Lost Again

It was getting excruciating every weekend now. Even though we were playing a relegation struggler in Sunderland, I got a feeling that United would come undone. And I was proven right again.

What was devastating was the manner of the loss. We were hardly in the tie. We conceded first but managed to equalise. Came the second half, the complexion of the game changed when Big Sam Allerdyce somehow managed to suss out our tactics.

Sunderland played with a higher line and United just couldn't keep hold of the pace. We were behind again, deservedly so in the final 10 minutes. Added to that, we lost Darwin through dislocated shoulder.

It looked like the rumour mill would be churning double quick with the latest loss. A lot would be written about the arrival of Mourinho and at the rate we were going, that might just be a relief.

Certainly not looking forward to the next game ....

Sunday Duty

A win is still a win, even though it could have been more convincing. We were leading the Premiership by 18 points at one point before City put 4 past Newcastle the same evening. The lead remained at 15. And de Gea had not been breached for almost 600 minutes in the Premier League despite being considered as the weak link in our defence.

The return of football also brought a wanted distraction after a break for the World Cup Qualifiers. United would next be taking on Chelsea in the FA Cup replay on Easter Monday, about 48 hours after their last game. But to be fair, Chelsea was also in action last - being beaten by Southampton - which put more pressure on the already beleaguered Rafa Banitez.

As for me, in will be on call today. Always a pain to be on call on a Sunday, but somebody had to do it I supposed. One of my friend would be holding an Aqiqah on her baby later this morning. Would be trying to see if I could make it to the kenduri. Anita and the boys would be there as well. She was still not well from the flu.

Momentum Maintained

A win was still a win and the momentum was still on. It was important not to drop points after the three hauled at the Emirates last weekend. All that good work could be unravelled a careless drop in points against the supposedly weaker team in Sunderland. So, concentration was key, and we saw plenty of that focus on the first stages of the game.

We were rewarded with two goals in then first quarter of the match. First being presented to van Persie by a former United player, John O'Shea. He failed to deal a low cross from Ashley Young, parrying the ball towards the predatory Dutchman who passed the ball onto the top of the net. Cool finish.

The second was a well-worked team effort. The ball was initially brought forward by Phil Jones playing at right back. The play was switched when eventually Cleverley got the possession at the far end playing a pass back to Carrick who returned the ball via a defence-splitting pass back yo Claverley. He side footed the bal past the despairing Mignolet in Sunderland goal.

The other plus point was then return of Nemanja Vidic. But he was not able to to earn United a clean sheet. In fact he was at fault for failing to clear the ball inside the six-yard box, allowing a free header at the far end. He would be better once he got more games under his belt I was sure.

The main thing was, the win maintained a six-point lead at the summit of the league. There was still plenty to play for, but it was telling that we were in this position despite not yet hitting our stride. Come the business end of the season, I hope that the defence would be tighter. We really could do with clean sheets.

A Drab One Nil Win

After the heavy loss to Man City, Sir Alex had taken sensible steps to plug up the leak. The couple of Premiership games following the match went one nil our way. We beefed up the midfield, and kept everything tight at the back.

The midweek Champions League game also followed the same pattern. Unfortunately there would be a price to pay. We had to put our swashbuckling style in check. It put out for a dour spectacles, but after the debacle at Old Traffic, that was exactly what the Doctor ordered.

We relied on our old boy, Wes Brown to contribute a goal our way. Otherwise, apart from the last 20 minutes of the game when United picked up the pace of the game, the game was pedestrian. Both keepers weren't exactly tested.

Something to keep me awake last ngiht

One nil. Three points. Couldn't really complaint really. And congratulations to Sir Alex for his 25 years at Old Trafford. a fitting tribute that the huge North Stand were named on his honour.