United's narrow victory against Arsenal had enough drama to fill an entire season rather than the 96 minutes played.

Fantastic skills, total commitment and controversial refereeing decisions filled the Old Trafford air with the kind of tension which makes the English Premier League arguably the best in the world & United vs Arsenal one of the most awaited fixture of the year. Last year United had a poor showing against "Big Four" just 5 points out of possible 18 comprising of a comprehensive drubbing against our biggest rivals Liverpool (1-4) at Old Trafford. But first half was similar to last year,a slow & nervous start by United. Arshavin Scored for gunners by a screamer 25 yards out; yet again against Red Devils.

United Players were in for famous bashing at half time & it worked instantaneously.Ryan Giggs' visionary pass found Wayne Rooney free inside the Arsenal penalty area. Rooney took the ball beyond keeper Manuel Almunia, who upended the England man.Referee Dean pointed to the spot and Rooney sent Almunia the wrong way as he curled the penalty right-footed into the bottom right corner of the net.GAME ON.

Back came Arsenal at United and almost took lead again with brilliant free kick by Van Persie, but luckily for United it hit the post.A minute later, the game turned United's way when Giggys floated a free-kick from the right towards the near post where Diaby headed into the roof of his own net from seven yards. 2-1

The game was full of chances from then on but no one capitalised on them. It seemed United were in for a heartbreak in the 95th minute when Van Persie slotted home an equalizer (almost) but Gallas was rightly ruled Offside. What was to follow was more hilarious then anything u will ever see. Sore loser Wenger kicked a water bottle & was sent off in be referee but instead of leaving the dugout alltogether. He went & stood near United fans to be teased by them. I was rolling on floor laughing enjoying the icing on the narrow victory.

P.S. yes i do hate wenger.

United Vs Wigan - The Backlash

It's so funny that just one defeat & skeptics are jumping guns to write teams off. The beauty of Football is that it's a game full of upsets. You may be the world champions (which Manchester United are currently) but still on a bad day you can be beaten by a newly promoted team. United are famous for their comebacks, comebacks after defeats too. So as expected Wigan Athletic had a thrashing waiting for them in wings. First goal is the toughest to score in Football but once you do be rest assured the match is up & running. Once Rooney scored & got his 100th career goal in 58th minuted there was no stopping United from running riot. Berba, Owen, Nani all joined the party & before you knew it was 5-0 (Rooney got two). It was a perfect comeback & exciting setup for next match against Arsenal.

Manchester United vs Burnley

MATCH : Burnley are "giant killers"* knew that, but didn't expect they would slay Utd, you somehow feel they will defeat your rival team and u can have a laugh(remember Chelsea & Arsenal last year in League Cup). Credit to Burnley they were good, but don't forget Carrick missed a penalty which could have changed the match after halftime. It's just the beginning of season and we have 3 pts from 2 games, not bad ; considering the fact in 2006 season after 3 games united had 2 pts & they still went on to be the champions.

POST MATCH : Next day after the match I was slaughtered by one & all, even those who don't know the "abc" of EPL also came and teased me main culprits being " SR, DA,VN etc" ." SC" who is a fan of my rival team was the first one to rub it on my face as soon as I entered the class. "SD" is still not done with his teasing part & is still pis**g me off, but this is what makes football fun isn't it ??

QUOTE OF THE BLOG : "The 90th minute winner at Anfield** in front of the Kop***! Gary Neville**** told me that it is his dream & i've just gone & done it"

----John O'shea After scoring the winner at Anfield in 2007 in last minute of the game. (video attached)

P.S. : Manchester United &Liverpool are the most fierce rivals of each other . Both of them have been English Champions record 18 times.

* Giant killer is the term used for small teams which have a reputation of playing very good against good teams & knocking them off in cup competitions like FA cup, Carling Cup etc

** Liverpool Stadium

***The goalpost behind which Liverpool supporters sit

****United Captain

Manchester United vs Birmingham city (Post Match)

MATCH REVIEW :

United Won 1-0 , Rooney scored the solitary goal. Sounds normal for them doesn’t it ?? Now Consider these facts; for the last two seasons United has drawn its first game & interestingly both teams got relegated* (Reading & Newcastle United) and Rooney scored his first goal of the season in October in both years.

Credit to Birmingham City, they played the passing game rather than ‘Parking the bus in front of goal’ (i.e. just try and defend and play for a boring draw). First professional game without Ronaldo & Tevez , didn’t miss them much other than when United had to take free kicks, Ronaldo was too good at it (whenever he could clear the wall). Owen almost scored his debut goal in the 90^th minute but I believe pressure got to him else the chance was bread & butter stuff for him.

MATCH @ TTROOM :

My study group suddenly decided to meet at six in the evening, (exactly at the match time) but they happily allowed me to watch me the match while they slogged (Group A rocks!!!! ). I made some United Buddies this week (fellow united fans who are passionate enough to come and watch the match ). "AN" came and saw the match with me , the best part being that his group was trying to solve the Harvard Case while he was jumping after the goal in TT room. “NS” would have come too but he had a presentation the next day. Still missed my VIT Utd buddies while watching the match specially “AK , PJ & PN”. Best part was during the match when “AN” & me grunted as Owen missed a sitter & we startled “AD” who was playing TT missed his smash(sitter).

MOMENT OF THE WEEK :

The heartening moment of the week was When Arsenal Skipper after scoring a goal ran over to the Arsenal bench where he held aloft a shirt with 'Jarque' and the number 21, dedicating the goal to his friend, U-21 Spain colleague & Espanyol Player Dani Jarque, who had died of Heart Failure few days ago(pic also posted).

I used to hate Fabregas (remember the pizzagate incident) mainly because he is the star player of our fierce rivals, but after this incident it really filled me with respect for him & made me realise at the end of day it’s just football. (My friends always tell me this whenever United lose a match).

HEART BREAK MOMENT : Seeing Carlos Tevez in the Manchester City jersey(Derby rivals).

FUNNY MOMENT OF WEEK: Don’t need to describe.Just take a look & have a laugh.

I*In EPL 20 teams participate, last three teams get relegated to the lower division(Championship) & three teams from Championship get promoted. So basically for week teams its just the fight for surviving in the league (i.e. finishing higher then 18^th in the league)

Birmingham City Vs Manchester United (Pre match)

After the community shield loss & the unavailability of 5 players(injuries) ; the mood is not that cheerful in the United Camp. Hopes for this matchare not that high because United have been notoriously Slow Starters to the Premier League (except 2006-07 season), Birmingham will be raring to go and prove a point to pundits in their first match after their promotion to EPL making it more tough.

All these reasons stating it will not be an easy day For United , but somehow deep in my heart I am optimistic & looking forward to Utd rocking from Day 1. Looking forward to the match 'cause we are going back to old school with conventional wingers and two strikers.

Ahh, glorious 90's!

I am not going to make any predictions for the result because I simply suck at it ;)

Transfer window & Season ahead

Well the only good part about the off season for any football fan is transfer window. You dream of all your favourite players joining Manchester United (Aguero,David Silva, Ribery etc) , newspapers (tabloids) take full advantage of this emotion and splash newspapers with all imaginary stories , we fall prey to them & end up having all hope going down the drain.

This season was one of the worst in transfer sense as two of the "fabulous four" striking quartet left United. Ronaldo's departure was expected, but Tevez's was "heartbreaking", a fan favourite moving to derby rival, can anything worst happen?? Ya Rafa becoming United manager ;)

Well Owen signing was a surprise & one of the best gambles ever taken by Fergie. Sir Alex is a genius, a legend. Expect him to pull rabbit out of hat anytime. Valencia's signing was expected, guy has quality but does he have goals in him ??On a personal note I expected United to sign David Silva; but this is not fantasy league is it ??

This season I have huge expectations from our promising youngsters as I really feel United youngsters will step up. Tosic, Macheda (remember his 93rd minute stunner cum winner against Villa), Nani, Anderson, Da silva brothers, Welbeck ,Gibson, Foster, Evans have all shown their brilliance in flashes now it’s time for them to "Step Up"(and i promise Ronaldo will not be missed). Let’s hope Fergie creates another group of "Fergie's Fledglings " like he did in 1995 with Giggsy,Becks, Scholesy, Neville brothers & Nicky Butt.

Lets hope for a fantastic season ahead full of nail biting finishes, trademark United comebacks, jawdropping goals & mind boggling moves. Let "JOGA BONITO" prevail.