Weekend Review - 26 Apr 2014

Manchester United vs Norwich City

"...Fellaini whose only contribution to the club is the increased sales of big afro wigs..."

- JayWalk, 26 Apr 2014

Rumours are flying all over town as to whether Louis Van Gaal has signed on with ManUtd. Most of the reports deny the successful signing with only Goal.com being the only one to say that Van Gaal has agreed to the terms of the 3-year contract.

Personally, I think that is not important as it does not concern the next four games under Giggs, that will decide ManUtd's Euro fate.

This will be a new management model for the Premier League as it would be the first time, a team is managed by a team, better known as the Class Of '92. Giggs will be the leader of the pack with Butt, Scholes and Philip Neville in the squad. Beckham is out busy with his Miami football club while Gary Neville is tied up with his TV gig. Still, I won't be surprised if one of the two may eventually show up later on, even if it is just a cheer leading role.

Anyway, it was a sigh of relief that Moyes was given the boot. ManUtd counter rose dramatically on the NYSE as soon as the announcement was made. I don't give a rat's ass how poorly his sacking was handled. I was just glad that he is gone. And..... I would be even more delighted if Spurs signs him next season.

The appointment of Giggs as the caretaker manager for the last 4 games will not impact much as there will be no consequences even if we miss the Euro spot. We already suck. So it makes no difference if we suck eggs or suck dick. The positive thing out of it will be morale as after such a dismal season, it is a fresh start despite only 4 games left.

Fergie backs Giggs for manager on a permanent basis but I think after that last major screw up with Moyes, he may have already lost his right to have any say on this topic.

Every healthy player will be on their best to impress as Giggs will be cleaning out the closet. First to go in my opinion will be Fellaini whose only contribution to the club is the increased sales of big afro wigs. This fella is cancer only to be matched by David Luiz on the Chelsea side.

Lazy and non-committal.

Totally against the grain of the ManUtd spirit.

Nani is another lazy bugger but it is excusable as it is hard to push yourself when you sian half with your manager.

Hence the line is drawn between a good player and a great player. Nani is good. Rooney is great.

Rafael should be offloaded as soon as possible as he is just as ineffective as his brother. Cleverly should be given another chance as it is obvious his poor performance comes from wrong placement of his position.

I am also worried for the ageing of Fletcher, Vidic, Carrick, Ferdinand and Evra as it seems during the last couple of years of Fergie's reign, the Scotsman was on ROD mood when it comes to planning for continuity.

Of the two Asian sons of ManUtd, Shinji Kagawa and Park Ji Sun, I prefer the latter for his harder working ethics although I do concede that Kagawa has more talent.

So, the line up today is definitely De Gea between the sticks. This is a good goalkeeper despite a shaky start during his debut. The number of goal conceded does not do him justice as he was more often than not kena sabo-ed by poor defenders.

In case anyone hasn't noticed, Valencia plays only with one foot and so as long as the opponent can lock down his right, his is pretty much useless. Unfortunately, the Ecuadorian is all we have at the moment and so he'd be taking the right wing.

Van Persie is out and so Rooney, Welback will be up front with Hernandez coming on later part of the game. The attack will be supported by Mata, Carrick with Januzaj, Kagawa, Nani, Fletcher left to fight for the remaining spots on the starting line-up.

Bookies and punters are very optimistic with ManUtd, pointing to a big win tonight. However, it must be noted that The Canaries are the hungrier side. I was very impressed by their intensity against Liverpool in last week's game, especially during the second half.  It was very unlucky for Norwich not to get a point from that game. I would have given them a standing ovation at the final whistle despite losing.

Bookmakers are given Norwich a 1.5-ball Asian handicap with an even 1.95 decimal odds to clear it. In English, it means ManUtd will win this game and it will either be a 1-goal or 2-goal margin. No draw. No shock defeat. No big massive win either.

My opinion on this punt is to take Norwich to keep the defeat narrow. Bookies have been making way too much money from our irrational over-estimation of ManUtd.

Tonight shall be the night Norwich drops into the relegation zone as Fulham is pipped to win at home against Hull City. Also, a win either side from the Sunderland-vs-Cardiff game will sink The Canaries below the dotted line.

Norwich is the team I foresee going down while Cardiff or Fulham makes the great escape. Sunderland is having some sort of a second wind of late, courtesy of Gus Poyet, but I think it is too little, too late as ManUtd will nail The Black Cat's coffin shut next week.

- Voxeros