I need to voice my displeasure over Neale Barry who refereed the Manchester United vs Newcastle match. Sir, Andy O'Brian HELD Alan Smith back 3 times and you tell me that is NOT a foul? So would you please explain to me what a foul is then? He was clearly holding back Smith. If you let pass 1, never mind. But 3 times?!?!?!

A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following four offences:
- tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball
- holds an opponent
- spits at an opponent
- handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area)

(source: http://www.drblank.com/slaw12.htm)

The Man Utd supporters are frustrated. The manager is frustrated. The players are frustrated. That explained Rooney's reaction after he scored that goal-of-the-season contender goal. The amount of pent-up frustration in him. I would have shouted my guts out after Rooney scored if not for the fact that it's after 12 and my sister is sleeping.

Man Utd are no longer the force to be reckoned with. Somehow, somewhat, teams who perform badly always seem to perform brilliantly when playing against Man Utd. Even a team like Norwich, who has the worse defensive record in the EPL can keep a clean sheet against Man Utd and score 2 goals! What more can 1 expect? We lack something. A desire? A self-belief? The Hunger? Or perhaps, now money is more important to the players.







If Rio chooses to go to another club because Man Utd refuse to meet up to the 120,000 pounds wages, then he doesn't deserve to put on the Man Utd jersey and to have the captain's armband. Don't ever forget Rio. Fergie and Manchester United stood by you when you were banned for 8 months after missing a drugs test. Don't forget who paid your 75,000 pounds a week wages during those 8 months when the other players slogged their guts out on the pitch.

No matter what. Man Utd are still the team closest to my heart. I may sometimes disagree with Fergie's tactics or Fergie's choice of players. But I still believe that we are a team in transition - Playing with a new 4-5-1 position, players like Heinze, Saha, Smith, Kleberson still in their 1st season. We may not have the money to match Chelsea. We may not have Arsenal's flair and Henry's magic. But we have the credentials. And I know, we will go through this period. This is Fergie's toughest period in his 19 years reign. But he will see through it. We will emerge victorious. Again. We'll see the smiles of victory once again. Cuz it's not all doom and gloom yet...

Staring into the Abyss,