November’s fixtures are now complete, with another good showing by the Red Devils as they finish the month in first place of the EPL and are through to the round of 16 in UEFA Champions League competition. Last month we ended on October 31st with Manchester United losing a 5-4 thriller at Stamford Bridge during Capital one cup competition – my how some things change.
November 3 vs Arsenal – United’s biggest competition of the month was welcoming the Gunners to Old Trafford for another feisty battle with referee involvement! United went up early off a Robin Van Persie goal against his old chaps, and was followed up by a Patrice Evra header to make it 2-0, before Santi Cazorla netted at the final whistle in the 95th. The bigger notes were not the score board, but that United were given a pk for a hand ball by Cazorla. Rooney subsequently missed the net. Also, Arsenal MF Jack Wilshire was sent off in the 69th minute for a 2nd yellow during an attack on Evra. It is also noted that RvP had a debatable red-worthy tackle in the 61st minute, and luckily escaped with a yellow.
November 7 @ Braga – To the Champions League group stage match in Braga, where the home side struck early again against Manchester, this time from the penalty marker. Braga were holding on strong to their 1-0 lead, until the 80th minute when Robin Van Persie tied things up. The flood gates opened, leading to a Rooney penalty strike in the 84th to knock Braga down, and a Hernandez in the 92nd to make sure Braga were not getting back up. 3-1 Devils.
November 10 @ Aston Villa – A complete heartbreak for the Villains and another Red Devils come-from-behind and late winner! This time the home side Villa were up 2-0 until Javier Hernandez decided to score, and then created an own-goal to tie things up. Then an 87th minute diving header by the Mexican would make the Villains sick to their stomachs, realizing they had just given up a 2-goal lead to the table toppers.
November 17th @ Norwich – This match will be one that we all look back to if United fail to conquer the Premier League this season, as they found themself on the losing end of a 1-0 score to a lower half team. United’s line-up was a bit questionable as Wayne Rooney was not available due to an ankle injury. The Red Devils started last season’s hero at Norwich, Ryan Giggs, which was noted as an error due to the aging midfielder’s poor performance. Ferguson dressed a more defensive reserve unit and it showed while being down a goal late in the match they didn’t have Luiz Nani to turn to as he was dropped from the reserve list despite being healthy.
November 20th @ Galatasaray – United had already clinched the round of 16 so they brought a reserve squad to Turkey, which was a fair decision as the Devils much-needed a rest and some recuperation after the shocking defeat three days prior. Galatasaray won the match 1-0 ending United’s undefeated Champions League run, however the Devils still lead their group comfortably.
November 24 vs QPR – Once again the Devils conceded first before blowing their competition away 3-1 at Old Trafford. Evans, Fletcher and Hernandez did the scoring to see off the Rangers and retain first place in the Premiere League after City tied at Stamford Bridge.
November 28 vs West Ham – It looked like the Devils were ready to thrash the Hammers after RvP scored just 37 seconds into the match! However it ended up being the only strike of the match as the Devils won 1-0. Manchester controlled most of the play, but the Hammers did have an opportunity to draw late, but Anders Lindegaard, who got the start, made the most of the opportunity with a finger tip save from a close range header.
That concludes a seven match month, where the Devils have started to rest players any chance they get. They begin December this Saturday @ Reading where they should hold first place going into the big battle at the Etihad vs. cross town rivals, Manchester City.
Don’t forget to catch me on “World Football Roundtable” on Last Word Radio every Monday and Thursday at 10pm EST.
