Spurs awful recor at Old Trafford continued as Man Utd eased to victory – a two nil win with a some opportunistic fortune along the way.

Nani, who is seemingly improving each game at the moment, shone and had a part in both goals. Firstly swinging in a corner for the impressive Vidic to head in. Then, towards the end of the game, pouncing on Spurs’ keeper Gomes’ mis-understanding of the rules, to score himself.

The second goal proved controversial. Nani drove into the penalty area and was brought down. In hisappeal for a penalty, he handled the ball. Thinking referee Mark Clattenburg had awarded a free kick for the hand ball, Gomes placed the ball on the ground. Nani, now back on his feet, ran from behind Gomes and slotted the pall past him. Spurs were furious, but as Clattenburg didn’t award a free kick, the goal stood.

United were worthy winners. More similar results over the next couple of months should see United in a decent position going into the New Year, when, traditionally, we really get our season going!

Stoke City 1 – 2 Man Utd

Tuncay                Hernandez (2)

After the Wayne Rooney saga unfolded this week, it seems that United have steadied the ship somewhat. And in no small part to the back of Javier Hernandez’s head!

Rooney had been sent to Dubai after he signed his new 5 year contract, which allowed United to concentrate on what was a must win game. Ferguson let the team play, with the Reds controlling the game throughout.

A sublime backheader from The Little Pea put United ahead, and the game looked over. However, Tuncay invigorated the home team as he came off the bench and it was his stunner that levelled the game. Surely United wouldn’t throw another lead away this season?

No. Chicarito proved his worth again with a poachers goal with ten to play. Maybe Ferguson still knows how to spot a bargain after all. The Mexican’s double means that Man Utd picked up their first away win of the season. Hopefully this will prove a turning point in our season – and we’re still in second place – so not too bad a start!

An out of sorts United fired blanks as a Ferguson protege continued is poor record against the Master, but still frustated the Reds.

Steve Bruce’s men held United to a 0-0 at the stadium of light. They dominated the first half although the United were unlucky not to come out on top after the second.

When the line-up was announced, questions were asked in the media as to why Berbatov and Evra (both of whom wouldn’t be playing in the International break fixtures – for differing reasons) were omitted from the first XI. Additionally Hernandez was left out, and in Rooney’s  absence, United were definitely in need of an edge up front.

The goals didn’t come. United are left 5 points behind Chelsea, although unbeaten.

Two other important points to note… Liverpool are in the relegation zone after an abysmal start to the reason. More worryingly though, United are below City in the league…

Manchester United    3-2    Liverpool
Berbatov 42, 59, 84    Gerrard 64p, 70

So….the Old Enemy came to the Theatre Of Dreams and witnessed a real United performance unfold in front of them.

Bar ten minutes of madness from John O’Shea, Jonny Evans (both of whom Mez believed shouldn’t be in the starting 11 in the first place anyway) and Howard Webb, Liverpool would have been sent packing by at least three goals to nil.

At the centre of the show, a fans villain of old, Count Dimitar Berbatov. A hat-trick for Mr Chipchase no less! Who would have thought that a year ago. He opened the scoring with a excellent header from a Giggs corner – holding off the distinctly average “Fernando-Torres, Carraghers bit on the side” – followed it with a sublime overhead kick before Gerrard struck from a penalty (bloody Jonny Evans) and a free-kick (bloody Jonh O’Shea).

But unlike the Everton game last week, United still had time to strike back and it was Berbatov again with another excellent header. O’Shea redeemed himself slightly with a great ball from the right, and Dimi saved himself a place in United hearts forever by completing a rare United hat-trick against the Anfield lot.

Fergie will still be annoyed at United’s poor defending at times, but the Reds are keeping pace with Chelsea (who have had a ridiculously easy start to the season) just.

Full BBC Sport Match Report

Sunderland    0-1    Manchester United
Nani 28

As Chelsea were gifted 3 points by Steven Gerrard and Liverpool earlier in the day, United did there best to hang on to title aspirations. After this win at Sunderland, they are a point behind with only a game left. It is Wigan who go to Stamford Bridge next weekend, with Sir Alex’s men hoping they can do a better job than Liverpool in doing Man Utd a favour.

This match lacked real quality, with Nani’s finish indicating that whilst United deserved the win, neither team dominated. United had the better of the game, with Giggs shining in his pivotal role.

Another point of note is Dimitar Berbatov’s performance and subsequent withdrawl. He missed a hat full of chances and it’s no exaggeration to describe him as a man on his way out when he was slumped on the bench.

Full BBC Sport Match Report

Manchester United    3-1    Tottenham Hotspur
Giggs 58p, 86p                        King 70
Nani 81

United returned to the top of the Premiership table, at least overnight, with a confident win over Spurs. Ryan Giggs’s penalty got the ball rolling after a first half when United dominated.

Ledley King gave Spurs hope with twenty minutes remaining but almost immediately after United pushed and it was clear Spurs would be hanging on.

Nani broke the deadlock with an exquisite chip over the oncoming Gomes. Giggs added, again from the spot, after Nani was brought down by Palacios. There were no complaints from the Tottenham team, and they knew they were beaten.

Man Utd will be relieved to get past what could have been a challenging  hurdle, with Spurs having beaten both Arsenal and Chelsea in the last ten days. However, both those victories came White Hart Lane and Man Utd’s formidable home record against Spurs was too strong – Spurs have yet to beaten United at Old Trafford in the Premier League.

The title is still on, but Man Utd are reliant on eithe Liverpool or Wigan to take points from Chelsea, should United win their remianing games.

Full BBC Sport Match Report

Manchester City    0-1    Manchester United
Scholes 90

In a game lacking incident and at times quality, it was the veteran Paul Scholes who shone through in the end. Neither team took a grip on the game, and the reaction from City fans at the final whistle suggest they were desperately unluck ynot to hang on and gain at least a point from the game. But in truth, United edged the fixture for the fourth time this season, with a late goal deciding it for the third time.

The goal game with just 5 seconds of added time remaining. As Man Utd pushed for a winner, City looked less commited to find a goal. Despite sitting deeper, City allowed Evra to find speace on the left. He picked out Scholes on the penalty spot, who, with no defender within 3 yards, headed calmly into the bottom right as Given scrambled agonisingly close.

But it was enough to keep Man Utd in the title hunt. With Chelsea losing to Spurs later in the day, Man Utd moved to within one point of the leaders with just 4 games to play. Chelsea must go to Liverpool in two weeks time whilst United will host Spurs themselves a week today. Check back here at ManUtdShirts.org.uk for a full match report.

Full BBC Sport Match Report

Blackburn Rovers    0 – 0   Man Utd

Blackburn Rovers piled more misery on an awful week for Man Utd as they held the Reds to a scoreless draw. The result means Chelsea can move 5 points clear at the top of the Barclay’s Premier League on Monday evening in their game against Bolton.

Man Utd were again without Rooney and a lack of dynamism reverberated through the team. Dimitar Berbatov and Frederico Macheda lead United’s attack, but the two were ineffective. Park replaced Macheda towards the end of the second half, and as United pused for the breakthrough, both Park and Berbatov wasted shooting opportunities with hesitancy in the box.

Blackburn battled hard, but ultimately it was a poor United performance that cost them two more points.

Full BBC Sport Match Report

Man Utd                    3-2          Bayern Munich
Gibson 3       (Agg: 4-4)         Olic 43
Nani 7, 41                                  Robben 74

Wayne Rooney made a surprise appearance in the starting line-up for Man Utd, but not even he could prevent European heartbreak for the reds.

Excellent early goals from Darron Gibson, another starting surprise, and Nani meant Man Utd were well on their way after just seven minutes. They opened a 4-2 aggregate lead on 41 minutes when Nani got his second of the game, having not scored for 7 months.

But Michael Carrick’s weak defending lead to a Bayern goal just before the break and United went into half time a little edgy. The game turned when Franck Ribery got away from Rafael da Silva and the inexperienced right-back tugged at his shirt in midfield. The Germans made the most of it, knowing he had already received a petulant booking, and Rafael got his marching orders.

Bayern pushed and with Rooney being withdrawn, United lost momentum. A goal was coming, but it took a superb Robben volley to give the Munich side the vital second away goal.

Man Utd showed little in the last ten minutes to suggest they could break the deadlock – there was no repeat of the 1999 dramatic comeback. That’s how it stayed until the final whistle and Bayern progressed to a semi-final tie with Lyon.

The disappointment showed in Sir Alex’s post match interview, but we know United will return stronger, and hopefully more fortunate, next year.

Full BBC Sport Match Report

Man Utd         1-2     Chelsea
Macheda 81              Cole 20
Drogba 79

Man Utd’s title hopes took a serious blow as a storng performance from Chelsea meant they leapfrogged the Champions to take a 2 point lead into the final 6 games of the season.

Without Rooney, Man Utd looked weak and ineffective. Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs both started in a paceless midfield, despite Scholes playing 90 minutes against Bayern in midweek. Lampard, Mikel,  Malouda and Deco controlled large portions of the game and although the tenacious Darren Fletcher did well to break up play often, Chelsea had too much.

Sir Alex complained that United were hard done by the referee when Drogba’s goal, eventually  the decider was awarded despite a clear offside, but in truth United were lucky to escape a penalty decision when Gary Neville bumbled into Anelka midshot and Macheda’s goal was clearly handball. That said, Ji-Sung Park’s driving run into the Chelsea box should have earnt a penalty too.

The Champiosn haven’t relinquished their crown just yet, but are now reliant on Chelsea to slip up. One such slip may just come at Anfield in early May – Liverpool could still be pushing for fourth place, in which case this would be a must win game for them – could they do united a favour?

Full BBC Sport Match Report