I thought it would be good at the start of each month to give my predictions on the games that Manchester United will have. Here’s how I can see our games in December panning out.
Before that though, here’s a quick look at how I got on last month with my predictions, as you’re see there I got no score spot-on only predicting 3/6 results right.
So who do United play this month, let’s have a look:
3rd December – Premier League: Aston Villa @ Villa Park
United begin the month with a tricky fixture away to Aston Villa. The last three league games between the sides at Villa Park have been draws and United haven’t lost in the league there since 1995, so something’s got to give.
After drawing last up against Newcastle in the league, it’s vital United start the month well and lay down a marker for the challenging winter period. It will be tough but I can see United winning 2-1 with Wayne Rooney bagging the winner.
7th December – Champions League: Basel @ St Jakob Park
This is arguably Basel’s biggest game in their European history. They have lost their manager Thorsten Fink to Hamburg since the teams last met, but the Swiss side know that a win over United will see them reach the knockout stages.
Sir Alex despite knowing that a draw guarantees United’s passage through to the last 16 will be setting up the team to win the game. He will want his side to get the job done early on and not let the Swiss side have any hope of pulling of an upset. United to win 2-0.
10th December – Premier League: Wolves @ Old Trafford
Last season Mick McCarthy’s Wolves made life tough for United only losing to two late goals in both of their games at the theatre of dreams last season. Wolves are a strong physical side and are not easy to break down. They’re not too bad going forward either.
This is a game that United cannot afford to drop points in and it’s important that the side don’t leave it until injury time to get the job done. United will keep a clean sheet in this game and will win 3-0 with Danny Welbeck and Rooney getting on the scoresheet.
18th December – Premier League: QPR @ Loftus Road
Incredibly this will be United’s first visit to Loftus Road to play QPR in a league fixture since March 1996 when Eric Cantona scored a late equaliser in that season’s memorable title run-in against Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle which of course saw United win the double that year.
The Premier League has changed alot since then and QPR have started life back in the top-flight well. United may need to be patient in this one and may as Manchester City did against QPR come from behind to win. I fancy United to win 2-1 in a hard-fought match.
21st December – Premier League: Fulham @ Craven Cottage
Fulham at Craven Cottage has been a bogey fixture for United in the last couple of seasons. Last season’s encounter was memorable for Nani missing a penalty shortly before Brede Hangelaand headed in an equaliser for the Cottagers deep into injury-time.
United will have to be switched on in this one and with Fulham’s noisy crowd will really have to work hard to secure a win. Manchester City blew a 2-0 lead at Craven Cottage this season as the hosts fought back to draw. I fear United may have to settle for a point in a 1-1 draw.
26th December – Premier League: Wigan Athletic @ Old Trafford
United will not be wanting to give Wigan a late Christmas present on Boxing Day and will be hoping that they can stroll to a win over Roberto Martinez’s men and pick up a merry three points sending the Old Trafford faithful happy going back to eat the leftovers from Christmas day.
Wigan to date have failed to pick up a point against United since their promotion to the Premier League in 2005 and that statistic is unlikely to change soon. United should win this game 3-0 with Hernandez and Rooney getting on the scoresheet.
31st December – Premier League: Blackburn Rovers @ Old Trafford
In a sad way many Blackburn fans might be hoping they end 2011 on a low by losing heavily in this fixture as it may make their Indian owners sack their unpopular manager Steve Kean. After all losing this fixture 7-1 last season got Sam Allardyce the sack.
On that day Dimitar Berbatov bagged five goals for United, but the Bulgarian is unlikely to even be on the bench in this one. United though should have enough quality to beat Blackburn’s leaky defence. Rooney should wreak havoc scoring twince in a 4-0 United win.
Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87