bababoom

The thing with Mikel is that he doesn't give us enough in Midfield, all the big sides have DMs who offer something going forward, whether it's passing, the ability to beat players or a goal threat. Mikel offers none of that, he's a good defensive player, he offers stability, but watching Matic these past few games its crazy to think that Mikel lasted as long as he has.

Why would Hazard go back to Ligue 1? He's now on to bigger and better things. He strikes me as the guy who wants to create a legacy or at least be regarded as one of the best players of his generation, than why would he go to PSG? not like we'll sell anyway... One thing though, why is everyone certain he'll go to Real in a few years time? i hear it all the time, especially from United fans

People take the piss out of him because he wore his full kit (shin pads and everything ) when he lifted the CL... bear in mind he didn't even play haha So now people just Photoshop him in famous events like this. To be fair he did take it on the chin, he said in our CL documentary that a lot of the lads gave him stick but he found it funny, probably why he did it again for the Europa league final.

I was bored...

He looked very average today, he just kept it too simple for my liking. For us he used to always look for a defense splitting pass and we had no striker ffs United have Rooney and Rvp.. Mata was just so ineffective. To think if Mata's not out on the wing Moyes gives him a 'free role', which long term wont work... Mata doesn't fit into a traditional 4-4-2 team. When Moyes signed Mata i thought he would finally change his tactics, it seems not. Another thing is that once Januzaj came on i thought he would do 1-2s with him, like he used to do with Hazard, but no none of that. If he wasn't keeping it simple he just hopelessly crossed it in the box... We know about Mata's faults, it's been well documented, but you cannot hide the fact that he is a tremendous football player, incredible football brain and technique. I'm not sure if it's United's tactics or whatever, Mata just seems very average for them.

Fits perfectly with United to be honest.

Have to hand it to Mourinho, he naively got slated for 'ruining' Joe Cole because he made him work harder for the team, thus making him a better player, yet many people over here (in England) say Jose ruined him... give me a break. Hazard always had the talent, no doubt, but i think Mourinho is challenging him to be the best player he can be. I think Hazard respects Mourinho and is willing to do anything for him on the pitch. Can you imagine the likes of RDM or Rafa getting these types of performances out of Hazard on a consistent basis? i cant. Last season i mentioned it so many times, i was frustrated with him. He often drifted out of matches and never really turned up against the big teams, i'm so happy that he's finally fulfilling his potential, now he knows he's our main player, Mourinho has drilled that into him. He knows he cannot afford drift out of games. Next season he's going to be even more deadly. Now judging by his interviews he wants to score more goals and make more assists, does that sound like the old Hazard? this season he seems much more determined to be one of the best players in the world. I honestly think he can do it.

At the beginning of the game Martin Tyler and Gary Neville was talking about Juan Mata, they were saying what a coup it was and it shows that they can still sign the best players in the world... Lets be honest here, as far as we know United was the only club willing to offer that much for Juan. He wasn't getting played here, Jose clearly didn't fancy him meaning his only real choice was United. In the summer if United get the likes of Vidal, Reus and Gundogan i'll be shocked. The United fans don't know it now but Champions league is a big deal, not only the revenue but for attracting big players. You can look at City for example and say they signed the Likes of Tevez, Toure and Agureo without champions league football, but look at their wage bill and lets be honest it was a great project for those players. United don't have that. Look at us for example, we were 7th and many of us said we wouldn't mind not getting CL, because it meant we can rebuild... looking back, how wrong were we? we signed Marin in April, and that was us preparing for life without CL football. Instead we won the Cl and managed to get Hazard. That's the difference. I'm not saying they cant buy big players, because they can, but lets say United were close to signing Vidal and City come in last minute, who would he want to join? City or United...

I have a feeling United will get something from the Arsenal match, well at least i hope so. It's nice to see united drop points, but that's none of our business, we're trying to win the League. Maybe Ferguson can manage united for that one game? that would be nice.

Surely Paulo Ferreira in his first two season > Ivanovic? Cech Ferreira - Carvalho - Terry - A.Cole Essien - Lampard Robben - Zola - Hazard Drogba Thought i go for something different. The three behind Drogba...

No doubt in my mind the Premier league is the best league in the world. You get some real high quality matches, some absolutely crazy matches and real big upsets. Just look at some of the best matches from the top four teams (Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool) this season; Man City Man City 4-1 Man Utd, Man City 6-0 Tottenham, Man City 6-3 Arsenal, Tottenham 1-5 Man City Chelsea Man City 0-1 Chelsea (Only one goal, but it was a real high quality match), Chelsea 3-1 Man Utd, Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool (Again another high quality game, our high pressing was fantastic. Should have been more goals to be fair) Liverpool Liverpool 5-1 Arsenal, Liverpool 4-0 Everton, Tottenham 0-5 Liverpool, Everton 3-3 Liverpool (End to end match, sums up how exciting the PL is) Arsenal Arsenal 2-0 Liverpool (Arsenal was so dominant against Liverpool in this match, compare this match to the one today... crazy) Also look at the big upsets so far this season: Stoke 3-2 Chelsea, Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea, Arsenal 1-3 Aston Villa, Cardiff 3-2 Man City, Aston Villa 3-2 Man City What other league offers this much entertainment, excitement and unpredictability? Not only the results but look at the table, Chelsea, Man City and Arsenal all have a real chance to win the league, Liverpool too, but it’s unlikely. It’s very hard to predict who’ll win, each week there’s so many twists and turns. P Pts 4 Liverpool 25 50 5 Everton 24 45 6 Tottenham 24 44 7 Man Utd 24 40 Now focusing on the top four, Liverpool are clear favourites. They've been exceptional this season. It’s maybe too far for United but with players such as Rooney, RVP, Mata, Januzaj, Carrick and De Gea, you can never write them off. Tottenham were in good form under Tim Sherwood, they have now dropped points in their least two games (Losing 5-1 to City and drawing to Hull), but they have definitely improved since AVB got sacked. Everton are the team that can give Liverpool a scare, they have been great so far this season, obviously from their point of view the loss at Anfield was disappointing, but apart from that they have been in real good form. To be honest, it’s anyone’s guess; even though Liverpool are favourites I wouldn't put it past the other three teams to push them all the way. The relegation battle is probably the most unpredictable; it’s out of ten teams. P Pts 10 Swansea 25 27 11 Hull 25 27 12 Aston Villa 25 27 13 Stoke 25 26 14 Crystal Palace 25 26 15 West Ham 25 25 16 Norwich 25 25 17 Sunderland 25 24 18 West Brom 25 23 19 Cardiff 25 21 20 Fulham 24 19 Look how close it is, Swansea are 10th, it doesn't seem too bad, right? But they are only four points ahead of West Brom who are 18th in the league. One loss and they’ll be right back in the thick of it. I seriously can’t call it. I honestly don’t know a league more exciting than the Premier league, maybe I’m bias living in England and all, but in my opinion it’s definitely the best league in the world. It also seems to be getting better and better each season.

I don't want to blow my own trumpet, but..... What was the City score again? Haha, in all seriousness, there's still a long way to go, but i'm feeling pretty confident.

Chelsea after 25 games: 2011/12 season (AVB) 43 points; 2012/13 (RdM/RB) 46 points; 2013/14 with Jose Mourinho: 56 points. And top.

I swear City has spent more than us in the last five years? anyway, Pellegrini is rattled, i have a feeling he's going to bottle it. Wenger, Pellegrini and Rafa are all the same, they get far too emotional, Jose is most likely laughing at these comments. Alex Ferguson said once Rafa came out with the 'facts' rant, he knew he got to him. Pellegrini is going to bottle it with City, just you watch.

Make him look bad? everyone knows he's a great player, my post is pointing out how worried they are after watching us on Monday and about what Neville said, The majority of them love Mata. I do agree with some of their points, i know you didn't want Mata to be sold, but surely after Monday you can see why it had to be done? he's was never going to play in the big games.

Watch it, no way was that flick intended for Drogba.

Looks a bit overweight in those pictures... In all seriousness he plays in League 1 and Sheffield United are second from bottom... he may be a good prospect but is he really going to play? i doubt it, we're just going to loan him out five times and sell him, we may make a bit of profit if he plays well, but what if he doesn't? it's a gamble. Probably a load of BS though.

I don't get the hype with that goal, Lampard clearly didn't mean to flick it to Drogba, he tried passing it back to Deco... knowing that it kind of ruins it for me. It's like the Bergkamp goal vs Newcastle, if he meant that than one of the best goals ever, if not, it's still good but lucky and ruins it's appeal.. In my opinion the Arsenal goal (against Norwich) is 10x better, the 1-2 passing is out of the world, Barcelona-esque. Also about the atmosphere, it's funny, i'm the exact opposite. I love the PL atmosphere, when i watch Serie A or La Liga it just doesn't match imo. Maybe because i grew up with English football, who knows.

Newcastle have so many players out/doubtful, Remy, Cabaye (gone obviously), Tiote, Coloccini, Gouffran and Cisse. We should win this match.

Still a bit weird...

Benteke? He's been so poor season, no thanks. I'd go as far to say he isn't much better than Ba...

Carzola has scored like 5 goals in 3 games to be fair, but i do agree that Hazard should of been nominated.

JT does get noticed though, he's been praised so much in the media, most people want him back in the NT for the World cup. I guarantee one bad performance people will blame Cahill.

Very well thought out post, it must of took so much time and effort, i commend you. Well done.

It's true, within a month people will be demanding Luiz to play alongside Terry, it always happens. I would like to think this is more than just a 'good run of form', he's improved and is probably our best defender.