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MANCHESTER UNITED MADE IT 10 UNBEATEN IN ALL COMPETITIONS SINCE LOSING TO MANCHESTER CITY IN ROUND 20, WITH 8 WINS, TWO OF THOSE IN THE FA CUP, AND 8 WINS. SINCE LOSING TO CITY UNITED HAD TEETERED NEAR THE TOP BUT CURRENTLY FIND THEMSELVES 3 POINTS BEHIND BOTH CHELSEA AND MANCHESER CITY, ALTHOUGH THE RED DEVILS TO POSSESS A SUPERIOR GOAL DIFFERENCE.
Round 21 United saw off Leeds United despite conceding earl. Youssoufa Moukoko evaded Karim Adeyemi and nodded in the opener. United responded through Pedro Porro, latching onto Matthijs De Ligts cross, the Spaniard rifled a volley past the on looking Mike Taylor in the Leeds goal. The winner came before half time, De Ligt the architect again threading in new skipper Karim Adeyemi who made no mistake with his cool finish. Post match the manager seemed content with the game "We did the job today and Leeds is not an easy place to come. The lads kept to the task and I feel we deserved what we got. After last weeks loss we knew we needed to respond with a win and despite a slow start we never really felt worried in the game."
In Round 22 United once again had to come from behind, this time Blackburn Rovers struck the first blow. Nabil Fekir times his run to perfection to meet an exquisite through ball from Bruno Guimares, Jan Oblak came charging out but the Frenchman danced his way past the 'keeper and slotted in the opener. United did have a goal ruled out from Luis Diaz, but moments later, just before half time, Gabriel Moscardo took matters into his own hands beating a host of challenges before stabbing past Andre Onana to level. Gavi was the man on hand to make it 2-1 late on with Connor Smith getting a rare assist. The Scot batting for the ball in the area hooked the ball towards Gavi, the Spaniard swung a let at the ball which trickled over the line to give United 3 points. United manager Steve Outten looked relieved at full time saying "It's almost copy and paste the last game but as time went it you thought maybe this one is a bit out of reach despite the performance. We got there in the end and we know we can't afford to drop points. Well done to the lads, they stayed with it and although it wasn't pretty we got what we needed."
Round 23 United travelled to Cardiff and dominated the game, ending up 4-0 winners, but in truth it could've been more. Yasser Asprilla picked out Adeyemi to open the scoring on 20 minutes with a first time effort from the cut back. The German made it 2 on the hour mark, Gavi lofted a ball over the back line, Adeyemi raced in and flicked a header past Allsop. Jadon Slory got the third, his first touch. United winning the ball from the kick off and Asprilla raced through one-on-one, the Colombian kept his cool and slid in Slory for a simple tap in. The scoring rounded up in stoppage time, Adeyemi attempting a solo run, before the ball ricochets into the air, the German instinctively threw a diving header towards the ball and found the bottom corner to round up his hattrick. Manager Steve Outten warned against complacency going froward despite the strong result "It was a good show from the team and we controlled the tie. Cardiff did try and trade blows but in truth it was only ever going to be us winning 3 points. It's a solid display but we need to maintain this standard of football as we tick off games if we're to have a strong finish this season. I'm pleased to for Karim, he's found goals harder to come by at times but as captain now, he's leading by example."
Round 24 United hosted Wolves but could only manage a draw. Despite controlling the tie and taking the lead United couldn't hold on to it for long and had to share the spoils. Karim Adeyemi scored the opener with a run past defender Loic Bade, the German struck a curling shot and many thought it would be the first of many. However, almost instantly, Wolves attacked the United box, and Goncalo Guedes was upended by Pedro Porro, the referee instantly pointed to the spot, and Joao Pedro was cool as you like in converting the penalty and snatching a point. After the game Outten kept it brief but said, "What did we say last game? We need to maintain the performances, sure we controlled the game but woeful finishing cost us today. This could be the most important result for our season come the end of the campaign for the wrong reasons."
United then hosted Chelsea in the FA cup and even though they controlled the tie, the red Devils conceded first. Renato Sanches' chipped pass was struck goalward by Rafael Leao. His volley came out off the bar, but the Portuguese reacted quickest to stab in the opener. United reacted when former Chelsea target Raheem Sterling rolled back the years to score a fine solo effort. United made it 2-1 when Gabriel Moscardo pressed high and won the ball on the edge of the Chelsea box, he teed up Luis Diaz for a thunderous strike from range which left Dean Henderson an innocent bystander. Diaz added a second 7 minutes after the break, De Ligts clearance found Diaz beating the Chelsea defenders for pace and once again made no mistake with his effort past Henderson. Chelsea did pull a second back, Roberto Firmino flicked on the Chelsea throw in, Kevin De Bruyne's run was un tracked and the Belgian lifted the ball over Oblak for a fine finish. The game finished 3-2, and another Manchester Derby set up for the semi final. Post match a jovial Steve Outten said "This is a pleasing day, and this is more than we are capable of. It's a bit frustrating when we dropped poitns in the league last game, when we then go an do this but I'm exceptionally pleased with todays performance and result. We advance in a competition we have great history in, and we have to have confidence we can go all the way if we play like this every week. But the lads can enjoy today knocking out of the favourites for the competition."
Round 25 United dismantled Leicester at their own ground. 3 goals in the first 10 minutes and a found all by minute 13 killed the game early with huge sections of the ground emptying in reaction to Uniteds onslaught. Adeyemi played a one-two with Sterling before sliding in the opener from the first attack. Yasser Asprilla dribbled past Lewis Dunk with ease and powered home number two on 5 minutes. 7 minutes united made it 3, Lisandro Martinez crossed to Gavi who volleyed his effort over the 'keeper in a goal reminiscent of Gareth Bale against Stoke. Gavi slipped in Sterling for the fourth with a cool and composed chip. United made it 5 before half time, Gabriel Moscardo picked out Yasser Asprilla's run, the Colombian one-on-one, only one out come. United rung the changes at half time, but it was Nacho who added the 6th 71 minutes on the clock. Martinez again playing a cross from the left, Nacho came around the back post and met the ball sweetly leaving Alphonse Areola stranded. The two attacking subs Jadon Slory and Connor Smith combined for the 7th, Smith with a little shimmy to trick the defender and work half a yard, the Scot opened his body and curled in his effort two wrap up the clubs biggest win of the season. After the game Steve Outten said "Perfect day all around really. We just excelled in all areas of the pitch. Yea, perfect day and these days don't come around too often so we'll enjoy it for sure. But, at the same time, the lads will remain grounded. The result does nothing for our league situation, we still have points to catch up and that's the goal in reality. But some great individual efforts across the pitch and all positives."
Round 26, United hosted Sheffield United and ended up 5-2 victors. The visitors opening the scoring Frederic Guilbert nodding home Marco Verattis cross from close range after the Italian hinted the ball deep in the United half and carried out a mazey dribble to open the scoring. United responded instantly however, Asprilla played in Sterling who advanced on the Sheffield goal and curled into the bottom corner from the edge of the box to level the tie. Gavi nutmegged Veratti to assist Gabriel Moscardo, the Brazilian thundered his effort goalwards which was too powerful for Peter Gulasci to keep out. Andrea Belotti levelled the tie meeting Mario Rui's pull back on 38 minutes. But United took the lead again before half time with Lisandro Martinez' deflected shot dipping over the Hungarian in goal. Gulasci should've done better for the 4th goal, Martinez picked out Sterling whose effort slipped through the 'keepers hands, leaving the away fans gobsmacked at how that one went in. United wrapped the scoring with Conor Smith scoring in back to back games after showing great pace to break through and sweetly strike in the 5th. After the game Steve Outten praised his players but wasn't happy at conceding two. "What a chaotic match, all action, everything happened, everything but we kept our heads and I'd say we deserved to score 5 today. But we let slip 2 simple goals which we must look at, we didn't do enough in those moments and they were simple goals. But we get the three points which is what we need in the grand scheme of things, and its a good result to carry into the cup semi final.
United travelled to Wembley for a Manchester Derby FA Cup semi final. United had to wait until the hour mark to open the scoring, Yasser Asprilla whipped a deep cross towards Ricardo Calafioiri, the Italian didn't get the cleanest of connections but found a way past Ederson in goal. City did equalise when Dusan Vlahovic channelled his inner Paul Gascgoine, he flicked the ball over Calafiori and struck a first time volley past Oblak to send the tie to extra time. United scored a winner on the clocked 103rd minute. As the rain started to come down, Gavi turned Devyne Rensch and found the far corner with an effort worthy to settle any FA Cup tie. United now set to face Crystal Palace in the final after Rob Bruntons men saw off Liverpool to deny a repeat of last seasons final. A soaked Steve Outten beamed a huge smile in his post match conference. The manager said "To be the only club in 5 seasons to make a cup final every season is a proud achievement and having knocked out Burnley, Chelsea and now Man City, theres not many tougher runs so this is a huge run to get where we are. We deserved to go through but cup football is about no second chances and unfortunately we gave City one late chance and with their calibre of player, they'll punish you and that they did. But we stayed positive and strong and Gavi showed how good he is, and he's only getting better. It's great character to score the way he did. I'm so pleased for the boys and the fans but lets be honest the final is a whole new cake altogether, so we'll be ready for that for sure.
United dropped points away at Burnley in round 27. One of the worst outputs of the season left United fortunate to take anything from the game. Alejandro Balde's quick throw in to Marc Cucurella left the Spaniard in space who dispatched his effort to give Burnley a deserved lead. Yaser Aprilla did pull United level on 58 minutes, moments earlier United thought they shou;ld've had a penalty, from the next attack Sterling found Asprilla who kept his cool to score his 8th of the season. 5 minutes later the club had a goal ruled out 5 minutes later, but in truth that would've been harsh on Burnley who dominated most of the game. After the game the manager wasn't happy. "appalling, abysmal and bellow recent standards. That's the good bits today. We're lucky to get a point being truthful, I'm embarrassed today as this is not resemblant of my team. I expect a reaction next game, we've done so much and worked so hard recently to put in a display like that? Improvements required and I feel for Burnley, they deserved 3 points today."
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Round 21 United saw off Leeds United despite conceding earl. Youssoufa Moukoko evaded Karim Adeyemi and nodded in the opener. United responded through Pedro Porro, latching onto Matthijs De Ligts cross, the Spaniard rifled a volley past the on looking Mike Taylor in the Leeds goal. The winner came before half time, De Ligt the architect again threading in new skipper Karim Adeyemi who made no mistake with his cool finish. Post match the manager seemed content with the game "We did the job today and Leeds is not an easy place to come. The lads kept to the task and I feel we deserved what we got. After last weeks loss we knew we needed to respond with a win and despite a slow start we never really felt worried in the game."
In Round 22 United once again had to come from behind, this time Blackburn Rovers struck the first blow. Nabil Fekir times his run to perfection to meet an exquisite through ball from Bruno Guimares, Jan Oblak came charging out but the Frenchman danced his way past the 'keeper and slotted in the opener. United did have a goal ruled out from Luis Diaz, but moments later, just before half time, Gabriel Moscardo took matters into his own hands beating a host of challenges before stabbing past Andre Onana to level. Gavi was the man on hand to make it 2-1 late on with Connor Smith getting a rare assist. The Scot batting for the ball in the area hooked the ball towards Gavi, the Spaniard swung a let at the ball which trickled over the line to give United 3 points. United manager Steve Outten looked relieved at full time saying "It's almost copy and paste the last game but as time went it you thought maybe this one is a bit out of reach despite the performance. We got there in the end and we know we can't afford to drop points. Well done to the lads, they stayed with it and although it wasn't pretty we got what we needed."
Round 23 United travelled to Cardiff and dominated the game, ending up 4-0 winners, but in truth it could've been more. Yasser Asprilla picked out Adeyemi to open the scoring on 20 minutes with a first time effort from the cut back. The German made it 2 on the hour mark, Gavi lofted a ball over the back line, Adeyemi raced in and flicked a header past Allsop. Jadon Slory got the third, his first touch. United winning the ball from the kick off and Asprilla raced through one-on-one, the Colombian kept his cool and slid in Slory for a simple tap in. The scoring rounded up in stoppage time, Adeyemi attempting a solo run, before the ball ricochets into the air, the German instinctively threw a diving header towards the ball and found the bottom corner to round up his hattrick. Manager Steve Outten warned against complacency going froward despite the strong result "It was a good show from the team and we controlled the tie. Cardiff did try and trade blows but in truth it was only ever going to be us winning 3 points. It's a solid display but we need to maintain this standard of football as we tick off games if we're to have a strong finish this season. I'm pleased to for Karim, he's found goals harder to come by at times but as captain now, he's leading by example."
Round 24 United hosted Wolves but could only manage a draw. Despite controlling the tie and taking the lead United couldn't hold on to it for long and had to share the spoils. Karim Adeyemi scored the opener with a run past defender Loic Bade, the German struck a curling shot and many thought it would be the first of many. However, almost instantly, Wolves attacked the United box, and Goncalo Guedes was upended by Pedro Porro, the referee instantly pointed to the spot, and Joao Pedro was cool as you like in converting the penalty and snatching a point. After the game Outten kept it brief but said, "What did we say last game? We need to maintain the performances, sure we controlled the game but woeful finishing cost us today. This could be the most important result for our season come the end of the campaign for the wrong reasons."
United then hosted Chelsea in the FA cup and even though they controlled the tie, the red Devils conceded first. Renato Sanches' chipped pass was struck goalward by Rafael Leao. His volley came out off the bar, but the Portuguese reacted quickest to stab in the opener. United reacted when former Chelsea target Raheem Sterling rolled back the years to score a fine solo effort. United made it 2-1 when Gabriel Moscardo pressed high and won the ball on the edge of the Chelsea box, he teed up Luis Diaz for a thunderous strike from range which left Dean Henderson an innocent bystander. Diaz added a second 7 minutes after the break, De Ligts clearance found Diaz beating the Chelsea defenders for pace and once again made no mistake with his effort past Henderson. Chelsea did pull a second back, Roberto Firmino flicked on the Chelsea throw in, Kevin De Bruyne's run was un tracked and the Belgian lifted the ball over Oblak for a fine finish. The game finished 3-2, and another Manchester Derby set up for the semi final. Post match a jovial Steve Outten said "This is a pleasing day, and this is more than we are capable of. It's a bit frustrating when we dropped poitns in the league last game, when we then go an do this but I'm exceptionally pleased with todays performance and result. We advance in a competition we have great history in, and we have to have confidence we can go all the way if we play like this every week. But the lads can enjoy today knocking out of the favourites for the competition."
Round 25 United dismantled Leicester at their own ground. 3 goals in the first 10 minutes and a found all by minute 13 killed the game early with huge sections of the ground emptying in reaction to Uniteds onslaught. Adeyemi played a one-two with Sterling before sliding in the opener from the first attack. Yasser Asprilla dribbled past Lewis Dunk with ease and powered home number two on 5 minutes. 7 minutes united made it 3, Lisandro Martinez crossed to Gavi who volleyed his effort over the 'keeper in a goal reminiscent of Gareth Bale against Stoke. Gavi slipped in Sterling for the fourth with a cool and composed chip. United made it 5 before half time, Gabriel Moscardo picked out Yasser Asprilla's run, the Colombian one-on-one, only one out come. United rung the changes at half time, but it was Nacho who added the 6th 71 minutes on the clock. Martinez again playing a cross from the left, Nacho came around the back post and met the ball sweetly leaving Alphonse Areola stranded. The two attacking subs Jadon Slory and Connor Smith combined for the 7th, Smith with a little shimmy to trick the defender and work half a yard, the Scot opened his body and curled in his effort two wrap up the clubs biggest win of the season. After the game Steve Outten said "Perfect day all around really. We just excelled in all areas of the pitch. Yea, perfect day and these days don't come around too often so we'll enjoy it for sure. But, at the same time, the lads will remain grounded. The result does nothing for our league situation, we still have points to catch up and that's the goal in reality. But some great individual efforts across the pitch and all positives."
Round 26, United hosted Sheffield United and ended up 5-2 victors. The visitors opening the scoring Frederic Guilbert nodding home Marco Verattis cross from close range after the Italian hinted the ball deep in the United half and carried out a mazey dribble to open the scoring. United responded instantly however, Asprilla played in Sterling who advanced on the Sheffield goal and curled into the bottom corner from the edge of the box to level the tie. Gavi nutmegged Veratti to assist Gabriel Moscardo, the Brazilian thundered his effort goalwards which was too powerful for Peter Gulasci to keep out. Andrea Belotti levelled the tie meeting Mario Rui's pull back on 38 minutes. But United took the lead again before half time with Lisandro Martinez' deflected shot dipping over the Hungarian in goal. Gulasci should've done better for the 4th goal, Martinez picked out Sterling whose effort slipped through the 'keepers hands, leaving the away fans gobsmacked at how that one went in. United wrapped the scoring with Conor Smith scoring in back to back games after showing great pace to break through and sweetly strike in the 5th. After the game Steve Outten praised his players but wasn't happy at conceding two. "What a chaotic match, all action, everything happened, everything but we kept our heads and I'd say we deserved to score 5 today. But we let slip 2 simple goals which we must look at, we didn't do enough in those moments and they were simple goals. But we get the three points which is what we need in the grand scheme of things, and its a good result to carry into the cup semi final.
United travelled to Wembley for a Manchester Derby FA Cup semi final. United had to wait until the hour mark to open the scoring, Yasser Asprilla whipped a deep cross towards Ricardo Calafioiri, the Italian didn't get the cleanest of connections but found a way past Ederson in goal. City did equalise when Dusan Vlahovic channelled his inner Paul Gascgoine, he flicked the ball over Calafiori and struck a first time volley past Oblak to send the tie to extra time. United scored a winner on the clocked 103rd minute. As the rain started to come down, Gavi turned Devyne Rensch and found the far corner with an effort worthy to settle any FA Cup tie. United now set to face Crystal Palace in the final after Rob Bruntons men saw off Liverpool to deny a repeat of last seasons final. A soaked Steve Outten beamed a huge smile in his post match conference. The manager said "To be the only club in 5 seasons to make a cup final every season is a proud achievement and having knocked out Burnley, Chelsea and now Man City, theres not many tougher runs so this is a huge run to get where we are. We deserved to go through but cup football is about no second chances and unfortunately we gave City one late chance and with their calibre of player, they'll punish you and that they did. But we stayed positive and strong and Gavi showed how good he is, and he's only getting better. It's great character to score the way he did. I'm so pleased for the boys and the fans but lets be honest the final is a whole new cake altogether, so we'll be ready for that for sure.
United dropped points away at Burnley in round 27. One of the worst outputs of the season left United fortunate to take anything from the game. Alejandro Balde's quick throw in to Marc Cucurella left the Spaniard in space who dispatched his effort to give Burnley a deserved lead. Yaser Aprilla did pull United level on 58 minutes, moments earlier United thought they shou;ld've had a penalty, from the next attack Sterling found Asprilla who kept his cool to score his 8th of the season. 5 minutes later the club had a goal ruled out 5 minutes later, but in truth that would've been harsh on Burnley who dominated most of the game. After the game the manager wasn't happy. "appalling, abysmal and bellow recent standards. That's the good bits today. We're lucky to get a point being truthful, I'm embarrassed today as this is not resemblant of my team. I expect a reaction next game, we've done so much and worked so hard recently to put in a display like that? Improvements required and I feel for Burnley, they deserved 3 points today."
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