The Reds Go Marching On - Crushing Arsenal's Cup Hopes

Watch Goals Here

Manchester United don't lose three in a row. After two disappointing losses against Chelsea and Liverpool in the Premier League, there was a wave of relief around Old Trafford when Fabio da Silva smashed the ball into the roof of the net to set United on track to overcome Arsenal. It was a fantastic team performance from a very much altered United side which saw some magnificent individual displays all round in a team which contained seven defenders.

Arsenal began well, keeping possession well when they had it and creating more shots in the first ten minutes than they did in the whole 90 at Barcelona in midweek. However, despite a bright start, Arsenal could not get past the quite amazing Edwin van der Sar who even at 40 displayed millions of reasons throughout why Sir Alex Ferguson is still attempting to persuade him out of retirement.

The two starting wingers, Fabio and Rafael da Silva combined to create a wonderful chance early in the first half as Fabio's cross was met by Rafael after a cutting run. Unfortunately, his header was not one from that of an experienced, prolific striker, but rather what he is; a right wing back, and his header went wildly over. It was however, a warning to Arsenal - these two were dangerous - and more was to come.

It was the goal that changed the game, and it came from Rafael. It was a brilliant move that would have been terrible if it wasn't finished with a goal. Fabio began the attack on the right, and feeding it to Rooney, continued his run. Rooney spotted the ever energetic Hernandez, and dinked it to him, and the "Little Pea" duly directed his header towards the goal brilliantly. Almunia kept it out, but pushed it into the path of the onrushing Fabio who smashed it into the net for the opener.

From then on, Unite has control, and played with confidence going forward and wonderful solidity at the back, with the Smalling, Vidic and Van der Sar keeping out the intricate Arsenal attack superbly.

Arsenal didn't create too much in retaliation, but a beautifully curling shot from van Persie which just dipped over the top corner of his compatriots goal, as well as a Samir Nasri's volley which bounced into the ground into van der Sar's safe hands. A Hernandez shot however, once again led to a United goal, doubling United's lead and giving Arsenal no chance of getting back into it.

Hernandez hit it in the box, only for Johan Djourou to get in the way. The blocked ball bounced up awkwardly and Rooney met it with a soft header which crept into the corner from the post. A flailing Sagna leg could not stop it, and as the ball nestled into the net, Rooney wheeled away with United fans overjoyed at the very likely possibility of an FA Cup semi final.

United held on well, and really could have scored two or three more goals but for a solid Almunia performance. Arsenal fans will be distraught after yet another trophy has slipped away from them. Not only that, but despite the fantastic sight of both Antonio Valencia and Aaron Ramsey returning to action after their terrible injuries, Johan Djourou was stretchered off with what looks a bad injury. The process of fixing him up, putting him on the stretcher and so on, took around six minutes, and we all wish him well in his recovery. It looked like a dislocated shoulder.

It was however, nice to see a Manchester United - Arsenal clash which for 90 minutes contained no bad blood or controversy. Then Paul Scholes came on. He received a yellow card for a rash tackle straight after coming on, and a few minutes into the injury time produced another slightly late tackle. It wasn't a bad tackle - he didn't get the ball, but didn't actually commit a foul. Arsenal players retaliated angrily, and a show of pushing and shoving began between a few players. Arsenal players were asking for a second yellow, but Chris Foy just gave him a stern talking to, which was a good decision.

If he had been sent off, we wouldn't have witnessed a truly beautiful volleyed pass to Rooney which saw United look for a third. Rooney crossed it to Chicharito but it was stopped by Almunia.

A fantastic game, which sees United cruise into the semi-finals of the FA Cup in search of their 12th win of the trophy. So many positives can be taken out of this game from Sir Alex, who may have been worried about a self destruction by his players towards the end of the season. It was quite the opposite to that, and United have a great confidence boost going into their Marseille game on Tuesday. On the other hand, it's time for Arsenal to push on and commit to winning the League.

Watch: Manchester United 2 - 0 Arsenal

It was a great Manchester United performance with some fantastic individual performances as well as a very positive team performance which saw the return of Valencia.

My Match Report Here:

Watch the win here:

United 1 - 0 Arsenal
Fabio Goal



United 2 - 0 Arsenal
Rooney

Watch: Wigan 0 - 4 Manchester United

Manchester United moved four points clear at the top of the Premier League after a convincing four - nil win against relegation strugglers Wigan. A Chicharito double, Wayne Rooney goal and Fabio strike gave United the win, and gives them some breathing space above Arsenal, whom Sir Alex Ferguson recently said are United's only title challengers.

Manchester United face Chelsea on Tuesday 1st March, while Arsenal have their Carling Cup final against Birmingham a little sooner on Sunday against Birmingham.

Rangers 0 - 1 Man United: Rooney Scores Winner as United Stay Top

As Wayne Rooney ran with clenched fists screaming and moving his head wildly towards the Manchester United fans, you could be forgiven for thinking that he was about to knock every one of the boo boys out in a massive punch up. He had actually just scored the winner for Manchester United against Rangers in the Champions League, and he was positively animated, overjoyed, and most probably relieved that he had scored a goal at last.

(WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE GOAL BELOW)

For the most part, Rooney looked so much better than previous performances this season. He had a couple of tough chances that the Rooney of last season may have taken, but after the summer he had, he is still climbing back up the ladder to get to that prolific stage once again.

Rangers didn't look at all like a team that wanted to win the game. They needed to win, but their extremely negative tactics of about five defenders and one striker restricted them to only around 5 minutes of the whole match outside of their own half. They were dominated by a controlling but wasteful Manchester United, who admittedly didn't create a massive amount of chances.

Rangers brought on James Beattie - another striker - just after Rooney had scored, and with little chance of getting anything from the game just whithered away, accepting their Europa League spot.
Valencia had beaten Bursaspor 6 - 1 and so Rangers needed to win. Nobody must have told them that though.

Manchester United ended up being too much for the Scottish team, and stayed at the top of their Champions League table with a point against their next opponents and closest rivals Valencia, guaranteeing them top spot.

Hopefully for Manchester United and Wayne Rooney, the striker can now get back on track in the Premier League with goals galore. It might take a little while longer for him to get back into top form, but he will get there - and if his estatic celebration was anything to go by, his commitment to United is not in any doubt.