Man Utd 4 - 0 Watford (31/01/07)

The odds offered for a Watford win here were longer than those quoted for Manchester winning the bid for the Super Casino but there was little chance of another surprise result. Watford may have taken some hope from the inclusion of O'Shea and Richardson, replacing Scholes and Giggs, but unlike previous season's Ferguson's squad rotation did not case United to falter. This was not so much David versus Goliath but, as Watford manager Boothroyd had put it, Muhammed Ali against Jimmy Krankie.

United had the superior firepower in their artillery but Watford defended stoutly and even after United had made the breakthrough, it took until well into the second half before they made that superiority count. Even then, the first 2 goals were down to Watford making costly mistakes.

First DeMerit needlessly pulled down Solskjaer in the penalty area as he tried to run onto a loose ball. Ronaldo made no mistake converting the subsequent penalty as Lee dived in the opposite direction and with 20 minutes gone United were ahead.

It then took the 60 minute mark for the second to arrive. Richardson crossed from the left, attempting to find Ronaldo, who seemed well marked. Doyley attempting to stop the cross could only head the ball past Lee. After a brave fight, Watford's spirit broke, architects of their own downfall.

Larsson replaced Solskjaer and had an immediate impact. From a move starting in the United half, he and Rooney cut a swathe through the Watford side, rampaging down the middle, exchanging one-twos, with Rooney's final disguised pass leaving Larsson free to calmly pass the ball past Lee and into the net.

A minute later it was Rooney's turn to score. Ronaldo ran across the penalty area and dinked the ball over the Watford defence as Rooney ran into space to meet the ball. One touch the tame the bounce and a second to sidefoot it over Lee and watch it loop into the net.

Anything less than a win would have been a huge shock here but 4 goals increase the goal difference compared to Chelsea's. With both Ronaldo and Larsson scoring, the Ruudometer has reached its target, showing that United can still find goals after selling their main striker despite what the press may have thought.

Next target: 100 goals

Man Utd 2 - 1 Portsmouth (27/01/07)

This game gave United the opportunity to settle several questions that had recently been raised. First, it seemed that during his half-time talk, Arsene Wenger had suggested that United run out of steam after 70 minutes. Later, Wenger disputed this but it was enough to anger Ferguson. Secondly, some had started to question Rooney's contribution to the team, having only scored only 9 goals this season, and before the Arsenal game, suffering from confidence in front of goal.

So, the game was perfectly set up for Rooney to come on as sub and score twice in the last 20 minutes to lay to rest both questions, his second goal so sublime it should be used to as illustration whenever anyone asks for the definition of the word exquisite.

Rooney's efforts shouldn't have been needed but Portsmouth defended stubbornly throughout the game. Lady Luck also appeared to be on Pompey's side and until Rooney's addition, they looked to be heading for a replay at Fratton Park. First Mendes, who claimed he deserved some luck at Old Trafford after the goal that never was for Spurs, hooked Vidic's header away after it had crossed the line. Second, Larsson scored a stunning volley, only for it to be wrongly ruled offside by the assistant referee. Gary O'Neil also had a penalty claim turned down but it was one of few chances by Portsmouth, Andy Cole's spurned chance early after the restart practically their last of the game.

United's first goal came from the pace and passing that has featured throughout their season. Carrick playing yet another visionary pass that left Portsmouth flat footed, Larsson knocked it into the path of Giggs, who played it across the 6-yard box for Rooney to tap in.

The second was an individual effort, Rooney's first touch from Neville's pass perfect, allowing him to turn and run at the defence before chipping the ball so precisely that David James could only stop and watch it sail over his head and dip under the crossbar. Primus and Campbell had been outstanding for Portsmouth but there was nothing they could do in the face of such audacity.

Mendes managed to fully use the luck he was owed in the closing minutes, his powerful drive deflecting off Kanu and past the wrong-footed Kuszczak, giving the game a greater respectability than Portsmouth deserved.

The disallowed goals were particularly galling, considering their effect on the Ruudometer, but nevertheless United go through to the next round of the FA Cup. A home tie against Reading awaits.

Arsenal 2 - 1 Man Utd (21/01/07)

With Chelsea losing against Liverpool, this game offered United the opportunity to go 9 points clear and, with only 10 minutes to go, it looked like they were on target and about to inflict Arsenal's first defeat at their new ground. The first half was intriguing, if a little cautious by both teams. Neither side hide clear chances although Henry did have a penalty appeal turned down and Lehman had to be at his best to deny Rooney, touching his half-volley onto the crossbar. Larsson nearly headed in from the resultant corner only to be denied, again by Lehman.

The second-half started with the fixture still very much in the balance but it was United who broke the deadlock with nearly a quarter of an hour gone. Ronaldo played in the ever increasingly impressive Evra down the left wing, who cross found Rooney, who made a difficult header look easy. A just reward for a player for whom the goals had deserted him ddespite his best efforts.

Having taken the lead, United seem content to let Arsenal come at them and this tactic seemed to be working. Unable to make headway through the middle, Arsenal attacked down the right flank and immediately found joy. Scholes and Evra battled against Rosicky and Fabregas as the ball buffeted between the four but it was Arsenal who took the ball away. The resulting cross evaded Henry but substitute van Persie made no mistake, catching Neville by surprise and yard off the pace.

With fulltime approaching United were happy to settle for the point but Arsenal had not finished. Again, attacking down the right flank, Eboue crossed and, both Ferdinand and Vidic, who had been outstanding, failed to stop Henry from heading home. For once, it wasn't United that snatched the winner in the dying seconds.

Man Utd 3 - 1 Aston Villa (13/01/07)

If familiarity breeds comtempt no one has told Martin O'Neil. This was the third meeting between the two sides in 23 days and despite 3 defeats the Villa manger had praise for Ronaldo before this game and Scholes afterwards.

The previous meeting was a tight one with a goalkeeping error being the deciding factor in injury time while this was game was over with 35 minutes gone. There was always the fear that a manager of O'Neil's ability may be able to find a way to neutralise United after having to face them in so short a period of time, but this was not to be.

Park opened the scoring, the Villa defence failing to clear their lines after his initial shot, allowing him to lash the ball home at the second time of asking. After Carrick set up the initial goal, Park returned the favour and Carrick teed up the ball with one touch and volleyed into the goal with his second. Carrick enforced his man of the match performance by crossing the ball in the 35th minute for Ronaldo to head in his 13th goal of the season. The game was over as a contest by half-time and even Agbonlahor's goal in the second half did little to threaten the result.

Still 6 points clear, United have much sterner tests ahead of them. Their visits to North London in the next few weeks will go a long way in showing just how serious this title push should be taken while the visits to Anfield and Stamford Bridge later in the saason could be pivotal. For the time being though, they can enjoy their performance and position at the top of the table.

Man Utd 2 - 1 Aston Villa (07/01/07)

All eyes were on Sweden's Henrik Larsson, making his first start for United after a surprise loan deal from Helsinborg, but it was United's other Scandanavian that came on and saved the day when Villa looked to have earned themselves a replay.

Any questions on how Larsson would cope in England were quickly laid to rest. In the opening exchanges he was impressive and nearly opened the scoring after latching on to Carrick's defence splitting pass from the half-way circle only for Kiraly to somehow get a block in despite diving the wrong way.

Yet again, United were the dominant side but Villa resisted, allowing them the comfort of finishing the half on equal terms. United needed someone to make the breakthrough and it was no surprise that with 10 minutes of the second half gone, Larsson was the inspiration, flicking up Rooney's pass and passing it past Kiraly.

United failed to extend their lead, despite their chances and Baros, coming on as a substitute to give Villa a more attacking 4-4-2 formation, capitalised with a little over 15 minutes left. It looked like it would be enough to force a replay until United cruelly struck in injury time. It was Solskjaer, replacing Larsson, that provided another vital last ditch winner. Rooney laid the ball to him on the edge of the area and Ole's shot somehow squirmed through Kiraly's arms and into the net.

Sometimes, even when this impressive, it takes a little luck to get a result. Solskjaer and United didn't care and the 4th round visit of Portsmouth awaits.

Newcastle 2 - 2 Man Utd (01/01/07)

St James' Park is a kind venue to Paul Scholes. He always seems to score when he plays there. The first game of the New Year was no exception although the result was not as kind to United as they would have liked. Having already taken maximum points from the 3 previous fixtures over the festive period, another 3 points proved elusive, though 10 out of 12 is a total that anyone would have settled for before Christmas. With Chelsea failing to beat Villa the next night, the gap still remains at 6 points.

Meanwhile, the Ruudometer is now only 6 goals short of its total.