United thrash the Gunners

Manchester United put the derby defeat to City behind them as they crushed Arsenal 4-0 in the FA Cup fifth round. After an insipid performance against City on the week United were bogged down by the memories of Munich, they produced an inspired masterclass display against the team that sits at the top of the Premier League table.

ManUtd started the game without a number of first team players including Ronaldo, Giggs, and Scholes, and Tevez. Although Tevez and Scholes were on the bench, ManUtd ensured they remained fresh for the midweek Champions League trip to Lyon, thanks to a dominant display that saw them lead 3-0 at half-time. Rooney was magnificent as the single striker, and was supported well by Nani, Anderson, and Fletcher. Nani supplied the crosses for Fletcher's 2 headed goals, and scored one himself.

The scoreline actually flattered Arsenal since ManUtd had the chance to score many more goals. Although Rooney performed incredibly with his high work-rate, he has to learn to finish better. Nani was accused for showboating but with the score already at 4-0, why shouldn't he entertain the crowd?

The surprise of the weekend was Liverpool getting knocked out after losing at home 1-2 to Barnsley. Looks like they have only the CL to play for this season, and it should be an interesting encounter against Inter this week, the Italian champions are yet to lose a game this year in Serie A and lead the table by a mammoth 11 points.

La Liga
Barca closed the gap on Real Madrid to 5 points after beating Real Zaragoza 2-1, thanks to a Henry goal and a Ronaldinho penalty, while Real lost at Real Betis by the same score. I think Barca are gradually recovering while Real are beginning to stutter. This season should see a close battle once again.

Sir Alex - 21 Glorious Years at Manchester United

November 6th 1986 is a Red-letter day in the history of Manchester United. That was the day when a fiery Scot named Alex Ferguson left Aberdeen to take charge of one of the most popular clubs in England. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Sir Alex’s spell as ManU manager has seen him secure nine Premier League titles, a Champions League title, five FA Cups, a League Cup, and a knighthood. Even at 65, he does not show any sign of slowing down and his enthusiasm for the game is still intact.

It is rumored that Fergie narrowly avoided the sack in 1990 after winning away at a 4th round Cup tie at Nottingham Forest. ManU went on to win the FA Cup that season, kick-starting the golden years. A Cup-Winners’ Cup in 1991 after beating Barcelona in 1991 was followed by the disappointment of losing the league title narrowly to Leeds in 1992. The inspired signing of Eric Cantona in the same year propelled ManU to the inaugural Premier League title in 1993 and a League and Cup double in 1994.

In 1996, ManU overcame Newcastle, thanks to Fergie’s mindgames over Kevin Keegan and achieved a second League and Cup double. ManU clinched the treble in 1999 in a sensational manner, winning a dramatic Champions League final, beating Bayern Munich 2-1, the League title, and the FA Cup. In 2001, Fergie accomplished a hat-trick of Premier League titles, becoming the only manager to achieve this feat with the same team.

One more league title followed in 2003 and when calls for Fergie’s head increased after a few trophy-less years, he masterminded yet another league triumph in 2006/2007. Fergie always stated ‘his greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their fucking perch’. I guess he has also knocked Chelsea off their fucking perch when it looked like Chelsea would dominate for a long time thanks to Roman’s riches.

No fan who has watched ManU play in the past couple of seasons would have any reason not to believe in Fergie’s belief that ManU can continue to remain a force in European football for years to come. Fergie is certainly one of the greatest ever managers to have been involved with the game. One more Champions League title for this living legend, and he will gladly fade into the sunset.

Soccer, for now...

It's soccer time! Being in USA, things are a bit different here....I switch on my TV, and they show nothing other than basketball...am already tired of it but then I hope to catch a Spurs game live in the stadium some day soon.

Getting back to soccer, it's been a real shock for Gunner fans as Arsenal crashed out of the FA Cup and lost the Carling Cup final in a matter of a few days. As a ManUtd fan it's tough to say this but I feel Arsenal will only get stronger after a couple of years. Anyway, good for ManUtd...they progressed in the FA Cup and scraped to a victory over Fulham....that should result in lesser pressure for the weekend's match at Anfield.

I am hoping they show the match live here but any time I switch on the sports channel, all I get is basketball! Keeping my fingers crossed that they show it live tomorrow and that ManUtd wins!