October & November
Premier League
Manchester United vs Arsenal
With the visitors Arsenal struggling in 10th place despite their massive summer spending. Summer signing Mascherano who cost a whopping 21.5 million pounds have simply not performed. Fans are also questioning Wenger on his choice of signing Rio Mavuba singing for 10.75 million pounds but has only started 3 league games since the summer. Insiders within the club are confused on Wenger's choice. Already 10 points behind the league leaders Manchester United, even the most optimistic Arsenal fan wouldn't predict a win for Arsenal. This also represents the first game Robin Van Persie will play against Arsenal if he was to score against his old team he would have to do it from the bench as Ian Lim opts for his favoured 4-2-3-1 system against the big teams with Rooney up top.
Manchester United 5 - 1 Arsenal
Kagawa
Nani 2
Rooney
Van Persie
In a dominant display, United swept aside an off form Arsenal with 4 goals in the first half. Kagawa opened the scoring just 3 minutes into the game. Nani poured on the misery scoring in the 11th minute with a curve shot from outside the box. Rooney added to his tally with a wonderful headed goal. Vermaelen was sent off in the 33rd minute after receiving two yellow cards. Nani added his second from the resulting free kick. He missed his chance for his first united hat-trick as he went on to miss a penalty two minutes from the break. Arsenal came out of the break stronger with Podolski going close with his effort. Van Persie brought on at the break, went on to score against his former club. He refused to celebrate his well taken goal however it did not stop the constant booing from the away fans. Giroud gave the Arsenal fans something to cheer about but it was no more than a consolation goal.
"I thought we played fantastic today and the scoreline reflects that. The sending off helped but i believe we were already on our way to a win. I was bit dissapointed that Rooney didn't take the penalty but it was a nice gesture to give Nani the chance for his hat-trick. Arsene is a good manager, he'll find a way to make his team perform again."
Premier League
Newcastle vs Manchester United
Going away to Newcastle with a champions league game midweek, Kagawa was being rested for United. It was still a relatively strong united line up with both Van Persie and Rooney starting upfront. Iker Muniain one of the shining talents of the united team so far this season was also rested with Ashely Young given a rare start after Muniain signing. Evans, Buttner and Ferdinand all started for United.
Newscastle 4 - 1 Manchester United
Van Persie
Newcastle ended Manchester United unbeaten run with an outstanding display. Cisse and Ba dominant strength over Ferdinand and Evans ensured a miserable afternoon for the Red Devils. Within 5 minutes of the game, Jonas Gutierrez powered in a goal out of nowhere. Demba Ba went on to score from a corner which United failed to clear. After the interval United still seemed out of sort and it was lucky break for Van Persie when he broke away and scored. Despite their goal United couldn't rally themselves and went onto concede two late goals scored by Gosling and Williamson.
"I was very dissapointed with that performance, i expected the players who were brought into the team to perform and they didn't. It has certainly raised some questions over their commitment to United. I'm more dissapointed with the lack of effort the players put in rather than the lost. Rio in particular failed to use any of his experience to guide the team throughout the whole game."
Strong words from the United manager who was suffering from his first defeat as United boss. Immediately after the game, Rio Ferdinand was rumoured to be offered out. United refused to comment.
Champions League Group C
Manchester United vs Galatasaray
After United first loss of the season and a strong post match interview from Ian Lim. There were some concerns on how the team would perform. Pundits and fans across the country critise the United manager for his condemning words of Ferdinand after one bad performance. It goes to show the high standard of the new United boss. Kurt Zouma was the name in the papers for Rio replacement despite Jones, Smalling and Evans all already at the club. United line up with a formation of 4-1-3-2. Kagawa and Muniain retained their starting places. Rooney, Van Persie, Nani and De Gea the only surviving members from the loss against Newcastle.
Manchester United 7 - 0 Galatasaray
Rooney 3
Muniain
Vidic
Welbeck
Jones
With much of the pre match focused on Lim's attack on Ferdinand. United once against showed they always come back strong from a defeat. Rooney opened the scoring before Muniain scoring shortly after. With two minutes to go to the break, Rooney broke free of the offside trap and finishing it off with composure. After the break Vidic got his second champions league goal of the season direct from a free kick by wonderkid Iker Muniain. It was only a matter of time before Rooney got his hat-trick and he did in the 54th minute with a cool finish past the goal keeper. Welbeck and Jones scored to complete the thrashing of their opponents.
"A good response from the team after the Newcastle game. I couldn't have asked for more." He refused to comment on Rio Ferdinand or Kurt Zouma despite multiple questions from the press.
Premier League
Stoke vs Manchester United
The rumours continue to circulate about Rio Ferdinand future at the club with Ian Lim continued refusal to talk about the subject. Micheal Owen will be facing his old club as he starts for Stoke alongside Peter Crouch. United went for the same line up as the one that faced Galatasaray.
Stoke 1 - 4 Manchester United
Nani 2
Rooney
Young
United continue their good form with a strong showing at Stoke. Marc Wilson scoring a penalty was the only negative of the game which saw United dominate possession from the start.
"It's a hard place to come to Stoke and get a win so for us to do win the way we did was a very good performance. I'm only going to say this once. I'm refusing to answer any questions about Rio Ferdinand or Kurt Zouma. There will be no comment or statement from myself. You're all wasting your own time asking me these questions."
Lim proceeded to storm off. Pundits seem to suggest from Lim's reaction that he was facing pressure from the board to back Rio Ferdinand. Having said that with United start to the season and their current form, why would the board question his abilities as a manager.
Capital One Cup - 4th Round
Manchester United vs Newcastle
With Newcastle ending United unbeaten start to the season. Many expected a strong line up against Newcastle, they would all be shocked to see 2 sixteen year olds starting for the Red Devils and a weaken team. That however was not the major shock of the evening as Rio Ferdinand started for Red Devils. It seemed like the board finally got their way into forcing Lim's hand. However they weren't able to choose his captain and young Johny Evans led the team out despite Ferdinand greater experience.
Manchester United 0 - 3 Newcastle
Newcastle continue their good run of form which saw them beat United, draw with Inter at the San Siro, beat Arsenal in the league and now knock out United kids of the Capital One cup. Despite an even share of possession, Newcastle strikers made their chances count. Hernandez getting his first start to the campaign due to injury was poor and looked out of sorts. Missing chances which he would normally finish off with ease when he was on form.
"I am dissapointed with the result because I felt that this was a very winnable competition. I picked my team, the board didn't force into anything. I felt certain players needed a break therefore were rested and other players were picked for the team. I declined to comment on my choice of captains."
Another cagey post match interview with the United manager. Despite his insistence of picking his own team, several will doubt his words. Rio yet again didn't perform for United and one must wonder is his time with United done.
Champions League Group C
Galatasaray vs Manchester United
Much of the pre-game talk was yet again on the United manager, with many suggesting the young man is out of his depth from the pressure of the board. Sir Alex Ferguson now director of football of Manchester United has his full faith in young manager Ian Lim. Despite being on the board, Sir Alex have been in semi retirement spending more time with his family. He was in Scotland for the past 2 weeks with family. He went on to say that the media were taking things out of proportion and that was no tension between manager and board. Youngsters Trindale and Danny Welbeck were given their first Champions League start of the season as Rooney and Kagawa was rested.
Galatasaray 0 - 4 Manchester United
Smalling
Van Persie
Welbeck
Buttner
After a slow start to the game, United score two goals late in the first half to give themselves a 2 goal lead into the break. Smalling scoring from a corner and Van Persie continue his excellent form in Europe adding onto his tally. The second half was a stroll in the pack for United with the Galatasaray team without confidence. Welbeck scored against Galatasaray yet again and Buttner got his first champions league goal for United. With that result United confirmed their place in the knock out phase and with Malaga drawing, all they need is a draw in the next game to advance as first placed.
"We performed well and i'm glad we have qualified for the knockout stages in such dominance displays. We're going to continue putting our strongest team in Europe. Alex has been a great mentor and i appreciate his comments on his faith in me."
Premier League
Manchester United vs Norwich
With Sir Alex back in England after a 2 week break in Scotland, Ian Lim seems to be a lot more confident with his mentor back in Manchester. There seems to be a close bond between the two and it'll only be good news for Manchester United fans after weeks of speculation over the United manager relationship with the Board worsening. With the international break coming up, many of United players will be off. In his pre match conference, Ian Lim critise the International break saying it disrupts the season and could cause unnecessary injury.
Manchester United 1 - 1 Norwich
Rooney
When Rooney opened the scoring, United fans would have been expecting more. However John Ruddy was in inspirational form denying United from increasing their lead. Chance after chance John Ruddy came out top or his woodwork saved him. United will go on to regret their failure to add a second as Surman scored late on to give Norwich a dramatic draw against the league leaders.
"We weren't clinical enough but you have to praise the Norwich defence especially their keeper. He was outstanding today and his manager will be proud of his performance tonight. We weren't focus and paid for our mistakes."
Premier League
Aston Villa vs Manchester United
After the international break, both Rooney and Kagawa came back injured for at least a month. Ian Lim expressed his frustration in the pre match conference as he lost two key players without any fault of his own. He calls for a discussion between national managers and club managers because the international break continues to disrupt club's seasons. Aston Villa have been in patchy form but will be hoping to cause an upset.
Aston Villa 0 - 2 Manchester United
Hernandez 2
The young Mexican finally fully fit after an injury hit season scored a brace as United dominated the game from start to finish. With pre match focus on the missing Wayne Rooney and Shinji Kagawa, Hernandez took it upon himself to give their supporters something to cheer about. If Hernandez can build on his performance, Rooney may struggle to get back onto the team when he returns from injury.
"Chica has a great game, he came in for a lot criticism after the Newcastle game. Not many remember he's had an injury hit season so far. This is the first time he's been fully fit and in good match condition. He's a great player and will continue to develop into a great player."
Champions League Group C
Manchester United vs Malaga
Needing only a draw to secure their spot as winners of group C. Manchester United fans were in a relaxed mood. Malaga on the other hand could still be knocked out of the Champions League if they went onto lose their both games and Panathinaikos won both their games.
Manchester United 5 - 0 Malaga
Van Persie 5
It was the Robin Van Persie show as he completed his hat-trick within the first half. Malaga's Duda got himself sent off in the second half but the match was far from competitive. He got his fourth and fifth goal late in the second half making him the second player to score 5 goals in champions league game. The other being Messi.
"Robin was fantastic today and showed everyone what a great player he is. I'm very fortunate to have 4 great strikers in my squad. Rooney, Van Persie, Hernandez and Welbeck. I think they may even be better than the strike force of 1999."
Premier League
Manchester United vs Everton
Everton have had a great start to the season, sitting in 5th spot. Having beaten local rivals Liverpool the week before, the supporters had reason to be optimistic. In the pre match conference Ian Lim ruled out Van Persie for the next month due to an injury that occurred in training. Hernandez and Welbeck were the only two fit striker left on the squad with Hernandez coming back to form many expected the Mexican to start but Ian Lim showed his confidence in the young English striker.
Manchester United 1 - 0 Everton
Howard OG
Everton pushed United all the way to the end. In a weird game despite United dominating possession, Everton were creating the best chances and it was only down to De Gea quick reaction which prevented United from going down. Despite his manager confidence in his ability, Danny Welbeck failed to perform and was eventually taken of for Hernandez. Everton was resisting everything United had thrown at them. However it wasn't to be in stoppage time Vidic powered in a corner which Howard should have dealt with better and resulted in his own goal.
"I think we deserve all three points due to our majority share of possession. We continue to press them throughout the game and we got our reward at the end. Danny had a bad game today which happens to all players, i still have faith in him and he still may start against City next week. Everton were brilliant and David Moyes continues to do a great job with his team."
Sorry for doing two months at once, got into my game too much and forgot about my story
Please let me know if anyone is still reading this. If anyone wants to suggest ways of improving it let me know.
First time i signed Muniain in the game so will be interesting to see how he does.