Manchester United FC - Moyes' Boys

January 2013 Results Part 1

So we've levelled with Manchester City on points, and this is our chance to get ahead, get in pole position. Both legs of the cup are spread across January against City, which will be a great game, but a league game against Chelsea in Part 1 won't be easy.


United Starting XI - De Gea, Baines, Evans, Vidic, Smalling, Daehli, Jones, Kagawa, Mastour, van Persie, Lewandowski SUBS - Lindegaard, Hernandez, Brandt, Fellaini, Welbeck, Carrick, Scholes

SUBS - Hernandez, Brandt

GOALS - Baines (64) Hernandez (74)

MOTM - Robin van Persie

An amazing game for us. We got another three points, but Leighton Baines scored on his debut! He's really shown why he's been bought early on, I'm so pleased for him. New youngsters Mastour, and Brandt got a run out, as well as youth product Mats Daehli, although mainly due to fitness and injuries affecting a lot of the current players, mostly on the bench today.

United Starting XI - De Gea, Baines, Evans, Vidic, Jones, Carrick, Mastour, Fellaini, Rooney, Hernandez, van Persie SUBS - Lindegaard, Ferdinand, Smalling, Daehli, Kagawa, Scholes, Welbeck

SUBS - None

GOALS - Hernandez (31)

MOTM - Nemanja Vidic

An easy win the cup. We didn't score many, although it's great to see Hernandez scoring in both games this month after a tough start to the season. Baines had another solid game, but Vidic was the man to dominate at the back, winning and stopping everything. Mastour had another little run about, lasted the whole game, and had a good performance. I've high hopes for him.

United Starting XI - De Gea, Evans, Smalling, Ferdinand, Jones, Carrick, Pereria, Januzaj, Kagawa, Hernandez, Fierro SUBS - Lindegaard, Vidic, Fellaini, Rooney, van Persie, Scholes

SUBS - None

GOALS - Smalling (34)

MOTM - Chris Smalling

An unbelievable game. I thought this could be the end, as we had to rest a lot of players due to fixture congestion, and bought in young stars Periera and Januzaj. Fierro also had to play, with the defense full of the young stars battling to replace Ferdinand and Vidic in a few years, and all played brilliantly. Smalling led from the back like a leader, and even managed a goal. We can definitely go into the second leg at home with high hopes now!

United Starting XI - De Gea, Baines, Vidic, Ferdinand, Smalling, Fellaini, Pereira, Kagawa, Rooney, Hernandez, van Persie SUBS - Lindegaard, Jones, Carrick, Januzaj, Fierro, Evans, Scholes

SUBS - Januzaj, Fierro

GOALS - None

MOTM - Rio Ferdinand

We would have liked a win, but a point away from home still isn't bad. We were able to rest star for the next game, which is a big one for us, and Pereria had a great game, hitting the crossbar early in the first half. Fierro was unlucky to have a goal ruled offside when coming on too, which would be his first for Manchester United. Hopefully we can still turn over City in the league.

United Starting XI - De Gea, Baines, Vidic, Evans, Smalling, Fellaini, Carrick, Kagawa, Rooney, Lewandowski, van Persie SUBS - Lindegaard, Jones, Pereira, Januzaj, Scholes, Ferdinand, Hernandez

SUBS - Hernandez

GOALS - Rooney (2) Lewandowski (41, 63)

MOTM - Michael Carrick

An outstanding win for the boys, I can't believe. We went into the game tired, unsure and wanting to get it over with, but the boys persevered and certainly got what they wanted. Rooney got us off to a brilliant start, and Lewy secured the win with two great goals, showing City we mean business. These three points will be key in getting to the top!

League Table

WE ARE TOP! And by a lot more than I expected. We are one point ahead, but also with a game in hand. Even Newcastle are pushing for second against City now, so the next few games will be very important for us. I've only just realised, we've only lost one game, which is great!

Player of the Month

David De Gea. David De Gea played all five games for this half of the month, and conceded just one goal, against West Ham. He made some fabulous saves and displays, and was able to keep clean sheets against both Manchester City and Chelsea, which is unreal! David received high ratings throughout the games, but I feel isn't seen enough, becoming an unsung hero.

Great run of games for Moyes' Boys! A great win against Chelsea and Man City! Now it's time to kick on and make that top spot yours

The amount of clean sheets De Gea has kept is astounding!

Hachim Mastour Makes History

Manchester United new boy Hachim Mastour has set broken multiple records over the weeks since putting on a United shirt. After David Moyes announced the signing of the Italian, he recalled Hachim from the Under 18 squad due to lack of depth in the team, but then decided to start Mastour for his first game in English football.

When Mastour played in the Premier League game at home to West Ham, when United won 2-1, he broke the record for the Youngest Player to play in the Premier League. The previous record was set in May 2007, when Matthew Briggs played for Fulham against Middlesbrough aged just 16 years, 68 days. Nevertheless, Hachim smashed the record, playing aged just 14 years, 201 days old!

During the same game, Hachim also broke the record for the youngest ever player to wear a United shirt on the pitch. David Gaskell, now 72, was a Goalkeeper for Manchester United, and in November 1956 set the record by playing aged 16 years, 19 days. The record was untouched for over 50 years, with many expected it to never be beaten. Mastour broke the record against West Ham, by over a year.

However, Hachim was not done there. David Moyes also needed more players in the FA Cup, and after some promising displays in the league, decided to feature Mastour again. The record for the youngest player to play in the FA Cup was set fairly recently in November 2007. Luke Freeman made his cup debut for Gillingham against Barnet aged 15 years, 233 days. Mastour broke the record, and set it as 14 years and 204 days.

Most pundits and players have been shocked at the use of such a young player, but his performances have shown he could be a world-beater one day. Surely, at 14 and a half years old, all three records will never be broken again?

Looks like Hachim is doing well, then!

Wow he's smashing records. Next one up has to be youngest goalscorer? :p

Easy Draw In FA Cup Fourth Round

Manchester United have been drawn at home to Championship side Leicester City in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Manchester United and Leicester City previously met in the FA Cup Final in 1963, which the Red Devils leaving victorius after a 3-1 win, under the reign of Matt Busby.

While Manchester United beat Swansea 1-0 in Wales in the third round, Leicester had taken a trip to Wolverhampton, and won 2-1, thanks to goals from Andy King and Martyn Waghorn. Leicester City currently have Manchster United young star Michael Keane on loan, who was in fact the man of the match for the Leicester City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers tie.

Former Manchester United players Danny Drinkwater, who signed in 2011 for £1 million, Matty James, who signed in 2012 for £500k, Ritchie De Laet, who signed in 2012 for £1.5 million, and recent trialist Jeffrey Schlupp could all feature against the Reds at the Theatre of Dreams.

Leicester are currently sitting in 8th place in the nPower Championship, pushing for a play off place, meaning they could face Manchester United again next season, with United in pole position to steal the title from Manchester City this year.

The tie will be played on Sunday 27th January 2013.

Easy draw there mate multiple trophies on the way back to Old Trafford?

Glenn T: Hopefully being at Birmingham on loan will help him alot!

k1rups: After his loan spell thats the aim! He may even break Birminghams records!

k1rups: All the trophies on their way back to OT hopefully

Molde FK Take On Fierro

Norweigan side Molde FK, one of the feeder teams of Manchester United, have taken new Mexican striker Carlos Fierro on loan for the rest of the season. Molde are currently managed by former United star Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was a Molde legend as a player. Ole met with Moyes to discuss the possibility of taking on any players, and found Carlos Fierro to be the perfect player.

Carlos Fierro signed for £3.5 million, but besides a brace against Everton, hasn't shown much in a Manchester United shirt. However, with more experience, he would become one of the best in the world, with Molde being the team to try and bring it out of him. Although Carlos will only be their until the end of the season, if he features regularly and gets the experience, he might extend the loan deal for another year.

Since the take over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer of the Norweigan side, they have won the Premier Division for the last two years running, and are looking to get it again this year for a third time. Former Manchester United younsgter Magnus Wolff Eikrem played under Solskjaer in Norway, until recently moving to Southampton, for a fee of £2.9 million.

David Moyes told ESPN that he wants Fierro to gain the experience in football, while building up his skills and attributes. He said how we would love Fierro to feature week in, week out for the club, but after 6 games at Old Trafford, is currently not up to the standard.

David Moyes has since been linked with Erick Torres, who Carlos Fierro played with at Chivas back in Mexico.

I had the same issue with Fierro at Lyon but I couldn't loan him out. He wants to go on loan again but I will be playing him a lot more this season so hopefully he changes his mind. He will score lots at Molde which will be good!

Erick Torres :o interesting link

January 2013 Results Part 2

After overtaking Manchester City in the league, the club have three aims before the end of January. Extend the league, get further in the cup, and score more goals! The goal difference isn't great compared to City, and needs to be improved soon!


United Starting XI - De Gea, Baines, Ferdinand, Vidic, Rafael, Fellaini, Daehli, Tunnicliffe, Rooney, Fierro, Hernandez SUBS - Lindegaard, Jones, Evans, Kagawa, Pereira, Lewandowski, van Persie

SUBS - Kagawa, Pereira, Lewandowski

GOALS - Fierro (6, 18)

MOTM - Carlos Fierro

Another three points away from home. Carlos Fierro finally kicked into action before leaving for his loan spell, by scoring two goals in 18 minutes. The team then went defensive, and managed to hold out for a while, until Jelavic grabbed a penalty with 10 minutes remaining. United still held out and managed to get the three points, helping their push to improve the advantage over City.

United Starting XI - De Gea, Evans, Smalling, Ferdinand, Jones, Fellaini, Carrick, Kagawa, Rooney, Lewandowski, van Persie SUBS - Lindegaard, Rafael, Vidic, Tunnicliffe, Daehli, Hernandez, Fierro

SUBS - Daehli

GOALS - Rooney (1, pen 9) Kagawa (23, 24)

MOTM - Wayne Rooney

Just another win in the cup, to send us through to the final, no biggie. OH MY GOD WE'VE DONE IT, AND DONE IT IN STYLE. We took our 1-0 lead into the game thanks to a very early Rooney goal, and this time he got another even earlier. An Aguero goal after just 3 minutes made it 1-1, with United still up overall. Rooney's cool penalty sent us further into the lead, and Kagawa had a few minutes of magic to send us storming into the final. Come on you reds!

United Starting XI - Lindegaard, Baines, Smalling, Vidic, Rafael, Fellaini, Carrick, Kagawa, Januzaj, van Persie, Lewandowski SUBS - De Gea, Pereira, Evans, Rooney, Daehli, Hernandez, Fierro

SUBS - Pereira, Daehli

GOALS - Vidic (16)

MOTM - Nemanja Vidic

Not one of our greatest games, but a vital clean sheet for Anders Lindegaard, another goal for captain Vidic, some more appearances for the young stars, and a pass to the next round. We are getting closer and closer now, hopefully the draw will give us a similar fixture allowing us to rest some players.

United Starting XI - De Gea, Baines, Vidic, Ferdinand, Rafael, Fellaini, Pereira, Kagawa, Rooney, Lewandowski, van Persie SUBS - Lindegaard, Evans, Carrick, Januzaj, Daehli, Hernandez, Smalling

SUBS - Januzaj, Hernandez

GOALS - Lewandowski (30, 62) Rafael (70) Hernandez (78)

MOTM - Robert Lewandowski

A lovely win. Although Swansea are bottom, they are still a side with quality, so scoring four is pretty good, while keeping a clean sheet against the likes of Michu and Odemwingie. Lewandowski added some more to his collection, so he's an excellent signing, and both Rafael and Hernandez were delighted with their. Hernandez has really begun to hit form now, and hopefully will continue.

League Table

Player of the Month

Shinji Kagawa. No one stood up throughout the month, with Lewandowski and Rooney having good individuals games and not continuing it. However, Kagawa was consistent throughout. His double against City within 2 minutes was magnificent, and although he didn't score elsewhere, got a few assists, and always received solid ratings.

4-1!

CHAMPS UNITED! CHAMPS UNITED! OLE OLE OLE!

Lol maybe a bit early but I can see it coming.

Emotional return to Goodison?