PSV vs Manchester United Match Report

United Left Shaw-Less after Defeat in Holland –

Manchester United players and fans were left distraught after their first game back in the Champions League led them to a 2-1 defeat against the Dutch champions PSV. But it wasn’t the defeat that really left the players and fans alike distraught, it was the fact that Luke Shaw suffered a double fracture to his right leg. The promising English left back made a great run and found himself with a chance on goal but was tackled by PSV defender Hector Moreno. The tackle at first glance looked a good one but after seeing the replays, you can see that Moreno trailing left leg catches Shaw hard and forced the double leg fracture. United fans and players were left crying out for a penalty and what was sure to be a red card, but the ref quickly dismissed the appeals.

Coming into the game, United was without their captain Wayne Rooney who is still recovering from a hamstring injury. Anthony Martial was given his chance for a starting debut after scoring against Liverpool on the weekend and Ashley Young also came into the side due to his performance on the weekend.

The match started and as expected United dominated and controlled the game, but they struggled to get the chances on goal. The PSV defence was which featured former Chelsea player Jeffrey Bruma, were solid and held a good line against the United attacks. Luke Shaw came in on goal but was tackled by Moreno forcing the injury. After 10 or so minutes down, Shaw was replaced by Marcos Rojo. Memphis Depay who said in the press conference before the game, that if he was to score, he would celebrate against his former club. And he did just that as the Dutch winger beat 2 defenders and placed the ball in the back of the net on his return to his old stomping ground in the 41^st minute. The goal gave United a lift who really could have been 3 or 4 up at this point but that was short lived after PSV defender Hector Moreno scored the equaliser in added time. Moreno received heavy boos from the united fans as it left people questioning whether the defender should still be on the pitch. United legend Peter Schmeichel took to twitter to express his views saying “Moreno should not even be on the pitch”. Once again United started to dominate in the second half but find the goal they needed. Juan Mata had a beautiful opportunity but his touch was poor. PSV broke quick on the counter attack and a great ball found the head of Narsingh who put them up 2-1 in the 57^th minute.

It has been the story of United’s season so far with them dominating games but not being able to find the net. Although the result was harsh on United, it was overshadowed by the injury to Shaw. Van Gaal confirmed after the game that Shaw had suffered a double leg fracture and was sent for surgery immediately. In other news, United’s other group opponents Wolfsburg and CSKA Moscow was in action, and the German side won 1-0 at home. At the other side of Manchester, United’s rivals City were in action against Juventus at home, but suffered a 2-1 defeat after Morata put the away side in front.

Manchester United vs Liverpool Match Report

Dream Debut – Anthony Martial scores on debut as Manchester United dismantle arch rivals Liverpool in a 3-1 victory at Old Trafford.

English footballs biggest rivals met at Old Trafford when Manchester United took on Liverpool. In what normally turns out to be a feisty affair brought us a pretty quiet and dull first half with neither side really getting an edge on each other. But that all changed in the second half, as the game came alive with goals from Daley Blind, Ander Herrera, Christian Benteke and Anthony Martial. Liverpool never really turned up at Old Trafford and it was a very poor performance from them.

Manchester United’s line up seen Captain Wayne Rooney left out of the squad due to injury so Marouane Fellaini started upfront as the lone striker. David De Gea returned to the Manchester United goal for the first time this season after just having signed a new 4 year deal at Old Trafford after his move to Real Madrid fell through. The world’s most expensive teenager Anthony Martial was on the bench for United after securing a £36 million pound move to United on deadline day. Brendan Rodgers was without his star midfielder Philippe Coutinho and captain Jordan Henderson, so he granted Danny Ings a debut for Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Both teams were very poor in the first half after neither side managed to get a shot on target. The game was crying out for a goal. And that goal came 4 minutes into the second half as Daley Blinds fantastic finish beat Simon Mignolet in the 49^th minute to give United the lead.  It was a well worked set piece from United as Ashley Young’s low cross found Blind on the edge of the box who thumped the ball into the back of the net with a first touch finish. The goal brought the came alive as both sides really started to attack. Blind was also influential at the back for United after denying Danny Ings on the line to keep United in front. Louis Van Gaal decided to introduce United’s new signing, the world’s most expensive teenager, striker, Anthony Martial who came on to replace Juan Mata in the 65^th minute. 5 minutes later Ander Herrera was brought down in the box by a very poor challenge from the young defender Joe Gomez which gave United a penalty. Herrera smashed home the penalty from 12 yards out to give United a 2-0 lead. The game was not over yet though, as Christian Benteke gave Liverpool a late lifeline with an audacious overhead kick in the 84^th minute. The stunning effort was Benteke’s 2^nd goal since joining the club and it silenced Old Trafford. But that silence didn’t last for long as United’s newest signing Anthony Martial picked up the ball and ran at the Liverpool defence, dribbling in between Clyne and Skrtel and then showing his composure as he tucked away his right footed effort past Mignolet. The 19 year old Frenchmen electrified Old Trafford with his debut goal in the 86^th minute. Martial who has been dubbed the ‘New Thierry Henry’ showed his class with a goal Henry himself would have been proud of. The final whistle blew and United picked up all 3 points.

The loss for Liverpool puts Brenden Rodgers under immense pressure now after they fall to 9^th place having only picked up 7 points from 5 games. The cry from most Liverpool fans now is to see Rodgers sacked and the ever so popular Jurgen Klopp be brought in to take charge at Liverpool. While on the flip side United rose to 2^nd place in the table with 10 points. United could drop to third place though depending on the result today in the game between Leicester and Aston Villa. United’s performance was very good in the second half when they came alive which seen Daley Blind pick up the Man of the Match after his very solid performance at centre half. A lot of critics were also silenced after the way Anthony Martial announced himself to Manchester United with his great debut goal. Martial scored with his first shot in the Premier League. The Frenchman is the 1^st united player to score on his club debut against Liverpool since 1963, giving it a real special meaning for him.

Chelsea vs Manchester United Report

Mourinho Masterclass

The two inform teams in the premier league met for a big clash thriller which seen 1^st vs 3^rd, Mourinho vs Van Gaal, of course, it’s Chelsea vs Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. Louis Van Gaal’s Manchester United were unbeaten in 6 games and came to the Bridge high in confidence after their derby day victory at Old Trafford over rivals City in a 4-2 winner, but, that came to a crashing end with a Mourinho Masterclass with Chelsea grinding out a 1-0 winner to see them stay top of the league and 10 points clear. Manchester United dominated in possession and played some really nice football but that unfortunately played into Mourinho’s plan as he set his Chelsea team out to sit back and allow United to dominate so he could hit them on the counter and that of course came through their first shot on target as star man Eden Hazard beat David De Gea to give Chelsea the 1-0 victory.

With Manchester United missing key players like Carrick, Jones, Blind and Rojo it seen Van Gaal reshuffle his inform united team. The reshuffle seen Luke Shaw and Paddy McNair come into the defence, while Wayne Rooney was dropped into the midfield which gave Falcao a rare start upfront. Chelsea were without their top scorer Diego Costa and substitute striker Loic Remy for this game, so that gave an opportunity for Didier Drogba to start upfront. Mourinho’s tactics were seen early with the announcement of his team as he brought young and talented defender Kurt Zouma into the midfield, a role he has played comfortably under Mourinho before.

United started brightly and really should have been up within the first 10 minutes as Wayne Rooney got onto Luke Shaw’s cross but placed his shot just inches wide. The shot was so close that it had Manchester United fans and even David De Gea celebrating until they realised the shot had gone wide a few seconds later. United continued to dominate and looked the better side but Chelsea once again proved why they have been leading the race for the title after another rock solid defensive performance from them. Chelsea’s resilience paid-off when they countered and scored with their first shot on target. Chelsea broke after Terry out-muscled Falcao near the half way line and Oscar’s clever backheel played in Hazard whose shot beat David De Gea in the 38^th minute.

Early in the 2^nd half Chelsea had a few chances to double their lead but they couldn’t. United showed their class as they continued to take the game to Chelsea but couldn’t find the back of the net. Van Gaal continued to push his team with him bringing on the attacking options of Angel Di Maria and Adnan Januzaj but Chelsea stayed strong and United couldn’t break them down. Falcao who is still trying to find form for United had a great chance 12 minutes from time to level it but his strike hit the outside of the post. Ander Herrera was seemed to have been brought down in the box by Gary Cahill in stoppage time but referee Mike Dean denied the appeal and gave Herrera a yellow card for diving. When the final whistle blew, there was a sigh of relief from the Chelsea fans and players who seem to now truly believe they will be the Premier League champions. The player’s reactions and celebrations helps back up this statement although manager Jose Mourinho still remains persistent that it’s not over yet because they need 8 points to be crowned champions.

Mourinho got his tactics spot on and proved why Chelsea are sitting at the top of the table. His decision to bring Kurt Zouma into the midfield worked as he dominated Fellaini and kept him relatively quiet during the game. Manchester United had 70% possession throughout the game but that didn’t faze the Chelsea manager who stated that this is the way his team set out to win the game with a solid defensive performance and to catch united on the counter and to make their chances count. Of course it’s a lot easier said than done, but this performance really proved why Chelsea deserve to be champions.

Manchester United vs Tottenham Report

Rooney Delivers Knockout Blow With a 3-0 United Win. 

After last Monday’s loss at home to Arsenal in the FA Cup, Louis Van Gaal’s men was under a lot of pressure to deliver a winning performance against Spurs with their sights fully set on a top four finish now. And that they did after a stunning performance against Spurs at home, in a 3-0 thriller, which seen United play the best football they’ve played all season. United’s play was fast, controlled and precise which gave them a 3-0 lead coming into half time with goals from Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick and captain Wayne Rooney. United controlled the game throughout with many of their players putting in a show stealing performance. United’s defense was solid and they needed to be against an inform Harry Kane who struggled to get past the back line. Spurs only shot on target of the game came in the 89th minute when Harry Kane’s effort was saved by David De Gea.

United’s line up seen Wayne Rooney pushed back up top in his favored position, with Michael Carrick getting his first start since returning from injury. Van Gaal’s line up also seen Juan Mata getting his first start in the team since the middle of January playing out on the right.

It didn’t take long for United to open the scoring as Marouane Fellaini slotted his left footed effort past Hugo Lloris in the 9th minute. Micheal Carrick’s influence in games had been heavily missed while he was out injured but he returned with a bang after his calm and precise pass set up Marouane Fellaini to score the first goal. Carrick was once again involved in the 2nd goal after his great header found the back of the net to double United’s lead. Marouane Fellaini was influential in this goal as well with his aerial threat being proved to have been too much for Spurs to handle as it lead to Carrick’s header in the 19th minute. Before the game Manchester United’s Captain Wayne Rooney caused quite a stir in the social media world after a video was posted online of himself and Sunderland’s Phil Bardsley sparring in Wayne’s kitchen which lead to Wayne being knocked clean out by the Sunderland defender. But that didnt affect the Manchester United striker as he slotted home United’s third goal in the 34th minute. A mistake from Spurs midfielder Nabil Bentaleb gifted a pass to Wayne Rooney as he ran forward with the ball taking on defender Eric Dier before calmly slotting home United’s third. The United striker showed his funny side through a self-mocking celebration as he threw fake punches in the air before pretending to take one himself and then dramatically collapsing to the floor, relating to the video posted online before the game.

Marouane Fellaini received a standing ovation at Old Trafford when he was substituted off and was given Man of the Match in what might have been his best performance in a Manchester United shirt since arriving last season under David Moyes. United’s fantastic performance lead them to taking all 3 points at home and are now placed 4th just one point behind Arsenal and two points behind arch rivals and champions Manchester City. United’s stunning performance has came at a great time heading into next Sunday’s clash at Anfield with rivals Liverpool as it has given a great boost to the team. This was a game Manchester United supporters had been waiting to see as their team played with real attacking intent throughout the entire game.  Sad news for Tottenham fans though as the lost has seen their team drop to 7th place and six points off a top 4 finish and a champions league qualification battle seems to be under way for them once again.