Not the Best of Starts

I set the alarm at 3, all excited about the new season. United invested on three new faces with a couple of those on display at the game last night. Van Persie started from the bench and only appeared for the last 20 minutes or so, for the much maligned Danny Wellbeck.

The first half was all Everton, with United struggling to cope with the aerial presence of Marouone Fellaini. De Gea was a decent shot-stopper but his presence in the box still need some working, but compared to last season, he was much better. With Ferdinand out injured, Carrick deputised at center back. Both he and Vidic coped well on the deck, but struggled with crosses.

Midfield was compact Scholes and Cleverley playing close to each other, with Wellbeck and Nani providing the width. The new number 7, Valencia was at right back, hence United struggled to provide penetration. Often, Kagawa had to drop deep to pick up the passes, isolating Rooney up front. With Distin and Jagielka forming a solid shield, United struggle to get the breakthrough.

A series of stunning stop by De Gea kept the match goalless until halftime, but the soon after the break, Fellaini got his just reward for being a thorn, out jumping Vidic Carrick from a corner. De Gea had no chance. United tried to assert their authority after that with injection of some pace. Van Persie was introduced, but again, he dropped deep, and sometimes wide rather than being an all out striker. We have yet to fine the right balance with our attacking formations. Our wingers failed to kept the pitch wide or find the forwards with their crosses. The Everton defense stood their ground well against what United had to offer.

Disappointed but not dissatisfied. Was not exactly the start of the season I was hoping for, but it was better to lose early doors and start building up. On for the game .....

The Weekend Coming to an End

I slept at 4 last night. Partly because of an ill patient at the hospital and I was on call, and partly also due to the football. I still couldn't believe the Dutch lost last night, just to add spice to the whole proceeding. So, after the morning round this morning, it was back to bed. So, I had been groggy all afternoon.

Looks like our weekend stay at the apartment would soon come to an end. Puan Anita had started packing, and soon, I had to go for a quick afternoon rounds at the ward. The weather outside had been gorgeous, so, as soon as I return from the hospital, we would be going out for a early dinner. Haven't decided yet where that was going to be, but it would likely be somewhere in Bangsar. And if I could muster the energy, I might just watch the Italy-Spain game at midnight tonight. That should be a cracker!

Maybe Not This Year

So, it seems like the ribbon on the Premier League trophy this year would be blue in colour. And to be honest, they probably just about deserved it. United was hardly vintage this year, and the loss may actually gorse us to do something to galvanise the squad. We really could do with a fresh set of players, some established World class players rather than those with potential. At times, we lacked the cutting age to be the real Champion.

So, City beat the Toon by a couple of goals. In the next half an hour, United would kick off against Swansea at Old Trafford. Should we win, the Championship would go onto the final day. We then would be hoping that Mark Hughes would do us a favour by making City drop points. But we still have to win the final game of the season ourselves though.

Tandoori and Satay

Just finished the evening rounds, and as United would be playing tonight, I would have to order some Tandoori and satay. Ordered. And I had the time to catch one admission in between.

Next would be the drive home, and traffic on Sunday evening can be a bit of a pain, especially after a public holiday.

Got my fingers crossed for the match tonight. We really needed Newcastle to do us a favour. Come on Papiss Cisse!

The Final

I have a couple of admissions and transfer waiting for beds, and while waiting, it was the FA Cup Final on the TV. Chelsea was playing Liverpool. And I had the whole of the Doctor's Lounge to myself, with its big 60 inch TV.

Eight years ago, the final was played between Manchester United and Millwall. Puan Anita was in labour for Idlan then, but as she was on epidural, she was actually watching the match with me in the labour ward. Surreal but through. Idlan held on overnight, when finally, Anita had to have a Caesarean.

Since then, I had always remembered the fact everytime the FA Cup Dinal was being played. I had to watch it by myself this year however. And compared to 8 years ago, the match was played a couple of weeks earlier than usual.