Still Following the Trawler

Just as with the Liverpool game, I feel I can’t do this significant fixture the justice it deserves by attempting to build it up. The Liverpool games have a derby-feel to them, as well as the added historical ‘battle of England's best’ element. Chelsea however is a new thing. This Nouveau Chelski side has been the greatest thorn in our Premierhip-dominating side for the past 6 years, and after a break from challenging us last season, they have once again returned to form and threaten to seriously dethrone us and take the title for the first time since Mourinho’s reign ended. Team to face Chelsea: At the back: We seem to be irritatingly weak at the back just as we face the most meaningful and challenging game of the season. Drogba and his cronies (Fwank, Le Sulk et al) are on that annoying form that makes you hate yourself for liking them; and low and behold, they’re playing us at the time when we appear to be profoundly struggling at the back with form and injuries. Ferdinand’s ou...

I recently contacted the Telegraph’s chief football correspondent Henry Winter asking him to have a look at my blog, and to my complete amazement and honour he ACTUALLY did! So I thought, as I’ve gotten this far, I’ll be push my cheekiness to the limit and ask him for a bite-size interview…and again, the country’s leading football writer was fantastic enough to oblige. So here it is: What's your verdict on this season so far? So far it has been very exciting. The big 4 teams have all been losing and each have looked weak in certain games. It's unpredictable. Can the top 4 be broken? Yes, I believe so. City will of course pose a threat now and Tottenham have been impressive. Who has been your player of the season so far? Definitely Drogba. Is there any player across the continent who has caught your eye? Maicon (Inter Milan’s Brazilian, United-linked, full-back). How well do you think Real will do this season? They’re obviously a stronger side but I still think only second to ...

Following on from my ‘Maybe it’s because I’m a Londoner’ rant, and for the benefit of Chris and Nigel who continually reminded me of the effort us Southerner’s make to get to Manchester every home game, I endured the sort of journey that does nothing other than highlight a 'cockney-red's' loyalty and effort…even if does unavoidably question the rationality it all. The day for us started with a horrendous 6 hour journey from London to Altrincham, where we had to get off and get the tram in to OT as the traffic going in was that bad. We made it – just. Missing about 30 seconds of the match. Yet as we were sat in the car, amongst the lucky hundreds to enjoy the wonderments and inefficiencies of the M6, I couldn’t help but feel that we were in for a slightly alternative night. My pre-match blog arrogantly waved-off this game as routine and ‘formulaic’; highlighting the ease of the previous CL game in Moscow and how it wouldn’t matter in the slightest if we were without new-dad...

Players.  Neville. A truly inspired, if all too rare, captain’s performance. In the second half his work down the right, in defence and coming so productively on the attack, was brilliant. It’s a dying side to his ageing game, but he proved that he is still a reliable skipper who wants nothing more than United to win.  Evans. Possibly at fault for their first goal, as similar to Rio against Torres, he gave the defender too much space as he was able to move past him and force a shot at a tight angle. However in the second half he was solid, careful on the ball and made a number of vital, mature challenges; showing the developing and constantly learning side to his game.  Macheda. A decent first half but he looked a bit lost as the game went on; and unfortunately that was when we needed him the most. To be fair though, he was unlucky not to score as he did everything right for his post-bound header. However his key strength – his awesome turn on the ball – needs to be jo...

First things first, congrats to Wayne and Colleen for finally popping out baby Kai. Hopefully the kid will be able to look after himself by the weekend so that Wazza doesn’t have to miss the Chelsea game (well, we’re all thinking it aren’t we!?). Thankfully, due to the circumstances surrounding tonight’s game, his absence shouldn’t really leave us into too much of a Russian pickle. We beat them in Moscow without Rooney and without moving into an untouchable gear (a common occurrence this season), so I can’t quite see them suddenly replacing their players, playing-style and manager – ok, manager maybe – by tonight to dominate at Old Trafford...although I seem to remember Wolfsburg not doing too badly when they turned up. Surely another formulaic, modest encounter is on the cards tonight, but still, here are a few key bits to be aware of: We could qualify… If we beat CSKA and Wolfsburg fail to beat Besiktas, our 12 points from 4 games will be enough to see us top the group. Luverly. …or ...

Berbatov has vocally admitted struggling to adhere to the prestige and, consequently, profound pressures that are instantly attached to United's elite strike-force and their proud traditions. Best, Hughes, Le Roi and Van Nistelrooy are all fairly tricky acts to follow and ones that Dimitar - with his ridiculously high standards - has felt almost embarassed to share the same on-field position and illlustrious tag with. However, he sometimes gives us magical glimpses into his genius that might just make him a worthy, honorary advocate of the role. Just as he showed last season at OT against West Ham with his ridiculous skill to set-up Ronnie, and with his scissor-kick against Sunderland a month ago; yesterday - with his back to goal - he controlled, turned and volleyed into Robinson's bottom corner to once again (although not often enough) reassure Sir Alex's faith in his continually progressive ability to, one day, deservedly share the podium with those greats. After the gam...

I recently read an interesting and highly refreshing take on the eternally controversial issue of ‘who you should be entitled to support’. It effectively stated that whatever team the most influential person in your life growing up support’s, that’s who you should support. In this interview it was a die-hard United fan who said, quite honestly, that he supported United because his dad did and that he is the one that got him into football; however had his dad supported city, then so would he. This mature mentality is not only completely fair, but completely logical. It is a breath of fresh, rational air that to me (a Southern United fan) makes perfect sense; and the other, more popular perspective of ‘you should only support your local team’ seem out of place and far too ignorant in this modern footballing world. My dad moved to Manchester in the early 70’s. He instantly embraced Manchester – its culture, lifestyle and vibrancy – and in the same way, Manchester embraced him. He inevitab...