August
Sat 8th: Tottenham (H)
Sat 15th: Aston Villa (A)
Tues/Wed 18/19: Champions League play-off, 1st leg
Sat 22nd: Newcastle (H)
Tues/Wed 25/26: Champions League play-off, 2nd leg
Sat 29th: Swansea (A)
September
Sat 12th: Liverpool (H)
Tues/Wed 15th/16th: Champions League group stage begins
Sat 19th: Southampton (A)
Tues/Wed 22/23rd: Capital One Cup 3rd round
Sat 26th: Sunderland (H)
October
Sat 3rd: Arsenal (A)
Sat 17th: Everton (A)
Sat 24th: Manchester City (H)
25/26th October: Capital One Cup 4th round
Sat 31st: Crystal Palace (A)
November
Sat 7th: West Brom (H)
Sat 21st: Watford (A)
Sat 28th: Leicester (A)
December
Tues/Weds 1st/2nd: Capital One Cup 5th round
Sat 5th: West Ham (H)
Tues/Weds 8th/9th: Champions League group stage matchday 6
Sat 12th: Bournemouth (A)
Sat 19th: Norwich (H)
Sat 26th: Stoke (A)
Mon 28th: Chelsea (H)
January
Sat 2nd: Swansea (H)
Tues/Wed 5th/6th: Capital One Cup Semi Final 1st leg
Sat 9th: FA Cup 3rd round
Weds 13th: Newcastle (A) 7.45pm
Sat 16th: Liverpool (A)
Sat 23rd: Southampton (H)
Tues/Weds 26th/27th: Capital One Cup Semi Final 2nd leg
Sat 30th: FA Cup 4th round
February
Tue 2nd Feb: Stoke (H) 8pm
Sat 6th Feb: Chelsea (A)
Sat 13th: Sunderland (A)
Sat 20th: FA Cup 5th round
Tues/Weds 16/17th: Champions League first knockout round, 1st leg
Tues/Weds 23/24: Champions League first knockout round, 2nd leg
Sat 27th/Sun 28th: Arsenal (H)/Capital One Cup Final
March
Tues 1st: Watford (H) 8pm
Sat 5th: West Brom (A)
Tues/Weds 8th/9th: Champions League first knockout round, 2nd leg
Tues/Weds 15th/16th: Champions League first knockout round, 2nd leg
Sat 12th: FA Cup 6th round/ Crystal Palace (H)
Tues/Weds 15th/16th: Champions League
Sat 19th: Manchester City (A)
April
Sat 2nd: Everton (H)
Tues/Wed 5/6: Champions League Quarter final, 1st leg
Sat 9th: Tottenham (A)
Tues/Weds 12/13: Champions League Quarter final, 2nd leg
Sat 16th: Aston Villa (H)
Sat 23rd: West Ham (A)/FA Cup Semi Final
Tues/Wed 26/27th: Champions League Semi Final, 1st leg
Sat 30th: Leicester (H)
May
Tues/Weds 3/4: Champions League Semi Final, 2nd leg
Sat 7th: Norwich (A)
Sun 15th: Bournemouth (H)
Sat 21st: FA Cup Final
Sat 28th: Champions League final
All kick-off times and dates subject to change
Friday, 19 June 2015
2015/16 league fixtures announced... and its Spurs first up
Louis van Gaal will begin his second season in charge of United with a home match against Tottenham after the Premier League fixtures were announced this week.
Mauricio Pochettino's Spurs side will pose a tough opening day test for the Reds, who will be looking to reproduce the kind of form that brushed aside the same opponents in the corresponding fixture last season.
Then, two days before the first leg of the Champions League play-offs, the Reds travel to the happy hunting ground of Villa Park to face Tim Sherwood's Aston Villa.
The first match to really get pulses racing is the visit of Liverpool (a third win over them in a row, anyone) on the 12th September (although that's likely to change due to TV coverage) ahead of a tough run of fixtures for United.
October has the look of a potentially season-defining month, with three difficult-looking away trips at Arsenal, Everton and Crystal Palace sandwiched by the small matter of the Manchester derby at OT on a provisional date of Saturday 24th October.
November is relatively kinder, with three matches against sides United will be confident of beating as we host West Brom and then travel to newly-promoted Watford before ending with a visit to Leicester.
A home game with West Ham and a trip to Bournemouth kick-off the busy festive fixture list, followed by Norwich at home (19th), Stoke away on Boxing Day (why do we always play there in winter) and then the visit of champions Chelsea to end 2015.
There are no New Year's Day games (the 2nd of January is a Saturday) but we start 2016 at home to Swansea, then travel to Anfield for a blockbuster showdown on the 16th.
Trips to Chelsea and the hosting of Arsenal provide the standout matches in February, while West Brom, Watford and Palace should send United into the second derby of the season (19th March) in decent nick.
Then, its Everton (home), Spurs (away), Villa (home), West Ham (away) and Leicester (home) before we wrap up the season against the other two top-flight newcomers (Norwich away, 7th May) and Bournemouth at home (15th) both of whom could be fighting for their lives in the closing weeks of the campaign.
The kick-off times and dates are almost certainly going to change when the televised games are published so keep an eye out for any alterations.
Mauricio Pochettino's Spurs side will pose a tough opening day test for the Reds, who will be looking to reproduce the kind of form that brushed aside the same opponents in the corresponding fixture last season.
Then, two days before the first leg of the Champions League play-offs, the Reds travel to the happy hunting ground of Villa Park to face Tim Sherwood's Aston Villa.
The first match to really get pulses racing is the visit of Liverpool (a third win over them in a row, anyone) on the 12th September (although that's likely to change due to TV coverage) ahead of a tough run of fixtures for United.
October has the look of a potentially season-defining month, with three difficult-looking away trips at Arsenal, Everton and Crystal Palace sandwiched by the small matter of the Manchester derby at OT on a provisional date of Saturday 24th October.
November is relatively kinder, with three matches against sides United will be confident of beating as we host West Brom and then travel to newly-promoted Watford before ending with a visit to Leicester.
A home game with West Ham and a trip to Bournemouth kick-off the busy festive fixture list, followed by Norwich at home (19th), Stoke away on Boxing Day (why do we always play there in winter) and then the visit of champions Chelsea to end 2015.
There are no New Year's Day games (the 2nd of January is a Saturday) but we start 2016 at home to Swansea, then travel to Anfield for a blockbuster showdown on the 16th.
Trips to Chelsea and the hosting of Arsenal provide the standout matches in February, while West Brom, Watford and Palace should send United into the second derby of the season (19th March) in decent nick.
Then, its Everton (home), Spurs (away), Villa (home), West Ham (away) and Leicester (home) before we wrap up the season against the other two top-flight newcomers (Norwich away, 7th May) and Bournemouth at home (15th) both of whom could be fighting for their lives in the closing weeks of the campaign.
The kick-off times and dates are almost certainly going to change when the televised games are published so keep an eye out for any alterations.
Saturday, 6 June 2015
Everton to sign Cleverley from United
Everton have completed the signing of on loan United midfielder Tom Cleverley on a five year contract.
Cleverley spent last season on loan at Aston Villa, where he was influential in helping Tim Sherwood's side to Premier League survival and they also reached the FA Cup final.
Tom will join Roberto Martinez's Toffees on 1 July on a free transfer once the transfer window opens.
Paul Scholes retirement before the 2011-12 season left an opening in the United midfield, and Cleverley was quickly identified as a promising, home grown replacement.
A competitive debut soon followed in the 2011 Community Shield comeback win over Manchester City and Cleverley went on to feature a further 79 times for the Reds across three seasons, picking up a title winners medal in 2012/13 (Cleverley 2-0 Gerrard- he also won League One when on loan at Leicester).
England recognition came in 2012 in a 2-1 friendly win against Italy (the first of 13 caps for the senior side), and Tom also represented Great Britain in the Olympic football tournament at London 2012.
With the signings of Ander Herrera, Angel Di Maria, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw and Radamel Falcao ahead of the 2014/15 season, Cleverley found himself on the fringes of Louis van Gaal's side and after attracting interest from both Aston Villa and Everton, he joined the Villa Park side on loan for the season.
With fierce competition for places in the United side and more summer additions to come, it has appeared for some time as though Cleverley's best chance of regular first team football would lie away from Old Trafford.
Everton boss Martinez said:
"For us and for Tom, he is a perfect fit for what we are trying to build here, and, as a player who is still relatively young who has his best years ahead of him, we are pleased to sign him.
"At the age of 25 and a player who is representing his country, Tom has experienced winning trophies and having big roles in demanding teams" added Martinez.
Tom goes with the best wishes of everyone at the club as he embarks on a new chapter of his career at Goodison Park.
Good luck Tom (except when you face us, obviously)
Cleverley spent last season on loan at Aston Villa, where he was influential in helping Tim Sherwood's side to Premier League survival and they also reached the FA Cup final.
Tom will join Roberto Martinez's Toffees on 1 July on a free transfer once the transfer window opens.
Paul Scholes retirement before the 2011-12 season left an opening in the United midfield, and Cleverley was quickly identified as a promising, home grown replacement.
A competitive debut soon followed in the 2011 Community Shield comeback win over Manchester City and Cleverley went on to feature a further 79 times for the Reds across three seasons, picking up a title winners medal in 2012/13 (Cleverley 2-0 Gerrard- he also won League One when on loan at Leicester).
England recognition came in 2012 in a 2-1 friendly win against Italy (the first of 13 caps for the senior side), and Tom also represented Great Britain in the Olympic football tournament at London 2012.
With the signings of Ander Herrera, Angel Di Maria, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw and Radamel Falcao ahead of the 2014/15 season, Cleverley found himself on the fringes of Louis van Gaal's side and after attracting interest from both Aston Villa and Everton, he joined the Villa Park side on loan for the season.
With fierce competition for places in the United side and more summer additions to come, it has appeared for some time as though Cleverley's best chance of regular first team football would lie away from Old Trafford.
Everton boss Martinez said:
"For us and for Tom, he is a perfect fit for what we are trying to build here, and, as a player who is still relatively young who has his best years ahead of him, we are pleased to sign him.
"At the age of 25 and a player who is representing his country, Tom has experienced winning trophies and having big roles in demanding teams" added Martinez.
Tom goes with the best wishes of everyone at the club as he embarks on a new chapter of his career at Goodison Park.
Good luck Tom (except when you face us, obviously)
Friday, 5 June 2015
Red dates for your diary
Hi guys, it's been a while.
Apologies for lack of recent posts, but I've been busy with work and I'm off on my pre-season holiday on Monday so here's one final post before then to keep you going.
The season may be over, but here at United Faithful we will continue to keep all you Red lovers out there up to date with the very latest from Old Trafford.
In just under two weeks time (17th June to be exact), the Premier League fixtures for the 2015/16 season will be released (an August Bank Holiday weekend in Bournemouth, anyone)?
Once the fixtures are out, we'll take an in depth look at next season's schedule, including a full cast list and the blockbuster matches to look out for.
This year, as of last season, Louis van Gaal's side will be flying Stateside for the club's annual pre-season tour, with four games on the schedule- 17 July vs Club America, 21 July vs San Jose Earthquakes, July 25 vs Barcelona before finishing on the 29th when we take on PSG (we will, of course, bring you all the very latest from the Tour, including the match reports).
The squad for the tour is yet to be announced, but it's likely to feature a mixture of first team stars and youth and academy players, giving the younger members of the squad a chance to force their way into LVG's plans ahead of the season proper.
Following the team's return from the USA, we will play a home friendly at Old Trafford (date and opposition to be announced) before, on 7 August, we find out who we will face in the play-off round for a place in the Champions League group stage.
The two legged tie will be played on 18/19 and 25/26 August with the group stage draw to take place the day after the second leg.
The transfer window, always exciting for any football fan, will close on 1 September (a day late because of the Bank Holiday).
Then, in just 63 days time, on the weekend of 8/9 August, the new Premier League season kicks off (it's been brought forward to allow an earlier finish time in preparation for the Euros) when the Reds will be primed and ready to re-commence battle as we set out in pursuit of our 21st top flight title.
Until next time...
Tuesday, 26 May 2015
So it's mission accomplished.. but expectations will be higher next term
Before the start of the season, the idea of United-- having finished seventh last term- finishing in the top four was greeted by scorn but with a proven manager of Louis van Gaal's ilk in place and quality still in the squad it was always a realistic possibility.
As we all know, LVG did exactly that in a satisfactory first season in charge and whilst a club of United's size and stature and our fans should not be happy with finishing in fourth place (as Van Gaal himself alluded to), it's a start and a step in the right direction.
Van Gaal set out to get United into the top four, and that's what he did, so regardless of the relatively small number of extra points gained, this season has to be considered a success.
We're still a work in progress, of that there is no doubt, but no-one can deny that this was a marked improvement from the dark days of the previous campaign.
We're still a work in progress, of that there is no doubt, but no-one can deny that this was a marked improvement from the dark days of the previous campaign.
Next season will be a bigger test of credentials both for Van Gaal and this squad, with a tilt at the title high on the agenda.
It's difficult to say that we will definitely win it (the unlimited spending power of Chelsea and Manchester City will again put them ahead of the rest) but at the very least I'd expect United to be in contention.
Expectations will be higher so for me we should be looking for a top three finish and, with van Gaal having won a trophy in his second season in each of his previous jobs, a cup win wouldn't go amiss either.
Van Gaal now has a greater understanding of the unpredictability of the English game (something he lacked in the first few months in the job) and has quickly identified the weaknesses in this United side both tactically and in terms of personnel.
We need at least one centre back, a defensive midfielder, maybe another striker and, should David de Gea leave, a new number one between the sticks.
We need at least one centre back, a defensive midfielder, maybe another striker and, should David de Gea leave, a new number one between the sticks.
Memphis Depay has already signed on the dotted line and Ilkay Gundogan looks a good bet to follow and with Dortmund's Mats Hummels staying put yet again, Valencia's centre-back Nicolas Otamendi is top of van Gaal's summer wish list.
The Reds simply had to get back into the Champions League for next season and having done that (provided we negotiate a potentially tricky two-legged play-off to reach the group stage), the next phase of the rebuilding process can begin.
Sunday, 24 May 2015
Match report: Hull 0-0 United
Ten man United ended their season with a dour goalless stalemate at the KC Stadium to relegate Steve Bruce's Hull.
The hosts had needed to win to give themselves any hope of last day survival, but Newcastle's
2-0 victory over West Ham took the issue out of their own hands, condemning Hull to demotion no matter the result here.
In a poor game low on any real excitement, the Tigers had the best of the intermittent chances but could not find a way through and slipped into the Championship after two seasons in the top flight.
For the Reds, for whom Marouane Fellaini was sent off for a reckless lunge on former United man Paul McShane, this result merely rubber-stamped fourth position, six points ahead of fifth placed Spurs.
Wayne Rooney skimmed the bar with an early sighter for United, but, understandably given the circumstances, it was the hosts that started with the greater urgency.
A flurry of activity around the visitors goal midway through the opening half brought both hope and frustration for Hull.
McShane and Dame N'Doye had the ball in the net in quick succession within a couple of minutes of each other but both were ruled out for offside.
Ahmed Elmohamady then got on the end of Robbie Brady's corner and steered his header goalwards, but Victor Valdes, on his full debut, reacted superbly to push the ball round the post.
David Meyler turned a Nikica Jelavic header wide from eight yards and Rooney went close with a free-kick, before news filtered through of Newcastle's opening goal at St James Park.
Hull continued to press and Valdes saved well from Sone Aluko, before Fellaini was dismissed for leaving his foot in on McShane just 18 minutes after coming on.
That proved to be the last meaningful action of a disappointing game with Hull down and United looking ahead to next season.
United Faithful Man of the Match: Chris Smalling. Solid and composed throughout.
Overall team performance: 7/10
The hosts had needed to win to give themselves any hope of last day survival, but Newcastle's
2-0 victory over West Ham took the issue out of their own hands, condemning Hull to demotion no matter the result here.
In a poor game low on any real excitement, the Tigers had the best of the intermittent chances but could not find a way through and slipped into the Championship after two seasons in the top flight.
For the Reds, for whom Marouane Fellaini was sent off for a reckless lunge on former United man Paul McShane, this result merely rubber-stamped fourth position, six points ahead of fifth placed Spurs.
Wayne Rooney skimmed the bar with an early sighter for United, but, understandably given the circumstances, it was the hosts that started with the greater urgency.
A flurry of activity around the visitors goal midway through the opening half brought both hope and frustration for Hull.
McShane and Dame N'Doye had the ball in the net in quick succession within a couple of minutes of each other but both were ruled out for offside.
Ahmed Elmohamady then got on the end of Robbie Brady's corner and steered his header goalwards, but Victor Valdes, on his full debut, reacted superbly to push the ball round the post.
David Meyler turned a Nikica Jelavic header wide from eight yards and Rooney went close with a free-kick, before news filtered through of Newcastle's opening goal at St James Park.
Hull continued to press and Valdes saved well from Sone Aluko, before Fellaini was dismissed for leaving his foot in on McShane just 18 minutes after coming on.
That proved to be the last meaningful action of a disappointing game with Hull down and United looking ahead to next season.
United Faithful Man of the Match: Chris Smalling. Solid and composed throughout.
Overall team performance: 7/10
Friday, 22 May 2015
Match preview: Hull City v United, Sunday 24th May
The curtain comes down on 2014/15 with this trip to Humberside as we face a Hull City side who simply must win this one to have any hope of top flight survival.
This is a dead rubber for the Reds who are safe in fourth, but Hull have to win and hope that Newcastle do not in their game with West Ham in the battle to avoid the final relegation place.
United manager Louis van Gaal has hinted that he will play his strongest available starting XI and that there will be no sentiment from the Dutchman against the Tigers, who of course are manager by former Red hero Steve Bruce.
Addressing the media in his final press conference of the season on Friday, Van Gaal said:
"It shall be the same approach as ever, we need to defend our image as Manchester United and we are ending in fourth position, so we have to give our utmost best.
"We haven't won so many matches away so it's very difficult to beat English Premier League clubs away, particularly when the opponent cannot lose the game.
"We shall do our utmost best- we have to do it for the honesty of the league."
Wayne Rooney is fit to start but a decision on the fitness of David de Gea is yet to be made, with Victor Valdes poised to deputise should the Spaniard fail to recover.
There are no new injury concerns for the Reds.
It would be sad to see Brucey and his side drop into the Championship, and a small part of me hopes they win here to stay up (is that really bad) and relegate Newcastle (which is never a bad thing), but speaking post-match on Friday in his final press conference of the season, LVG said his side would "do what is expected of them."
He added:
"I have to play my strongest team, because we have to give everything for the Premier League, our fans, and of course Newcastle United.
"We have taken six points off Newcastle and we have to take six points off Hull City, I think.
"I have said to the players that, in spite of Steve Bruce being a Manchester United guy, we have to ignore that and do what everybody is expecting from us."
Sunday's final match of the season is live on Sky Sports 1 from 2pm.
Form guide: Hull L W W L L L United W L L L W D
Match odds: Hull 12/5 Draw 11/4 United 5/4
Referee: Lee Probert
This is a dead rubber for the Reds who are safe in fourth, but Hull have to win and hope that Newcastle do not in their game with West Ham in the battle to avoid the final relegation place.
United manager Louis van Gaal has hinted that he will play his strongest available starting XI and that there will be no sentiment from the Dutchman against the Tigers, who of course are manager by former Red hero Steve Bruce.
Addressing the media in his final press conference of the season on Friday, Van Gaal said:
"It shall be the same approach as ever, we need to defend our image as Manchester United and we are ending in fourth position, so we have to give our utmost best.
"We haven't won so many matches away so it's very difficult to beat English Premier League clubs away, particularly when the opponent cannot lose the game.
"We shall do our utmost best- we have to do it for the honesty of the league."
Wayne Rooney is fit to start but a decision on the fitness of David de Gea is yet to be made, with Victor Valdes poised to deputise should the Spaniard fail to recover.
There are no new injury concerns for the Reds.
It would be sad to see Brucey and his side drop into the Championship, and a small part of me hopes they win here to stay up (is that really bad) and relegate Newcastle (which is never a bad thing), but speaking post-match on Friday in his final press conference of the season, LVG said his side would "do what is expected of them."
He added:
"I have to play my strongest team, because we have to give everything for the Premier League, our fans, and of course Newcastle United.
"We have taken six points off Newcastle and we have to take six points off Hull City, I think.
"I have said to the players that, in spite of Steve Bruce being a Manchester United guy, we have to ignore that and do what everybody is expecting from us."
Form guide: Hull L W W L L L United W L L L W D
Match odds: Hull 12/5 Draw 11/4 United 5/4
Referee: Lee Probert
