Henrik Larsson - The Best Loan Deal Ever

                                          

 Henrik Larsson, former Celtic and Barcelona hot shot striker, signed a three month long loan deal with Manchester United in January 2007. He is signed to Helsingborgs in Sweden, but agreed to play in the Premiership for the three months between January 2nd until March 12th because it is the Swedish league’s off season. Since he has been in England he has been a revelation, showing he same goal scoring ability that made him a star.

Larsson scored on his Old Trafford debut against Aston Villa on January 7th in the FA Cup and has also scored in the Premiership - his first goal coming against Watford on January 31st in a 4-0 win. He has been a great Manchester United player in these three short months, despite commuting between Manchester and Sweden regularly, and most fans will be sad to see him go! There is always a place for quality like that in the squad!

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In the aftermath of our defeat

In the aftermath of our defeat yesterday against the Bhoys, Fergie has admitted he’s still in shock. And rightly so, it was a game that we really should have won or atleast drawn, not only on the cards but more on the performance. United had done extremely well to cope with the hostile atmosphere at Parkhead and produced a quality of football that left the home side back-peddling.

But we just love to do it the hard way, don’t we?! It’s a do-or-die situation now in the last group game against Benfica, again! and although I don’t think we’ll lose that one since we’re too good for anyone at home … but the problem lies in our failure to produce anything in the third part of the field despite dominating for large parts of the game. It sure is a worrying sign, the sort which maybe exposes the lack of another fit striker perhaps. But I wouldn’t dwell on that too much, since Saha would have scored that one on another day. The same goes for the chance that he did not take, when he was declared to be onside when he thought he was off.

And lastly, I’d like to shut Mr. Strachan’s trap up when he says the Premier League isn’t what it’s made out to be. It’s still a hundred times better than their mini league , a league devoid of anything remotely resembling competitive football where you lose only to Rangers or Hearts, fascinating Gordon boy! We all know how well you did with managing sides in the Premiership, don’t we ?!

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Manchester United vs. Celtic (Champions League) Review

Sheesh! Another away game and yet another defeat. This time, it hurts us even more given the passion and rivalry this tie generated, being billed as the ‘Battle of Britain’ and all that. To add insult to injury, Saha missed the one chance we had to save our face when it seemed to be all over, and then it was all over after that horrendous miss from the spot.

United had done well initially to soak up the pressure and counter everything the home team had thrown at them with good and effective countering against their attacks. By the end of the first half, we had the looks of a side in total control and a goal would’ve topped it off really, but it didn’t come.

It became somewhat of a cagey affair from then on with the home side having a couple of chances especially Thomas Gravesen in the thick of things for them. For United, Saha and Ronaldo had some opportunities but they never looked like scoring. The game seemed destined for a draw with United the more dominant of the two sides. But who knew what was to follow. So often has this been the undoing of United, a seemingly acceptable result of a draw was replaced by a near certainty of a loss when Japanese winger Shunsuke Nakamura curled in a quite fantastic free-kick from 30 yards!

United heads dropped and with only 10 minutes to go, time was running out fast. But more drama was yet to come, Saha was fed by Rooney and although he appeared to be offside he was NOT given! and Saha for some reason assumed that he WAS off and continued in a casual fashion when he could’ve gone on and scored the all-important equaliser almost immediately after their goal! But you’d think it’d be over then but at the very death, a seemingly god-gifted lifeline appeared out of nowhere with United being awarded a penalty. Up stepped that man again, and you know what happened next … he missed and the misery and the shock was complete.

This leaves United facing a Champions League knock-out for a second year running and how ironic that we face the same side again to decide whether we stay in the competition or not. Although the next tie is at home, but this exposes bigger and more serious problems. Problems that need addressing soon or we could kiss the league and the CL good bye!

Other Reports: BBC, Soccernet.

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Manchester United vs. Celtic (Champions League) Preview

United head back to the Champions League in mid-week to take on the Bhoys at their place. The tie is set to generate a lot of passion and news even before the game has started, given the not-so-friendly relationship between their managers’ Gordon Strachan and Sir Alex Ferguson.

United go into the tie needing a point to qualify for the first knockout round whereas Celtic need to cement their place as the second team to qualify from the group. An intimidating atmosphere and a hostile crowd is one thing that is guaranteed at ParkHead.

Fergie said:’We will need to show courage and mental strength to handle the atmosphere at Parkhead (Celtic Park),’ said Ferguson, who believes his current side can go al the way.

‘I expect the game to be exciting, open and full of attacking football - just the way it was when we beat them 3-2 in September.’

With the all-important six-pointer at the weekend, Sir Alex has some decisions to make regarding playing his best eleven or making a replacement here and there to ensure a strong showing at the weekend. It’s no rocket science that the likes of Giggs, Neville and Scholes are well into their 30s and a tough game mid-week has it effects on them for the weekend.

Celtic’s last game in the CL saw them hammered 3-0 away at Benfica. No doubt, they are a much potent force at home but I expect us to be more than equal to whatever they might have in store for us. Therefore, a slender victory or at worst is on the cards for me.

My Preddy: Celtic 1-2 ManYoo

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Tough Week Ahead for United

United enter a decisive week for the club with tough fixtures both in the Champions League and in the Premier League. United certainly put the work in at the weekend to keep their lead in the League intact having to come from behind to beat Sheffield United. Chelsea, on the other hand, won at home against West Ham with relative ease. But with the tie against United looming large on next Sunday, Mourinho couldn’t be more arrogant about it. I mean I hate his guts anyway, but the fact that he thinks he can beat United at Old Traffor makes you wonder what dreams he’s dreaming! I mean we beat them hands down last season and yet the bugger thinks he can do it to us right here, right in our own backyard.

He said: “We can leave Old Trafford top of the league so it is a good situation.”

Only time will Jose!

United have more pressing matters to attend to before their big date with Chelski and that is ofcourse the away game at Celtic mid-week. Our last away defeat means we still have to get atleast a point to ensure qualification into the next stage of the CL and although the Hoops have a good record at home, I reckon we will come away with atleast a point. Atleast, I know Sir Alex wouldn’t want to lose to Gordon Strachan!

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