A Champions Performance - A Vital Win

Wayne Rooney's swearing fit of joy/relief after he completed his unpredictable hat-trick pretty much summed up the feelings of the majority of Manchester United fans. This was a man who knew he hadn't played as well as he could have in the first half, and the pressure had been building. He had started ahead of the Premier League's top scorer, who sat on the bench with his new short hair cut, waiting to come on - a call many United fans were asking for. But he proved everyone wrong with that third goal which hauled United over the line ahead of an irritatingly hard to get past West Ham side.

United dominated the play, but after two very avoidable penalties were conceded and scored by Mark Noble, it was an uphill battle at the ground where a second string United team had conceded four in a Carling Cup encounter with Avram Grants side. Sir Alex was frustrated by the situation they were in; "Being two goals down was a travesty in terms of possession and chances created." 


So, sitting up in the stands, watching his players from above, the veteran United manager was in the perfect position to decide what to change - and big decisions were needed. The big substitution at half time was taking the perpetrator for the first penalty, Patrice Evra off, and throwing on the baby face Javier Hernandez, a young man with a growing goalscoring reputation.


It paid off, and in the 64th minute, a free kick was won. Now since Beckham and Ronaldo left United, there  has been a distinct lack of goals from free-kicks, especially at vital times. As Rooney stepped up, many I'm sure were expecting it to pathetically rebound off the wall, but this was not the case. Instead, Rooney scored 
the first of his three goals, and United were suddenly back in the game.


An Antonio Valencia cross was brought down superbly by Rooney and he took a touch to smash it into the bottom left hand corner of the West Ham net in a delightful finish. United weren't going to stop there however, oh no. Typically, United would go for the win, and, with all of the momentum of a quick fire double from an inspired Wayne Rooney, they were in the driving seat, with no chance of hitting the breaks.


When the little Brazilian Fabio worked his way into the box and was closed down by Upson, it looked like any chance was gone, but a clever little flick which hit the defenders arm prompted Lee Mason to point to the spot, for Rooney to step up and place into the corner. It also prompted Rooney to confront his critics with his potty mouth in front of the camera, in the midst of being mobbed by his United team mates. 


The win was there for the taking, but United were not safe yet, and United fans would have been thinking back to the early stages of the season when late goals were all that seemed to be occurring. Nevertheless, a nicely played counter attack saw Rooney roll it to Ryan Giggs, who never seemed to stop after being moved to left back at half time, and the Welshman crossed it across the ground for his little Mexican team mate to do what he does best from a few yards out.


Sir Alex Ferguson reacted to moving eight points clear of Arsenal in the table:

"We played like champions today, we kept our heads up and didn't lose faith in our ability.

"It's never easy coming here. They are fighting relegation but we had to do our thing.

"We dominated that second half and it was a real championship performance.

"Arsenal have a game in hand. It could go to goal difference but I somehow don't think so."

Berbatov came on and played brilliantly. His touch is, as ever, exquisite, and his hold up play is superb. It was a small cameo that may push him into contention for starting the Champions League game against Chelsea, but in Ferguson's mood of playing Rooney and Chicharito may over rule again. That is the beauty of it though, because the bench is so strong - Nani, Michael Owen, Chicharito and Rooney started on the bench - showing the strength in depth at United.


It was a a Champions performance, and a performance that has stepped United closer to holding aloft that Premier League trophy, ahead of Arsenal who drew at the Emirates against Blackburn.

Michael Owen: I'm Fit & Ready for United & England Return

Manchester United will have no shortage of strikers next season. Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov will be ready and raring to go as well as those young strikers returning from loan deals; Danny Welbeck, Kiko Macheda and Mame Biram Diouf. One striker whose future is still yet to be decided is a man who Sir Alex Ferguson has described him as "world class", with "absolutely superb" positional play, first touch and finishing.

Surely then, with those qualities, Michael Owen would have no problem in getting into the United side. On the contrary, because of a mixture of both injuries and bad luck, his appearances for United have been limited.

11 appearances this season due to the hamstring injury he suffered during last years Carling Cup final and other unfortunate injuries has seen him score four goals. Despite criticism of being "injury plagued", last season saw a fantastic return from the then 30 year old - 31 appearances and 9 crucial goals.
His last game for England was in 2008 which was incidentally his only appearance under the management of Fabio Capello. 89 appearances and 40 goals for his country however tell a different story.

The new man to Twitter spent today clearing a few things up on the micro-blogging site:

"By the way, to answer a common question: I'm fit. I was on the side of the pitch about to come on last week [against Bolton] until Jonny Evans got sent off."

He also congratulated Gareth Barry on the news that the Manchester City midfielder would captain England on Tuesday against Ghana. He also joked about his England situation:

"Congrats to Gareth Barry, great honour for him. Quite a few dropped out of squad, Mr Capello must be making room for me to return!!!!!!!!!!!" 

In response to some obviously derogatory responses to that Tweet, Owen followed up with this:

"I knew that joke would get a few of you taking the p*** out of me! You certainly need thick skin to play this Tweeting game."

Follow Michael on Twitter @themichaelowen 

Hargreaves Injury Update - Not Good

I am still awaiting the day when an injury update on Owen Hargreaves can be classified as 'good news'. As it is, the Canadian born midfielder is once again on the all to familiar treatment table at United. This time it is his shoulder.

Apparently, he damaged his shoulder in training with United and will now be out for another month. He felt his shoulder pop out of its socket as he challenged for a header. The initial fears are that he has damaged ligaments and could be out for at least four weeks.

He has already missed the majority of the season with his persistent knee injuries and hamstring injury and received several operations to cure  the continuous trouble but now more misery is heaped onto the poor guy. I suppose the good news from this is that it isn't a recurrence of the knee injury or the hamstring injury he picked up earlier this season.

Hargreaves started against Wolves to the surprise of many back in November. It was all looking great until the sixth minute when he pulled up with a hamstring injury and was once again forced down the tunnel to receive treatment and the inevitable bad news.

At 30 years of age and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, it would be a leap of faith for Sir Alex to keep him at United for another year considering his injuries. He would certainly be worth the risk if he were to overcome his injuries, but much like Michael Owen, whose contract also expires come the end of the season, it would be a big risk.

Was it a Penalty? United 1 - 0 Liverpool

Only 31 seconds in, and Berbatov went down in the penalty area through a challenge from Daniel Agger, and Howard Webb pointed to the spot. Liverpool fans would only have seen the following events in their nightmares, as Giggs stepped up to beat Reina, with replays showing that the contact on Berbatov for the penalty was minimal to say the least. It was the worst possible start for Kenny Dalglish, as he stood, mouth open in disbelief at the decision that had been made.

It wasn't a penalty. Agger didn't get the ball in his challenge, but the contact on Berbatov was not enough to bring him down. Berbatov claimed afterwards that anyone who knows him knows that he doesn't go down easily, but the challenge from Agger was enough to make him lose his balance. Two contradicting statements from the Bulgarian striker there, but the referee gave the penalty, and the game was basically won for United.

Half an hour later, and the situation for Liverpool became even worse. As a ball rolled in the centre of the pitch, Carrick and Gerrard ran to win it. Carrick just got there first, and nicked the ball away from the Liverpool captain, but with all the trademark passion and character that has made him a Liverpool legend and talisman, Gerrard dived in, intent on winning the ball and leaving his mark. He did the latter. The tackle was dangerous, he missed the ball, Carrick layed in a rolling heap on the Old Trafford pitch, and the 70,000 or so United fans called for Gerrard to be gone - all contributing to Gerrard's dismissal, as the United faithful got their wish.

At first glance, we may have said that a sending off was a tad harsh being only half an hour into the game, but Dalglish's accepting reaction to the replay confirmed that complaints to the red card were invalid, and Dalglish walked back to his seat without any complaints. He knew though, that the task ahead was a vertical climb up a giant mountain with resources that would not cut it. In other words, with the players on the pitch, and with the form they have been in, the task ahead was close to impossible.

United never really got into a groove. They were comfortable on the ball, and comfortable coping with the few Liverpool attacks that were attempted, but they weren't cutting enough or ruthless enough in the game to get the goal to seal the game off  - mainly because, they didn't need to. United were easily the stronger side.

The big build up to a game between two old rivals ended up with a match being decided by two big refereeing decisions. It wasn't the intensely gripping, passionate duel between two of the biggest names in English football that had been anticipated for the neutral, but the drama of the first half and Dalglish's return was enough to keep curious and nervous eyes on the game, and see United hold out for what ended as a comfortable but somewhat disappointing win.

Gerrard will miss the next three games for Liverpool, which includes the Merseyside derby, leaving Dalglish with the unenviable task of looking for some decent and affordable players in the transfer market to help get Liverpool's season back on track.

Ferguson: Michael Owen "Definitely not going anywhere"

Michael Owen may have only recently turned 31, but Sir Alex Ferguson still rates him very highly, and has warned off any clubs who may be aiming to snatch the former Liverpool striker from Old Trafford. Ferguson believes that Owen, who has been out with a recurring hamstring injury, picked up at Wembley in last years Carling Cup win against Aston Villa, will be back for United this season to play a big part in bringing back the Premier League trophy.

The United manager had plenty to say on the matter too:

'He is looking really good. He has trained really well this week. People may have forgotten just what a good player Michael is.

'He's had a nightmare time with a bad hamstring injury but now he deserves a change of luck. If he can stay fit, I believe he has an important part to play for the club between now and the end of the season; there's no doubt about that. He still has a great engine.

'There has never been a problem with him since he came to United. He is great to have around. He conducts himself well and is a great example to the younger players.

'I know a few clubs have been thinking about him for a possible loan arrangement but it will not happen. He is definitely not going anywhere.'

The former Liverpool man may have lost some of his pace and trickery through his unfortunate knack of picking up injuries as well as his increasing age, but his finishing and eye for goal are still as excellent as ever - no doubt the reason clubs are interested in the Englishman.
So far in his United career, he has played a total of 38 times in all competitions - mostly coming off the bench, and has scored 12 goals, many of which have been very important in winning games.

Happy Christmas!

Schweinsteigers brother begs him to Join Man United

Bastian Schweinsteiger has praised the Premier League and its fans, and said that the atmosphere at Manchester United in particular was "fantastic". His comments come after rumours persistently linked the German international to the English League, with either Manchester United or Chelsea.

He even said that his brother, a big Manchester United fan, has been begging him to join the Old Trafford team. Schweinsteiger told the Sunday Times:

"I love the kind of speed of the English game but I don't know what will happen with me,"

"What I love is the atmosphere in English stadiums. When we played last year in Manchester it was fantastic.

"My brother is a big fan of Man U and he always says, 'Go to Man U, go to Man U.' I say, 'I can't, I can't."

He praised the strength of Chelsea too, saying that he likes the "Chelsea style". But what do these comments mean? His contract at Bayern Munich expires in 2012, however, it is unlikely he will stay in Germany for that long. If he doesn't renew his contract, then he could leave for a free transfer in 2012 - something that Bayern certainly would not want.

Schweinsteiger is known for his deadly accurate long range shots, as well as a brilliant delivery from set pieces. His energy is brilliant, and his creativity and reliability were vital in Germany's 2010 World Cup run, which saw them stand out as a very strong, young team. These attributes would certainly be welcomed in England, and he is more than capable for playing for a top team.

However, if the 26 year old was thinking of moving to Manchester United in the January transfer market, his hopes were dashed, as Sir Alex Ferguson ruled out any signings in January. The Scot said:

"We won't be buying in January, definitely not,"

"If you want someone to play in Europe, you are limited right away. There are hundreds of players cup-tied.

You have five months left of the season, I will have Antonio Valencia back hopefully towards the end of February, which is a new player coming back."

He also said that Michael Owen's return would be like a new player returning. But are these just more excuses to avoid putting the club into more debt by spending money that United have not got? Whatever the reasons, if Sir Alex wants Schweinsteiger, he is not the only one, and if a bid is placed for the German play maker, Ferguson must be ready.

Michael Owen Should Leave Manchester United

Michael Owen is a fantastic striker. His finishing is fantastic and his vision and ability to find space in the box is brilliant, but his inability to get a fair run in the United team to make an impact is his downfall.

Nowadays, with his lack of real pace to get around players and unpredictable fitness, it can be difficult for Ferguson to start him in a big game or a game against a physical team - such as Sunderland on Saturday. Owen, like most predatory strikers, relies on good service from the wings and creative players. He didn't get that at all against Sunderland, with United not creating much as a whole. There is no doubt, that if he was given the chance, he would have taken it with ease.

At other clubs, Owen would be given much more of a chance. He could show his real talent, and score many more goals in a lot more games than he is getting at United. With Ferguson favouring Rooney and Berbatov, as well as Hernandez and Macheda getting more and more first team oppurtunities over Owen, it seems Owen is going to have to find a new club.

Aston Villa and Gerard Houllier have shown interest in the English striker, but they are surely not the only team interested. Many other clubs would jump at the chance of signing such an experienced and talented player. He can still add a lot of quality to many teams in the Premier League. Maybe even his struggling old club Liverpool?

Aston Villa's New Manager interested in Owen

As Gerard Houllier settles in at Aston Villa next week, he will look at his squad and decide where he can improve it to challenge for a Champions League spot or some silverware.

However, he has already confirmed an interest with one of his former Liverpool players, Michael Owen. The striker, who is currently playing for Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, has been the subject of Houllier's attention for some time it seems.
Houllier explained:

"He has always been in my thoughts. I like him [Owen], as a player and a man"

The Frenchman said that he watched Owen at Jamie Carragher's testimonial and that Owen still has the legs for playing football.

Only recently, Owen was quoted saying that he has been trying as hard as ever to try and grab a first team spot at Manchester United, but he never knows when he will be picked.

"You can only do your best and prepare and train well, so that you are ready when the manager calls on you. After that, it's up to the manager who he chooses. It sounds easy, but probably the most difficult thing is not playing for a couple of weeks and then all of a sudden getting called up and being mentally and physically right to perform well"

Owen seems frustrated, as any footballer would be, because he isn't getting the game time that he would like. Added to this, it looks as if Dimitar Berbatov has hit good form at last for United, and with Rooney almost guaranteed a starting spot it will be even harder for Owen to force his way into the team - allowing Aston Villa to make their move and offer Owen more oppurtunities to play, as well as re-unite with Emile Heskey.

Surely Wembley's Priority is Football?

The Wembley pitch. Once envied by managers and players, it is now the most disappointing pitches in England. And the most expensive.

After the Carling Cup Final this year, James Milner criticised the pitch saying that it was worse than lower league teams pitches. He emphasised how hard teams work to get to a final - only for it to be played on a terrible surface.

It apparently costs £100,000 to relay the pitch, and there is going to be a lot more relaying over the next few years. But not because of football. The pitch needs to be relayed because of other events such as concerts, American football, and racing events which ruin the pitch and leave it in horrible condition for the footballers.

Surely, the main reason for Wembley was to play football on it. Why then, do the footballers get the worst of it? Michael Owen was injured on it, pulling his hamstring, and therefore ruling him out of any World Cup hopes he had and many others have complained they felt much worse after playing on it. A serious injury could be caused from this pitch, and it could be a very valuable player who is the victim. In the FA Cup Final today perhaps.

On the world largest footballing stages, with the best players playing on it, it really needs to be sorted out - with football the main priority. It would save money, time and maybe even a professional footballers' career.

Is Michael Owen the unluckiest player of all time ?

Newcastle and England striker Michael Owen has once again been injured. The injury occurred during England's 1-0 win away against Austria this evening. Owen walked off the field early on in the match with was later confirmed as a thigh injury that will definitely rule him out of England's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia (If Russia fail to win on Saturday).

It is likely that the injury will keep him out for as much as a month, not good news for Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce who has only welcomed the striker back recently from another injury. Owen must be one of the unluckiest players when it comes to injuries. I just hope this injury isn't as bad as first thought and he is back training within a few days.

So, with this latest injury, does this make Michael Owen the unluckiest player of all time?