I have one question. Our away games have been horrible tough games so far. How does this season compare with similar fixtures from last season?

Nemanja Vidic admits he's worried about United's goals against column after the Reds shipped another two goals on Sunday at the Reebok Stadium.

Although Sir Alex's men left Bolton with a point, the Reds twice went behind against a spirited Trotters side. United have now conceded nine goals in the last four games and kept just three clean sheets (all at home) this season.

"Yes, we’re concerned," the Reds' on-field skipper told MUTV. "Over the last few years we haven’t conceded many goals. We always looked strong and we didn’t give teams many chances. But in the last few away games we haven’t kept clean sheets, which is very disappointing."

Vidic's disappointment at the final whistle on Sunday was magnified by United's inability to take advantage of their title rivals' slip-ups. Twenty-four hours earlier, Chelsea had lost at Manchester City, while Arsenal suffered defeat at the hands of West Bromwich Albion. A win on Sunday would have taken United to within a point of league leaders Chelsea.

"The results yesterday were good for us but we didn’t win today and now we don’t have the same advantage we had this morning, before kick-off," Vidic said.

"This was a game we wanted to win and before the game we'd have said a draw would be two points dropped."

Gary Neville hopes the furore surrounding Bebe's arrival at Manchester United will relent, allowing the youngster to flourish.

The Portuguese winger was a virtual unknown before United splashed out £7million to take him to Old Trafford back in August.

Such a hefty price tag has helped to raise expectations, with the 20-year-old now under pressure to deliver on his promise.

He has been restricted to just one substitute outing in the Carling Cup so far, offering supporters little opportunity to judge the new recruit.

He is, however, believed to be a hot prospect for the future, with Sir Alex Ferguson having made a habit of unearthing hidden gems down the years.

Fuss

With that in mind, veteran full-back Neville is keen to see Bebe given the time and space he needs in which to realise his potential.

"It was good to see Bebe get his first taste of first-team action," he said.

"United have signed lots of youngsters in recent years - (Cristiano) Ronaldo, (Federico) Macheda, the da Silvas - so I don't understand the fuss about Bebe. It's a bit unfair on him.

"He has a lot of raw talent, two great feet, he's extremely quick and he's learning all the time."

do you guys think it's time to give smalling his chance in the first team to replace evans or should we give evans more chance to gain more experience and cancel out his mistakes just like when ferdinand first came to MU

MUTV's Stewart Gardner blogs on the Reds' habit of leaking goals...

Please, let’s get back to winning games 1-0! Or is that simply not the United way?

Quite simply, Sir Alex’s men have to stop conceding so many goals. The Reds have let in nine in the opening six league games – that’s almost a third of the number of goals conceded in the whole of last season.

Two seasons ago, United produced 14 consecutive clean sheets – a record for the Barclays Premier League – by not conceding a goal between early November and late February. It was a remarkable run that contributed hugely to winning the title.

Keeping the opposition out is the area United really need to concentrate on. Scoring goals doesn’t seem to be much of an issue, so if we shut the door at the back then things will be just fine.

The problem is, dogged 1-0 victories just doesn’t really fit United’s character. I watched City beat Chelsea on Saturday and I have to admit I was bored to tears – I really wouldn’t want to see that sort of thing at Old Trafford.

The Reds have had two 2-2 draws and a 3-3 draw this season – all of those games have been pulsating, incredible rollercoaster rides. That’s why United is always the hottest ticket in town. Football has to be entertaining and you’re virtually guaranteed that with the Reds - long may it continue.

United showed great character to come from behind twice to ensure a point at the Reebok. A draw in those circumstances is a decent result but after throwing away wins at Fulham and Everton then you have to say it was a frustrating day.

The Reds now face a very tough week – needing to get something from a severe Champions League test in Spain following the stalemate with Rangers.

Many people thought our opponents Valencia would collapse after selling the two Davids, Villa and Silva. But this morning they sit proudly on top of La Liga with Real Madrid and Barcelona trailing in their wake.

The Mestalla is one of the most intimidating of venues – steep sided with the fans right on top of the players. It will be a cauldron on Wednesday for a match that has the ingredients to be a classic. I’m lucky enough to be travelling with the team to Spain – you can follow me by tuning into MUTV over the next two days.

Top Shooter   Dimitar Berbatov (Man United)   23
Top Passer   Paul Scholes (Man United)   466
Most Offsides   Dimitar Berbatov (Man United)   9

Passers   Team   Passes   Accuracy
Scholes  Man United  466  90%

Scorers   Team   Goals   Goal/shots
Berbatov   Man United   6   26%

ASSISTS   Team   Assists
Nani   Manchester United   5

Team   Goals   Shots   On Target   Shot Accuracy   Succ Passes
Man United   16   78   36   46%   2640

First Half PL Table       P   W   D   L   F   A   GD   PTS
2   Manchester United   6   4   2   0   7   2   +5   14

Second Half PL Table       P   W   D   L   F   A   GD   PTS
7   Manchester United   5   2   2   1   8   6   +2   8

and best of all I can remember the 3 goals scored in minute 76-90

Everton x2 and Fulham.

ergh.

what's happening with United's defence? cocky much?

If SAF play with 2 strikers, then Owen deserves to start. He has scored 3 goals in last 2 games.
And Brown should be given chance for RB slot.

Michael Carrick could make his Manchester United comeback against Valencia, although Gary Neville and Paul Scholes have joined the list of absentees.

Former Tottenham midfielder Carrick has not started a game since the Community Shield but has flown with the rest of United's squad for their UEFA Champions League match on Wednesday.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson reported last Friday that Carrick had returned to training after he had an injection to try to ease the discomfort from a niggling Achilles problem last month.

The news of Carrick's return comes as a welcome boost to United, who are also without experienced duo Neville and Scholes in addition to the losses of Ryan Giggs (hamstring) and Wayne Rooney (ankle).

As yet it is not known why Scholes and Neville were absent from United's travelling party to Spain and it can only be assumed the pair are being rested or are being protected from minor injuries ahead of their weekend clash with Sunderland.

United's squad is also boosted by the inclusion of summer signing Bebe and England defender Rio Ferdinand, who missed the club's 2-2 Premier League draw with Bolton on Sunday.

Bebe was a surprise signing by Ferguson during the transfer window and he made his debut off the bench for the club in last week's 5-2 Carling Cup over Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park and looked promising.

ManUtd.com's Nick Coppack is travelling with the United squad and you can interact with him on our message board. The views expressed are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United.

Tuesday September 27

09:47 Actually, just before we set off... here's some in-flight entertainment: you've got the 22-man travelling squad, so I'd like to see what starting line-up you should go with. Post your teams on the message board thread and I'll post a selection look when I land.

09:46 I'm on the plane now, where we're told "the use of electronic cigarettes is prohibited". What am I supposed to do now? I'll be back in touch when we land. I've also got a few videos to upload of the players checking in at Manchester airport, but I was having one or two technical difficulties. I'll post them on this page when we land in Spain. Adios!

09:36 Okay, our flight's just been called. Time to board. I'll be back in touch when I arrive at my hotel in Spain. Good to see Rio and Bebe involved. I'll try and find out what's behind Scholes and Neville's absence.

09:19 That's confirmed. So, no Neville, Scholes, Giggs or Rooney. So the full squad is: Goalkeepers: Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Amos. Defenders: Smalling, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, O'Shea, Evans, Rafael, Brown. Midfielders: Anderson, Bebe, Nani, Carrick, Gibson, Fletcher, Park. Forwards: Hernandez, Berbatov, Macheda, Owen.

09:14 Most of the players have arrived at the check-in desk at Manchester airport. We're just waiting on the final few lads to turn up. So far, the players who have checked in are: Smalling, Hernandez, Owen, Rafael, Anderson, Bebe, Macheda, Nani, Carrick, Berbatov, Gibson, Ferdinand, Vidic, Kuszczak, Brown, Amos, Fletcher, van der Sar, Park, Evra, O'Shea. I think we're just waiting on Jonny Evans. So that would mean no Neville or Scholes in the travelling part. I'll confirm shortly.

09:01 They're trickling through now, and I can confirm that Bebe is travelling. He's just arrived with Anderson. We've also had Rafael, Michael Owen, Javier Hernandez, Chris Smalling, Federico Macheda and Nani. More to follow.

08:28 These check-in times are somewhat flexible, it would seem. In fact, we're still waiting on the first player to arrive. Mike Phelan's been through already, so I know I'm definitely in the right place! I'll be sure to let you know the full travelling squad once everybdy's checked in.

07:15 We already know Wayne Rooney isn't travelling to Spain, while Ryan Giggs also misses out after picking up a hamstring injury against Bolton. I'll be at the airport in about 45 minutes, ticking off the players as they arrive for our flight to Valencia. As soon as I can, I'll post the full travelling squad.

07:10 So, attentions now turn to Europe where the Reds meet Valencia on Wednesday night (kick-off 19:45 BST). Despite losing both David Villa and David Silva in the summer (not the same player, no matter how many times Alan Shearer confuses the two) Los Che have started this season very well. So well, in fact, that they're currently top of La Liga. This isn't going to be easy...

Wes Brown says United have the confidence and quality to go to the Mestalla and snatch a victory to get the Reds’ Champions League Group C campaign up and running.

Sir Alex’s men were held to a 0-0 draw by Rangers on Matchday 1. Brown made his first appearance of the season in that match and helped United to a clean sheet, but now it’s vital the Reds don’t let Valencia move five points clear in Group C.

“After the draw with Rangers we need three points on the board,” he told ManUtd.com. “We’re capable of going there and winning, we know we can do it. They’re a good team, but we'll go there to win.”

There may be five out of six group games remaining, but Sir Alex decided to forego overseeing United’s 5-2 Carling Cup win at Scunthorpe last week, in favour of watching Valencia draw 1-1 with Atletico Madrid. “The gaffer going out there to watch them last week shows what he thinks of it,” adds Wes. “We know that it’ll be difficult. We know what we have to do, the challenge is going out there and doing the business on the pitch.

"We’d like to get the win, if we don’t then a draw wouldn’t be a bad result as Valencia are a good side – they’re top of the league in Spain, they had a convincing win away to Bursaspor and they’re top of the group. Valencia will be confident, not least because they’re at home. They’ll make it difficult for us. But we’ve got to try and stop them playing, we need to frustrate them as the home team. It’ll be hard, but we always feel confident that we can get a result, and that would really get our European campaign going.”

By Aidan Fitzmaurice

Tuesday September 28 2010

DARRON Gibson says he won't give up on his dream of making the grade on a long-term basis at Manchester United.

The Ireland international was part of the United party which headed off to Spain today to prepare for tomorrow's Champions League battle with an in-form Valencia side.

However, as he failed to even make the bench for Sunday's Premier League game with Bolton, Gibson knows he still has work to do before he can call himself an established first-team player.

"I'm nearly 23 and I need to be playing games. There is a lot of pressure at Manchester United. The manager can't really afford to throw me in; if we lose I'll get the blame for it," said Gibson, who has scored once in three games for United this season.

"Well I don't think I'd get the blame totally. But if you start to play young players for experience when you've got the likes of Giggs and Scholes, people start to ask questions.

"You can only get so much experience from sitting on the bench. You need to play eventually. But the way I see it, if I go in there and play as well as I can every time I play, I think I'll be a valuable asset.

"I'd rather be first choice every week. It's going to take me a while to get there, so I'm not going to give up on it.

"I think I'll win more medals at Manchester United than anywhere else and, obviously, if I'm playing for Manchester United then I'll play for Ireland as well," added Gibson, who knows that his chances with Ireland will be limited until he can establish himself at Old Trafford. This being part of the reason why he has been passed by Derby County man Paul Green in the Irish pecking order and Gibson is ready for a bench role against Russia and Slovakia next month.

"I'm not expecting to start the games but I'll be ready if he needs me," he admits.

"I'm not really concerned because I think if I start playing for Manchester United every game I'll eventually play for Ireland every game.

"I'm just going to concentrate on getting into the United team. Obviously I'm ready to play when I go away with Ireland. If I don't get picked I'll be on the bench and ready to come on, what else can I do?

"Obviously I'm disappointed with not playing but Paul Green's a good player. He's scored a lot of goals and obviously he's playing every week, which I'm not.

"I can see why Trap picked him ahead of me. Things like that happen in football so you can either get on with it or sulk about it. I'll be ready to take the chance when he puts me in."

Impressive

Gibson had an impressive season for United last season but he has been peripheral this term with just one appearance in the Premier League, and that as a sub. Some weeks the Derry native does not even make it into the match-day squad.

"I would have liked to have been involved a bit more this season but I'm going to have to wait for my chance, like I did last season, and hopefully take it when it comes.

"I was very happy with how it went last season. The manager was looking to send me out on loan, so coming from that to playing in the quarter-finals of the Champions League is a big step. I wanted to stay and try to prove I could play for Manchester United," said Gibson.

The Derry man has nothing like the public profile of team-mate Wayne Rooney and that suits him right down to the ground as Gibson sympathises with the difficulties faced by the England striker now.

"I think it's just a slight confidence issue from the World Cup that he's brought back with him," he says. "He's just having a bad patch with his form. The recent scandal -- if you like -- in the papers didn't do him any favours. It probably did put a lot of stress on him.

"He's the same person around the training ground. It's just a matter of time before he's scoring goals again."

Sir Alex Ferguson will give Rio Ferdinand every chance to prove his fitness ahead of United's clash with Valencia on Wednesday night.

The Reds have conceded 10 goals in the seven games Ferdinand has sat out this season and the manager hinted on Tuesday that the England captain could be in line to make a return against Spain's current league leaders.

But Sir Alex said he won't make up his mind whether to start Rio until the day of the game.

"It's a decision I'll take tomorrow," he told journalists on Tuesday evening at the Mestalla. "He's had plenty of training and a couple of Reserves games - he also played against Rangers and Scunthorpe - but he’s been out for five months.

"That’s why I didn’t risk him on Sunday against Bolton. I felt that would be a physical challenge so we decided to stick with Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans, who have done very well for us. I have no complaints about their performance levels."

Fitness clouds also hang over Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney, although none of those players travelled to Spain on Tuesday morning.

Rooney, who picked up an ankle knock at the Reebok Stadium on Sunday, is looking at "two to three weeks" on the sidelines, while Paul Scholes faces a 10-day lay-off with a calf injury.

"You don’t want to lose your best players, that goes without saying," the manager said. "It was a big decision to leave Scholes behind. He's been in terrific form and now we'll have to adjust the team."

if we can maintain our away form its good enaugh i think  

^i thought we only got like 25 men in our squad

LOL United supporter konon..

Now frankly, whats Valencia without Zigic, Villa, Silva ;p Juan Mata one man show? Yeah, there are on top of the La Liga, CL group with 4-0 away win, but come on man! Its United here we are talking about! The last year's Valencia i would be worried, but the current squad just dont look too strong to beat even out depleted side.

True that. Reason why SAF always applied 4-5-1 formation. But with the absence of Scholes and Giggs, who do you think would be the first 5 (midfielders)?

09:19 That's confirmed. So, no Neville, Scholes, Giggs or Rooney. So the full squad is: Goalkeepers: Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Amos. Defenders: Smalling, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, O'Shea, Evans, Rafael, Brown. Midfielders: Anderson, Bebe, Nani, Carrick, Gibson, Fletcher, Park. Forwards: Hernandez, Berbatov, Macheda, Owen.

But Gibson, Carrick & Anderson can't really convince me though. Not that i doubt their ability, but look at here.

Carrick : not sure if he's 100% fit,
Gibson : not sure whether he's ready for a 'sudden' big game.
Anderson: he always needs to play alongside seniors like Giggs, Scholes & Carrick IMO. But they're not in the game, how?

Based on your preference, i would say Fletcher to replace either Gibson or Anderson if Carrick is fit.

but don't forget how a injured Carrick suddenly played at Community Shield and rick rolled Fabio Capello 

Sir Alex Ferguson saluted the contribution of Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez following United's smash and grab victory in Valencia.

With the Champions League Group C game heading towards stalemate, the young Mexican substitute stunned the partisan crowd with an 85th-minute strike to give the Reds only a second win in 18 away games against Spanish opposition.

Sir Alex said: "I think what Chicharito did was he brought us penetration. Just before he scored he made a great run in behind their defence and that was what we needed at that stage of the game.

“This is a great result for us as it is not easy to come here. We have a bad record over a long period in Spain but nevertheless it was good to win.

“In the second half we certainly improved, we had more penetration about us. When you come here you have to be solid at the back and I don’t think Valencia made any great chances in the match. That said, they always posed a threat because they play good football and they get a lot of players in the box.”

With little over 10 minutes of normal time left, the boss opted for youth by introducing Chicharito and Federico Macheda to the action. His changes paid off handsomely for the Reds, as Anderson and Dimitar Berbatov took a well-earned breather.

The United manager said: “It was Anderson’s first game back for a long time playing at that level so he had to come off at some point and Berbatov did a great job in terms of the work he put in. The changes suited us in terms of energy and speed.”

Sir Alex was talking to ITV.

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez is hoping his first goal in the Champions League will be a springboard for many more as he continues his exciting start to life with United.

The young forward's decisive flash of penalty-area inspiration settled an otherwise largely forgettable match at the Mestalla, but the substitute insisted the outcome - a vital one-nil win for the Reds over main Group C rivals Valencia - mattered more than any personal glory.

"It was a great night. I am so happy about the goal but also it was important to get the win and three points," said Chicharito.

"I am glad I was able to play my part in the win. But our defence was very solid tonight. We appreciate that as players up front."

Making his mark on the Continent realised a dream for Chicharito, who previously watched European football from afar in his homeland.

"I always used to watch the Champions League when I was back home in Mexico," he said. "It is one of the most important tournaments in the world so I was always keeping up with it.

"To score in the Champions League, so early in my United career, is a dream come true for me, and a big boost. It will give me so much confidence."

The fact his 85th-minute winner came from the best team move in the match, involving fellow United substitute Federico Macheda and also Nani, was not lost on the Mexican predator.

"It was some great play by Nani to keep the ball and then he set Kiko away. It was a great ball in from him and I was able to put it away."

From scoring at Wembley against United's biggest domestic rivals to getting the club's European quest up and running, Chicharito continues to take everything in his stride as his fledgling Reds career unfolds.

"I have been settling in well in Manchester," he added. "I have been learning and working so hard because I want to do well here, I am very motivated.

"I am enjoying it and it is great to be a United player. I want it to continue for a long time."

Rio Ferdinand praised Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez after United's Mexican striker came off the bench to seal a superb win over Valencia.

The summer signing kept his cool in the cauldron of the Mestalla stadium and claimed the headlines with a cool finish five minutes from time - a goal that will further increase his stock with United fans and players alike.

Ferdinand enthused: “He is a fantastic lad. He comes to early training every day and he is one of the last to leave, he has a great attitude and he always wants to learn and get in the team. But that is the same with all the lads like Kiko and Michael Owen. We have the players who can come in and make a difference for us."

Turning to United's table-topping win, the defender revealed the Reds set out to stifle the opposition and then steal a goal. The final score suggests the plan was perfectly executed.

“I think we came to set our stall out to make sure we didn’t concede and hit them on the counter attack," reflected Rio. "I thought in the first half we contained them but didn’t really offer much ourselves going forward.

“In the second half we improved a little bit, kept the ball and then the two substitutes combined with Nani to score a great goal.

“The result is definitely a confidence boost. Obviously it has been well documented that we have let points slip in recent games and you do get nervous when you’re on a run like that but tonight I though as a team we dealt with it well.”

Having played just twice this season following a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Ferdinand showed little sign of rustiness. Instead he gave the type of performance that has become synonymous with the elegant defender and his delight at playing again was evident.

“It was good. I’m just pleased to be back and playing," he smiled. “I enjoy playing football, that is what I know and do best. To get out there and play 90 minutes is just fantastic and to get a win in Spain is great because we all know it is hard and we did it today.”

Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung admits his performances so far this season have left him far from happy.

After his World Cup exertions with South Korea, Park has struggled to find any kind of form since his return to Old Trafford.

His first-half display in Valencia last night was particularly poor as the 29-year-old repeatedly gave away possession when Sir Alex Ferguson had implored his team to retain it.

At one point, the demanding United manager delivered a stinging volley at Park to try to trigger some improvement.

The move did actually succeed and Park completed the full 90 minutes of the excellent 1-0 win at the Mestalla stadium.

But he is still not happy with his own contribution.

"I am not satisfied with my performances this season," he said.

"I don't know why my performances have not been good. Maybe I was not ready for the season.

"But mentally I have been weak and I have to improve.

"In the first-half last night my performance was bad but at least the second was better."

Compared to many of his team-mates, Park is still lacking minutes.

Balance

Wednesday night represented the first occasion he had completed an entire game this season, although at least in coming through his third outing in a week, he is starting to get some continuity.

"It is always difficult to get the balance," Park said.

"I missed a couple of games and then played again, although since I joined Manchester United it has been like that so I should know how to deal with it."

United will be hoping last night's success kick-starts their season.

Their second victory in 19 visits to Spain to face Spanish opposition, Javier Hernandez's late strike put them on top of Group C - above Rangers on alphabetical order - and in line for a place in the last 16 given they now face back-to-back encounters with Bursaspor, the Turkish champions who are yet to collect a point so far.

United have also proved they can compete without Wayne Rooney, who is set for a three-week stint on the sidelines with an ankle injury he had checked out in Manchester yesterday.

Although most of Rooney's absence is covered by the forthcoming international break, he will sit out Saturday's trip to Sunderland and possibly the home encounter with West Brom a fortnight later and the first of those two encounters with Bursaspor on October 20.

Yet Park does not feel United should be concerned.

"Throughout Manchester United's history we always come up with answers to problems," he said.

"Big stars come and go but still the team keep producing the same performances.

"We just concentrate on that to make sure we show our quality on the pitch."