Matthaus’ Diary – December 2013
Capital One Cup Semi-Final Draw
We will face our huge rivals Manchester City in the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup if we can overcome Derby at home in the quarter-finals. The Derby match should be an easy win, but the City matches, especially the away leg, could be tricky. We are at home first, and I want us to win by a couple of goals, and then hopefully get a draw at the Etihad.
Salzburg 0-2 United – UEL Group G – 5.12.2013
United (4-2-3-1): De Gea, Rafael, Vidic, Jones, Baines, Carrick, Cleverley, Nani, Kagawa, Nani, Rooney
Goals: Nani (15), Jones (42)
MOTM: Carrick (United)
Chelsea 0-0 United – Premier League – 7.12.2013
United (4-4-2): De Gea, Rafael, Vidic, Jones, Baines, Nani, Carrick, Cleverley, Giggs, Rooney, Kagawa
Goals: None
MOTM: Terry (Chelsea)
FA Cup Third Round Draw
We will play Notts County at home in the third round of the FA Cup. This should be an easy game for us, and easy passage into the fourth round. The tie will be played on Saturday 4th January 2014.
United 2-0 Derby – C1C QF – 11.12.2013
United (4-2-3-1): Lindegaard, Rafael, Jones, Smalling, Baines, Huddlestone, Medel, Valencia, Pereira, Young, Rooney
Subs Used: Vidic for Medel (HT), Brady for Pereira (HT), Kagawa for Young (51)
Injuries: Huddlestone (damaged elbow, 10-12 days)
Goals: Rooney (1, 89)
MOTM: Rooney (United)
Tottenham 1-1 United – Premier League – 13.12.2013
United (4-4-2): De Gea, Rafael, Vidic, Jones, Evans, Nani, Carrick, Fletcher, Baines, Rooney, Kagawa
Subs Used: Rooney for Young (56), Young for M’Vila (68), Smalling for Jones (74)
Goals: Sigurdsson(25); Rooney (41)
MOTM: Sandro (Tottenham)
United 2-0 Genoa – UEL Group G – 19.12.2013
United (4-2-3-1): De Gea, Jones, Vidic, Evans, Baines, Fletcher, Medel, Nani, Kagawa, Cleverley, Rooney
Subs Used: M’Vila for Fletcher (HT), Carrick for Medel (HT), Valencia for Cleverley (46)
Goals: Kagawa (8), Carrick (46)
MOTM: Jones (United)
Europa League Draws
We will play Athletic Bilbao in the Round of 32 of the Europa League. This could be a tricky tie, but I am confident. The first leg will be in Spain, and then the second leg will be back at Old Trafford.
If we manage to beat Bilbao we will go through to the Round of 16, where we will face the winner of either Liverpool or Valencia. This could be very interesting, especially if we face Liverpool.
United 2-1 Everton – Premier League – 22.12.2013
United (4-2-3-1): De Gea, Rafael, Jones, Vidic, Baines, Carrick, Cleverley, Nani, Kagawa, Young
Injuries: Rooney (strained neck, 6-9 days)
Goals: Young (25), Baines (70); Gibson (87)
MOTM: Jagielka (Everton)
United 1-0 City – Premier League – 26.12.2013
United (4-2-3-1): De Gea, Rafael, Jones, Vidic, Baines, Huddlestone, Fletcher, Valencia, Kagawa, Nani, Giggs
Subs Used: Young for Giggs (HT), Fletcher for Evans (HT), Carrick for Huddlestone (61)
Goals: Nani (88)
MOTM: Vidic (United)
Millwall 3-5 United – Premier League – 29.12.2013
United (4-2-3-1): De Gea, Rafael, Evans, Vidic, Baines, Carrick, Fletcher, Nani, Kagawa, Cleverley, Rooney
Subs Used: Young for Rooney (61), Jones for Carrick (65), M’Vila for Rafael (71)
Goals: Keogh (53, 86), Feeney (84); Evans (19, 65), Kagawa (32), Nani (61, 89)
MOTM: Evans (United)
League Table
We've moved further up the table, into sixth, and we're not many points off the top 4, which would be great.