LVG's men are playing with some swagger at the moment. Three straight wins and suddenly, all is well at Manchester United. The ease at which the tigers were tamed on Saturday was appreciated by the global fan base of the 20-time Champions in what was by all standards the best performance of the season. It showed that the red army could win wars with aplomb.
Steve Bruce wasn't a happy man upon his return to a ground he cemented his place among the greats. He is still to find a win in his 21 matches v the club he represented with so much pride and passion. The wait continues. On Tuesday, Stoke City and Sparky pay Manchester United a visit. Another Legend sets foot on the Theatre as a foe. Mark Hughes goes down in United folklore as one of the myths but he will receive nothing more than a rapturous applause when proceedings get underway. He has managed quite a number of clubs against the red army and smiled home a few times in the past.
The injury curse has eaten deep into the MUFC squad since the start of the season. 42 injuries in three and a half months is insane. Angel Di Maria became the latest to succumb to the curse but he wasn't missed in the victory over Hull as Ander Herrera came on and created two goals in what was by far the best I have seen him since he turned pro. His destruction of United a few years ago wasn't as commanding as last Saturday. Another who has stolen a march on others is Michael Carrick. The elegant deep laying playmaker's return from injury has coincided with the club's return to winning way. 3 starts, three wins. He led the successful pass rate (109) at the weekend, ahead of famed pass master,. Cesc Fabregas (95) and Chelsea's tower of Babel, Nemanja Matic (95). At this rate, Daley Blind will find it extremely difficult to stroll into the first team when he returns from his layoff. Radamel Falcao returned from injury in the Hull game and almost added gloss to the already glittering scoreline, only for ill-luck to play a damning role. Wayne Rooney edged ever closer to Sir Bobby Charlton's goal scoring feat but was almost uncertain for Tuesday's game when he was stepped on in the first half. However, the band leader is relentless and determined to feature in the busy Xmas schedule. A win for Manchester United tonight strengthens their position and takes them one point behind 3rd placed So'ton who fancy a daunting trip to the Emirates tomorrow, looking to bounce back from what was a disappointing display v Manchester City on Sunday. The saints have won there this season but that was in the League Cup. If the Arsenal come out victorious on Wednesday, then next Monday's Southampton-MUFC duel will be a straight shoot-out for 3rd place and it will remarkably be the first time United attain such heights since the great Fergie drew the curtain on an inimitable career.
Stoke unluckily came out of Anfield empty handed after a brave Glenn Johnson got fed up with Liverpool not being able to win games of recent. The Potters sit in a respectable 12th and a win for them will take them into the top half of the table, even if it is for a few hours. Sparky could be without Steve Sidwell, Glenn Whelan, Peter Odemwigie, Dionatan Teixeira, Robert Huth and Victor Moses with former United player, Phil Bardsley battling to be fit for Tuesday's match up. For United, Phil Jones, Daley Blind, Jonny Evans, Rafa Da Silva and Jesse Lingard will not feature. The return of Marcos Rojo is good news all round as the Argentine has been impressive since he joined. Rafa, Jones and Evans are a couple of training sessions away from a return though and the Tiger, Falcao could start. The Colombian tiger from Santa Marta hasn't roared to good effect yet but you cannot keep a good man down for long.
QUE COMIENCE EL JUEGO!
Ohireime P Eboreime
@ohiskaka1990
