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Goals: Welbeck 66 mins

Man United: Kuszcak, G Neville, Brown, Evans, Fabio; Carrick, Gibson, Nani; Welbeck, Owen, Machieda

Subs: De Laet for Machieda, Valencia for Owen, King for Welbeck

Wolves: Hahnemann, Foley, Craddock, Berra, Elokobi, Kightly, Henry, Castillo, D Jones, Ebanks-Blake, Maierhoffer

Subs: Miljas for Castillo, Doyle for Ebanks-Blake

“Wolves for their part played  well and could have done more on a night where United showed the razor sharp edge of a soggy Rich Tea buscuit and the United crowd was no better.”

YET ANOTHER former Manchester United striker made a return to his former club with the visit of Wolves to Old Trafford. Ebanks-Blake like so many before him, had to seek pastures new to become the player that many who saw him at Reserve level for United, knew he could be. The correct way to view this game would be another year for the next generation of United stars to try and break through. In reality, however, anybody who has spent time watching United will know that this team isn’t about ‘making stars’ because many of them have already impressed. Darron Gibson, Fabio and Danny Welbeck are going to do well and do every time they are called upon. Machieda of course, grabbed headlines himself last term.  No, this match didn’t seem to be as much about the ‘next generation’ as in previous years. It seemed to be about those players who considered themselves this generation, getting a chance to prove their importance. Step forward Michael Owen who deserved the chance to build on his outing in the Derby, Kuszcak also deserved the chance to oust Ben Foster from the number one spot. Gary Neville is unlikely to play his way into the long term plans but his experience is at this point crucial.

We learned very little that we didn’t already know. Gary Neville can be called upon when needed but his days of first team regular are probably behind him. He can also thank his lucky stars nothing came of the clearance he ballsed up at 0:0. Nani was at times inventive and ‘Knees up’ Wesley Brown can be happy with his performance too. Michael Owen had a header he should have done better with and got caught off side on a few occasions, and Machieda was unlucky to be the one to leave the pitch after Fabio got his (utterly deserved) marching orders. He may have slipped at an unfortunate moment but he did seem to make the most of the fall in order to take the Wolves lad down with him. Silly boy, but he will learn.

Wolves for their part played very well and could have done more on a night where United showed the razor sharp edge of a soggy Rich Tea buscuit and the home crowd was no better. You could absolutely hear the silence of a below capacity crowd that could not be arsed being there. There was more noise in the Abilty Suite at half time than there was in both halves of this game. 53,000 plus and not a sound. Diabolical. Kightly looked quite good for Wolves and Ebanks-Blake showed that, while perhaps not big enough for United, he does have it within him to play at a higher level than the Black Country club.

Firm handshake to  Kuszcak, producing one or two decent saves and doing his campaign for a starting place in the league no harm whatsoever. Personally, in the interests of consistency I’d still like to see Foster remain in goal because in spite of the odd ‘Bad Ben’ moment, I believe Foster to be the superior ‘keeper of the two.

De Laet also looked impressive in defence (not shooting) and Darron Gibson continues to look the part but if the night can be saved by one moment it was the goal scored by Danny Wellbeck and the move that provided it. Carrick found Wellbeck, Wellbeck knocked it on for a return pass from Michael Owen and what a pass it was, Wellbeck taking his chance well.

It is perhaps too simplistic to boil this game down to a silent crowd and a moment of class but sometimes simple is good. We hold the cup and our defence of the trophy is still on track.

In a bit      GtS

IN ASSOCIATION WITH ecuadorrosie (click for details)

 GOALS:Rooney 2 mins, Barry 16 mins, Fletcher 48 mins, Bellamy 52 mins, Fletcher 80 mins, Bellamy 90 mins, Owen 95 mins

United: Foster, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Park, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs; Rooney, Berbatov

Subs: Valencia for Park, Carrick for Anderson, Owen for Berbatov

City: Given, Richards, Lescott, Toure, Bridge, Ireland, De Jong, Barry; Wright-Phillips, Bellamy, Tevez

Subs: Petrov for De Jong

” Single handedly the best game at Old Trafford since the Barcelona European Semi Final. The first time I’ve seen professional, world class players (and Craig Bellamy) play Next Goal Wins rules!”

THE Manchester Derby.  The derby match is a footballing weirdo. It’s friendly and it’s heated in equal measures. Red and blue fans walking towards the Theatre of Dreams before the match together, knew for a fact that they would be singing songs and throwing the insults at each other until the final whistle (maybe after). This is a very very touchy derby. Matches against Liverpool and Arsenal may appear to mean more for the Sky camera or whatever but trust me when I say this is still a very very big deal. Losses to Arsenal and Liverpool can be (not easily) forgotten because at the end of the day both of those are from a different city. Citeh fans are everywhere, they work alongside you in the office and if you lose you have to watch them put the Man City calendar up. It’s the reason you’re unlikely to hear an Oasis song at OT, why when the Gallaghers’ were told they couldn’t play at Eastlands on this tour but were offered Old Trafford, they went for Heaton Park… it’s why a baby cousin shakes his head in disappointment every time he see’s that sky blue car on the drive! And this is even before we get down to football…It’s all people in the city were talking about, the hotel receptionist had to “make sure” that he was dealing with a fellow red, before he’d take my bags for me.

Some people will not understand. Derby days up and down the country divide each city in ways that are both universal and unique to that part of the world. It may well be just a game, but that just is monumental.

Let’s get it straight. This was one of the greatest derby matches ever. It was that good. Rio Ferdinand was back as was Darren Fletcher. Carlos Tevez was predictably and rightly, booed and United started like a train. Micah Richards went to sleep, Evra did well and Wayne Rooney did well to get through the City defence such as it was. The perfect start and a celebration from Rooney that let everyone know he and the rest of the team knew how big this game was.

Ben Foster could have and should have done better, he can hang his head for not booting the ball out. Tevez was buzzing around purely on the off chance that Foster might not be in full control of the ball, which was exactly the case. It was exactly that characteristic that made him in his past life, a United player and helped many a United fan take him to their hearts. The never say die spirit that kept Tevez running in red, now saw him profit in blue, slide the ball across to Barry who couldn’t really miss. 1-1. One other thing on him, Carlos knew exactly what he was doing walking off at half time with his arm around Patrice Evra, Evra looked happy about it didn’t he? It’s the opposite end to where I sit so I didn’t see until later but someone in the Stretford End appeared to have thrown something that hit a City sub, not something we like to see or condone.

It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that the rest of the match was about players who divide opinion. Darren Fletcher for example has got the odd United fan that would rather he wasn’t in the team. But he did well for his goals and while we are throwing credit around like confetti… Craig Bellamy’s first goal was absolute class. There was not a thing that Benjamin could have done. There WAS however, something that could have been done about the second equaliser, Rio Ferdinand clearly just wanting to run the clock down was a very silly boy and doesn’t need anyone to tell him that. Having been gifted the ball, that boy Bellamy still had to do the work and should be again applauded.

That goal sparked seemingly endless celebrations from a team that now believe themselves on equal par with the best in the league, but how ill-advised those celebrations must seem now. Reports after the game claimed that Michael Owen is now an instant hero at Old Trafford following his (late) winner. I would like to go on record and claim that he is not. We have had our fingers burnt in the ‘instant hero’ department before and I’d like to think that the United faithful are now a bit more cautious in their hero worshipping. That being said, it was an excellent finish and such a good way to finish the best game at OT I’ve seen in a while. The cautious approach to Owen is mirrored by a fan who hit the Owen nail on the head when they said “Let’s have no more of that Tevez style love affair stuff. Owen’s still a little shit, his history isn’t completely wiped out. But now, he’s our little shit!”

In the interests of balance we should also point out that, in the words of Liam Gallagher (after City’s European game a few weeks back)…Shay Given: Biblical. He pulled off some class saves to deny our boys, and continues to prove that he is a class ‘keeper. Elsewhere City seem to have copyrighted the knack of taking seperately class defenders (Lescott, Toure) and moulding them into part of a back four with not a clue between them. Before the e-mail pours in, yes ours was just as bad.

Great stuff. Great game and for what it’s worth, the correct amount of extra time played as well. GtS

The biggest weekend

For United, Foster looks set to continue in goal and the GtS office would like to think Vidic is partnered by Johnny Evans, and of course Patrice Evra should play. Darren Fletcher was rested in Europe, for this encounter, this game is made for Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov, football’s version of Running to Stand Still is likely to get the nod over Michael Owen. We could be wrong, who knows. Rio Ferdinand is almost certainly out.

By now, the Adebayor event has made its mark. You have a man who was playing against the side he openly couldn’t wait to leave, their fans were giving him jip and it would be nice to say that scoring is enough of a statement to make in their direction. Football doesn’t work that way, and I have spoken before about absolutely loving the moment Wayne Rooney (having taken stick from Everton fans at Old Trafford one year), turned to them and kissed his badge. In fact, the GtS staff immortalised the moment in our banner.

I’m not the FA so I can quite happily say that I can understand his reaction. So can most people I am sure, unless they think that a player should take verbal off the crowd and do nothing because he is paid enough to ignore it. I suppose this stance is typical of a Manchester United fan who, like others at the time and now, defended the indefensible when Eric Cantona introduced his foot to Matthew wotstit’s face at Crystal Palace. Let’s also remember Gary Neville galloping to celebrate the United goal against Liverpool. He suffered financially, but then he didn’t stamp on a former colleague as well.

Yes, reactions are heat of the moment, yes they are probably ill-advised but at the same time they are understandable and much as I would like the Citeh Boo Camp boys to be weakened going into the Manchester derby, I’d hope Adebayor gets a ban and no further action. It’s not like he is Eduardo or anything is it?

If Citeh are to be weakened then it looks like it’s going to be news that makes me all tingly as I write. Carlos Tevez may miss out! I should tell you that I deleted and re-wrote that sentence a few times and it sent a shiver down my spine. A shiver of disappointment too. I was looking forward to welcoming the money grabbing whiney Argie back to the Theatre. Yes, he probably still would have been ‘hero-worshipped’ had he stayed at Old Trafford but he didn’t did he, so it’s open season.

A few notable points in this City Tevez saga mean that he will never be thought of fondly by United fans ever ever again. Chief amongst them is the way that fans everywhere are now admitting that it was kind of silly to attach ourselves to a player who hardly had track record of loyalty. The Hammer sign when he returned to Upton Park with us, our fans cheering his name when he’d allegedly already decided it was off to the Middle Eastlands for him. There’s an alleged phone conversation between himself and an Argentine handball specialist in which he admits to worrying about not playing because it would lower his value. There is the belief that he only signed for Citeh over Liverpool because the Anfailed club were proposing payment for Carlos in instalments and City offered the full whack up front.

If you weren’t taken in by Carlos and his “desire” to stay at our club then well done you, and I’m sure you can feel superior now that everyone who was taken in by it has woken up.

 He adds an interesting flavour to the game if he plays. It’s all about Manchester Pride, so to speak and we can’t wait. GtS

Photograph courtesy of MoultyMedia © 2009

GOALS: Paul Scholes (76 mins)

Besiktas: Arkan, Kas, Slvok, Nobre, Tabata, Dag, Uzulmez, Ozkan, Holosko, Ferrari, Ernst

Subs: Simsek for Ozkan (58 mins) Tello for Tabata (68 mins), Kahveci for Holosko (83 mins)

Man United: Foster, Neville, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Anderson, Nani, Rooney.

Subs: Owen for Rooney, Berbatov for Carrick (63 mins), JS Park for Valencia (83 mins) 

ANOTHER European trek and another trip to Turkey, long gone the days of the “hell” of Galatasaray, instead the cauldron of Besiktas awaited Manchester United. It has been a long wait to get over the hurt caused by Barcelona in last year’s final but Istanbul was the venue, Besiktas the team and victory, the hope and expectation. Ben Foster continued in goal, Gary Neville came in to captain the side and feature in his 111^th European game. Johnny Evans returns alongside Vidic as Rio Ferdinand missed out due to injury. The last time this back four started for United was against Wigan Athletic. With five in midfield at kick off there was a start for Anderson, rewarded for his performance against Spurs. Antonio Valencia made his European debut and Wayne Rooney had a solo role up front but as we know, in the European mindset, the players can be somewhat fluid in their position on the field.

Searching for words to describe the action in Istanbul has been a challenge that anyone who saw the game should understand. In search of inspiration we looked around the media world to see if they had a different view; our own was looking something descriptive of a solid, professional performance with enough to win, nothing given away and a swift return to Manchester.

Eurosport gave Manchester United credit for overcoming the hostile crowd and delivering a win in “polished style”, the Mirror says that “the win itself was fairly routine”. Our friends at MEN and Sir Alex himself drew on the concentration needed to pass the Turkish test. Concentration, yes that’s it, and boy did it take plenty of that to watch the game unfold.

It has to be said that the home support were incredible even if the play on the pitch was not. The Besiktas players set about introducing themselves to the visiting team, Sivok received a yellow card for clattering into Wayne Rooney but the first half looked set to dissolve into nothing but United possession looking pretty and home fans whistling when the Red Devils’ had the ball. Besiktas did look up to blocking off any United route to goal but Michael Carrick managed a shot and a Nani corner seemed to trouble them.  Besiktas had their moments going forward too, Ozkan made the most of space and sent a shot towards Foster, it was deflected off Johnny Evans on route but it showed United that they needed to keep their concentration at both ends of the pitch.

Towards the end of the first half Patrice Evra needed treatment after being taken down and the free kick that followed from Nani impressed no-one. The home side were certainly sticking to their task and keeping Manchester United at bay, it may not have been pretty but at this point it was effective.

United fans in the second half could be forgiven for asking the almighty Eric for guidance, some of us had two-fold demands. Firstly, that United would eventually find their way through and give us a goal to wake us cheer. Secondly, that Besiktas did not grow so much in confidence at the length of time it was taking us to break them down, and inevitably sneak the important goal for themselves when it was too late for us to reply.

Ben Foster remained calm when Besiktas did threaten and Wayne Rooney did not like being removed from our threat against them. The striker left the pitch in an interesting fashion but from his point of view we are sure it was far from a strop, more in the way of wanting to be on the pitch to try and continue his scoring form.

Thankfully, United did make the breakthrough. Valencia found Michael Owen who returned the ball to the winger, who then spread the ball across to Nani. Nani had the shot and as the ball was palmed away by the ‘keeper, Paul Scholes was on hand to nod the ball into the net. Sent off at weekend, quiet for much of the evening in Istanbul but when we needed someone to make the difference, it was he that did so.

That’s pretty much all she wrote, no cheap connections to “Turkish Delight” or any word play on a few Besiktas players charging around like Istanbul in a China shop.

Just firm handshakes to the professional performance from the United boys, Antonio Valencia, Ben Foster and Paul Scholes should give themselves pats on the back. Michael Owen should have scored late on.

 Last one on the plane’s a Citeh player!  GtS

GOALS Defoe (1 min), Giggs (25 min), Anderson (41 mins), Rooney (78 mins)

Tottenham: Cudicini; Corluka, Bassong, King, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Huddlestone, Palacios; Keane, Crouch, Defoe.

Subs: Hutton for Corluka, Jenas for Palacios, Krancjar for Keane.

Man United: Foster; O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Fletcher, Scholes, Anderson, Giggs; Rooney, Berbatov.

Subs: Carrick for Berbatov, Nani for Anderson

THERE is something weird and clever about the Premier League fixture computer. We play le Arsenal at Old Trafford one week, all go away for a little International hoo har, then we leave Mr Wenger in Manchester to play the other lot from across town and we take our fans to their city to play Tottenham.

Rio Ferdinand returned to partner Nemanja Vidic and you had a feeling that all was now right with the world. Wayne Rooney continued up front, to carry on what we can now call his explosive start to the season oh yeah and the Notorious B.E.R.B.A made his return to White Hart Lane. Remember when we bought Teddy Sheringham from Spurs and took him back there for his first United league match? On that afternoon Teddy looked like a man possessed, trying extra hard to put one over his old team. It seemed unlikely we would see such visual signs of increased effort from Berba against Spurs, but he definitely always is trying.

 We didn’t have to wait long for the first goal, and it was the team with the one hundred percent record that scored it, Jermain Defoe showing once again that he is in form (even starting the match on the field and not from the bench). The ball was crossed into the danger area, Peter Crouch jumped for the knock down and Jermain Defoe met it with an over head kick to be proud of. It would have been nice if Rio would have remembered to make it harder for the striker perhaps but let’s take nothing from the finish.

Bad start yes, but hill to climb for United? It never really looked that way. When Berbatov went down under the influence of Wilson Palacios, Ryan Giggs hit the free kick perfectly and levelled the score. From that point on the visitors grew in confidence and the Wouldn’t it be great if theory kicked in. Dimitar Berbatov showed some spark, Anderson (playing better passes than he did that night against Burnley) found Berba who lashed a shot at the top corner but saw Cudicini in fine form to deny him. It would have been great if Dimitar would have scored but others had chances too. Wayne Rooney also found himself well placed, the Spurs ‘keeper denying our number 10 from close range and Berbatov’s shot from the rebound hit a Spurs defender. Instantly Paul Scholes gave the striker a second chance to put the ball in the net and silence his former fans, but he blazed over and had to suffer the jeers.

Aside – you have to wonder if you would get a sprint and celebration ala Adebayor, if Berbatov did score against Spurs. We at GtS have our doubts.

As the first half drew to a close United found their way through and grabbed a lead that looked likely almost from the moment Defoe hit the net. A United corner was cleared only as far as Paul Scholes who hit something resembling a shot or a cross back into the Tottenham area, which was again cleared but only as far as Anderson who unleashed a powerful shot to beat Cudicini, giving United the advantage and Anderson the chance for a baffling goal celebration.

The second half could be described as bright with glimpses of cloud. Robbie Keane will feel he probably should have scored when he was on the end of a Jenas pass and got a shot in, Nemanja Vidic was alive enough to make his presence felt and chance was gone. We will also make note of a fantastic Foster save from Jermaine Jenas but we have to mention those ‘clouds’ eventually and they both involve Paul Scholes. With Spurs looking to get back into the match Defoe received the ball in the middle of the park and Scholes being Scholes, got there as soon as he could. The yellow card was accepted but that was not the end of the matter as our little ginger wizard wanted to prove that he, with Eric Cantona making a career in movies now, is the worst tackler at the club. John O’Shea headed the ball in Scholes’ direction and the player’s first touch took the ball a little away from him and had Robbie Keane sniffing around, if you were cringing at this point you were watching through your fingers seconds later as Scholes went in on Tom Huddlestone and saw red.

Tottenham failed to make the most of their numerical advantage and Carlo Cudicini showed some inspired form to at least try and keep United from adding another but Wayne Rooney was not to be denied his goal. Darren Fletcher played a simple ball through to Rooney who found himself in space between two Spurs defenders, then turned inside and sent it through Cudicini’s legs. An embarrassing goal to concede perhaps, especially for a goalkeeper who had done well but such is the form that Rooney is in that we will always bet on him to beat the man in the nets, whoever that may be.

All in all, a very decent United performance. More good moments from Ben Foster, a sturdy performance from Darren Fletcher and a bit of a spark from Anderson which was nice to see.

Next for the men from Old Trafford, a trip to Istanbul before the biggest game of the season; the Manchester Derby and the return of our former striker, once worshiped by the many a fan in red. But enough about Mark Hughes, let’s not forget Carlos could return also. Let’s give him the welcome he deserves.

In a bit.    GtS

Goals: Arshavin 40 mins, Rooney (pen) 59 mins, Diaby OG 63 mins

Man United: Foster; O’Shea, Brown, Vidic, Evra; Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs; Valencia, Rooney, Nani.

Subs: Park for Valencia, Berbatov for Giggs

Arsenal: Almunia; Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Denilson, Song, Diaby, Eboue, Van Persie, Arshavin.

Subs: Bendtner for Eboue, Eduardo for Denilson, Ramsey for Arshavin.

“Arsenal are a quality team, snatching defeat from the slack jaws of victory is no easy task.”

MANCHESTER UNITED faced their biggest test of the season to this point, against an Arsenal team that had started the season on fire but these games are always special and often define the term ‘talking point’ in the football lexicon. Ben Foster continued in goal, O’Shea started at right back for the first time since the Burnley disaster and for the first time this season Johnny Evans missed a game in central defence, ‘Knees Up’ Wesley Brown partnering Vidic as Evans was injured. Patrice Evra continued at left back and it was a complete change in formation for the midfield. Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs were the starting three centrally, while Valencia and Nani were more advanced than at previous times this season, essentially leaving Wayne Rooney as the lone striker.

In the early going the two heavyweight teams (yes, Arsenal still are despite not winning anything for a few years) were quiet. Van Persie had a free kick which Foster (wearing light blue?) claimed, Valencia jumped and clashed with Vermaelen, Carrick’s knee met Eboue and overall the attacks for both teams showed intention and some ‘ole’ possession, but no breakthrough. Alex Song was booked for his foul on Valencia as United looked to attack, and minutes later their solid possession created a cross for Evra that evaded Wayne Rooney thanks to the attention of Vermaelen. Almost immediately at the other end of the pitch Arsenal could themselves have found the net, Robin Van Persie had Vidic for company but managed to get a shot away. Patrice Evra won the first half award for Right Place Right Time as his deflection won Arsenal a corner kick instead of a goal advantage. From that corner Arshavin went close after Foster had pushed the ball to him and it looked like the game was sparking into life. Patrice Evra showed the spark as he raced into the Arsenal half evading Diaby but not William Gallas. Evra met the ground and a free kick was awarded, Wayne Rooney’s effort failed to worry Almunia in the Arsenal net.

As the half drew to a close the game was somewhat baffling. It had moments of end to end but it wasn’t that type of game, it had moments of late and cynical challenges but it wasn’t what you could call heated or dirty. In their efforts to mirror Arsenal tactically with the three in midfield and three attackers it looked as if the Old Trafford team were mirroring their ‘pass the ball to death’ approach as well. A mistake by Denilson saw Valencia lead a United attack, he slid the ball to Giggs who found Fletcher and when Valencia’s cross found its way into the danger area it was easily snapped up by Almunia. It was chances like that, which just needed a spark and didn’t get one. Instead it was Arsenal who found the spark. It was the visitors who made the breakthrough following a promising few minutes for them which had seen Van Persie beat Wesley Brown and take to the floor and Arshavin taken out by a brave Darren Fletcher who did make contact with the ball. While Wenger was up claiming two penalties Arshavin’s shot out of the blue and out of the reach of blue red Ben Foster gave the visitors the lead.

In the second half Ben Foster’s foot kept United in the game as Van Persie was denied from close range and just before the hour mark it was the other goalkeeper that was under the spotlight as Ryan Giggs slid a ball through for Wayne Rooney to chase, out came Almunia making no contact with the ball, over went Rooney and United had a penalty and a way back into the game. Almunia went one way, the ball went the other, and United were level.

All of a sudden, after a quiet first half, Wayne Rooney was alive, the crowd were vocal and United looked to create but so did Arsenal. Robin Van Persie fizzed a free kick onto the bar and when the goal eventually came minutes after, it surprised everyone in the ground and delighted those in red. Ryan Giggs was influential again as he curled a free kick onto the head of Diaby, for a cracking header past his own ‘keeper. United led 2:1 but Diaby himself could have levelled had he not slid the ball wide of the United net.

Arsenal from then on looked a little scrappy, deflated by the loss of their winning position through what Arsenal fans may see as no fault of their own (unless you count a goalkeeper’s arms and a defender’s own goal, that is). It was all meandering towards the final whistle, Arsenal, in fairness did have long periods of pressure on the United box but made no impact. Clichy skied an effort that will probably knock into Stuart Pearce’s ballooned 1990 England penalty, sometime next month and Berbatov showed a great deal of pace and a great lack of luck when Nani’s pass saw him with the chance to put United clear. Our official position is that the ball bobbled at the crucial moment, and a knackered Dimitar Berbatov lay on the turf. Berbatov later slid the ball across to Nani who should have scored but saw his effort denied by Almunia’s outstretched arms (important limbs once again).

A 95^th minute chance from Van Persie was ruled offside due to William Gallas and Old Trafford giggled with glorious glee to see Arsene celebrating what he thought was an equaliser one minute, and sent off by the referee the next. Wenger personified the fine line between joy and despair today, one second up demanding a penalty then celebrating a goal, and now at the close of the game clenching his fist in belief of a rescued point and then standing in disbelief as he is sent to the stands, for a stand.

Arsenal are a quality team, snatching defeat from the slack jaws of victory is no easy task. For United it was an important result that could, for now, distract from the flaws in the performance. It could have all been so different had Ben Foster not been on his toes to deny Van Persie, or if Diaby had figured out what to do with an in swinging ball before he met it with his head. Either way, United go on, Arsenal suffer defeat and Wayne Rooney scores again.

Now, let’s all laugh at Wenger, let’s all laugh at Wenger, na na na na! GtS

“It will reassure everyone to know that Anderson has remembered that he won’t just get into the team because a space has become available. This is not Newcastle United!”

Here comes the science (or the best you are going to get from us)…concentrate! There is a winning formula to United so far this season even after so few games and what is more, ‘Brilliant Ben’ manages to banish his dodgy low confident demons when this formula is folowed. Johnny Evans and Patrice Evra have kept Ben company at the back in both victories so far, Antonio Valencia, Darren Fletcher, Paul Scholes and Nani was the midfield on those occasions with Rooney and the Notorious BERB up front. Fergie opted for Carrick and Anderson against Burnley and well, yes.

On the subject of Anderson, his strop was headline news in the early part of the week and while not denying that the Brazilian flicked his braids in a huff with the boss, he has confirmed that he is happy to stay at the club: “I thought I could play more” said the well mannered midfielder, “”Sir Alex Ferguson has demanded a bigger effort from me and I accept that.” It will reassure everyone to know that the boy has remembered that he won’t just get into the team because a space has become available. This is not Newcastle United!

Bottom line is, for all the hoopla this is Arsenal.  It may be the same division as Wigan but it’s in a different league and we will need the confidence gained from the Wigan game and then some as the the softies from that London have started like the super quick train that got the go ahead. The game is as much a test of where Arsenal are, as it is for us but if our big players (and the tiny ickle Michael Owen) have a blinder then we should have more than Arsenal.

We are quite prepared to see some wild and unexpected things over this weekend, but three point is expected and if we can get a live rendition of the Wenger hit single “I didn’t see it but I think it was wrong” then call it the best weekend ever.

Special thanks MUST go to Sport Cartoons Network for making us laugh! Go over there and tell ‘em we sent ya!

Until sometime next week**, in a bit. GtS

** The GtS team is relying on website fairies to get the articles from our pen to your browser so as not to affect the running of our site. Sadly the Arsenal review and reaction will be subject to delays due to 72 hours partying as we once again, rediscover Pride in our city. Normal speed will be resumed following the shennanigans and the recovery. Peace, love and Pride – the GtS team -

It’s at times like this we can be thankful we have David Gill at the club at all, after all it is he and the Americans that plan very long trips to Asia for Pre Season when it makes no sense to anyone but those in charge of the bank books at Old Trafford. David Gill said yesterday that it was easy to get bogged down and scared by the thought of travelling huge distances and get “psyched out by that sort of thing”. He is quite confident that this will not happen to United. Well he should because United does, after all, cover such distances as a matter of routine. It comes with being a successful football team and a football brand that needs to sell its image in all corners of the world.

If you would like more background on the travelling issue within Manchester United, GtS suggests reading the August edition of Red News when in the Hot Gossip section RN takes David Gill “to task for talking of the fustrations of cancelling the Indonesian Leg of the Far East tour”. United fanzines Red News and Red Issue both “warned against touring a destination with such history of terrorist incident”, especially after other teams had cancelled such games in the area. The world and his dog was advised not to travel there but United, possibly spurred on by the financial rewards of appearances there were all set to go. Then, the experts told United that it was not safe after all, leaving United ‘fustrated’.

So yes, Manchester United are confident that long away trips to Turkey and Russia will not bother the squad. They just keep racking up those frequent flier miles and this time it’s in the name of European Glory.

United’s group stage fixtures
Tuesday 15 September:   Besiktas (a)
Wednesday 30 September:   Wolfsburg (h)
Wednesday 21 October:   CSKA Moscow (a)
Tuesday 3 November:   CSKA Moscow (h)
Wednesday 25 November:   Besiktas (h)
Tuesday 8 December:   Wolfsburg (a)

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Reports in both the Daily Mirror (hmmmmm) and the MEN (well, OK then) suggest that the Brazilian “reacted badly” to being left out of the Community Shield. Really? That Charity game? Honestly, Ando? You’re going to risk your Manchester United career by throwing your toys out of your (probably very well financed) pram over…the Cha…Community Shield? Frankly, having seen your performance against Burnley it’s somewhat surprising you have made any appearances at all so far this season. The Daily Mirror claim, that Anderson claims  ”he would prefer to quit rather than sit on the sidelines, Ferguson is willing to grant him his wish.”

But wait. Former United stars, mentioning no names, have ‘allegedly’ been instructed to start rocking the boat to stimulate a transfer, could that be what’s occurring here? Does anyone know if Man Ciiteh are after a promising yet under-performing and arguably overrated midfielder? Oh wait no, they have Gareth Barry!

When Sir Alex asked for the players to step up and fill the Cristiano Ronaldo void, it can be safely assumed that he didn’t mean in this way!

Still… you’ve only wound up Sir Alex Ferguson, many United star has done that and lived to play another day in the red of Manchester United. Oh wait. No they haven’t!

Best of luck with this one, Anderson. Can’t wait to see how it turns out!

In a bit.  GtS

Goals: Rooney (56, 65) Berbatov (58) Owen (85), Nani (90)

Wigan:  Kirkland, Melchiot, Scharner,, Bramble, Figueroa, N’Zogbia, Thomas, Diame, Koumas, Gomez, Rodallega

Subs: Scotland for N’Zogbia ( ), McCarthy for Diame ( )

Man United: Foster; Neville (c), Vidic, Evans, Evra; Valencia, Scholes, Fletcher, Nani; Rooney, Berbatov.

Subs: Owen for Rooney, Gibson for Scholes, O’Shea for Evans (72 mins)

SEVEN changes to the team that started the dire display at Burnley in midweek, is more than enough indication to show that the Boss was not happy with the state of things. Ben Foster continued in goal, Nani returns on the left and Paul Scholes comes into midfield with Darren Fletcher also back. Dimitar Berbatov was given the nod over Michael Owen to partner Rooney up front, and Antonio Valencia was back at his former club. Perhaps most important of all; Nemanja Vidic was making his first start of the season having recovered from an injury which kept him away from pre season action.

Paul Scholes looked inventive early on as United took on a focused approach as if to excorsise the ghost of Turf Moor. While Wigan tried to keep some tame possession but Antonio Valencia closed them down and the ball found Wayne Rooney, Rooney was alive to the possibilities and fed Berbatov. From here came the best chance Darren Fletcher has had to score since the last one he had, Berbatov found Nani on the wing and the winger slid a simple ball across to the Scotsman and you can be sure Fletcher is still wondering how he didn’t find the net. The reason was one Titus Bramble coming behind his beaten ‘keeper to block the attempt. The signs were looking good and got even better when Fletcher turned provider; his through ball was back heeled by Berbatov into the path of Paul Scholes. It was the perfect build up for a perfect Paul Scholes chance but on this occasion the ball was sent over the bar from close range.

At the back it was good to have Vidic back and gave a solid performance throughout the game, Gary Neville however, had some poor moments. In the first half it was our captain who gave away a few needless freekicks and hurried a few clearances as Wigan looked to take advantage of the fact that United had, for all their promise, yet to find a breakthrough.  Neville clattered into Jason Koumas before Koumas crossed into the box for a ‘penalty appeal’ that only Wigan’s Gomez seemed interested in. Neville also gifted the ball to Koumas as the midfielder unleashed a curling shot; a fantastic save from Ben Foster kept Wigan at bay.

Paul Scholes was guilty of a ‘late arrival’ on Gomez and from the resulting N’Zogbia free kick Johnny Evans took one for the team as ball met nose. Wigan failed to make anything of the corner that followed but the action as was definatly end to end as Wayne Rooney was caught off side trying to counter attack.  He later drew a save from Kirkland as he looked to score his one hundredth goal for the club and Nemanja Vidic (again) was to thank for denying both Gomez and N’Zogbia chances to give Wigan the lead.

All the talk going into the game was of how United needed to take chances and show a sharper edge. Wigan, while fearing the reaction of the wounded Man United animal were still very much in the game as the second half got under way.

Nani’s cross was headed down by Valencia for an acrobatic volley by Wayne Rooney, that shot and a Berbatov attempt were denied once again by your friend and mine, Titus Bramble. At the other end Patrice Evra took a yellow card to stop N’Zogbia and an almost certain one on one with Ben Foster. Paul Scharner headed on goal from the free kick and Ben Foster decided to get himself one for the cameras with dive across his net to deny.

The Wigan resistance was eventually broken by a strong and well directed Wayne Rooney header from a Valencia cross, the breakthrough had been made but neither Wigan nor the Champions were about to call it quits. Rodallega’s header drew a brilliant save from Foster before United went further ahead in the most delicate of fashions. Berbatov found Wayne Rooney who in turn found Paul Scholes, it was an inch perfect chiped pass from Scholes back to Berbatov who dinked the ball over Chris Kirkland and watched it come down to place the ball into an open net. Two- Nil. Game over. After Burnley, United fans had every right to demand more. It was turning into a perfect day for the men from Manchester; Rooney had his landmark goal, Foster was making some class saves and the Notorious B.E.R.B.A had also found the net… if we were being very picky, it needed Michael Owen to come on and settle his own stomach, so to speak. After a Rooney shot deflected of Melchiot for 3:0, the new number seven arrived.

Owen’s goal was beautiful when it arrived. Dimitar Berbatov pressured Gomez and found Nani, Nani saw Owen run across him into space and delivered the perfect pass for Owen to play it first time accross Kirkland into the far corner. He was happy, the fans’ saluted him and all was right with the world again. Oh, and in almost the last kick of the game a Portugese United winger scored with a brilliant free kick, that sounds familiar doesn’t it? Make no mistake though, this was Nani’s goal.

All that and a clean sheet. Well, we’ve had worse days.

In a bit. GtS