Despite a rather attacking game play spearheaded by Liverpool, right since the start of play, it doesn’t seem things are going their way yet. Great attacking strategies from the Liverpool forwards, and the Man Utd defense is put to test very early on. Rooney does make a great lone effort but it turns out to be an offside, only very slight, but an excellent call from the linesman.

Certainly seems like the Devils aren’t creating quite that many chances yet and maybe it’s another attempt at playing calm and planned football. Rooney being back in the squad is certainly a boost, but he isn’t getting into the best striking positions early in the game.

It’s one of those days that Van Der Sar is having a field day, and being alert isn’t enough. He makes an excellent save, and then another on rebound, and is spared gearing up for a third save when his squad manages to scramble for the ball and kick it away.

Berbatov sees a yellow card in the first half. Again, not quite the foul you’d be expecting keeping in mind his calm demeanor. A reply does show it wasn’t his fault but the game has moved on. Evra too seems to have lost his cool on the big day and sees a yellow card for his moves. Soon Mascarenhas sees yellow card.

The Liverpool defense is even trying their best at midfield and seems to be overplaying Man United with the likes of Scholes losing ball control. Too many attacks from the Liverpool attack, this despite the fact that game play maker Gerrard isn’t even in today.

The second half begins at no goals fro any quarters but certainly Liverpool are again o their feet with a lot of moves materializing. Finally a goal that means a lot at this crucial point of the game, with Torres scoring in the 64th minute. Soon after Rooney gets a free kick, a rather favorable position but the wall is impenetrable.

The defense felt weak and even a stalwart like Rio Ferdinand falls behind Torres’s momentum. Vidic too sees a yellow card, and seems all the big defense names are losing patience. Nani substitutes Scholes, and Owen comes in for Berbatov in the 72nd minute. The game certainly looks like it’s going Liverpools as the Man Utd defense doesn’t seem to be breaking any ground today.

Valencia comes strikingly close to equalizing and his pace beats Reina but hits the cross bar instead of the back of the net in the 84th minute. Truly frustrating and Man Utd can’t convert anything. The next Man Utd free kick is taken by Nani but it goes straight to Reina’s hands. Jamie Carragher sees a yellow card in the 87th minute. An unnecessary plunge by Nemaja Vidic in the 89th minute gets his a red card, the 3rd time in a row for Vidic against Liverpool.

A lot of arguments, but the game continues with 5 minutes of injury time. Still nothing favorable for Man Utd except that Mascarenhas sees another yellow scoring him a red card too. The game continues with time running out, and then out of nowhere, Ngog scored a goal at the 96th minute of play with no one expecting it, a goal for nothing. All you can hear is the Liverpool fans rejoicing and the Manchester United bubble finally bursts.

Here’s the big one that everyone’s awaiting and boy are there any chances of it being a repeat of the game at Anfield in 1981 for Gerard’s boys this season. Manchester United has been bringing home pints at home, away and overseas, evening plastic fields and surely Liverpool can’t seem to find that rhythm. Ji Sun Park is still ruled out of the squad, and Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra are ruled fit and will be playing on Sunday.

2 pieces of the puzzle that are yet to fit in are Wayne Rooney and Darren Fletcher, both of whose inclusion maybe decided after Saturdays practice session. Sure thing Liverpool dominated Manchester United at 4-1 the last time they met but the Red Devils are going to depend on teamwork. Gerrard and Torres may not be a 2 man army this Sunday because Liverpool would certainly want to win this big one, looks good on the board and will work wonders on their low morale.

As for Sir Alex Fergusson’s squad, things haven’t look this good for Man Utd right at the start of season in a while now, and they aren’t going to let that pass. Cheers to the Red Devils and the young team.

Manchester United is in Russia for their 3rd league game of their Champions League campaign this year. CSKA Moscow will be hoping to use home advantage to their benefit and try for a win tonight as United will be missing key players. United face trouble as star players like Evra, Rooney, Giggs, Fletcher and Park are probably going to miss the match due to injuries whereas defender Vidic is racing against time to be match fit. Another problem that might trouble United in Moscow tonight will be the playing surface. The surface in Luzhniki stadium is made of plastic and United have never played on such a surface.

Looks like here’s one that’s started on the right note for Manchester United. The ball doesn’t seem to want to leave the Red Devils, and Bolton players are being made to work hard. A 5th minute goal for Manchester United cements their position early on. Evra shows his mastery with a deft pass to Berbatov, which is intercepted by the Bolton defenders but to no avail because the speed of the ball and deflection, ensures that the ball goes straight to the back of the net. Before the Bolton players can stabilize, Man Utd almost scores again with a great header from Giggs but the goalie does save it this time.

A great goal scoring opportunity for Berbatov in the 12th minute but spins out of direction after hitting Owen. Bolton does manage to get the ball to their end soon after, but fail to convert a goal. The game has lost some pace with most of the action concentrated around midfield for the next few minutes. A great pass from Giggs to Carrick in the 22nd minutes but Carrick fails to score. Te next minute Valencia almost gets the back of the net but yet again the goalie saves face for Bolton. Taylor does raise hopes for Bolton but misses a great goal scoring chance created out of nothing. The ball is yet again with Manchester United, and another skillful pass by Gary Neville sees Valencia score in the 33rd minute. One thing for certain is that Berbatov is very alert in his game today. A very well paced game for Manchester United for the rest of the first half with no scope of Bolton equalizing. An additional 1 minute of injury time doesn’t bear testimony to any last minute goals.

The second half doesn’t see Bolton as perked as you’d expect and they’re still scrambling for the ball. An early foul on Evra lands Man Utd a free kick. Soon after, Bolton acquires a free kick after Anderson climbs over a Bolton, certainly not a foul, and that’s why Anderson is mad. A great try by Bolton, but Van Der Sar saves and holds on in style. Another great try by Owen to score but it misses the corner. A brilliant pass by Berbatov to Owen would have certainly seen Man utd score but Owen fumbles despite having left his defenders behind.

If anyone ever has doubts about Giggs playing standards, there was another exhibition in the 55th minute. Ball control isn’t an overnight trick and Giggs can vouch for that. Despite missing the goal, his ball control to outplay defenders is a beauty to watch. A lucky save by the Bolton goalie for a goal that should have seen Berbatov score, a striking shot in close quarters but the goalie gets lucky on this one. A feeble attempt from Cohen in the 60th minute, it being a long shot points to the fact that no one else from Bolton was ready for the shot.

A strange outcome in the 70th minute when Bolton things they’ve scored but in reality, Van Der Sar had been fouled upon. Finally Bolton has something to cheer for when Taylor converts in the 75th minute. Looks like Bolton has woken up from slumber late and are trying to make up for lost time and generating some pace in the game. The 82nd minute sees Man Utd substitute Evra, and Owen for O’Shea and Welback. In the 85th minute Paul Scholes steps in, in place of Anderson.

Berbatove sustains an injury that needs medical attention, so Man Utd continues play with 10 men for a bit. Extra time sees Giggs hold ground for a Mn Utd corner in the 4th and last minute of injury time. Bolton had every chance of equalizing from close quarters at the very end of the game but van Der Sar doesn’t falter and Man Utd takes home another 3 points.

Premier League action resumes this week after an international break. Bolton Wanderers will be visiting Old Trafford this Saturday hoping to upset the champions who they last defeated in November 2007. Sean Davis has been ruled out for the fixture but otherwise Bolton coach Gary Megson will be travelling with all his players. Van Der Saar has recovered fully and has practiced enough to play at the top level. He will be playing his first match this season against Bolton tomorrow. Rooney has been ruled out and Fletcher is not sure of starting as both have picked injuries while on respective international duties. The surprise of the match will be Owen Hargreaves who is believed to play in his first match after being sidelined for more than a year due to injury.

Just what fans are waiting for, finally Man Utds 1st Champions League home game. Playing against Vfl Wolfsburg on Wednesday is much awaited especially since the red devils have been winning anything they play of late. Goals are coming from all quarters, and it seems nothing they do can go wrong. Wolfsburg, the Bundesliga Champions would certainly have a strong game plan to try and thwart Manchester United’s attempts at gaining more points having defeated Besiktas already in the group stages. United certainly wants to keep a clean sheet and take this one home early in the league, and no one can deny the power of a home crowd.

A composed start from both teams seems like a strategy. Nani is injured shortly after start of play but recovers soon. Two quick attempts by Man Utd within the 1st 5 minutes, first by Rooney, and then another by Scholes. Within the 7th minute, Nani was trying his luck at goal scoring, and then came the heartbreaking finish to Valencias attempt, could have been better if the ball was passed to Rooney who was free as well. Despite their restraints attempts, Stoke does create a half chance by constructing a great move, and strike which fortunately goes awry.

Another great run by Nani in the 18th minute saw another off target attempt which could have seen better results if the ball had yet again been passed to Rooney who was in a closer and more central position. A minor tussle commences in the 25th minute but no cards are shown as the referee reasons with both teams. A yellow card for Huth comes up in the 29th minute for an oncoming tackle that Scholes overemphasizes. A few slow minutes of play and a lot of booing from the Stoke supporters.

A sudden spark of hope for Man Utd in the 41st minute with Berbatov effectively switching the balls direction towards Fletcher but no results and the next minute Rooney is left unrewarded yet again. A very decent attempt from Nani comes up before the 45th minute with a shot on target that’s struck away by the Stoke goalie. The game ends with Stoke taking control of the ball but no results.

The second half begins on the same note and certainly sees Rooney even more charged. A great drive through from Evra, and a good pass to Nani, close defense so that ends in a corner. Soon after, there’s another feeble attempt by Nani that’s easily collected by the Stoke goalie. In the 55th minute, Nani comes off to give way to Giggs.

Finally it pays off. Giggs assists a goal and passes superbly to Berbatov who finds himself in close quarters to the goal post and strikes effortlessly. Scholes certainly should feel relieved as the referee doesn’t give him a card which was almost expected knowing Scholes history with fouls and subsequent cards but this one just ends with a free kick for Stoke despite Scholes having premeditated an expectant card and walking towards the referee looking guilty as hell.

With about 18 minutes of play left in normal time, Stoke brings on 2 substitutes. Man Utd attacks yet again but this one is a clear offside. Talk about set piece perfection, an explosive pass from Giggs sees a goal from unlikely quarters, a header from John O’shea. Would you believe it, he scores after 2 ½ years. Giggs has again proved his formidable position in the team. A great pass from Scholes to Giggs could certainly have been his 100th, but alas it’s not to be. Evans steps on field in place of Rooney in the 80th minute.

Keeping in mind their Champions league commitment this week, Carrick steps in for Scholes and Owen too gets to play for the last 10 minutes soon after. In the 86th minute, Stoke opts for their 3rd substitute. It’s still the slow approach that has worked wonders for the Red Devils, and the home team is slowly beginning to feel the heat sink on. Very less time and an unbeatable target at this point, the Man Utd players seem to play around with the ball, and no attempt from Stoke seems enough now. We end this one with a thank you note to Giggs, the big Welshman.

Here’s another great chance for Manchester United to seal another quick victory. Simply going by the statistics so far, Man Utd seems hungry for early victories whereas Stoke hasn’t yet shown that sort of fervor. However, the team seems to be playing strong at home, and that’s what they’re going to count on tomorrow. As for Man Utd’s part they’re not likely to play a young team and you can expect the team’s experienced stalwarts to make an appearance just to stabilize play from the start itself. The devils go to play with a high morale having recently clinched a last minute derby win, and having won the Carling Cup game against the Wolves despite being 1 man down.

This is certainly what dreams are made of, Wayne Rooney strikes a goal from close quarters going past 2 defenders within the 3rd minute, and supporters sing on with gusto for every move then on. Anderson looks a good fit in today’s game. The game is almost fast paced with Man City gearing up with every move. The next best attempt from Man Utd came from Berbatov from his favorite center position but the ball lifts over the post. Then came the equalizer, with Ben Foster fumbling on the ball with a tackle with Tavez. Coming away from the net wasn’t a great decision, and Tavez controls, gains possession and opts for a short pass to Gareth Berry who does convert.

A lot of cheering is heard when Tavez is shown a yellow card but nothing much happens after that. Next it’s a yellow card for Anderson in the 36th minute, and Anderson looks visibly upset and Giggs, Rooney, and Ferdinand even oppose the referee’s decision. It certainly seems like a stalemate because nothing much is happening in terms of effective passes or strategy, and in the meantime, Vidic gets a yellow card in the 43rd minute. Soon after, Rooney does make a charge for it but can’t do much on his own. A great counter and Tavez beats all defenders and strikes but unfortunately instead of hitting the back of the net, hits the goal post and moves outward. Another saving grace for Manchester United shall we say. The first have ends with 2 additional minutes of play. That’s just enough time for Manchester City free kick that Bellamy takes but despite a touch from Tavez, and Lescott, there’s no last minute goal.

The game starts with great anticipation and the Man City defense seems strong, so much so, that Berbatov goes done only because of the sheer number of defenders following him. Fletcher scores and Manchester United is back on top, having started the 2nd half as well as they started the first half. After many a miss in the past games, finally Fletcher scores, and in good time shall we say, just 5 minutes into the 2nd half. Seems like Man Utd has an agenda because Park makes a goal scoring attempt and the team creates a other half chance in the next 2 minutes ending in a failed attempt by Ferdinand.

Seems like everyone pulled their socks up Bellamy on the other end controls the ball, drives in and delivers a quality goal at the 52nd minute. Another great chance but park misses in the 54th minute. Nothing seems to be working for Man Utd as of now despite increased ball control. The ball seems to stick with Manchester United but to no avail. Another great header by Berbatov in the 65th minute straight to the goalkeeper which ends in another corner by Giggs, but again no result.

The next 5 minutes sees an onslaught of goal attempts from Manchester United but it seems that nothing’s going past the goalkeeper because he’s hitting everything that comes his way, another saving grace for City. Certainly an exciting derby and the crowds haven’t stopped cheering for a moment. This was waiting to happen, and finally Fletcher heads it in at the 81st minute, almost a carbon copy goal, and his first double in a premier league on a great day.

If you thought that was enough excitement, the end proves to be nail biting. One slight mistake by Ferdinand sees Bellamy take control, drive through and score. The late equalizer dampens Manchester United’s victory in extra time. Anderson is substituted, and Carrick steps on late in extra time. Giggs’ corner isn’t fruitful, and neither is Rooney’s goal attempt. Giggs still fights on and finally it pays off. 6 minutes into extra time and a clinical pass to Owens sees a goal converted and with that Manchester United seal a victory, 4-3 on the big day.

The much awaited seasons derby shall we call this one. This game’s one of those where the winner takes it all in terms of being an ego booster. What’s awaited is to watch Tavez in the starting 11, and the havoc he’s waiting to breathe down on the Man Utd squad is much awaited. Certainly Manchester City do seem unstoppable at this moment with their pace intact and continuous onslaught of goals. Will Manchester United’s slow approach and team experience pull through this one to seal another 3 points? This one’s going to be difficult to predict but Alex Fergusson is certainly going to strategize to bring this one home despite the speed and thirst of the derby side.