Article by Mark Graham, Stats Nerd

Match Review
Manchester United 1 v 0 Tottenham Hotspur, Old Trafford, 17.15pm Saturday 9th September 2006.
Goals: Manchester United Giggs (9) Tottenham Hotspur: none
Attendance: 75,453

Tottenham can only take good hope and faith for the rest of the season after bettering United for large portions of the game at Old Trafford. The Reds continued their great start to the season and maintain their haul of maximum points. Meanwhile Liverpool (another false dawn) were battered by their bin dipping, granny stabbing neighbours Everton and Arsenal, who again had to come from behind, lost points when expected to win. SAF welcomed Gary Neville back to the line up, who put in a MOTM performance on the right flank. Patrice Evra was picked ahead of EIH, and JOS was given a midfield slot along side impressive home debutant Michael Carrick. With 20LEGEND playing internationals games in the week Fergie included Richardson on the left wing and moved Ryan Giggs into a forward role in the absence of Rooney.

It took only nine minutes for United to take the lead as the early season "early goals" just keep coming. Ronaldo, who it has to be said is improving on his free kicks, toe poked a 40-yarder with power. To the despair of goalkeepers worldwide the bals dipped, swirled, and bent, slipping out of the hands of Paul Robinson and into the path of Ryan Giggs who instinctively nodded the ball over the Spurs defence to put United in the lead.

Spurs responded with a succession of chances before half time. Rio Ferdinand, who was sloppy throughout the game, gave away possession resulting in a Tottenham counter attack. Jenas' neat one-two with Robbie Keane allowed the midfielder a shot on goal only for the effort to go wide and safe. Next EVDS had to use all of his 6' 6" frame to save first from Dawson's attempted lob then blocking a Ledley King effort on the rebound.

The second half was much like the first with Spurs looking more likely to score. EVDS was called upon again after Chimbonda's cross deflected off Ronaldo, looking a certainty to hit the net only for the for a giant 'keeper to tip over for a corner. United created chances too, with Ronaldo working Robinson on a couple occasions, and Saha being thwarted by Dawson. Spurs continued the trend of carving out good chances but not converting - Defore guilty of the miss of the match when he headed over the bar from yards out from Assou-Ekotto's excellent cross. Mido was the next culprit to let United off the hook as the Egyptian International failed to connect with a Jenas' ball despite standing unmarked.

As the game drew to a close United could have scored twice, Darren Fletcher providing Saha with an a excellent opportunity but as the Frenchman galloped toward goal with BOTH Ji-Sung Park and Ronaldo in support, he greedily blasted the ball miles over. Saha, to the irritation of his team mates and fans alike, raced through on goal only to waste his resulting effort with a tame shot.

The 75,453 crowd went home happy after a scrappy game. Rooney, Vidic, Heinze and Scholes all return shortly and The Reds are undefeated - seemingly having a bit of lady luck on their side. Oh and your reporter went back to his best friend's wedding reception after sneaking out to watch the game at a local pub!

Good luck and God bless Mr. and Mrs. Redshaw.

MUFC THE RELIGION!!!

Rant Ratings
van der Sar (7); Neville (8), Ferdinand (5), Brown (7), Evra (7); Ronaldo (6), O'Shea (6), Carrick (7), Richardson (5); , Giggs (7), Saha (5).

Subs Used: Park (6) for Richardson (70 mins), Fletcher (6) for Carrick (79 mins), Silvestre (n/a) for Ronaldo (90 mins)

Subs not used: Kusczak, Solskjaer.

Man of the Match
Captain Gary, marking his 500th competitive game for United, was brilliant in a match where United's defence had more work to do than usual.

Rants Reaction
The final whistle couldn't have blown any sooner could it? United were forced to grind this one out and barring the early goal didn't really deserve to win. But nobody will argue. Saha must put chances away if he is to be United's No.1 striker. Let's hope it was a one off.

Liverpool and Arsenal look like they're faltering already - let's hope Pompey and Everton can keep it up and do United some favours along the way.

Was Rant's Prediction Right?
No as we said 1-0 - United Rant 0 v 5 Wrong Predictions!

Milestones
Ryan Giggs's 97th league goal of his United career and 138th goal overall
Gary Neville's 500th competitive appearance for United
SAF's 343rd Premiership victory

Miscellaneous Info
United's next match is on Wednesday 13th September 2006 against Glasgow Celtic in the UCL at Old Trafford with a 19.45 kick off.
United have announced their next pre-season tour will be to Malaysia