Man Utd Thread:

[Goats Do Shave]

That's a fair point...

But Scholsey could make me look like a good player!

If we have Henrik till the end of the season...he WILL be a UTD legend!

[full back]

Thought Larsson played well.In comparison to Saha I would feel more confident with Larsson having a chance than Saha who is prone to missing more than his fair share

[BenDover]

That's a fair point...

But Scholsey could make me look like a good player!

If we have Henrik till the end of the season...he WILL be a UTD legend!

He'd have his work cut out for him but like the adidas states IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING 

[Goats Do Shave]

That's a fair point...

But Scholsey could make me look like a good player!

If we have Henrik till the end of the season...he WILL be a UTD legend!

He'd have his work cut out for him but like the adidas states IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING 

I thought I was setting you up for that...but well played all the same!!

[Goats Do Shave]

2nd Chance to see Larsson for UTD agan today (Hopefully he starts!!)...UTD v Villa is being shown on RTE2 3pm KO

Prepare yourself for more of the Ronaldo bashing....

[Redgreenery]

Man United 3 - 1 Villa

A record crowd Old Trafford witnessed a clinical United see off Aston Villa for a third time in as many weeks as the irrepressible Reds continued a run of form that has gleaned 44 points from a possible 51 in the last 17 matches.

There was a first goal of the season for Ji-sung Park, a first of his United career for Michael Carrick, and yet another goal for the in-form Cristiano Ronaldo as Sir Alex Ferguson's side maintained the six-point lead over Chelsea.

Both managers made three changes from last Sunday's FA Cup third round tie. Sir Alex recalled Edwin van der Sar, Nemanja Vidic and Paul Scholes at the expense of Tomasz Kuszczak, Wes Brown and Ryan Giggs. The Reds boss stuck with the strike-partnership of Wayne Rooney and Henrik Larsson which showed more than a glimmer of potential in the 2-1 cup victory at Old Trafford. Having recovered from a groin injury, French forward Louis Saha was named on an attack-minded bench which also included Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Ryan Giggs.

Martin O'Neill dropped Gabor Kiraly, who gifted Solskjaer his late winner, and called upon Thomas Sorensen for the first time since November following an injury lay-off. Olof Mellberg returned from suspension while Milan Baros, Villa's goalscorer last week, was preferred to Juan Pablo Angel in attack. O'Neill set out to stifle United. The Reds make great use of the space between midfield and attack, so the Villa boss instructed Aaron Hughes to play just in front of the back four as part of a 4-1-3-2 formation to deny time and space for Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Henrik Larsson to create.

So dynamic are United in attack, however, that the Reds immediately looked for a route through. Gary Neville and Patrice Evra attacked whenever possible. And it was the United skipper who almost instigated an opening goal. Larsson met Neville's brilliant cross from the right and forced a magnificent save from Sorensen after five minutes of play.

The breakthrough didn't take long, 16 minutes in fact, and came courtesy of one of United's most tenacious players. Neville's cross was poorly dealt with, and when Gary Cahill fluffed his clearance, Ji-sung Park smacked home the his first goal this season at the second attempt.

The Korean midfielder becomes United's 16th different goalscorer this season. The seventeenth followed two minutes later, when Michael Carrick grabbed his first ever goal for the club. Park attacked Wilfred Bouma from the right flank, before pulling the ball back to the edge of the area, where Carrick took a touch before volleying in United's second. Villa looked in disarray, the Reds appeared composed and in control.

At times this season Sir Alex's side have been profligate in front of goal, but the team is refining its performances as the season progresses. And with ten minutes of the half remaining, after a period of possession play, United grabbed a third to all but end the contest. Park again played a part. Gavin McCann dallied long enough to be dispossessed by the Reds winger. Then Carrick took over and curled a precision cross to the far post, where Ronaldo, December's Premiership Player of the Month, headed home his 13th goal of the season – all of which have come in the league.

The only downside to a perfect first-half script was the continuance of Rooney's poor luck in front of goal. With a minute to go he controlled the ball, turned away from Ridgewell and struck a left foot shot just wide of the post. He has now scored just three goals since the end of October, though his contribution through his work rate and link-up play is still invaluable.

O'Neill has built a impressive reputation as a motivator. His players trudged off at half time following a meagre first-half offering. They no doubt experienced a hair-dryer treatment of Ferguson proportions. It worked. After five minutes of the restart Gabby Agbonlahor pulled on back. Baros beat Vidic down the line and crossed for Agbonlahor to finish. It means the Villa forward has scored at Stamford Bridge, Anfield and Old Trafford in his first full season in the Premiership.

Larsson showed great intelligence in his movement and touch up front, while Rooney was heavily involved in United's attacks. In one move involving Larsson, Carrick, Scholes and the 21-year-old striker, Rooney was again denied by Sorensen, who raced out to block his shot from 12 yards. Rooney moved to the left wing shortly after as Saha came on for Park to partner Larsson up front. And the Frenchman was denied a swift goal when Cahill cleared his shot off the line.

His position changed, but Rooney's luck didn't. On 75 minutes he rattled the crossbar with a superb striker from the edge of the area. He's edging closer, but his frustration remains. He was booked seconds later for a rash challenge on Baros, most probably because he felt referee Howard Webb should have given him a free-kick for a previous foul.

No matter, when United are in such fine form Rooney can work his way through a barren patch and when he returns the Reds will be merely stronger for it.

Team Line-ups

United: Van der Sar; Neville (c), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Park (Saha, 65), Carrick (O'Shea, 80), Scholes, Ronaldo; Rooney, Larsson (Solskjaer, 80).
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Giggs.

Aston Villa: Sorensen; Mellberg, Cahill, Ridgewell, Bouma (Samuel, 46); Barry, Hughes (Davis, 46), Osbourne, McCann, Barry; Agbonlahor, Baros.
Subs not used: Taylor (GK), Hendrie, Angel.

Attendance: 76,078 (United record)

[Farrandeelin]

Am I the only one who is fed up with RTE's anti-United bias in their commentaries, maybe anti-United is too strong but they always seem to have something to criticise them for. Today when Villa scored they went on about the Utd defence falling asleep, same happened against Reading they said. I mean they United are still 6 pts clear at the top, and aren't doing too bad at all. I have to say for the first time I'm worried about Rooney. He hasn't made the impact at all this season and struggled badly with his touches today. I hope he'll prove me wrong but it isn't happening for him at the moment. I just wish he would end his barren spell sooner rather than later.

[maxpower]

Good to see United pick up another 3 points over the weekend, after the first 25 mins i thought that it was an ideal opportunity to extent the goal difference over chelski, the fact the they ended up losing 2 goals to chelski was a slight concern.

Of more concern would be Rooney's lack of confidence in front of goal, another game another couple of decent chances pass without goals.  it will probaly take something spectacular to re openhis goal scoring account for the season.

[magpie seanie]

Rooney's form will continue to be patchy as a result of the crazy decision to bring him and play him in the World Cup while he was clearly not fit. He looked to have got out of bed on the wrong side on Saturday so avoiding a red card was a bonus. Larsson's intelligent play will bring Rooney goals. The signing of the Swede looks a complete masterstroke at this early stage.

[Norf Tyrone]

There is an article in a Man Utd magazine Feb 07 edition regarding Adrian Doherty from Strabane. Does anyone know what magazine it is? Even better can someone scan or reproduce it on here or email it to me?

The article was called something like "the star we never saw".

[Goats Do Shave]

I'm not worried about Rooney at all. He still works liek a terrier. Yes his confidence is down, & you can see him losing patience with himself, for his poor first touch etc. However it's that drive that will return him to good form!

Also as long as UTD are firing like they are, it isn't a problem! Ronaldo/Saha are due a dip in form, hopefully it'll be timed well with the return of the WAZZZA!

[J70]

Am I the only one who is fed up with RTE's anti-United bias in their commentaries, maybe anti-United is too strong but they always seem to have something to criticise them for. Today when Villa scored they went on about the Utd defence falling asleep, same happened against Reading they said. I mean they United are still 6 pts clear at the top, and aren't doing too bad at all.

Ah jaysus, not another crowd showing bias against United! First the BBC and the FA. Now RTE! Maybe Giles and Dunphy are just bitter that their United careers didn't last longer.

[Dinny Breen]

I don't think anyone is being Anti-Man U, the BBC, RTE and many armchair pundits believe Man U's position is false. I think they will lose this weekend against Arsenal but if they get something from that game well then maybe they just might be the real thing...

[magpie seanie]

Ah jaysus, not another crowd showing bias against United! First the BBC and the FA. Now RTE! Maybe Giles and Dunphy are just bitter that their United careers didn't last longer

Giles has a chip on the shoulder about United since Busby let him go. He does try to be impartial but occasiionally the mask slips. Recently though its just the fact that he doesn't like skilful, entertaining players that has him going ape about Ronaldo. This is after all the man who snarled abuse at George Best (who was being stretchered off after a Giles special) about if he was a man like Bobby Charlton he'd get up and get on with it! To be fair to him though he is as good a soccer pundit as there is around - just occasionally the chip on the shoulder gets the better of him.

Dunphy on the other hand is just bitterly anti-Queiroz and Ferguson and because Queiroz bigs up his compatriot Ronaldo so much Dunphy is also down on him. I think Dunphy is quite pro United in the general run of things.

[culchy1]

how can anyone slag of uniteds defence, the table doesnt lie, the have scored the most goals and conceded the least!!

i think when roy keane left united dunohy must have thought united wud fall to an arse, he probably wanted them too aswell,
but fergie has turned it around, carrick isnt the most outstanding midfielder in the premiership but hes doing a job, better than fletcher or o'shea
and what i think was his best piece of business apart from larsson was the addition of vidic, a ball winning centre half.