Manchester United blog..

The Green and Gold campaign to oust the Glazer family from Old Trafford is gathering pace. At yesterday's Premier League clash with Portsmouth, the colours Green and Gold were much in evidence as the Champions ran out comfortable 5-0 winners. Two Green and Gold banners were held aloft towards the end of the game but were subsequently forcibly taken down by club 'stewards'.

It isn't the first time these so called stewards' have taken such action recently and no doubting it won't be the last. In the bigger picture, it is unlikely to have any effect on the campaign; if anything it just gives it more publicity. BBC5 Live's commentary team repeatedly gave mention to the swathes of Green and Gold colours in the stands, the stewards’ action didn't go unnoticed either.

February 6th is of course a special day in the United calendar, it marks the anniversary of the 1958 Munich air disaster in which so many players and club officials lost their lives.

Prior to the Portsmouth clash that fell on the anniversary of that fateful day, a minute's silence was impeccably held, it was befitting of the occasion. At the end of the tribute the supporters' held aloft their scarves, many of them in the green and gold of Newton Heath. Predictably, once again a club steward was caught by the media telling a supporter to put down his Green and Gold club colours. But again the act backfired as Radio 5 Live's presenter conveyed the act to tens of millions of fans listening around the world...

It was a day that the team scored five goals on the pitch and the Glazers' henchmen scored a net full of it as the Green and Gold anti Glazer movement gathers more steam.

The five-nil score-line didn't tell the whole story, but it didn't flatter United either, as the champions predictably secured a comfortable win over relegation certs Portsmouth.

However, in the early exchanges Saturday's visitors to Old Trafford could easily have taken the lead: Jonny Evans had to make a goal-line clearance from El Hadj with Edwin van der Sar beaten. But once again it was Wayne Rooney who opened the scoring five minutes before the interval with an easy header from a pin-point Darren Fletcher cross from United's right. While it was a good United goal, there were question marks about David James who failed to react in a bid to deny Rooney.

Vanden Borre deflected a Nani effort beyond David James to make it two-nil ahead of the break and once again the England stopper was beaten too easily. On what turned out to be a nightmare day for the Portsmouth defenders', they weren't helped a bit by their veteran 'keeper, whose reactions were that of a 46-year-old and not a 36-year-old.

From that point on, as a contest it was game over. Pompey conceded three second-half goals, Hughes deflected a good Michael Carrick drive into his own net on 59 minutes. Three minutes later, Dimitar Berbatov scored the goal of the game following a clever run that started deep inside the Portsmouth penalty area, Ben-Haim looked to have initially shadowed the Bulgarian to the relative safety of the edge of the visitors' box, but then elected to leave the United striker unmarked, the £30m man wasted no time as he drilled home a low curling effort beyond James.

It was a pretty good day for Berbatov who was the pick of the United team: if you give good players time and space they will punish you and that is exactly what happened. Berbatov had several 'eye-catching' moments, his goal was the pick of the bunch, but a second-half flick over the head of a Pompey defender to the feet of Nani inside the box ran it close. Rooney, Fletcher and Berbatov were replaced late on. Not surprisingly, the Bulgarian was given a standing ovation - which hasn't happened often enough since his big money move to United.

Mark Wilson had the indignity of scoring the fifth and what a beauty it was too, Patrice Evra crossed from the left and the Pompey defender thundered his well placed volley beyond James, in so doing scoring a genuine contender for own goal of the season.

On a day of embarrassment in and around the visitors' penalty area, it was left to new boy Diouf to miss an open goal after good work by Michael Owen.

It turned out to be an excellent day on and off the pitch, as the fans' Green and Gold campaign against the Glazers' gathers pace. The home fans could be heard singing anti Glazer songs throughout the contest and there was plenty of green and gold in the crowd.

On the day United went back to the top of the table, it wasn't a perfect weekend as far as our local rivals are concerned with Liverpool somewhat fortunately winning the Merseyside derby 1-0. But City lost again this time 2-1 at Hull, as their Carling Cup exit hangover continues: the travelling City fans could be heard singing "USA, USA, USA" at the KC Stadium, however, the same ironic chants were rammed down their bitter throats when Hull City's American striker Altidore opened the scoring which promptly led to the home fans singing "USA, USA, USA". Sweet.

United put on a vintage performance in the capital yesterday that saw them crush title rivals Arsenal 3-1. It could have been and should have been a greater margin. Arsenal defended badly, but United were right on top of their game following the morale boosting win over Manchester City in midweek. Prior to that Carling Cup semi-final, you wondered how the result would affect the champions: win it and it could give United momentum for the challenges ahead and that is precisely how things look going forward.

City were in action too on Sunday, they were lucky to come out 2-0 winners against bottom of the table Pompey at the Council House, aka Eastlands: in his post-match interview, City manager, Roberto Mancini said that his players were 'tired' after midweek, he actually said it twice. Compare and contrast with the champions who showed no sign of fatigue at the Emirates - that is what winning can do for you.

It has been a magnificent week for Ferguson and his players. Against Arsenal every single United player did their job well, but two stood out; Nani and Rooney.

Nani has been written off more times than I care to recall on this blog: at various times he has been described as 'a waste of space', 'hopelessly inconsistent' and a 'show pony', I will not retract a single word. The player fully deserved those unwanted tags. It is precisely why his manager has seen fit to leave him on the sidelines for so long.

However, Nani has been reborn in his last three games, so much so that he has been man of the match in all three. The Portuguese winger came to Old Trafford with a hefty price tag around his neck and with expectations to match. At times he has shown the odd moment of brilliance, but we haven't been treated to many of those showman back-flips since his early days, largely because the brilliance hasn't been much in evidence. Not surprisingly, he fell out with Ferguson in a very public way after talking to the press about the way the manager has treated him.

It is never wise to cross Ferguson: those that do pay the price. Nani has paid his penance and as Mike Phelan said in his post-match interview yesterday "a big penny has dropped, Nani can be a Manchester United player".

It isn't stretching the facts to state that at times against Arsenal, Nani was every bit as good as anything Ronaldo did for United. He was quite simply superb. IF Nani isn't credited with the opening goal it will be nothing short of a travesty, there was nothing more Almunia could have done, he was at full stretch when he tried but failed to tip the ball away from danger and importantly it was going to hit the rigging without that faint touch of the gloves.

If Nani's opening goal was special, the part he played in the second goal was just as impressive. Rooney started the move from deep within the United half and fittingly ended it with a genuine contender for goal of the season. It was almost a carbon copy of the goal Ronaldo scored against Arsenal in the Champions League semi-final at the Emirates last season. It was another one of those blistering breakaway counter-attacking moves - no matter that Arsenal are defending like schoolboys at present, you can only beat what is put in front of you.

Of all people it was Park who scored the vital third goal seven minutes after the break. Ferguson appears to have a soft spot for Park, but the South Korean isn't a big favourite among the fans'. I wish had a fiver for every United supporter who would have surely been screaming at the Korean to square the ball to Rooney yesterday, but amazingly, after a long run with the ball he found the confidence to hold his nerve and beat Almunia to make it three-nil. From that moment on, the points were pretty much in the bag.

It was very nearly all over bar the shouting, but it wouldn't be United without conceding a goal away at Arsenal, when it came it was another soft one, deflected off Jonny Evans. United have been on the wrong end of many a dodgy decision and have dropped silly points at the Emirates and Highbury over the last few seasons, but the win yesterday goes some way to addressing those bitter memories.

In many ways the performance against Arsenal vindicated just about everything about Ferguson's management this season. Scholes, Nani and Park have largely been reduced to bit-part roles this season; surprisingly as far as Scholes and Park were concerned, they were given starting places against title chasing Arsenal. Ferguson is one of, it not THE fairest manager in all the land, when it comes to selection issues, that is until you cross him... (as Nani will surely testify and as Vidic is finding out IMO).

Ferguson started with just Rooney up front, the ploy didn't work against City for 50 minutes in midweek; but against Arsenal it worked for pretty much the whole game. Even the defence that has been without Vidic and Ferdinand for too long, and has at times defended like the Keystone Cops in some recent games, barely put a foot wrong and United defended from front to back, unlike the Gunners who were shambolic.

The only complaint yesterday was we didn't score more, but when you've been given such royal entertainment, it seems churlish to even mention it.

Thank god United put City back in the shadows where they belong. In the aftermath of what was an excellent Carling Cup semi-final victory in midweek, most of the plaudits have gone to Wayne Rooney. Ferguson described Rooney as world class. The truth is Rooney didn't play that well against City, in the first-half he was starved of decent service; this was totally down to United playing too many long balls.

City could have been two-nil up before United scored. The cup holder’s standout player on the night, wasn't Rooney, nor was it Fletcher, who was also given high praise, no, in point of fact it was the proverbial black-sheep that is Nani.

Rooney missed a sitter and could have put the tie to bed not long after Carrick had given United lead. But it was Rooney who won the tie in added time from a quite brilliant Ryan Giggs cross, so good the United striker would have found it difficult to miss the target.

So let's get things in perspective: Ferguson, who was quite understandably overjoyed at knocking out City, was so relieved United had won that he went on to overstate the part Rooney had played in that victory.

Later today United take on Arsenal at the Emirates. Both clubs cannot afford to drop points with Chelsea winning away at Burnley, in so doing extending their lead at the top of the table to four points.

Questions are being asked about Rooney, most notably: will he be able to maintain the form that has so far seen him net 19 league goals for the remainder of the season? On this morning’s Sunday Supplement, Bryan Woolnough asked will Rooney be able to maintain that form until the end of England's summer World Cup campaign? Many United fans' won't give a stuff about the latter... but it's fair to ask if Ferguson is expecting too much from his only genuine world-class striker.

It isn't stretching things too far to suggest if Rooney is out for any length of time, for whatever reason, then United will be badly affected and this is why Ferguson really needed to strengthen his forward options. The fact that Ferguson has failed to make any significant recent signings is down to several factors. One of them could well be the lack of transfer funds. Some finance experts say Fergie can only spend if the club borrows yet more money.

However, following on from renewed speculation about lack of transfer funds and the future ownership of the club, CEO, David Gill has gone on record stating there is money to spend if Ferguson wants it. In fact, Gill went further by hinting strongly that the reason United haven't made any big moves is purely down to the manager.

According to Gill, the club tabled an offer of £35m for Karim Benzema who instead elected to join Real Madrid for a fee of £40m. Ferguson's opinion, we are told is the player wasn't worth the money, which is consistent with what the manager has hinted at publicly.

On the face it Ferguson and Gill are in harmony with regards to transfer funds; but United are playing a dangerous game relying on just one striker. Sooner or later United will have to spend and spend big. Then and only then will we see if Gill and Ferguson will be able to backup their words with action in the transfer market. Until then we have to hope Rooney continues to score goals, remains injury free and out of trouble starting with Arsenal today.

The movement to oust the debt laden Glazer regime is gathering pace with news that city banker and United fan, Keith Harris, has been talking to the Manchester United Supporters Trust about forming alliances with fan groups and a wealthy group of investors known as the 'Red Knights'.

The chairman of Seymour Pierce brokered the Thaksin Shinawatra takeover of Manchester City. Given his record and financial connections, Harris is well placed to lead what will hopefully turn out to be a powerful consortium that will include supporters' groups and wealthy backers.

Harris acknowledges that much will depend on the Glazers willingness to listen, but ominously for the Glazers, and as unpalatable as it is, if the fans' want to see the back of the club's American owners, then it is likely to rest on the actions of the supporters'.

The choice facing the Manchester United match-going fan is likely to be stark but clear: give up your season ticket or else carry on supporting the team and the Glazer debts as the club slides into oblivion.

Even if Harris and his backers fail to bring the Glazers to the negotiating table in the next few months, it is likely that fans' can expect massive season ticket price increases. United have for the first time since the takeover struggled to sell tickets for home games - someone is going to have to make up the shortfall and it won't be the Glazers.

The club have become so desperate to sell tickets for some games that they have resorted to telephoning supporters on an individual basis. Earlier this week, local bookmaker and big United fan, Fred Done, was talking to Radio 5 Live in a phone-in on the state of footballs' finances.

Done has supported United since he was a boy and says he is worried: United's former bookmaker of choice says the corporate suites are half empty and he went on to talk about the empty spaces in the stands at some recent home games.

The club's pulling power and the fans' ability to fill Old Trafford has always traditionally always been a matter of pride. We have collectively frowned on lesser 'tin-pot' clubs with part-time supporters like Manchester City. To stop following United for a season would be a bitter pill to swallow, but it could be worth it in the long-term interest of the club.

Over the course of the last two weeks, there has been growing murmurings that in a bid to force change, supporters will be asked to stop doing the very thing, many of them love the most in life, that is to stop going to Old Trafford.

Hopefully, it won't come to that because if sense prevails and if the Red Knights consortium and various fan groups can pull together to quickly bring the owners to the negotiating table, and importantly, a viable a deal that will work, then everyone with the best interest of the club at heart can pull together as one.

Realistically, given the amounts involved, the chances of bringing the Glazers to negotiation before the start of next season have to be slim. For now, all supporters of Manchester United and especially season ticket holders will have to listen to MUST and Harris. One thing is for certain, given the levels of unchecked toxic debts that include interest rates of over 14%, which have not been dealt with following the recent £500m bond issue, the club is still very much in danger.

The fans will need to pull together like never before and there might well be no other option but to vote with your feet.

Join MUST Today.

In the end there was no doubt, even the most die-hard bitter blue would surely concede that United deserved to win the Carling Cup semi. The Red Devils were cheated out of probable victory in the first-leg by referee Mike Dean, who wrongly awarded City a penalty and a dubious second-half corner, both decisions led to goals for the Blues who ran out 2-1 winners on the night.

In last night's second leg tie at Old Trafford justice was thankfully done as United eventually won out 3-1, thanks to goals by Scholes, Carrick and Wayne Rooney. It's fair to say City looked the more likely to score until Scholes broke the deadlock seven minutes into the second period. But prior to that, much of United's play left a lot to be desired; on far too many first-half occasions Van der Sar and Ferdinand booted the ball up front in the manner of a Sunday League pub team, not surprisingly, this left isolated Wayne Rooney battling for lost causes.

Matters were not helped by the manager who started with an over cautious 4-5-1; this when United were behind in the tie. It's debatable why Fergie felt the need to start with just Rooney up front; was it because of his lack of faith in his striker options, or lack of faith in the central midfield players at his disposal? The answer is probably a bit of both.

For their part, until United scored the all important equaliser, City looked comfortable at the back and more dangerous up front. Once again it was former Reds' star Carlos Tevez who was taking the eye; he was causing more problems than his opposite number Wayne Rooney. Tevez could easily have scored with a low dipping header that had Van der Sar scrambling to his far post. At one point the Argentine took on Ferdinand and Evans and broke through the champions last-line of defence, but thankfully he was stopped in his tracks before he had time to pull the trigger. Just after half-time Micah Richards brought a fine save out of Van der Sar.

United were most certainly not having it all their own way; Fletcher, Scholes and Carrick were not dominating midfield, there was far too many long balls and this more any other reason was why the Carling Cup holders could not retain possession. Giggs was being kept in check by Richards and the only United player who looked capable of opening up the visitors' was United's man of the match Nani.

It took a bit of good fortune for United to open the scoring, but much credit should go to Ryan Giggs who'd burst into the City penalty area following a powerful run down United's right, the Welshman found Nani, who in turn lost the ball, but the bounce was kind as it fell to the feet of Carrick who picked out Scholes and he made no mistake, but his effort took a slight deflection on its way into the rigging.

United then had City on the rack for 20 minutes and took control of the tie following great link-up play between Nani and Fletcher, and once again the damage was done down United's right. Fletcher turned and controlled the ball in one movement, only to see his shot blocked by the impressive Boyota, but the Scot then found Carrick who drove his shot low and hard into the corner giving Shay Given no chance.

Just two minutes later Rooney should have killed the tie when he was put clean through on goal, this time following a brilliant move down United's left flank, but Rooney contrived to miss the target completely.

Somehow City clawed their way back into the tie with a goal that was against the run of play and once again it was Tevez who did the damage following neat build up that involved substituted Adebayor. Ferdinand was marking the Argentine, but he managed get himself in front of the England defender as the ball was played into the United penalty area. Tevez flicked the ball goal-wards and beat Van der Sar too easily at his near post. The Dutch keeper went down in instalments; it was like watching a tree being felled and in the view expert studio pundit Terry Venables, Ferdinand had been beaten too easily. The England defender wasn't on his toes and this allowed Tevez to get to the ball first.

Given got lucky (again) late on when making a save from Carrick that he simply couldn't have seen - it was a case of right place, right time. Nonetheless, Given looks like a better 'keeper than anything United have right now.

But thankfully justice was finally done and once again a United winning goal against City came in added time. Ryan Giggs was the provider and again it came from the champions’ right flank. The Welshman's cross invited someone to head it, thankfully the man on the end of it was Wayne Rooney and he made no mistake. The luck of the Irish was never going to be enough to deny United and Rooney who in the end thoroughly deserved to win through to another Wembley final.

In the wake of what was an excellent contest between the two Manchester clubs, there has been a lot to reflect on. The general consensus, even among die-hard Reds', is that it is only a matter of time before City win a trophy; they cannot fail with the money and subsequent power at the manager's disposal.

However, during the two semi-finals, it was evident that Mancini had adopted a somewhat cautious approach, probably in a bid to improve City's defending. But in the second-leg at Old Trafford, City didn't respond when they conceded and it took a goal out of the blue for them to get back in the game.

Time will tell how long Roberto Mancini will be given in charge, but already there's talk he is only a stop-gap appointment. The word is City fancy Guus Hiddink. You also wonder about City's chief executive, Gary Gook, who went on record earlier this week in New York predicting not only that City would win through to the final, but that they'd also beat United for a second time. Cook looks like a cock now, and it isn't for the first time is it?

IF City continue their hire 'em fire 'em managerial policy, and after all it was that long ago they sacked Sven and then Hughes, then you also wonder if this will come back to bite them on the backside and in turn this could affect their chances of winning silverware.

The media is today awash with theories that United's biggest battles with City are yet to come and that just perhaps this will give Ferguson good reason to put back his retirement date. We can only speculate what will happen in the future, but if we keep on being treated to derbies of the quality we've seen so far this season, then that has to be good. Down the years, derbies between United and City have often fallen well below expectations; you cannot say that about this season.

United are in the process of making their first signing of the January transfer window, no disrespect, but few will have heard of Chris Smelling prior to this week. It could well turn out to be another masterstroke signing by the manager - only time will tell if the Fulham defender will go on to prove he is worthy of wearing a United shirt.

However, with so much concern about the future of Manchester United in relation to the club's massive debts and with speculation surrounding the future of several big star names, sooner or later Ferguson is going to have backup his claims that he has money to spend by making several impact signings.

United are not renowned for making significant signings in the January transfer window, but it's true that Ferguson signed Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra back in January 2006 and the following year he swooped for Henrik Larsson in the same month.

The current season has been blighted by injuries to key defenders, so much so that Rio Ferdinand's future at the top level is being questioned. For slightly different reasons the future of fans' favourite Nemanja Vidic has also been the subject to speculation, but in his case it is amidst claims that Ferguson is resigned to losing the Serbian to Real Madrid this summer.

The official line is Vidic currently out with a ’nerve injury', but you do wonder if the manager has seen his backside with the player and has subsequently sent him to Coventry. It's well documented that no one crosses Ferguson; those that do quickly find themselves heading out of the Old Trafford exit door. Even big stars like Roy Keane and Ruud Van Nistelrooy were victims of that fate.

Nani recently spoke to the press about the way he's been 'treated' by the manager, not surprisingly, he too has been out on the sidelines, again we have been told he has been injured, but it would surprise no one if in this case the word 'injury' is in fact a euphemism for being dropped due to what the manager views as indiscretions. Nani's appearances are becoming more and more limited, his is a proverbial bit-part player, it is surely just a matter of time before he is sold.

The future of Wayne Rooney has also been questioned and the player has been linked to Real Madrid and Barcelona. The fans' have grown wary of denials from rivals and star players alike; surely no one needs reminding of the Ronaldo saga and so we cannot totally rule out that Rooney could be sold - especially given the Glazer family are desperately trying to keep their debt laden ship afloat.

But for the sale of Ronaldo and subsequent banking of that £80m transfer fee, United would have made a loss last season. Having already been knocked out of the FA Cup and possibly the Carling Cup too depending on tonight's result, the picture isn't looking too rosy on the domestic cup front.

It remains to be seen how the season will pan out; the chances of United winning either the Premier League or Champions League pretty much rest on the shoulders of Rooney up front and a defence that has been nothing short of calamitous of late. United badly need Vidic and Ferdinand to return to full fitness and only then will they stand any chance of securing one of the big prizes.

As for Ferguson and his dubious claims about money to spend, the manager will not be able to get by with 'make do' signings if Vidic is sold and Ferdinand fails to recover from his continued injury problems.

Selling Rooney is at this moment in time unthinkable. But with so many problems in the back four, not to mention central midfield and the lack of support for Rooney up front, Ferguson will sooner or later have to spend big or else come clean and admit his hands are tied. The manager has so far done a good job for his paymasters, but what many fans' see as a charade on behalf of Ferguson and his continued 'money to spend claims' could well soon come to a crashing end. The clock is ticking, and in more ways than one.

On the day that United thumped Hull City 4-0 at Old Trafford and went back to the top of Premier League (albeit because it was the only league fixture following the club's embarrassing FA Cup exit at the hands of Leeds United) Ferguson made the mistake of using his programme notes to tell the fans' to support the team and forget about the Glazers' and the club's massive debts. It simply isn't going to happen, because many United fans rightly have concerns about the long-term future of the club.

For whatever reason, Ferguson has adopted an Ostrich like mentality, when appearing to defend the actions of the Glazers', who this week have been described as 'leeches' following revelations about money being taken out of the club.

Ferguson says he believes the vast majority of fans' are behind the team; on this point his is right, ALL the fans' are behind the team, but many are totally against the Glazer regime.

The manager says our rivals' will be delighted if we are split. He's is wrong, very wrong, because ALL right thinking football fans' are concerned about the massive debts heaped upon the club by the Glazer family. Debts that left unchecked will squeeze the life out of Manchester United.

No one can question the job Ferguson has done at United, his record is second to none. Even under the present financial constraints the team is riding high in the Premier League.

Sadly, as far as many fans' are concerned, regarding off the field affairs the manager has let himself down badly. His tacit approval of the Glazer family takeover and his unqualified support is viewed by many supporters' as a black stain on his time at United.

You don't have to be a United supporter to appreciate the mess the club is in. Here we have a club that turns over huge amounts of cash yet it is the most indebted club in the world. The old PLC board didn't want the Glazer family and neither did many of the fans'.

Ahead of last weekend's fixture with Burnley, supporters' groups MUST (Manchester United Supporters Trust) and IMUSA (Independent Manchester United Supporters Association) held a meeting to discuss a plan of action in a bid to do something about Glazer. A well known supporter called for Ferguson to resign, but MUST were keen to point out that Johnny Flaks, former IMUSA chairman, was entitled to his opinion. The predictable press reports that followed led to MUST stating very clearly Flaks wasn't speaking on behalf of supporter groups.

During the Burnley game, the fans' held aloft an anti Glazer banner - not for the first time, it was confiscated by club 'stewards'. One idea that is gathering pace is to wear the club's old Newton Heath colours of Green and Gold. There was around 1,000 shirts and scarves visible at yesterday's game.

There has also been renewed calls for fans' to vote with their feet and not renew season tickets when the time comes. For many this form of action will no doubt be a step too far, but if enough United fans took this drastic action we would soon be rid of the Glazer family.

The anti Glazer campaign is likely to gather pace and this blog is in full support of all forms of action.