Manchester United 2014-2015

[yinyang]

Xmas into new year footy crunch :p

Fri 26 Dec 2014 - Premier League
Man Utd v Newcastle 15:00

Sun 28 Dec 2014 - Premier League
Tottenham v Man Utd 12:00

Thu 1 Jan 2015 - Premier League
Stoke v Man Utd 12:45

Sun 4 Jan 2015 - FA Cup
Yeovil v Man Utd 15:30

 

[Gallego99]

Not sure if De Gea improved performance will last. Would like to think he can only get better. IMO, the quantum leap in performance could be attributed to the presence of Victor Valdez who is expected to sign on for United. Valdez is the keeper to push De Gea to the next level.

De Gea has kept United in the top three and if they should go on to win the league which is highly unlikely, it will be down to the man between the sticks. The defence is still in shambles. No one has the aerial prowess and dominance of Vidic and it is quite telling with the way they defend. The Brits unlike the Italians love to play the high balls and just maybe Vidic is not suited for the Italian league. His timing and positioning for high crosses is almost perfect and his fearless,no nonsense attitude has made him one of the best defenders in the premier league.

Get rid of Evans and we will win the league for sure.

 

[yinyang]

Yeovil?? Had to google the club :p But heartening to see fans loyalty

Yeovil v Manchester United: Fan obtains tickets after 17-hour wait

A Yeovil fan waited a "mad" 17 hours in the cold overnight to ensure he secured tickets to see Manchester United.

The League One club will host the Premier League giants in the FA Cup third round on 4 January at their Huish Park home, which holds only 9,500.

On Sunday, James Krzyzanowski was one of hundreds camped outside the ground to beat the Monday rush for tickets.

"It was a mad decision. It was so cold but worth it. I'm putting the tickets in a safe for 12 days," he said.

The 22-year-old lifelong Glovers fan arrived at the ground at 16:00 GMT on Sunday afternoon and was at the front of the queue which snaked halfway round the stadium.

Yeovil fan James Krzyzanowski's long wait for tickets paid off


He told BBC Somerset: "To have the tickets and to go to the game feels like all my Christmases and birthdays have come at once."

Tickets for the game were available on a first come, first served basis on Monday morning, for fans who had stubs from both the second-round replay win over Accrington and Saturday's League One defeat by Colchester.

A third of the tickets have been sold to season-ticket holders, while Manchester United have been given an allocation of 2,000.

The Glovers confirmed on Monday afternoon the game was a complete sell out.

Yeovil have not played the 11-time FA Cup winners since 1949, when United ran out 8-0 winners.

Some Yeovil supporters camped overnight at Huish Park for tickets




The queue for tickets at Huish Park started at the ticket office and went halfway round the stadium

 

[LEGEND]

Don't make me repeat! Man U is the BEST!

 

[yinyang]

How vs Geordies Boxing Day? :p

TEAM NEWS
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has an outside chance of playing following a groin injury.
However, Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera and Daley Blind are still injured and Marouane Fellaini has an illness.
Newcastle will be without Cheick Tiote through suspension, however Steven Taylor is fit after suffering a facial injury in the defeat by Sunderland.
Jonas Gutierrez returned to action for the reserves on Monday, but he won't be considered for the first team yet.

MATCH PREVIEW

There aren't many certainties in football, but Manchester United winning on Boxing Day comes close.
The Red Devils have won their last ten games on 26 December, and in 22 years of the Premier League have lost just once.

What were you doing on Boxing Day in 2002? Well, Louis van Gaal was nearing the end of his second spell in charge of Barcelona whilst Alan Pardew was carving out an impressive reputation in his first management job at Reading.

Me? I was at the Riverside Stadium to see Middlesbrough beat Manchester United 3-1 with goals from Szilard Nemeth, Alen Boksic and Joseph-Desire Job. Those names don't half take you back.

Lawro's prediction
"Manchester United were disappointing in their draw with Aston Villa last weekend but, even when they had won six games in a row, I never thought they were title contenders. They are Champions League material but a top-four finish is as far as it goes for them this season."

Predictions: Lawro v Guy Mowbray
Coming back to the present, and Van Gaal declared himself "frustrated" after Saturday's draw at Aston Villa. That wasn't surprising after watching his team keep the ball well enough but fail to carve out enough chances - especially with an extra-man advantage for the final half hour. In fact, the red card for the other team only seemed to upset United's rhythm.

Alan Pardew could probably see his rival's "frustrated" and raise him to a "sickened" after a fourth successive Tyne & Wear derby defeat on Sunday.

Too many of his players seemed too pumped up for the North East's biggest game of the year, with poor choices made in tackling and passing. Maybe going back to being the underdog in this one will help them to just play?
It certainly did last season, with the Magpies winning away to Manchester United for the first time in almost 42 years. They've only won twice in 49 games since 1950.

Back to those certainties again then, with another being that Newcastle fans hit the road on Boxing Day - specifically the M62. They've now been away for 11 of their last 13 matches on this day, with eight in the north west. Come on fixture computer, sort it out!

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
Newcastle won at Old Trafford last season for the first time since February 1972.
Manchester United haven't lost back-to-back matches to Newcastle at Old Trafford since 1935.
United have lost just one of their last 30 home league games against Newcastle.

Manchester United
Manchester United have won six out of their last seven league matches, while they drew their other game.
They have lost only one of their last 12 league matches.
Out of the 20 Premier League games they have played on Boxing Day, they have suffered just one defeat (W17, D2).

Wayne Rooney is three short of becoming the fifth player, after Alan Shearer (173), Thierry Henry (120), Andy Cole (106) and Robbie Fowler (103), to score 100 Premier League home goals.

They have used more players than any other team this season with 31 - four more than second-highest team Hull.
Newcastle United

Newcastle have won only one of their last five league matches (D1, L3), while they have lost three in a row in all competitions.

They have lost 11 Premier League away matches in 2014, a joint-league high with West Brom, Aston Villa and Hull City.

The Magpies have been away from home in nine of their last 11 matches on Boxing Day and have lost six and won just one of those games.
They are the only team in the Premier League yet to score in the opening 30 minutes of a game this season.

 

[RubbingWarmPusi]

Manyoo should take this one easily. Since edging out Chelsea Newcastle have not been winning.

 

[yinyang]

Predictions anyone for this Boxing Day's home to Newcastle? :p

Man Utd v Newcastle

Boxing Day predictions:
Lawro v MOTD commentator Guy Mowbray
BBC Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson is pitting his wits against a different guest each week this season.
Mowbray is backing Liverpool and Man Utd for wins, but tips QPR to hold Arsenal
Lawro's opponent for the Boxing Day Premier League fixtures is Match of the Day commentator Guy Mowbray.

“United are Champions League material but a top-four finish is as far as it goes for them this season”

I thought Manchester United were quite disappointing in their draw with Aston Villa last time out, especially when you consider Louis van Gaal's side were on a six-game winning run and played against 10 men for the last 25 minutes after Gabriel Agbonlahor was sent off.

But I never thought United were title contenders. They are Champions League material, but a top-four finish is as far as it goes for them this season.

I think they will beat Newcastle, though.

The Magpies have just come off a bad run of three defeats in a week. They conceded four goals in each of their first two losses and, although they were only beaten by a late Sunderland goal on Sunday, I felt the Black Cats made the better chances and played better football.

I am at Old Trafford for BBC Radio 5 live on Boxing Day, and I am expecting to see Newcastle get turned over.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0

Guy's prediction: 3-0. "Newcastle won at Old Trafford last year but I'd be surprised if it happens again. The demanding Louis van Gaal is ordering and getting improvement from his United team, while Newcastle look a little 'burned out' after their winning run in November

 

[yinyang]

Louis van Gaal: Man Utd boss praises Old Trafford support


Louis van Gaal says he was surprised by the support he received from Manchester United fans during his difficult first few months at Old Trafford.

United endured their worst start to a season since 1986-87 as the Dutchman took 13 points from his first 10 games.

The Red Devils have not lost for nine matches since then and Van Gaal says he is indebted to the supporters.

"I'm thanking the fans because they were very important in my first six months," he said.

Van Gaal was confirmed as a permanent successor to David Moyes in May 2014 but the team struggled for form despite spending £149m in the summer transfer window.

United won three, drew four and lost three of their first 10 league matches this season and were 10th in the Premier League after the 1-0 derby defeat by Manchester City.

Van Gaal said the backing he has received at Old Trafford contrasted starkly with his experience at some of his former clubs.

When asked what had surprised him most since taking the job, the 63-year-old said: "The club. The fans.
"I have never had the experience that when you lose or draw at home the fans are still applauding for you, showing their belief in you. Never.

"In Barcelona, the white handkerchiefs. In Bayern, whistles. In Amsterdam, Ajax, they are shouting.
"Here, they are applauding - stand up and applaud. Unbelievable."

 

[yinyang]

Shore up the rear end, with disaster cave in at record start at Stoke last night :(

Manchester United identify Everton’s Seamus Coleman as transfer target
• Louis van Gaal hopes to land right-back in January
• Deal for Irishman would be worth at least £20m

Everton’s Seamus Coleman is viewed as a replacement for the erratic Rafael da Silva at Manchester United. Photograph: Paul Thomas/Getty Images Jamie Jackson and Daniel Taylor

Manchester United hope to sign Seamus Coleman in the January window in a deal that would be worth at least £20m to Everton. United believe it is more likely the right-back can be bought in the summer but are exploring what would represent the considerable coup of acquiring the 26-year-old immediately.

Louis van Gaal wants to sign a right-back because the United manager has little faith in Rafael da Silva, the only established player in the position.

Two weeks ago Van Gaal left the 24-year-old Brazilian out of the squad for the 3-0 win over Liverpool, saying: “Rafael is not injured. Last week he was fit but I have to select [on merit].”

Da Silva can be unreliable and Van Gaal believes Coleman is more robust while being impressed with his pace, an attribute that would allow the Republic of Ireland international to slot into the manager’s wing-back system.

http://www.theguardian.com/football...united-seamus-coleman-transfer-target-everton

 

[Gallego99]

LVG should know by now the defenders he should keep and those that should be shown the door. Top of the list to boot-Jonny Evans. Not sure why this player is still in the club. Dun depend on Jones as he looks as if he'll pick up another injury b4 the month is out.
If they can get Mats Hummel this month, it will be great. JW5 will be delighted I'm sure. They need a stable back 4 and provide cover for De Gea.

 

[yinyang]

Herrera's stunner early this morning :p

[video=dailymotion;x2e04pj]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2e04pj_yeovil-0-2-manchester-united-all-goals-and-highlights-4-1-2015_sport[/video]

 

[FunnyAhmad]

Rafael da Silva is too attack minded and sometimes desert his basic defending duty trying to play like Ashley Cole during his peak at Arsenal and early Chelsea days.
LVG looks not to like this very much.

 

[yinyang]

FA Cup: Man Utd drawn against Cambridge Utd in fourth round

League Two side Cambridge United have been drawn at home to Manchester United in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The U's are the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, while League One side Rochdale, who knocked out Nottingham Forest, welcome Stoke City.

Holders Arsenal visit Brighton, and Chelsea were drawn at home to the winners of Millwall and Bradford City.

Manchester City host Middlesbrough and Bournemouth travel to Aston Villa. Ties will be played on 24 and 25 January.


FA Cup fourth-round draw
Southampton or Ipswich Town v Crystal Palace
Cambridge United v Manchester United
Blackburn Rovers v Swansea City
Chelsea v Millwall or Bradford City
Derby County v Scunthorpe or Chesterfield
Preston NE v Sheffield United
Birmingham City v West Brom
Aston Villa v AFC Bournemouth
Cardiff City v Reading
Liverpool v Bolton Wanderers
Burnley or Tottenham v Leicester City
Brighton v Arsenal
Rochdale v Stoke City
Sunderland v Fulham or Wolves
Doncaster or Bristol City v Everton or West Ham
Manchester City v Middlesbrough

"It's a game to look forward to," said Cambridge United head coach Richard Money. "It is reward for everyone's hard work at the club.

"Everyone's suffered during nine years out of the Football League but a lot of people have worked hard and now we've got a draw like this. We're delighted."

Liverpool face a home game against Championship outfit Bolton Wanderers, while Everton or West Ham will travel to Doncaster Rovers or Bristol City.

Sheffield United, who beat Queens Park Rangers in the third round, visit fellow League One side Preston North End.

Manchester United, 2-0 winners at Yeovil on Sunday, have won the FA Cup a joint-record 11 times.

Cambridge, who are 14th in League Two, beat Luton 2-1 at the Abbey Stadium in the third round.

Manchester United and Cambridge last met in the League Cup in 1991, when the Reds won the two-legged tie 4-1 on aggregate.

 

[FunnyAhmad]

Good for the smaller clubs to have an experience playing with the big ones and its also good for their finances.

FA Cup fourth-round draw
Southampton or Ipswich Town v Crystal Palace
Cambridge United v Manchester United
Blackburn Rovers v Swansea City
Chelsea v Millwall or Bradford City
Derby County v Scunthorpe or Chesterfield
Preston NE v Sheffield United
Birmingham City v West Brom
Aston Villa v AFC Bournemouth
Cardiff City v Reading
Liverpool v Bolton Wanderers
Burnley or Tottenham v Leicester City
Brighton v Arsenal
Rochdale v Stoke City
Sunderland v Fulham or Wolves
Doncaster or Bristol City v Everton or West Ham
Manchester City v Middlesbrough




Cambridge, who are 14th in League Two, beat Luton 2-1 at the Abbey Stadium in the third round.

Manchester United and Cambridge last met in the League Cup in 1991, when the Reds won the two-legged tie 4-1 on aggregate.

 

[Gallego99]

Rafael da Silva is too attack minded and sometimes desert his basic defending duty trying to play like Ashley Cole during his peak at Arsenal and early Chelsea days.
LVG looks not to like this very much.

The traditional or classic right/left back has always been about defending only but not anymore. The game has evolved. They add width and provide support to the left and right wing play. Likewise, the left and right attacking midfielders are expected not only to attack and assist but to provide cover for the defenders.

Fergie loves attack minded defenders (left/right) as it gives the manager several options. As they say, the best form of defence is to attack. Rafael is a good attacking right back but a lot of times his temperament got the better of him and that is the nub of the problem with this player. You need a cool head when defending and under pressure. One thing for sure he is better than his twin brother Fabio.

 

[LEGEND]

Heard Moyes kicked Barca's ass last week. I hopes he will return to Manchester in the future.

 

[FunnyAhmad]

They beat Barca but no kicking of ass. After they scored their goal they defended stoutly and with discipline.

Heard Moyes kicked Barca's ass last week. I hopes he will return to Manchester in the future.

 

[FunnyAhmad]

The traditional or classic right/left back has always been about defending only but not anymore. The game has evolved. They add width and provide support to the left and right wing play. Likewise, the left and right attacking midfielders are expected not only to attack and assist but to provide cover for the defenders.

Fergie loves attack minded defenders (left/right) as it gives the manager several options. As they say, the best form of defence is to attack. Rafael is a good attacking right back but a lot of times his temperament got the better of him and that is the nub of the problem with this player. You need a cool head when defending and under pressure. One thing for sure he is better than his twin brother Fabio.

Yes Fergie liked this type of defender who could attack ala Cole and even further back in time Junior from the 1982 WC Brazilian team. But if you screwed it up by not getting back to defend then sure the hairdryer treatment would follow. Rio Ferdinand was the recipient of that when United lost heavily to City 3 seasons ago.

 

[yinyang]

REVEALED: The TWO Germans set to bolster Man Utd's defence this January

MANCHESTER UNITED are plotting an audacious double defensive swoop for Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels and Schalke's Benedikt Howedes.

The two Germany internationals are at the top of Louis van Gaal's wishlist as he looks to reinforce his options at the back.

Hummels and Howedes were both targets for the Red Devils last summer, and both are now actively searching for a way out of their respective clubs.
Arsenal are also interested in the powerful centre-backs, but reports understand that the duo would rather move to Old Trafford over the Emirates.

Recent times had claimed that United were hoping to strike a deal with Real Madrid for youngster Raphael Varane, but the La Liga outfit are not willing to part ways with the starlet.

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/foot...t-Howedes-Borussia-Dortmund-Schalke-Transfers

 

[yinyang]

Victor Valdes: Man Utd to sign former Barcelona goalkeeper
By Simon Stone. BBC Sport

Former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has accepted an offer to join Manchester United.

The Spain international, who has been training with United in his bid to recover from a serious knee injury, has agreed an 18-month contract.

Valdes, 32, won six La Liga and three Champions League titles with Barcelona, before leaving at the end of last season when his contract expired.

The deal could lead to reserve keeper Anders Lindegaard leaving Old Trafford.

It also poses a question about the future of 24-year-old first-choice goalkeeper David De Gea, who was the club's player of the year last season and has excelled again this term.

His contract is due to expire in 2016, although senior United sources have said they were relaxed about him signing an extension to that deal.

Valdes's honours at Barcelona
La Liga: 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013. Copa del Rey: 2009, 2012. Champions League: 2006, 2009, 2011. World Club Cup: 2009, 2011.

Before last season started, Valdes confirmed it would be his final one at the Nou Camp, but his campaign ended in March when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament, an injury that kept him out of the World Cup.

Manchester United are third in the Premier League, nine points behind joint leaders Chelsea and Manchester City.

De Gea has played in every match for United this season but conceded four in the League Cup defeat at MK Dons in August and five in the Premier League loss to Leicester on 21 September.

However, the defensive record has improved in the last few months, with the club letting in only seven goals in their last 13 matches.

Denmark international Lindegaard, 30, arrived at Old Trafford in a £3.5m deal in January 2011 but has made only 19 Premier League appearances.

The other two goalkeeping options are 21-year-old Sam Johnstone, who is on loan at Doncaster, and 24-year-old Ben Amos, who was criticised by United manager Louis van Gaal for letting in Miralem Pjanic's 60-yard lob against Roma in pre-season.