Man Utd draw tricky UCL Group Stage Draw

Group A – Bayern, Juventus, Bordeaux, Maccabi Haifa

Group B – Man Utd, CSKA Moscova, Besiktas, Wolfsburg

Group C – Milan, Real, Marseille, Zurich
Group D – Chelsea, Porto, Atletico, APOEL Nicosia
Group E – Liverpool, Lyon, Fiorentina, Debreceni
Group F – Barcelona, Inter, Dinamo Kiev, Rubin Kazan
Group G – Sevilla, Rangers, Stuttgart, Unirea Urziceni
Group H – Arsenal, AZ Alkmaar, Olympiakos, Standard Liege

Sir Alex admits United have been dealt a difficult draw in the Champions League Group Stages.

The Reds were paired with Russians CSKA Moscow, Turkish outfit Besiktas and Germans Wolfsburg in Group B on Thursday’s draw. And it is the travelling distances as well as the quality of the teams poses a stern test at every turn this year.

“These are difficult ties especially the trips to Russia and Turkey,” Sir Alex told ManUtd.com. “CSKA have developed strongly in the last few years and games in Turkey are always difficult.

“We also know the quality that we’re up against with Wolfsburg, with what they achieved in the Bundesliga last season.”

The United boss believes no English team will face a tougher group this season. “I think it’s a difficult group and certainly the toughest of all the English teams.

Rooney Ton Up

Wayne Rooney has joined the elite club of Man Utd players to have scored over 100 goals for the club. His brace at Wigan brought his tally to 101.

“It’s terrific for a young lad like Wayne to reach that total at that age. We’ve had players over the years who’ve taken many years to get to the hundred. For a young lad to do it, it’s great.”

- Sir Alex Ferguson

“You forget how young Wayne still is because he’s achieved so much in his career. It’s a fantastic achievement to score 100 goals – not many people do that at any club.”

- Michael Owen

This is a brilliant milestone for Rooney and at a very young age, I will not be surprised if he surpasses Sir Bobby Charlton to become the clubs record top scorer.

Wigan 0 Man Utd 5

A disappointing first half followed by a scintillating second including two goals from Wayne Ronney and Berbatov, Owen and Nani getting one each. It was a brilliant second half display and United can be more then sure of doing a job on Arsenal next week at Old Trafford with all of Fergie’s senior strikers getting on the scoresheet.

League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea also got a result this weekend with Liverpool playing tomorrow against Aston Villa at home. Local rivals Man City also got a 1-0 result courtesy to a Adebayor goal.

Burnley 1 Man Utd 0

This might be the upset of the season. A brilliant Blake volley and a missed penalty by Carrick along with a lot of wasted chances by Mickey O summed up a very glum evening for the Red Devils. The Welsh Wizard Giggs was probably one of the few men who put out a performance along with Evra for the Red Devils.

Ex-devil poised for return

Stoke City defender and a Man Utd academy graduate Ryan Shawcross has been linked with Liverpool and Man Utd. But United are the apparent favourites because of a buy back clause included as part of the deal which sent him to Stoke in the first place. Ryan started the new season with Stoke scoring the opening goal of a 2-0 victory against Burnley.

Man Utd 1 Birmingham 0

Man Utd kick start the new season with a 1-0 victory against Birmingham City at Old Trafford. Brilliant performance by Wayne Rooney rounded up with a goal. Not exactly a eye catching display but a better start then the last couple of years for United.

On the other hand, Birmingham although loosing can take a lot of positives out of their performance.

The injury list for United has increased with Evans joining Rio and Vidic. And Nani also looking doubtful for the next match against Burnley on Wednesday, 19th August.

Community Shield loss against Chelsea

Although Chelsea won the Community Shield against United on penalties. Chelsea were far from convincing. United were at their absolute best. Going 1-0 up due to a wonder strike from Nani after 10 mins. But A scrappy Carvalho goal and a Lampard goal due to a wrong referee decision got Chelsea 2-1 up and as they were looking set to finally get one up on their rivals since the Champions League defeat in Moscow Rooney slotted a injury time equaliser from a great Giggs through ball. Finally United ended up defeated on penalties.

On a positive note, United look sharp and ready for the start of the season against Birmingham City on Sunday, 16th August.

Audi Cup Round up

A convincing win against Boca and a penalty loss against Bayern saw United grab a runner up place.

Giggs Hatrick as United Run Riot in China

A Giggs hatrick and Owen brace ensured United to a 8-2 victory against Hangzhou Greentown in China. Other goals were scored by Nani, Berbatov and Tosic getting his first. Berbatov was definitely the man of the match as he ran riot in the opposition defense. Now United squad heads to Germany for the Audi Cup with Boca Juniors their next challenge.

United win 3-2 against FC Seoul

United come from 2-1 down to win 3-2. With Wayne Rooney, Federico Macheda and Dimitar Berbatov getting the winner and finally opening his account for the pre-season. This makes Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney and Federico Macheda joint top scorers of the pre-season with 2 goals each.