THE SCENARIO: It is July 2016. Manchester United have stunned the football world by naming Derek Lee as their new manager, instead of former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho. The appointment of The Special One had been so widely expected that superstars Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba had already agreed to sign for the club. Instead, they will now be playing for the unknown Lee, as he tries to take them back to the top of English football. Will his reign be full of trophies like the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson? Or will he prove to be out of his depth like the hapless David Moyes?
Previous episodes: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3
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1 October 2016
A critical month awaits us with huge games away to Liverpool and Chelsea in the league, as well as a Europa League clash against Fenerbahce. We end the month with a double header against Burnley in the EFL Cup and the league, but first up we’ve got Stoke at Old Trafford.
We’ll have to make do without Carrick against the Potters, as an injury in training will keep him out for a week.
3 October 2016
Manchester United vs Stoke City
Rooney continues in a central midfield role with Pogba and Carrick out, but otherwise we’re at full strength. We’ll need a win here ahead of our tough away games against Liverpool and Chelsea.
And we just about manage that thanks to another unexpected goal from Shaw. That’s the left back’s 2nd league goal after scoring against Leicester last month. Martial hit the post in the first half (injuring himself in the process) before Stoke’s Geoff Cameron replied by hitting the bar. Stoke gave as good as they got, although they had Jack Butland to thank for denying Griezmann in the second half. Just as it looked like the match would end in a draw, Zlatan played in Shaw and the defender kept his cool to fire in the winner.
The bad news from the match is that Martial’s injury will keep him out for three weeks.
15 October 2016
Liverpool vs Manchester United
This is Anfield. This is also the most hostile place for anyone associated with Manchester United. Games here are never easy, and I’d be quite happy with a draw. Carrick returns to midfield in the hopes that he can help us retain possession against Liverpool’s pressing game. Martial’s absence means I have to decide between Mkhitaryan and Lingard on the wing, and ultimately I go with Lingard. I’m pretty sure people are abusing me on social media for that but whatever.
Klopp’s team press us relentlessly from the start and it’s no surprise as we go behind early. Nathaniel Clyne delivers a cross that is emphatically headed in by Roberto Firmino, and Anfield is rocking. Firmino almost scores a second but thankfully his volley is struck straight at De Gea. The funny thing is, going behind seems to improve our play and with half an hour played we equalise through Lingard. Suck on that, you fake fans on Facebook! We go into the break level, and in the second half Zlatan is denied by a fine save by Loris Karius. Not long after, the Swede makes his way into the box and plays the ball across goal for Lingard (yes, him again) who can’t miss from a yard out. Suck on that, Twitter trolls! Zlatan finally gets his goal with 10 minutes left to secure an impressive win.
The result means we maintain our four point lead over Chelsea ahead of our meeting next week.
20 October 2016
Manchester United vs Fenerbahce
The Europa League match against Fenerbahce means a reunion with Robin van Persie. The Dutchman didn’t spend long at Old Trafford, but will always be remembered as the man who fired us to our 20th league title. It’s also a match that will conjure up memories of Rooney’s United debut, although the captain will start on the bench as I shuffle my pack.
We start strongly and take the lead through an own goal by Roman Neustadter. In the second half, Rashford hits the post as we search for that clinching goal, before Griezmann finally gets it after great work by Mata. Minutes later though, Volkan Sen sends (pun intended) in a harmless cross from the left. Bailly and Romero inexplicably leave the ball for each other and it goes in off Bailly’s backside. Somehow Bailly is saved the embarrassment of it counting as an own goal, but Fener are back in it. Just six minutes later, slack defending by Smalling and Bailly allows Jeremain Lens a shot that he buries past Romero to equalise. Rooney has a late chance to win it but his shot is blocked. In truth, we didn’t deserve to win after defending like that.
22 October 2016
Chelsea vs Manchester United
It’s too early to call a top of the table clash against Chelsea a decider, but if we win we’ll open up a seven point gap on them. We’d still be top of the league even if we lose, so the pressure is really on them as the home team. The lineup is the same as the one which beat Liverpool, with the exception of Jones replacing Smalling. I’ve dropped him for, well, for being shite against Fenerbahce basically.
In the end, the match is hardly a classic and ends 0-0. It suits us fine, but we could’ve won this after creating more chances than them. Rooney hit the post, while Begovic made smart saves to deny him and Zlatan. Zlatan was clearly frustrated and was lucky not to be sent off for sliding through the back of Raphael Varane. Four points from two tough league games away from home is pretty good, and I’m content with that.
25 October 2016
Burnley vs Manchester United
We’ve got Burnley in the next round of the EFL Cup, and it’s time to give some of the fringe players a game. Pereira and Fosu-Mensah start, while Smalling and Bailly are given the chance to redeem themselves after that debacle against Fenerbahce. Martial returns after injury, while I give Blind a chance in midfield.
Burnley are never easy opponents (even more so at Turf Moor) and we don’t create many chances in the first half. Fortunately, we’re able to convert one of the few chances we have through Mkhitaryan and we lead at the break. Burnley defend resolutely as we go chasing a second goal, but a rash challenge by Ben Mee on Mata results in a penalty. Mata steps up, but hits the post. Blind finally seals the win in stoppage time with a beautiful half volley after a pass from Griezmann.
29 October 2016
Manchester United vs Burnley
What? These guys AGAIN? Ugh. At least we’re at home for this one, so hopefully it won’t be as tough as the last game. I also pick a stronger team this time after giving the squad players a run out in the Cup. A fit again Martial returns, still looking for his first league goal this season.
Burnley have the better chances early on, but aren’t able to put their shots on target. In the second half, Martial finally breaks his league duck to give us the lead before Griezmann finishes a counter attack to make it 2-0. Martial puts the icing on the cake with a fine solo run and finish right at the end. The result means we open up a seven point lead over Liverpool, Watford, and Chelsea – although the Blues have a game in hand.
The one piece of bad news as we end the month is that Mkhitaryan has sprained his ankle. He’ll miss three weeks, but we have enough options in attack to cope.
Screenshots and videos taken from FIFA 17 by EA Sports
