Winning with complete diversity, is it possible?

[ManUTactician247]

I'll cut to the chase, I'm playing as Manchester United with only one rule, I'm only allowed to play 1 player of each nationality which should make things interesting for me. This will mean I'll have to scour the world for talents as opposed to buying a mass of players from one country.

Leagues loaded
Argentina (Premier)
Brazil (2nd Division+)
Belgium (Pro League)
England (League 2+)
France (Ligue 2+)
Germany (2nd Division+)
Holland (Jupiler League+)
Italy (Serie B+)
Portugal (2nd Division+)
Russia (Premier Division)
Scotland (1st Division+)
Spain (Liga adelante+)
Turkey (2nd Division+)
Ukraine (Premier League)



I'm sure we're all familiar with the history of the club, I should have the first update posted tomorrow, for now you can drool over the prospect of this save :P.

[ManUTactician247]

So to follow the rules in the game, I'll have to trim the amount of English players in the squad, Rooney, Ferdinand, Young and Jones are the only ones I'll keep, the rest are transfer listed, most notably Carrick, Cleverley and Smalling.

Budgets
Transfer: £17,000,000
Wages: £1,619,627
Current Wage: £1,389,011

Tactics
A straight forward 4-4-2 should do the trick here, not going to overcomplicate things too much.

Team Report

[ManUTactician247]

Pre-season friendly

Man United vs Man United Reserves
Line-up
GK: de Gea (Spain)
RB: Rafael (Brazil)
RCB: Vidic (Serbia)
LCB: Evans (N. Ireland)
LB: Evra (France)
RM: Park (South Korea)
RCM: Giggs (Wales)
LCM: Jones (England)
LM: Nani (Portugal)
ST: Berbatov (Bulgaria)
ST: Hernandez (Mexico)

4 - Pogba shoots from distance but it's over for the reserves.
4 - Nani finds Hernandez in the box whose shot is deflected for a corner.
6 - Giggs tries one from the edge of the area but Amos catches.
8 - Nani is the next to try a distanced effort but Amos catches again.
14 - Giggs shoots from a free-kick but hits it over.
17 - Jones sets up Nani from the edge of the area and he has a thunderous effort which Amos tips over.
22 - Brown is forced off injured with McGinty replacing him.
22 - GOAL! Nani sends a dangerous low ball in from the left which is untidily put in by Hernandez.
25 - Park drills in a cross from the right which finds Nani with plenty of space but he drills it wide, what a chance.
27 - Berbatov slips a ball in for Hernandez but his shot is saved well by Amos.
29 - Nani misses another great chance, Giggs sent in the cross from the right which found him at the back post but he heads it over.
35 - GOAL! Finally a second for United as Giggs' free-kick from the left is ruthlessly volleyed home by Jones.
38 - Giggs to Nani who fires it well wide.
38 - Hernandez makes himself an opening and shoots but Amos manages to catch it.
44 - Giggs has a go from the free-kick but it's a poor effort.
45+1 - GOAL! Another tempting delivery by Giggs from a free-kick and this time it's Park who heads it in past Amos.
45+2 - Half time
I'm pleased with how the half has gone, 3-0 up and looking dominant, even if it is against the reserves.
45 - Owen replaces Macheda at the break.
49 - A loose ball falls to Giggs who fires wide.
54 - Gibson has a go but hits it wide.
56 - A whole host of changes by the reserves. Amos, Fornasier, Thorpe, Blackett, Januzaj, Pogba, Morrison and Welbeck are all being withdrawn. On come Johnstone, Vermijl, Daehli, Diouf, Petrucci, McCullough, Keane and Cole.
58 - Park plays it to Berbatov who shoots from a tight angle but hits it over.
60 - GOAL! Park's cross is spilt by Johnstone and after a bit of a scramble Nani finds the back of the net, game well and truly over.
63 - Daehli with a dangerous free-kick which de Gea does really well to catch.
67 - Jones finds Hernandez who fires over.
68 - Jones shoots from 25 yards out and Johnstone makes a good stop.
69 - GOAL! Hernandez cleverly loses his marker and finds the far corner with a terrific effort.
70 - The reserves go straight on the attack and Daehli threads a great ball through for Owen who somehow places it wide.
81 - Diouf has an effort blocked for a corner.
84 - Giggs plays a clever ball for Park but the shot hits the side-netting.
86 - Johnstone comes out of goal to clear a long ball but it falls to Jones who sees his chance but hits it over.
87 - GOAL! Park with some great work down the right and he sends it across goal for Berbatov to guide into the net, Johnstone got something on it but couldn't stop it.
90+1 - Full time
A very pleasing performance on the eye, clinical, dominant and goals coming from 5 different players, hopefully we can keep this up.

Man United 6-0 Man United Reserves
United: Hernandez (23, 70), Jones (36), Park (45+2), Nani (61), Berbatov (88)
MOTM: Hernandez (9.4)

[ManUTactician247]

Pre-season friendly

Man United vs Leverkusen
Line-up
GK: de Gea (Spain)
RB: Smalling (England)
RCB: Evans (N. Ireland)
LCB: Vidic (Serbia)
LB: Evra (France)
RM: Valencia (Ecuador)
RCM: Giggs (Wales)
LCM: Anderson (Brazil)
LM: Park (South Korea)
ST: Berbatov (Bulgaria)
ST: Hernandez (Mexico)

1 - Giggs' corner is headed just over by Evans.
6 - Hernandez finds Giggs at the edge of the area who curls it towards the far corner but just wide in the end.
8 - Giggs to Hernandez who shoots and it's inches wide, keepr couldn't do anything.
9 - Kadlec shoots from a free-kick but it's well over.
10 - Vidic is booked for tripping Eren Derdiyok.
11 - Renato Augusto to Barnetta who shoots but it's straight at the keeper.
15 - Hernandez turns and shoots from the edge of the area but Leno makes a good catch.
15 - GOAL! Bayer Leverkusen take the lead, Schurrle's cross from the left bounces unfortunately off de Gea and into the net.
17 - Giggs plays a good ball through for Hernandez but Leno makes a good stop to keep the Germans in front.
17 - Anderson has a wild effort from range which goes over.
19 - Giggs sets up Park who has a go and it hits the cross-bar.
33 - Hernandez makes a great run down the left and cuts inside but his effort is again saved by Leno.
40 - Eren Derdiyok sets up Schurrle who fires wide.
41 - Eren Derdiyok's blocked shot finds Barnetta in all kinds of space but somehow de Gea saves it.
42 - Leverkusen hit United on the break and the ball falls to Ballitsch who shoots straight at the keeper.
45+2 - Half time
We may be behind but I feel our performance is good enough to at least be level, looking for a goal or more in the second half.
45 - Friedrich and Ballack are on at the break for Schwaab and Renato Augusto.
46 - GOAL! It didn't take them long to make it 2-0, Schurrle plays in Eren Derdiyok who smashes it past de Gea, 2-0 at Old Trafford.
51 - Giggs' corner is headed over by Evans.
54 - Andersons free-kick is just over the bar.
56 - Friedrich is booked for a trip on Berbatov.
64 - Anderson with a good ball for Hernandez but once again Leno is there to make the save.
68 - Bender is replaced by da Costa.
72 - Park has a go from distance but it's over.
73 - Sam will now replace Schurrle.
77 - A loose ball falls to Ballack who shoots but it's an easy catch for de Gea.
78 - Berbatov is upended by Ballitsch who gets his name in the book.
82 - Da Costas ball finds Reinartz who has an ambitious effort which backfires terribly.
85 - Anderson is holding onto Ballitschs shirt and gets booked.
89 - GK change at the end for Leverkusen as Giefer replaces Leno.
90+1 - Hernandez shoots from a tight angle and Giefer does well to tip it over.
90+3 - Smalling is booked for bringing down Eren Derdiyok.
90+3 - Full time
A pretty good performance with a very disappointing result, still it's pre-season, can't really get too upset by this.

Man United 0-2 Leverkusen
Leverkusen: De Gea OG (16), Eren Derdiyok (47)
MOTM: Eren Derdiyok (7.6)

[ManUTactician247]

Pre-season friendly

PSV vs Man United
Line-up
GK: De Gea (Spain)
RB: Vermijl (Belgium)
RCB: Vidic (Serbia)
LCB: Smalling (England)
LB: Fabio (Brazil)
RM: Valencia (Ecuador)
RCM: Pogba (France)
LCM: Januzaj (Albania)
LM: Nani (Portugal)
ST: Diouf (Senegal)
ST: Macheda (Italy)

0 - Nani has a go from distance which goes over.
3 - Toivonen shoots from the edge of the box but it goes over.
6 - GOAL! PSV take the lead, Toivonen shoots from distance, de Gea saves but it falls to Depay who has an easy finish.
10 - Pogba has a go from distance and it is unfortunate to hit the bar.
11 - Januzaj heads it down for Nani who smashes it over.
13 - Bouma finds Toivonen in the area who turns and shoots and de Gea makes a top save.
14 - The corner from Mertens is headed just over by Depay.
17 - Smalling is booked for holding onto Lens' shirt.
17 - Mertens takes the resulting free-kick which finds Depay unmarked in the 6 yard box but his header is somehow saved by de Gea, the Spanish keeper has kept United in this one.
22 - Pogba to Nani with an ambitious effort but the keeper catches.
25 - Nani from distance and it's over.
26 - Fabio finds Nani whose effort is deflected behind for a corner.
27 - Valencia's corner is headed over by Smalling, should have been a goal.
29 - Derijck bursts into the box and shoots with de Gea just getting fingertips to it.
32 - GOAL! Mertens finds an opening and shoots with de Gea unable to reach it, 2-0.
35 - Valencia sends in a deep cross which Nani manages to get a head on and it hits the bar again.
36 - Nani shoots from an impossible angle and hits the side-netting.
38 - GOAL! A nightmare day for United as Mertens slips in Depay who makes no mistake with the finish.
45 - Vidic is forced off injured and Gibson replaces him, United are now playing a 3-5-2.
45+2 - Pogba sends a free-kick over the bar.
45+2 - Half time
An absolutely atrocious half, I put out a fairly inexperienced team but was expecting much better than this, it could easily have been worse too!
45 - Najah and Dengering are on for PSV, they replace Hutchinson and scorer of 2 Depay.
45 - Toivonen unselfishly lays off Mertens who puts it wide, great chance for 4 already.
55 - Mertens' free-kick goes well over the bar.
56 - Toivonen with a clever ball for Engelaar but his shot is saved well by de Gea.
64 - Pogba sets up Januzaj from distance but he fires wide.
65 - Valencia has picked up an injury and the manager has gone berserk, throwing on Lindegaard on the right-wing to express his frustration!
66 - Lens with a dangerous ball in from the right and Mertens reaches it but hits the post.
74 - GOAL! Something to celebrate for the United faithful, Januzaj to Nani who fires one into the corner from 25 yards, terrific effort.
75 - Labyad is on for Engelaar.
78 - Mertens bends the free-kick over the wall and de Gea saves well.
81 - Nani gets into the box and shoots from a tight angle, over the bar.
82 - Mertens finds Lens who shoots but it's straight at the keeper.
84 - Wuytens with a trip on Diouf and the referee books him for persistent fouling.
86 - Wuytens to Toivonen who turns and shoots but de Gea saves.
87 - Gibson to Pogba who shoots but it's wide.
90 - Macheda to Nani who has a pop and it's wide.
90+1 - Toivonen upends Fabio and is booked.
90+2 - Full time
A day to forget for Manchester United, an absolutely diabolical performance and only de Gea stopped this from becoming a massacre. Vidic came out with a damaged elbow but Valencia is okay.

PSV 3-1 Man United
PSV: Depay (7, 39), Mertens (33)
United: Nani (75)
MOTM: Depay (8.7)

[deltablue]

Probably just as well that you're starting ith Man Utd as I was just thinking that in a lot of smaller nations and leagues you'd probably only be able to sign players from a few nations making it very tricky.

[ManUTactician247]

Transfers
Out
I managed to get £9M out of Paris Saint-Germain for Anderson, which I think is a good deal for us.

In
2 players in, Nacer Chadli comes in from Twente for £6.75M, the Belgian international can do a job and has some potential. Ezequiel also arrives from Real Betis for £775K, a bit over-rated by scouts but still has some potential.

Pre-season friendly

Antwerp vs Man United
Line-up
GK: De Gea (Spain)
RB: Fabio (Brazil)
RCB: Fornasier (Italy)
LCB: Evans (N. Ireland)
LB: Evra (France)
RM: Nani (Portugal)
RCM: Chadli (Belgium)
LCM: Gibson (Ireland)
LM: Young (England)
ST: Hernandez (Mexico)
ST: Berbatov (Bulgaria)

4 - Van Geele to De Smet who has a go but his shot is saved by de Gea.
10 - Pelgrims is forced off with injury and Martin comes on.
16 - Van Geele has a go but de Gea gathers it easily.
26 - Hernandez turns and shoots but it's straight at the keeper.
28 - Daehli comes on for Berbatov as United now play 4-4-1-1.
40 - Fornasier is booked for upending De Smet.
45+2 - Half time
A really boring half, we should be walking all over them but right now we're not even moving. Better performance expected.
45 - Peeters comes on at the break for Dosunmu.
47 - Hernandez is yellow-carded for a trip on Phibel.
49 - GOAL! Daehli with the corner and Fornasier heads in, a surprise goalscorer gives United the lead.
50 - Diouck is now on for Phibel.
57 - Fabio is upended by Peersman and is cautioned.
60 - Young to Hernandez who fires wide.
61 - 5 Antwerp changes, Hofmans, Smeets, Ionescu, Bahamboula and Nijs replace Defourny, Chergui, Meyers, Van Geele and De Smet.
62 - Young gives it to Chadli who shoots first time but it's a poor effort, well wide.
63 - Chadli to Hernandez who has a go, just wide.
66 - Chadli has a go from distance but it's well wide.
73 - A booking for Fabio who upended Smeets.
79 - Nani beats his marker but fires wide.
84 - Hernandez pulls it back to Daehli who curls one wide.
85 - Peersman is replaced by Kil.
88 - Daehli with a lovely ball over the top for Hernandez who's through but miscues the effort, sending it well wide of the post.
90+2 - Full time
Not the dominant performance I hoped for but at least we won, which based on our current form was required.

Antwerp 0-1 Man United
United: Fornasier (50)
MOTM: Fornasier (7.4)

[ManUTactician247]

Probably just as well that you're starting ith Man Utd as I was just thinking that in a lot of smaller nations and leagues you'd probably only be able to sign players from a few nations making it very tricky.

If it was feasible, I would definitely have a go at this with smaller clubs but it isn't really so I went with the team that I feel has the most variety which was United.

[ManUTactician247]

Transfers
Out
I sold Fabio to Inter for £7.25M, a decent amount of money for a player I couldn't really use much due to my rules.

In
For £1.4M I have signed 16 year old Bruma from Sporting Lisbon, he's from Guinea Bissau and has 3 1/2 star potential so hopefully he'll turn out good.

Pre-season friendly

Northampton vs Man United
Line-up
GK: Lindegaard (Denmark)
RB: Rafael (Brazil)
RCB: Evans (N. Ireland)
LCB: Ferdinand (England)
LB: Evra (France)
RM: Valencia (Ecuador)
RCM: Gibson (Ireland)
LCM: Petrucci (Italy)
LM: Park (South Korea)
ST: Berbatov (Bulgaria)
ST: Diouf (Senegal)

9 - Northampton lose the ball cheaply in defence and Berbatov breaks into the box but hits it over.
12 - Purcell gives it to Akinfenwa who has a go but it's wide.
16 - Valencia's corner is headed over by Evans.
19 - Valencia gets to the edge of the box and shoots but it goes wide.
22 - Diouf shoots from distance but it's a dismal effort.
23 - Valencia works his way into the box and has a go but it's wide.
31 - Robinson shoots from distance but it goes wide.
38 - Park pulls it back to Gibson who fires wide.
41 - Evra trips Young and is booked.
42 - Valencia plays it through to Berbatov who beats the keeper but puts it wide.
44 - Valencia has a go but hits it over the bar.
45+1 - Half time
We've been lacklustre to say the least, we should be putting these teams away but we're not, this is not good.
45 - 2 half time changes for Northampton, McKoy and Whittington are on for Tozer and Purcell.
47 - Park's cross is volleyed wide by Valencia.
49 - Januzaj replaces Diouf for United as they revert to a 4-4-1-1.
55 - Wedderburn has a go from distance but it goes wide.
61 - Gibson sees a chance from distance but hits it over.
63 - Berbatov takes advantage of a poor pass down the right and pulls it back to Januzaj who shoots and the keeper makes a great save.
66 - GOAL! Berbatov finds Valencia with a lovely ball over the top and his finish is right in the corner.
67 - Maher is on for Jacobs.
70 - Robinson trips Gibson and is booked.
71 - Evra sets Gibson up on the edge of the area but he fires wide.
72 - 5 Northampton changes, on come Hall, Pozgain, Farr, Savage and Built for Walker, Johnson, Corker, Robinson and Young.
74 - Gibson's pass is misjudged by the defender and Berbatov has a chance but the keeper saves well.
76 - Park's cross from the left comes off the post! Relief for Northampton.
77 - Bucciero replaces Wedderburn.
81 - Rafael's cross is headed just over by Berbatov.
82 - Ashby and Salihu are on for Webster and Akinfenwa.
89 - Berbatov spots the run of Rafael who cuts inside and shoots but it's straight at the keeper.
90 - Januzaj sets up Park from distance but it's wide.
90+3 - Full time
We got the win we deserved but I'm not convinced at all, winning by 1 goal in our last two matches should be more really.

Northampton 0-1 Man United
United: Valencia (67)
MOTM: Valencia (7.9)

[rancer890]

Get Hoilett!!

[JackJCFC]

Do half nationalities count? for example, what if when he comes through hes half french half ivorian. Does he count as both or just his prefered? What if he changes?

[ManUTactician247]

Get Hoilett!!

As much as I'd love to, I prefer to listen to scout recommendations rather than my own knowledge, on the look out for other Canadians .

Do half nationalities count? for example, what if when he comes through hes half french half ivorian. Does he count as both or just his prefered? What if he changes?

I did put some thought into this before I began the save. I will always pick his preferred nation, if it changes then I go with whatever it changes to. It's easier that way and avoids any confusion.

[ManUTactician247]

Pre-season friendly

Man United vs FC Bayern
Line-up
GK: De Gea (Spain)
RB: Rafael (Brazil)
RCB: Jones (England)
LCB: Evans (N. Ireland)
LB: Evra (France)
RM: Januzaj (Albania)
RCM: Giggs (Wales)
LCM: Chadli (Belgium)
LM: Nani (Portugal)
ST: Macheda (Italy)
ST: Hernandez (Mexico)

0 - GOAL! It takes United all of 29 seconds to take the lead, Evra sends a great ball into the middle which Hernandez easily finishes.
3 - Macheda has a go but it's well wide.
5 - Pranjic's corner is headed over by Breno.
9 - Dos Santos' cross is headed over by Petersen.
10 - Nani's shot from distance should be routine for Neuer but he spills it before Bayern clear.
14 - Dos Santos' cross is met by Pranjic and it hits the top of the cross-bar.
21 - Pranjic puts in a cross which finds Van Buyten at the back post but the header is straight at de Gea.
22 - Hernandez pulls it back for Nani who has a powerful effort which ends up over.
25 - Giggs' pass is chested down well by Hernandez but lacks the composure to finish, sending it over.
27 - Nani's cross is headed over by Januzaj.
33 - GOAL! Januzaj sends in a low cross from the right which causes confusion and van Buyten puts it into his own net, 2-0.
35 - Evras long ball over the top picks Hernandez out, he goes for goal and he hits the side-netting, Macheda was wide open square of him.
37 - Jones is booked for holding onto Mullers shirt.
44 - GOAL! More misfortune for Bayern, van Buyten makes a great tackle to dispossess Macheda but it falls to the feet of Nani who couldn't miss.
45 - Macheda plays in Hernandez who fires on goal but Neuer makes the save.
45+1 - Half time
What a half! We've finally decided to step it up against tougher opposition, 3-0 up and I wouldn't rule out more, keep it up guys!
45 - 2 Bayern changes at the break, Cuneyt Koz and Kroos replace Contento and Pranjic.
48 - Marquez has a go from distance but it's wide.
54 - Park comes on for Januzaj.
55 - Muller finds Kroos who shoots and de Gea tips it over.
64 - Rafael is booked for a trip on Petersen.
64 - GOAL! United hit Bayern on the break, Hernandez zooms down the left, gets to the byline and pulls it back for Nani to score an easy goal, game over.
66 - Breno is replaced by Hager.
66 - Muller gets into the box and shoots but it's harmlessly wide.
71 - Park tries to surprise the keeper with a shot but puts it wide.
72 - 4 Bayern changes, Butt, Emre Can, Alaba and Reinhardt are on for Neuer, Tymoschuk, Marquez and Petersen.
84 - Giggs' free-kick is headed wide by Jones.
85 - Dos Santos goes for goal but puts it over.
90 - Park plays a great ball to send Hernandez through on goal but he blazes it over.
90+2 - Full time
A great performance, after 1-0 wins over Antwerp and Northampton this was the last I expected, great job and hopefully that's a sign of things to come!

Man United 4-0 FC Bayern
United: Hernandez (1), Van Buyten OG (33), Nani (45, 65)
MOTM: Nani (9.2)

[ManUTactician247]

Transfers
In
First in was Italian coach Franco Baldini whose only experience was general manager of Real Madrid. Then I took a risk by spending £6M on Sotiris Ninis from Panathinaikos, the Greek winger will hopefully turn out good. I also got 2 Dutch young attackers in, Joey Sleegers and Davy Klaassen come in from Feyenoord and Ajax for £850K and £1.7M respectively.

Pre-season friendly

Shandong vs Man United
Line-up
GK: De Gea (Spain)
RB: Rafael (Brazil)
RCB: Vidic (Serbia)
LCB: Evans (N. Ireland)
LB: Evra (France)
RM: Park (South Korea)
RCM: Gibson (Ireland)
LCM: Jones (England)
LM: Nani (Portugal)
ST: Diouf (Senegal)
ST: Hernandez (Mexico)

5 - Jones finds Diouf who has a go but hits it wide.
8 - Diouf to Hernandez whose shot is weak yet somehow not caught by the keeper.
11 - Macheda replaces Rafael as United convert to 3-4-3.
13 - Gibson to Macheda who turns and shoots, straight at Chen Li.
15 - Nani turns and shoots and unfortunately for him hits the underside of the bar.
18 - Macheda slips in a ball for Diouf who blazes it wide.
19 - Hernandez cuts inside and shoots and the ball comes off the woodwork yet again!
23 - GOAL! Hernandez sets up Gibson on the edge of the box and drills it into the bottom corner in typical fashion.
24 - Nani has picked up a slight injury and to avoid risk Chadli will replace him.
25 - Chadli gets to the byline and pulls it back for Gibson who tries again, wide this time.
26 - GOAL! Parks cross is too hot to handle for Chen Li who punches it straight to Macheda who slots it home.
37 - Good link up play between Hong Zhen and Ai Hongliang sees the former have an effort straight at De Gea.
43 - Hong Zhen turns in the box and fires well over the bar.
45+1 - Li Tao swings in a corner which Ai Hongliang meets and De Gea makes a great save, Shandong putting in a good effort here.
45+1 - Diouf shoots from distance and it goes over.
45+3 - Half time
We've got the cutting edge in front of goal, 2-0 is a pretty good score line although we are letting them back in a bit, we'll see if that was a fluke or not.
45 - Liu Hao replaces Ma Fei at the break.
52 - Macheda sets up Gibson for a long range effort but it's over.
58 - GOAL! Gibson is clearly a man on a mission today, Diouf gives it to him 25 yards from goal and the Irish midfielder smashes it into the top corner, another wonder goal.
69 - Ai Hongliang picks up an injury, forcing Wang Li to come on.
72 - Wang Li's effort is deflected behind, Shandong corner.
73 - Li Tao's corner is headed over by Hong Zhen.
74 - Triple Shandong change, Si Tao, Wei Hongtao and Xu Longjun replace Chen Li, Wang Shugui and Li Cao.
74 - GOAL! Jones plays a disguised ball for Hernandez who makes no mistake with the finish.
81 - Wu Wei replaces Yi Jianwei.
87 - Evra finds Gibson once more on the edge of the area who fires over this time.
90+1 - Full time
A successful visit to China, great goals and performance, one more game in the Far East before the season kicks off.

Shandong 0-4 Man United
United: Gibson (23, 59), Macheda (27), Hernandez (75)
MOTM: Gibson (9.3)

[cerud]

I remember your other career and the epic match reports! Should be fun.

[ManUTactician247]

I remember your other career and the epic match reports! Should be fun.

Haha that was the idea . Yep, it certainly should be, it's a bit difficult to leave so many English players out but hopefully it'll even out as the save goes on.

[ManUTactician247]

Pre-season friendly

Tianjin vs Man United
Line-up
GK: De Gea (Spain)
RB: Rafael (Brazil)
RCB: Evans (N. Ireland)
LCB: Vidic (Serbia)
LB: Evra (France)
RM: Rooney (England)
RCM: Ninis (Greece)
LCM: Park (South Korea)
LM: Nani (Portugal)
ST: Diouf (Senegal)
ST: Hernandez (Mexico)

2 - Zhong Yan finds Shao Jian whose shot is saved by de Gea.
6 - Nani's deflected free-kick goes behind for a corner.
17 - Park is replaced by Chadli much to the dismay of the Asian fans in the crowd.
33 - A loose ball falls to Nani on the left who tries a shot but it's deflected and it's a corner, not much to talk about so far.
34 - Nani's corner is headed over by Evans.
36 - Rafael finds Ninis on the edge of the area but his shot goes over.
45+2 - Half time
As halves of football go, this was far from entertaining, we should be doing better than this.
45 - Yang Yang and Li Tao replaces Huang Yuliang and Zhong Yan.
45 - Diouf steals the ball off Jiang Zuan but his shot leaves a lot to be desired.
48 - A corner is headed out as far as Rafael who goes for it but it's over.
49 - Hernandez goes for a run and beats the last defender but misses.
56 - Shao Jian is forced off with injury and is replaced by Yue Jianfeng.
56 - A one-two between Hernandez and Diouf splits the defence with the little Mexican through but his shot is saved by Wen Yu.
57 - Hernandez cuts inside and shoots but well wide of the goal.
58 - Nani has a go from distance but it's over the goal.
60 - Evra sends in a deep cross, Rooney is at the back post and his header comes off the post, so unlucky.
69 - Rafael pulls it back to Ninis who has an ambitious effort which misses the goal by quite a way.
79 - Berbatov replaces Chadli as United play a 4-3-3.
79 - Berbatov gets into the box and shoots but it goes over.
84 - Hernandez makes his way into the area and shoots but it's routine for Wen Yu.
87 - Nani plays it to Hernandez who tries again but this time it hits the side-netting.
90 - Zhao Lei is on for Wen Yu.
90+4 - Full time
Although our performance picked up in the second half, this draw was still highly disappointing, oh well best get on with the season then.

Tianjin 0-0 Man United
MOTM: Evra (7.2)

[ManUTactician247]

Community Shield

Man United vs Man City
Line-up
GK: De Gea (Spain)
RB: Rafael (Brazil)
RCB: Vidic (Serbia)
LCB: Evans (N. Ireland)
LB: Evra (France)
RM: Park (South Korea)
RCM: Giggs (Wales)
LCM: Fletcher (Scotland)
LM: Chadli (Belgium)
ST: Rooney (England)
ST: Hernandez (Mexico)

4 - Aguero plays a good ball through for Nasri but the Frenchman sends it over.
5 - Park heads it down for Rooney who gets into the box but curls it wide.
9 - Chadli plays a great cross which finds Park but he can't quite find the target.
12 - United break from Citys corner with Chadli slipping in Fletcher but he is forced wide and his shot doesn't trouble Hart.
13 - Hernandez with a clever ball for Rooney who has a great chance but fluffs it well wide, very disappointing finish.
17 - De Jong trips Giggs and gets a yellow card.
20 - Park pulls it back to Giggs who curls one wide.
22 - RED CARD! United once again hit City on the counter with Rooney sending Hernandez through, de Jong who has already been booked takes him down and he gets his 2nd yellow, probably should have been a straight red so no arguments from City. Free-kick literally just outside the box.
23 - City respond by bringing on United old boy Hargreaves for Dzeko.
23 - Giggs shoots from the free-kick, just over.
27 - Another counter-attack by the Red Devils almost sees a goal, Giggs finds Chadli in space and the Belgian internationals effort is tipped over by Hart, almost a dream debut for him.
31 - Park's low cross is met by Rooney and Hart makes a terrific stop, not sure how much Rooney knew about that.
32 - Rafael gets to the edge of the box and shoots before firing wide.
38 - Rafael again in the area but this time his shot is straight at Hart.
39 - Giggs shoots from distance, over the bar.
45+1 - Half time
City will be happier with the scoreline, we're all over them but can't find a goal. The red card should give us an additional boost, I really want to win this so same again guys and this time score!
45 - Tevez is replaced by Milner at the break.
47 - GOAL! Great start for United as Giggs' corner is met at the near post by an unmarked Evans. Not a bad time to get his first United goal.
49 - Toure is replaced by Danny.
57 - Giggs' free-kick finds Vidic who heads it just over.
62 - A one-two between Giggs and Rooney sees Giggs try a shot which goes over.
66 - A moment of shame for Hargreaves as the sub is subbed for Barry.
66 - Rooney to Park who shoots, straight into Harts arms.
66 - Nasri plays a good ball for Aguero but his shot is tame and straight at De Gea.
72 - Balotelli comes on for Nasri.
72 - Aguero shoots from a tight angle and De Gea makes a good save.
75 - Zabaleta is tripped by Rooney who is booked.
76 - Giggs curls one but Hart watches it go wide.
77 - GOAL! Proof that domination doesn't always win games, Balotelli slips in Aguero with a clever ball and he finishes past de Gea to tie the scores.
79 - Aguero isn't given much time to celebrate as he is being replaced by Kolarov.
85 - Rooney finds Park who hits a fierce effort and it comes off the post, that could have won it.
87 - Fletcher finds Chadli who tries a shot which Hart does very well to catch.
90 - Giggs trips Barry, receiving a yellow card.
90+1 - Giggs plays in Hernandez who shoots but Hart saves again.
90+3 - Full time
I can't say I didn't see this coming, complete domination but a fantastic performance by Joe Hart means that this will go down to penalties...
MISS! - Rooney's penalty is saved by Hart, a poor kick.
MISS! - Normally as cool as you like Balotellis penalty has hit the post!
GOAL! - Joe Hart gets a strong hand to it but Giggs' penalty is stronger. 1-0 United.
MISS! - De Gea guesses the right way and stops Barrys penalty.
GOAL! - A confident penalty by Javier Hernandez, into the corner puts some pressure on City now. 2-0.
MISS! - Another save by De Gea as he guesses right to stop Milner! One more penalty to win it for United!
GOAL! - Park Ji-Sung sends the penalty beyond the reach of Hart and wins United the community shield 3-0 on penalties!!!
I was hoping to get the job done in normal time, especially when City went down to ten men but to humiliate them on penalties like this was just a pleasure to watch, credit to De Gea who was on top form in the shoot-out and hard luck City :P.

Man United 1-1 Man City (3-0 pens)
United: Evans (47)
City: Aguero (78), de Jong (23)

Penalties
United
Rooney (Miss)
Giggs (Goal)
Hernandez (Goal)
Park (Goal)

City
Balotelli (Miss)
Barry (Miss)
Milner (Miss)

MANCHESTER UNITED HAVE WON THE COMMUNITY SHIELD!

[ManUTactician247]

Transfer
In
One player comes in that should wrap up our dealings for the season, £5.25M spent on Werder Bremen midfielder Florian Trinks who will hopefully turn out well. I should have had £1.3M left over but Phil Jones won his first cap for England which forced us to shell out £1.5M to Blackburn.

Premier League Matchday 1

Fulham vs Man United
Line-up
GK: De Gea (Spain)
RB: Rafael (Brazil)
RCB: Jones (England)
LCB: Vidic (Serbia)
LB: Evra (France)
RM: Park (South Korea)
RCM: Giggs (Wales)
LCM: Fletcher (Scotland)
LM: Nani (Portugal)
ST: Berbatov (Bulgaria)
ST: Hernandez (Mexico)

0 - Hernandez makes space on the edge of the box and his shot is just wide.
4 - Giggs sends in a tempting cross which Nani gets a foot on but it goes wide.
5 - Berbatov sets up Nani who shoots but Schwarzer makes the save.
9 - Briggs to Zamora who turns very well and his powerful effort forces an incredible save out of De Gea.
14 - Parks cross is headed over by Hernandez.
17 - GOAL! Evra plays it to Berbatov who shoots from the edge of the area and picks out the corner.
27 - GOAL! Rafael picks out Giggs on the right hand side and curls it from a tight angle which Schwarzer does well to save. A scramble then sees Hernandez get it into the corner.
31 - Fulham come so close, Zamora beats Vidic before executing a delicate chip over De Gea which comes off the cross-bar.
36 - GOAL! A fantastic 30 yard free-kick from Giggs has Schwarzer beaten as the Welshman continues his incredible record of scoring in every season of the Premier League on day 1!
44 - Giggs tries another free-kick but this time it's over.
45+1 - Half time
It looks like being a comfortable start to the season but after horrible memories like this match in FM11 I have the right to be slightly nervous.
56 - GOAL! Fulham have just pulled one back, Baird sends in a deep cross which Riise heads in on his Fulham debut, they couldn't, could they?
57 - Etuhu now replaces Murphy.
57 - Berbatov has a go from distance but it's wide.
59 - Fletcher to Nani who has a go from distance and Schwarzer makes a great save, tipping it round the post.
60 - GOAL! A bit of relief for United as Giggs' corner is easily brought down and finished by Vidic.
61 - Grygera comes on for Sidwell.
62 - Hernandez gets to the edge of the box before firing wide.
64 - Nani turns before firing a poor effort wide.
66 - Briggs is replaced by Duff.
71 - GOAL! And this one wraps it up, Giggs is involved again with a free-kick that Jones heads in. Dream United debut for him.
78 - GOAL! United go on a classic counter, Nanis cross from the right is intercepted by Grygera but Hernandez nips it off his toes before firing it in for his 2nd.
88 - Giggs with a clever ball for Park but his shot drags just wide.
90+1 - Full time
I believe magnificent is the word I'm looking for here, a great start to our season and hopefully a sign of things to come.

Man United 6-1 Fulham
United: Berbatov (18), Hernandez (28, 79), Giggs (37), Vidic (61), Jones (72)
Fulham: Riise (57)
MOTM: Giggs (9.4)

Other Premier League Results

Saturday 12:45
Man United 6-1 Fulham
United: Berbatov (18), Hernandez (28, 79), Giggs (37), Vidic (61), Jones (72)
Fulham: Riise (57)

Saturday 15:00
Norwich 1-1 Man City
Norwich: Johnson (38), De Laet (34), Bamba (68)
City: Aguero (6), Aguero (10)

QPR 0-3 Tottenham
Spurs: Dawson (5), Defoe (70), Lennon (81)

Swansea 1-2 Bolton
Swansea: Graham (3)
Bolton: Cahill (18), Diouf (58)

West Brom 1-0 Newcastle
WBA: Olsson (19)

Wigan 0-0 Stoke

Saturday 17:30
Chelsea 2-0 Wolves
Chelsea: Lampard (pen 13), Berra OG (66)

Sunday 13:30
Arsenal 5-0 Blackburn
Arsenal: Van Persie (28, pen 37, 45+2, 62), Walcott (77), Arteta (8)

Sunday 16:00
Liverpool 1-0 Everton
Pool: Distin OG (55)

Monday 20:00
Sunderland 2-3 Aston Villa
Sunderland: Richardson (30), Sessegnon (57)
Villa: Bent (2, pen 49), Ireland (86)

Summary: Seeing City fail to win against 9 man Norwich was certainly satisfying for us, well done to them. Chelsea needed a penalty and an own goal to beat Wolves and only Arsenal could match our result today. Also, you might notice that Darren Bent came back to haunt his old employers with 2 goals in a 3-2 win against Sunderland

Player of the week: Robin van Persie (Arsenal) - A guy that scores 4 goals in 1 match has to be up there, Arsenal went down to ten men but with Robin on this kind of form, it had to go to him.

Flop of the week: Martin Olsson (Blackburn) - On an all round bad day for Rovers, he was the pick of the lot, unable to cope with Gervinho on his side and allowing Walcott to score when he came on too, not his best day.

[ManUTactician247]

Premier League Matchday 2

Wolves vs Man United
Line-up
GK: De Gea (Spain)
RB: Rafael (Brazil)
RCB: Vidic (Serbia)
LCB: Evans (N. Ireland)
LB: Evra (France)
RM: Park (South Korea)
RCM: Giggs (Wales)
LCM: Fletcher (Scotland)
LM: Chadli (Belgium)
ST: Rooney (England)
ST: Hernandez (Mexico)

11 - Evra plays it to Chadlis feet who expertly turns into the area before his shot makes De Vries really work to save it.
13 - Surprising early change as Berbatov replaces Rooney.
14 - Giggs' corner is headed over by Vidic.
15 - Doyle gets into the box and has a go but it's deflected and hits the side-netting.
22 - Hernandez breaks down the left and pulls it back for Chadli who tries one and it just misses the top corner.
29 - Hunts cross finds the head of Milijas and De Gea just tips it past the post.
30 - Henry heads it to Milijas who drills one wide.
32 - Giggs spots the run of Chadli who shoots and gets a good save out of De Vries.
33 - So unlucky, Evra sets up Giggs on the edge of the area who hits it beautifully but it hits the inside of the post! The ball then comes back to Giggs and it's deflected for a corner.
34 - What a chance for Wolves, they hit United on the break, Hunt slips the ball in for Henry but his shot is agonisingly wide.
45+3 - Half time
Not playing at our best and that needs to change, we could easily be behind and this is a match we should be winning, time to step up.
45 - GOAL! An incredible way to open the scoring, Rafaels cross is blocked, it falls to Park on the corner of the area and his half-volley comes off both posts before going in, bizarre but still a great finish!
50 - Giggs' tackle falls fortuitously at the feet of Doyle who forces De Gea into a good save.
56 - Giggs is forced off injured for United and Jones replaces him. Wolves also make a change, Ebanks-Blake for Milijas.
59 - Evra creates an opening and shoots but the deflection makes it easy for the keeper.
60 - Evra with a good ball to find Chadli who forces another save out of De Vries, the young Belgian is beginning to impress.
62 - Doyle slips in Kightly who must score but De Gea makes a heroic save low down to stop it.
67 - De Gea punches clear a corner as far as Ebanks Blake and the ex United players effort almost catches out the Spaniard.
70 - Berra is booked for a trip on Berbatov.
77 - Elokobi replaces Ward.
79 - Ebanks Blake is tripped by Vidic, yellow.
81 - Fletcher comes off for Nani.
90+3 - Ebanks Blake tries to be the hero from 30 yards but it's well over the bar, that should be that.
90+4 - Full time
In true champion style, we've grinded out a result from a not very good performance, great goal by Park to win it and that's another three points wrapped up. Giggsy picked up a bruised rib for us but he should still be ok for our next match.

Wolves 0-1 Man United
United: Park (46)
MOTM: Park (8.3)

Other Premier League Results

Saturday 12:45
Man City 1-0 Chelsea
City: Nasri (32)

Saturday 15:00
Blackburn 1-1 Wigan
Blackburn: Formica (8)
Wigan: Moses (71)

Bolton 0-0 QPR

Fulham 3-1 Arsenal
Fulham: Zamora (30), Ruiz (48), Dempsey (58)
Arsenal: Djourou (78)

Wolves 0-1 Man United
United: Park (46)

Saturday 17:30
Aston Villa 2-0 Liverpool
Villa: Ireland (16), N'Zogbia (82)

Sunday 13:30
Newcastle 3-1 Swansea
Newcastle: Tomkins (30, 59), Ameobi (90+5)
Swansea: Graham (pen 87)

Sunday 16:00
Tottenham 6-0 Norwich
Spurs: Bale (11), van der Vaart (21), Defoe (46, 52), Kranjcar (87), Lennon (90+1)

Summary: Most teams have played twice and only us, Spurs and Villa have won both games with Spurs now top after 2 big wins (although against newly promoted opposition. Fulham who we demolished on the opening day managed to beat Arsenal who also got an opening day big win, there's football for you. City got what could be an important 3 points against Chelsea as well.

Player of the week: Jermain Defoe (Tottenham) - His two goals right at the start of the second half sealed his sides victory over Norwich, he was always in the thick of the action so he takes this one.

Flop of the week: Russell Martin (Norwich) - On a terrible day for Norwich, Martin just about merits this one, he couldn't handle Gareth Bale allowing the Welshman to score and get 2 assists, a day to forget for him.

[deltablue]

Doesn't seem too hard so far.

[ManUTactician247]

To be fair, I've played Fulham and Wolves, next match coming up.

[deltablue]

Done the Community Shield though.

[ManUTactician247]

Premier League Matchday 3

Arsenal vs Man United
Line-up
GK: De Gea (Spain)
RB: Rafael (Brazil)
RCB: Vidic (Serbia)
LCB: Ferdinand (England)
LB: Evra (France)
RM: Park (South Korea)
RCM: Giggs (Wales)
LCM: Fletcher (Scotland)
LM: Nani (Portugal)
ST: Berbatov (Bulgaria)
ST: Hernandez (Mexico)

3 - What a chance for United, Giggs' chipped ball is well headed on by Nani leaving Hernandez through but his shot is saved by Almunia, it falls to Nani who puts it wide.
4 - Van Persie gets into the box and shoots, straight at de Gea.
15 - Giggs tries a free-kick, over the bar.
20 - Terrible defending from United gifts Arsenal a great chance, all Koscielny has to do is chip a free-kick into the box for van Persie whose header beats de Gea but hits the post.
25 - Giggs sends another free-kick over.
27 - A blocked cross comes out to Giggs who shoots but it's wide.
30 - Van Persie works an opening and shoots, not far wide.
31 - Ramsey plays a good ball for Arshavin who curls one for the far corner and misses by an inch, terribly close.
33 - Song finds van Persie in the box but the shot deflects behind for a corner.
34 - Van Persie to Arshavin who shoots but it's blocked, another Arsenal corner.
35 - The corner is headed out as far as Baines who shoots from range but it goes over.
39 - Giggs' corner is headed powerfully towards goal by Vidic and Almunia makes a fantastic save to tip it over.
45+1 - Hernandez cuts inside well from the left but his shot is tipped away by Almunia.
45+2 - Half time
We're level at the break, which is decent but we're giving them too many chances, we should really score some of our own too, here's hoping.
45 - Nani slips it in for Hernandez whose shot is just over the bar.
48 - Giggs' corner is headed over by Vidic.
51 - Vidic trips van Persie, yellow card.
53 - Evra is booked for a trip on Gervinho.
53 - Baines tries it from distance but it's a horrible strike, well wide of the goal.
54 - GOAL! Arsenal take the lead, van Persie holds it up on the left before centering it for Gervinho to score his for the club. Vidic thinks RVP was offside in the build-up but replays show he wasn't.
68 - GOAL! Park makes a magnificent run down the right hand side, his cross picks out Hernandez who side-foots it perfectly into the corner.
72 - Berbatov is tripped by Baines who is booked.
73 - Baines' cross is headed over by Gervinho.
76 - Evra gets to the edge of the box and shoots, straight at Almunia.
77 - GOAL! Song slips in Gervinho whose initial effort is saved by de Gea but he gets lucky with the rebound to score his second. Evra complains about offside as well but again replays show he wasn't.
85 - RED CARD! It gets worse for United as Vidic gets his 2nd yellow for bringing down van Persie.
90+2 - Full time
A disappointing afternoon at the Emirates, our defence was caught out twice in the 2nd half and we paid both times.

Arsenal 2-1 Man United
Arsenal: Gervinho (55, 78)
United: Hernandez (69), Vidic (86)

Other Premier League Results

Saturday 15:00
Norwich 1-4 Bolton
Norwich: Morison (30)
Bolton: Ruddy OG (9), Tuncay Sanli (15), Davies (63), Eagles (84)

QPR 2-2 Newcastle
QPR: Taarabt (39), Wright-Phillips (55)
Newcastle: Cabaye (44), Krohn-Dehli (60)

Sunderland 1-0 Blackburn
Sunderland: Bendtner (69)

Swansea 1-3 Everton
Swansea: Williams (16)
Everton: Kebe (20, 59), Jagielka (90+2)

Saturday 17:30
Liverpool 3-0 Stoke
Pool: Suarez (13), Kuyt (48, 69)

Sunday 13:30
West Brom 2-2 Aston Villa
WBA: Odemwingie (41), Tchoyi (86)
Villa: Ireland (29), Tamas OG (70)

Sunday 15:00
Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
Chelsea: Lampard missed pen (87)

Wigan 4-2 Fulham
Wigan: Di Santo (3, 19), Rodallega (43), McArthur (61)
Fulham: Dempsey (27), Zamora (66), Ruiz (16)

Sunday 16:00
Arsenal 2-1 Man United
Arsenal: Gervinho (55, 78)
United: Hernandez (69), Vidic (86)

Monday 20:00
Man City 3-0 Wolves
City: Foley OG (10), de Jong (26), Milner (36)

Summary: No shortage of goals in the Premier League, Tottenham and Chelsea played out a draw with Lampard missing the chance to beat relative Harry Redknapp. Man City also got a dominant win over Wolves.

Player of the Week: Gomes (Tottenham) - The Spurs keeper produced an incredible display to get his side a 0-0 draw with Chelsea. He saved Lampards penalty and 7 other attempts to keep a rampant Chelsea at bay to give his team a point.

Flop of the Week: It was a tie between several players
Zak Whitbread (Norwich) - It was another terrible defensive performance by Norwich but this time Whitbread was the worst of them all.
Danny Collins (Stoke) - He was tasked with stopping Dirk Kuyt against Liverpool, it didn't work as the Dutchman scored two goals.
Luka Modric (Tottenham) - The Croatian playmaker didn't play well at all, he only made 1 successful tackle out of 4 attempts and wasn't his usual creative self, no surprise he was subbed off after 73 minutes.
Brede Hangeland (Fulham) - The Fulham defence were trying to avoid a 2nd big defeat of the season, they did but no thanks to Hangeland and the rest of the defence as Fulham let in 4 goals against a surprisingly strong Wigan side.

[ManUTactician247]

Done the Community Shield though.

Only on penalties, that may be the only trophy I'll ever win!

[ManUTactician247]

Transfer
Out
Zeki Fryers is loaned out for a month to Aldershot, no biggie there.

Premier League Matchday 4

Man United vs Wigan
Line-up
GK: De Gea (Spain)
RB: Rafael (Brazil)
RCB: Evans (N. Ireland)
LCB: Ferdinand (England)
LB: Evra (France)
RM: Park (South Korea)
RCM: Giggs (Wales)
LCM: Fletcher (Scotland)
LM: Nani (Portugal)
ST: Berbatov (Bulgaria)
ST: Hernandez (Mexico)

2 - Nani has a shot from distance which is straight at Al Habsi.
3 - Nani has another long range effort which the keeper again catches.
4 - Nani is certainly confident today, he tries another effort which Al Habsi this time has to turn round the post.
5 - Giggs curls it from a difficult angle but it's easy for Al Habsi.
13 - Nani plays in Hernandez who has a great chance but he side-foots it just wide.
16 - Moses is coming off injured for Wigan, Fierro replaces him.
18 - Giggs' corner is headed over by Evans.
32 - Valencia comes on to replace Rafael.
35 - Park finds Nani who has a long range effort which goes over.
45+3 - Half time
Dominant but no evidence of it, we need to score, Wigan at home should be an easy win but we just aren't making good chances.
45 - Di Santo is replaced by Slory at the break.
48 - Valencia tries one but again straight at Al Habsi.
52 - Alcaraz is forced off with injury, Gohouri is sent on to replace him.
58 - Nani curls one, just wide.
65 - Nani sets up Giggs whose effort is deflected behind for a corner.
78 - GOAL! Relief on the faces of the United faithful as Giggs' corner is headed in by Ferdinand despite the effort by Al Habsi.
82 - Giggs with a free-kick just outside the box which floats just over.
86 - Should have been 2, Nani sends Hernandez through on goal and this time his shot hits the post before Wigan clear.
90+4 - Full time
Well we got there in the end, the only unjust part of this match was us not scoring more goals but the three points was most important, Wigan didn't even have a single shot!

Man United 1-0 Wigan
United: Ferdinand (79)
MOTM: Giggs (7.6)

Other Premier League Results

Saturday 12:45
Tottenham 0-3 Man City
City: Dzeko (26, 71), Nasri (81)

Saturday 15:00
Aston Villa 0-0 Swansea

Everton 1-1 QPR
Everton: Osman (52)
QPR: Faurlin (64)

Fulham 6-3 Sunderland
Fulham: Zamora (14, 22, 45+1), Murphy (30, pen 88), Dempsey (80)
Sunderland: Richardson (33, 42), Kayal (44)

Man United 1-0 Wigan
United: Ferdinand (79)

Newcastle 4-0 Norwich
Newcastle: Best (3, 33), Cabaye (pen 28), Krohn-Dehli (82)
Norwich: Crofts (50)

Saturday 17:30
Bolton 2-2 Chelsea
Bolton: Petrov (60), N'Gog (86)
Chelsea: Torres (9), Anelka (78)

Sunday 13:30
Stoke 3-0 West Brom
Stoke: Huth (8), Shawcross (24), Palacios (pen 52), Palacios missed pen (79)

Blackburn 0-3 Liverpool
Pool: Gerrard (9, 59), Downing (55)

Monday 20:00
Wolves 0-4 Arsenal
Arsenal: Mertesacker (19), van Persie (35, 45, pen 49)

Summary: Man City got a valuable win at White Hart Lane, which means they have picked up 6 points from 2 big names, Bolton got a late point against Chelsea despite being dominated. Fulham and Sunderland played out a 9 goal thriller with a Zamora hat-trick being the highlight. RVP was the star of Monday, 3 more goals to defeat Wolves.

Player of the Week: Bobby Zamora (Fulham) - He scored 3 and got an assist as Fulham were full of goals against Sunderland, his performance helped a not so sturdy defence to get a good win.

Flop of the Week: Michael Turner (Sunderland) - They were poor defensively but Turner was the worst of the lot, 6 goals let in against Fulham and he did nothing to help.

Other News
Phil Jones came 3rd in Young Player of the Month. Also, Parks terrific goal against Wolves was the goal of August while Giggs' free-kick against Fulham came 2nd.

[ManUTactician247]

Champions League Group D Matchday 1

Olympique Lyonnais vs Manchester United
Line-up
GK: De Gea (Spain)
RB: Rafael (Brazil)
RCB: Vidic (Serbia)
LCB: Evans (N. Ireland)
LB: Evra (France)
RM: Park (South Korea)
RCM: Carrick (England)
LCM: Fletcher (Scotland)
LM: Giggs (Wales)
ST: Berbatov (Bulgaria)
ST: Hernandez (Mexico)

1 - Giggs' cross finds Berbatov with a great chance, he smashes it but Lloris' incredible reflexes save Lyon.
4 - Lopez turns past his marker and shoots but De Gea makes a quality save.
7 - Carricks shot deflected behind for a corner.
7 - Giggs' corner is somehow headed over from close range by Vidic.
11 - Fletcher to Giggs who curls one just wide, a clever effort by Giggs.
12 - Carrick carelessly loses it in midfield, Gomis then picks out Michel Bastos who is through but his shot is saved by De Gea.
19 - Michel Bastos is brought down on the edge of the box by Rafael who gets a yellow card.
21 - Briand to Lopez who turns and aims for the top corner, and just misses it too.
24 - Fletcher trips Lopez and is booked.
26 - Kallstrom shoots from distance, forcing De Gea into a good save.
27 - Giggs finds Hernandez who finds a shot which Lloris just tips round the post.
35 - Rafael is forced off with injury and replaced by Valencia.
37 - Lovren with a trip on Hernandez and a yellow card.
37 - Valencias cross finds Giggs who smashes it against the cross-bar, so unlucky for United.
38 - Evra to Berbatov who shoots on the turn, wide.
39 - Hernandez gets to the edge of the box and fires just over.
43 - GOAL! United make the breakthrough as Giggs' cross is slid in by Hernandez, the Mexican doing what he does best.
45+2 - Half time
Probably the hardest game we have in the groups and we're leading, we probably deserve it as well, let's hope we can hold on.
49 - Nani is replacing Vidic with Carrick moving to centre-back.
51 - GOAL! Briand pulls it back to Lopez who smashes it in off the underside of the bar.
54 - Giggs finds Nani who shoots but Lloris makes a good save.
57 - Cissokhos cross finds an unmarked Briand who heads it over.
62 - Lloris' free-kick is headed forward by Evans, sending Hernandez through but Lloris makes up for it with a good save.
67 - Hernandez shoots from about 20 yards but it's wide.
68 - Fofana has a go but it's easy for De Gea.
72 - GOAL! Lyon hit United on the break and Michel Bastos' cross is finished off by Briand.
76 - Giggs floats a free-kick over the wall and hits the side-netting.
78 - Berbatov to Giggs who fires well wide.
84 - Hernandez shoots but it's terrible, well wide of the goal.
86 - Kallstroms free-kick from the left finds the head of Mensah whose header is caught by De Gea.
89 - Lacazette replaces Gomis for Lyon.
90+3 - Full time
Simply not good enough, we were more than worth a point here but we couldn't defend well, bringing Rafael and Vidic off didn't do much to help either.

Olympique Lyonnais 2-1 Manchester United
Lyon: Lopez (52), Briand (73)
United: Hernandez (44)
MOTM: Briand (8.5)

Other CL Results
Group A
Man City 2-3 FC Bayern
City: Toure (7), Milner (53)
Bayern: Schweinsteiger (27), Muller (31), Van Buyten (83)

Trabzonspor 2-2 Zenit
Trabzon: Giray Kacar (59), Alanzinho (90+3)
Zenit: Shirokov (34), Kerzhakov (43)

Group B
Panathinaikos 1-0 Genk
Pana: Cleyton (90)

R. Madrid 5-0 Benfica
Real: Ronaldo (pen 5, 11, 19, 23), Mesut Ozil (45+1)

Group C
AC Milan 3-0 Basel
Milan: Boateng (57), Ibrahimovic (63), Silva (74)

Shakhtar 4-0 BATE
Shakhtar: Jadson (15, pen 59), Fernandinho (22), Seleznyov (69)
BATE: Akatiev (71)

Group D
Olympique Lyonnais 2-1 Man United
Lyon: Lopez (52), Briand (73)
United: Hernandez (44)

Otelul 1-3 Udinese
Otelul: Paraschiv (57)
Udinese: Neuton (9), Belluschi (19, 33)

Group E
FCP 3-0 CSKA Moscow
FCP: Kleber (14), Guarin (55, 66)

Rangers 1-1 Wisla
Rangers: Ortiz (10)
Wisla: Biton (1)

Group F
Olympiakos 0-1 OM
OM: Amalfitano (14)

Partizan 1-3 Barcelona
Partizan: Mascherano OG (30)
Barca: Villa (4, pen 71), Messi (42)

Group G
Dortmund 2-1 Ajax
Dortmund: Barrios (13, 55)
Ajax: Alderweireld (8), Enoh (90+3)

Inter 0-0 Valencia

Group H
LOSC Lille Metropole 1-4 Chelsea
Lille: Cole (86)
Chelsea: Mata (4), Terry (10), Torres (44, 52)

Napoli 2-1 Leverkusen
Napoli: Hamsik (37, 81)
Leverkusen: KieBling (15)

Player of the week: Cristiano Ronaldo (R. Madrid) - A typical Ronaldo performance, 4 goals early on which saw his team demolish Benfica 5-0, terrific by Ronaldo, destroying old club Sportings rivals.

Flop of the week: David Manga (Partizan) The Central African Republic international was forced on against Barca after 25 minutes for Volkov, a night to forget for him, he could only compete 50% of his passes and couldn't contribute at all.

Premier League match

Wednesday 19:45
Everton 1-0 West Brom
Everton: Kebe (89), Jagielka missed pen (37)

[ManUTactician247]

Premier League Matchday 5

Sunderland vs Man United
Line-up
GK: De Gea (Spain)
RB: Rafael (Brazil)
RCB: Vidic (Serbia)
LCB: Evans (N. Ireland)
LB: Evra (France)
RM: Park (South Korea)
RCM: Carrick (England)
LCM: Fletcher (Scotland)
LM: Giggs (Wales)
ST: Berbatov (Bulgaria)
ST: Hernandez (Mexico)

1 - GOAL! Perfect start for United as Giggs' free-kick is powered in by Vidic.
3 - Bendtner shoots from the edge of the box but it's wide.
7 - Larssons corner is met by Bendtner and De Gea has to tip it over.
8 - Larsson shoots from distance and it's well wide.
12 - Fletcher to Hernandez who turns and shoots forcing a top save out of Mignolet.
19 - Brown plays in Bendtner who almost gets his shot away but Vidic makes a vital block.
20 - Larsson with a poor long range effort, well wide.
24 - Cattermole to Kayal who shoots from distance but it's an easy catch for De Gea.
26 - Carrick to Fletcher who shoots but it's over.
27 - Larssons long range effort is deflected, straight into De Geas arms.
29 - Giggs with a great attempt from a free-kick which hits the post.
31 - GOAL! Giggs' last free-kick must have scared Sunderland and rightly so as this one is over the wall and in.
34 - GOAL! Evra with a fantastic ball from the free-kick which finds Park who finishes off the move.
36 - Hernandez plays it in for Berbatov who should score but blazes it wide.
38 - Larssons free-kick is just wide.
39 - Vidic trips Bendtner and is booked.
42 - Bendtner returns the favour to Vidic and shares the punishment.
45+1 - Half time
We don't even deserve to be 1-0 up let alone 3-0 up, we've been clinical in front of goal if not performing well, works for me though.
48 - Carrick is forced off injured and Jones replaces him.
49 - Rafael trips Richardson and is booked.
53 - Giggs' corner is glanced on by Evans, just over.
55 - Hernandez trips O'Shea, yellow card.
56 - RED CARD! Two red cards in two Premier League games for Vidic as he brings down Bendtner for his second yellow.
68 - Valencia and Nani replace Rafael and Fletcher.
69 - Richardson to Larsson who has a go from distance but puts it wide.
72 - Elmohamady and Turner are on for Sunderland, Brown and Larsson sacrificed.
78 - Elyounoussi replaces Vaughan.
81 - Evra is booked for a trip on Elmohamady.
82 - Turner trips Hernandez and receives a yellow card.
87 - Richardson to Cattermole, he has a shot which whistles wide of the post.
90+3 - Full time
We didn't play particularly well at all, but three goals and a 3-0 win is better than playing well and not winning. Vidics discipline is looking like a worry ATM.

Sunderland 0-3 Man United
United: Vidic (2), Giggs (32), Park (35), Vidic (57)
MOTM: Giggs (8.2)

Other Premier League Results

Saturday 12:45
Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle
Chelsea: Torres (10, 20)
Newcastle: Tomkins (15)

Saturday 15:00
Man City 3-0 Bolton
City: Tevez (pen 2, pen 12), Aguero (66)
Bolton: Reo-Coker (64)

Norwich 0-0 Everton
Everton: Rodwell (84)

QPR 2-2 Aston Villa
QPR: Faurlin (30), Dorsin (86)
Villa: Ireland (40), N'Zogbia (66)

West Brom 3-2 Blackburn
WBA: Odemwingie (14), Dorrans (55), Morrison (72)
Blackburn: Pedersen (12), Mansouri (64)

Saturday 17:30
Sunderland 0-3 Man United
United: Vidic (2), Giggs (32), Park (35), Vidic (57)

Sunday 13:30
Wigan 4-1 Arsenal
Wigan: Di Santo (17, 63), Alcaraz (43), Caldwell (83)
Arsenal: Van Persie (11)

Sunday 15:00
Tottenham 3-0 Wolves
Spurs: Bale (14), van der Vaart (25), Huddlestone (74)

Sunday 16:00
Liverpool 1-1 Fulham
Pool: Suarez (34)
Fulham: Murphy (pen 3)

Summary: Chelsea and City both got wins to keep up their race for the title, City though had some help from the ref, 2 penalties and a red card were certainly helpful. Arsenal suffered a shock hammering by Wigan despite having taken the lead and Fulham held Liverpool to a draw thanks to a goal by ex Red Danny Murphy.

Player of the week: It was between two players

Fernando Torres (Chelsea) - The Spaniard netted twice and was the main point of the Chelsea attack as they beat Newcastle, well done to him.

Gareth Bale (Tottenham) - He got a goal and an assist, a big threat for Spurs against Wolves as they won 3-0.

Flop of the week: Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal) - Not a day to remember against Wigan, the Latics only had 5 shots on target and 4 of them went in, which simply isn't good enough for a top 4 keeper.

[jcoll]

Vidic the aggressive one

[ManUTactician247]

Carling Cup 3rd Round

Man United vs Everton
Line-up
GK: De Gea (Spain)
RB: Rafael (Brazil)
RCB: Evans (N. Ireland)
LCB: Ferdinand (England)
LB: Evra (France)
RM: Park (South Korea)
RCM: Giggs (Wales)
LCM: Fletcher (Scotland)
LM: Nani (Portugal)
ST: Berbatov (Bulgaria)
ST: Hernandez (Mexico)

4 - Fletcher to Nani who goes for it, just wide.
10 - Berbatov plays it to Hernandez who shoots first-time, straight at Howard.
15 - Stracqualursi is booked for tripping Giggs.
15 - Hernandez cuts inside before firing over.
17 - Giggs' corner is headed over from close range by Evans.
21 - Drenthe holds Hernandezs shirt as he was through on goal and is lucky to get a yellow.
21 - The free-kick by Giggs is met by Berbatov, just over.
26 - Fletcher plays it to Nani who has a go, it goes over.
28 - Hernandez steals the ball from Duffy before heading for goal, but the shot is phenomenally saved by Mucha.
29 - Giggs curls one from distance and Mucha tips it over the bar.
30 - Giggs' corner is headed well wide by Ferdinand, poor effort.
35 - Ferdinand trips Stracqualursi and is booked.
42 - What a chance! Giggs' free-kick finds Evans completely unmarked 2 yards out but he heads it well wide!
45+1 - Half time
It's been all us but we simply can't find a goal! I don't want this to go to extra time so we need a goal in the 2nd half.
45 - Distin is on for Gueye at the break.
46 - Giggs has a go from a free-kick and hits the side-netting.
52 - Giggs to Hernandez who can only shoot straight at Mucha.
57 - Anichebe replaces Stracqualursi.
57 - Hibbert is booked for a trip on Nani, its a yellow.
62 - Koppinen is on to replace Duffy.
65 - Osman is allowed into the box and shoots but de Gea saves.
75 - Giggs shoots from distance but it's wide.
78 - Drenthe is tripped by Rafael who is booked.
80 - Giggs with another free-kick delivery which Evans gets to but Mucha makes the save.
81 - Another delivery by Giggs, this time a corner finds Ferdinand who brings it down, shoots but Mucha stops it again.
90+1 - Everton so close to an undeserved winner as Barkleys effort from distance forces De Gea into a top save.
90+2 - Full time
Well, we didn't put our chances away and now we have extra time to contend with, we need to start putting them away.
96 - Nani curls it from distance, it goes wide.
100 - Nani slips it in for Berbatov who shoots but Mucha with yet another save.
101 - GOAL! Finally a goal for United as Giggs' corner is headed in by Evans.
105 - Nani to Hernandez who shoots for it but it's over.
105+1 - Half time
Yes, we scored! Now to hold on in the second half.
115 - GOAL! Hernandez makes a fantastic run past Coleman, through on goal but once more denied by that man Mucha. However, Nani picks it up on the left and crosses it for Hernandez to head in.
117 - Coleman plays it through for Osman but the shot is straight at de Gea.
120+1 - Full time
Disappointed not to have won this in normal time but a great performance and glad it didn't go to penalties.

Man United (e) 2-0 Everton
United: Evans (102), Hernandez (116)

[ManUTactician247]

Vidic the aggressive one

Sadly too aggressive, I fined him a weeks wages for the red and he was unhappy, despite being sent off twice in two matches. I talked him out of it though, which was a relief.