No Passion Derby

Traditionally, the biggest league game in United's calender is against Liverpool. Second to that would be Leeds. And now with Leeds in the lower league, Liverpool would be the game. Neville against Carragher! That sort of stuff! Where players becomes lagends after such games. As Diego Forlan would agree.

Last night came such a derby match. United lost their last match away to Swansea - a poor match to lose - and the two-weeks international hiatus seemed almost a lifetime. United made a few changes. De Gea decided to make peace and signed a new contract. We bought in a new striker in the shape of 19-year-old Anthony Martial. And I duly waited for the 12.30 am kick-off.

The last time the two teams met, Gerrard was sent off after a lunge on Herrera. I was expecting a game of passion. Of high pace and intensity.

Rooney was out injured. Fellaini started up front with both Scwansteiger and Carrick anchoring the midfield, ensuring plenty of possession and good use of the ball. De Gea started his first game of the season between the sticks. Martial was on the bench.

The first half was summerised by wayword passing and purposeless possession. It was the most pedestrian 45 minutes of football you were ever going to see. No flying tackles. United were taking the initiative to Liverpool but they lacked penetration. Plenty of high crosses to feed Fellaini, and that was about it. United backline was rarely troubled.

The second half fared better with Young replacing the disappointing Memphis. He injected pace and United started to string passes together in the opposition's half. A clever free kick left Blind unmarked at the edge of the box after a cutback from Mata. He took it first-time to the keeper's top right-hand corner. One-nil United.

Martial was then introduced for Mata. Carrick released Herrera, who was tackled by Gomez when he was going nowhere in the box. Penalty. Herrera. Roof of the net. Two nil.

Only then Liverpool decided to play. They tested De Gea on a couple of occasions but when the goal came, it was a beauty. It could've won any game of football, bicycle kick executed to perfection. The keeper had no chance. Shame that it was only a consolation, as a couple of minutes after Martial killed the game.

He recieved the ball on the left wing, cut inside, turned Skrtel twice before side-footing inside the far post. First game for United, first goal, and what a goal. He would tell the grandkids one day about the strike.

The fire was still missing at the end of game. There was no flying tackle from either side. None worthy of a debate. The referee never had to consider reaching for his red card. I can imagine Liverpool fans would not be pleased, and it may spell some trouble for Mr Rodgers. United was now second in the league behind the noisy neighbour without hitting top gear ....

The Season has Begun

Early season optimism smelt like a freshly cut grass. It never failed to provoke the sense of familiarity and new beginnings. Well, the familiar feeling returned last weekend. With a host of new signings, everybody was looking forward to the new season with glee.

United got off to a mixed start. We got all three points without even scoring a goal - a Kyle Walker own goal took care of that. At least we far better than Arsenal - who lost to West Ham - and Chelsea - who managed a draw.

Unfortunately I had to miss United's first match since I had to attend an open house. Apparently from what I've read, I didn't miss much. So, looking forward for more matches - and hopefully more new signings in the coming weeks.

Battered and Bruised

It was one of those games to forget. We started well. And then our weaknesses got exposed. We lack both personnel and characters at the back. The ones we have at the moment just couldn't cope. They might cope in the future, but losing both Vidic and Ferdinand in one foul swoop was a bit too much. We lacked leadership.

We could do with a superstar defender. But even we manage to convince someone to come in without Champions League football, we would need time to bed them in. And the next transfer window was a good four months away. We have tamale do with who we had.

It was easy to blame the referee. And yes, Clattenberg was pretty lame, but a world class team would need a world clad character. We lacked that in our defending last night. Rafael was fouled, but he should not touch the Leicester player who was looking for the penalty. It was inevitable.

The cross for Leicester's first goal was delivered after the ball had crossed the byline, but that should not be an excuse for us to switch off and let Ulluo have a free header. We should have played to the whistle. Everybody knows that. Yes, our old boy De Laet should have been sent off. Some time you get them decisions. Sometimes you don't. Move on. The decisions will balance themselves out during the course of the season.

What we need to do was defend better. Defenders need confidence, and that something we don't have plenty at the minute. Time to take stock and work together as a unit. No team would do a QPR on us and let us win every week.

Bring on the next game. Let's start playing.

Getting Their Act Together

Finally United looked like they were playing as a team, and it was no coincidence that we reverted back to a more traditional 4-4-2, albeit with a narrower midfield anchored by the excellent Daley Blind allowing for the more creative member of the quartet some room to manoeuvre and the tireless full backs to provide the width.

It was certainly helped by the lack of ambition shown by QPR in the other end. Truth be told, Blackett and Evans did not look convincing at all.

Di Maria had a good outing, providing a goal and a couple of assists - although the mistimed shot which fell nicely into the path of Mata should be just that. Falcao did make a much anticipated appearance, and he did well to adapt to the pace. In fact, I was surprised at how quick he was, although I expected him to show a bit more composure when the goalkeeper spilled Blind's shot onto his direction. He connected well, but could have easily chipped the keeper. A nice introduction.

But the man of the match for me was definitely Daley Blind. His debut for United last night but it looked as if he played there all his life. A great piece of business for under £15M. He made himself available all the time creating angles for passes, as well being busy sitting in front of the back four creating a shield. He should develop into an even better force once he settled in for sure.

A great weekend, with Liverpool losing and Man Citeh sharing the spoils at the Emirates. It would still take a lot more to catch up on Chelsea, with Diego Costa getting off on a flyer!

van Gaal, No Hal

Finally, the best kept secret in football was out in the open. United had announced who tier next manager was to fill the hood after the sacking of David Moyes. It was none other than Louis van Gaal.

The interesting things were the timing of the announcement and the appointment of Ryan Giggs as his number two. The timing was spot on and with Giggs on board, the transition from the "Ferguson Way" would be easier to take.

In terms of getting results, van Gaal is right up there with the best. At the same time, people had been telling stories about his temperament. Maybe a bit of Rottweiler was what United needed at the moment, to kick things forward.

Either way, he was not able to stamp his brand until the World Cup in Brazil wrapped up. Giggs would have to organise the pre-season before the start of 2014-15. Let's wait and watch.