Champions League: Manchester United Vs Bayern Munich – Show us what you got Moyes?

Despite the resounding win over Aston Villa, Manchester United’s performance all season has got manager David Moyes still reeling from supporters’ backlash – to a point where the infamous flying banner was used to express their feeling. This is not a good sign and now against Bayern Munich – United faces one of the biggest games at Old Trafford ever since last year’s match against Real Madrid.

How Moyes approach this game will give enough indication to what he will be facing in the coming weeks. Traditionally in the home leg of the Champions League knockout stages teams generally play a more ‘daring’ approach and try to come out with a win and then defend their advantage in the away leg. But Moyes had prove so far that when facing a more ‘superior’ (confident) attacking team, he tends to goes back to his Everton style – a more compact and defensive team line-ups. This is where Moyes may just shoot himself in the foot. Bayern – given their stature now – will punish a proven error-prone United team. As such most United fans would agree this is where Moyes cannot afford to play timid and instead go all out from the minutes the game starts. No matter how good Bayern can be, they are also humans and can be rattle. And looking back at the history of this two teams prove that this will be one of the greatest quarterfinal matchup in recent Champions League matches, if United starting XI does not ‘fold’ by kickoff.

Given Robin Van Persie and Juan Mata’s unavailability United must surely starts with Wayne Rooney and Shinji Kagawa upfront, with Danny Welbeck and Antonio Valencia on the flanks. Ryan Giggs will surely start alongside Michael Carrick (if Carrick is not require to do defensive duties). The sight of 40 years old Giggs starting however brings some dilemma to most United fans, some would think that Giggs is saved for this game and will surely be fire up to help United getting a good results. However it is still considered a worrying sight (despite Giggs’ legendary status) that United is so dependent on him. Even in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final few seasons, a good performance from Giggs (and Paul Scholes) too gave some United fans a good cause for concerns – the dependencies on these two highlight the fact that United has no replacement for them.

From the forwards to the midfield and especially defense, United is facing selection issues. None of these players (with the exception of newly contracted Wayne Rooney) have shown any consistencies all season. It is Moyes’ job to make sure the players are all fire up – just in time before the kick off, if there is any chance of a good result against the currently impressive Bayern Munich. As mentioned before, stranger things have happen in the Champions League – this season could be United’s season to grab that honour. Forget about the fact that winning the Champions League allows United to be in the tournament next season, at least put some hopes for United’s supporters in a disastrous season by playing some great football!

Premier League: Manchester United Vs Liverpool – The Tide Has Turn!

Never before in recent memories – notably during Sir Alex Ferguson’s era – has Manchester United going into a Premier League game against their most intense rival Liverpool at Old Trafford as the underdogs. Here we are where Liverpool has been playing reasonably well to be at 4^th spot – and still within striking distance of the Premier League title, as well as 11 points ahead of United. And United’s season has been crumbling since the turn of the year, so what is the significant of this Sunday’s tie?

Champions League - Olympiakos Vs Manchester United: Can we dream Moyes?

With the form of football Manchester United is playing – which shows in the appalling results so far, most United fans generally, openly accept that the season could not get any worst. Still 11 points off the 4^th place for a place in next season’s Champions League qualification at the end of February does not bode well for David Moyes (and everybody around him). Truth is United is bad – all season, with only occasional display that gets supporters excited temporarily. Will Wayne Rooney elevation into the highest-paid United player ever turn things around? Or does United actually need to do a “Liverpool miracle” to land the coveted Champions League spot – and winning the trophy for the 4^th time?

Premier League: Crystal Palace Vs Manchester United – This is it?

This is it for David Moyes’ team? How much does Manchester United wants that 4^th spot for Champions League football next season? After the euphoria of signing Juan Mata (honestly he did not deliver the extra invigorating factor as Mesut Ozil), the warm weather training in Dubai and so much talk about possible next season signings, the final 12 games for this season will determined Moyes’ team fate for next season.

Premier League: Arsenal Vs Manchester United – Where to hide now?

Both sides are hurting, Arsenal was comprehensively dumped by Manchester United fourth place Champions League spot rival – Liverpool (how times changed, fighting those mid-table fellows from Anfield – for fourth spot!!). As for United, the same old story (David Moyes’ era) continues – to a point where newcomers to the games would think that Manchester United is a mid-table team, period.

Manchester United Transfer News: Does not Mata who, just bring new player(s)?

Although not officially announced at this point, the arrival of Juan Mata from Chelsea has been dominating headlines for days – suggesting that the Spanish playmaker is on the verge of being the latest Red Devil. Is Mata’s signing even necessary, or is he just a statement signing?

Capital One Cup (Shootout): Manchester United 1 Sunderland 2: Not even Europa League?

It is sad how Manchester United’s ‘season with silverware’ ended… unless one is brave enough to think that United will actually (on current form) goes all the way and wins the Champions League – and qualify for next season’s campaign as defending champion. Maybe the tiny little bit of confidence comes from knowing that with the quality of the current squad, United can actually secure a Europa League spot (yes Europa League – not Champions League) by merit…

Chelsea 3 Manchester United 1: Sir Alex Ferguson spoiled us!!!

Yes, Fergie and the success he brought to regions of Manchester United’s fans over the last two decades. During the trophyless season when Carlo Ancelotti took Chelsea to the double, United fans are still proud of their season – for fighting all the way, the December through to the end of season when United was still very much fighting for the title. But this is different, 14 points adrift just half way in January with 7 losses already – out of FA Cup and facing the elite in Champions League, with Wednesday’s games against Sunderland in the Capital One Cup hanging unfavorably!

Manchester United Transfer News: Honestly David Moyes, we want …….

We want you to take the current ‘ordinary-labeled’ squad and make them better like they used to be (therefore like how they can be). Put the hunger back in them, make them want the ball all the time, make them fight until the last few seconds of stoppage time, makes them feel ‘privilege’ everytime they put on the Manchester United jersey. Yes that top the list and not another Marouane Fellaini….

Capital One Cup: Sunderland Vs Manchester United: Our only trophy??

Premier League title good as gone, even for the die hards (although miracle does happen), Champions League looks too tough a task for the currently average Manchester United team and the lost at Old Trafford to Swansea City in the FA Cup leaves United with Capital One Cup as the only trophy that has a fair chance of winning this season – not withstanding that there is a ‘impressive’ Manchester City standing in the way…

Premier League – Manchester United Vs West Ham: Now or never!!!

It used to be that playing at Old Trafford is a sure thing of – winning. But since the new era under David Moyes, Manchester United is ‘toothless’ playing at home. Losses to West Bromwich Albion, Everton and Newcastle United are enough prove that the fear factor for teams visiting Old Trafford is no longer in existent. Therefore the game against West Ham United will be another one to can cause further anxiety for all Manchester United’s fans.

Capital One Cup: Stoke City Vs Manchester United: Is this Moyes only silverware chance?

While the Premier League title seems a distance (but not totally out of it), David Moyes’ hopes of silverware lies in the three cup competition, one of which is tonight’s game against Stoke City at Britannia Stadium. The Champions League where Manchester United was surprisingly doing well – topping the group without loss, and drawing the relatively ‘safe’ Olympiakos in round 16 – will only gets tougher in the knockout stage progress with quality teams like Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona waiting. Therefore it is the domestic cups which Moyes will have an eye at – particularly the Capital One Cup.

Premier League – Manchester United Vs Newcastle United: What now?

David Moyes and his team will be facing another high flying team – Newcastle United – at home. As in the case of Southampton, West Bromwich Albion and lately Everton, teams like these goes to Old Trafford with confidence knowing that they could return with positive results – and the fear factor United used to possess under Sir Alex Ferguson is long gone.

Premier League – Manchester United 0 Everton 1: Everton a better team now!!

David Moyes could not get the better of the man who replaced him at Everton – in his own backyard! That does not sound good – at all to any Manchester United’s supporters. Managing Everton and United is totally different – it is akin to driving a Japanese car compares to driving a German marquee brand. The quality of the squad is also way different and yet Everton managed to create history at Old Trafford on Wednesday night!

Premier League – Tottenham Hotspurs 2 Manchester United 2: Another 2 points dropped

Another draw and another 2 points dropped – and now Manchester United is 9 points off Arsenal (a rather surprise league leader). In the end United was saved by a dubious penalty through Danny Welbeck – and subsequently Wayne Rooney.

Premier League – Manchester United 1 Arsenal 0: This is the stuff of champions!

What a result – despite the 1-0 scoreline. It is the manner in which Manchester United won that has changed a lot of perception about them – and their title hopes. This is the Arsenal team sitting on top of the Premier League table – eight points ahead of United, the defending champion.

Premier League – Manchester United Vs Arsenal: Here we come!

This is it, the one true test for Manchester United. There is one slight discrepancy though, United the home team will not be the league leader as has been the case for the last six to eight years – it is Arsenal that is in pole position and sitting 8 points clear of United. This does not really happened before – this unfamiliar positioning of these two teams. But fact is Arsenal who is flying high, still has the same manager in Arsene Wenger while United under David Moyes is still searching for its footing after the end of Sir Alex Ferguson’s successful era.

Champions League – Real Sociedad 0 Manchester United 0: Dull!!!

Typical of Manchester United so far this season – inability to finish the game when the chances are there. Robin Van Persie misses a penalty and hit the crossbar, so did Antonio Valencia while the normally reliable Javier Hernandez miss an absolute sitter. Elseway Marouane Fellaini sees red in his first season in Champions League football and Ashley Young re-ignites his love for the dark art of football with his controversial penalty winner.

Premier League – Fulham Vs Manchester United: Let’s keep the momentum

The 4-0 win over Norwich City at the Capital One Cup will soon become a distant memory. After all it is at a minor domestic cup and the opponent was basically a ‘no-show’. It is still an important win especially given David Moyes’ difficult start as Sir Alex Ferguson’s replacement. The talk will be back on one issue – team selection!

Capital One Cup – Manchester United 4 Norwich City 0: Hernandez and Fabio

The night belongs to these two players – Javier Hernandez and Fabio da Silva. Two players that find it hard to get game times under new manager David Moyes. For once the score line reflects the class between the two sides but of course both sides did field squad players and youngsters. Still, this win completes the last of the four series of home games for Manchester United at Old Trafford this month and it can be deemed – satisfactory (3 wins and a draw).