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    GLAD'S HOUSE

    Tuesday
    Apr232013

    Top5 - Number 2: Anders Lindegaard

    Games: 8

    Clean Sheets: 2

    Average Goals Conceded: 1.38

    Average Saves Per Game: 1.88

    Average Save Per Goal: 1.50

    Claim Success: 100%

    Distribution Success: 77%

    They say that the goalkeeper position at Manchester United is amongst the most crucial in world football. The Red Devils have held an abundance of quality between the sticks over the years, and a man looking to replicate the career of arguably the best ever - Peter Schmeichel - and also his countryman, is Anders Lindegaard.

    Sir Alex has publicly criticised his goalkeepers this season, with both Lindegaard and De Gea starting the season on shaky ground. However, the Spaniard has upped his game and is now recognised as one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the country. This has left poor old Anders with a place on the bench for the majority of the season.

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    Tuesday
    Apr232013

    Top5 - Number 3: Phil Jones

    Games: 13

    Goals: 0

    Shot Accuracy: 0%

    Pass Accuracy: 82%

    Chances Created: 6

    Duel Success: 64%

    Sir Alex has recently hailed Phil Jones as one of the best defenders in the country, and also one of the most important players in his squad. Now, that may just be to boost the confidence of the young man or to play mind games with opponents, but stats show that he has been far from that.

    The 22-year-old will enjoy a successful career, there is no doubt about that. However, his promise will only reached if he is to play regularly in his favoured position, centre-back.

    His versatility has made him a popular make-shift right-back or defensive midfielder during the season, but the England international is looking to settle down in the heart of the defence.

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    Tuesday
    Apr232013

    Top5 - Number 4: Chris Smalling

    Games: 15

    Goals: 0

    Shot Accuracy: 20%

    Pass Accuracy: 85%

    Chances Created: 2

    Duel Success: 65%

    The lanky defender is a success story who every likes to talk about. His determination and raw ability to play the game has seen his climb from Maidstone United to Manchester United and into the England senior side.

    However, Smalling has struggled to get into the side this season because of the competition with Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones. When Smalling has played, he has occupied the right-back berth, the right-midfield berth and also his natural central defence position.

    Smalling is still only 23, so there is still time to bloom into one of Fergie's favoured defenders.

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    Tuesday
    Apr232013

    Top5 - Number 5: Ryan Giggs

    Games: 18

    Goals: 2

    Shot Accuracy: 29%

    Pass Accuracy: 82%

    Chances Created: 19

    Duel Success: 62%

    It seems to be that Ryan Giggs has no plans on retiring. This week he has picked up his 13th Premier League winners' medal with the club he joined as a fresh-faced 17-year-old. Now 39, the Welshman is still going strong and astonishing everyone with tenacity and hunger to prolong his already extensive career.

    Yes has lost his pace, and no he may not be able to fool defenders with his fleet footedness, but his technical abilities and his awareness on the ball makes him an incredible player to watch.

    He is the only player to have ever scored in every single Premier League season, and he will be looking to continue that when United look  to retain their title next year.

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    Friday
    Apr192013

    Top5 - Number 1: vs Aston Villa

    When you see Paul Scholes lurking on the edge of the area when a corner is swung in, you are willing the ball to be floated in his direction. However, this time it wasn't and was originally nodded away from goal, high and disoriented amongst the clouds, and no one could have envisaged what would occur in the next few seconds.

    When the ball finally dropped from the air, Scholes instinctively swung a leg at it and it rifled into the back of the net after smashing the underside of the bar.

    This is the type of goal that is impossible to watch just the once. Enjoy.

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    Friday
    Apr192013

    Top5 - Number 2: vs Middlesbrough

    The power the little man can produce from his right is quite remarkable. He has gone through the whole of his career surprising people with his astonishing strikes from distance, but this one stands out in particular.

    The ball is rolled to his feet about 25-30 yards from goal, perfect range for the ginger midfielder, and he duly fizzes it towards goal with his first touch. The power transferred into the ball is something which not many people can replicate, and the movement is so fast that even a slow motion replay fails to soften it.

    It ends up smashing the top right corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

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    Friday
    Apr192013

    Top5 - Number 3: vs Bradford

    Possibly Scholes' most famous strike, now. When people think of the floated corner to the edge of the box the mind instantly thinks of the midfielder.

    As the set piece drops from the sky, Scholes strikes the ball on the volley and almost rips a hole in the net as a result of the incredible power. It really is a special finish, envied by even the greatest forwards in world football.

    The average man could attempt this finish 100 times in training and perhaps pull it off once or twice, but you can bet you mortgage that Scholes would hit it at least 98% of the time.

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    Friday
    Apr192013

    Top5 - Number 4: vs Barcelona 

    Cast your mind back to the Champions League semi-final of the 2007/08 season. Manchester United host Barcelona at a packed Old Trafford. As we approach the 14th minute of the game, Barcelona give possession to the Manchester United defence, who set upon a counter attack. As they knock the ball around the back it suddenly breaks to Cristiano Ronaldo, setting off alarm bells in the Barca side.

    As the Portuguese attacker strides forward a stray foot knocks the ball into space where an intent Paul Scholes was lurking. Without thinking, the little midfielder takes a touch and wallops it towards goal. An ambitious strike perhaps, but not when you're Paul Scholes.

    The ball whistles into the top corner and sends the crowd into mayhem.

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    Friday
    Apr192013

    Top5 - Number 5: vs Liverpool

    The ball is being rattled around the Manchester United penalty area, with the Merseyside outfit looking likely to hit the back of the net. All of a sudden, the ball breaks forward to Andy Cole who has space to run into, but as he drills the ball across the box towards strike partner Dwight Yorke the ball goes loose.

    The man who reacts quickest is Scholes, who leathers it into the top corner with his weaker foot to conclude the scoring and secure United all three points.

    To score such a quality goal in such a big fixture is what the little man is all about.

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    Thursday
    Apr182013

    Conclusion: Nani needs to go

    Personally, I think it is time for Nani to head towards the Old Trafford exit. The 26-year-old will be out of contract at the end of next season, so if a deal isn't done this summer United stand to lose a hefty transfer fee.

    With the arrival of Crystal Palace starlet Wilfried Zaha when the new campaign comes around, along with Antonio Valencia and Ashley young, Nani will be firmly at the bottom of the pecking order.

    There is no doubt about the amounts of talent he has but a move may be needed to allow us to see that again.

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