Away at Arsenal

Personally, I was rather tired last night and the fact that Balotelli slotted in late minute penalty for Manchester City destroyed my mood further. As far as I was concerned, he should have been sent off for his kick on Parker. I am sure however that he would be receiving a ban soon when the FA had a look at the TV replays. I would not be surprised if Lescott also receive a ban for his elbow on Kaboul.

Anyhow, United played well against Arsenal and at the end of the day, was good value for their 2-1 win. I was glad to see that Wenger, for some reason decided to bring off Oxlade-Chamberlain after their equalizer spite him setting up the goal and other chances, and being Arsenal most effective attacking player. That boy can play!

Van Persie took his goal really well and I was hoping that Jones would recover soon from his ankle turn. It looked nasty. As for the winner, Wellbeck finished up a great team effort, and a very good assist from Valencia again. Apart from that, I thought Wellbeck was a waste of space.

Three points away from home is always welcomed. Next week would be the fourth round FA Cup tie against Liverpool. Should be another cracker!

Return of Premiership

The Premiership was back on again tonight and United played Bolton at home. It was a frustrating first half with United getting the lion share of possession. Unfortunately the final ball was missing. Really frustrating. And at the final minute of the half, on step Uncle Scholsey to a loose ball and United was one nil up.

Puan Anita prepared a nice "Milo Ais" for half time. It was almost finish before the second half start. The game was getting tighter and I was almost convinced that Danny Wellbeck was a waste of space. I want Berbatov! And by the way,that Ngog really know how to dive. Badly.

Welcome Back The Ginger One

It was pointed out as a sign of desperation that United had to recall one of their great, Paul Scholes to come out of retirement. Not only that, he was offered a substitute spot, and later a spot on the field on the first day that he returned.

It was the right game to introduce him in as clearly he wasn't match fit. His poor control led to City's second and could have cost us the tie. Luckily, City failed to find the equalizer.

The introduction of Scholes may indicate that there won't be a marquee midfield signing in the coming transfer window. It also indicated that Ferguson had some suspicion in the coming crop of youngsters. Players such as Turnicliffe and Pogba has yet to make the transition as far as the Boss was concerned.

Yes, that's our new number 22!So, how well did Scholsey do on his first game back? In the 35 minutes he was on the field last night, he attempted 71 passes with 97% completion rate. Not half bad wasn't it? Not bad for a has been.

But in saying that, I really hope that Ferguson would sort out the squad situation soon. The current first teamers were not getting any younger, although there is still hope with the likes of Jones and Smalling. But a world class playmaker in the ranks would be nice .....

Good Bye 2011

It certainly had not been a great end to 2011. My beloved United managed to get their collective underpants in a twist and got ourselves beaten by Blackburn at home. The squad was clearly ravaged by injuries but that should not have been an excuse as Blackburn was languishing at the bottom of the table, and were thumped 7-1 last season at Old Trafford. What a way to celebrate Sir Alex's 70th birthday!

So, it is half past eleven. 30 more minutes before 2012 enters the horizon, quite literally. 2011 had been a great year for me on a personal level. It was a year of transition. I had decided to take the bull by the horn and made some major changes in my life after a huge opportunity was offered to me. Those who knows me personally would be able to tell what I meant.

Right after the football match, I flipped through the movie channel - in frustration - just in time to catch the opening title of the movie "Watchmen". The some on the title was a Dylan classic - happened to be one of the late Steve Jobs' favourite song - "The Times They Are A-Changin'". An appropriate sone to end this transition year of mine I thought.

"Come writers and critics, who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide, the chance won't come again
For the wheel's still in spin, and there's no telling who
For its namin' for the loser now, will be later to win"

"The line it is drawn, the curse it is cast
The slow one now, will later be fast
As the present now, will later be past
The order is rapidly fadin', and the first one now will later be last"

Beautiful. Happy 2012. Alhamdulillah.

Gary Neville is a Red

Guess what arrived in the post yesterday? I have been searching for this book for the longest time around town. Couldn't find it even at the more posh outlet. Better still, most of the salesgirls would give me the look when I asked. What? Gary Neville? Who is Gary Neville? Gary Neville the Red. Never heard of him? I finally ordered it online, through Amazon, and got the copy within a week.

I remember the chants vividly around Old Trafford every time Gary went in with a meaty tackle. The whole stadium would erupt, to the tune of London Bridge, "Gary Neville is a Red, is a Red, is a Red, Gary Neville is a Red, he hates Scousers!". And he does. Big time! He got fined for running the whole length of the field at Old Trafford towards the Liverpool supporters after Rio Ferdinand put one into the top corner, to celebrate. Alone. The rest of the team were running to Rio. But not Gary. He was bigging it up alone, in front of the Liverpool supporters, kissing his United badge! Class!

A true fan who was lucky enough to have the chance to play for United and made a career out of it. He would play for free given the chance. He would bleed for the club. No argument. Not the most talented, but did he not give his all. He would rather retire - as he actually did - rather than play for another team.

He can be heard now giving the odd commentary on TV. His comments were insightful and given with passion. But don't let him commentate on any of United's matches, as he would be unashamedly biased. I have finished the first three chapters thus far. Mainly about how he came about to start on football. Riveting.