Easy at Ewood

Blackburn Rovers 0-2 United Premiership 2008/09; attendance 27,321
A convincing show by United. The first goal looked a bit flooky with their keeper Jason Brown sandwiched between Vidic and Wes Brown. There should have been few more goals from United but the second goal by Rooney from an amazing run at speed by Ronaldo was class. At least Blackburn don't have Brad Friedland in nets these days, a goalie who always played superb against the reds.

Sunshine As Reds beat Whites

United 2-0 Bolton Wanderers
Premiership 2008/09 : attendance 75,484

A game at a 3 O'clock game on a Saturday and it's brilliant sunshine - that's a rarity. Not a bad match either. United stroked the ball across the field, left side, right side, back again but nothing to show for it. Thought Fletcher and Anderson were excellent in midfield.

The talk will be about the penalty award. Ronaldo went down in the penalty area. It was at the far end so didn't have the best view, and I've seen so many penalties not given but the game stopped and the ref awarded a spot kick. Ronaldo scores.

This game opened up a bit after that. Scholes and Rooney came on and I witnessed some really excellent play. It could have been four nil but we settled for one goal from Rooney. Thought Berbatov is getting more into the United style, a few more games and a clear role. At least he has the ability to stay onside during play.

Took some bright blue sky video footage at the back of the Stretford End. Spotted the Da Silva boys going to the match, that's the opening shot. Game 41; admission £35 - took our own sandwich of ciabatta with spicy pinto bean dip and lettuce. Went to B&Q on the way home, the car park had been football fans cars and the store was empty.

Point at the Bridge

Chelsea 1-1 United
Premiership 2008/09: attendance 41,760
Didn't think we'd win today, thought we'd get beaten about 2-0. So happy with the point. If we could score more than one goal a game we'd be up there at the top of the table instead of being 15th. Putting these games beyond reach with a second goal instead of putting the defence under pressure for most of the match.

Questions about the match:
Berbatov, what does he do? Limp passing playing a hovering about role.
Mike Riley the referee, what does he do? Hand out yellow cards and more yellow cards. You can get a yellow for just a hand gesture that somebody has just fouled you.
The substitutions, what were they about? Ronaldo, a match winner and needs another run out - fair enough but the game needing sorting out in mid-field. Bring on John O'Shea what sort of option is that.

We can all put this down to another slow faltering start to another season and the best is yet to come. Let's hope so. Maybe put four past Bolton next weekend.

Bad Day At The Office

Liverpool 2-1 United
Premiership 2008/09 Att: 44,192
A dream start to the match, one nil up within 3 minutes. But after that it went downhill. A fumbled mix-up between Van de Saar and Brown makes it 1-1. Just get to half time with this score and sort it out for next 45 minutes. It was Liverpool who sorted it out - most of the ball, most of the play, mostly in the United half of the pitch. Not a good day. Are we waiting until the return of Ronaldo before the goals start coming?

Good 3 pointer at Pompey

Portsmouth 0-1 United
FA Premiership 2008/09; att: 20,540

These are the results that count, going to Fratton Park on a Monday night, after every other team has played and coming back with 3 points. Watched this one on dodgy internet Tv, supplemented by Radio 5Live. Could have gone to the pub, but just wanted a quiet night. Good to see Anderson return to the team, and Evra is just superb at the moment. Good job there is a solid defence 'cos United arn't firing them in at the moment. But one is enough, which makes Darren Fletcher played 2, scored 2....which says something.

More Goals Please

United 1-1 Newcastle United
FA Premier League : att 75,512

More Goals Please from biffadigital on Vimeo.
It's becoming a bit of a habit this holding up bits of plastic to spell out words - today it was "More Goals Please". Not sure the players actually see them as they face the South Stand before kick off. They don't plastic words with it being more a corporate, guests, and the prawn sandwich brigade.

Well we nearly got a sack full of goals. The chances were created but nothing went into the nets except a 24th minute equaliser from Darren Fletcher. When Giggs and Campbell went off they were not replaced with forwards. No strikers to bring on. No Ronaldo, Tevez, or Nani and until they come back it'll probably be a lean scoring time. Where's Saha when you need him? Still with a sick note.

Back to the plastic business - isn't it about time big football clubs and their fans try to get some green credentials. Last season I tried to take a photo of the rubbish, most of it plastic bottles and wrappings collected from one of the stands. It was a mini-mountain. I was stopped from even pointing the camera at it by club officials.

Back to the game it was quite entertaining. Ferdinand and Vidic are absolutely fantastic at the back, Evra is a star, Rooney a dynamo....but more goals please.

Just A Pic :Double Champions 2008

You have to enjoy the moments when they are here. After a season that went to the last two games and a penalty shoot-out to collect the double I think a few more weeks of trumpet blowing is in order.
Manchester Evening News

Hull City in the Premiership

I always like it when a team I've never seen in a live game get to the Premiership. So congratulations to Hull City winning the play-offs. One goal from the ledgendary Dean Windass. All set up by Fraizer Campbell, another of those United young players out on loan. Will he ever comes back to wear the red shirt and find a place in the squad?

I get a few text messages saying the usual 'that's 6 points off them next season'. It may well be, but a team that's never played in the top division before always adds a bit of interest to the season.

C-H-A-M-P-I-O-N-S

Wigan Athletic 0-2 United
It went just as I wished for. Nervous, and getting more nervous until Ronaldo slotted home a penalty on 33 minutes. Scholes just avoids getting sent off. Got to half time and Chelsea still at 0-0. Second half and the need for a second half goal, especially when Chelsea go in front against Bolton. Now I'm nervous again, but Giggs seals it. Relax the cushion is in place though we had to wait until 81 minutes.

Thankfully the season is over, that big silver trophy doesn't leave Old Trafford, I can return to calmness, get the champagne out and be happy. Next season can be it wrapped up in April.

Ahead of Final Sunday

What a dramatic end to the season? The media and the neutrals must be loving the make or break of who gets the Premiership. For a fan it's not easy. Too many hopes dashed over the years and you still come back for more. Just sorted out the season tickets for next season - only a mere 6% rise - so it will be back for more. Let's hope for an early goal to settle the game down, and a two goal cushion before the break - then I can enjoy the football.

Stroll past the Hammers

United 4-1 West Ham United att: 76,013

Last home game of the season on a warm sunny dinner time. I'm confident of a win today. Ronaldo scores within five minutes. Barely out of second gear. The open play is like watching a friendly. Even when West Ham scored one of the neatest goals - an slick over head kick from about eigth yards out it still looks a friendly. Even the United fans appauled that. Not a friendly when Nani was sent off. It was at the other end in an off the ball incident. I just saw two players on the ground and some milling around. Nobody around me knew what happened either. But even with 10 men for 55 minutes still managed to score another. At 4-1, all over, could have gone home. But everyone stayed for the expected lap round the ground by the players.

The amusing bits were the Stretford End chanting "Tevez, Tevez give us a wave." He obliged. So later did Giggs, Brown and Ferdinand. My man of the match was Tevez for his fantastic goal, and chasing every ball. He even went to applaud the West Ham fans at the end, and they remember him with affection - well he did keep them from relegation last season.

Game 25; Admission £33 - still don't buy a programme, coffee or megastall tat. Still two big games to come.

Make it hard for yourself

Chelsea 2-1 United
Looked at the team selection and thought "we'll be lucky to win this". When Vidic went off after a few minutes knew we'd be up against it now. The relentless pressure was on, won't be able to keep a clean sheet for 90 minutes. If we can only get to half time with 0-0. No, they scored. Second half was a lot brighter, and an equaliser by Rooney from a silly mistake. At least it'll be a draw, and would have been happy with that. But again no, lost out to a penalty, coolly taken by Ballack.

That means
a) A must win game next Saturday against a bogey team West Ham United.
b) Wait until Monday night and hope Chelsea slip up at Newcastle. I doubt it.
c) A must win game the week after at Wigan. At least they don't need the points.
d) Chelsea have Bolton Wanderers at home - both teams need the points.

Disappointed.

Friedel Di De

Blackburn Rovers 1-1 United
on Setanta Sports 1
How many times have I seen this, Brad Friedel is good goalkeeper but when he plays against United he is exceptional. The goals just wouldn't happen and I thought it wouldn't be our day. But when it did it was the most welcome one of the season, a beautiful Tevez flick on header in a packed penalty box. So just one point and six more needed from the last three games. Pressure on at Stamford Bridge next Saturday dinner time. Think I'll have to subscribe to Prozac to watch it.

Heskey - I can't believe it

Winning the Premiership is often by the other teams slipping up. Tonight it was Chelsea 1-1 Wigan Athletic, with an injury time equaliser from Emile Heskey of all strikers. Lots of whooping at Biffa Mansions!! So that means 7 points from 4 games and the trophy gets another trip around the Old Trafford pitch.

Celebrating a little tonight, but it's not over. Arsenal and Chelsea can still win the title. But I'm someone who stays until the final whistle blows and know from long years it can all be taken away at the last minute. Nearly there....

All 3 points and Arsenal's season is over

United 2-1 Arsenal att: 75,985

After beating Arsenal from biffadigital on Vimeo.
What a thriller but I was glad when it was over. Chances in the first half, winning the ball but then let down by poor short passes. Don't know what happened when they scored first in the second half. It was at the far end, and it appeared to get bundled in the net. Thought this is going to be uphill now just to get a draw. Then it's a penalty for handball at our end. Ronaldo scores but has to retake it. But does the same again, a run-up, stops, another step and blasts it into the bottom corner. How cool is that.

The winner comes from a free-kick outside the area. Didn't notice who was taking it as too busy watching Anderson. His antics behind the wall, moving his hands about and facing the goal and looking at Lehmann. It must have distracted Lehmann too. He didn't move and Hargreaves slotted into the right side. Wonderful.

After that it was standing up at the Stretford End. Bring on Tevez and Anderson, and try for that third goal. Didn't happen, so the last ten minutes were a bit nerve wracking. Four minutes extra time, and remembering the events at the Emirates earlier in the year Arsenal pressed for the equaliser.

Most of the Stretford End stayed to cheer the players off and sing another two songs - it's on the video. A close win in a big game, one of the best matches all season.

Battle with Boro secures a point

Middlesboro 2-2 United
Much will be made of Vidic's absence with United's defence caught too far up the pitch again and again. A goal up, Ronaldo's 37th this season but then 2-1 down. Happy then to get a draw thanks to Rooney. Probably a fair result. United never make it easy for themselves. You think this should have been a three pointer but instead it makes next Sunday's Arsenal clash even more important to win. 12 points to win the title. It's after games like this you don't want to think of points dropped against teams you could have beaten - lost 4, drawn 4 thi season.

Just A Vid : Rainy Match at Old Trafford

Rainy Day Match from biffadigital on Vimeo.
Short two minute video. Going to the United v. Aston Villa game in the rain. It was still raining when we came out...Good job we won otherwise we'd have been wet and miserable instead of wet and joyous.

That's why we're champions

United 4-0 Aston Villa; attendance 75,936
The reds turned in a superb performance. Villa were always capable of scoring a goal through sheer persistance but United could have put away seven. But it was like seeing a surgeon's knife slicing through warm margarine with the crowd singing "that's why we're champions".

Very rarely does it rain on the way to the match but it lashed it down. Wish I'd worn my waterproof cycling trousers. Didn't, so sat in wet jeans for nearly two hours. Didn't care, more concerned about the leaks in the roof - hit by big drips in the second half.

Scousers get nowt at Easter

United 3-0 Liverpool; att 76,000 (official)

Viva Ronaldo : Stretford End from biffadigital on Vimeo.
There is always those turning points in a match. Just when you're wondering where the first goal is coming from, up pops Wes Brown from nowhere and heads it home. At last, and maybe Livepool will have to attack more and loosen the defence. Next turn - they get a player sent off who was nowhere the original incident. So half time and the referee has to have two minders to escort him from the pitch.

Second half attacking our end and a heap of missed chances and good saves, so where is the second goal to seal the game. Up pops, Ronaldo not noted for going for headers out in the field but can be deadly in the penalty area. 2-0, and a few minutes later Nani gets a third and does those bouncy somersaults to celebrate.

Points of interest : Standing throughout the whole match it was taken that seriously at the Stretford End. Seeing Saha going into the ground at 1310h in a red coloured hoodie (not from Primark) - that's a relief he won't be playing. What a run-in to the end of the season - seven games left, it's going to be close.

The Easter Weekend

The big games are on Sunday. Only four big platinum Premiership games at Old Trafford in a season and the biggie is United v. Liverpool at 1330h. There is a bitter northerly wind blowing across Manchester at the moment, the forecast is for snow and Lawro's prediction is a 1-1 draw. We'll see - I'm going for no snow and a 2-0 win. Afterwards Chelsea play Arsenal at 1600h. Makes you think the fixture list isn't made up at random but rather a Tv fest for Sky. Noticed in Italy there are no Serie A matches at Easter - obviously the Pope has more power than Sky there.

I'm having my own Easter footie fest. Besides Old Trafford it's off to see FC United play neighbours Radcliffe Borough yet again - 3 o'clock on a Saturday. Three vital points at stake. On Easter Monday, when a third of the country sits in heavy motorway traffic, it's over to Woodley Sports against FC United. I'm told it's a small ground with a plastic pitch at the back of a housing estate.

Still on my mission to see 40 plus games this year so have to attend at least 20 before the summer break. Only five United home games left, six if we get the Champions League semi-final. So there might be some strange reports coming up like watching Whalley Range v. Newton Heath next month. They all count.

Easy pickings over Wanderers

United 2-0 Bolton Wanderers att: 75,746
Two great goals by Ronaldo, another three points, just the job. Once again I didn't like the idea of United attacking the Stretford End in the first half. It's been a bad omen but that was laid to rest. It didn't help Bolton and I got to see both goals close up. The picture is of the three lads with dodgy hair colouring, watching their video of Ronaldo's second from a free kick at half time. Second half United dropped into second gear, and too be fair to Bolton they didn't fold and tried to get back into the game.

Best bits - United playing 4-4-2 even though one of your two is fall-over, light weight Saha and the other is Tevez who can hold off the heaviest back line clogger. Worse bits is the new song "Viva Ronaldo, Viva Ronaldo, He plays on the wing, And United Sing, Viva Ronaldo". Not an outstanding game but that's how you win the title by resting players and still winning.

Fixture Change & Back Again

The downside of a season ticket holder is you can't make other arrangements if you want to see all the games. That's is the purpose of shelling out a season's money in advance. So when the Aston Villa home game was moved to a Sunday 30th April after I bought tickets to the World Cycling Championship at the Velodrome, Manchester I was a bit miffed.

However just as I was selling the tickets, news came through the game has been switched back to Saturday. Good news then. This is all because the AS Roma game is on the following Tuesday. So it UEFA who have the over riding say in the fixtures and not the TV companies. Maybe?

All the remaining United fixtures will be on Tv, well sort of....still awaiting the schedule for the last two games in May. That's West Ham United (H), and Wigan Athletic (A) so I've not made any arrangements for those weekends, not with every game needing another crucial win.

Howay One Five

Newcastle United 1-5 United
Listened to the first half on Radio Five Live here in Den Haag. Excellent reception in the early evening. Thought at two nil up at half time we'd venture to O'Casey's round the corner for a few pints of Guinness and a possible goal fest. The rugby was on in the back of the pub and that was noisy so essentially watched on a big screen and couldn't hear much commentary. It looked so easy for United. Inviting Newcastle to come and attack and then pouncing back. Had a chat with a couple of Charlton Athletic fans during the game, and suprisingly you can still smoke until Dutch pubs (it gets banned in July 2008). Poor Mr.Keegan his face told it all - yet to record a win it can only get worse before it gets better. Best moment for me was when Ronaldo slipped over. Big cheer from the home town supporters. Only he gets up, receives a pass, beats a defender and another goal. Head in hands for the home fans.

Taoiseach puts team straight

There was a whole ten pages devoted to the derby game in tonight's Manchester Evening News. Don't know why I bought when we lost. Picture of Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at the game. You do a bit of political chit chat at the airport, sort out international relations and get some tickets to the match. Not reported in the Evening News was Bertie Ahern's, a long time United supporter, comments about the United's team performance. You have to leave that to the Irish Independent. Notice in the photo are three of the seven Glazer directors...

"Taoiseach shoots from the lip as City rivals beat his beloved Reds" Here
The best line is "Thankfully there's always 5.15 next Saturday against Arsenal!"

Dire Performance in the Derby

United 1 Manchester City 2 att: 75,970

Derby Day Chants from biffadigital on Vimeo.
The fans were behind their teams, the 1 minute silence was observed, and free scarves held aloft. But the United's team performance was one of the worse I've seen for years. Plenty of poor passing, shots well wide and hopeless big hoof balls up to the forwards. No Rooney or Evra and it showed. To be fair to City they looked composed and new signing Benjani is a handful for any defence. Disappointed, very disappointed with today's team effort.

Other points...City fans signing "There's only one Frank Swift" which was welcomed with applause by the United faithful. Some firework bangs going off in the minute's silence - not sure about that. Getting a free scarf (100% acrylic, Made in China - isn't everything) and a facsimile programme of the game after Munich with the blank team sheet.

BBC Video of pre-match wreaths, bag-piper & silence..here

Looking forward to the derby

Only two home games this month, and two away ones both on the Tv, but all of them big, big games. There are not many cherry picks in the Premiership, so much for taking the matches to the Far East - Blackburn Rovers v. Birmingham City in Kuala Lumpar on a Sunday morning anyone? Apart from playing City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea the rest of the league fixtures are very much clementines and crab apples.

But this is a big match - and the most talked about derby in years. So come Sunday we'll be getting to Old Trafford a little bit earlier instead of ten minutes before kick-off, don't want to miss a minute of it. An hyper electric, emotionally charged atmosphere with all that tension and expectancy of a game against City. Even the main stand might join in with some polite clapping. Unfortunately Rooney will not be on the pitch but if Ronaldo can score wearing black boots and not his golden ones we'll get the result we want. Just hoping it's a noisy sporting occasion to savour and not marred by a few morons going in K stand.

Where Are They Now? At Sunderland

If you could have a wish and keep one team from being relegated from the Premiership, and there are several in contention, who would it be? For me, without a doubt - keep Sunderland in the top flight.

The answer is highlighted in yesterday's article in The Guardian "Keane turns Sunderland into New Trafford" and naturally you want Roy Keane to do well as a manager.

So who is at Sunderland who used to be at Old Trafford :
Roy Keane (we know), Phil Bardsley, Dwight Yorke, Kieran Richardson, Liam Miller, Andy Cole (but out on loan to Burnley), Paul McShane, Jonny Evans (on loan after the xmas party), Danny Higginbotham, Raimond van der Gouwe (goalkeeping coach), Mick Brown (chief scout), Ricky Sbragia (first team coach), Neil Bailey (reserve team coach) and Michael Clegg (back room staff - 9 appearances in a United shirt)....

How come we're happy with a point?

Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 United att : 36,075
After listening to the first half on the radio I decided to take an afternoon nap. Tired, late night and no lie-in; but secretly hoping it would be a repeat of that famous comeback a few seasons ago when 3 nil down, turned off, had a kip and won 3-4. Eventually re-surfaced to the shouts downstairs of the Biffa herself - it was 1-1 with last kick of the game.

It's odd that a late equaliser feels as good as win. Sort of a Dunkirk spirit of getting beat but pulling off a minor coup by sharing the points.

Got 2, got 3, wanted 4

United v. Portsmouth 2-0 attendance 75,434
When you go two up in 15 minutes you think the floodgates are going to open and Ronaldo would have got a hat trick. But no, and no matter how close you come a third goal never materialised. It was all not quite, and "England's Number 1", that's David James made up for just standing and not seeing Ronaldo's free kick fly in by making it look easy. So three points and back on top of league. The picture on the left is a chap from Swansea who has made his first visit to Old Trafford. He loved the atmosphere and noise but then again he's used to rugby. Other interesting highlights... a massive cheer when the West Ham 1-0 Liverpool result was announced, oh how we love others misery. At half time we got Mike Groves singing "Flowers of Manchester"- you might have to check the website to get the background for that.

Close but class wins at Reading

Reading 0-2 United on XFM, 97.7Mhz, and updates on Twitter from United on Fire

Living in Manchester, you have all the United games on the local radio. Plus to get the reaction of a United fan, I had Twitter updates coming direct from the Madejski Stadium. Reading always make it difficult and it sounded that way. Possibly bringing on Giggs helped and a maybe good dressing room talk at half time. First goal was at 77 minutes from Rooney, second goal at 92 minutes from Ronaldo. Happy tonight with three points and still top of the table.

No FC United game today - waterlogged Britain.

Six in a second half blitz

United 6-0 Newcastle United, attendance 75,969

When Newcastle went into the tunnel at half time with no goals they must have thought a job well done. The ref Rob Styles went off to loud booing. Unlike the previous New Year's Day fixture the atmosphere was lively and the chanting had returned. It might be season tickets at Old Trafford but the crowd changes game on game, as fans off load the less attractive fixtures on people who rarely go. We call those the Handbags and Haribo games - full of Megastore purchases, kids and jester hats. This wasn't one of them.

What a second half. Six goals in front of the Stretford End, a Ronaldo hat trick, just awesome and joy. I thought Newcastle did well to keep it down to six. Simpson, Carrick and Rooney almost got on the score sheet. Interesting bits. Alan Smith getting a red card on 90 minutes, walks off to a standing ovation from the Stretford End. Best chant..."Cheer up Alan Shearer, oh what can it mean, to a sad Geordie etc, etc.." Ronaldo and Nani both have gold coloured boots. You know you've been to a great match when there is singing on the way home.

Get By with One Nil

United 1 Birmingham City 0 att: 75,459
A very subdued afternoon. Bit of a cold, bit of a hangover and a very quiet crowd - apart from the upper reaches of the Stretford End. But a goal up at half time thanks to Tevez. There was a good spell in the second half with plenty of drama in front of the Birmingham goal - but nothing to show for it. When Tevez went off there was nothing to offer in attack. So you end up for the last five minutes suffering - hoping it won't be a draw. Then a long four minutes added time just playing for time wishing the whislte would blow and the three points would be safe.

Most amusing part was "Pissed Up Man" - a regular vocal supporter who sits in our section. Don't know his name but we always let on. In fact you wouldn't want to not let on. He goaded two tourist supporter types next to me for not showing vocal support for the team. At the end he stood over Mr. & Mrs. Mouse, forced a handshake and said "I never ever want to be at a football match with you two again." "At least they're not leaving early like you" quipped somebody from behind. Poor Mr. & Mrs. Mouse, spend £66 plus travel expenses and get abuse, they'd have been happier in the South Stand morgue.

Yes, it's back to 4 goals a game

I don't know how many games have ended with United having scored 4 this season but it's more than the norm. Poor old Sunderland on the receiving end. Due to xmas social commitments had to follow this on the mobile phone. But it's like having teletext in your pocket. Had to follow the later Portsmouth v. Arsenal clash with the same method. A useful draw at Fratton Park puts us top at xmas which is always a morale booster. A trophy in May? It's a long way off. But the great thing about being in the running for the Premiership is it makes every game a three point crucial must win. Thus making the expense of a season ticket worth it.

Hang on in there

I've come to the conclusion I don't enjoy this fixture...Liverpool v. United. Too tense, too much build up, too much history. Can't bear to watch, a goal up and taking everything their attack can throw at you. That includes Peter Crouch.

But the reality is we're only at the top, one point behind Arsenal because of all the other wins. But an away win at Anfield is a celebration, and now I believe another Premiership title is possible. So much for Mark Lawrenson's predictions on the BBC website every Saturday - he had Liverpool to win 1-0. Wrong again.

Just a Vid : Going in Wintertime

Going to the match - wintertime from biffadigital on Vimeo.
Cold wet day. Tramp it out across the Quadrant, up Great Stone Road, cut thru the back streets to the Stretford End Bridge. All the time it's raining. Not in the armchair army today, this is supporters reality.

Contrast with Going in Summer (video). Here.

Wet Pitch and another 4!

I don't think the result was in doubt. You should get three points from a club almost relegated before xmas. The rain lashed down throughout the game. The roof leaks a little , but look at those poor devils with their club issued rain wear. Every player, the ref and two linos came out with a change of kit for the second half. It should have been more goals. Lining up in a second half spell to take shots, metalwork hit a few times. Best chant - Derby County fans signing "We're gonna win 4-3" after their first away goal of the season. Also a strong call from the Stretford End for Carlos Tevez to take the penalty and so have the hat trick. "Argentina, Argentina". I think United fans just like chanting "Argentina" - we've been doing it for Beckham, Heinze, and now it's for Tevez. But it was Ronaldo who got fouled in the box, didn't get booked for diving today, and so he wanted the spot kick.
Stats : United 4 Derby County 1, attendance over 75,000, half time snack : Tofu and Mushroom pie and a Crunchie.

Just Two Against Rovers

Ronaldo picked up an award before the match, and half an hour later slotted home two goals in a minute. Thought the floodgates were going to open but the second half wasn't the most thrilling. Saw some good Brad Friedal saves at our end - he always plays well against United. That was it done and dusted, three points go to the top of Premiership. A clear bitterly cold day, temperature down to 6 degrees by the end.
Stats : United 2 Blackburn Rovers 0; att 75,715; half time snack Clive's Mexican Chilli Pastie (bring your own); 1 Rovers player sent off. Best song "You're Just a small town in Burnley"

2 each a fair result

Billed as the big game, though I wish the commentators could have stopped saying it's too early in the season. You only have big games at the end of the season from picking up points in the other eight months. It was the first time this season, for myself, that the pre-match tension kicked in. It was like an Arsenal fixture before Chelsea bought their success though without the on pitch bitterness.

United not at their passing best, but there arn't many away teams that go the Emirates with three or four players in attack. Just as you're hoping for the final whistle to blow, they get an equaliser to grab the point, you'd have thought they had won the cup final. It's not ruined my day.

What I can't understand is why both managers keep having a rant at the 4th official. He can't change anything he just there for a bit of admin and checking studs on boots.

Video : Main Stand and Fergie Time