bruise on his cheekbone and after coming out of that war zone, we’re quite happy no-one was seriously injured.
“Ashley is out for the season. It’s unfortunate and it’s a bad blow. We thought it’d be maybe two or three weeks but now he’s been down to the specialist. The prognosis was not very good at all. We’re going to lose him for the rest of the season.”
Meanwhile, the visitors arrive on the cusp, with just a three point cushion ahead of Wigan Athletic and the bottom three. The Latics’ back-to-back defeats against Manchester City and West Ham offers Villa hope, although Lambert will look at a fixture list that includes matches against United, Sunderland, Chelsea and Norwich City with some trepidation. The final day clash with Wigan at the DW Stadium could yet be pivotal.
Injuries to Craig Gardner, Chris Herd, Mark Albrighton, and Richard Dunne do little to help Villa’s cause.
The midlanders’ trouble – and potential salvation – stems from a more realistic assessment of the club’s financial situation by owner Randy Learner. Far from splashing out millions on star names such as Darren Bent, the American has underwritten a refocused investment in Villa’s youth academy in the past two years. It is a policy that Ferguson, unsurprisingly, supports.
“Young people give you a future by creating a strong blend that can last for a few years,” said Sir Alex.
“Young players will always remember the manager who gave them their first start. The team will improve because of that, I am sure of it. Paul had the courage to do it and even if they were to go down, Villa have a structure that should bring them right back up. But on the evidence of what we’ve seen recently they’ve every chance of staying up anyway.”
United’s focus is at the other end of the table, of course. Four United victories in succesion against the Villans suggests that the points, and title 20, are not far away.
Match details
Manchester United v Aston Villa – Premier League, Old Trafford – 8pm, 22 April 2013
Possible teams
United (4-2-3-1): de Gea; Rafael, Jones, Ferdinand, Evra; Cleverley, Carrick; Valencia, Rooney, Nani; van Persie. Subs from: Lindegaard, Büttner, Evans, Powell, Scholes, Anderson, Giggs, Kagawa, Hernández, Welbeck
Aston Villa (4-3-3): Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Bennett, Baker; N’Zogbia, Westwood, Delph; Agbonlahor, Benteke, Weimann. Subs from: Given, Clark, El Ahmadi, Holman, Sylla, Dawkins, Bent, Bowery
Match officials
Referee: A Taylor
Assistants: S Long and D England
Fourth official: N Swarbrick
Form
United: DWWLLWD
Villa: LWWLDW
Head to Head
Last 10: United 6, Villa 1, Draw 3
Overall: United 92, Villa 49, Draw 38
Stats
- United came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with West Ham in midweek, thanks to goals from Antonio Valencia and Robin van Persie;
- After a period of drought van Persie has now scored in two Premier League games running, breathing life into the race for the Golden Boot race – the Dutchman has 21 compared to Luis Suarez’ 22 goals;
- van Persie has been the more efficient of the pair, taking just 5.52 shots per goal compared to Suarez’s 7.4;
- Despite van Persie’s recent drought, United boasts three of the top five players in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index for minutes per goal or assists this season;
- Hernández leads the rankings, averaging a goal or assist every 71 minutes this season, while van Persie is ranked third with one every 84 minutes, and Rooney fifth with a goal or assit every 93 minutes;
- At the other end Patrice Evra won eight tackles against West Ham, more than any other player in the matches taking place last week – Evra’s has won more tackles than any other United player this season;
- Villa defender Ron Vlaar has caught the eye this season, with 51 attempted tackles, giving away just six fouls, at a rate of 8.5 tackles per foul conceded, the best in the Index;
- Charles N’Zogbia scored for Villa against Fulham, just his second of the season, although he’s been more prolific at creating chances, clocking up six assists – one every 170 minutes;
- Fabien Delph attempted 12 tackles against Fulham, more than any other player in the last round of games and just one short of the Index record for tackles attempted in a game this season;
- Nathan Baker made 27 defensive contributions last weekend, including a tackles, clearance, interception or block, every 3 minutes 20 seconds.
Prediction
2-0
I’d like to see Kagawa used properly.
RVP
Kagawa Rooney
Cleverly Carrick A.N.Other
Back four
De Gea
(meant to say; cos our widemen are just shite now so let Evra and Rafael bomb on, with three CM to keep things solid)
Sounds sensible — which probably means AF will have nowt to do with it.
villa are on a run
benteke is the danger – shackle him and half the battle is won
attack them from the off and no feeling the way into the game please
What a game this is going to be
I wouldn’t be surprised if we went behind early on
I hope we win the title in style – a RVP hattrick would be awesome…
We will play shit and win – as we have done all season.
someone got out the wrong side of bed this morning…
I don’t know how it works at Man United, but does SAF dictate our style of football we play or is it the coaches?
One way or the other, we either need to get new coaches or a new manager. On another note, SAF has said today that he is interested in signing Lewandowski but he has made no mention of signing midfielders. As for Aston Villa, I agree that Kagawa needs to play in his proper position. Nani has not played much either, maybe he is being sold this summer.
Fucking hell, Phelan doesn’t know who decides our style of play…
This explains a lot
Ffs..herbie has to be a wum
He’s Phelan’s alter ego
1-1 late utd equaliser
nervy shite from the players
Nah we’re gonna fuck em up. If this was against slightly decent opposition, or an away game or summat, I’d be a bit nervy, but at home, against relegation fodder shite, title for the taking… I see a savage beating. Would certainly be nice, we haven’t done it for some time.
Yeah… it’s title day on our patch… there’ll be a great atmosphere and the players will be buzzing… I can see Villa parking the bus though… I reckon it’ll be a siege on their goal.
think it was against villa this season that bellendica had his mot horrendous game even by his standards, dominated by that young cunt stevens on his debut from the irish league
obviously valencia will play today though
4-2-3-1
TheWayneBoy/MC16
RVP/KagawaBunga/DannyTheLad
Chicharito
Simples, eh !
Sounds good.
you’re still a nutter though
I think it’s nice they’re allowed out into the community occasionally…
rafa rio vidic evra nani carrick cleverley kagawa rooney persie
You never know, maybe if we can get a win tonight, in whatever manner it comes, it’ll alleviate the pressure knowing the title is mathematically unloseable, and then we might just see the REAL United in the remaining games? A bit of attacking prowess and playing with a bit of style. It’s a long shot, I know, but I live in hope.
I’ve a feeling that Rooney might be benched…
win tonight and the title is won – not mathematically unloseable Spud
unless the FA decide to dock us points that is…
Why would they dock points from us unless because Fergie has a bark worse than Suarez’s bite?
De gea
Raga jones rio evra
Carrick andershite giggs
Welbeck van persie Hernandez
I mean ffs..it’s only the game that could win us the title
sweet pea shouldn’t start as he just doesn’t have the same impact
taggart doesnt seem to like welbeck and jones not being in the side
fair play to him tbf
he also doesnt seem to like valencia not being in the side
ginsoak jock twat
That’s what I said, you pillock!
He he
LKHF
faffing
He he
no the rest of the season will be the usual tedious shite about how we’re not ‘respecting the integrity of the league’ by putting out under strength sides
Encomium
Good word
United to scrape a draw today, drag it out
ok point taken although “won” makes more sense to us pillocks than “mathematically unloseable” (!)
Well I for one wouldn’t mind seeing more of Powell… and maybe give Buttnuts a run of games, see if he’s really up to following Evra, who’s had a great season.
DDG
Raf Rio Evans Evra
Rooney Carrick
Valencia Kagawa Welbeck
van Persie
DDg
Raff rio vidic evra
Jones carrick
Rvp kagawa Rooney
Welbeck
If he plays, Rooney needs a big game.
Not convinced we’re going to win tonight. There’s a good chance we get Giggs in the middle and someone random at rb. If rio and Vidic start we’ll be vulnerable to Weimann and Benteke on the counter
giggs starts
no rio or vidic
ffs
Does AF feel compelled to win the league tonight with a team very different from the strongest possible in order to prove a weird point?
de Gea
Rafa / Jones / Evans / Evra
Valencia / Carrick / Giggs / Kagawa
Rooney / van Persie
Subs: Lindegaard, Rio, Chicharito, Nani, Cleverley, Welbeck, and Büttner.
Rooney starts… that gives me confidence, because he’s due a cracker… and this situation is perfecct for him to bust out.
this is going to get nervy for sure
anyone thinking this is going to be an easy 3 points is obviously a faffer
I heard that it is Rooney’s 400th appearance for United. It would be nice if he could reach 200 goals in this match.
A title to be won, on home soil, against a rubbish team… come on…
I really like that team. Jones/Evans is a much more mobile CB pairing. Giggs/Roo/Kagawa will all be playing in the same spaces tonight. Shouldn’t matter too much about CM as hopefully it’ll be a bit of a siege tonight. Jones and Evans won’t be so vulnerable on the counter as rio and Vidic.
Alf, villa have nothing to lose by attacking us from the off
yes they can be rubbish but they can still cause problems with their forwards especially if united think it’s in the bag already and start with that mentality
What on earth is Sir Alex playing at now? What is this about? Giggs in that centre of midfield where Villa have so much energy? Why can we not just send the strongest team and win bloody title once and for all?!!! This is so infuriating…
Just finished work, ready to party.
I don’t even know where to begin with that team
Valencia, I remain a huge fan of, but he’s been garbage for long stretches of this season. Giggs in CM doesn’t work. Carrick has done his best work with Cleverley in the side. Goodness knows what Tom has done to be shipped out of the side. Kagawa will be shunted left which is a waste of his talent.
Jones / Evans I actually like but Jones should be in CM, Vidic and Rio at the back simply because they are our best pairing. My guess is Rio / Vidic need a rest, fair enough, but we could have done without trying it when the title is on the line and there for the snatching.
This won’t be an easy game, Villa can go all out cajones to the wall and not care.
It’s one of those games that Fergie thinks we need experience in
It’s also so that Giggs can share some of the glory, this is a cup final after all
Ferguson probably expects Lambert to park the bus, and picked Giggs for his guile.
“Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don’t need badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching’ tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you.”
From the BBC – Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson: “Nemanja Vidic is injured and Rio Ferdinand had a slight injury. Given the importance of the game, it would have been a gamble to start him. Phil Jones and Jonny Evans are great young players and they will relish tonight. Villa have some lively players in the team and they’re quick on the counter-attack, but we’ve got the right players for the right game.”
Rio Vidic re injured. I think Cleverley has some fitness issues. Always seems like they’re managing his games more than any other player. Bit of a worry if he’s expected to be a starter long term.
Woul be great if Rooney was at CM, Giggs on the left and Kagawa at 10, but probably won’t happen.
Agree with you here.
Hope we score early. I am pretty excited for today. After last season, finishing it this early would be fantastic
Jones and Evans doesn’t worry me as much as Giggs and Valencia… But then again I suppose kagawa will be drifting inside so maybe Giggs won’t be as big a problem as we think.
Looks like Villa are gonna come out and attack us.
It happened
Get in cunts
Fuckign robin van persie
That’s the stuff!
Haha get the fuc kin
It’s the Scholes like ball from Rooney and the first time cross from the utterly useless too old irrelevent fucking legend that is Giggs
Lets start the partyyyyyy!!!!!!!!
RVP is in the mood!
Valencia’s back! And Giggs gets the assist to get us the 20 title
Hope this isn’t one of the games where we have a blinder for ten minutes then shite afterwards
Great start.
Its villa not barca
Ryan Giggs is the best first time crosser in the world
Nobody can put in a ball like him and get it so right so often
We’ve made a lot worse look a lot better, to be fair. Great to get that early goal.
Fucking hell Giggsy!! It really is party time.
Giggs skinning that cunt half his age on the wing
This is ace
http://i.minus.com/iisSMmMJu2lEy.gif
There’s the pace on the break, Benteke should score
Holy shit
Worth. Every. Fucking. Cent!
RVP 2-0
Jesus christ Robin
Amazing.
Rooney at CM? Are we really going to do better in the transfer market?
Are the fans singing are you watching merseyside? Or is it aimed at city?
Couldn’t be happier right now. 70 minutes for RVPs hatrick
It was “you’re not champions anymore” at City then “are you watching Merseyside?”
obviously aimed at everton then…
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8524/8672117753_95059863f9_o.gif
They’re a threat going forward, if we’re sloppy in midfield they’ll score
rvppppppppppppppppppppppppp
What a ball from shinji. He’s top scorer in the league now and will be the first player since Henry to win consecutive golden boots
Hah fuck off, he’s flying, 32 minute hatrick, it’s the adreline, concentration, anf Giggs
This is how well we can play when we have to
Am I psychic or what??
FANTASTIC RVP.
any reason why we cannot tread down Barcelona in the same way? )
brilliant first half.
I almost wish he didnt score the third
cannot agree with a popular opinion that this team is boring and soulless.
oh yes we played a couple of shite games, Sunderland for one, and we were hugely lucky at Stamford Bridge, but we also came back from behind numerous times, and a number of players came of age.
as for the CL – we are not Chelski and won’t blame the referee.
The details, Nani sending off, will be forgotten, the result will remain.
And the title will remain.
if SAF goes, we are doomed. Forget the tune of ‘are you watching Merseyside’.
ffs …
your glass obviously smashed to pieces…
keep knocking it back, a couple of pints
Haven’t enjoyed a united game this much for a while. Other than Vidic and an on form Nani, this is probably our strongest XI.
Been a great couple of days. City capitulate, Suarez bites someone and an RVP hat trick earns him a guard of honor at the emirates.
Did not see this coming. Am very happy. Now for the Chelsea record and a win at the Emirates too with a brace from van Persie.
Rooney is shite under pressure in midfield, it shows you how hard it is to play there
He’s been caught twice in bad areas, we’re lucky Villa didn’t scored one of em
Chicharito deserves a run out more than Welbeck
Kagawa…
…bunga
United fans singing what the fucking hell was that, heh
Then Shinji 1 Gerrard 0
Same as usual, can’t play for 90 mins. Was a great first half though. Credit to villa too – their pressing has been excellent.
Chortle
cum hardy
Big plus tonight is return of Valencia. He’s been slowly getting better and maybe his best game of the season tonight.
Baldy vampyric parasitic nomark wanker Glazer scum cunts are there watching on like gimp cunts
not a fan of theirs then…
Done it, fucking done it
Not that keen, no
Congrats!!
those dark clouds from last May have well and truly vapourised
Aguero’s winner is confined to the history books
Giggs… 13 fuckin titles… that will never be done again… not even cloe.
some icing for this delicious cake
It’s wonderful.. but also strange winning this and 16pts ahead of our nearest rivals. What a change from last year! But it’s strange…as if we were in a marathon against a field of sprinters: no other team showed any kind of consistency that allowed them to pose any kind of challenge. But we must rebuild.
Great credit to Giggs Valencia who were excellenta
Rooney was spectacular in the 1st half
And of course, the undoubted MVP who just won his 1st title – RVP!
Some great celebrations from the pitch. For quite a few players this is their first title
And did you see Evra with the fake arm at the end? Taking the piss out of Suarez, great stuff
I have to say, I’ve not felt this gloatastic about a title… ever. I’ve loved hearing Bobby M every week banging on about not having enough firepower (apprently 100m+ worth of strikers isn’t enough…), I’ve loved hearing deluded Brent-on-Anfield telling everyone Liverpool aren’t as bad as the league table might indicate. Glorious.
Suarez’s meltdown and Citeh bottling it as Spuds is a glorious icing on an amazing cake.
Need some big backing in summer. Let’s ram it down throats next season.
Congrats guys.
Cal, Giggs, what do you think then
CHAMPIONS
WE DID IT , ENJOY IT EVERYONE.
20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
nice one mad red
enjoy
Fergie saying Jones could be United’s best ever player
He loves him
So do i…I agree
I FUCKING LOVE ALL YOU CUNTS!!!!
obviously i’m not in that list am i pikey
still, all the best to all of you
Anyone else notice how unhappy Nani looked for most of the celebrations?
Fuck him..he’s gone
Just checked – he just about gets a medal with his 10 apps this season. Really doesn’t deserve it
Marion @ 8:18: “Rooney at CM? Are we really going to do better in the transfer market?”
No way ! TheWayneBoy is just feeling his way into the role – he’s got the passing range but needs to hone his radar. Gives the ball away sloppily BUT, I reckon, that will be sorted with more game-time.
His pass to Valencia which started the move for the first goal and his diagonal ball that RVP slotted home on the volley for the second were actually better than TheGingerNinja can do nowadays.
Assuming that he isn’t sold then it’s just so fucking obvious that Rooney’s future is partnering MC16 in a revamped midfield. Getting game-time in real EPL matches should go a long way towards smoothing out his rough edges.
Sidney @ 10:28: “Fergie saying Jones could be United’s best ever player”
The OldFootieKnight don’t half talk shite sometimes. MrJones has a long, long way to go before he can hold Keane-o’s jock-strap (or that of King Eric, Captain Vidic, or even TheWayneBoy/CR7). AND don’t even begin to compare his up-side to Georgie Best’s – or for those who are even older than me, Duncan Edwards’.
Giggs 13 – Gerrard STILL zero. The only question is whether it will be Giggs 14 next year and 15 the year after that – and so on in FergyWonderLand.
You to Han,
It’s a great day.
Hope so, it would be nice.
As much as we bitch about performances (well I do anyway), watching them celebrate made it all worth it.
I’ve never seen such respect from player to manager the way RVP talks about Fergie.
I’m so pleased for all the players. It has been a magnificent team effort.
The first 45 mins of that performance tonight were like the result of a long-awaited wank. I don’t see Rooney as midfielder (and I hope we don’t see him as an alternative to signing one) but he played brilliantly tonight, as did Giggs, Kagawa and Van Persie. Shinji just gets better and better. His passing and movement are sensational – he must play versus Arsenal. Even Valencia looked alright.
That was class. Evra is so funny.
Don’t think Rooney’s got the touch or agility to be a 10 and it’d be a waste to have him sitting on the bench as back-up for van Persie. Leaves him with LW or CM. Of course we should buy another CM either way, but it would solve the whole ‘3 into 2’ problem (until we buy another striker).
Cheeky old cunt. Hehe.
Fergie should just ignore that cunt now because he’s won the battle. In the context of United winning the title anything Mancini says looks desperate; like he’s bitter and trying to keep hold of his job.
If Fergie wanted to he could comment on how Mancini has the easiest job in the Prem with a blank chequebook at his disposal yet he has shit out massively, and embarrassingly for Mansour. Because Fergie’s comments go a long way with owners. They listen to what he has to say. That’s why he sticks up for em all the time, like Pardrew, who then threw it back in his face. So if Fergie criticised him, nailed him, it could cost the cunt.
toss up between jones and best tbf
rooney looked fucking knackered in midfield after an hour, like anderson, because like anderson hes not a midfielder
but unlike anderson, rooney has an obvious best position that we should be using him in
Knobby, where is Anderson’s best position then? I can’t imagine playing him anywhere else.
hes never looked like a midfielder tbf, especially a 442 midfielder
i dunno what he is at this point
A fat fucking lump
We’ll see about Jones. Let’s just wait.
Don’t forget Cantona either.
Eric was my idol…but he’s well behind scholes best ronaldo robson keane Rooney and potentially jones IMO
LKHF
faffing
https://mobile.twitter.com/RAWK_Meltdown
Lol..latest tweet on rawk meltdown..pisser
Wasn’t he suppose to prefer playing left back?
I’d say reclining in a business class seat on a Turkish Airlines flight to Paris, where he will join up with his new club, PSG, who paid United £20M to get him.
What’s your twitter account?
Just wondering if you’re as fat…sorry, funny…elsewhere
open top fucking bus parade
I’m not on twitter
Oh right – you’re AROUND Twitter instead.
Love ya
tbf