Man United held by ten-man Villa.

Villa Park is a stadium which holds fond memories for the United team and the fans. Throughout football history, it has been a happy hunting ground, as we have enjoyed many glorious matches there.

Who can forget the scenes that followed the 'goal of the century' by Ryan Giggs in the FA Cup semi-final replay against Arsenal in 1999, on the way to the historic 'treble'

You have to go all the back to the opening day of the 1995-96 season, for the last time Villa won against United at home. That day Sir Alex Ferguson's side, featuring youngsters such as Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and David Beckham, went down 3-1 in a result which prompted BBC pundit Alan Hansen to famously utter this classic comment: "You don't win anything with kids." How wrong he was proved to be.

The Manchester United team news, which didn't include any kids, had Louis van Gaal giving a start to Falcao up front, but more surprising was the choice of Darren Fletcher in midfield. This was due to undisclosed illnesses to Fellaini and Herrera.


Michael Carrick started the match in the middle of a back three along with Jonny Evans and Phil Jones in front of recent hero David de Gea.

Then there was Young and Valencia out wide with Fletcher and Rooney in the middle, Mata sat in the hole behind the strikers Falcao and Robin van Persie. On the bench were two players coming back from injury, Angel Di Maria and Da Silva.

United enjoyed the majority of possession in the early exchanges without creating any clear chances, but unfortunately Villa took the lead on 17 minutes, when from a free kick Benteke chested down in the penalty area, then without a serious challenge from the United defence, shimmied and curled a left-footed shot across three United players and past de Gea, who to be fair didn't stand a chance. A goal against the run of play, but a warning that this wasn't going to go all United's way.

Villa showed that they had the pace up front to worry the United defenders and on one such break their forwards were bearing down on goal, but without a brilliant tackle from Jonny Evans it could have been a lot worse for United.

On the half hour, Young nearly shoved the boos back down the Villans throats, when his curling shot come cross almost sneaked in at the far post if it hadn't been for Villa keeper Guzan managing to palm it to safety.

United's attacking play cried out for some invention as it was all so predictable, lots of the ball but no imagination, it was crying out for someone to work some magic. Sadly not many magicians were on show.

Falcao's first chance came on 23 minutes when he was played through by van Persie, in the end he shot tamely under pressure. The best play was coming from United's right flank via Valencia, but the Villa defence dealt with any crosses that came over.

It was a poor first 45 minutes for the Red Devils, and even though they had the ball in danger areas they had nothing to show for it.

At the start of the second half, it was no great surprise to see van Gaal make a change by bringing on Tyler Blackett for Fletcher. This meant that Carrick moved up into his preferred midfield role.
Right from the off the United back three, without Carrick marshaling them were in trouble as the trio of Blackett, Jones and Evans struggled to deal with Benteke, Jones just managing to block his shot. From the resulting corner de Gea made an important tip over from a Benteke header.

In the 50th minute van Persie forced a save from Guzan as United tried to convert their chances. The main objective, apart from equalising, was to keep the ball away from United's defence.

The pressure paid off in the 53rd minute when Young made a surge down the left and delivered a superb pinpoint cross, a cross which Falcao met with his head to give the keeper no chance.

In a rare show of emotion van Gaal punched the air with delight as Falcao raced to share his joy with the away fans.

After the equaliser came a push by United to find a quick goal and van Persie came closest with an overhead attempt.

On the hour mark came United's second substitution with Di Maria, making his return from injury, replacing van Persie. Straight away Di Maria was pressing forward and had three rather tame shots on goal, unfortunately, all were easily dealt with by Guzan in the Villa goal.

Then on 64 minutes the match heated up as Agbonlahor was red-carded for a foul on Young. He had a case for protesting as the replays showed it was a 50/50 challenge, but the referee decided he had gone over the top on Young. This not only left Villa down to ten men, but the boos for Young reached new decibels every time he touched the ball.


The 73rd minute saw another change as James Wilson was brought on for Antonio Valencia. Young was switched to the right and Di Maria patrolled the left wing.

That was a decision I didn't understand as the balance of the team would have been better served with Valencia staying on as he had been performing well down the right flank.

In contrast to Young who was having a torrid time with the Villa fans, and to take him out of that atmosphere would have made sense.

This was proven by the numerous opportunities he had to put in crosses from the right wing, but his deliveries on many attempts were below standard compared to his cross for Falcao's goal.

United had a flurry of corners and saw one cause confusion in the Villa box, but Falcao just couldn't reach the ball in time before it was put out of play by the Villa defence.

Towards the end of the match Villa came the closest to snatching the winner with a strike from Bacuna that just flew over a relieved de Gea's crossbar.

At the other end, Wilson had a lovely effort in the last minute but it lacked any power, how sweet that would have been for the youngster to grab the winner and the headlines.


Once again United toiled in a game that they should have won fairly easily bearing in mind Villa's injury list, and the fact that they were playing against ten men for the last twenty minutes. Only getting into their groove after the half-time change, which saw Fletcher depart and Carrick moved into the middle.

Carrick showing once again how brilliant the new vice-captain has been since returning from injury. He adapted so easily to the change in the system during the match. It's no great surprise that the team has still not lost this season when he has been in the side.

Darren Fletcher looked out of sorts in the middle of the park. and he didn't help himself by giving away the free kick that led to the Villa opener. Having been stripped of the vice-captaincy in favour of Carrick, you have to wonder how he fits into van Gaal's future plans, if at all.

He only started the match as both Fellaini and Herrera were not well enough to play. Fletcher has given the club great service over the last ten or so seasons, and has overcome a serious illness to get back into the team; however, in all fairness to him, if all the midfielders were fit he probably wouldn't get a look in.

This was a case of two points dropped at the end of the day. A few months ago I never thought I would be saying this, but our midfield missed Fellaini's presence, and I thought Mata had his first poor match for a while.

Having said all that, after six straight wins, a draw away from home is not the end of the world, and compared to when things were not going United's way at the beginning of the season this has been a good few weeks for the red devils.

We are now unbeaten in the last seven games. The team, under van Gaal's leadership, is still moving in the right direction and remain in third place.

Next up is the visit to Old Trafford of Newcastle United on Boxing day quickly followed two days later by United's last match of 2014, an away trip to the capital to take on Spurs. I fully expect United to end the year with two more wins that will send us flying into 2015.

I would like to wish all my readers a very Merry Christmas and thanks for all your continued support by reading my blogs.

Miles Dunton.

Players that have been Devils & Villans.

With Manchester United playing Aston Villa at Villa Park this Saturday, I thought I would take a look at some of the players who have turned out for both teams ahead of this weekend's clash.

Jimmy Rimmer.

Manchester United: 1965–1974 App: 45 (1 sub)

A Lancashire lad, Rimmer joined Manchester United as a schoolboy in 1963, turning professional two years later. He spent eleven years at Old Trafford, chiefly as Alex Stepney's understudy. He was a substitute in the 1968 European Cup final and received a winners medal despite not getting on the pitch. 

With Stepney ruling between the sticks. Rimmer only managed to play 46 times for United in total. In 1973 he went to Swansea City on loan and impressed as first-team goalkeeper, enough that Arsenal signed him from United in February 1974, eyeing him as a long-term replacement for Bob Wilson. He stayed until 1977 when he enjoyed a spell of six years at Aston Villa.

In 1982 Villa reached the European Cup final, but Rimmer was injured after only nine minutes and had to be replaced by the young Nigel Spink. However, Villa beat Bayern Munich 1-0, meaning Rimmer became the second player in history to get a European Cup winners' medal at two different clubs, despite the fact that he only played in one match.

Paul McGrath.

Manchester United: 1982–1989 App: 192 (7 sub)

McGrath moved to Manchester United in 1982 when Ron Atkinson was the manager of United. In his formative years he was used in midfield but as time progressed he became a standout center half. He won the FA Cup in 1985 when United defeated Everton at Wembley and was even named man of the match, a match that was remembered for the first red card in an FA Cup final with the sending off of his defensive partner Kevin Moran.

When Alex Ferguson took over from Atkinson in 1986 the drinking culture began to rear it's head, at the center was McGrath, and that's when things began to take a turn for the worse. McGrath, due to chronic knee problems and alcohol addiction, was offered retirement along with a testimonial, and a substantial financial package by a frustrated Ferguson, as the manager believed that McGrath's best days were past. In the end Aston Villa bought him for £400,000 in 1989.

McGrath went on to play for the Villans until 1996, making over 250 appearances, and The Republic of Ireland, in which time he cemented his place as one of the finest center half's in the country.

Dion Dublin.

Manchester United: 1992–1994 App: 6 (11 Sub)

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson bought Dublin for £1 million on 7 August 1992, fighting off competition from Chelsea and Everton. Dublin was something of a surprise purchase for United, after Ferguson had tried to sign Alan Shearer from Southampton but lost out to Blackburn Rovers.

He must be one of the unluckiest players because after hitting the highs of scoring a last minute winner in United's first Premier league victory against Southampton at The Dell, his world came tumbling back to earth, as he suffered a broken leg against Crystal Palace in a 1–0 win at Old Trafford, which meant he missed the next six months. 

In his injury absence Fergie bought Eric Cantona and the rest as they say is history. And it was history for Dublin as United won the league that season for the first time since 1967. He failed to make the 10 Premier League appearances required to automatically gain a title winner's medal. However, he was given a medal as a result of special dispensation from the Premier League, meaning the late goalkeeper Les Sealey was the only major first team player not to get a medal.

The following season after only making a handful of appearances he was sold to Coventry City for £2 million pounds doubling the amount United had paid for him. He later joined Villa in 1998 and stayed there for six years.

Peter Schmeichel.

Manchester United: 1991–1999 App: 398

Bought by Ferguson for an absolute bargain at only £500,000 the great Dane won everything possible at United including five FA Premier League titles, three FA Cups, one League Cup, and the UEFA Champions League. No wonder Alex Ferguson described his purchase of Schmeichel as the "bargain of the century."

Named the World's Best Goalkeeper in 1992 and 1993. The season United won the first Premier League in 1993, he kept 22 clean sheets. He rapidly built a solid defensive unit with Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister as his two center backs. His huge frame intimidated strikers as they would try and shoot past him only to see the way blocked by him making himself as large as possible, looking like a huge starfish, to block their attempts.

Schmeichel ended his Manchester United career on the highest note possible, when he and United won the Treble, the FA Premier League title, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League, in the same season. He captained the side in the absence of suspended Roy Keane in the Champions League final, which happened to be his last match as a United player. So important was he to United that they struggled to find a worthy successor until the signing of David de Gea more than a decade later. Schmeichel left United to ply his trade in Portugal with Sporting but returned to the Premier League with Aston Villa in 2001 for a season.

Eric Djemba-Djemba.

Manchester United: 2003-2005 App: 27 (sub 12)

The player who was so good they had to name him twice. Djemba-Djemba rose to prominence with Nantes in France. His impressive performances as a feisty and uncompromising tackler for the French club earned him a dream move to Manchester United for £3.5 million in the summer of 2003, signed by Alex Ferguson as a possible eventual successor to the 31-year-old Roy Keane. But in his 18 months at Old Trafford, Djemba-Djemba found it difficult to maintain a period of form, and he was eventually unable to establish himself as a player capable of cleaning, let alone filling, captain Roy Keane's boots.

Out of all Fergie's signings this is one that really fell flat on it's face, and he and the fans were put out of their misery in 2005 when he was sold to Aston Villa for half of what United had paid. He stayed at Villa until 2007.

Dwight Yorke.

Manchester United: 1998-2002 App: 120 (sub 32)

With a smile as wide as the ship canal, and a personality to match, Yorke arrived at Old Trafford in August 1998 from Aston Villa for £12.6 million. At Villa he was a firm fans favourite for his goal exploits. So you can imagine their displeasure when Alex Ferguson came a knocking. The Villa manager at the time was John Gregory, who was famously attributed to saying that he would shoot Yorke if he had had a gun in his office when Yorke asked for the move to go ahead.

He immediately became a huge hit at Old Trafford, and quickly built up a lethal partnership with Andy Cole. A partnership that helped United to the incredible treble in 1999. Altogether he scored 64 goals for Manchester United in 188 appearances. But it will be his telepathy with Cole that put the fear of god into defenders at home and abroad.

Rumoured to have had a fall out with Fergie, about his public private life, he was sold to Blackburn in 2002 after only four seasons. In that time his goals had helped United to win the Premier League title three times, and made sure the team regained the Champions League trophy for the first time since 1968.

Ashley Young.

Manchester United: 2011 - present. App: 95 (to date)

In the Summer of 2011, Manchester United bought Young from Villa for an undisclosed fee, thought to be around £18 million. Young had been at Villa since 2007. Ferguson beat Liverpool to the signing and he agreed a five-year deal with the winger. His first season started brightly with assists and goals, which included a brace in an 8–2 victory against Arsenal at Old Trafford. 

Young made his debut in the UEFA Champions League against Basel, scoring a headed goal in the 90th minute to help Manchester United to a 3–3. Then a long term injury kept Young out and he struggled to find his form upon his return. In the last couple of seasons he has been accused of diving to try and gain an unfair advantage for the team, and was ridiculed on the internet by his critics.

Under the new management and playing system of Louis van Gaal, Young is at present enjoying a mini revival of his fortunes, and is displaying his defensive qualities as well as his ability to create chances, which has helped the team to six successive wins in the league.

Tom Cleverley.

Manchester United: 2005- present (on loan at Aston Villa 2014-15) App: 63 (sub 16)

Cleverley rose through Manchester United's youth system to become the Reserves captain, and was nominated for the prestigious Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year award in 2007-08. Following successful loan spells at Leicester, Watford and Wigan Athletic, Cleverley made his United debut in August 2011 and was soon a feature of the Reds' exciting start to the season. But a serious foot injury sustained at Bolton kept him out until October and a further setback sidelined him until February. He was then used only a few times in the at the end of the season and ended the campaign having made 15 first-team appearances.

Paul Scholes' retirement before the 2011–12 season left an opening in Manchester United's central midfield. Cleverley had been identified by manager Sir Alex Ferguson as a potential homegrown replacement for Scholes. However that never quite materialised for the player, even when David Moyes took over from Ferguson.

During the Summer with the signings at United of Ander Herrera, Angel Di María, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw & Radamel Falcao, Cleverley found himself on the outside of the Manchester United squad under Louis van Gaal. He attracted interest from many clubs, but chose Aston Villa. Villa made an initial bid of £8 million for Cleverley, but baulked at his wage demands. Everton then came in with an offer of £5 million but that was rejected. Villa revived their interest with a loan bid on transfer deadline day. Following his loan move with just a year left on his United contract, Cleverley admitted that his career at Old Trafford was over.

Other players not featured but played for both clubs include: John Gidman, Stan Crowther. Willie Anderson, Frank Barson and Les Sealey.

Miles Dunton.

David De Gea. "Why always me?"

Manchester United 3 Liverpool 0

This is still the biggest match of the season for both teams and especially the fans. Yes, local derbies against City, the matches against Arsenal and more recently Chelsea are big, but there is no doubt about the coming together of United and Liverpool, it is huge.

The atmosphere inside Old Trafford reflected that, as both sets of fans were voicing their allegiances from when the teams entered the arena to well after they had left.

Millions of words have been written about the rivalry between the two clubs, a rivalry that really began in the 60's between the teams of Busby and Shankly, continued during the 70's with Docherty and Paisley, onto the early eighties with Atkinson and Fagan, then through all the Fergie years against a host of Liverpool managers.

Now we have the Louis van Gaal era, pitting his wits against Brendan Rodgers, and it was the home manager that came out on top in his first attempt.

United's starting line up had a few changes including the return of Phil Jones to play alongside Jonny Evans in a defence missing Marcos Rojo, who had picked up a last minute injury during training. Youngster James Wilson was again chosen to partner van Persie up front, which again meant no start for Falcao. The rest of the team was De Gea, Valencia, Young, Carrick, Fellaini, Mata, Rooney, and Van Persie. Interestingly, there was no player starting that has been bought under van Gaal's time as manager.

Liverpool enjoyed the majority of early possession and Sterling kept De Gea on his toes with a couple of efforts. United struggled to gel in the opening minutes with their formation, a formation with Rooney in midfield and Mata sitting behind the two strikers, and once again the defenders looking unsure at times.

The United players took their time getting into the match until they managed to find a way through on 12 minutes. Valencia producing great work down the right by cutting in between two defenders and crossing to the edge of the box, where a very grateful Rooney was waiting to hit a sweet right footer into the corner. That was definitely the Valencia of a few years ago.

Throughout the first half Rooney led by example from his midfield position. Constantly looking for the ball and trying to kick start moves and generally proving his worth as a captain. While at the back the defenders were at times living a little dangerously, a good job Sterling isn't renowned for his role as an out and out striker.

Then on 39 minutes Ashley Young crossed from the left, the ball sailed over everyone in the penalty area, but there was Juan Mata ghosting in at the far post to stoop and head United into a 2-0 nil lead. Mata ghosted in so well that the assistant referee didn't notice he was in a slightly offside position when the ball was delivered.

Not great from United but at half time they led by 2-0. The downside of the half was four yellow cards for Felliani, Jones, Rooney and Evans. So all those players had to tread carefully in the second half as this fixture is strewn with sending's off.

Thankfully no more United players were booked, but huge cheers rang out from the home fans when both Gerrard and Balotelli went into the ref's book.

The uncertainty in United's defence raised its head once more when Jonny Evans, not for the first time this season, played a suicidal back pass calling on De Gea to produce more heroics again. I would have loved to hear exactly what the keeper shouted to Evans. At this point in the match Liverpool were pressing forward but in all honesty never looked like producing a goal.

On the hour mark van Persie came close, but fired just wide, shortly after that De Gea produced the save of the match by turning a fierce shot by Balotelli brilliantly onto the crossbar. Four minutes later van Gaal made a change by taking off Wilson, who had not stopped running all day, and replaced him with Ander Herrera. Straight away the home side were leading 3-0. A slick passing move involving, Fellaini, Rooney, Mata and a Liverpool defensive error, eventually came to in form van Persie who converted a relatively easy chance.

With United in a comfortable lead Rooney was replaced by Falcao on 77 minutes. The Colombian forward still couldn't find his second goal for the club, in fact it was Robin van Persie who came the closet by having a shot well saved by Bradley Jones in the Liverpool goal.

There was time for one more change as Paddy McNair came on for Phil Jones. I thought Fellaini performed well in the second half by sitting in front of the defence, and breaking up the Liverpool attacks time after time.

I have lost count how many times have I sung the praises of David de Gea this season? He really does deserve better defenders in front of him, roll on January. Whatever his pre match meal is the whole team should have the same. He saved three point blank shots from Balotelli alone in the second half, after denying Sterling in the first half. Without his saves United would not have been looking at the same scoreline, and might have even ended up level or worse. Another man of the match performance from a keeper so high in confidence.

On paper a great result against our biggest rival, and a sixth straight win. Even so the performance was at times disjointed from United, especially at the back. But a win is a win, and after losing twice to Liverpool last season this was a much needed boost for the fans as much as the team.

Now United have only three more matches to play in 2014. Starting with Aston Villa away on the 20th, followed by Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Boxing Day, and ending with a trip to Spurs on the 28th, all these games are winnable and hopefully will see United finish 2014 on a high.

Thanks again for taking the time to read.

Miles Dunton.

The Red Devils go marching on, on, on.

Southampton 1 Manchester United 2

Travelling all the way from Manchester to the South coast to play Southampton for a weekend match is a geographical nightmare, but to do it on a Monday night just to accommodate the TV schedule is even worse. So all credit to the thousands of United fans who made the long journey to cheer on the team so vocally, even though the team didn't play particularly well, they saw their heroes win again to move into the top three of the Premier League.

The United team had a familiar look to it apart from the inclusion of Paddy McNair who was given the chance to shine again in defence, which meant that there was no starting place for Ander Herrera who had performed well in the last two home games. Once again Falcao was left on the bench as van Gaal confirmed this week that he is still not fit enough to play 90 mins.

The first half started with the United fans in fine voice. The team however, took their time to find their own rhythm. Until the 12th minute when Robin van Persie ran onto a horrendous back pass from the Saint's Jose Fonte to open the scoring with a well taken strike under the keeper's body.

On the quarter hour yet another blow for United with Smalling landing awkwardly and having to be replaced by Jonny Evans, himself making his return from an ankle problem. The injury jinx this season will just not go away. Maybe instead of a rehabilitation coach we need a witch doctor!

On the half hour mark Southampton drew level through Pelle. The build up to the equaliser came from a terrible square pass from Fellaini, who when possession was lost, didn't put in any effort to chase back. At least this time he didn't go to ground feigning a neck injury. Sorry to say it, but this was a Fellaini performance of old, not of recent matches.

Louis van Gaal made a tactical change on 39 minutes. McNair departed having been run ragged in the first half, with Herrera coming on. Carrick dropped into the back three to add experience and a steady head. At least United ended the first half on the attack with a cracking shot from van Persie into the side netting.

As the second half progressed United took more control but still managed to give the ball away too easily through bad passing, probably still feeling the effects of their Christmas party. Even captain Rooney managed to deliver a corner more suited to rugby union.

On 71 minutes United were awarded a free kick which was taken by Rooney to be met by Robin van Persie, who made a great run to the back post to guide a sublime left footed shot past keeper Forster. Another fine goal from van Persie that showed he still has quality in abundance when finishing.

The match ended angrily with a flurry a bad challenges and yellow cards. But United hung on to pick up another important three points. A large away end full of thousands of United fans, who never stopped singing throughout the match, greeted their man of the match hero Robin van Persie.

Not for the first time, and I'm sure not the last this season, I'm singing the praises of David De Gea, who made crucial saves to keep United in the match. It seems that not a game goes by in which he proves his importance to the team. While his defence are at sixes and sevens he is calm personified in goal.

With this fifth win on the bounce, United move up into third place in the league and within touching distance of City and Chelsea. Looking at the matches coming over the Christmas period there is no reason why van Gaal's men can't keep the winning streak going until the end of the year.

Then we enter the January transfer window, when I expect a top class central defender to be added to the squad, which has looked decidedly shaky at the back since the start of the season. I would also like to see a midfielder brought in, but one with the ability to break up opponents attacks, Kevin Strootman for example.  Unfortunately players will also have to be released to lighten the wage load, those players are the likes of Anderson, who has become surplus to requirements under van Gaal.

Now United and the fans turn their attention to the big one. United vs Liverpool this coming Sunday at Old Trafford. After their highs of last season it's good to see normal service has returned to Anfield, and it's a perfect time to be playing them. Having sold Suarez to Barcelona, and a long term injury to Sturridge, they lack threat up front as Balotelli isn't exactly pulling his weight. This is the biggest match for both sides of any season and I'm anticipating another fiery encounter, with United to come out on top of course.

Thanks again for reading my thoughts.

Miles Dunton.

Man United vs Liverpool blasts from the past.

With the match between Manchester United and Liverpool on the horizon, I thought it would be a good chance to go down memory lane, and take look back at a few of my favourite clashes between the giants of English football, and Liverpool.

1977 FA Cup Final: Manchester United 2 Liverpool 1

The Doc's red army, as the team was dubbed, had lost to Southampton in the previous season's final, after which United manager Tommy Docherty had vowed to return the following year, and the team managed to keep to his promise.

Liverpool, managed by Bob Paisley, were on course to win the treble of League, European Cup and FA Cup,a feat that had never been achieved.

The sides were level 0-0 at half time, but in a five minute spell in the second half there were three goals. The first from United's Stuart "Pancho" Pearson, who opened the scoring with a fine strike past Ray Clemence in the Liverpool goal, but that was quickly cancelled out by Liverpool's Jimmy Case, with an effort that United keeper Alex Stepney just could not reach.

Then with the match locked at 1-1, up popped Scot Lou Macari with an effort that hit the chest of Jimmy Greenhoff, the ball span over the keeper and defender Phil Neal to win the cup, and stop Liverpool doing the treble. Of course the first team to complete such a feat was Man United in 1999.

1996 FA Cup Final: Manchester United 1 Liverpool 0

Not the greatest final in the history of the competition, but memorable for three reasons.

Firstly, the famous cream Armani suits worn by the Liverpool players prior to kick off. You could see by their faces that they themselves were embarrassed by their choice in match day clothing, and from the United players reaction they new they had won the match even before it had started. From that day the Liverpool players were dubbed the 'Spice Boys' among other things.

Secondly, the strike from Eric Cantona in the closing stages of the match. United had a corner which when delivered was weakly punched out by the Liverpool keeper David James, it then fell on the edge of the box to the one person you would want it to fall to, Cantona. With little back lift and a crowded penalty area the Frenchman somehow managed to fire the ball into the net. Great skill from a great player.

Lastly, is the fact that United became the first club in history to win the Double twice on that day in May, and against the scousers no least. By this time Fergie had really knocked them off their perch.

1997 Premier League Liverpool 1 - 3 Manchester United

Before this match reporters were asking fans outside Anfield who they thought would win the match for United, one astute United fan answered 'David James'. The fact that James was the Liverpool keeper made his answer all the more hysterical. But how right the fan would turn out to be.

During the match James was flapping around his penalty area like a performing dolphin at SeaWorld, actually thinking about it a dolphin has more skill at leaping.

His mistakes handed the match to United, and the look on United forward Andy Cole's face was priceless as James again missed a cross, which Cole headed in at the far post. The match was also famous for the fact that defender Gary Pallister managed to score two goals.

James became the subject of much ridicule, and he didn't help himself when he blamed his ever growing list of errors on playing too many video games, which had had an effect on his fingers and thumbs, priceless.

As I mentioned these matches are only a small selection of my choices, you will no doubt have your own, but any match where we beat Liverpool is, as Cantona would say, Magnifique!

Thanks for reading.

Miles Dunton.

De Gea saves United again!

Manchester United 2 Stoke City 1

There is no rest for the wicked as Manchester United welcomed Stoke City to Old Trafford on Tuesday evening three days after the convincing 3-0 win over Hull City. Once again we saw another United legend return as opposition manager, this time it was the turn of Mark Hughes to try and do what Steve Bruce couldn't manage on Saturday.

Much talk prior to the announcement of the starting eleven concerned whether or not Louis van Gaal would tinker with the team that beat Hull City so easily on Saturday, or not. Of course Di Maria wasn't available after picking up a hamstring injury during that match, Herrera continued in his place where he had given a man of the match performance against the Tigers. The main news was that Wayne Rooney was not to take part, and in his place the young striker James Wilson, who celebrated his birthday this week, was given a chance alongside Robin van Persie. Once again Falcao was to start on the bench. Michael Carrick was named as captain for the match in the absence of Rooney.

As the first half progressed it became clear that Stoke City would be harder to break down than Hull City had been. The first real chance fell to Herrera who blazed over when set up by van Persie after a mistake in the Stoke defence. But Herrera would redeem himself after 21 minutes when he sent a looping cross over from the left, which was met by Fellaini, who rose majestically to power a header in to make it 1-0.

That was Fellaini's first goal at Old Trafford and he clearly enjoyed it. United pressed for the second, but after 39 minutes Stoke pulled level through Nzonzi after Fellaini went down under a soft challenge and lost possession. United's defence were slow to close down Nzonzi and he struck well to leave De Gea with little chance. To their credit United immediately tried to grab a second before half time with Fellaini coming the closest, however his shot lacked any power.

The second half had United pressing for the second goal, but they had to wait until the 59th minute when they were awarded a free kick. Mata delivered from the right and it sailed into the far corner of the net. Both Mata and Rojo wheeled away in celebration, with Rojo claiming he got the final touch, but on closer inspection Rojo didn't manage to get his head to it.

After the goal the match became a little lackluster with few chances falling to either side, and it looked as though United would see the match out comfortably. Then in stoppage time all hell broke loose in the United penalty area with David De Gea making two point blank saves and a goal line clearance from Ashley Young.

Why is it that United continue to put their fans through such drama? The hearts of the fans missed more than a few beats for the last minute or so, but once again the PFA fans player of November, De Gea, came to the team's rescue, proving that he is surely the number one keeper in the world at this moment.

James Wilson looked a little out of his depth at times, and struggled to get into the match until later in the second half when he had a good chance to make it 3-1. It was great to see him have the confidence to go it alone and try to score, even if a pass to van Persie would have been the better option. But he is a young talent who will certainly get many more chances to show his immense goal scoring ability. He would have welcomed the opportunity to gain valuable experience and it was no surprise to see him replaced by Falcao after 78 minutes.

This was a performance from United that should send a warning to the rest of the league, and it's that van Gaal's men are finally playing as a unit, and looking like a team that is delivering on his philosophies. It wasn't a great spectacle but United worked hard and ground out the result. My choice of man of the match is Juan Mata, The Spaniard worked tirelessly for the team, he always looked to try and get the attack moving and of course scored the winning goal. This was the club's fourth straight win, and confirms their place within the top four of the league.

On now to next Monday, and the start of a busy schedule over the coming weeks, with United set to visit Southampton, who are enjoying a fine start to the season under new manager, Dutchman Ronald Koeman . They will be looking to bounce back in front of their own fans after a 3-0 home defeat by Manchester City, and I fully expect a difficult match, but I believe United will continue their momentum and come away with all three points in readiness for the next match, the big one, Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Thanks for taking the time to read.

Miles Dunton.

United tame the Tigers.

Manchester United 3 Hull City 0

After the euphoria of United collecting their first away win of the season last week against Arsenal, it was time to return home and welcome to Old Trafford Hull City and their manager, former United captain Steve Bruce.

Bruce, of course, was a wonderful servant to our club and totally deserved the warm reception he received from the home fans on his 700th premier league game as a manager.

In his pre-match press conference Louis van Gaal gave the fans encouraging news on the injury front, especially about Marcos Rojo, but sadly confirmed that Luke Shaw would be out for 4-6 weeks, at the same time poking fun at United's twitter account about how they miss reported Daley Blind's injury.

The United starting eleven included the quick return from a shoulder injury of Rojo in defence along with Valencia, Smalling and Young on the left, in midfield  Di Maria, Carrick, Fellaini, and a return to the starting line-up for Mata. Up front, the two strikers were Rooney and van Persie.

This was a big match for Robin van Persie who has received criticism from many people about his lack of commitment, especially against Arsenal last week, and with Falcao on the bench the pressure was on him. Last but certainly not least De Gea in goal.

All the planning done before the game came to a halt after only 9 minutes when United were again unlucky with an injury when Di Maria pulled up with what looked like a hamstring injury and was replaced by Herrera, playing his first game since his rib injury.

The early breakthrough for United came in the 15th minute from an unlikely source, Chris Smalling, whose shot from close range was bungled over the line by the Hull keeper McGregor.

Smalling played a very positive game in the first half moving forward at every chance and could even have had a second on the half-hour with a shot that wasn't too far away.

United's second came on 41 minutes when Rooney combined wonderfully with van Persie and found the net with a fine strike from outside the box.

The second half continued in the same vein as the first with United having almost all the possession, and the fans were in fine voice filling Old Trafford with renditions of the annual Christmas song dedicated to Eric Cantona, who signed for Man United this week back in 1992.

Robin van Persie almost added a third with a copy of his flying header for Holland, this time it was saved and judged to be offside, but it was great football with a pin point pass from Michael Carrick, who with Fellaini had total control of the midfield.

Then in the 66th minute van Persie answered his critics with a superb strike with his left foot into the roof of the net from the edge of the box to make it 3-0. That was to be his last action of the day as he was replaced by Falcao.

I wonder if van Persie saw Falcao stripping off and decided to go out with a bang. Falcao could have got on the score sheet at the death had it not been for a goal line clearance.

Even though our defence didn't have much to do as Hull's attack was toothless, I thought Chris Smalling had an outstanding game and could have scored a hat-trick, someone must have taken him aside and had a serious talk with him, as his performances have vastly improved in the last two matches. Rojo performed well on his return and had an exceptional pass rate.

The man of the match for me was captain Wayne Rooney, who never stopped running and completed a total of 66 passes, topped with a well taken goal. He looked to be struggling in the end and hobbled off at full-time. I hope it's not too serious.

Herrera also impressed after coming on for Di Maria and should keep his place against Stoke City.

This was very much a routine win for United as Hull didn't offer anything close to a threat, and at times it was a chance for United to improve on their passing as Hull couldn't get a hold of the ball.

A third straight win is exactly what United needed to maintain a run of form that keeps them heading in the right direction, and to keep the confidence high as matches are now coming thick and fast, with another home match against Stoke City on Tuesday night, followed by a difficult away trip to high flying Southampton.

Then we enter the busy Christmas period with games against Liverpool (h), Aston Villa (a), Newcastle United (h) and Spurs (a). It will be imperative that we have a full squad available and hope we don't succumb to more injuries.

I firmly believe that come to the New Year we will be up into the top four of the league, and we can start to finally put the nightmare of 2014 behind us and look forward to the second half of the season and 2015.

Thanks again for taking the time to read my thoughts.

Miles Dunton.