Match Prediction : FA Cup - Manchester United Vs Chelsea [10th Mar 2013]

Both teams going into the Quarter Final of FA Cup tonight with negative outcome from the respective Europe games. It also means that both team will try to make amends in tonight's match will full power. Thus, it will be another tight game.   

My Prediction is: Manchester United 2 - Chelsea 1

FA Cup - Manchester United vs Chelsea

For more details of my viewpoints about this prediction, please click here.

Match Details:

Stage : FA Cup - Quarter Final
Play on : 10th Mar 2013 (Sum) [Singapore : 11st Mar 2013, Mon]
Kickoff Time : 16.30 pm GMT (Singapore Time 12.30 am)
Venue : Old Trafford, Manchester, England

What is your prediction? Feel free to share your view in the comment section.

Cheers!

Three Reasons Why Christiano Ronaldo Will Not Return To Manchester United

Immediately after we more or less shot down the rumor about Rooney quitting Manchester United (whereby Sir Alex has publicly announced that Rooney will remain in Old Trafford next year), the follow-up rumor is about the potential return of our heroic No. 7, Christiano Ronaldo. 

Without a doubt, Ronaldo is one of the greatest players in the world at the moment and it will be a win-win situation if the rumor is true. Having said that, I am skeptical about the news for the following reasons: 

1. Ronaldo has achieved almost every major tournaments representing Manchester United (including many of his personal awards). Thus, there is little motivation for him to better himself here (of course, we can use the achievement of treble as one of the carrot but we all know that such honor is really hard to come by).

2. Ronaldo is so rich now that money might not be one of the key motivator for his future transfer.

3. Ronaldo will be 29 next year and god knows he has how many year(s) left to better himself? Thus, Manchester United might be better off grooming at another younger version of Ronaldo equivalent. 

I know this might sound a bit controversial but these are only my personal take. Of course, as the saying goes, in soccer, the ball is round, anything can happen. Let’s wait and see how it turns out in the end. 

Cheers!

P/S: For my prediction of the upcoming FA Cup (Manchester United vs Chelsea), please click here. 

Ryan Giggs - The Millenium Man [Infographic]

We were bitterly knocked out of Champions League yesterday as didn't lost to the opposition team (Real Madrid). Instead, we lost to the whistle man (refused to call him a referee as his qualification is hugely in doubt!).

 

Anyway, enough of ranting! Let's focus on what I want to share today: the Millennium Man in the soccer history. Yes, I am talking about our very own Rayan Giggs or commonly referred to by the teammates as Giggsy.  

 

He has just completed his 1,000th match (in his senior appearances for country and clubs) last night against Real Madrid (Champions League). His performance is still as magical as before. Age doesn't seems play any part in his performance. Simply MAGICAL!

 

To commemorate this milestone, Manchester United released a cool Infographic on Ryan Giggs with some cool stats and figures. For example:

 

Do you know that Giggy has scored a total 168 goals for Manchester United alone?

Do you know that Giggy has 144 appearances in Champions League?

And many more...

 

Check out the Millennium Man Infographic below:
 

Ryan Giggs - The Millennium Man
(source : manutd.com)

Cheers!  

Champions League : Manchester Utd vs Real Madrid [Live Result]

Manchester United 1 - Real Madrid 2 [FT]

Match Details:

Stage : Champions League Tournament - Last 16 [Second Leg]
Play on : 5th Mar 2013 (Tue) [Singapore : 6th Mar 2013, Wed]
Kickoff Time : 19.45 pm GMT (Singapore Time 3.45 am)
Venue : Old Trafford, Manchester, England

Result:
FULL TIME
Manchester United 1         -       Real Madrid 2
(Sergio Ramos [OG] 48')
                                                  (Modric 66')
                                                  (Ronaldo 69')

Nanni Red Carded at 56'

Danny Wellbeck in action

Robin Van Persie in action                       

Previous Encounters:

2013 Champions League Last 16:

First leg: February 13, 2013: Real Madrid 1 Manchester United 1

2003 Champions League Quarter-Final:
First leg: April 8, 2003: Real Madrid 3 Manchester United 1
Second leg: April 23, 2003: Manchester United 4 Real Madrid 3

2000 Champions League Quarter-Final:
First leg: April 4, 2000: Real Madrid 0 Manchester United 0
Second leg: April 19, 2000: Manchester United 2 Real Madrid 3

Cheers!

Match Prediction : Champions League - Manchester United Vs Real Madrid [5th Mar 2013]

Finally, the Second Leg of the Champions League is about to kick-off in a couple of hours' time. As quoted by Real Madrid's coach, Jose Mourinho, the world will stop to watch the clash is if it's the final! I don't disagree with him, it's a Clash of the Titans and definitely worth every minute of your time.

Both teams coming into the match with positive notes (Manchester United thrashed Norwich with a 4-0 win in the last League game and Real Madrid defeated their nemesis, Barcelona twice in the span of one week). Thus, it is truly a match all soccer fans around the world are waiting for! With the home advantage, I am predicting that it will be a tight game and we will be coming out victor with a narrow win!

My Prediction is: Manchester United 2 - Real Madrid 1

Match Details:

Stage : Champions League Tournament - Last 16 [Second Leg]
Play on : 5th Mar 2013 (Tue) [Singapore : 6th Mar 2013, Wed]
Kickoff Time : 19.45 pm GMT (Singapore Time 3.45 am)
Venue : Old Trafford, Manchester, England

Previous Encounters:

2013 Champions League Last 16:
First leg: February 13, 2013: Real Madrid 1 Manchester United 1

2003 Champions League Quarter-Final:
First leg: April 8, 2003: Real Madrid 3 Manchester United 1
Second leg: April 23, 2003: Manchester United 4 Real Madrid 3

2000 Champions League Quarter-Final:
First leg: April 4, 2000: Real Madrid 0 Manchester United 0
Second leg: April 19, 2000: Manchester United 2 Real Madrid 3

What is your prediction? Feel free to share your view in the comment section.

Cheers!

Match Prediction : BPL - Manchester United Vs Norwich City [2nd Mar 2013]

In about 4 hours time, we are going into the 28th game of the BPL against Norwich City at Old Trafford. Basing on the form of Norwich's last game against Everton of which they won 2-1 at home, it would not be an easy game for Manchester United.

In view of next Tuesday's Champions League Second Leg Game against Real Madrid, Sir Alex is expected to shuffle his pack it's highly unlikely he will field two separate sides. In any case, with the home advantage and our current sterling form, I am predicting a WIN for Manchester United. 

My Prediction is: Manchester United 3 - Norwich City 1

With the necessary rest granted to our key players, I have confident that they can produce the result again this time round. 

Following are the form of the last 6 matches (in all competitions) of the two teams:

[earlier to later]

Man Utd : W D W W W W

Norwich  : D  L D  D  D W 

Our last head-to-head game with Norwich, Away Game (17th Nov 2012) is a 1-0 LOST

What is your prediction? Feel free to share your view in the comment section.

Cheers!

HIGHLIGHTS : BPL - QPL Vs Manchester United [0-2] 23rd Feb 2013

YES! Man Utd is 15 Points Clear on top (Man City has one game on hand but it is against Chelsea), we will see whether we can retain this 15 points advantage after tomorrow's game. Now, let's take a look on some highlights of our Away Game against QPR, we won 2-0 (by Rafael and Giggs). 

I've predicted a 3-0 Win by Man Utd, even though fall short of one goal but I am still a happy man! ;-)

QPR 0 - 2 Man Utd (Rafael, 23 ; Giggs, 80)

David De Gea 
Rafael
Ferdinand 
Vidic
Evra 
Carrick

Ryan Giggs 
Nani 
Young 
Van Persie 

Chicarito  

Rafael scored a screamer against QPR

Rafael celebrating his goal

Ryan Giggs celebrating his goal

Side News : Van Persie get himself injured during the match

Goal From Ryan Giggs

Cheers!

Robin Van Persie And Teammates Test Drive The New Chevrolet Volt and Chevrolet Captiva [Video]

In about one and a half hour time, our BPL Away game against QPR will be kicked-off. Meanwhile, let's enjoy something light, a video showcasing Robin Van Persie, Ryan Giggs, Danny Welbeck, and Nick Powell test driving the new Chevrolet Volt and Chevrolet Captiva.

In this 4 minutes video, you will see and hear the players' reaction during and after their test drive.

Enjoy...

Cheers!

Match Prediction : BPL - Queens Park Rangers Vs Manchester United [23rd Feb 2013]

The next match for Manchester United is an Barclay Premier League Away Game to Queens Park Rangers (QPR) on 23rd February 2013 (Monday), 15:00 GMT. If we are able to earn the 3-points, we will be 15 points clear on top while Man City will be hosting Chelsea on 24th Feb 2013.

My Prediction is: QPR 0 - Manchester United 3

With the necessary rest granted to our key players, I have confident that they can produce the result again this time round. 

Following are the form of the last 6 matches (in all competitions) of the two teams:

[earlier to later]

Man Utd : W W D W W W

QPR        : W  D D  D  D  L

Our last head-to-head game with QPR at home (24th Nov 2012) is a 3-1 WIN.

What is your prediction? Feel free to share your view in the comment section.

Cheers!

HIGHLIGHTS : FA Cup - Manchester United Vs Reading [2-1] 18th Feb 2013

YES! We beat the persistent Reading and went through to the Last 8 of FA Cup. In a match with many fresh players (as compared to the team drawn with Real Madrid in Champions League), Nani and Hernandez answered the critics with their legs. The only negative news about this game is that Phil Jones sustained ankle injury and leave the stadium on crutches.

Next, we will be facing either Chelsea or Middlesbrough in the 6th round of FA Cup. Following are some HIGHLIGHTS from the match, including the goals highlight.

Manchester United 2 - Reading 1

David De Gea 1
Phil Jones 4
Smalling 12
Vidic 15
Buttner 28

Valencia 7
Anderson 8
Cleverly 23
Young 18

Danny Welbeck 19

Hernandez 14

Nani scored the first goal

Nani celebrating the goal

Hernandez scored the second goal

Hernandez celebrating his goal

Side news - Phil Jones sustained ankle injury

Cheers!

FA Cup : Manchester Utd Vs Reading [Result]

In about 6 hours time (20:00 GMT), the 5th round of FA Cup match between Manchester United vs Reading will be kicked-off at Old Trafford! Can't wait for it to be started so as to see our players in action again. If we were to proceed to the 6th round, we will be meeting either Chelsea or Middlesbrough.

I designated this blog post to share the team news/formation and result. Also, below is my prediction 4 days ago and I would like to see how "far off" am I doing in my prediction! ;-)

My Prediction is: Manchester United 2 - Reading 1    

So, stay tuned for the updates...

Match Details:

Stage : FA Cup - 5th Round

Play on : 18th Feb 2013 (Mon)

Kickoff Time : 20:00 pm GMT (Singapore Time 4:00 am)

Venue : Old Trafford

Result:

Full Time
Manchester United  2       -       Reading  1
(Nani, 69)
(J. Hernandez, 72)
                                                 (J. McAnuff 82)

AFTERNOTE: With this result, it means that my first prediction is spot on! ;-p

Last Encounter:

2012/2013 Barclays Premier League (AWAY):
Date: December 1 2013: Reading 3 Manchester United 4

NEWS - Tour 2013 : Ready To Get Up Close and Personal With The Players?

Are you ready to get up close the personal with the Manchester United Players in July 2013? If you are staying in Australia, Japan or Hong Kong or the neighboring countries, it is your perfect chance to catch the players in action!

Manchester United has announced their Tour 2013 schedule as per following:

Manchester United Tour 2013

Australia: 

Date      : 20th Jul 2013 (Sat)

Against  : A-League Allstars

Venue   : Sydney Anz Stadium 

Ticket   : First 2 phases of sales have now sold out. Third phase of tickets is to be released in Apr 2013. Or you can sign up to the Football Federation Australia waiting list here.

Japan - Yokohama:

Date     : 23rd Jul 2013 (Tue)

Against : Yokohama F-Marinos

Venue  : The Nissan Stadium

Ticket  : Tickets will be on pre-sale from 8th February 2013 and general sale from 20th April 2013. Tickets can be purchased from Ticket Pia

Japan - Osaka:

Date     : 26th Jul 2013 (Fri)

Against : Cerezo Osaka

Venue  : Osaka Nagai Stadium

Ticket  : As per above.

Hong Kong:

Date     : 29th Jul 2013 (Mon)

Against : Kitchee FC (傑志 FC)

Venue  : Hong Kong Stadium

Ticket  : Tickets on sale from 20 February 2013 at Cityline.

If you are keen, do register your interest via this page so that you can get future updates from Manutd.com. 

Cheers!

Man Of The Match - De Gea

After the heroic performance by the Spanish Goal Keeper, De Gea in the Champions League Away match against Real Madrid, he finally redeemed himself and have received heroic plaudits from manager, teammates and even the papers. Frankly speaking, if without his string of outstanding saves, the scoreline might be entirely different. For more details on the said Champions League match, check out my earlier coverage here. 

It is now for him to continue his sterling performance in the Second League on 5th March 2013 so as to ensure that we (Man Utd) proceed to the next round of Champions League. Stay tune for the next update.

By the way, he was voted Man Of The Match by the fans in Man Utd's Facebook Fan Page too! ;-)

Man Of The Match - De Gea in one of the many impossible saves!

Man Of The Match - De Gea

Now, let's look at some of the many praises that he has received so far (source: Man Utd Official Site):

Sir Alex Ferguson said: "He (De Gea) has been improving all season. There was one save in the first half which he touched onto the post, it was superb. I'm pleased for him because he's a former Atletico boy playing here in Madrid. He has done well."

Team-mate Michael Carrick said: “David is a top keeper and he is only going to get better. To play at this club at such a young age and have so much on your shoulders and to then produce a performance like that [against Madrid] just showed what he is all about.”

The Sun gave De Gea their 'star man' vote with a rating of eight out of ten

TheTelegraph's Henry Winter writes: "If David De Gea continues to keep goal as defiantly, athletically and occasionally as unorthodoxly as this, United will continue to progress towards Wembley."

What do you think about his performance? Is it worthy of Man Of The Match award?

Cheers!

Match Prediction : FA Cup - Manchester United Vs Reading [18th Feb 2013]

The next match for Manchester United is FA Cup at Home ground on 18th February 2013 (Monday), 20:00 GMT. With the current outstanding form of the squad and the "better than expected" result from the Champion League yesterday, I have a strong feeling that Red Devil will continue the sterling form at home.

My Prediction is: Manchester United 2 - Reading 1 

I am basing on the assumption that Man Utd will rest some of the key players in preparation for the following weekend's Barclay Premier League away match against QPR.

Following are the form of the last 6 matches (in all competitions) of the two teams:

                  [earlier to later]

Man Utd  : W D W W W D

Reading   : L W W D W L

What is your prediction? Feel free to share your view in the comment section.

Cheers! 

HIGHLIGHTS : Champions League - Real Madrid Vs Manchester United [1-1] 13th Mar 2013

The First Leg of Champions League Last 16 clash between Real Madrid and Manchester United has been settled down (scoreline: 1-1). With an away goal advantage, I believed Alex Ferguson (Man Utd's Manager) is happy with the result and looking forward to another epic game (second leg) at home. 

Following are some HIGHLIGHTS from the match, including the goals highlight.

First 11 (Captain : Patrick Evra)

David De Gea 1

Rafael 2

Patrice Evra 3

Rio Ferdinand 5

Michael Carrick 16

Phil Jones 4

Jonathan Evans 6

Wayne Rooney 10

Shinji Kagawa 26

Danny Welbeck 19

Robin Van Persie 20

Goal Scorer - Danny Wellbeck

Goal Scorer - Danny Wellbeck

Cheers!