Tag Archives: Manchester United

Premier League Preview

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Karen Patel

MIKE CUMMINGS: It should be business as usual in the Premier League this season, but “usual” has changed slightly over the past few years. Where there used to be dominance from the Big Four, now it’s the “Sky Six.” Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool should all be near the top of the table, but Spurs and Manchester City have also positioned themselves as perennial contenders. One thing is still for sure, though: Manchester United is the team to beat.

KAREN PATEL: The Community Shield is the appetiser to the new EPL season and it seems, based on the result, that Manchester United have carried on where they left off. Despite some new faces to bed in (notably Ashley Young, and possibly Wesley Sneijder) and some players nearing retirement, United’s will to win is still very much there and unless there is some huge injury crisis, they will be challenging for the title once again this season.

AIDAN KELLY: Team most likely to win … Manchester United, silly. Despite rarely exhibiting the swagger of champions last season, and looking very ordinary on occasion (the 3-1 defeat to Liverpool and 2-1 loss to Wolves in 2011 spring to mind), they still managed to notch up a record 19th league title with nine points to spare, thanks in the main to Arsenal’s springtime self-destruction.
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Champions League Final: Initial Thoughts

Posted on May 29, 2011 by Howard Megdal

MIKE CUMMINGS: So Barcelona is the best team ever. But we already knew that didn’t we? Continue reading →

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Chelsea/Liverpool

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Mike Cummings

MIKE CUMMINGS: Liverpool beat Chelsea 1-0 on Sunday to pull themselves one point head of … well, Sunderland, for fifth place. With the loss, Chelsea stayed level on points with … well, Tottenham Hotspur, on 44 points, with the Blues taking fourth spot thanks to a better goal differential. Apologies to fans of Sunderland and Tottenham, but that doesn’t really have the same ring as pulling ahead of Arsenal or level with Manchester United, does it?

KAREN PATEL: There was indeed a lot of hype surrounding this fixture, and that is largely due to Fernando Torres. Yet it was Liverpool who shone and displayed the grit and determination that had been missing during Roy Hodgson’s tenure. Continue reading →

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Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur in Review

Posted on January 20, 2011 by Mike Cummings

MIKE CUMMINGS: Another solid but underwhelming performance by Manchester United. And another solid but not-quite-enough performance by Tottenham Hotspur. Combine the two and you get a couple of questions. Will Man U ever lose this season? And are Spurs really ready to challenge for the title?

HOWARD MEGDAL: Not only did the 0-0 draw with Manchester United feel like a lost opportunity for Spurs, it is safe to wonder when they will receive a better opportunity. Continue reading →

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Manchester United vs. Arsenal in Review

Posted on December 21, 2010 by Mike Cummings

MIKE CUMMINGS: American sports lend themselves so easily to nicknames. That’s why a few years back, when Robert Horry developed a penchant for hitting game-winning shots in the NBA playoffs, he earned the nickname “Big Shot Bob.” So what we have here is a dilemma. What do you call Ji-Sung Park after his latest clutch performance for Fergie and ManU against Arsenal? Continue reading →

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January Transfer Window Expectations

Posted on December 2, 2010 by Karen Patel

KAREN PATEL: I remember last season when Sir Alex Ferguson was quoted as saying that the transfer market is poor, which is why he doesn’t make any more flagship signings. Many interpreted this as simply a lack of funds provided by the owners (they are in an awful lot of debt after all) but, for the first time in my life, I have to agree with Mr Ferguson.

HOWARD MEGDAL: Karen is right: the transfer window does allow for price-gouging, and little else. But for a number of teams within clear striking distance, adding that one extra piece could be the difference. Continue reading →

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Champions League: Round 2, Day 2

Posted on September 30, 2010 by Mike Cummings

MIKE CUMMINGS: I’m away from my TV set for one day – one day! – and what happens? From the looks of things on the ol’ Champions League scoreboard, Wednesday was a heck of a day across Europe. Rubin Kazan got another result against Barcelona. Maurice Edu played well for Rangers and won. Everybody’s favorite legume, Chicharito, scored as Man U beat Valencia. Heck, even Spurs managed to win somehow.

HOWARD MEGDAL: There was plenty to take away from Tottenham Hotspur’s first Champions League home game against FC Twente. Continue reading →

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Champions League In Review

Posted on September 17, 2010 by Mike Cummings

MIKE CUMMINGS: The Champions League’s first match-day. It’s like Christmas three-and-a-half months early, except it actually lasts for two days and, here in the states, we can only enjoy it by proxy. Maybe that means it’s more like the overseas March Madness, six months late. Who knows? Either way, there’s always plenty of excitement, followed by a batch of totally unsurprising results, followed by a wave of sarcasm and anger from me. How did it play out this time? Funny you asked …

HOWARD MEGDAL: No real argument with Mike, though while I agree that Inter lost some players (and Morinho), they also kept a ton of players. Wesley Sneijder, Julio Cesar, Diego Milito… all still there. So the draw to Twente surprised me.
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Transfer Window Winners/Losers

Posted on September 8, 2010 by Mike Cummings

KAREN PATEL: a recent article in Goal.com claimed that Tottenham Hotspur were the big losers of this transfer window, but I couldn’t disagree more. Harry Redknapp now has a wealth of striking talent at his disposal – potentially more potent attacking options than most of the teams around him, and that includes the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United. Rafael Van Der Vaart is the latest addition to Spurs’ healthy-looking attack and it will be interesting to see how the manager copes.

MIKE CUMMINGS: I’m glad you brought up Arsenal, because I’m convinced they’ll end up being one of the biggest losers of this transfer market — once the season plays out. Arsene Wenger strengthened his squad in a few important spots — defense, forwards — but, once again, completely ignored the 800-pound gorilla in North London. Arsenal are still without a top-class goalkeeper, and as long as that’s true, it’s going to be almost impossible for them to win the title. Continue reading →

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Champions League Group Reviews

Posted on September 2, 2010 by Mike Cummings

MIKE CUMMINGS: Well, the Champions League draw is complete, which means all the drama in the Champions League is over until the New Year. Between now and December, sixteen teams will qualify for the knockout rounds, and there’s a pretty good chance that a large percentage of the sixteen will be repeat offenders from last year. So why watch? Well, for one thing, Rubin Kazan are going back to the Camp Nou this year, and Barcelona will probably still overlook them. What’s that? Won’t happen again? Oh well — there’s always the chance we’ll get to see JT have a good cry at some point.

AIDAN KELLY: I don’t know about you, but I feel like it’s time to bury deep the clichéd ‘Group of Death’ moniker.

With the media’s desire, born of laziness, to use the phrase after every conceivable draw – whatever the sport — said GODs rarely live up to the hype.
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