Fergie’s faith in Rafael continues in Manchester Derby Day

Rafael Da Silva continues to impress Sir Alex Ferguson with today’s EPL first team start against Manchester City.

With Gary Neville and Wes Brown both watching the match from the injured reserved list, Manhcester City assumed a weak link in the back four for Robhino to exploit.

The young Brazilian, Rafael, silenced City’s expectations holding his ground against fellow countryman, Robhino.

What impressed me the most is Rafael’s ability to play hard against Robhino after his booking midway through the first half.

I’ve said many times how I think Rafael is a mix of Neville and Brown in the sense that he gets forward and makes good runs like Neville is known for, but he’s also got the ability to send in some sublime crosses as Wes Brown is known for. The added bonus? His Brazilian skill with the ball at his feet. Yes Rafael will indeed continue to impress for years to come at Manchester’s Old Trafford.

Manchester United striker to update CV?

Manchester United striker, Carlos Tevez, will soon need assurance from the club’s management whether he should be updating his CV for next season.

Many fans may have forgotten that Tevez is owned by Media Sports Investments (MSI) and is on a two year loan with Manchester United. United completed the Tevez loan deal in the summer of 2007 that will expire at the end of this season. So my question to you is: If in fact Man Utd offers Tevez a new contract, will he accept?

My feeling is that he is just too good to rest in the shadows of Wayne Rooney, Christiano Ronaldo, and Dimitov Berbatov. As much as I would like to see him stay at United, I have a funny feeling the lad might want to spread his wings with the likes of another club. (Wes Brown and Newcastle all over again?)

Before offering your input, we Man Utd fans can not even be sure Tevez will receive an offer (despite the club’s latest pledge that the deal is still on course). The club will need to come up with somewhere in the £30 million range.

Nani sets up camp in the shadows of Ryan Giggs

Lately i’ve been reading a lot about ‘Prince Nani’ and how he has pretty much set up camp in the shadows of one, Ryan Giggs since coming to Old Trafford last year.

Let me start by saying that I do not care for the lad at all.  Many may strongly disagree with me, however I stick to my guns and say that Sir Alex should really consider sending him elsewhere.  After all, many Premiere League teams would probably jump at the chance to sign Nani, (especially money bags, Manchester City).

I can not quite put my finger on what it is exactly that makes me despise Mr. Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha (Nani).  Maybe the fact that he was signed to support Fergie’s attacking midfield, and has only 5 goals since 2007.  Now this may seem like a lot for a player who gets very little playing time, however consider the amount of shots per game that go astray from the young Portuguese winger.

No doubt that Nani has sublime ball handling skills, but the general Man Utd player characteristics just doesn’t seem to fit Nani.  I’ve said this before and I will continue to say it regardless of the disagreements that arise: Nani is consistently one of the worst corner takers I have ever seen for a major, champion-status club.

Rooney finally showing up to play

Man United fans around the world are finally feeling at peace with the young Wayne Rooney after several months of questionable, and ineffective play.

Summer time rumors spoke of Rooney’s attitude problems and unwillingness to report to the team’s training sessions. Many speculated Rooney had somehow burnt out and wasn’t able to cut it any longer.

All of that is over now, and the brilliant Rooney is definitely back on form, capturing his most recent goal at Blackburn this past Saturday.

With world cup qualifiers for England quickly approaching, Rooney’s re-entry to goal scoring could not have come at a better time.

Now lets just work on staying in the striker position and not wandering all over the pitch wasting valuable goal-scoring energy.

Can Fergie give Manucho some first team playing time please?

I don’t know about the rest of the Man. United fan world, but for me the arrival of Angolan striker, Manucho, at the beginning of this year made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I thought, FINALLY we are targeting prospects in the African countries. For a man with 6 goals in 14 apps with his Angolan national team, I believe should be getting much more first team experience.

Yes people will tell me, “well it’s because of all the work permit problems with the UK Government”, or “our attacking line is already chock full of talent and valuable assets” (Rooney, Ronaldo, Berbatov, Tevez). I say thats rubbish. Manucho has had his UK work permit since Aug 28th of this year and has not seen more than 10 minutes this season on the first team after being almost a third of the way through his 3 year contract.

Fergie, give the lad some playing experience. Rooney’s got a knock, not to mention important world cup qualifiers to rest for. Ronny still isnt 100% in my book. With all the midfield injuries as of late, I proposed a 4-3-3 formation against Blackburn Rovers with Tevez, Berbatov, and Manucho all up front.

This doesn’t appear to be the case ahead of tomorrow’s game as Manucho is not even listed as a sub.

Displeased with nonchalant mention of Scholes injury

I was recently reading an article in the LA Times entitled, “Manchester United looks strong” that spoke about Man Utd being the strongest team in the Champions League.

Don’t get me wrong, I live for United. However from what I’ve seen thus far this season, the red devils are far from the top team in Europe right now. The quality of the squad may be world class, but the team interplay unfortunately is not at the moment.

Grahame L Jones of the LA Times claims, “Coach Alex Ferguson’s squad is the best-armed of the 32 teams.”

Although I hate to say it, Arsenal may take the glory this year. If they are able to stay healthy and consistent, they have the ability to win it all. Watching Arsenal play when they are in their grove is simply amazing.

Another disturbing element of this LA Times article was the author nonchalantly claiming,” The only down note for United was the knee injury suffered by midfielder Paul Scholes that will sideline him for up to 10 weeks.”

THE ONLY THING!? Comon Mr Jones! This is a HUGE blow for Man Utd! Scholes now joins Carrick and Hargreeves of the injury list of center midfielders. Maybe my opinion is biased since Scholes has always been my favorite United player.

What Man Utd needs right now is for Ronaldo and Berbatov to get to 100%. I also strongly believe in Darren Fletcher to be an invaluable asset to the reds; especially in this current center midfield crisis.

Calling all midfielders: Scholes out for two months

According to Goal.com, Paul Scholes has been ruled out for two months with knee ligament damage after being carried off in United’s 3-0 victory on Aalborg’s home turf.

With Michael Carrick out until the second week in November with a sprained ankle, and Owen Hargreeves still suffering from an ankle injury, the United midfield will be stretched in the weeks to come.

Since Nani’s inception to Man Utd last year, I have yet to be impressed by his midfield play. His selfish, ball hog, wild shooting-style is not a great fit for the team’s style of play.

October 4th’s clash with Blackburn will most likely render a midfield lineup of Giggs, Anderson, O’Shea, and Ronaldo with Darren Fletcher subbing off Ronaldo who I believe is still not 100%. The question is, how many consecutive games can Fergie use this line? Round 3 of the Champions League is right around the corner as Celtic wait for a piece of the battered Manchester United.