Both Toure and Tevez had some comments for United. If this was three or four years ago, no Manchester City player would dare shout out a warning of any kind to United. Mostly because they would have been dismissed as rubbish.

But over $200 Billion later, who wouldn’t be a little more confident? And that’s exactly where these comments are coming from, Toure said “When you’re on a good run like that and you lose, everything becomes harder. It shakes your confidence. Maybe that can happen to them. It was difficult to lose that game.

“The circumstances were hard because they got a penalty, which we didn’t think was a penalty. For us, it was really difficult to lose to United. I think it’s a great chance for me to get my revenge.

“I have spent most of my career in England battling United, first at Arsenal, now at City. They are always at the top. Now we have new players, we are capable of fighting against them and that has been shown with our results against them over the last 18 months.”

While Tevez was more humble in stating “I am a professional footballer and being booed when I am on the field is a price I have to pay sometimes. But it won’t affect me at all.

“Derby games are always beautiful. I enjoyed them in Argentina and Brazil but, in England, they are extra-special.

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Be careful what you wish for. City boss, Roberto Mancini, learned this the hard way. Mancini had had voiced his desire over Rooney’s participation in the derby, and he got what he asked for. Rooney was fit to start and certainly made his presence known.

I liked Uniteds line up, it was their very effective 4-3-3 or 4-5-1, whatever you want to call it, it works. Sir Alex can rotate the three center midfielders, as long as it’s Scholes, Fletcher, Carrick, or Gibson, and it works. You can add Anderson and Hargreaves to the list of players he can rotate into those positions, when they are fit. On the wings Nani, Valencia, Giggs, and Park are interchangeable. On defense we can always count on the left back and at least one of the center backs. The point is, This is the best line-up for United, period.

City started about as strong as they could have, I think City would have been better off with Wright-Philips or Ireland at right wing, instead of Adam Johnson, but oh well.

United were the first to create an opportunity, only 4 minutes in Fletcher would have a decent effort from 20 yards out that went just wide of the goal.

City’s only real opportunity in the first half came from Carlitos Tevez, when he hit a free kick from 28 yards out. But Van der Sar read it and made a very comfortable save, as he held on to it.

5 minutes before the half, Rooney created a great chance, a shot he would’ve converted nine times out of ten. Valencia drew two defenders, and then headed it on to Rooney, who instead of going on to it directly and attempting the shot. He let it run across his body for a left footed shot, a move that sent the City defender flying across, but hit it wide of the post, one of those chances you would love to get back.

Both sides level at the half.

We would have to wait until the hour mark for the first chance of the half, it came from City as Tevez fed Bellamy on the wing, but instead of bringing it in, the Welshman cuts his angle off by continuing to dribble down the line and hitting it with his left foot well wide of the goal.

15 minutes later City would appeal for a penalty as Barry is taken down by Neville in the box. But a second look at the replay, and you could see Barry goes down far too easily. While at the other end Giggs was given a great chance, but didn’t time it right. He should not have let the ball bounce a second time, it allowed Given to pounce on it and maybe cause it was on Giggsy’s right foot, but a Valencia or a Nani, would have finished that.

United were very lucky not to concede a goal in the 85th minute, when a Bellamy corner forced Van der Sar off his line and into a position where he was completely beat, not only was he in mans land, he decided to have a seat and watch as his team scrambled to clear the ball off their line.

Then when everyone had accepted the nil-nil result, United would again grab a late winner, as Paul Scholes, one of Uniteds most decorated players, received a great ball from Evra, but this was all Scholesy. A wonderful finish, as he directs the ball perfectly with his head, something not very easily done, and easily one of Uniteds best goals of the season, both for skill and significance.

Chelsea is still in the driver seat but much to my surprise United are back in the title race. I probably shouldn’t have counted them out so early, there are three games left and anything can happen.

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The incident happened in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final match between Manchester City and Manchester United on January 19. The camera showed Tevez mouthing and making hand gestures toward the touch line after scoring a goal. What most cameras missed was the gesture by Neville that sparked Tevez’s reaction.

Following the incident, the FA vowed to look into the incident, but in the end no action was taken. That didn’t stop Sir Alex Ferguson from taking his own action against the defender however. Neville was scratched completely from the roster and was not allowed to travel to the game versus Arsenal.

Sir Alex was so enraged by the incident that he even banned the reporters of the television channel, that were showing the exchange repeatedly, from his Press conferences.

We have yet to see whether the snubbing of Neville will continue into this weekend’s match, although Gary has rarely been first choice for much of the season, so it’s hard to tell what is really happening. Perhaps the reports are being blown out of proportion or taken out of context. Either way, he will be retiring at the end of the season and I hope this is not what he will be remembered for.

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It was Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlitos Tevez who did the damage, netting a goal each before half-time.
But it was Tevez who dominated the pre-match talk, having made several statements in the previous weeks about his future at Old Trafford. Tevez has reiterated the lack of respect toward him at United, stating that he is too good a player to be sitting on the bench.

But Tevez did start against City and played great, netting Uniteds second goal just before halftime and playing the entire match.

Ronaldo on the other hand dominated the post-match talk, not for his spectacular trademark free-kick which opened the score-line but rather for his childish antics when he was substituted off in the 60th minute.

Sir Alex later played down Ronaldo’s actions by saying “It is great that he wanted to play on. It is fabulous. But I have to look at the big picture. He produced an incredible performance against Arsenal on Tuesday. He ran his socks off. Now I have Wednesday and Saturday to look after. There is no problem.”
Although I feel another boot incident coming on if Ronaldo continues to act like a spoiled brat.

So, lets blow past Wigan on Wednesday and celebrate at Old Trafford on Saturday against Arsenal.

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It didn’t take long for Porto to figure out that United had absolutely no defense. First Hulk in the 3rd minute then the goal in the 4th. We all know Evans “clear” if we can even call it that, was something like that of a little school girl. But it was Ronaldo, who lost the ball at half which led to the goal. Not only did he lose it but he never once turned to win the ball back. Instead he pranced with his head down for about 10 meters before ever looking back. I don’t care if he is Ronaldo, if you lose the ball you need to win it back!

My other issue with Ronaldo is a true footballer knows when its “your” night, when every touch is crisp, every pass is accurate, every trap is exceptional. Tuesday was not Ronaldo’s night, when that happens you need to play simple one, two, or maybe three touches max. So why did Ronaldo insist on trying to take players on.

Personally I think having an extra player in the midfield was useless! Why use three players when two could do the job. Any combination would have done: Carrick/Fletcher, Fletcher/Scholes, Scholes/Carrick and United should have started the match how they ended it. With only two players in the center and an extra striker.

We have seen how Tevez and Rooney produce magic on several occasions so why not give them more time on the pitch together! Tevez has more than proven himself, so I don’t understand why he receives the treatment he does from the coaching staff. Tevez is too good to be just a “super sub”

Porto played very well and deserved the draw if not more. United can not afford to slip up anymore!

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It was understood United had the option to buy the Argentine when the loan spell was up, but United have been very reluctant to meet Media Sports Investment’s £32 million asking price.

Now it seems Tevez is being offered to top European clubs like Internazionale and Real Madrid.

“Carlos is in the market now that United have not made any move for him,” said Kia Joorabchian, founder and President of Media Sports Investment.

“We are now studying other options and interested parties. There is no option left with United any longer.”

I think its crucial for United to keep Tevez. I believe that with competition between three extremely talented strikers you can increase performance.

If United lose Tevez and don’t bring in another top class striker, I believe Rooney and Berbatov’s performance will steadily decline. It’s a proven fact that competition increases performance

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“I have the headstart in Manchester and my idea is to stay here for a few more years,” Tevez told Radio del Plata in an interview.

“It would be very difficult to have to leave one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“I spoke with the president of the club, but nothing is signed yet. We are now waiting until June and we will see what happens.”

At only 5ft 6in Tevez does not have the build of a modern striker. Yet, his determination and relentlessness makes him one of the worlds most dangerous strikers.

United need to do all they can to keep Tevez at Old Trafford or face losing him to a top European club, like Real Madrid.

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United started with Neville, Vidic, Ferdinand, and O’Shea across the back. Park, Carrick, Fletcher and Ronaldo in the middle. While Berbatov and Tevez played up top.

22 minutes in Manchester United could not find a way to penetrate. Every Everton player was behind the ball. And forced United to play and move the ball faster.

Ronaldo hit a shot from 23 yards out  that seemed to roll forever and had enough pace to beat Howard but was denied by the post.

32nd minute Everton too clever for their own good, as Cahill dummys and nutmegs Fallaini only to have the ball roll to the hands of Van der Sar

Although I love Tevez, he was just taking to long for everything in the first 35 minutes. He lost the ball 8 out of 10 times.

And why does Ronaldo never have to defend, he very rarely drops below the half way line into his defensive half, while Berbatov and Tevez were both caught down by the 18.

Penalty given to Carrick rightfully so in the 43rd minute, and Ronaldo converted shooting the ball down the middle as Howard dove to his  right.

Half time

Neville had to come off and Wes Brown took his spot.

Ryan Giggs came on for Fletcher in the 75th and immediately there was a change of pace on the pitch. Giggs just has a kind of presence, its difficult to explain but players respect him. I do believe Giggs is getting a little old to be playing 90 minutes but the way Sir Alex is using him, as a late sub, is brilliant!

And that’s it, 12 consecutive clean sheets for Manchester United!

Unfortunately for Tevez, who finally earned a starting position, this was not the performance he needed. His touches were off and could not find the back of the net if his life depended on it. He hustled, he always hustles, but that wasn’t enough. Lets hope Sir Alex gives him another shot in the near future.

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This was the fifth consecutive clean sheet on the road for Alex Ferguson’s side, but they were once again lacking potency in the final third.

United were without striker Wayne Rooney, who picked up a hamstring injury just eight minutes into the 1-0 win over Wigan in midweek.

Rooney has scored six times in United’s last four encounters with Bolton, and his physical and dynamic play was greatly missed by the defending champions.

In the absence of the England striker, Berbatov and Tevez struggled to find their feet as a partnership, and Cristiano Ronaldo – who also regularly scores against the Trotters – had life made difficult for him by Bolton full-back Gretar Steinsson.

In fact, it was Bolton who forced the first save of the match when, after soaking up United pressure for the opening 20 minutes, Fabrice Muamba battled past Anderson in midfield to fire a shot on goal that Edwin van der Sar had to tip over the bar.

United tested Bolton keeper Jaaskelainen for the first time shortly afterwards, when Darren Fletcher’s cross from the byline found Ronaldo, but the newly-crowned FIFA world player of the year could only steer his header right at the Finn despite being unmarked.

Bolton manager Gary Megson handed a debut to Portuguese striker Ariza Makukula, who only completed his loan move from Benfica on Friday, and the burly striker made his presence felt, picking up a yellow card for a foul on Nemanja Vidic.

However, Makukula spent much of the match chasing down lost causes, and picked up a calf strain in the second half and was replaced by Temitope Odebayi, making only his third appearance for the Trotters.

The second-half again saw Bolton keep United at bay and create some good chances of their own, with Matthew Taylor blasting the sort of half-volley from distance that he usually relishes over the bar and Kevin Davies sending a looping header on to the roof of the net.

However, despite their lack of fluency in front of goal, United rallied in the closing stages and Ronaldo drilled a low shot that was saved by Jaaskelainen before Berbatov’s late winner.
Tony Mabert / Eurosport

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