United 2 - 1 Portsmouth

Another friendly match played in the heat and humidity of Africa. The lads did well considering that most of them were youngsters while Portsmouth were nearly playing their full team.

Eagles scored the first goal after a scramble in the penalty box while Tevez added another fine goal. Defoe scroed what proved to be a consolation goal for Portsmouth late in the match.

Eagles

This might have been Eagles's last match for United as newspapers are saying he is opting for a move to another English club. If this is true, I wish him luck with his new career step. It's a shame that youngsters such as Eagles aren't making it in United's squad. Simpson and Campbell are hot prospects for the future but so was Eagles some 2 years ago when he scored that goal against Everton.

Next match is vs Espanyol at Old Trafford on Saturday at 4pm cet. Ole's testimonial.

Kaizer Chiefs 0 - 4 United

This was the final match of the Vodacom Challenge which United managed to win convincingly. The goals came from Giggs, Rooney, Cleverley and Campbell.

This was the first match this 'season' in which United played the United way. It was an enjoyable match unlike the matches United played prior to this final. After the match the players were awarded a medal and an eye catching Vodacom Challenge Trophy was presented to Ryan Giggs. Oh well another trophy is added to our trophy cabinet! Well done to all the players.

United's next match is tomorrow against Portsmouth in Nigeria. A dress rehearsal for the upcoming Charity Shield.

Orlando Pirates 0 - 1 United

I didn't watch this match because my computer got and still is infected with a virus and I couldn't get the P2P program working. I usually watch friendlies on Sopcast, a free program were live matches are streamed. The picture quality is usually crap but it is enough for a pre season friendly.

The game ended 1-0 for United with Lee Martin scoring the winning goal on the 23rd minute.

United's next match is vs either Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates on Sat 26th July @ 3.30pm (Cet)

United: Foster, Brown, Ferdinand, Evans (Simpson 88), Silvestre (O'Shea 62), Eagles, Carrick (Scholes 69), Gibson (Fletcher 82), Martin, Tevez (Rooney 69), Campbell.

Kaizer Chiefs 1 - 1 United

This was the second match United played in their pre-season. This match is part of the Vodacom Challenge, a friendly tournament organised yearly between Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and a chosen European football club.

This match didn't feature any of the Euro2008 players so this wasn't the best side Fergie could field and that, I guess, explains why this game was very boring. Gary Neville made a very clumsy challenge on a Kaizer player and this resulted in a penalty which the South Africans managed to convert successfully. United scored the drawing goal thanks to a header by Chris Eagles assisted with a fine cross by Tevez.

With no Ronaldo nor Hargreaves to take the freekicks United never threatened the Kaizer Chief's goal from various freekicks in ideal positions. Fergie should train his team on these setpieces knowing that Ronaldo will miss the opening matches of the new season and Hargreaves is also a doubt with another niggling injury he sustained during training.

Tevez was the best player on the field, while Rooney and Neville looked really rusted but there's plenty of time to catch up.

Here’s the full squad for the Africa tour:
Tomasz Kuszczak, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, John O’Shea, Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick, Wesley Brown, Paul Scholes, Owen Hargreaves, Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney, Mikael Silvestre, Gary Neville, Darren Fletcher, Ben Foster, Daniel Simpson, Lee Martin, Fraizer Campbell, Darron Gibson, Jonathan Evans, Ben Amos, Christopher Eagles, Michael Clegg, Andrew Caveney, Gary Walker.

Aberdeen 0 - 2 United

The preseason started today with a match vs Aberdeen. United won 2-0 thanks to goals from Carrick and Rooney.

The first goal was scored by Micheal Carrick on the stroke of half time from the spot after Wayne Rooney had been fouled in the box by the Aberdeen goalie. Events during this game were rare but a great buildup lead to Fletcher crossing the ball to Rooney, with the latter heading the ball into the net. 2-0 was the final score.

QUEIROZ

United have officially let Carlos Queiroz terminate his contract and become the head coach of the Portuguese national team. He issued a statement thanking all the United fans, coaches and players. Here's how he concluded his public statement:

"In conclusion I wish everyone at our club(Man Utd), continued success in the years to come and to continue to enjoy a brand of exciting, attractive and winning football, admired and respected the world over." Amen to that!

Personally I think Queiroz's departure is a huge loss to United in general, I wonder who the new assistant manager would be. Some are suggesting Blanc or Cantona. We will wait and see.

All the best Carlos!

Transfers

United have been fairly quiet this year in the transfer market but still we have been linked, or should I say, the papers have linked us to a handful of players. Ranging from Huntelaar to Berbatov.

But WHO do you really want to join UNITED??

Leave your suggestions here, maybe Sir Alex would be reading this blog and takes your advice into consideration. Obviously the chance of that happening is next to none :P

End Of Euro 2008

The curtains have closed on the Euro 2008, with Spain claiming the title. In all fairness they deserve this title since they have sought to attack and attack. Something all teams should do since it's very entertaining.

The latter part of the tournament was quite entertaining. The matches involving Turkey were without a doubt the highlight of this tournament. Their sheer determination and never say die attitude was impressive. All teams should follow in their footsteps.

The surprise of this tournament must have been Russia, managing to beat a potential contender for the title(Holland) and putting in some classy performances in the process. Although they were outclassed by Spain in the semis.

The biggest disappointment were Holland. After outshining every opponent (Italy, France & Romania) they succumbed to an over energetic Russian side.

Anyway congratulations to Spain. At least the Italians didn't win this tournament. Watching them, again, smirk while holding a prestigious trophy, would have killed me.

Here are some interesting Facts and Figures from the Euro 2008:
GOALS
Total Goals - 77
Top Scorer - David Villa (4Goals)
Most Goals Scored - Spain (12 goals)
Fewest Goals Scored - Austria, Poland, Romania, Greece, France (1 goal)
Most Goals Conceded - Turkey (9 goals)
Fewest Goals Conceded - Croatia (2 goals)
SHOTS
Total Shots - 892
Most Shots by a Player - Roman Pavlyuchenko (28)
Most Shots by a Team - Spain (117)
Fewest Shots by a Team - Sweden, Romania (33)
Most Shots in a Game - Holland vs Russia (54)
SAVES
Total Saves - 247
Most Saves - Igbor Akinfeyev (35)
CORNERS
Most Corners - Russia (41)
Fewest Corners - Romania (9)
FOULS
Total Fouls - 1,118
Most Fouls Committed - Spain (114)
Fewest Fouls Committed - Greece (45)
Total Yellow Cards - 122
Most Yellow Cards - Turkey (16)
Fewest Yellow Cards - Sweden (3)
Total Red Cards - 3 --- Demirel (Turkey), Scwansteiger (Germany) & Abidal (France)
OFFSIDES
Most Offsides - Portugal & Germany (17)
Fewest Offsides - Austria (1)

Roll On Season 2008-09