The United Devils

Football’s obviously a great sport for improving fitness and encouraging team work. But the pitch can also be a dangerous place — just look at all the players that miss months of matches due to strains, sprains and other injuries.
To make sure you give 100% at every game, it’s critical you avoid incurring an injury. Check out our guide to the most prevalent injuries in football and find out how to safeguard yourself from harm…
Groin strain There have been countless professional footballers who have been left on the bench because of a groin injury. If you strain your groin, you’ve basically over-extended your abductor muscles, found in your inner thigh. A slight strain will often cause some pain, however, serious groin strain injuries can impede on your ability to walk and run, which is a serious flaw for a football player.
If you do plenty of pre-match stretches, you will help to lower the risk of a groin injury. Make sure you stretch your inner and outer thigh muscles daily and see if…

Manchester United have a very busy transfer window ahead of them. The club have to provide Mourinho with his desired targets, which will allow him to challenge for the title in his 3rd and most important make or break season at Old Trafford. Club football officially got over after a dramatic Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool, where the Spanish club came victorious once again, winning the competition three times in a row. The final also gave us an insight of a long-time transfer target, Gareth Bale.
Bale is one of the best right wingers on the planet currently and a very skilful player. Bale, since leaving Spurs in 2013, has gone on to win four Champions League titles with the Madrid outfit, making him one of the most successful and decorated Welsh players ever. Bale was nominated man of the match in the Champions League final for coming of the bench and scoring two world-class goals a bicycle kick and a long-range shot deflected in by Karius thus helping Real …

After a ton of individual errors this season from the chuckle Brothers - Smalling and Jones, we have noticed a wide chasm in our defence. Often over committing to a challenge early or dispossessing too close to the goal, we are heavily reliant on David De Gea to save their blushes. 
Even our other center back, Victor Lindelof, is not as sure footed as you'd like a title contender's centre half to be. However, Lindelof has plenty of potential in him to turn his fortunes around. What we lack in the heart of defence is a commanding force who can stand strong and lead the men at the back. That commanding force will come from experience and talent. The best example of talent and experience in the Premier League are the centre back pairing of Vertonghen and Alderweireld. 
Over the course of last season, Toby Alderweireld has lost his place in the Spurs starting lineup majorly due to injuries and brewing discontent at the North London club. He is looking for a move away and Woodward…

With the transfer window now open, Manchester United have kick started their transfer activity and hope to complete their business before a short deadline before the World Cup in June. United have been linked with the likes of Sandro, Fred, Alderweireld and Anderson Talisca.
Mourinho is looking to revamp his squad for the upcoming season in a bid to become strong title contenders and challenge Manchester City to the title. The top 6 sides have also begun their transfer activities and look strong to challenge for the league. United will have to compete against Liverpool and Manchester City, two clubs who are in fine form with one in the Champions League Final and the other winning the league. Arsenal have appointed Unai Emery, who has found tremendous success with PSG and Sevilla respectively. Emery hopes to guide Arsenal back in the top four with his attacking style of play. Chelsea and Spurs are also looking to boost themselves. It is without a doubt that the Premier League will be…

Formation: 4-3-3. Mourinho opted for 4 at the back with 2 firing forward, it led to a lot of possession and United looked dangerous in attack, but with routinely 2 at the back, United was vulnerable to the counter.  Ultimately, the counter killed United along with United's inability to be clinical; an issue all season long.

De Gea, 7 - He was his usual solid self but United needed the spectacular. Beat on the penalty, hard to fault him on that, but ultimately, the "best keeper in the world" must sometimes come up with the spectacular.

Valencia, 8 - United's best wingback on the day, a constant threat up front, should have been involved in a goal, but United couldn't finish the play.

Jones, 4 - Simply awful.  At fault for the goal.  He needs to apply his trade elsewhere next season, or be only squad depth.

Smalling, 6 - Not awful, but really, is this what we expect of our center backs? Where on earth was Bailly?

Young, 4 - Provided an outlet for  the attack, he's a…

Manchester United vs Chelsea FA Cup Final Post Match Analysis

It was a truly disappointing performance from both sides as Chelsea won the FA Cup this afternoon. It was a game of few chances and a 23th minute penalty saw the Blues give United the blues as they end the season trophyless. 
United made eight changes to the 1-0 home victory over Watford with Alexis, Rashford and Young being the only survivors from the dismal last Premier League game, with Rojo, Bailly, Darmian, McTominay, Carrick, Mata and Blind all out for first team regulars, Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Matic, Herrera, Pogba and Lingard. Chelsea kept the same side which beat Liverpool 1-0 in a similarly poor match. For United, it was frustrating not to see both Lukaku and Bailly not starting the game as they have been excellent this season and given Rashford's immaturity in the last few games, many United fans were begging for the big Belgian to start. 
The match started in Chelsea's favour with the Blues earning…

Manchester United face Chelsea in the final of the FA Cup of this season. This is the last game of the season and to cap the season with a trophy will be a great way to end an average season for us. The next season is a do or die for Jose Mourinho and no more FA Cups or League cups will do next season. We have to start aiming for the Premier League and the Champions League.
Anyway, onto the finals. We take on Chelsea at Wembley after they beat Southampton and we saw off Spurs in the semi finals. Conte and Mourinho will refresh their rivalry that taken plenty of twists and turns since the Italian came to the Premier League. With Conte and Mourinho both winning one game apiece against each other this season, both will look to get the upper hand with a trophy on the cards.
Chelsea have disappointingly finished outside the top 4 and will play Europa League football next season. There is widespread resentment and discontent among the Chelsea fans and the board as well. Conte has openly sl…

With the commencement of the summer transfer window in England, all clubs will be looking to bolster their squad ahead of the 2018/19 season and hope that all business is done before the World Cup in Russia which is starting in less than a month. It generally becomes pretty difficult complete transfers during the World Cup season, as it is one of the biggest sporting events in the world and players have to be at the highest levels of concentration with their respective national sides and there is no room for mistakes. Player can’t be kept distracted with the ongoing negotiations or be thinking of a move away.
With the window now open, United will have start getting their desired targets and start strengthening where they used to lag behind. This season, United have been weak mainly in central midfield, with less chances being created. Mourinho needs a player who can dictate the tempo of the game and ignite attacks from the centre. United also have been weak in the left back slot. As…

Manchester United’s Premier League season has come to an end and the Red Devils have secured 2nd place, behind champions Manchester City. United have attained Champions League qualification for a 2nd year running and have completed the season with the highest points tally after Sir Alex retired, with 81 points. As 2018 is a World Cup year, starting in June, the transfer window will officially open on 17th May in England, allowing clubs to complete transfers for the upcoming season.
Mourinho is ready to spend big once again and is also expected to do a mass clear-out to free space for new recruits and remove deadwood. Players like Darmian, Shaw, Martial, Blind, Fellaini and Smalling are all reportedly on the clear-out list. United need to strengthen their squad in many areas that lack quality and Jose is clearly wishing to do that. Jose expressed his desire to sign at least two central midfielders this season with Fellaini likely to leave and Carrick set to retire. United also requir…

In a very matter of fact performance, Manchester United closed its regular season campaign with a 1-0 victory over Watford.  While many supporters hoped to see a starting 11 filled with youth, Manager, Jose Mourinho opted for one last look at some players who might have a role in next week's FA Cup final vs. Chelsea.  A man conspicuously absent was Anthony Martial who was said to have picked up a knock this week.

Formation: 4-3-3: Predictably, Mourinho went with a very plain vanilla game plan against Watford, a bottom-table side, and with a cup final on the horizon.  It was mainly comfortable for United, and at times, looked like a training session.

Romero,9 - The keeper made a case to be a number one keeper somewhere next season, Romero did his best version of "Dave Saves", keeping out at least one sure Watford goal.

Young,8 - A steady performance for the veteran, calm as you like.

Rojo, 6 - dealing with injuries much of the season, it was good to see Rojo back in the side…

(Photo taken by Matt Davis from BBC Sport)

A single Rashford goal in the thirty-fourth minute wins it, in a relatively low-key game. Before the game, Carrick was given a guard of honour by both sides, as he was playing his last game for Manchester United. He walked out to the pitch, hand-in-hand with his children. A truly emotional day for him, and everyone who loves the club. Myself included. Congratulations to Carrick, for playing a total of 464 games for Manchester United.

Carrick played a part in the only goal of the game in the thirty-fourth minute, as he hit the ball over the top for Mata. Who then squared the ball for Rashford, who then scored. In the other highlight, of a relatively quiet first half, fell to Watford. Richarlison headed the ball right at Romero from close range. With the Manchester United number two, making a fantastic save to deny the Brazilian.
Mata was the best player of the second half. He was a constant threat. Every time he had the ball, he was looking to m…

It is the final game of the season. In seasons past, Manchester United would go into the final day needing something. But thankfully, we have already cemented second place, due to our goalless draw against West Ham on Thursday.

It wasn’t the most entertaining of games, but the pressure is now off. The game against Watford is a now a free hit. It is a chance for players to show their true worth. It is their chance to show Mourinho how much they want to be at the club next season. This will be every player’s make or break chance, and could be their final game in a Manchester United shirt.

The form guide going into the game isn’t the best for Manchester United, having won just three of their last six games. Having struggled to beat teams in the lower half of the Premier League. Those being West Brom, Brighton, and West Ham.

That has me slightly nervous, going into our game against Watford. I say that, because of the predicted line -ups that come out yesterday. Watford, despite being saf…

While ultimately a decent result that solidifies second place for Manchester United and guarantees UEFA Champions League football for the second consecutive season under Jose Mourinho, the 0-0 draw with West Ham is emblematic of what has been a frustrating season for Man United supporters.  A match bereft of quality chances, neither team deserved much more than the goalless draw.

Formation: 5-3-2 in defense, 3-2-3-2 in attack.  It was an interesting wrinkle for Mourinho, but ultimately, the front lacked quality with no target forward.

DeGea NA - The keeper had nothing to do. West Ham played for and got its nil-nil draw. The draw nets him the Golden Glove.

Valencia - 6 - Average day for the wing back. Provided his usual outlet for the attack.

Lindelof, 7 -  The defender looked like a bust early on this season, but is coming into his own and should start the Cup Final vs. Chelsea

Jones, 6 - Looking to reclaim his place in the team, Jones was able to snuff out the West Ham attack when needed…

Jose Mourinho chose a very different lineup from the game against Brighton, with 8 changes. This time he opted for a 3-5-2 formation. We started with Smalling, Jones and Lindelof CBs, with Shaw and Valencia as wing backs. This was set to be the big chance for Shaw to tear down that left hand side as he used to do so often. In the centre of the park we had Herrera, McTominay and Pogba, who was allowed to roam further forward. With Lukaku injured and Martial and Rashford playing poorly last game, Lingard and Sanchez led the line for the Red Devils. 
The game was started slowly and there were no clear chances in the first half. Manchester United's defence looked fragile, like it has done in the last few games. The first half consisted of Manchester United dominating possession of the ball but failing to create any chances. Jesse Lingard came close twice with two long range shots but they were well dealt with by the keeper. 
West Ham spent most of the second half on the front foot an…

A poor performance from United against Brighton gave the Seagulls a 1-0 win and safety from relegation. It seemed that United would have to win both their remaining games to guarantee second place and warding off last gasp efforts from Tottenham or Liverpool. But given the disappointing form of both sides, with Liverpool focusing on the Champions League and so winless since mid-April in the League (2D, 1L) and Tottenham only earning one win in five games in all competitions (1W 2D 2L), losing to Man City and Man United at home, United's win being the semi-final of the FA, United now should now have an easy stretch with only one point needed to confirm their second place finish. Now, United must make their final trip to London before the FA Cup final as West Ham United host United at the London Stadium. 

West Ham are now safe from relegation after a 2-0 victory at the King Power Stadium and do not have much more to play for other than a potential top 10 finish. The London side are…