And after picking up just one point in our opening two games of the season it could be argued that the need to pick up points in a traditionally awful fixture for us is actually quite acute. Surely it’s not panic stations just yet though?
Well no it isn’t and shouldn’t be as we’re still in August, but with a recent tendency to drift into excruciatingly long streaks without wins or points it is something I, and I’m sure others, are quite keen to avoid. To make matters worse we have an audience with BT Sport to contend with so many eyes will be watching just how we perform at Old Trafford. Incidentally, it’s the word ‘perform’ I like to focus on in games like this.
It was the performance in the game at Swansea that was sadly lacking closely followed by a lack of discipline by Daryl Janmaat which, when combined, meant we were destined to leave South Wales with nothing. It’s hard enough to play at the Liberty Stadium without going a goal down within ten minutes and playing more than half the match with ten men. But in the end at least we shut up shop tactically and stopped ourselves from being on the end of one of those all to frequent hammerings.
Manchester United:
In a boost for United’s (our United, the proper one) ropey defence, the Red Devils will be without the services of Phil Jones and Marouane Fellaini who miss out through injury and suspension respectively. Also absent will be David de Gea who has been told that he will not be selected by Louis van Gaal until the transfer window is shut and his future is resolved, at least until January.
Newcastle:
As alluded to earlier, Daryl Janmaat will miss out through suspension following his silly antics at the Liberty Stadium. Moussa Sissoko is unlikely to feature after picking up a muscle strain in that same game and being substituted at half-time while Paul Dummett edges closer to a return but is yet to regain match fitness.
New signing Florian Thauvin could be in line to make his debut for the club after the completion of his move from Marseille while Cheik Tiote may make his first start of the campaign meaning that Vurnon Anota will drop back into the right-back slot to cover the absent Janmaat.
Previously…
Look away. Look away now.
We’ve only managed one league win at Old Trafford in the Premier League era which came back in December 2013 courtesy of a goal from Yohan Cabaye. Remember that one? You should because you then have to be of a certain age to remember our previous league victory at Old Trafford which came in February 2012.
In fact in all of our games in all competitions at Manchester United (77 games) we’ve only won on 10 occasions and walked away with a draw on 20 occasions. The other 47 games have ended in defeat with our biggest one being a 6-0 defeat in the 2007/2008 season. Although on a positive note we did once win 7-1 at Old Trafford although I doubt anyone on here witnessed that as it was 1927. Well maybe Icedog did….
Stats and facts…
Newcastle have lost 25 Premier League games against Manchester United. So basically they’ve beaten us more than any other team has managed to beat us.
Manchester United have won 15 of their last 19 league games at Old Trafford.
Wayne Rooney has scored 12 Premier League goals against Newcastle. Only Aston Villa have fared worse having seen the striker score 14 goals against them.
Final thought…
Not quite final though but I’ve been having a chat with the lads over at theunitedpages.com which you can read here and sums up my thoughts on the game and some of my thoughts on NUFC in general.
In short I’m feeling too confident about this weekend and just hope for an improved performance.
Howay the lads!
Date: Saturday, 22nd August, 2015
Time: 12:45pm – Live on BT Sport
Venue: Old Trafford
Troysta: you never really talk about the current situation anymore, just Pardew. Now who is obsessed? 🙂
I don’t think I have seen your opinions on the new players. You usually have an opinion on everything, so that is not like you.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric: He’s just a shadow of his former self. Too busy running Stu’s fan club to come up with anything original. Be gentle with him; he’s just trying to re-capture past glories – that’s why he’s so completely obsessed with a certain former manager.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Totally agree people should move on. Pards, Ben Arfa, Cabaye and others were once at our club but they all moved on without doing anything spectacular. I will neither gloat when they fail or regret them leaving should they achieve something. I saw a post earlier than Ben Arfa scored today…big deal…
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
TDS: except it was an amazing goal and is worth watching for that reason alone.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ben Arfa always had that in him, always will. He also had no fucking idea when to pass the ball and pull his weight in a team. He could have been a truly great player, but down to him, no one else, he was/is not.
Wondering again now, after yesterday, if we may well still hang in there for Austin right at the death, with Cisse moving on. Both Mitro and Austin can do a job up top on their own if needed, Cisse cannot. Plus, Cisse may now see the writing on the wall.
As TDS says, think they will stick with what we have defensively now, with Janmaat and Dummet coming back it is less of a risk, although still one, that should get them to January. It seems McC is trying to build Colo up again and they obviously hope and pray Taylor can stay fit for most of the season.
Lionel Speed(Quote)
@435
” However, the window is still open and it certainly wouldn’t hurt to get the lad from Monaco”
If you’re referring to Abdennour, everybody seems to be overlooking the fact that he’s a non EU citizen (Tunisian) so he’d need to get a work permit – as far as I can see he doesn’t have dual nationality and therefore wouldn’t already be in possession of an EU passport.
There obviously wouldn’t be enough time to obtain the Governing Body Endorsement AND the work visa from the Home Office before the window closes next week, so all these latest rumours are absolute rubbish. If the club had any intention of bringing in this guy they would have done it weeks ago, when there was still enough time to get all the documentation sorted.
Chris G(Quote)
Good job we have got Colo back to form and do not need to be doing what Fiorentina are doing and “making moves to sign the fearsome Lyon centre-back Lindsay Rose”. 😀
Lionel(Quote)
Troysta reminds me of when wt was obsessed with Chris Hughton and could only talk about him, for months after he’d left. 😉
DJG(Quote)
@426
The most staggering thing about that article is that Pardew didn’t think we had a problem until after Cabaye went; We scored 3 goals from corners in his two & a Half seasons at SJP 🙄
The applause home supporters gave SM yesterday spoke volumes, How many at Reading, West Ham, Charlton, Southampton or Newcastle would clap sir Alan I wonder ??
CC(Quote)
Pards is doing very well at Palace. Good luck to him.
Even so, I’m so glad he’s gone. Was always part of the problem.
We would of finished 12th..ish last season and made a couple of cosy signings to keep us ticking along. Carver coming in was great, It led to protests, anger etc which resulted in a rare TV interview by Ashley.
SM wouldn’t be my choice but as a club we’re making amends, under Pardew I honestly don’t think we would of spent what we have
GASHLEY(Quote)
Classic. It’s the first time I’ve mentioned him for ages. I just thought I would remind the parsnip knockers about their ridiculous opinions of him. 😉
He’s making you all look like chumps. 😆
Psychs
It’s too early to assess the players. Unlike you, I like to Watch and observe them before making opinions. 😉
Begas
Running Stuart’s fan club is time consuming. I’ve had three requests to deal with over the past week! One was from Aussie and the other two were sent to the wrong address. 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Sharpy@441, you know I was wondering the exact same thing mate, now he’s getting older that position could suit him far better and would free up a CB space. Would like to see him tried there, maybe in a cup game ❓
CC@459, Excellent point.
kimtoon(Quote)
Troy, if it’s too soon to assess our players surely 3 games into a new season is too soon to big up your best mate percy?. Forget last seasons end, it was new manager syndrome. By the way have you read any of the CP fans forum’s Troy, they bloody hate us, think they are better than us and most want us relegated.
kimtoon(Quote)
The fact Palace have scored so many goals from set pieces say everything about the players he has not the coaching.
Stuart79(Quote)
Got to say Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez looks a signing mind, that was a beautiful goal V Spuds yesterday.
kimtoon(Quote)
Great performance, great heart.
Reading some of the comments here really makes me realise how **** some of our supporters are. Never happy.
I keep saying Taylor is a good defender. Not world class but good. He makes the odd mistake but which defender in the world doesnt.
Colo is good too. He’s had to play with Willo for a year FFS. Hardly as easy job. I would actually like seeing him eventually move into a holding midfield role. Think he would be great there.
Janmaat had a slow start and poor game, already being called **** now.
Gini is being called average after 3 fucking games in the PL. Sissoko is probably our most influential player. His threat on the counter attack is invaluable. He creates chances for us, gives us that driv e we’ve lacked for years in midfield. Yet people begging for him to be sold.
Same thing with Cisse. People begging. to get Aun who has no where near the same record in terms of scoring goals in the top leagues and goals per minute.
At 15 million he would be a complete waste. Far rather go for another top defender.
I could go on and on.
JJ(Quote)
Kim, Leicester have made some shrewd signings. They are going to be a decent side.
JJ(Quote)
a know aknow,as about as reliable as a wire mesh bucket, but they have got somethings right.
@soccer_sauce
Reports into us this morning #NUFC have shown their hand for Aymen Abdennour. Bid in at less than asking price however.
hitman(Quote)
As for Palace. I have no doubt Pardew will eventually have them near relegation.
He always had his decent periods. Never lasted long.
JJ(Quote)
Still miffed about the poor play from Cisse at the end. Useless – and glorious chance wasted.
Hope we keep the same back four next week. Janmaat’s been sent off twice in six games now both for idiocy. Naughty step for him.
Looks like there must be something with Aarons and his contract. Just can’t understand why Mac doesn’t either play him (way better than Overtan) or bring him on as a much better option than Cisse.
Another tough game awaits next week.
georgio(Quote)
Troy if they were sent to the wrong address how did you know about requests? Saying that you seem to master in being wrong so there is every chance you would be across it! 😆 😆 😛
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Same start as last season 2 draws and a loss and in 16th so need to do better than LDL in next 3 to say we’ve improved. Having said that we have a harder start this year. Last year saw us play Villa, CP, Hull and Stoke in our first 6.
kimtoon(Quote)
Aarons is not playing because he is as green as a granny smith apple. We are playing manure away and you want a rookie out wide… wow 😯
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie – I’d take a nice, crisp green apple over a worn out light bulb any day.
Kim – you’re right but really the run of games we’ve started with is the most difficult I can ever remember.
georgio(Quote)
Georgio, Yep the worst I can remember too.
kimtoon(Quote)
Aarons could do what Obertan did. You don’t need experience to do nothing.
Stuart79(Quote)
Aussie
Your letter to stu’s fan club was a rippa mate. And all the things you say on here are a complete sham having read your gushy love poems. 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
HITMAN@468 he’s a top defender I like him watched him a few times,but we must be wary he’s injury prone only played thirty odd.games in three seasons,I would prefer the Celtic c/h but it looks like he going to Southampton for ten mil
icedog(Quote)
Kim
I have no doubt Pardew and palace will settle to a more realistic position in the league, mid to lower table. That’s the level of the club. I just laugh at the bile many churned out about Pardew when in fact he’s a decent manager.
One blogger, Betsy, didn’t believe he was good enough for the premier league and predicted relegation for palace last season.
YCMIU. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Be quite happy to see Scum, Villa and Palace go down, Palace cause of their fans more than the Percy factor. Villa cause of the fans again and their taunts when we went down, karma and all that. And Scum, cause, well, need I say 😀
kimtoon(Quote)
Jim Smith, Joe Kinnear, Brian Little, John Gregory, Peter Reid, Alan Curbishley = Sam Allardyce, Tony Pulis, Steve Bruce, Tim Sherwood, Harry Redknapp, Alan Pardew
Safe options, Experienced heads, Know the league, “Real football men”
All trickle down the leagues and disappear in time and are replaced by the next wave of bog standard, long ball merchants…
CC(Quote)
Wrong again… You’re on a roll Troysta… at least you looked smart when you hung out with Vegas for that brief moment in time!! 😛
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
if the scum do go down,they will never comeback up.
😆 😆 😆
hitman(Quote)
Do I want Obertan playing. .. no I don’t. .. Aarons should have been loaned out… both are bad options away against manure…
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
——————– Krul ——————–
Janmaat – Saylor – Mbemba – Haidara
——————– Colo ——————-
——- Sissoko – Gini – Thauvin ——-
——— Mitrovic —— Perez ———–
Sharpy17(Quote)
Aussie
I’m always right. I’ve never been wrong. Ever. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
CC – you missed Steve McClaren off the list. I reckon that’s why he’s on the board, as he knows that in time that’s his best move. He can become director of football & maybe someone like Ian Cathro takes the reins.
Sharpy17(Quote)
JJ
They tried Colo in a holding mid role years ago mate and he wasn’t mobile enough. Definitely wouldn’t be now. He played better yesterday though, he seems to have shaken off the Achilles problem. Taylor gave us some areal nous that was lacking with Mbemba and Collo. Mbemba is ‘good enough’ to play across the back four. Maybe this season he will be a better option than Janmaat, in games where we need to defend and it’s backs to the wall.
DJG(Quote)
I left him off the list because he’s won stuff, managed England, worked and been successful abroad & his teams play good stuff. His cv is on another level to them lot IMO
The real football man stays in England, has pals in the media, gets praised for mediocrity & has more relegations on his cv than honours
CC(Quote)
I see a couple of news stories say there are 2 French clubs interested in Goof & Obertan. If we could get of those 2, Willo & Marv before the window closes then I’d be happy.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Jaber http://blog.lefigaro.fr/football/bruno_roger-petit/2015/08/ce-dimanche-il-est-deux.html
Bruno roger petit !
Ca c est du journalisme…regale toi…
Hatem l artiste anti conformiste !
djebs(Quote)
Colo MOM… 😥
Still the same ****…
On the same time…
http://www.lequipe.fr/video/football/ligue-1/2015-2016/3e-journee/nice-caen/foot-l1-ogcn-ben-arfa-c-est-un-beau-but/x32otht/
djebs(Quote)
Djebs – why the cry face for Colo getting MOM?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Chelsea looking pretty decent up front.
Stuart79(Quote)
Djebs – your Geordie’s getting worse every year! Assume you’re saying something about Benny’s goal yesterday now he’s got the Geezers ball and chain off.
georgio(Quote)
Stu – I’d hope so – the 4 today cost around £120m 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
First time I’ve seen the True Geordie – very good.
http://www.punditarena.com/football/english-football/scurtin/newcastle-united-fan-true-geordie-explains-to-manchester-united-what-theyre-missing/?
georgio(Quote)
Oh dear, a bad two weeks for John Terry, skinned fouls and off
kimtoon(Quote)
GEORGIO@497 aye he’s canny crack I watch him every week
icedog(Quote)
Georgio – I don’t like him so much personally, but he’s right about Man Utd – they desperately lack a quality centre forward. I just don’t see Neymar leaving Barca. But Arsenal keep getting linked with Benzima – if he was available then I think they should go get him. I think Benteke would have been a good fit for them too.
He’s also right that if that is the result of £250m spent 😯 who is their key player?. I think they will do well to get 4th spot if they don’t bring in a top forward.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Georgio: Aarons came on against Swansea and was on the bench yesterday. I don’t think there are any problems there, just McClaren thought Obertan would give Mbemba protection.
I don’t think that Aarons should be loaned out like AMF. We have no idea if Thauvin will hit the ground running and he and Aarons might even be rotated (Thauvin says he can play left or right)? From the little we have seen of Aarons he has something extra and a couple of spectacular displays as sub and he may force himself into the team. The League Cup is also the perfect time for him to start.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Chris G @456: if Abdennour would have immigration problems then the journalists linking him to us should have been doing their jobs and pointing this out. However, couldn’t we sign him on the assumption that a work permit would go through and weren’t we in the same boat with MBemba and his permit went through smoothly?
Still, he had/has been linked to Juve and Barca so it is all probably papers’ guff anyway.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Some good performances yesterday. Colo was excellent (but can he be consistent at his age?). Perez was very good as well and Krul made a couple of fine saves. The back 4 held up well. No sign of panic. Not much going forward. We turned the ball over time and time again. But there is signs of a decent side in there.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Tuesday’s team will be very interesting. Assuming he’s going to give fringe players a chance but who’s going to play right back and centre midfield apart from Tiote? Reckon Aarons, SDJ and Thauvin will all get a start.
Stuart79(Quote)
It will take some time and we’ll be down near the bottom for a bit but eventually the wins should start coming.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
An interesting character that Mitro. Big and powerful. Definitely gets stuck in. Should be a handful for most Prem defenses. I’m interested to see how Thauvin turns out for us as well. Obertan looked more like his normal hopeless case against ManU. Surely his playing time will be lessened.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 😆 😆 😆 guess yous guys did not notice they had no big lumps 😯 lets see how that weak **** defence stands up when the other team has a proper threat in the air 😆
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Watching Real Madrid. What the hell is Gareth Bale doing? If you look a bit like a monkey anyway then growing a neck beard doesn’t seem like a good idea to me.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – when I see Gareth Bale ….
https://youtu.be/-zOFAD6e9Bk
Sharpy17(Quote)
Thauvin will take over from Obertan once match fit, but he’s done ok so far. We don’t NEED any players but I expect the board will keep an eye out for good value on young players, a striker or a full back.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
TDS – I disagree mate, we do NEED players. But we won’t get them unless we clear some players our first.
I would love to see us get Abdennour, Austin & Byram before the window closes (CB, CF & RB).
But if we were to get those in, we’d have to get rid of Willo, Goof, Obertan, Marv, Vukic, Bigi for example. Way to much work to get through before the window closes – so don’t see it happening myself. I think it will remain a work in progress and will be put on hold until at least Jan but I reckon it will be next summer when they go at it properly again.
Sharpy17(Quote)
SHARPY
NEED in what sense?? Every club has weaknesses, even the CL clubs. It simple does not make sense to sign a top CB! Especially one without experience of the PL. Just who do you think we should drop to the bench out of Colo and Mbemba? Because I’m telling you, McClaren would massively be betraying their trust if he did it to either. Unless you think he’s already told Colo or Mbemba that they would be a squad player this season?
A young right back would be good and a striker would be good, but it will only happen if we get the right deal.
We do not NEED more players to get top 8. The manager, coaching team and players should be good enough.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
people NEED to stop using cap locks!! 😉
Still chuffed with the draw at Man U. The main thing I took from the game was the work ethic and fighting spirit… Player cohesion and game plans can be developed over a number of games. Once our lads get used to playing along side each other those things will come but the key ingredient of passion and a will to play your best must be in place first. If SM and co can get the lads fighting it out every game, it will at least make us a very tough opponent week in week out..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
things I liked
– signs of an emergent attacking understanding between Ayoze and Haidara (at least until we started playing for the 0-0 from around the 44th min)
– Colo and Taylor (apart from the first 10mins)
– Mbemba’s timing in the tackle
– the scoreline
– Mitro’s ability to hold up play
– defensive organisation/workrate in the 2nd half
– Anita’s defensive positioning
things i didnt like
– small-time, negative approach to the game (Pardew’s NUFC enjoyed far better performances at OT)
– long ball pish
– football-free zone in centre mid (think again Steve)
– Gini’s inconsistent technique, passing, ball control
– Mbemba’s rash clearances and passing
– total isolation of Mitro
– Anita’s passing choices when pressed
– Aarons’ *** firmly rooted to the bench
M(Quote)
well I hope Aarons starts next game… and after his first 3 or 4 mazy dribbles get shut down and he disappears from view, one can only hope that all the wet dreams about how fantastic he is, will end.. talk about over hyped!
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
talk about under-played
We don’t know whether or not he’s good yet… would be nice to see 😀
reckon he’ll start vs Noton
M(Quote)
I hope so… he need to provide at least 60 minutes of good football before I will get too carried away… Cameo appearances at the end of games are nothing to go by…
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
TDS – if Mc wants to finish in the top 10 then the squad he has isn’t strong enough yet to do that – never mind 8th 😯
You may be looking at it on paper, but you have to consider injuries and loss of form too. No player should be guaranteed first team, and I’d loose more confidence in a manager who continued to pick someone out of form based on a ‘promise’. I don’t believe any manager would offer such assurances. So if he wants to finish top 10, then yeah I think he has to strengthen further.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy
Depends how good Mitrovic and the new boys are. A top striker can change an average team into a really decent one. Cisse & Ba when we finished 5th.
Bellamy in sbr side.
One or two players could catapult us right back up there.
I’m open minded at the moment.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
troy says “I’m open minded at the moment.”
yep, there certainly is a lot of open space between his ears! 😆 😆 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
top 8 ha are you on glue,didnt you predict that for us last season TDS.
like people are saying a few injuries to key players and we are in trouble.
defo need a few more players in to beef up the squad.
hitman(Quote)
I am amazed that TDS seems to be under the impression that Colo will and should play every game even if he has a drop in form. I thought that was what a squad was for? no player should ever be guaranteed their place in the team. that leads to complacency and a loss of form. For instance, if we sold williamson and brought in Matip, all the centre halves would have to play well every week or risk losing their place. That’s called competition!
Stuart79(Quote)
And that us without taking into account injuries. Colo is getting older so he will be more likely to pick up injuries. Taylor we know about and we were only one injury away from Williamson coming on against Man Utd and I would be pretty confident saying we wouldn’t have kept a clean sheet if he had played.
Stuart79(Quote)
Troy – I have us down for 11-12 as the squad stands just now. The players we have sign are very good quality and the standard we should be getting in.
If the newbies hit the ground running and we can keep our injuries down, then who knows. But a lot of clubs have strengthened well this window.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think the plan ATM is for the back for to be
Jaanmat, Saylor, Colo, Haidara
with Mbemba & Dummett covering the Right & left Positions respectively.
Then with the kids being backup. Willo Gone
That is not necessarily the Starting lineup, but 3 players covering 2 positions.
If one of the top targets becomes available either in Now or January then I’m sure they will buy.
Premandup(Quote)