Rooney once again shows his class

This week's Manchester derby was one of the most eagerly-anticipated in decades for a variety of reasons. Firstly, the winner would not receive the usual three points handed out to the victors of a league clash; they would set up a date at Wembley in a Cup final, and secure the chance to win the first silverware of the season. Secondly, the media focus after the Carling Cup semi-final first leg between the two rivals had surrounded a bitter war of words between Gary Neville and Carlos Tevez, with Sir Alex Ferguson also having a swipe at City's finances.

In the end, it was a tight, thrilling affair that was delicately balanced throughout the 90 minutes. United looked to have secured victory when they took a 2-0 lead in the second half through clinical finishes from Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick but - who else? - Carlos Tevez popped up with a stunning, cheeky finish to pull a goal back for City.

It looked like the game was headed for extra time but one man was intent on stealing the headlines, as he has done so often for his team this season, in the dying minutes. Shay Given, who was an imposing figure in the City goal for much of the game, was left stranded as Rooney fired a header past him and sent the United fans into raptures.

Rooney has proved to be the decisive player for United so many times this season and was rewarded for another stellar performance with rare praise from his manager who was unafraid to call him "truly world class".

The Carling Cup betting now makes United favourites to lift the trophy.

However, City can take solace in the fact that the best FA Cup odds on offer suggest that they should be making a Wembley appearance in May.

Neville the pantomime villain

Gary Neville might have escaped punishment for his behaviour during the Carling Cup semi-final first leg clash against Manchester City, but it is no surprise the Red Devil stalwart was the man at the centre of the controversy.

Neville is his team's chief agitator, the man opposing fans love to hate and the player United supporters identify with thanks to his tendency say what they are thinking.

It is easy to imagine the club captain watching from the Old Trafford stands when his playing days are over, something that might happen soon. Unlike Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, Neville is yet to sign a contract extension, but it is hard to think that he will cut all ties with United.

If a coaching role does not come his way an ambassadorial one is even more unlikely - his antagonistic personality will win the club fewer friends than Sir Bobby Charlton Ole Gunnar Solskjaer do. However, an unofficial role as a United firebrand and supporters' mouthpiece is all but guaranteed.

Some of Neville's antics are calculated - he is vocal in his belief that players should not be robots and his manager is the best possible accomplice in riling opponents - but the passion and spontaneity exhibited by the veteran right-back shows he is more than just a pantomime villain.

The Liverpool fans who suffered his taunts at the end of a fractious clash with United in January 2006 see him as nothing more than a villain.

For his part, Neville will be hoping to grab more silverware before he bows out of the game.
Currently, the sports betting odds make them second favourites to win the Premier League title even though they are top of the table.

Their Carling Cup betting odds also suggest United could lift that trophy despite the fact they trail Manchester City ahead of the second leg of their semi-final tie.

United's transfer troubles?

It is not often that Manchester United are linked with more sales than purchases in a transfer window. English newspapers are full of reports of an Old Trafford clearout, with Nemanja Vidic, Anderson, Nani, Dimitar Berbatov, Zoran Tosic and, most notably, Wayne Rooney all linked with moves away.

This is of course largely meaningless media speculation, borne out of a frustrating start to the season that has seen the club lose five league games, while Leeds managed to defy the betting odds and knock United out of the FA Cup in the third round. Casting United as a club in crisis sells papers, with a player exodus all part of the drama.

Tosic could well move on, having not settled in the same way Ritchie de Laet and the da Silva brothers have, while Nani has not progressed as well as was hoped. Berbatov remains a frustrating presence, but surely Sir Alex Ferguson wouldn't want to lose him? The same can be said for Anderson, Vidic and Rooney.

However, it is hard to totally ignore rumours of Vidic's discontent and although it is easy to link him with Real Madrid, the precedent set by Cristiano Ronaldo's move to the Bernabeu makes another high profile departure a possibility.

The club plans to raise £500m through a bond issue in order to refinance its debts, so the supposed pressure on the manager to sell major players is probably not a factor.

In contrast disillusioned and unmotivated players do head for the exit - Vidic only needs to look at Jaap Stam's experience to realise that he might not get the move he wants.

If there is a tight transfer budget - the summer signing of Michael Owen suggests there might be - Ferguson could look towards another injury-plagued England international. Joe Cole is out of contract in the summer and if his negotiations at Chelsea stall he might jump at a move to United.

Ferguson could take advantage of the situation and pounce on Cole now, acknowledging that Franck Ribery is out of his price range but still recruiting the sort of skill and creativity that is sorely needed.

Sir Alex will also be boosted by the fact that the Carling Cup betting makes his side favourites to lift at least one trophy this season, so things aren't all bad.

NEW SITE

This is the last post ever on this site :(.... because I've changed to something much more exciting. The Canadian Stretford End has moved over to wordpress and a registered domain name. The site is now:

CANADIANSTRETTY.COM

THE CANADIAN STRETFORD END

Site Changes

I'm revamping the site, for hopefully a much cooler, easy to accessible look with more info and pages.

It will mean this site will be pretty quiet over the next few days but hopefully the new look will be well worth it :)

Thanks for staying with me here!

The Subs Bench Podcast

I joined the boys over at the subs bench on their podcast last night to discuss the Champions League, the Premier League, Canada, and my Man. United team of the decade.

Itunes Link

Online Version

Enjoy!

Manchester United 2:0 Tottenham

United Man of the Match:
Nemanja Vidic had one of his best games all year against Tottenhem. Although Darron Gibson potted two goals Tottenham really were the stronger team and Nemanja kept them at bay and some last ditch tackles really kept Spurs without too many meaningful efforts on goal. All in all Tottenham should have gotten more for their performance but Vidic was back to his usual self. His tackling was spot on and he had a few key shot blocks. He looked like the tough, aggressive defender we got used to last season instead of the Vidic who has been part of a struggling United back four this season. And of course Vidic's presence in the air around the box is unmatched anywhere across Europe.

Match Notes:
- Last week I said Darron Gibson shoots too much. I still think that in key pressure situations late in games he gives the ball away far too often, but shooting early is always a good idea and it payed off twice against Spurs. The second especially after a nice little piece of interplay was a very well worked goal.

- Danny Welbeck played for a little out wide and he also got an opportunity to start up front. From seeing him in the two positions I think he is more suited to play out wide. He knows when to cut in, he can beat a man and I think he just generally understands the position more, which is strange considering he grew up a striker.

- Anderson had a very good match and was all over the place in midfield. He is one of the players who has really stepped up the energy level this year in the absence of certain players...

- Dimitar Berbatov had a solid first game back. Not all his flicks and creativity came off, but at least he was still creating chances. Hopefully he'll get his Premier League return against West Ham this weekend.

- At the back Wesley Brown had one of his better games this season, still prone to the odd error of miss judgment but his tackling was much better than it has been in recent weeks.

Final Thoughts:
Tottenham was probably the better team but for the second year in a row the kids have made the Carling Cup semi-finals. Last year they went on to win the tournament and this year the potential for a repeat is definitely there. Could this group of youngsters be something very special?