Tag: sport

Last week was all about the negatives of Man Utd with the 3-0 loss to Man City. Completely deserved I thought. Yet 30 minutes before kick off Saturday evening, I felt excited to watch Utd. I just had a slight feeling that something good could happen. I was right. Man Utd were very lucky that within a few minutes Sanchez made a stupid challenge to get sent off. The game fell into Utd’s hands and for once we actually took advantage of it. Managing to win the game 2-1 was a positive. Before the game, I would have taken a draw so I think everyone fan was very happy.

Man Utd win the game or Chelsea played to lose?

When Sanchez got sent off for the challenge on Mbuemo, it was the correct decision he was sent off. Normally, a manager might see how the game goes for the next 10 minutes. Not Maresca. I understand the first sub with bringing a keeper on. The second sub was more confusing by immediately taking your quick winger off the pitch. Chelsea were left with no pace, no wingers and only Palmer and Pedro up top. Chelsea really went into park the bus mode. This helped Utd as we managed to push Chelsea back. We looked very positive going forward. Mbuemo looks really up for it. Always trying to score or make something happen. A real highlight for the game. An early goal helped settle us into the game so we weren’t just chasing. This helped us control the game and meant we weren’t just going for it the whole time. 5 minutes later, Cole Palmer came off to the delight to myself. I celebrated this more than the goal. At the time, it wasn’t clear whether it was an injury or tactical. It turned out to be an injury, but his replacement was a centre midfielder so looked even more so like they were parking the bus. Chelsea had nothing in the first half. Until a certain someone couldn’t use his brain…

Casemiro – the gladiator who’s lost his way

When Utd signed Casemiro in 2022, I thought all our problems would be fixed. The Galacticos CDM. The man with 5 Champions Leagues. Surely he can sort this Utd team out? That positively quickly became undone. Casemiro could not do it alone. I did not think about who played next to him at Madrid. Modric and Kroos. I think stick me in between them and I would look unbelievable. In La Liga, Casemiro never got a red card. Which is unbelievable considering some of the stupid challenges he makes on a regular basis. To give him credit, he was in a good position for his goal and made it comfortable for us at 2-0. That’s all the credit I am giving. His second yellow was so stupid. Why even make the tackle like that? Won the ball but pulling him about is crazy. I don’t think there can be any complaints.

Maresca lost his head with early subs?

When Sanchez got sent off, I thought Chelsea will keep it tight for the next 10 minutes. See how the game plays. Maresca was straight in there with Estevao off which I can understand for a keeper. A minute later, Pedro Neto was sacrificed for a centre back which just showed that Maresca was looking to park the bus and not concede. Chelsea would not have anything going forward. It was a strange decision without letting the game play. Especially as it’s against Man Utd. If there was any team with this sort of advantage that could mess it up, it was Amorim and Man Utd. The early goal suited us. Bruno with a decent goal. Then Palmer off for Andrey Santos who is a centre midfielder. Not even attacking. I thought this game could be 4 or 5 nil by the end of it. Then Casemiro got sent off. Game completely changed second half. The weather was terrible and football was worse. It got too tense though when Chalobah scored. It was extremely uncomfortable watching that final 10 minutes. But United pulled through.

Coming up…

A tough start to the season but we have picked up some points. Amorim’s side finishes top for most shots at goal, highest xg etc. All these stats are keeping him in the job. Brentford away Saturday should be an easy win. It’s the early kick off so I won’t be able to watch it. Next weekend the focus will be Newcastle V Arsenal. An interesting game which will be very defensive and I can see being 0-0. I hope I am proven wrong.

Favourite goal of the week

Probably only two goals that I really enjoyed this week. The runner up is Haaland V Arsenal. The little touch and the sprint toward goal. Absolutely shifting past Gabriel like he’s not even trying. Haaland on the counter is so scary because it always ends with a goal. No matter what happens. If you feed him, he will score. Was a great, counter attacking goal which we don’t see in the city side.

My favourite was Stach for Leeds against Wolves. Set piece from about 30 yards in the top corner. Absolutely peach. I’ll say no more, just have a look below.

Next week, a quick review of Utd and the main game of the weekend. Newcastle v Arsenal. Please not a goal less draw.

See you next week, H.

This blog is going to be my thoughts from some premier league action I watch each week. It will mainly be me talking (ranting) about Manchester United as they are the team I support and this will be the game I choose to watch each week. This will be my thoughts as a fan, as a player and from a football *mind*.

So where to begin? My first blog. My first Man United rant. Where do I bloody begin? I sit here watching Spurs. Spurs. Winning in the champions league and think where did it all go wrong? 3-0 loss to Man City. I remember the time when Man City were nothing compared to Man Utd. Their best player being Slyvain Distin. Whilst Man Utd had Beckham, Rooney, Ronaldo. The takeover in 2008. The thought that Man City could get anywhere near us at the time was incomprehensible for 12 year old me. But as I sat there with my brother, also a long time United fan, as Haaland was clean through from the half way line with only Maguire in chase, how can this have happened? How can United be getting pumped like this?

Amorim

Every United fan has his thoughts on Amorim. Change formation, sack him, give him more time etc. What is the answer though? Well, stubbornness can kill. Amorim has said he will not change his tactics or ideas. Every modern manager is successful by being adaptable. Watching a game pan out one way and switching a player or formation can turn the results. As frustrating as it is to compare to this man but look at Slot. His substitutions in games are not for the sake of it. They are there to change the game. In comparison to Amorim. Losing 2-0 to City, brings on Maguire. This is not what I want to see as a United fan. No idea what he thought bringing on Maguire would do. Damage limitation? Who knows.

The one thing I will praise is the decision to bring on Kobbie Mainoo. He needs to start. He is always so good. Never hides. Always wants the ball. Never loses it. Amorim won’t change. So he is always going to play 2 in midfield. It’s always going to be Bruno. Casemiro has not got enough legs to do all the running in midfield so he is out. Ugarte is supposed to be our rock CDM but seemingly gets overrun every game. It is Mainoo’s time. The only player not given a chance and the only player that could make it happen next to Bruno. When the rumour mill of Mainoo wanting to leave on loan, I was gutted. The only hope in United is that man. He is the only ray of light from having the Sunday scaries.

Amorim is staying though. I think until maybe next international break if results continue. United have Chelsea at home this weekend. A massive game. United haven’t lost at home to Chelsea for 12 years I think it was. Chelsea play Bayern away tomorrow night. United have nothing until Saturday. There is zero excuses on Saturday. I can accept a draw or a loss but it’s how we play. If it’s like the Manchester derby then Amorim better hurry back to Portugal.

But always end on a positive. My first blog. Hopefully I can look back at this and see that this was the changing point in the United season and we finish top four. Who knows what will happen?

Favourite goal of the week

A little piece I want to do each week is talk about my favourite goal. Not necessarily the best goal but my personal favourite. Special shout out to my new fav striker. Woltemade. Everything I love about football. 6ft6. Long sleeve. Big striker. But has quick feet. Can’t wait to watch him more.

My pick this week is Caicedo’s outside the box strike. Great time to score. Clean strike as any. He is so bloody good and that strike was so clean. So that’s my vote. Not many to pick from this weekend though.

If you’ve got this far, thank you for reading. I am immensely grateful. Any thoughts and opinions, please share them.

Next week, United V Chelsea. Fingers crossed for those 3 magical point.

See you next week! H.