Who Put The Ball In The German’s Net? Ole Gunnar Solskjaer!

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer “The Baby Faced Assassin” announced his retirement from football today. He joined Manchester United in 1996 for £1.5 million (that’s not a typo - it was only one and a half million pounds!) and went on to score 126 goals in 366 appearances for the club.

ManUBlog would like to pay our own tribute to a true Man United Legend. Ole’s finest hour came in the 1999 Champions League Final, I think you can guess what happens next…..

I know Alan Green is a Liverpool supporter but his commentary describing Ole’s winning goal still puts a huge grin on my face!

Solskjaer scored important goals in big games throughout his career, often coming off the bench late in games, he earned the reputation as a super-sub. He scored an unheralded late winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup in United’s treble winning season of 1999. Another highlight was when he scored 4 goals in the last 20 minutes as a second half substitute in a 8-1 win over Nottingham Forest.

Ole has never put a foot wrong in his time at Old Trafford, showing unstinting loyalty to the team and his manager. There have been many occasions in his career where he could have felt a bit hard done to, being left on the bench when he deserved a starting place on merit. He’s a modest and unassuming man, not once did he moan or gripe to the press, he just let his feet do the talking by continuing to bang in the goals.

It’s a shame Ole has suffered so much with injury, he had shown tremendous strength of character to get himself fit and playing again last season and I hoped we would get to see him for one more season. In the eyes of United fans, Solskjaer is a true legend and his name will be sung loud at Old Trafford forever. It has been reported that Ole will stay at the club, possibly as reserve team coach and there’s sure to be a sell out testimonial in the near future.

Ole, thanks for the great memories, all of us at ManUBlog wish you every success in the future.

Manchester United New Away Kit 2007/2008

The new Manchester United away kit for the 2007/2008 season will be officially launched on Thursday September 13th 2007.

The new Man Utd away kit looks great in black with red trim and a red stripe on the back.

Be one of the first to wear the fantastic new Manchester Utd away shirt, pre-order today CLICK HERE.

Manchester United 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Manchester United claimed their first victory of the season with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford. The game seemed to be following a familiar pattern with United having the bulk of the possession without a cutting edge in attack. That was until Reds new boy Nani picked up the ball, advanced on goal and scored with a fabulous strike from 30 yards that flew past Spurs keeper Paul Robinson. Replays show that there was a slight deflection off the head of Carlos Tevez but that takes nothing away from the quality of the strike.

Nani’s first goal of the Premier League season could not have come at a better time, I’m sure Sir Alex Ferguson won’t be giving the young Portugese star the hairdryer over his fantastic tumbling goal celebration this time - another goal-less draw may have meant curtains for United’s title challenge.

Tottenham Hotspur were unlucky, they battled well throughout, Robbie Keane hit the crossbar after only 20 seconds, they had two legitimate penalty claims turned down and Dimitar Berbatov put in a fantastic performance, showing why United have been so interested in him. The Bulgarian striker showed some great skill and movement in attack, showing the United fans what they are missing - he is just the type of player that is missing from the Reds line up at the moment.

Manchester United were restricted to long range goal efforts thoughout, Owen Hargreaves on his Old Trafford debut, Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick all going close. Carlos Tevez ploughed a lone furrow at centre forward and was largely ineffective, there was a glaring lack of support for the Argentine striker and it’s clear Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo are sorely missed.

Manchester City 1-0 Manchester Utd

Manchester United’s poor start to the 2007/2008 Premier League season went from bad to worse as they went down to a disappointing 1-0 to Manchester City at Eastlands. It’s United’s worst start to the season since 1992 and the worst ever start to a Premier League season by any defending champions.

The Manchester Derby followed a familiar pattern. As against Reading and Portsmouth, Man Utd dominated the match from the outset playing some great football, opening up the Blues defence at will. City barely crossed the halfway line in the first 30 minutes. Nani and Patrice Evra squandered several chances before Giovanni received the ball in Manchester City’s first meaningful attack. His shot from the edge of the area was deflected and flew into the corner of the net leaving Edwin Van Der Saar with no chance. The Brazilian was allowed space and time to run with the ball, Vidic did not close him down and then turned his back as the shot came in, the deflection off Vidic took the ball past the United keeper.

After the goal went in the Reds seemed to go into their shell, allowing City to get into the game. The Sir Alex Ferguson hairdryer must have been working overtime at the break. The second half saw United resume normal service as Vidic hit the bar with a header, and Tevez came close with a close-range chance near the end.

The matched ended with City victorious, but it was the most one-sided game I have seen in a while. Without seeming like a bitter Red, City were very lucky to finish with 3 points, they had their backs to the wall throughout.

United were missing Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, but Owen Hargreaves was given his first competitive start allowing Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick the license to roam forward. Carlos Tevez looked threatening on his own up front but was often second-best to a towering defensive performance from City’s Micah Richards. Nani’s performance was erratic, some great flicks but he should have taken one of his early chances and didn’t do enough in possession. The same can be said of Ryan Giggs.

Manchester United are playing some attractive attacking football and dominating possession, but possession counts for nothing if we can’t put the ball in the net. With the quality players in the squad, the Reds will come good, but we need to turn it round pretty quick before Chelsea build up too much of a gap.

Ronaldo Sent Off Against Portsmouth

It seems like deja vu all over again as referee Steve Bennett showed Cristiano Ronaldo the red card for the second time in Wednesdays match against Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Bennett had sent Ronaldo off in a previous game against Manchester City in January last year. This time the offense was an apparent head butt. The replays are inconclusive but there does seem to be some pushing and shoving between Ronaldo and Portsmouth’s Richard Hughes as they are waiting for a corner. Ronaldo then squares up to Hughes and moves his head towards the player who then goes down like a sack of spuds! This all took place right in front of the referee, even with my red tinted specs on you can’t stick the head on an opponent and expect to stay on the pitch, so Bennett had little choice but to send the Manchester United winger off.

Having said that, I agree with Sir Alex Ferguson that Ronaldo was the victim of provocation, the lad gets lumps kicked out of him week in and week out - the stats show that he is the most fouled player in the Premier League. On this occasion he has risen to the bait and paid the ultimate punishment. Fergie was quoted as saying:

“Steve Bennett sent him off at City and he will have loved this opportunity to send him off, I have tried to look at the replay and there is nothing conclusive either way,” he said. “My take on it was he was provoked and has fallen for it. Cristiano was responsible for falling for the intimidation and he only has himself to blame.”

Bennett will no doubt be making himself a few bob on the after dinner circuit when he finishes with his stories about how he sent Ronaldo off not once but twice! Cristiano Ronaldo is now banned for 3 games and will miss Sunday’s derby against Manchester City - I’ll bet the Blue Noses are pleased about that one!

To see the full match report and video of Paul Scholes great goal CLICK HERE 

Portsmouth 1-1 Manchester United

Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth in a dramatic game which saw referee Steve Bennett show his red card on two occasions. Carlos Tevez made his debut for United, Sir Alex Ferguson being forced to put the Argentine in the starting line-up earlier than he would have liked following the foot injury suffered by Wayne Rooney in the season opener against Reading. Tevez received a fantastic reception from the Man Utd faithful who travelled to the south coast in their droves and he didn’t disappoint. Tevez showed typical strength and determination right from the first whistle, leading the attack in Uniteds new 4-2-3-1 formation, Nani, Ronaldo and Giggs playing behind Tevez with Carrick and Scholes playing the holding midfield role in front of the back four.

The first half was all Manchester United, showing attacking flair and clever movement. On 14 minutes Paul Scholes scored with a majestic finish from the edge of the area to cap a wonderful United attacking move. Nani’s break down the left gave us a glimpse of his skills and pace. He picked out Carlos Tevez in the penalty area with a precise low pass and the Argentine used his strength and touch to play a perfect lay off to Scholes who drilled the ball in to the corner.

United were beginning to enjoy themselves but didn’t capitalise on the chances they created, with Nani, Tevez, Vidic and Scholes going close. Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp made a couple of tactical changes at half time which resulted in his team becoming much more of an attacking threat. Portsmouth equalised from a Benjani header on 53 minutes and could well have snatched a winner after that in an exciting second half. The two dismissals came late on, first to go was Portsmouth’s Sulley Muntari for 2 bookable offences then Cristiano Ronaldo saw red a couple of minutes later following an apparent head butt on Richard Hughes.

Early impressions of Manchester United are still very positive, although this is the first time in the history of the Premier League that the Reds have failed to win one of their first two games. If you read some of the headlines you’de think there was a crisis! It is a long season and with the squad Fergie has built we will be there or there abouts when the silverware is being handed out. Anyway it’s Derby Day on Sunday, we’ll soon bring Sven and the City lot down to earth with a win at the council house!

Manchester United 0-0 Reading

Manchester United suffered a frustrating start to the new Premier League season being held to a goalless draw at Old Trafford by Reading. United were unable to break down a highly organised Reading side who put up a dogged defensive display, with goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann their star performer.

The first day got even worse when Wayne Rooney was forced to leave the field at half time with a hairline fracture to his foot, caused in a challenge with Reading defender Michael Duberry where Rooney came very close to openng the scoring, sending a close-range shot over the bar.

Sir Alex Ferguson picked a Man Utd starting line up that did not include any of his new summer signings, choosing to begin the defense of the Premiership title with many of the old-guard. Surprisingly, Mikael Silvestre started at left back with Patrice Evra pushed up play in a left wing role and Wes Brown deputised at right back for the injured Gary Neville. Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo looked very sharp, at the heart of most of the Reds attacking moves in the first half. United’s chances were mostly limited to long-range shots and Van der Saar was a virtual spectator as Reading set out to man-mark Rooney, Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs and didn’t bother with much attacking play at all. Giggs came closest to scoring with a left foot volley that hit the post.

Rooney’s injury resulted in the introduction of Nani for the second half, the new United signing from Sporting Lisbon showed some promising touches and linked up well with Ronaldo as Man Utd created more clear-cut chances. Nani went close with a fizzing shot that went narrowly wide and the Reading goalkeeper made saves from Carrick, Ronaldo, Paul Scholes and John O Shea who came on as a second half substitute to play as a makeshift striker! Reading were reduced to 10 men 17 minutes before the end when replacement striker Dave Kitson was sent off for a lunging challenge on Evra having come on tho the pitch only seconds before. United continued to push forward but could not break through the massed Reading defence and the game ended 0-0.

As a United fan who was sat in the Stretford End it is difficult to take many positives from the opening game, we did keep a clean sheet and Vidic had a towering performance at the back, but it is worrying that we couldn’t find a way through a Reading side that stuck to their defensive game plan throughout, and Rooney’s injury didn’t help, if he had been on the pitch I think United would have won. I remember last season’s opener against Fulham where we blew them away and were 4-0 up inside 20 minutes - there was none of that in this game. Let’s face it, United are the Champions and most teams will come to Old Trafford and play like Reading, it is up to us to break them down.

Rooney Breaks His Foot

Wayne Rooney suffered a hairline fracture to his left foot in Manchester United’s opening game of the new Premier League season against Reading at Old Trafford on Sunday. As if the frustrating goalless draw wasn’t enough it is likely that Rooney will be out for at least six to eight weeks.

Rooney looked very sharp in the first half against Reading with a couple of scoring chances and some terrific link up play. He hobbled away from a challenge with Reading defender Michael Duberry and was unable to run it off. The extent of the injury was clear when Rooney removed his boots and trudged off the pitch at half time. I feel sorry for him because we were all expecting Rooney to be a pivotal player for Man Utd this season, having completed his first full pre-season since arriving at the club.

Sir Alex Ferguson will now be forced to introduce Carlos Tevez earlier than expected, there is a shortage of cover in the striking department since Rossi and Smith left in the summer and Saha is perpetually injured. Having spent £50 million in the summer, John O Shea played 30 minutes as a makeshift striker against Reading.

Ferguson Should Have Signed Carlos Tevez Last Season

Carlos Tevez has become a Manchester United player at long last after the most protracted and exasperating transfer saga in history. He has signed on a preliminary two-year loan deal.

As previously reported on ManUBlog, Manchester United were offered the Argentina striker a year ago but declined due to concerns over the structure of any potential deal. This has proved to be a justifiable decision after what has happened with West Ham, but surely the Man Utd legal hot-shots would have been able to come up with an acceptable arrangement?

Sir Alex Ferguson, when commenting on his new summer signings has been quoted as saying:

“In his year at West Ham, Tevez proved himself to be an absolutely top player.

“Every time I saw him playing for West Ham last year, I thought to myself, I just wish we had done it last year.

“But there were too many complications at the time.”

City Player Turns Up At Wrong Manchester Training Ground

Manchester City’s new signing Rolando Bianchi turned up at the wrong training ground the other day. He was collected by car from his hotel and he instructed the driver to take him to City’s training ground - but he was dropped off at Manchester United’s Carrington training base instead! Classic! Can you imagine the reaction of the United players and staff when this clown turned up at the door - I hope he was sent packing in no uncertain terms!

Carlos Tevez Set To Make Manchester United Debut This Week

The most protracted Manchester United transfer saga ever has finally come to an end and it looks like Carlos Tevez will appear in a Red shirt for the first time in a friendly match this week, having trained with his new United teammates last Friday.

With the new Premier League season set to begin next weekend, Manchester United take part in two friendly matches on Wednesday 8th August, at Irish side Glentoran and in Scotland against Dunfermline Athletic. It is unclear which game Tevez will take part in - watch this space!

As previously reported on ManU Blog, we have concerns over the similarities between Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney. Sir Alex Ferguson has said that this will not stop the two players lining up together in the same team,

“Both are of a similar physique, both are two-footed, both are quickish, both can beat a man — I don’t think it’s a bad thing to have these similarities.”

This does remain to be seen but Tevez will certainly provide another dimension to the Manchester United squad.

Manchester United Win FA Community Shield On Penalties

The first FA Community Shield match back at the new Wembley Stadium had the air of a pre-season friendly about it as the players strolled around in the hot sunshine. A largely uneventful game ended in a 1-1 scoreline with Manchester United winning the penalty shoot-out 3-0, Edwin Van Der Saar saved 3 penalties in a row.

However, a win is a win and the Reds have got their hands on the first piece of silverware of the new season. Hopefully the first of many!

A fine cross from Patrice Evra picked out Ryan Giggs in the penalty area and Giggsy scored his first goal at Wembley with a belting finish.

United looked the better team throughout, moving the ball around well and creating the best of the chances. The most pleasing factor in the game was the Manchester United team selection, the starting line-up did not include any of the new summer signings, Nani, Hargreaves and Anderson were all missing and their replacements showed the strength in depth of the squad. Manchester United definitely look a better team than last season but let’s not get carried away - there are many tougher tests to come!

Manchester United 2 Inter Milan 3

A record crowd for a pre-season friendly match at Old Trafford saw Manchester United suffer their first defeat of the summer campaign in a highly entertaining encounter. Following the below par standard of the opponents in the 4 games on United’s Far East tour, Inter Milan offered much sterner opposition. The Italians exposed alarming frailties in the Manchester United defense with some swift counter-attacking play from Luis Figo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Wayne Rooney opened the scoring on 17 minutes with a cool finish from a Patrice Evra cross. The remainder of the first half was all Inter, the Serie A champions scored 3 goals in 14 minutes in a blistering spell where the Manchester United midfield was overrun and central defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic looked highly vulnerable. Several instances of sloppy play from Evra did not help the cause either, if he carries on with performances like this Gabriel Heinze may well get his place at left back.

With the big name summer signings Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson all watching from the stands with the injured Paul Scholes, this was in no way Manchester United’s strongest team and it’s better to get the defensive mistakes out of the way before the season proper gets underway. The players stepped it up after the break and United looked much better in the second half showing some fantastic flowing football on the break reminiscent of last season.