Like a Drought: Galatasaray 1 - Manchester United 0

photo by beleobus	via PhotoRee

The starting eleven named by Sir Alex yesterday didn't exactly ooze respect for the home side, especially as the visitors from England were entering a self-proclaimed Turkish "Hell" for opposing teams. The approach was unorthodox to say the least -- as if Sir Alex surmised that the Reds were actually visiting "Heck" instead -- and a direct result of the visitors having already qualified as top side in the group for the next round of the tournament.

"Phil Jones and Michael Carrick at Center Back," you ask? "Have the two ever played together?," you reasonably question. "Alexander Buttner and Nick Powell both starting?," you query. Yes, yes, and yes. We'll go out on a limb and suggest this wouldn't have happened in the Premier League, even against Southampton. Nevertheless, it's the team which the Gaffer sent out to get the job done.

So did it work?

Largely yes once again, especially for the first 45 minutes of action. Sir Alex was easily the happier of the two managers heading into the interval after a decidedly scrappy first half. The Red Devils came closest to scoring, with only the post denying Nick Powell his just reward for a fine header in a match that marked the young midfielder's Champions League debut. For their part, Galatasaray was limited to a couple of semi-decent chances spread evenly throughout the half, as the makeshift United back line did its job by and large.

Saturday Snoozefest: Manchester United 1 - Ajax Cape Town FC 1

Photo by epSos.de on Flickr

To the very bottom of the country we head, as Manchester United travel from Durban down to Cape Town to face an unheralded and eponymous Ajax club on the second leg of the legendary club's pre-season tour. Once again the Gaffer opts for a mix of youthful enthusiasm and veteran leadership, with unfamiliar names such as Marnick Vermijl and Scott Wootton lining up alongside the familiar monikers of Paul Scholes, Antonio Valencia and Chicharito.

Sir Alex chooses today's game to give newboy Shinji Kagawa his first start for the team, a debut eagerly anticipated by the club's legions of fans. Although the names of Robin Van Persie and Lukas Moura continue to be whispered by both fans and press alike, Kagawa is here and now, and we'll look to see how the Japanese international does in his first curtain call. Without any further ado, to a wet but temporarily sunny Cape Town Stadium we go:

o The game began with a frantic pace, easy on the eye for both the fans and neutrals alike. Although the initial pace was fast and furious, the opportunities for goals were few and far between in the early going. United saw more of the ball but the home side performed well, too -- as may be expected of the winners of the domestic South African league.

o Tyler Blackett performed well, showcasing his willingness to get involved in nearly every United attack down the left hand side of the pitch. The teenager ran his legs off in support of his older teammates, displaying a promising mix of speed, athleticism and physical strength.

o It was great to have the MUFC broadcasters calling the game on Fox Soccer, as we don't get the opportunity to hear Stewart Gardner and the irrepressible Paddy Crerand all that often in the States.  One thing I've learned watching this tour is that Paddy is wrong more often than he's right about offside calls -- the club should buck up to get him and Stewart a better view of the action than they must have had.

o It took every bit of 35 minutes for the visitors to direct a ball on net, with Chicharito finally succeeding in testing the Ajax 'keeper with a bouncing header.  Although the watching pleasure had substantially deteiorated from the game's promising opening, the Ajax fans had to be relatively pleased at the deadlock.  The home side defended in numbers throughout the first half, keeping their shape and showing good discipline off the ball.

o My personal highlight of the first 45 minutes of "action": "So, we're in the final minutes of the first half."

o Kagawa displayed some shimmering skills, offering perfectly weighted passes to his teammates that should have led to scores on more than one occasion. Offering just a glimpse of his massive potential was more than enough to make this watcher a true believer -- this man could lead the Leagu in assists this year if he plays like he did on Saturday.

One Mo', Possibly Two: The Next Manchester United Signing

Photo by Wonker on Flickr

Manchester United held a press conference on Thursday to introduce the club's two newest signings, midfielders Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell.  Kagawa joins United after having recently been crowned as the inaugural Bundesliga Player of the Year.  The Japanese international's arrival at Old Trafford has generated a fair bit of excitement among the United faithful, who hope Kagawa can repeat his exploits while deployed in a forward midfield position for the Reds.  The club's other signing, Powell, arrives with a bit less fanfare but lots of raised hopes, with the promising work for his hometown club, Crewe Alexandra, offering Sir Alex and his staff a glimpse of the 18 year old's prodigious talents.

After introducing both new players, Sir Alex fielded some additional questions from the press, which inevitably asked if this year's transfer work was over.  In his response, the Scotsman let it be known that there may be one or -- breathe easy, United fans -- two more names still to join prior to the closing of the transfer window.  Although he would have preferred to have his transfer business done and dusted by this point, due largely to the European Championship this summer United's dealings have been delayed.

"There will possibly be one more. We have always done well in terms of getting players in at the end of the season. That is the right time.
But always in a European Championship or World Cup year, there is a delay in the transfer industry. That is over now and we are still trying to get one more in."
-- Sir Alex Ferguson, July 12, 2012

Although rumors are swirling fast and furiously that the one additional signing may be Lucas Moura or Leighton Baines, the club has also been linked lately with everyone from Robin Van Persie to Luka Modric and several players in between.  So what do the staff at farlieonfootie think of the various prospects?  Worry no further, dear readers -- our thoughts are shown below:

Robin Van Persie: Not a prayer.  Robin will be wearing the butt-ugly kit of our cross-town rivals in about five weeks' time -- after dominating the back page of the British tabloids for the next month and a half.