Old Trafford Press Box

A month ago, on a seemingly uneventful January afternoon, held the showdown of arguably two sets of the fiercest fans in the English context. Arsenal and Manchester United, both traditional rivals, already had their sights trained on that vital win in Emirates Stadium. Any slip-ups could cost them dearly in the ultimate dash to the title.


With 7 minutes left on the clock, Manchester United were one nose ahead of their opponents, full credit due to Wayne Rooney’s early second-half strike. Little did they expect the next seven minutes could prove to be the darkest seven minutes all season. Robin van Persie and then the evergreen Thierry Henry (mind you, late in stoppage time) put the Red Devils to the sword.

A month later, we bring you to the historic grounds of Anfield, where we are in for another afternoon of pure entertainment. Liverpool and Manchester United – two teams their rivalry so intense that their fixture against each other could have been touted as the equivalent of Spainish “El Classico”. And another drama is about to unfold.

Liverpool, the pre-match underdogs, showed the watching world that they are capable of giving the giants a run for their money. How plain it was to see the Reds leading the charges in almost every department of the game. In terms of the attack, build-up, possession, defence, one would have thought the game was a foregone conclusion right from the first touch – in Liverpool’s favour.

I hate to admit the fact that me myself is a die-hard Red Devil. But on this instance, I cannot hide the obvious superiority the opponents had towered us.


Fortunately, Lady Luck came on the eleventh hour, and with a deft John O’Shea’s touch just into stoppage time, it sealed the fate of the showdown. Probably the Premiership title too. As for me and my mates, we just erupted in tears of euphoria.


Say what you can, you can outnumber your counterparts with your shots on target by a hundred to one. But at the end of the day, it’s the goals that matter.


Sucker punches like that are definitely cruel in deciding the direction of the game. But, like anything else, it is inevitable in the course of the season. In any case, they have certainly taught us a thing or two: Do not take anything for granted, or you could just end up being the one suffering the last laugh.


P.S. Apologies guys for only blogging inconsistently. I have a hectic schedule and I'll try and adjust for more time for my own. Till then, I leave you to roam around here.

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It has been one full month since I last written on this very page. Well, I have, regrettably, not allocated enough time since the New Year to do so, amidst my commitments and so on.

Anyway, I am back all right – and have plans to continue being active in this global community. As we all know, football has many faces; every once in a while, each side tries to take over the headlines.

So, what did I miss out during the past month?



David Beckham Moves To USA
We start with the topic which is on everybody’s lips right now. The magnitude? Even people who do not really even care about anything related to the sport. Now that it is a done deal, I can safely conclude that the massive economic carrot (benefits) dangling from the people back at Los Angeles – which totals up to US$50 million – was certainly too huge an offer to ignore. Even for the man himself.

And ever wondered this was concluded within half a year when MLS, the league in America, rectified its long-running salary cap policy? Not a bad move, considering the very first fish caught has already been so prolific.


Of course, everything comes at a price too. Unfortunately for Beckham, it would have been that his first-team involvement with Real Madrid has all but ended. Despite having booted out of Fabio Capello’s good books, he responded in a grateful manner. “I’ve played for two of the greatest clubs in the world. I’ve… no regrets at all.”

From OTPB, all the best to your new career at Hollywood. Oops. Did I mention wrongly?



EPL And The Halfway Mark
At this time of the year, it will be high time pundits speculate the course of the title race. Some defensive gaps, without the presence of John Terry, had caused Chelsea the momentum, in a bid to catch up with league leaders Manchester United.

On the other hand, the Red Devils have been in impressive form lately, all thanks to veteran newcomer Henrik Larsson and a lethal Cristiano Ronaldo. The latter has been nothing short of magical, and at one point chalking 7 goals in 5 consecutive matches – a piece of statistics not even the country’s best striker can boast about. With speculation of Ronaldo leaving Old Trafford for Real Madrid dismissed, and the possibility of extending Larsson’s loan, the Promised Land never looked nearer.


Last weekend’s 2-1 setback at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium could signal an end to this wonderful period, but Manchester United are still far from worrying about their shaky lead. They lead 6 points in front of Chelsea, and to have the advantage lost, something drastic must have happened.

In other words, they are firmly in the driving seat. Very.



The Rise of Arsenal
After an indifferent first-half to the season, the Gunners have finally responded to the wake-up call they should have months ago. It probably isn’t entirely their fault: Arsenal has just gotten used to their new home in Emirates Stadium. And it’s looking optimistic.

In two consecutive matches against major rival Liverpool, the Gunners really showed how much ammunition they have had in the course of the season, beating their opponents emphatically twice in a week. Considering this was done using second-string players, this has really sent a message to all other critics to never play with fire, especially in front of them.

Further confirmation was made when Arsenal beat Manchester United last weekend, thanks to a late Thierry Henry header. Well, all in all, that makes them the only team to beat the league leaders twice this season.



Of course, how can I forget the latest in transfers? However, I guess that is an article for another time.

Till then, enjoy your dosage of football, the most popular sport in the world. And here from OTPB, I wish you success in the New Year.

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Fabio Cannavaro came out tops among the star-studded finalists to emerge FIFA World Player Of The Year 2006, the first for a defender. No farewell gift for Zinedine Zidane, nor there is a first to a three-time consecutive winner in Ronaldinho – despite upping his game in recent weeks.

The prestigeous award also capped a wonderful year for the Real Madrid defender. Winning the World Cup for Italy as captain, Cannavaro was arguably the most eye-catching player of the tournament. And a month ago, he was the proud winner of the European Player Of The Year.



Well, a happy man he certainly is.

However, the question on many lips is, does he deserve the honour? The topic is now open for discussion; I would like to hear your views.

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After months of speculation and waiting, Old Trafford Press Box has finally found a new home at this address. Well, if you are reading this right now, then you have probably come to the right place.

With effect from tomorrow, new posts will be coming in from this very place. And with the intensity of the recent events in football, one can expects not just more than updates.

Before I forget, here's to wishing all readers an early Christmas.

Finally, thank you for your continuous support, and I look forward to updating you people from this very place.

This episode is brought to you by SoccerGuy at 12:46:00 PM | Permalink | Comments

Manchester United are happily drifting away from the top-of-the-table. The benefactor? Well, we have all of Arsenal to thank for. ;)



All thanks to the draw at Stamford Bridge, where the Gunners halted Chelsea’s advance towards the league leaders with a point. A quick glimpse at the statistics revealed the Red Devils’ supremacy in the domestic point-of-view – they are now surging 8 points ahead! Not the happiest of news for the Chel$ki fanatic…

The showdown on Sunday was not insipid by any standard; I would have preferred 110% this then the Old Trafford showdown a fortnight ago, where it was a case of “a tale of two halves”. In fact, this was by far one of the most entertaining draws I have caught on television this season.

To justify my above statement, viewers were treated to a game filled with well-string passes, great shots with as equally spectacular saves, and dominant possession, well, by Arsenal, of course.

Chelsea, on the other hand, exposed their weaknesses during the course of 90 minutes, thus, ‘living up’ to what many people have predicted during pre-season: A team that is way below its estimated value. Out of the whole starting eleven, it was arguably only Michael Essien who was the sole representative for the Blues.

And it was no wonder when he cooked up the best move of the game. Essien finished off a lay-off by Frank Lampard with an icing-on-the-cake, 25-yard curling shot, and that decided the fate of the match. In my opinion, probably not as stunning as the Matthew Taylor 45-yard volley against Everton, but still, it was one effort not to be forgotten.

Arsenal had earlier been put up front by Mathieu Flamini, which allowed them to come as close as 6 minutes for the first opposition to beat Chelsea at home. Alas...

The goalscorers in action

Nevertheless, it was not only the notable highlights that made the headlines too. With controversies galore, it was so apt to call this showdown a long-awaited match. Jokes aside, these incidents, though, did really inject some element of entertainment into the game. Well, take the Didier Drogba – Jens Lehmann challenge as example…

All is looking well for the trophy to return back at Old Trafford – if statistics are proven correctly, that is. As the season is fast approaching the halfway mark, it is certainly a joy for all Manchester United fan to know that, for the past four seasons, the team that led the table at the Christmas milestone went on to win the League.

Still, I am gladly willing to be the pessimist once in a while.

All in all, I would like to reiterate as a Manchester United fan that we are leading the reins by eight valuable points, and may prove to be a vital gap come May. With one more league meeting against a tough Chelsea – probably in consideration of fortifying the club during the winter transfer window – and at Stamford Bridge even, (the Reds lost 3-0 the last time they were there) the chase for the title looks set to be going right down to the wire.

[No time to report on the 3-1 derby win over City, so catch the highlights here. Haha!]

And as a footnote, look at the heading. Yes, Man Utd had not been that far a distance at the pinnacle of English football since 2001, when they went on to clinch the title.

P.S. This site is going to move to a new home soon. I will still keep this site running as a direct link to the new URL. But don't you worry; I will inform you guys.

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The 35-year-old former Celtic and Barcelona forward will move to Old Trafford when the transfer window opens on January 1, and return to his club Helsingborg on March 12 before the Swedish league season starts.

"Alex Ferguson called me last night and welcomed me to Manchester United," Larsson said. "We spoke a little about a match and how things were looking around Christmas and the new year. They have been after me before, after the first or second season with Celtic.

"It feels nice to come and play for such a big club. I know the players - they are really good players. I have played against many of them, so it's not a new thing. I hope the situation will be easier, knowing the faces and names."

Since selling Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid in July, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been light on strikers, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Alan Smith - who are both recovering from long-term injuries - his only cover for Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha. The talented young Italian Giuseppe Rossi is currently on loan at Newcastle.

That hasn't prevented the team charging to the top of the Premiership, three points clear of Chelsea and with the best goals record. With Rooney and Saha forming an effective partnership, it is unlikely Larsson will be first choice at Old Trafford - rather he will allow Ferguson to rest his front pair occasionally without fear of greatly weakening the side. An added bonus is that, should United reach the Champions League knockout stages, Larsson will be available because Helsingborg did not play in Europe this season.

"I have always admired him," Ferguson said. "I made a move for him when he was at Celtic but then they managed to persuade him to stay. He is a great player. It is a terrific bit of business for us.

"We are bringing someone in who can change a game. When you think back to the Champions League final he was the one who won it for Barcelona when he came on. He can play wide right, wide left or up front. I am really happy we have got him. I would have liked to have signed him long ago but I knew he wanted to go to Barcelona and then he went home."

Larsson admitted competition for places could limit his playing time. "I probably won't play every match from the start," he said. "But for me it feels like a very fun thing to contribute at such a late stage in my career. My family are okay with it. I will go over there to play as much as possible - but I have no idea as to how Ferguson wants to use me.

"I would never have done this if I didn't feel like I could manage. Am I a back-up? Yes, at the beginning. Then you will see what I can contribute and how things are going. We have not discussed a jersey number at all. We will see what it will be."

Helsingborg chairman Sten-Inge Fredin confirmed a contract was signed yesterday, and said it was a deal that suited everybody. "There is, of course, an economic aspect both for Helsingborg and Henrik and, hopefully, Manchester United but we are not releasing any figures. We are happy. The best bit is that we get a world-class player coming home two seasons in a row."

Larsson turned down a contract extension with Barcelona this summer to move back to Sweden to finish his career. He arrived at the Nou Camp in 2004, but his first season there was ruined by a knee injury. He spent more time on the bench than the pitch in his second season, but he changed the Champions League final in Barcelona's favour when he came on as a second-half substitute against Arsenal in May.

He was one of Europe's most prolific marksmen during his seven-year stay at Celtic, where he netted 242 goals in more than 300 appearances after signing in 1997. He also scored 36 goals in 93 matches for Sweden before retiring from international football after this year's World Cup.

Can he keep his joy a permanent fixture during his time at Old Trafford? I believe so.

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[Updated after the Man Utd - Chelsea showdown]

(Click on the picture for a larger size. And note the date - in yellow. What a coincidence!)

We always find faults to complain "games ain't realistic". But this is one scenario every Manchester United fanatic hopes that the producers out there at Sports Interactive live up to Football Manager's claim that it is the "most realistic simulation game currently available out at the market".

Let's just say if things go the way it (is supposed to) turn out, I'll buy every single season of the game! Haha!

And if you are wondering, yes, I am that manager in the game. ;)

This episode is brought to you by SoccerGuy at 10:16:00 PM | Permalink | Comments