United Draw Bayern Munich, Schweinsteiger Sent Off

 1-1 

Bayern Munich came to England today to face Manchester United for a Champions League quarter-final.  The first-leg meeting at Old Trafford was another tough test for the Premier League club taking on the defending Champions League title winners.

The first-half was quite forgettable for the home team as Bayern Munich completely dominated United. In fact Munich held nearly eighty percent of possession and forced United to play in their defensive third for almost the entire half.  Ryan Giggs was a ghost, Fellaini could not hold possession, and Phil Jones offered nothing in terms of offensive support.  Fortunately for United the visitors were not able to score and they had a chance to regroup during the break.

After half-time Giggs was pulled and replace by Kagawa, likely because of his experience against Bundesliga teams.  The change was positive and Kawaga assisted in creating the first goal of the match.  Kagawa delivered a corner-kick into the box and Vidic was able to score with a glancing header to back-post (58').

The lead did not last long however, as Bayern Munich's substitute Mario Mandžukić assisted on a goal at the other end.  Fullback Rafinha played a ball into the United box and Mandžukić headed it back down for Schweinsteiger who finished with a half-volley (67').  Although Schweinsteiger put his team level with United, his day ended on a sour note.  A late tackle on Rooney earned him a second yellow card and he was sent off in the final moments of the match meaning he will miss the second-leg of the quarter-final.

Bayern Munich have an away-goal advantage heading into the replay in Germany next week and will have home field advantage.  United were out-played for most of the match, but managed to score nonetheless.  The second-leg should be exciting as both teams will feel that they can win and move onto the semi-finals.

Dzeko Nets Two As City Win Manchester Derby

 0-3 

Manchester United hosted rival Manchester City today at Old Trafford for the second meeting of the season.  City won the first meeting 4-1 back in September and more recently stomped Arsenal 6-0 over the weekend.  Today United again fell short to their rival.

Manchester City took less than a minute to score against United to put the home side in an early hole.  Fernandinho played Nasri in behind the United back line to work a shot that came off the goalpost.  The shot's ricochet off the post went to Dzeko waiting at the opposite post for an easy tap in finish (1').

Having to play from behind from the get-go, United were forced to take more risks and push more players forward to try to get back into the match.  Unfortunately for United their passing was poor throughout the match leading to ineffective attacks.

City added two more goals in the second-half while United failed to respond in kind.  Dzeko scored his second goal on the day from a corner-kick.  Nasri delivered the cross into the box and Dzeko was left unmarked for a free volley that he stuck in the back of the net.  Then in the closing minutes of regulation Yaya Touré was able to work a shot following a favorable deflection off a United defender.  With loads of space Yaya Touré easily finished for the final goal of the match (90').

The win for Manchester City helps them keep pace with Chelsea at the top of the table.  City are just three points behind the leaders with two fewer games played.  The title race could come down to the last match of the season as both clubs remain in good form.  United have no realistic chance of defending their title, but still have hopes of lifting a trophy in the Champions League.

Van Persie's Hat-Trick Puts United In UCL Quarter-finals

 3-2(agg.) 

Manchester United hosted Olympiakos at Old Trafford today for a Champions League replay.  The Greek club won the first meeting 2-0 in Piraeus leaving United with their backs against the wall.  Playing in front of their own fans, United were significantly better than the first meeting between the two clubs.

The match started with high intensity as challenges came flying in from both sides leading to three yellow cards in the first ten minutes.  The players did settle into the game after that and by the end of the first-half Manchester managed to erase the two goal deficit.

Robin Van Persie won a penalty when he was knocked down by defender Jose Holebas in the box.  Van Persie took the shot from the penalty spot and scored the first goal of the day (25').  Then in the first-half stoppage-time Rooney setup Van Persie for a second goal.  Rooney played a low cross into the box and Van Persie made a great run to get in front of the defender and scored first-time (45 +1').

Shortly into the second-half Van Persie was able to complete his hat-trick, scoring from a free-kick.  Olympiakos keeper Roberto Gago failed to stick to his assignment and left the far-post unguarded allowing Van Persie's shot to find the net (51').

Olympiakos played better in the second-half than they had in the first, but could not create a goal that would have put them back in front.  Van Persie and the rest of the Red Devils were simply too good for the Greek club today as United move on to the quarter-finals.

Robin Van Persie was clearly the most important player in the match, but in the final moments of regulation he took a knock that forced him to exit the field.  A foul from behind left him in obvious pain and the striker was carried off on a stretcher.  Hopefully the injury was not too serious as United need his firepower for the matches to come.

Manchester United Shutout By Olympiakos

 2-0 

Manchester United travelled to Greece for the first leg of a Champions League fixture against Olympiakos.  United have underperformed up to this point in the Premier League, but in the group stage of the Champions League the Red Devils were unbeaten.  Olympiakos on the other hand are well in control of their league race, but only narrowly escaped their Champions League group.  Today the home team had all the fight as the underdogs stuck it to the English giant.

Olympiakos scored in the first-half thanks to a bit of good fortune.  Giannis Maniatis took a shot from range that would have been saved by United keeper De Gea easily.  On the way towards goal though, Alejandro Domínguez managed to get a flick on the ball with his heel to put the keeper on the wrong foot and find the net (38').

Manchester United fell further behind following the half-time break.  On loan from Arsenal, Joel Campbell scored the second goal for Olympiakos with a well struck shot from outside the box.  With his left-foot Campbell curled the shot around defender Ferdinand then back inside the post to score (55').

United could not rally and get a goal back to put them, at least, in better shape for the replay.  The second leg at Old Trafford is scheduled for March 19th and United will need to get at least two goals to stay alive in the Champions League.

Fulham Force Draw Against Man. United

 2-2 

Manchester United hosted last-place Fulham today at Old Trafford.  United may not be in the position they would like to be, but Fulham are certainly in worse shape flirting with relegation.  Van Persie and Rooney got to start at forward for United and saw a lot of the ball as the Red Devils controlled more than seventy percent of possession for the match.

Although United maintained nearly all of the possession in the first-half, Fulham scored the only goal on one of their rare chances.  Steve Sidwell put Fulham in front when Lewis Holtby played him in-on-goal.  Sidwell made a run behind Darren Fletcher and Holtby picked him out with a chipped ball over the top which Sidwell finished with a first-touch volley (19').

The second-half began similar to the first with United getting all the possession and Fulham playing almost entirely in their own half.  United used all three substitutes in an effort to boost the offense, bringing in Januzaj, Hernandez, and Valencia with about twenty minutes left to play.  Although the subs did not directly affect the score, United were able to get a pair of back-to-back goals to steal the lead.

Juan Mata fired the ball across the face of goal, possibly looking to put a shot on goal.  Instead the ball came to Van Persie waiting at the back-post for an easy tap-in finish (78').  Right after the first goal from United, Michael Carrick scored another for the lead.  A poor clearance by Kieran Richardson sent the ball to Carrick who was able to step into the shot from outside the box (80').  The shot took a favorable deflection off Scott Parker giving keeper Stekelenburg no chance at a save.

Fulham appeared to be fighting a lost cause, down a goal and void of any offense, but they rallied late and produced the equalizer.  Coming in at half-time, substitute Darren Bent scored in stoppage-time for Fulham.  United keeper De Gea was forced to make a save on a shot from Richardson and the rebound was left in front of the net.  Bent was waiting with a header and finished for the final goal of the match (90 +4').

Despite the overwhelming possession, United were not particularly good today.  Time after time United tried to play the ball in from the wings and every time Fulham were able to clear.  Both clubs have tough games up next as Manchester United travel to play Arsenal and Fulham get the red-hot Liverpool at home.

Southampton Stun Manchester United

1-1

Southampton have started the season on the right foot and came into today's match in the top four of the Premier League table.  Manchester United are always tough to beat at home, though their season has not started they way they expected.

Wayne Rooney helped create the goal that put United ahead in the first-half.  Rooney managed to get behind the Southampton defenders and get a shot away.  Keeper Boruc made a good save to deny Rooney, but the rebound went right to Van Persie who finished on an empty net (26').

Aside from the first-half goal, Southampton's defense was stout and kept United from scoring further.  Keeping the score low was crucial for Southampton as a goal late in the match spoiled United's chance for the win.  During a corner-kick, centerback Lovren got just enough on his shot to send the ball towards goal.  Southampton captain Lallana was tangled up with keeper De Gea preventing him from making the save.  After a closer look it was revealed that Lovren's shot came off Lallana before finding the net (89').

The late equalizer ensured the draw and Southampton escape Old Trafford with one point.  Manchester United seem to be missing Sir Alex Ferguson as their season has been less than impressive.  Next week United host Stoke City while Southampton face Fulham.

Manchester United Top Liverpool in Cup Play

1-0

The first big match-up in the 2013-14 Football League Cup, or Capital One Cup, came today with Manchester United hosting Liverpool.  In the third round match Manchester United elected to start Hernandez at striker who hasn't seen much action this season playing behind Van Persie.  Luis Suarez hasn't seen much action lately either, but with his suspension complete Liverpool welcomed him back into the starting line-up.

United had the hot start today with Rooney and Kagawa looking spry at Old Trafford.  Liverpool survived the early barrage though and got Sturridge and Suarez involved.  By half-time no goals were scored, but the match was wide open.

Manchester started the second-half better than the first and quickly scored from a set-piece.  Rooney delivered the corner into the box that Hernandez finished.  The Mexican striker attacked the service at the near-post and turned the shot into Liverpool's net (46').

Liverpool managed a few good shots after conceding the goal, but Rooney and United were able to keep up the attack and keep Liverpool's defense busy.  No other goals were scored and United move to the next round.