Held at Birmingham

Berbatov's Christmas Cheers

Berbatov scores a brace as United see off Sunderland at home. Excellent team performance.

Arsenal beat Chelsea to claim the second spot and sent Chelsea into deeper trouble...

Christmas Cheers? We shall see. More games are coming.

The Real FB Wall

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Legend Ole Bids Farewell

Farewell Ole: Sir Alex Ferguson (left) presents former Manchester United striker Ole Gunner Solskjaer with a leaving present

Park Life

Park life

Park Ji-sung is a nightmare to play against and a joy to play with. He plays every game as if it's his last. His attitude is magnificent.

Man of the moment: Park Ji-Sung celebrates his match-winning goal

He doesn't have the quality of a Giggs, Kanchelskis or Sharpe - illustrious players from the past in his role - but you will have to go a long way to find a player with as much heart and desire.

He's a massive player for them. His goal was a bonus.

Handy Anderson

I would not have enjoyed playing against Anderson. He is an explosive player who runs away from his marker.

I picked him out as one to watch when he first came over here, but he hasn't shown his best form consistently.

He wasn't helped by a serious knee injury, but there have been question marks about his fitness and attitude. I hope the penny has dropped for him now.

Ji Header Sinks Gunners

Park Ji Sung's only goal help United regain the top spot by defeating Arsenal at home!

Rooney even can afford to miss a penalty as the 5-goal hero Berbatov was left on the bench to witness United's famous victory.

"We didn't create enough chances, our passing was not quick and sharp enough to get them out of position," Wenger added. "They were highly focused tonight not to make a defensive mistake."

No error materialised in another defiant display. "The back four were magnificent," Ferguson added. Plus ca change, as Wenger might say.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Anderson. A stop-start United career appears back on track. The Brazilian hassled and harried with energy and supported Rooney enthusiastically. Arsenal seem to bring out the best in him.

MANCHESTER UNITED VERDICT: They were impressive in most departments. The one exception was Van der Sar, who didn't need to excel. It will be interesting if Ferguson adopts the same approach, and keeps Berbatov in reserve again, for Sunday's trip to Chelsea. He, Ryan Giggs and, if fit, Paul Scholes may struggle to displace anyone.

ARSENAL VERDICT: The disappointment may be that, for all their attacking talent, they only managed one chance of note. Perhaps the game came too soon for Cesc Fabregas, who made his comeback as a substitute, and Robin van Persie, who has not been fully reintegrated into the team after his long lay-off but, of those selected ahead of them, Tomas Rosicky was ineffectual and Andrei Arshavin below his best. The recurring question - do they need another centre-back? - remains after an evening when Vidic and Ferdinand appeared a class above Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci.

ECL: Anderson Goal Helps United Top the Group

MU 1 Valencia 1, top the group. Now to the next knock out stage.

Anderson levels the score in the second half.

It was United's 150th goal in UEFA competitions on the night Ferguson changed his team for the 150th game in a row. There was still time for another landmark moment as Ryan Giggs came on as a late substitute for Nani to make his 850th appearance for the club.

How far can we go? Let's just see. I think not going to be very far, with teams like Barca and Real Madrid in such an amazing form.

Humiliation in Upton Park

West Ham hammered United 4-0 and ended our defend of Carling Cup.

Nightmare result. Johnny Evans was a poor poor defender in this match.

Barcelona 5 RM 0 - Not So Special against the Best Team

The Special One suffered his most humiliated defeat in his managerial career.

The Spanish press was littered with words such as 'thrashed', 'humiliated' and 'ridiculed' following Barcelona's comprehensive 5-0 defeat of arch rivals Real Madrid at the Camp Nou.

Madrid went into el clasico unbeaten in 19 competitive matches under new coach Jose Mourinho and boasting a one-point lead over second-placed Barca at the top of the Primera Division, but they were swept aside in stunning fashion by Pep Guardiola's troops.

Goals from Xavi and Pedro put the hosts 2-0 up after 18 minutes and then another of Barca`s World Cup-winning contingent David Villa added a quickfire brace at the start of the second half to make if 4-0 inside an hour.

Guardiola's side, who have now won five successive matches against Madrid - including a similarly emphatic 6-2 mauling at the Bernabeu in 2009, added a fifth goal in stoppage-time through Jeffren before Madrid lost Sergio Ramos to a straight red card for scything down Lionel Messi.

This morning's newspapers in Spain were universal in their reporting of Barca's overwhelming dominance in what had been one of the most eagerly awaited clasicos in recent times.

The front page of Catalonia-based daily Sport had a picture of a splayed hand with the headline: '5-0. Slap to Mourinho. Thrashing, humiliation and leaders!'

It added: 'Footballing lesson from Barca to Madrid who received another historic thrashing at the Camp Nou.'

Sport, who also advertised on its front page T-shirts commemorating the victory, added inside: 'Another golden page for Barca. Spectacular game of the Azulgranas which ridiculed their rivals. The humiliation left Mourinho hiding on the bench.

The whole world saw how there is still no team like Barca.'

Sport's fellow Barcelona-based paper El Mundo Deportivo's front cover was emblazoned with a huge 5-0 over the picture of Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes and centre-back Gerard Pique holding up their hands up with fingers outstretched in celebration of the result.

It's headline read: 'Madrid thrashed!'

Madrid-based Marca also praised Barca but pointed an accusing finger at referee Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez as well.

On it's online edition the headlines were: 'Slap to Real Madrid' and 'This Barca is a machine'.

The Five in Seven Wonders!

Park scored the 2nd in the 7-1 win over Blackburn Rovers.

Dimitar Berbatov became the fourth player in Premier League history to score five in a match.

Berbatov made sure he had the matchball in his hands within seconds of the final whistle, and who could blame him?

The Old Trafford faithful who turned up hoping to see Wayne Rooney score his long-awaited first goal of the season from open play left eulogising instead about his £31million partner - one of the most talented, if slightly work-shy, players to ever wear a United shirt.

Berbatov's five goals equalled a Premier League scoring record previously shared between Andy Cole, Alan Shearer and Jermain Defoe. But for a splendid late save from Paul Robinson, he would have added a sixth and held the record on his own.

Clutching the match ball, he said: 'It is good to have Wayne back. He knows how I play and I know how he plays and we understand each other's game well. We showed that on the pitch.

'I can't believe I scored five. I have scored five before but it was a long time ago back home. To do it in the Premier League and stand next to Shearer and Andy Cole is a great honour.

'The first goal was the most important, it was early in the game and gave us confidence to play.'

Incredibly, Berbatov had gone 10 games without a goal but manager Sir Alex Ferguson had predicted a return to form once he could pair him with Rooney.

'They were fantastic together. To score five is a fantastic achievement and he could have had six but Paul Robinson made a wonderful save,' said the Old Trafford manager.

Penalty Wayne! Rangers 0 - 1 MU

Rooney netted a late penalty to send United into the 2nd round of the ECL.

A timely return? We shall see...

Rooney Returns: MU 2 Wigan 0

Nobody is bigger than the club. Wayne learned that and he is back.

Wayne Rooney's first game for United after the infamous "I Quit" threat. It has been about a month Rooney didn't play. He is back as second half substitute appearance against Wigan yesterday.

Evra heads in Park's cross in the end of first half before Chicharito scored a great header after Wigan was reduced to 9-men.

Patrice Evra’s first for more than three years, set up by Ji-sung Park.

‘I might buy him a car for Christmas,’ said Evra.

Another Draw at Villa Park (Lucky draw)

Macheda makes it 1-2... and then Vidic makes it 2-2 with a late late header...

United came back from going 0-2 down to Villa to stay unbeaten. Good fighting spirit but this is not going to do it. Dropping far too many points already for any title challenge hope.

Also, they played poorly, Berbatov and Hernandez were not threatening the weaken Villa side.

Poor. Very poor.

Dull Draw at Eastlands (City 0 - 0 Utd)

Very dull match at City today.

It got a bit lively when Rafael clashed briefly with Tevez, as it did when Vidic hacked down a marauding Yaya Toure. But the half ultimately ended in disappointment, even if the six Manchester derbies prior to this had also reached the interval without producing a goal.

Interestingly, the home team failed to win on all six occasions as well and the away team looked the more dangerous of the teams. Although only marginally.

The second half was much like the first. Dimitar Berbatov met a cross from Wes Brown with a super volley that invited an excellent save from Hart, but that was pretty much it.

There might now be a mutual respect between the players but it did not make much of a spectacle for those hoping to see something rather more memorable.

Park to the rescue but for how long?

United beat Wolves 2-1 at home, thanks to 2 goals Park JS. Clearly the strength in depth is non-existent. It is a worrying sight. Bebe is a joke at the right flank, even I can cross better than him! And I am not kidding.

To be honest, this team doesn't deserve the title, in any way I try to make sense out of it, I don't think we deserver the English Premier League title. Not at all.

Do we need to buy? Yes. Do we have the money to buy? No. Obviously we don't.

Enough said. Park Ji Sung was inspiring last night, but that was about the only positive thing out of it.

Oh, and that Hargreaves guy was trying to make a come back, for 4 minutes. I think we can officially write him off the squad list for good. He is done.

The Special Notes - Jose Mourinho

Ever wondered what The Special One scribbles down in the dugout?

He is world class. He got football brain. And what does he write in the notes during a match?

Here is an interesting look into Jose Mourinho's notes taking and analysis.

The note at 2:16 in the video reads:

…Attacks
Counter attack P
Penetration against dead ball.

Pace of the ball and movement tr9 [David Trezeguet]

Time

While at 2:45, Mourinho writes:

Fast pitch, penetration

dead ball
change right wing
attacks

Penetration tr9

Turkish Delight: Fletcher, Obertan and Bebe shine!

Bursaspor 0 Manchester United 3

Ferguson will have been delighted as he began the long haul home from Turkey in the early hours of this morning. This is a season that, for all the fuss over the Wayne Rooney contract saga, continues to steadily improve.

What will have concerned him, though, are injuries to Fletcher’s ankle and Nani’s groin that forced off both players. With a derby looming, Ferguson can do without worries over two key players.

Nani scores a weird goal as United beat Spurs

Weird 2nd goal, but who cares!

Vidic scored a stunning header after a superb delivery from Nani in the first half.

Better team performance this time. Park JS was lively.

Carling Cup: Chicharito & Bebe impressed to sink Wolves

Little Pea is scoring freely at the moment. Came in as substitute (replaced goal-scoring-debutant Bebe) to net the winner against Wolves in the 4th Round Carling Cup match.

Park JS scored a stunning second.

Is Rooney going to get any game time when he returns with Javier's goal scoring form?

Lack to Talents? Just watch Chicharito!

With a flick of the back of his head, Javier Hernandez put Manchester United on their way to victory at Stoke on Sunday and left fans and pundits alike purring at his ingenuity.

Two great goals. A genius. Absolutely brilliant.

First away win of the season. Now, get to the race.

Iain Dowie: "It was certainly deliberate. It looks to me like Sir Alex Ferguson has found a new Ole Gunnar Solskjaer."

Now Rooney is Staying!

This is a little bit hard to digest... Sensational drama in the last couple of days.

One thing for sure, Sir Alex Ferguson is the best manager in the world, and probably in the history of football. The way he handles the whole situation and turns it around is simple outstanding.

United really do have a superb manager.

And that stupid fella, Wayne, is the most stupid yet talented player. What is next now for him? How is he going to win back the supporters' trust? It is an interesting turn on event and we are in for an exciting season now!

Football, bloody hell.

Nani Cracker won it against Bursaspor

There was a Champions League football match at Old Trafford last night but even for those who paid the admission price to witness Manchester United secure three more points, the focus was elsewhere.

It was on Wayne Rooney, and on the team, and the squad, he now considers to be beneath him. On the players he seems to think are no longer good enough to keep him here at Old Trafford. What was that Sir Alex Ferguson said about a lack of respect?

Nani revealed the players are not distracted by the ongoing saga, however, insisting it is business as usual with his team-mates determined to put performances right on the pitch following an indifferent start to the season.

'The situation has not affected us,' he told MUTV.

'He [Wayne Rooney] is an important player for us but we know what is more important for the club and that is to win games and make the fans happy.'

Defender Chris Smalling also declared that Rooney's situation has not unsettled the squad and their hard-fought win over the Turkish outfit was proof spirit remains high.

He said: 'There's been a great team spirit all week, everybody was focused after a good training session going into the game and I think that showed on the pitch.'