Manchester United v. Tottenham Hotspur MINUTE BY MINUTE

Alex

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Well, a big match is in the works this evening, and Old Trafford will be the setting, as it always seems to be. United played some great football on Wednesday evening, but still have yet to break out v. the opposition lately. That said they do look as though they are improving in form. It will be interesting who United line up v Spurs tonight as a huge CL semifinal match looms v Arsenal on Wednesday at the Theatre of Dreams. Hopefully Wes Brown sees some action, after returning to the first team squad after a long term injury. Also I would like to see United lineup in a 4-3-3 with Anderson playing a part from the start, he seems to be hitting form and is young and learning let the man play, rest him in the 2nd half when United have a lead. Gareth Bale is in the Tottenham squad and surely United will be hoping he plays given his record in the EPL. Should be a good game for United tomorrow, they need to play like they did in the first half v Pompey and convert their chances; If they do they will be able to be thinking about the Arsenal match with 15 minutes to go and take off key players for the youth.

Here's to the game, whoever wants to contribute post in the moderators' thread, and let me know, another person or two will be welcome, best wishes your match scribe Alex.
 
First time doing this, so looking forward to it!

Some very sad news on the eve of the match that could have an impact on Spurs' team is the death of Jermaine Defoe's brother. Obviously you would expect Defoe to miss out on this, but more will be known closer to kick off. Im more confident than I have been in recent weeks about this match. We seem to have reverted back to our form pre-Liverpool game. Three clean sheets in a row has done wonders for our confidence, and Rooney looks to be in top form. Fletcher is back and should be starting this one, and we could even be welcoming back Wes Brown at some stage during this. But keep in mind that we're playing a team who are at the very top of the form table. Its hard to know what to expect from Spurs. They've pulled away from the relegation zone, so you could look at the fact they have nothing to play for in two ways; there's no pressure on them and they play a blinder, or they just might not be bothered. Id suspect the former however, its very much another Redknapp vs Ferguson occasion. One advantage of the late kick off is we will know what needs to be done with Liverpool playing earlier in the day. If they drop points, expect SAF to be cautious in this game and get another win/clean sheet combo to effectively wrap up the league.

My prediction? A certain Mr. Berbatov will grab the only goal of the game, with Wayne Rooney going close too many times. United to take this 1-0.
 
So with 45 minutes to kick-off, the line ups are in.

Man Utd Starting 11:

Van Der Sar

Rafael
Ferdinand
Vidic
Evra

Ronaldo
Fletcher
Carrick
Nani

Berbatov
Rooney


Subs: Anderson, Scholes, Macheda, Foster, Tevez, Evans, Park
 
Tottenham's starting 11:

Gomes

Corluka
Woodgate
King
Assou-Ekotto

Lennon
Jenas
Palacios
Modric

Keane
Bent

Subs: Cudicini, Zokora, Hutton, Huddlestone, Bentley, Bale, Chimbonda
 
Strong first XI's from both sides, should be a good game, 35 minutes til kickoff
 
In his pre-match interview, Sir Alex indicates that he's expecting a good game as is usual from United vs Spurs fixtures. When asked about Berbatov, he said he's been pleased with his debut season, and that he is always tempted to play Tevez because he's such a good player. Kick off in just under 10 minutes.
 
The teams come out onto the pitch. United are led out by Rio Ferdinand, with the ever-present Cristiano Ronaldo propping up the back so the camera can get a good shot at the back of his jersey.
 
commentator just said Berbatov is TOP of the PL 'goal assists' list.

He has already made a huge contribution to our success this year!
 
Lightning start from United, Rafael plays a good ball to Fletcher, who threads it through the defence for Berbatov but Gomes is quick off his line to collect.
 
Aaron Lennon given acres of space down the right hand side after a lazy attempt at a tackle by Evra. Swings a bal lacross the 6 yard box but Spurs player in sight and Robbie Keane cant keep it in.
 
Lovely interplay by Ronaldo and Nani near the box but nothing comes of it
 
Decent chance snuffed out by the Spurs defence, Ronaldo cutting in from the left where he seems to have started, feeds Nani who returns with a backheel to Ronaldo, but he gets crowded out in the box.
 
Poor cross from Darren Fletcher with acres of space and several targets in the box, his cross is too deep.
 
Nice play to win the ball back in the centre of the park, but was caught by to Spurs players

Bent nearly scores on a lovely cross, well saved by VDS

on the replay Palacios should have been sent off when Ronaldo won the ball, had a two footed knee high challenge
 
Darren Bent forces a save from Edwin Van Der Sar after being left totally unmarked at the back post after a Lennon cross. The resulting corner results in nothing.
 
Replays just shown of Palacios' lunging 2 foot tackle. Any contact there would have been the most blatant red card of the season.

Mean while, theres a chorus of boos when Berbatov collects the ball but you'd expect that to be the Spurs fans. Nani and Ronaldo looking sharp early on with some tidy, flashy touches.
 
Rafael sends in a lovely cross from the right. Corluka probably does enough to prevent Rooney from making any contact in the 6 yard box.
 
Lovely play by Berba and Fletcher to get the ball to Roon in the box but he spent to much time on the ball and lost it
 
Great build up play by Berbatov who finds Fletcher who in turn finds Rooney, but he hasnt enough time to get the shot away and is robbed by Corluka in the box.
 
Corluka gives the ball away to Rooney at the half way line. Rooney's attempt at pulling off a Beckham results in a....err....throw in.
 
Rooney with an audacious effort that was equally adacious miss from the half way line, throw in to Tottenham says it all
 
Vidic with a good challenge on Bent, shows some leg after it

Berbatov is looking very good today as well, wins a deep throw in by himself
 
Impressed by Ronaldo tracking back in this match. He's won a few tackles and headers already, and seems quick to offer Evra some assistance in covering the threat of Aaron Lennon.
 
Decent effort by Nani, over the bar, effort was from just about the same place he scored from in the fixture last year
 
Modric with some nice work on the left hand side, beating Rafael with ease. Some nice footwork sends the ball across the goal, where Lennon powers it back in along the ground but Rafael recovers with the clearance.
 
Bad accident on the M6 apparently involving fans on the way to the match, color commentator just arrived, RIP
 
Great defending from Patrice Evra. Ronaldo fails to pick up Corluka's overlap, and when he is picked out by Lennon, Evra's burst of pace gets him to the ball first and shepherds it out for a goal kick.
 
Jenas elbows Berbatov, no card free kick to United 40 yards out
 
Good effort by Ronnie, Gomes had trouble with the dipping shot
 
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