Newcastle, Check, mate.

So I'm back. And I couldn't choose a better time to do it. Two losses in a row with a 11 goal deficit to Man City's 40. Having watched United (Manchester) put me through the longest game of this season (the Basel defeat was quick and painless-which is why I don't mind the Europa), I'm going to make this very short...

Newcastle United played better than us. They scored two brilliant goals and really, if you had to lose, you wouldn't mind losing to a brilliant half-volley and a stunning 30 yard free kick. As for the own goal? It does not get better than that. It even had me laughing a bit. Jones is now experiencing the highs and lows of his first United season with only 20 games played. Poor Lindergaard too - he hadn't conceded a goal in 6 previous games but there was nothing he could do about conceding these 3 goals. Even his near perfect English couldn't help him communicate the simplest of calls to Jones which led to that fateful error. To be honest, the game was lost when we brought on Anderson. As for the communication bit, Jones probably heard De Gea's call to head it towards him right from the bench... Even if it was in broken Spanglish.

Ferguson needs to buy a central midfielder now. A good one, if, he wants to win any silverware this year. Even he cannot deny that surely! But he will. With the injuries already sustained not getting any better, it seems everyone knows what to do except for Ferguson. I envy Peterborough United; where even his son who coaches down there, Darren Ferguson will most probably buy a couple of players this January transfer window with his 2 million kitty.

Four days from now, we play Manchester City at the Ethiad stadium in the F.A. cup. I'm too afraid to see what'll happen then. What I do know, however, is that '6-1' looks like a welcome scoreline, wouldn't you think?

More? You're probably right.

*Images will be edited and uploaded later.*

Wenger Proposed, Fergi Disposed.

As Arsene Wenger feels the four walls of his Arsenal career collapsing on him like a pack of cheap cards after last night’s blitzkrieg, Manchester United are stacking up a fortress of their own.

On a rare occasion such as this when Arsenal were fraught with defensive injuries and suspensions, United showed few signs of showing great respect for one of their most currently vulnerable rivals by taking them to the cleaners. The stains of such a humiliating defeat will have faded off only after a few months if not years.

In an early kick-off, when an Edin Dzeko-inspired Manchester City ran riot, smashing five goals against a Teetering Hotspurs, United showed that it would take only a few hours to do more than just restore parity. Indeed, they went one further and now sit atop of the league on goal difference with the international break upon us.

Regardless of whether Arsenal could’ve had a strong team or a weak team, it always looked like a United win. It was just a question of how many goals they’d win by and what we got was a score line probably even exceeding Sir Alex Ferguson’s expectations.

A Wayne Rooney hat trick, a brace for Ashley Young, and solitary goals for Nani, Park and Danny Welbeck brushed aside Wenger’s left overs like a side hungry for goals. Rarely missing the target, they looked like a team on a mission. They were exceptional all over the park and while they disposed of Arsenal quite ruthlessly and professionally, United will feel duly satisfied with their performance even if it was against a team far from recognition.

United's England Representatives

Perhaps the only blot on United’s red letter day was the injury to Danny Welbeck. A hamstring for the youngster who has shone excellent form early on will rule him out for a minimum of four weeks. But Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney held the torch magnificently after that one early setback and you get the feeling that were they afforded another game in quick succession, they would have jubilantly continued the scoring.

David De Gea probably had his best United game till date by making some really fine saves, including a lackluster Van Persie penalty. Having conceded two goals, it’s a telling sign that he’ll be keeping less number of clean sheets in his first year. His body language is tentative, thus indicating that he is only just beginning to adjust to the English game. But as long as United maintain their scoring run, fewer daggers will be pointed at De Gea’s telling inexperience in goal… if only for a while.

Spanish Acquisition.

Not much can be said about Wojciech Szczesny in goal for Arsenal. Being the in-form goalkeeper of the two on the pitch, United scored some majestic goals, which came from outstanding build-ups and sustained pressure against an inexperienced and hapless Arsenal defense and midfield. A schoolboy Arsenal showing should not take away from United’s dominance, persistence, and coldblooded finishing.

On a day when Arsenal were truly at their worst – you may cite poor form, suspensions, injuries and ill-timed transfer decision making- all leaving them prone to attack after attack, they came up against a Manchester United side determined to build on their fine form and respond to another Manchester team’s equally ruthless exploits at Spurs.

But the most heart-warming thing for any United fan would be the energy that Young, Welbeck, Tom Cleverley, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have brought to the squad; not added, but brought. There is a vibrancy all over the pitch that is very hard to ignore whether United score eight goals or 2 goals. Rooney’s got to be loving this.

In a way, dare I think, as much as the 19^th title may mean to a lot of the United fans, Fergi’s latest additions seem to be etching the triumphs of last May into the not too distant corners in the minds of United’s faithful, but rather giving them a glimpse of what more is to be achieved.

With Cleverley getting his second full game under his belt this season, Wesley Sneijder is a forgotten name. This new entrant from the academy may have just made a decision for Ferguson with regards to the Dutch midfielder’s whereabouts this summer and one thing is for certain- it’s not in Manchester.

While young Tom's regular pairing with Anderson looks to be one for the near future, we may tend forget where Park Ji -Sung, Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov will even figure. But let’s not get carried away. The season is long and with injuries and suspensions part of the game; just ask Arsene Wenger, there is much work for the new and improved Manchester United to do.

Been Falling from Grace For A While Now haven't you?

The demolition of Arsenal is passé. Ferguson will now turn his attention towards Bolton Wanderers, who they visit in 12 days time and a week later, entertain Chelsea at home. With Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand yet to return, the international break may prove to be a timely break for those concerned at Old Trafford.

There is a feeling of growing optimism around the club for the future that it holds. It’s breathtaking, fresh and puts a smile on our faces. These qualities that United were probably lacking last season, now seem to have been blessed in abundance this year.

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Manchester United v/s Arsenal Preview.

Manchester United will be relishing the prospect of facing an Arsenal side that barring all their transfers, injuries and suspensions, and have won only one game in eight visits to the champion’s den in all competitions.

United host the gunners with two wins in the league so far while the Gunners have yet to register their first. With Old Trafford becoming a fortress of late for the Premier League champions, few would bet against them dropping two or three points against an opponent who look to be scrutinized for their transfer policies which have put them in a sticky situation with barely four days to go.

Perhaps a successful Champions League qualifier against Udinese last Wednesday will boost Arsenal’s confidence going into game. The ill-fated timing of suspensions for Alex Song, Emmanuel Frimpong and Gervinho leave only Aaron Ramsey to hold the Fort for Arsenal. While their defense is settled on paper at least, Carl Jenkinson, Johan Djourou, and Laurent Koscielny are available. The only doubts for Arsenal are Thomas Vermaleen and Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere.

That leaves the north London outfit with a brute forward line that luckily for them, isn’t fraught with any suspensions or injuries. Robin Van Persie, Andrei Arshavin and Theo Walcott will look to attack with pace while Gervinho sits watches from the stands, or from London. There’s no doubt that the Ivorian footballer has added some more bite into their attack as well and his early season energy will be missed.

Wenger's getting the Hair Dryer as well! Tee Hee!

For United, although it’s too early to get carried away by promising talent, Fergie’s latest fledglings seem to be taking whatever opportunities they get. Tom Cleverley, Danny Welbeck, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have managed to sustain the attention of United’s faithful with their positive play and rather than dwelling on United’s retirees. What’s better for United is that these boys have brought some much-needed energy into United’s side thus adding a bit of freshness to their game; something the team have been lacking in the past.

Even with a wealth of young talent that look set to start the game after impressing recently, Ferguson still has Evra, Giggs, Park, Berbatov and Owen on the bench. That in itself is enviable given that the gaffer may decide to throw on some experience if he wishes to.

But putting aside all the talent and suspensions, this game may be won or lost depending on two main men - David De Gea or Wojciech Szczesny. Both young, talented, agile and there for the long term, these goalkeepers have their work cut out for them.

With the Arsenal stopper impressing in his midweek Italian job and looking more confident than his United counterpart, most eyes will lie on De Gea. With the pressure subsiding momentarily for David after he kept his first clean sheet in a competitive match, he’d do his confidence a world of good to keep that run going.

And then there’s Rooney, Nani, Young and Chicharito to contend with. It almost looks though as if Arsenal will set up with a defensive formation looking to counter with pace up front. Should Arsenal’s seemingly frail defense be unlocked at anytime, they would find it hard to come back at United who will look to mount pressure on the away side for a whole ninety minutes plus Fergi time.

While football does throw up the odd result, United look like clear favourites to edge out the Gunners given the contrasting fortunes between these two clubs in terms of players available for this fixture.

While Arsene Wenger needs a win to give him and his team some breathing space from all the criticism they’ve been under, a point wouldn’t be bad for the gunners given the current state of their squad as well. 

However, should United prevail, it will leave the gunners eight points shy of their opponents and that’s exactly what United will be looking to do by piling on the misery for Wenger and Co.

My Starting line - Ups

Manchester United (4-4-1-1) : 

De Gea, Smalling, Jones, Evans, Evra, Cleverley, Anderson, Nani, Young, Rooney, Chicharito.

Arsenal (4-1-4-1)  : 

Szczesny ( I got his name right without googling it. ) Jenkinson, Vermaelen, Koscielny ( this one too ) Sagna, Djourou, Walcott, Ramsey, Rosicky, Arshavin, Van Persie.

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