Manchester United 2-2 West Brom: Red Devils Collapse Again

United throw away another win to leave Baggies jubilant.

A nightmare spill from Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar saw West Bromwich Albion come back from two goals down to claim a 2-2 draw.
The mistake - under no pressure at all - cost United vital points as they let slip another lead to potentially fall further behind in the Premier League title race.

The big news before the game was manager Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to put Wayne Rooney on the bench after their reported mid-week falling out. Javier Hernandez lined up with Dimitar Berbatov in his absence as veteran Ryan Giggs returned to the fold after a hamstring injury.

For the Baggies, Somen Tchoyi was handed his first start by boss Roberto Di Matteo. Summer signing Marc Antoine Fortune was drafted in up top after Peter Odemwingie failed to pass a fitness test.

Despite a strong start from the visitors, they quickly fell behind to a Javier Hernandeztap in on five minutes. Nani's free-kick was weakly parried into his path by goalkeeper Scott Carson and he had the simplest of finishes from five yards.

The Mexican had been deep in prayer on the half-way line before kick-off. Luckily for him, the occasional England shot stopper was happy to answer them.

Minutes later, the visitors almost deservedly draw level as a low cross by Fortune is miraculously tapped round the post by Rafael Da Silva with Chris Brunt waiting. Poor officiating saw a goal kick given to rub salt into the wound.

United then swept up the pitch after the reprieve. After strong inter-play, Berbatov curled an excellent effort just wide from the edge of the penalty area with Carson beaten.

United's killer second goal again was a touch self-inflicted after Nani followed up a Nicky Shorey slip on the half-way line to slide home Berbatov's centre on 24 minutes. The Portuguese swooped with aplomb after he calmly played the Bulgarian in after his driving run.


The second half kicked off in exciting style as a Nani cross was hammered against the base of the post by Nemanja Vidic.
Everything was to turn upside down for United shortly after. Anderson hauled down Tchoyi on the side of the area.
Brunt hammered a low free kick into a melee of players. The final deflection came off Patrice Evra’s legs on 50 minutes and couldn’t be hauled back by Edwin van der Sar.
Things were to turn even worse shortly after. Brunt’s high cross was catastrophically spilled into Tchoyi’s path five minutes later to level the scores.
The giant Dutchman had been under no pressure at all from any players and simply lost the ball in flight. It was shock stuff from the veteran shot stopper.
Ferguson called for his top class reserves Rooney and Scholes soon after. A low shot from Rooney - after a back pass to Carson was punished - saw Gabriel Tamas clear off the line in heroic fashion.
Brunt continued to star and his rasping long-distance shot had van der Sar scrambling across his goal as the Di Matteo's men gave as good as they got.
In a helter-skelter end to the match, neither side could find a winner to leave United crest fallen and the Baggies jubilant.

Wes Brown's Future At Manchester United Is In Doubt After Row With Sir Alex Ferguson

Wes Brown has admitted he is frustrated at being left on the bench following a row with Sir Alex Ferguson during the summer.

Reports have suggested the Manchester United defender had the conflict with his manager on their pre-season tour of America and now his future at the club in in doubt.

The cause of the argument surrounds a team night out, which Ferguson reportedly forbade Brown to attend despite not giving any reason.

This has cast the defender into the Old Trafford wilderness and he has only started in United’s Champions League game with Rangers last month and the Carling Cup game with Scunthorpe.

Brown has been at the club since he turned professional in 1996 and has made 349 appearances for the Premier League giants. He is also one short of 200 starts for United, but he now fears he may never get the chance to reach that milestone.

The defender has also won 23 caps for England and it has been rumored that Sunderland are lining up a bid for the player in January.

When being asked whether his spell on the bench has frustrated him, Brown told The Sun: "Yeah, a little bit. But I've always had to deal with that situation throughout my career.”

"It's something I've learned to handle. We've got lots of good players in defensive positions.

"I have to keep training hard and, when I do get a chance, play well.

"There's no point sulking and letting it get to you.

"It might be difficult but you have to remember that everyone wants to play every week. Unfortunately, that can't happen."

Juventus Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon Denies Speculation Linking Him With Move To Manchester United

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has refuted claims he is on his way out of Turin and heading for Manchester United.

The Italian International moved to the Bianconeri for a goalkeeping record transfer fee back in 2001 and reports have linked him with a move to Man United as a replacement for Edwin van der Saar when he retires.

But Buffon has came out and denied any rumours that this is the case.

"Buffon has nothing to decide", he told Sky Italia. 

"I'm at the club's [Juventus'] disposal and they are the ones who will decide what will happen. I have a deal here until 2013.

"We are in October and it's too soon to face certain talks. There are still eight months of the season left. 

"Manchester United are a really great side but they have never shown a direct interest. They are merely press rumors."