United up to third
They've got nobody fit, they aren't playing particularly well, but Manchester United are up to third in the table after a fifth consecutive victory.
Louis Van Gaal’s side beat Southampton 2-1 at St Marys last night despite turning in their worst performance since they struggled at the start of the season.
It was the type of game they would have lost last season, but under Van Gaal United are rediscovering their oldest habit - winning.
They largely had Robin Van Persie to thank for the three points last night. The Dutchman has been out of form and has come across as uninterested at times but he had his best game since Sir Alex Ferguson’s last season in charge, scoring two very well taken goals and holding the ball up well on the rare occasions United were able to string a few passes together.
With Van Gaal reverting back to the 3-5-2 formation which has proved nothing short of disastrous each time it’s been used, Southampton dominated proceedings, seeing the majority of the ball and pressing United well off it.
But an errant back pass from Jose Fonte let in Van Persie who nut-megged Fraser Forster to give United the lead against the run of play.
Southampton weren’t deterred and their pressure told as Graziano Pelle continued his fine season to level things up, and shortly after Paddy McNair, who didn’t last the half, presented Shane Long with a golden opportunity which the Tipperary man blazed over.
United were better in the second half but again it was Southampton dictating things, until Wayne Rooney swung in a deep free kick and Van Persie cushioned it in at the back post, sending United’s three thousand strong travelling support behind the goal berserk.
Next up for Van Gaal's side is the visit of Liverpool, a fixture former United skipper Gary Neville used to relish, but the recent performances of both sides have left Neville decidedly unimpressed and he reckons Sunday's game could be "like the Dog and Duck versus the Red Lion."
FA Cup final repeat
Before last night's game the draw for the third round of the FA Cup was made.
The draw was made at The Deep aquarium in Hull, with Hull City manager Steve Bruce and skipper Curtis Davies both in attendance.
It was fitting then that the first tie to be drawn was a repeat of last year’s final, with Hull heading to the Emirates to take on holders Arsenal.
Elsewhere AFC Wimbledon, in the third round for the first time in their history, will welcome Liverpool to Kingsmeadow, while non-league minnows Blyth Spartans were awarded a trip to Premier League West Brom.
Everton will entertain West Ham, while Chelsea and Manchester City have favourable home ties against Watford and Sheffield Wednesday respectively.
Manchester United manager Van Gaal could be heard asking “Accrington Stanley, who are they?” after his side were drawn to play the winners of the replay between the Lancashire club and Yeovil.
Keane’s golden season
A man of the match performance and winning extra time goal in the MLS cup final rounded off a superb year for Robbie Keane, Ken Early looks at how Ireland's leading goal scorer has reinvented himself as leader and legend Stateside.
Bruising Clermont must evolve
Clermont Auvergne pulverised Munster to secure a famous victory at Thomond Park last Saturday, but their forwards coach Jono Gibbes, formerly in charge of the pack at Leinster, believes the physically imposing French side need to develop their game plan if they are to make it back-to-back Pool one wins at the weekend.
Speaking to Gavin Cummiskey, he said: “Unfortunately we have to play the same guys next week. We’ve looked in their eyes and they’ve looked in our eyes.
“Now we have to go back and evolve our strategy, maybe get some better lineout options.”
Don’t write us off says Ruan
Fit again scrum half Ruan Pienaar has warned against writing his Ulster side off after he returned to action in last weekend's 24-9 win over the Scarlets at Ravenshill.
Pienaar had been absent for three months but scored a try on his comeback as Ulster gave themselves a fighting chance of making it out of Pool three, and he spoke to John O’Sullivan.
European hopes in the balance
After both Leinster and Munster suffering European defeats, the prospect of all the provinces being out of the Champions Cup before the knock out stage for the first time in 17 years is a worryingly real prospect, writes Gerry Thornley.
Blackrock looking for Schools Cup hattrick Blackrock are looking for a third successive Leinster senior Schools Cup victory, Gavin Cummiskey looks at the first round draw.
Meadow misses out Stephanie Meadow came up just short in her pursuit of an LPGA Tour card after losing a tense play-off in Q-school at Daytona Beach. But, despite missing out on a full card, she still has more than a dozen tour events to look forward to next season, writes Philip Reid.
Sole Power Sole Power was named Horse of the Year at the Horse Ireland awards 2014, and at the ceremony the minister for agriculture Simon Coveny described the Government's recent budget increase to Irish horse racing as an investment, and he is looking for a return to the days when the industry was responsible for up to 20,000 jobs.
Racing was given an increase from €43 million to €54.5 million in the Horse and Greyhound Fund in the last budget, with pledges for further increases over the following two years, writes Brian O’Connor.
Jordan set for Tyrone chair Tyrone GAA are on the verge of making history tonight with the election of the association's first female county chair. Roisin Jordan, who has served for five years as vice chair, is set to take the top job in the country in a ground-breaking move for the association.
Costello admits Dublin lack depth
Elsewhere, Dublin's chief executive John Costello has conceded the county's senior hurlers lack the depth at the moment to mount a consistent championship challenge but disputed claims all Dublin hurlers are "made " or "manufactured".
He also argued for the introduction of the black card into hurling to combat cynical play which he maintained is as prevalent in hurling as it is in football.
Kilkenny choose captain
Ballyhale Shamrocks rounded off a brilliant year for Kilkenny hurling but there is still one matter to be decided - who will captain the county next year. With Kilkenny still adopting the old practice of allowing the county champions to nominate the captain, it looks set to go to defender Joey Holden.
Asafa in Athlone
Former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell is set to compete in Athlone at the AIT International next February. Powell returned to the track last summer having been banned for a positive drugs test in 2013 and has run three sub-10 second times since.
