Giggs awarded with BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2009

Manchester United star Ryan Giggs was crowned 2009 BBC Sports Personality of the Year in Sunday's award ceremony. He became the 2nd Manchester United player (after Beckham in 2001) to get this prestigious award.

The Welsh winger, 36, is the most decorated player in English football with a record 11th Premier League winners' medal secured this year.

Formula 1 champion Jenson Button was second with world heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis securing third spot.

Giggs said: "I grew up watching this programme. To see the people that have won it and to be here is unbelievable."

He is the first footballer to claim the prestigious trophy since England midfielder David Beckham in 2001, with Michael Owen (1998), Paul Gascoigne (1990) and Bobby Moore (1966) the only other football winners.

Fabio Capello was named Coach of the Year on the back of the 63-year-old Italian guiding England to the 2010 World Cup, while Olympic and world sprint champion Usain Bolt claimed the Overseas trophy after his fireworks on the track.

The 72-year-old swimming instructor Doreen Adcock from Milton Keynes won the Sports Unsung Hero award.

Watch the whole video ceremony at the BBC website HERE.

GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED!

Owen's miraculous hat-trick puts United on top of the Group!

Triple delight for Michael Owen!

Wolfsburg 1-3 Manchester United

It was great to see Manchester United today. They had a very different squad and still managed to sneak in another memorable victory in Germany tonight.

Fletcher and Carrick were Central defenders whereas Park and Evra took the left back and right back responsibilities. Kuszack was in goal.

An interesting revelation: In the last 4 games United have played the Polish goalkeeper in Goal, they have only conceded twice and scored 13! This includes the hat-tricks scored by Rooney and Owen. So, the Pole has brought some great luck for United.

United's back 4 looked extremely comfortable eventhough Wolfsburg created some threats.

Gibson got a great chance to score for United again from a similar position for which he is famous for, but missed it drastically.

The last minute of the 1st half saw a great cross from Nani which was headed successfully by Owen in the goal.

The Germans came back strongly in the Second Half with an early equaliser from the United wannabe Dzeko. Wolfsburg started looking threatening from then.

Valencia came on for Nani and Obertan replaced Welbeck. Obertan delivered a lovely low cross to Owen who did no mistake in scoring his 2nd goal of the game! It was a lollypop really; really easy finish.

Owen's 3rd goal was the best! He had a great pass from back and was 1 on 1 with the Wolfsburg goalie. He eventually scored by curling the ball over the keeper. It was really a cool goal!

The Hat-trick was really an easy one, there wasnt really much effort in it. It was all about the classy finish that Owen is most famous for!

Well done Michael, hope Fabio capello was watching you.

A happy and a memorable weekend for Manchester as United wins at West Ham & Chelsea loses at City!! HQ goal highlights at the bottom!

West Ham United 0-4 Manchester United

Upton Park

3.00 PM

It was a memorable weekend for the Mancupians (and the Worldwide supporters) as Manchester United and Manchester City successfully reduced Chelsea's lead.

Starting with the United fixture at West Ham at Upton Park, United did an aesthetically pleasing job in terms of excellent goals, (especially Gibson's) fine defending, (who expected Fletch and Carrick in the back 4?) and wonderful mid-field (thanks to lovely work done by Scholes- Man of the Match and Darron Gibson). It was all in all a classy United performance.

MATCH ANALYSIS

Neville was shockingly substituted by Carrick when he had a muscle tore (or something; not clear yet). This added to the injury miseries that Untied has... Rio, Evans, Fabio and Neville now all are injured! A lot depends on Evra, Vidic and Brown. I was shocked why Vidic wasn't played..

A nervous moment came in the when Giggs gave a retarded pass back to Fletcher in United's defending zone when West Ham United's player successfully took the possession and fired a pass to his fellow striker when Giggs- the culprit himself came to United's rescue with an excellent tackle.

Scholes fired in an excellent left-footed volley in the extra minutes of the first half. Robert Green got his hands to it but the ball was unstoppable and went inside the goal like a rocket!

Darron Gibson was the second United player to score. He striked an energetic long-shot which was beyond the reach of the goalie. Despite his poor 1st half strikes, he finally found the goal in great fashion!

Valencia was the 3rd one to strike. This was his 4th goal for United and he looks like a promising United winger. Remember - he only scored 7 goals in his entire career at Wigan and he has already scored more than half of it at Old Trafford! So certainly, he deserved the Player of the Month of November.

Rooney increased his individual goal tally of the season to 12 with an easy touch setted up by Valencia on the right wing.

Owen and Berba were replaced by Rooney and Gibson respectively. The duo hardly looked threatening and barely got any possession. I guess the reason is that they weren't bothered as the game was won already. However, for me it was worrying to see Owen standing idle (like Berba does normally). Hope he gets the start in the Wolfsberg game in Germany this Tuesday!

It was a memorable match, United proved that even without their first class goalie (BTW Tomasz was excellent in goal today), their experienced back 4 and a relatively new formation, they can do wonders!

Job done!

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

1st Half Highlights + Scholes goal

Manchester United vs West Ham United Goal 1 of 4
by theredevilspot

Gibson's goal

Manchester United vs West Ham United Goal 2 of 4
by theredevilspot

Valencia and Rooney's goal

Rooney and Valencia's goal aganst West Ham United
by theredevilspot

Rooney's goal in detail!

He makes it 12 in style!!!

Manchester United vs West ham United, goal 4/4
by theredevilspot

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Pompey vs United Full Match Highlights!

UNITED 4-1 POMPEY

IMPORTANT NOTE- KINDLY RELOAD THE PAGE IF THE VIDEO DOESN'T WORK!

Rooney's Hat-trick ruins Avram Grant's reception to the new club and slaughters the Pompeys!

MANCHESTER UNITED 4-1 POMPEY

Fratton Park, Portsmouth

3 PM GMT K.O.

Wayne Rooney wins a penalty at Pompey! Thanks to a lightening run from Valencia.

Today's game seemed to be a contrast, where United boss wasn't allowed to be on the touch line, the newly assigned Pompey boss couldn't make much of the opportunity to level off the UEFA Champions league final's bad memories.

Pompey enjoyed excellent spells of possession in the midfield and the last third in the beginning. They stole the ball from United many times. The possession till half time was United 46% and Pompey 54%.

Scholes did an amazing job with two lovely strikes on goal; both deflected and won corners which United didnt have seem to take control of that effectively. Valencia looked electric with his lovely passes and vigourous runs, he helped Rooney win a penalty for United which Rooney took responsibly. United 1 up at 25 minutes.

Then came a strong reply from the Minnows. They took charge of the game until they won the disastrous penalty. It was apparently because Tomasz Kuszack probably charged one Pompey player. However, TV replays showed a completely different story. The United goalie didnt even touch any Pompey player! So it was definitely a bad decision. Paul Scholes had a very heated conversation with the referee (who was the 4th referee when S. Alex Ferguson fired got the 2-match ban.) on the decision of the penalty. The decision didnt alter though!

The ugliness wasn't over yet. Fletcher got involved in a very non-footballic incident with Pompey mid-fielder Boateng who initially pushed Fletcher. In response. Fletcher pulled his shirt and made him fall on the ground as well. This action certainly obeyed "Newton's 3rd law of Motion" if nothing else.!. It was really disastrous to watch, nonetheless.

Vidic got a yellow card for sliding off Pompey striker Dindane and and holding Piquionee's shirt.

Neville accompanied the referees after the First half to half a word.

6th minute into the Second Half saw a lovely diagonal pass by Valencia which was cleared by the defender.

Things got lot worse as it started raining and made the setting very soggy. The weather reminded me of the Chelsea - United UEFA final penalties; however United here were in total control.

Soone came the 3rd goal for United. This time Giggs was tripped over by Piquionne at the edge of the box which was clearly seen and responded by the Ref. United were all smiles as Rooney completes his deserving Hat-trick taking his goal tally to 11 so far this season (not very far away from Defoe)

On the other hand, Valencia was absolutely stunning today. His runs were full of confidence and he just lacked perfect crossing or was met by some excellent defending. In my opinion, he deserved a goal in the 77th minute when Rooney passed a wonderful pass to the Equidarian who crossed nearly perfectly untl the ball was sent for a Corner in the Pompey's final third.

7 vs 1.. But the Ref. has the VETO power!

Every decision from Ref is criticised by players.. not good. But this penalty against United was pointless and controversial!

The Polish goalie stopped a great strike which was impossible for Vidic to tackle on.. This was the 2nd great save from him.

United made a 76th min substitute when anderson replaced carrick. Anderson responded quickly to this opportunity as he fired a ball from the edge of box, and nearly missed the goal..

Giggs made it four for United as he sent a perfect free-kick into the goal!! He celebrated his 100th Premier League goal. Boy! what a win for United... It was a nice curl into the bottom left corner of the goal. Goalie had no chance... Do we need Ronaldo?

Fergie was still enjoying sitting in the executive box! with Gill. He also got an opportunity to talk on phone.

Fergie enjoying the game from the Business executive box.

Tomasz Kuszcak made a wonderful 3rd save by responding quickly to Boateng's brilliant volley which failed to compensate for the 4 goals as scored remained 4-1. The ball hit Kuszcak's hand and then rebound from the cross bar.!.

The dirty game ended superbly, United reigned over the second half, scoring 3 goals (2 of which coming from Wayne Rooney - the Hat-trick hero!) For a record, United had 6 shots on target, 4 of which found the target. The overall possession was 50-50.

Avram Grant's entry did make United struggle for the 1st half but the 2nd half performance was typical United!

Glory Glory Man United... See you before the Spurs Carling cup build up!

Pompey vs United 3.00 GMT KO!

It's Pompeys against the Red Devils in today's Barclay's 14th Premier League Week.

United havent done exceedingly well at the Pompey's in the last 3 years. They've lost thrice in the last 6 games against the Minnows who are always facing the risk of being relegated but are still hanging on in the Premier League list somehow.

Sir Alex Ferguson will be in the fans today as he resumes his 1st touch-line ban today. If he creates any more nuisance he will face more fines and another 2-match ban... So he better stay mum :|

Whereas on the other hand, Pompeys have promised to make Fergie's efforts to communicate with his assistants "unheard" ! They promise to make as much noise as possible in order to frustrate the Scot even more..

Berbatov and Rooney will start for United as the Bulgarian has fully recovered from his ankle injury. Fergie will be having his strongest squad in today's game and wants to avoid a dissapointing defeat after a miraculous 3-0 win against Everton. United need to carry on with their brilliant and take all the positives from the heart-breaking Besiktas defeat.

Portsmouth have their new boss "Avram Grant" who is managing the side for the first time. He was kicked out of Chelsea after the dramatic UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE final penalties which Chelsea lost :) Pompey players have responded brilliantly and have promised to give Avram nothing but a Win.

Certainly, United is under Pressure at Pompey. A defeat here could lead to some serious issues.

On the other hand, this could be one of the biggest weekends for United as Chelsea faces Arsenal tomorrow.If Arsenal is able to defeat the Blues and the Red Devils rattle of the Pompey's then United will only be 2 points away from the TOP SPOT.

I hope Red Devils and the Gunners won't let us down.

Teams:

UNITED: Van Der Sar; Rafael, Brown, Vidic, Evra; Valencia, Scholes, Fletcher, Giggs; Rooney, Berbatov

POMPEYS: Ashdown; Hreidarssoh, Ben Haim, Wilson, Kaboul; Mullins, Mokoena, O Hara, Boateng, Brown; Dindane.

Team News:

Portsmouth have lost their last two Premier League games and won the games against Stoke City and Wigan (4-0 each)

United have lost 2 of their last 5 games (both 1-0 against Chelsea and Besiktas)

They are about to lay the foundation stone to a massive up-hill which only includes wins and nothing else. They'e done it before, so shouldn't be a problem

THEREDEVILSPOT Prediction - UNITED 4-0 POMPEYS

Besiktas win at Old Trafford, ending United's 23 match winning (or drawing) streak in UCL at home.

MANCHESTER UNITED 0-1 BESIKTAS

That's the summary of the game. Besiktas kept on holding United for the whole of 90 minutes. United dominated but couldn't convert into goals.

Micahel Owen reacting after missing a strike on goal

Vidic reacting after losing shockingly to Besiktas!

Besiktas have done it! The loudest fans in the world must be roaring and raving.

It was a bad night for United. Bad decisions, bad times, goal-keeper wasting time, bad that Besiktas got it all right! I must credit their goalie for 1) being intelligent and wasting time... He got a yellow card for it but I think he would rather prefer getting yellow than not playing in the knockout stages at all! 2) because he made 2 excellent saves (first one from Macheda - a header and a second one came from Wes Brown). Both were brilliant and on-target headers and Goalie did no mistakes there!

Besiktas ended United's 23 match streak at Old Trafford by denying them two wonderful headers (and wasting some time in the extra minutes of the game). United have lost a game after EIGHT LONG years since their last defeat in 2001 in UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE.

The Final Score was United 0-1 Besiktas which could have easily been 2-1 or 3-1 as we had predicted earlier. Besiktas have come back with a strong reply having the same final score as United had in Turkey. Paul Scholes was the one to score at that time.

Can You believe it? United had the possesion for the 66% of the game and yet they were unable to score...

Match Review (followed by Player Review)

United started off brilliantly. They were passing the ball around rather magnificently and in full-force attack mode. Thanks to some lovely display from Park Ji Sung who moved the ball efficiently in the midfield. United fully dominated the game until Tello scored a lovely 30 meter goal which was deflected off Rafael. It fell to the right of Foster who was rather unlucky to concede such an avoidable goal. United carried on their vigorous attack on Besiktas and had some solid plans to demolish the side. Park did a good job by shooting the ball on target many times but it was frustrating to see him and Obertan not finding the net. Obertan was very sharp and athletic in the field tonight. His dribbling skills were remarkable and commendable.

All United lacked in the first half was accuracy. They were fully trampling the Besiktas defence but unable to convert the amazing runs and tackles into a goal. This is something the youngsters must be living up too. There was a great display from Darren Gibson, who took the midfield very responsibly.

United half repeated the same old story for United. They had some good chances but failed to convert into a goal unfortunately. Park, who ran like a bullet and passed like a charm today, was replaced by Michael Owen. No. 7 replaced No. 13, so everyone thought Owen must have brought some luck in his 4th UCL appearance but sadly, he hardly got the ball.. Hold on a minute, I can remember once he passed to Neville and Obertan and that is really about it!

Neville gave some amazing passes today. Amongst the list included the one to Gabriel Obertan which was perfect in pace and location but unfortunately the Frenchman failed to convert it.

Blunt Gibson was replaced my Carrick who tried his luck with a few long range shots as well as medium-ish shots but they were right in the gloves of the excellent goalie.

There was an injury in the 65th minute when Obertan unpurposefully hit his elbow on Toraman's eye region. He was bleeding badly and had to be substituted.

There were two more substitutions from Evra replaced Rafael.

In the dying minutes of the game, Bobo was replaced by Batahum who (according to me) created a new world record by getting booked within 14 SECONDS of his arrival at the pitch by purposefully shooting the ball at Foster after he was judged off-side by the linesman.

The real talking point of the match would be Evra being denied the penalty. It was a clear-cut penalty! The defender was no where around the ball and clearly had his arm in front of Evra to stop him in his tracks. The referee couldn't have been more annoying that that.

It was a good game though. United should have got 2 if not 3 goals and proved us right here at theredevilspot.blogspot.com

However, the kids certainly rocked... GLORY GLORY till the Pompey's game.

Keep rocking!

Player reviews

1) Foster- 5.5

2) Rafael/ Evra - 5/6

3) Brown- 7

4) Vidic - 7

5) Neville - 6.5

6) Park/ Owen- 7/5.5

7) Anderson - 7

8) Gibson/ Carrick- 6/6

9) Obertan - 7

10) Welbeck- 7

11) Macheda- 7

PREVIEW: United vs Besiktas at Old Trafford Tonight, 7.45 PM GMT Kick off

Kids wanna rock today against Besiktas!

Sir Alex Ferguson is targeting the top spot in Group B of Champions League by challenging his young players to prove they are worthy of wearing the Manchester United shirt.

"In the situation we're in, we could have a non-event of a game against Besiktas if we wanted. But that's not the way we want it to be. We want an exciting game and we'll do our best to challenge the youngsters who play."

"I'll be making changes. Not a lot, but enough to freshen things up. It's a problem keeping players happy, but everyone has that when you have a big squad. We used the League Cup for that and, if we can qualify early enough from the Champions League group stage, in Europe."

"Darron Gibson will definitely play and young Rafa as well. We can use the likes of Welbeck. He will will definitely play and Macheda probably. They are the ones who need to challenge."

"We're also thinking of starting Gabriel Obertan to see how he does. And we're looking at Park Ji-Sung's fitness because he's back and has trained very well. We've put him on a programme that has brought him to his best level. He played for South Korea last week so he's ready for a game."

"Darron has not had the amount of football that he'd wish for. I wish I'd been able to give him more games, but he has a lot of competition from Carrick, Anderson, Scholes, Fletcher, and Giggs if I choose to play him there."

"But, credit to Darron, he's never let it unsettle him. His training performances have been excellent. Every session he comes in knowing that it's worthwhile. He has a purpose about his training. For quite a few weeks we've been saying, you can't hold a young one back. They tell you that themselves. And I think Darron is approaching that. He has

become a very good, powerful midfield player."

"The youngsters have reached a point and it happens in football, when a footballer has the ability to be a top player and you recognise that. You have to give them the challenge. If you don't, they lose the scent. But this club has been good at recognising that over the years."

"Sometimes it happens and you get good runs free of injury, and other times you don't. That's the value of having a good squad. It'll probably be the same back four as Saturday against Everton.

"When Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes came through, we thought they were certainties. We had to give them a chance, and we did. That's the nature of football. A young player turns the corner and then ends up taking someone's job."

So to conclude, Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck have really gotta attack from the word GO! and have a good partnership between them. I am excited to see Obertan and Park (if he plays) working together in the mid-field. I wouldn't mind if Michael Owen warms the bench till the half time and maybe he can have a shot at a goal or two. United although need to be careful, they must be fully aware of what happened against Tottenham Hotspurs in the FA Cup semi-final against Everton when they lost and eventually lost the precious trophy!

I hope the youngsters dont let the Seniors down... GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED!!!

United Probable 11s: Foster; Evra, Vidic, Brown, Rafael; Park, Anderson, Gibson, Obertan; Berbatov/Macheda, Welbeck.

Besiktas Probable 11s: Rustu; Uzulmez, Koybasi, Ferrari, Toraman; Ozkan, Ernst, Fink, Ekrem; Yusuf; Bobo.

theRedDevilSpot prediction: United win 3-1

New development over David Villa deal

David Villa tells Chelsea, United and City he's ready to consider £35m Valencia exit.

David Villa has put Chelsea and United on alert by admitting he is no longer resistant to a move to the Barclays Premier League.

Chelsea skipper John Terry called on his club to sign the £35million-rated Valencia striker in the summer, but all of Villa's English admirers were told he had no intention of leaving Spain.

However, the 27-year-old has since been talking to Premier League-based compatriots about life across the Bay of Biscay and admits he could be interested in a move.

"Honestly? There can be a thousand scenarios," said Villa. 'I'm not saying that I am opening the doors to anywhere, but I'm not closing them.

'Neither Europe nor Africa, nor to America, nor Korea. I don't shut the door to anywhere because I have a short career and I want to enjoy it.' Villa may have been ever diplomatic, but the Spain star has previously been reluctant to fuel talk of leaving the Mestalla.

Valencia's crippling debts mean they will have to consider serious offers for their prized asset, who was also wanted by Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United and ManCity in the summer.

Villa has once again been in hot form, topping the La Liga scoring chart with nine goals in 10 starts to help Valencia to fourth in the table.

And the former Real Zaragoza and Sporting Gijon hopes for a successful season ahead of a likely exit next summer. 'There are no titles won in November, but we'll fight to win them to the end, we are sure of that. People are happy about our performance and hopefully we continue playing this for a long time.

'We want to be candidates when we get to the final two months, but not only in the league, also in the Cup and Europa League.'

Hope he comes to United, fingers crossed!

Defoe's brilliant performance nearly shatters Michael Owen's 2010 WC hopes

Is it game over for Owen?

It is only November, and Jermain Defoe is already only two goals off his record English Premier League tally of 13 strikes with Portsmouth a couple of seasons back.

The pint-sized striker was simply on fire as Tottenham Hotspur struck nine past Wigan Athletic at the weekend, bagging five for himself—but will it have impressed England boss Fabio Capello?

A simple answer would be—I’d blooming well hope so.

What Capello wants up front for England

It is exactly what England needs—one of their best strikers in the form of his life in a World Cup year, and it must now be pretty certain that barring injury, the 27-year-old Defoe will board the plane for South Africa in June.

Sadly for some English die-hards, the form of Defoe has simply snuffed out any chance Manchester United’s Michael Owen has of making the trip.

England’s other classy diminutive striker has zero chance of playing the best football of his career over the next six months and competing for a place with the Spurs star, as those days are definitely behind him.

However, had plenty of England’s strikers been misfiring this season, I’d have definitely stuck him on the plane, but there is only room for one poacher in a World Cup squad and the finishing (the best England has, according to Spurs boss Harry Redknapp) of 38 times capped Defoe has already sealed his place alongside Wayne Rooney, although he is still unlikely to be next to him on the pitch in SA next year.

Despite his form, Capello has shown he is no fan of small strikers since taking over as England boss, and Defoe, with 11 international goals already to his name, will likely have to make do with a role off the bench behind Rooney and a bigger striker, possibly Emile Heskey, at the World Cup.

But nothing in football is ever set in stone. Only Defoe can keep Capello’s mind ticking over.

Now only injuries can HELP Michael Owen.. Of course not his own, but other strikers like Defoe, Crouch, Heskey. But I earnestly hope that he earns his well-deserving place on merit!

Glory Glory Man United!!!!!!!!

"Darren Fletcher Is On Fire" - Michael Carrick

"IM ON FIREEEEEEEEEEEE!"

Michael Carrick has spoken out in praise of team-mate Darren Fletcher, whose superb strike helped his team to a 3-0 win over Everton at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.

Fletcher has matured into one of the Premier League's finest midfielders and has missed seven out of United's last nine defeats. This includes the defeat against Barcelona in the Champions League final when Fletcher was wrongly red carded in the previous game (Semi Final) against the Gunners.

Carrick feels the Scotsman's influence on the side should not be underestimated.

"Darren is one of the best midfielders around at the moment," he said, according to Press Association Sport.

"His performances are at the highest level and it is great to play alongside him. He really is on top of his game."

Carrick also found the net yesterday, as did right winger Antonio Valencia (well, luckily!). The former West Ham United man feels it is important that the midfield contribute goals now that there is no Cristiano Ronaldo at the club.

"The goals Ronaldo scored were extraordinary for a wide man," he added.

"It's obvious that we cannot rely on the strikers every week.

"We have all chipped in and we need to do it more often. As long as someone is scoring it is not an issue. It is winning games that matter."

Fergie not willing to spend "too much" at the Winter transfer Window

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has reiterated that he does not plan to spend massive amounts of cash on new players in the January transfer window.

The Scot maintains value for money is difficult to find in the winter market, when the short time available to deal means clubs demand ridiculous prices for players.

United have been linked with a swoop for versatile Everton youngster Jack Rodwell, with prices as high as £20 million being quoted in some reports.

But Ferguson insists that he has no intention to spend big.

"I'm in the same position as I was in the summer," said Ferguson, according to skysports.com.

"There are a lot of players out there, all valued by their current clubs at £50million. Given the prices being asked, I just do not see the value."