Here Come the Hooligan Labels Again…

 

After everything I said a week or so ago in the defence of English football fans, the minority have to spoil it and make me eat my words! Tonight saw some of the most horrific scenes I have ever witnessed at a football game as violence erupted between Manchester United fans and Italians before, during and after the game. I say Italians because it began as fights with Roma fans on the way to the ground but then progressed into a full scale riot inside the ground with the police.

 Manchester United took 5000 official fans tonight and the sad thing is that I am willing to bet it was the other 1000 “fans” that travelled without tickets that sparked the trouble to begin with. Supporters were apparently taunting police inside the ground before charging at them. Of course the police then reacted, making for some unsavoury scenes with innocent bystanders getting hurt.

It is about time that these hooligans were eradictaed from the game. They only serve to give all English fans a reputation that very few of us deserve. They are going the right way about getting us all banned from travelling to away games in Europe, but what will our teams do then with no support to help lift them? The game will suffer and we will no doubt slip back into mediocrity.

If Liverpool fans can travel with little trouble, why can’t we?

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European Quarter Final Draw

The draw for the quarter finals of the Champions League was made in Athens today and the opponents of Manchester United were announced as Roma. Strangely enough, all three English Premier League sides (Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool) were kept apart, leaving the competition open for an all English final. 

Manchester United, should they progress against Roma, will not face another English side unless they were to get to the final with the other two potentially meeting in the semis.

Manchester United will play at Roma on April 4th with the return leg at Old Trafford on April 11th. 

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Yellow Card, Red Card

As Manchester United played Liverpool today, Paul Scholes was sent off for violent conduct. It was an unfair red because he was simply punching the air in frustration but unfortunately got a little too close to Xabi Alonso’s face. Although he didn’t make contact, the referee interpreted it as intent and sent him off. It was the first red card that any Manchester United player had been shown in the league this season. Ironically it came against the only other side not to have been shown a red card!

Before today, Manchester United were 6th in the fair play league, with Liverpool and Aston Villa occupying spots one and two. In total, we had been shown 41 yellow cards and no reds. Considering there was only another ten games to go, I’d say that it was pretty impressive. We may have dropped a few places after tday but fair play in football is of the utmost importance if we want to promote a clean game to the next generation. 

 

 

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And The Reds Go Marching Onnnnnn….

                                                 

It was crunch day today as Manchester United faced Liverpool at Anfield, with the Scousers having a 30 match unbeaten streak at home. Amazingly, our Red Devils pulled it off. We actually ended up beating them by a goal to nil. John O’Shea scored a 90th minute goal deep into injury time to snatch three points and consolidate our place at the top of the table. Although Chelsea also won, beating Portsmouth 2-0, it means that top spot if gettng further out of the Blues’ reach.

To be honest, Liverpool dominated the game and should have been two ahead just after helf time, but Manchester United kept on battling and never gave up. Paul Scholes was sent off in the second half for violent conduct, but that only served to dampen the mood slightly as the players celebrated an amazing three points at the end of the 90 minutes.  

 

 

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Liverpool vs. Manchester United Preview

It is time for one of the best games of the season. It is inevitable that Liverpool/Manchester United clashes are fiery to say the least, but they also usually pack a punch and a few goals to boot. It also has to be said that there is nothing better for a Man Utd fan than beating Liverpool!

Liverpool have not lost at Anfield in thirty games, which is going to be a tough record to beat, They always play better at Anfield than anywhere else. However, Manchester United have the psychological advantage after beating them earlier on in the season. It was the game in which Paul Scholes scored his 500th league goal. This illustrates just how finely balanced the game is.

As far as injuries and suspension go, none of the mjor Man Utd players are out. Everyone is fit, as yet, and eligible to play. The team is playing well and has absolutely demolished sides in their last few matches, although sitting back as they did against Reading will result in punishment here.

Whatever the team or score, we are in for a cracking match! Come on you reds! 

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Ryan Giggs - The Man, The Legend

                                        

With 699 games under his belt, this weekend looks set to be a big weekend for Ryan Giggs. Not only do Manchester United face Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, it looks likely to be Ryan Giggs’ 700th game for The club. In that time, he has scored 141 goals. Will his 700th appearence herald the arrival of his 141st goal? 

Giggs made his first team debut on 2nd March 1991, which is 16 years tomorrow! He has had a fantastic career, winning much silverware, and I thought that this achievement was worthy of note. Congratulations Ryan, and good luck! Here’s to many more years at the top!

Watch out for a Giggs bio over the next couple of days.

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The Title Race So Far…

 As of today, 27th February 2007, Manchester United are top of the Premier League with a lead of nine points having played 28 games. There are still another ten games to be played before the season ends but we seem to be in the driving seat! We can only actually lose the title if we drop points so keep your fingers crossed and your voice loud to give the team some support.

The teams Manchester United play between now and the end of the season are as follows - Liverpool (A), Bolton (H), Blackburn (H), Portsmouth (A), Sheffield United (H), Chelsea (A), Middlesborough (H), Everton (A), Manchester City (A) and West Ham (H). There are certainly some juicy fixtures there that will certainly be worth watching!

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