Top 5 highlights for Manchester United in 2012/2013

As we close in to the end of another season of thrilling and exciting football for Manchester United, fans across the world would be proud of their team despite losing out on the double or even the treble. Manchester United look set to win the Premier League ahead of the Manchester derby which is just days away. The derby gives United a chance to extend their lead to 18 points, pushing City’s title hopes off the table. Looking at the Premier League, United’s season has been spectacular for the players and fans. Nerve-racking, goal-scoring and high intensity matches have come in abundance. With these strong words come five very significant moments for the club.

5) Manchester United clinch victory at the death against Newcastle

Manchester United’s English midfielder Tom Cleverley (L) celebrates with Manchester United’s Mexican forward Javier Hernandez (R) after Hernandez scored their fourth and winning goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford

In this enthralling match played post Christmas, Manchester United won 4-3 against Newcastle at Old Trafford. Newcastle were the team to take the lead on the first 3 occasions. The first of which came through James Perch, whose goal was cancelled out by Evans’ effort from close range. Evans soon went from hero to villain as he put the ball past his own net. The half ended at 2-1 with Newcastle in front. Patrice Evra joined the list of goalscorers after his effort from outside the box was smashed into the corner of the net. Newcastle then brought in former United player Gabriel Obertan who assisted Cisse’s goal to put Newcastle up again. It looked strange that the game had 5 different goalscorers and Van Persie wasn’t one of them. The Dutchman added his name to the list 3 minutes later with a goal that leveled the match at 3-3. 20 minutes were still left and with 6 goals already netted, who would rule out the possibility of a winner? After a goalless 20 minutes, stoppage time was added. In came Chicharito, who volleyed a shot past Tim Krul to win the match for United. The goal was assisted by Michael Carrick, who has been tagged as United’s unsung hero this season. His pass into the box was inch perfect for the Mexican poacher to net. The match ended at 4-3, with United extending their lead by another 2 points.

4) Robin Van Persie nets first Manchester United hat-tick

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 02: Robin Van Persie of Manchester United celebrates the winning goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Manchestrer United at St Mary’s Stadium

This was only the third match Manchester United played in the season and it was against Premier League newcomers Southampton. Van Persie had created ripples by signing for United from Arsenal. The Dutchman started this game after an impressive performance in the previous game against Fulham, in which he netted an absolute screamer. The match started with Rickie Lambert giving the Saints the lead in just 16 minutes. Van Persie equalized just 7 minutes later through a coolly-guided shot past the keeper. At halftime, the score was 1-1. The Saints got the lead at the start of the second half through Schneiderlin after skipper Patrice Evra slipped in his own box. United were down by a goal and opportunities weren’t coming in numbers for them. Around the 70th minute mark, United were given a lifeline. A penalty was rightly given for a tackle on Van Persie. The Dutchman stepped up and took the penalty, but missed. Looking at the way the game progressed, it didn’t look like Manchester United could salvage a comeback. But then again, that is what Manchester United are famous for. They did manage a comeback in some style. The first goal came off a rebound in the 5-yard box which Van Persie netted. The striker could breathe a sigh of relief after a disastrous spotkick. But United’s £24 million summer signing wasn’t done yet. He managed to score a scorching header in stoppage time to seal the game in United’s favour.

3) Manchester United’s victory Stamford Bridge.

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 28: Javier Hernandez (R) of Manchester United celebrates his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge

This was a fantastic 5 goal match with United edging past Chelsea by 1 goal. United took an early lead through a David Luiz own goal in just 4 minutes. The lead was then doubled by Van Persie minutes later. Some would rightly say that United went 2 goals up too early in the match. Chelsea stepped up their game and claimed 2 goals one after the other. With the score level at 2-2 at 55 minutes, this was a treat for the supporters of the Premier League giants. The game was balanced until 2 decisions swung the game firmly in the hands of United. The first of which was a red card handed to defender Branislav Ivanovic after a challenge on Young, who was alone in front of goal. 5 minutes later, Torres was sent off after being handed a second yellow card for diving rather controversially. Torres was furious as replays showed that Evans had actually clipped him. Chelsea had 9 playing men now and a win would be off the cards. All they could do was hope to see off the remaining minutes without conceding. Between the 2 red cards, Sir Alex made a change by bringing on Chicharito for Cleverley. The red card had infuriated Chelsea fans who could not possibly think of what was coming. A goal was surely on the cards; but the fact that it was scored by a man in an offside position was enough to set fire in London. United ended the match winning 3-2.

2. Nani’s sending off against Real Madrid

Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir (2L) shows Manchester United’s Portuguese midfielder Nani (3R) the red card to send him off during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match between Manchester United and Real Madrid at Old Trafford.

Manchester United were knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16 by Real Madrid. The first leg ended 1-1 in Madrid. Sir Alex was happy with the performance and result of the match whereas Mourinho was slightly disappointed having played a side that enjoyed majority of the chances in the match. One point on which both teams would agree would be that the tie was very open. So Real Madrid faced Manchester United at Old Trafford in a match in which they hoped to come out on top. The match was weighed up for a variety of reasons such as Cristiano Ronaldo‘s return to his former home stadium. As the match started, it was Manchester United who looked on top. It was easy to notice how Sir Alex’s tactics downsized Mourinho’s tactics. Nani and Welbeck were big threats to the Madrid defense. The breaks made by United were threatening although United weren’t able to get a goal. The half ended at 0-0. United continued with the tempo at the start of the second half. They eventually scored through an own goal by Sergio Ramos. It didn’t look like Madrid were going to equalize soon either. However, the course of the game changed after Nani was controversially handed a red card by the referee. Alex Fergurson was furious and so was the United crowd. Nani could not believe what he saw when the referee showed him the red card. The course of the game was changed and Real could attack more freely in their pursuit to grab an equalizer. Mourinho rightly brought on Modric straight after the red card. His decision was a wise one as the Croatian midfielder scored for Real minuted after coming on. 3 minutes after the goal, Ronaldo scored another goal to put Real in a very comfortable position. The match ended at 2-1 to Real. Fans and players were very disappointed. Rio Ferdinand went to the extent of clapping in front of the referee’s face for his red card decision. Sir Alex snubbed the post match interview as well.

1) The Manchester Derby

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 09: Robin van Persie of Manchester United celebrates scoring the winning goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium

The first Manchester derby of the season was played at the Etihad stadium. United went in the match 3 points above Manchester City. A win would give United a fair amount of breathing space. City were defending a mighty undefeated run at home in the league. If there was a team to change that statistic, it had to be rivals Manchester United. The visitors went and claimed a 2 goal cushion in just 30 minutes through a brace by Wayne Rooney. The score stayed 2-0 at halftime. City kept trying to find a first goal and eventually did find it through Yaya Toure. With half an hour left, City’s chances were boosted. After pressing forward continuously, they then found an equalizer. Zabaleta scored with a clean strike after the ball fell perfectly in his way in a crowded box. United were pushed back completely. They were struggling and City looked like the side capable of getting a winner. 4 minutes of stoppage time was added. Manchester United eventually got a break and came close to the City box. Rafael was brought down by Tevez just outside the box, giving Manchester United a freekick in a very dangerous position. Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie were the men behind the ball. Rooney soon gave Van Persie the responsibility and headed towards the box. Hearts all over the world stopped for a second as Van Persie struck the ball towards the target. The ball suffered a deflection off Nasri’s leg and found its way in to the corner of the net. Van Persie had sealed a most electrifying derby.