Defensive Woes



United will stick with the same back four that shut out Everton last Saturday (again) when Besiktas visit Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

Sir Alex Ferguson is down to the bare bones at the back, as those four players - Rafael, Wes Brown, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra - were the only four defenders at training on Tuesday morning.

Brown and Vidic have had their problems this year, while Rafael has been a pleasant surprise, given his age and experience. But Evra - that's a tough one. He's been keeping United dominant on many occasions. Just hope the French World Cup win hasn't gone from one crook's hand to a solid player's head. Peu probable!

Reds get the Blues


Chelsea 1 United 0




Sure United were excellent at Stamford Bridge. They usually are. But once again they left empty handed. Or 6 six points down, depending on your glass.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s well formed game-plan went pear shaped after the Reds conceded a goal from a seriously questionable second-half free-kick, which led to Chelsea captain, and chief opportunist, John Terry’s winner.

The Reds dominated possession for large periods of the game. Darren Fletcher and Wayne Rooney both looked outstanding. But the overriding feeling, other than dread, is injustice, as the Reds slipped to third behind Chelski and the team who's name we shall not speak.


A few weeks back it was the scousers giving me angina. As it turns out they're not the biggest threat. Chelsea is. Sadly United can't seem seem to conquer either. Yet.

The Great Escape

United 3 CSKA Moscow 3

It wasn't pretty, but it was pretty tense. United managed to eek out a point at OT, playing catch up to CSKA in a sloppy, disorganized Champions League performance.

Goals in the final six minutes from Paul Scholes and Antonio Valencia - albeit via a huge deflection - saved United from a first Champions League home defeat since February 2005, after CSKA Moscow had stunned Old Trafford by roaring into a 3-1 lead.

They'll have to do better against Chelsea at the weekend. While CSKA were out of of their league, it looks like the Blues may the class of the EPL. They're certainly a side that will make you pay if you let your guard down.


Get fit in a hurry boys. Terry big boots and his band of despicable cohorts are up for it. Are you?