Manchester United - Proving That Money Can't Buy Success

[Chelsea11]

YOU CHEATED! I KNOW IT! lol I bet you moved difficulty down to semi-pro just to beat them

Nice report though

[Miguel]

I didn't. That was on World Class, the same difficulty level as the Pompey game.

Thanks mate
Arsenal next

[Chelsea11]

I hope you lose to the Gooners

[Miguel]

I won't though

[GK01]

I'm sure you'll flog them

[BoomBoomPow2k9]

When will that be up?

[Miguel]

Not sure yet. I have a transfer story to tott up yet. Will do that after I've had lunch

[BoomBoomPow2k9]

*Cough* And after you've read my Update *Cough*

Only joking, don't feel froced

[Miguel]

Right guys, starting to write the update now, and then I will finilalalala after lunch

[Miguel]

Originally Posted by MiguelSantos12

In a game that both teams wanted to win so badly, only one team could come out on top. And come out on top they did!



Rooney silences the Chelsea fans after his opening goal ^^

The home side piled the pressure on straight away with Carrick firing a strike at goal from long range in the 3rd minute, only to be denied by Petr Cech, who parried the ball out for a corner, which was poor by Nani, cleared.

Wayne Rooney then received a great pass by Tevez on the half way line, and used his great pace and strength to outmuscle Ricardo Carvalho, the Portuguese center-half didn’t really stand a chance against Rooney’s superior upper body strength, but the English hitman’s strike was poor, straight at Petr Cech.

It didn’t take long for the breakthrough to come for Manchester United, Carlos Tevez playing a fantastic pass to Rooney, who again proved too hot to handle for Ricardo Carvalho, who seemed to trip himself up. Which left Rooney on course to goal with no further obstructions, and a calmly slotted strike under the keeper, saw the ball skid into the back of the goal to put the home side 1-0 up and immediately put Chelsea in a position they didn’t want to be in.

Another great pass from Tevez, this time to Cristiano Ronaldo, who’s dipping and diving run saw too much for Ashley Cole to deal with, which left the World Player of the Year nominee in open space in the penalty area. The strike was less than convincing, beat the goalkeeper, but also beat the post. As the ball whizzed wide. I’d have bet my house on Ronaldo to score from there!

Wayne Rooney’s turn to become assister this time, a fantastic backheel pass to Tevez, splitting Terry and Carvalho apart, leaving the Argentinian forward in space inside the area, but again, a poor shot on United’s part. Saved by Cech, out for a corner which was poor by Nani, easily gathered by Petr Cech.

More great stuff by United, who certainly looked the dominant force thus far, a brilliant cross by Rooney, to an unmarked Carlos Tevez, who had time to control the ball with his chest, and hammer the ball towards to goal. Again, no end product by United who could’ve been 4-0 up by this point.

Chelsea finally got their first strike on target of the game in the 35th minute, great play by Deco and Ballack, allowing the latter to lay a ball back to Essien, who’s strike was venomous, but without accuracy, allowing Van Der Sar to get his body behind it and stop the ball in it’s tracks.

The last chance of the half fell to Didier Drogba. A great through ball by Joe Cole towards to Ivorian, who made no mistake in slotting the ball under Van Der Sar, and into the back of the goal. Only for his celebrations to be cut short by an offside flag. A let off for Manchester United.

Half Time Substitution: Nani (OFF) Giggs (ON)

An unimpressive Luis Nani was replaced at half time, allowing Ryan Giggs to come on and take his place, as United looked to improve their finishing options.

Ryan Giggs’ arrival certainly spruced things up a bit. A fantastic unmarked run down the near flank was well spotted by Scholes, who’s pass was certainly exquisite, played into the path of the Welsh Mancunian as he stormed through on goal. The shot was fantastic and Ryan Giggs had looked to secure all 3 points for United early on in the 2nd half, only to be denied by the crossbar. Another lucky let off for Chelsea.

Manchester United then went to plan ‘B’, scrapped the direct approach and went into passing mode. A total of 23 passes before Rooney broke into the box, only to be taken down by John Terry. The referee ruled no penalty, and United won a corner.
The corner was poorly executed by Ryan Giggs, but there was also a poor header on the end of it by John Terry, the clearance only as far as Michael Carrick, who went for a flamboyant strike, only to be denied by Petr Cech.

The second half from this point on though seemed to go all Chelsea’s way, as Ballack, Lampard, Drogba and Ashley Cole all came close to bringing ‘The Pensioners’ level in this enticing game, but no luck, as Van Der Sar was on the form of his life.

Completely against the run of play in the 75th minute, Cristiano Ronaldo showed up for almost the first time in the game, with his trademark step-overs and chops, weaving his way around 4 players, before laying off a terrific pass for Michael Carrick, who hit it first time from 25 yards, hammering the ball into the bottom corner, beyond Petr Cech and beyond Chelsea, as Manchester United looked to seal all 3 points.

It didn’t stop there though, Cristiano Ronaldo again making his mark on the game, more step-overs and shimmies, but this time the pass was to Carlos Tevez, who made no mistake curling the ball around Petr Cech with his first touch, completely wrong footing the goal keeper and securing the points for the Mancunians.

Manchester United then started to take advantage of a flattened Chelsea side, as a mix of Evra, Giggs’ and Rooney lured the goalkeeper away from his goal line, only to play the ball through to Tevez who hit it first time, but couldn’t keep the ball down as it floated harmlessly over the open goal.

Frank Lampard almost earned Chelsea a conciliation goal with the final action of the game, but his hard, fizzing shot was well saved by Van Der Sar, as the final whistle blew to confirm what everybody knew for a while. Manchester United 3-0 Chelsea.

The Teams:

Man UTD:
1: Van Der Sar -
6: Wes Brown - 5: Ferdinand (C) - 15: Vidic - 3: Evra -
7: C. Ronaldo - 15: Carrick - 18: Scholes - 17: Nani
32: Tevez - 10: Rooney

Chelsea:
1: Cech
17: Bosingwa - 26: Terry (C) - 6: Carvalho - 3: A. Cole
10: J. Cole - 13: Ballack - 5: Essien - 8: Lampard - 20: Deco
11: Drogba

For people who have just come online.

[r0000ney]

Originally Posted by Chelsea11

YOU CHEATED! I KNOW IT! lol I bet you moved difficulty down to semi-pro just to beat them

Nice report though

I always move the difficulty up a notch against the big teams, makes it more realistic

[Miguel]

Fergie Reveals New Face At Old Trafford

Manchester United 'gaffer' - Sir Alex Ferguson, today held a press conference to reveal his latest addition to his already strong side. The player is Olympique de Marseille goalkeeper, Steve Mandanda.
The Frenchmen is 23 years of age, and is at Old Trafford to be used as a replacement for Edwin Van Der Sar, who plans to retire from football within the next 2 or 3 years. "Steve is a very promising goalkeeper, the lad has tonnes of talent, and is more than worthy of a place between the sticks here at Old Trafford. He will be used as a substitute keeper also, due to Ben Foster's continuing injury, and Kuszczak on his way out." Sir Alex told the press. "We have received numerous offers off of different teams around the world for Tomasz Kuszczak, so we just need to flick through them and decide along with Tomasz, where the best option for him would be. We wish him the best of luck in his new club, wherever that may be." he added.

When we spoke to Frenchman, Steve Mandanda about this very quiet move to Manchester, he told us. "Well, it is a dream come true to be at Old Trafford, to be honest. They are the one team I've ever really wanted to play for, they have amazing talent, and in all honesty I'm shocked that they have asked for my signature, but I made no hesitation in putting pen-to-paper. The Barclay's Premier League is an amazing league, the best league in the world in my opinion, and it's a privilege and an honour to be playing here, I'm just speechless, it's like a dream! I just hope I can prove myself worthy of a starting place, try to help Manchester United to even more silverware, and become a legend among the fans."

[BoomBoomPow2k9]

Omg!

That is Unreal!

[Miguel]

What?

[BoomBoomPow2k9]

You know when we all had that discussion about who the Goalkeper would be?

I was so close to hazzarding a guess for it to be Mandanda, but i decided against it. This is crazy.

*Thinks to myself..... Miguel should buy Pato, Bojan, Fabregas, Gerrard, Lampard and Casilass.....*

Anyway who are you buying next Miguel?

[Miguel]

I can't tell you that!

Arsenal will be beaten later when more people come online

[DannyB]

Brilliant stuff against Chelsea. Nani not impressing huh? Welcome to my world

Mandanda's great in real life, lets hope he'll do good

[Miguel]

Thanks alot mate, yeah Nani is lalalala, IMO.

Yeah I played a game with Marseille with Mandanda in goal, he is really good

[DannyB]

He's decent, it's just his stamina is utter lalalalalalalala

[BoomBoomPow2k9]

So when's the Arsenal match coming

[Miguel]

Match Pack: Arsenal vs Man UTD

Form Guide: Despite Manchester United's great form last season, retaining the Premiership trophy and winning the Champions League, the Red Devils have never won at The Emirates stadium, but, coming off the back of a sensational 3-0 win against their main rivals, Chelsea. Their morale will be top notch, United will fancy this.
Arsenal got their season underway with a narrow 1-0 win in match day #1, so they will be looking to silence all their critics by picking up a win against the Premier League and European champions at home. Both teams have a full squad to pick from, including Theo Walcott making his way back into the Arsenal team after a slight knock in their last game. Expect a thriller.

Ins and outs: Theo Walcott is back in the starting XI for Arsenal after a minor scare in Match Day #1. Dimitar Berbatov, Anderson, and Park Ji Sung all get starts ahead of Tevez, Scholes and Nani respectively.

Star Man: Samir Nasri scored Arsenal's only goal last week, so he will be looking to get in contention for more goals against Manchester United.

What are the odds?: Arsenal 3/1 Draw 10/1 United 4/1

Rivals watch: Man City - Wigan ---- Liverpool - Aston Villa ---- Everton 4-2 Chelsea

[BoomBoomPow2k9]

Nice Work Miguel, i predict 1-1 Draw.

Off Topic: Update in Atletico Thread if you fancy looking

[DannyB]

2-0 United

[Miguel]

Thanks for the predictions guys

[BoomBoomPow2k9]

Originally Posted by DannyB

2-0 United

No chance