Are Manchester United really comeback kings? Some stats that may just prove it wrong

Manchester United and comebacks are synonymous. Yesterday marked another day of a Manchester United comeback. This makes the number of comebacks in the Premier League to 6, i.e. 18 points from comebacks. Not forgetting that Manchester United also have another 3 comebacks in the Champions League, i.e. 9 points from comebacks. Making it 27 comebacks points in all competitions this season. But are they the all-time comeback kings?

Manchester United comebacks this season

• Aug 25: From 0-1 down to beat Fulham 3-2
• Sept 2: From 0-1 and 1-2 to beat Southampton 3-2
• Sept 23: from 0-1 down to beat Liverpool 2-1
• Oct 2: From 0-1 down to beat Cluj 2-1
• Oct 20: From 0-1 to beat Stoke 4-2
• Oct 23: From 0-2 down to beat Braga 3-2
• Nov 7: From 0-1 down to beat Braga 3-1
• Nov 10: From 0-2 to beat Aston Villa 3-2
• Nov 25: From 0-1 to beat QPR 3-1

What's common in all the comebacks is that Manchester United have been very poor in the first half. And then in the second half, Manchester United become a rejuvenation team. Substitutions are key to their comebacks as well. Hernandez doing his part as a super-sub. Anderson in yesterday's match was the key when he came on as a sub. He spurned on things and even provided an assist for Hernandez's goal.

What's poor about this Manchester United team is that they are conceding goals regularly, unlike the past United sides. That's a cause of concern for the manager. Injuries have also contributed to conceding goals as Vidic, Smalling, Jones have been out for most part of the campaign ,while Ferdinand and Evra are getting older. But nevertheless comebacks make the match even more spectacular.

The comeback League(Top 5) in the Premier League.

Man Utd : 18
Man City: 14
Everton  : 10
Chelsea :   9
Arsenal  :   5

Manchester City aren't far behind, while Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton are also the top comeback teams. This shows that the big teams are actually top teams because they have the ability to get back after going behind. The only difference between Manchester United and the other teams is that they do it on regular basis every season. No doubt they are comeback kings this season. Although an interesting stats tells that Manchester United do not hold the record for most comeback points. Newcastle United hold that record

Most comeback points in a season

Newcastle   :34 (2001-02) / 4th 

West Brom  :27 (2010-11) / 11th 

Arsenal       :24 (1999-2000) / 2nd 

Everton       :24 (2002-03) / 7th 

Man United :24 (1999-2000) / 1st 

Tottenham   :24 (2010-11) / 5th 

Blackburn    :23 (2007-08) / 7th 

Man United :23 (2002-03) / 1st 

QPR           :23 (1992/-93) / 5th 

Arsenal       :22 (2006-07) / 4th 

Liverpool     :22 (2008-09) / 2nd 

Newcastle   :22 (1996-97) / 2nd 

Although Manchester United have comebacks on regular basis, Newcastle hold the record for the most comeback points with 34. But they only finished in 4th position that season, whereas Manchester United have had comebacks and usually end up winning the Premier League. So no matter who hold the comeback record, in people's heart and by spirit, it Manchester United the real comeback kings.

5-2 derby win. So Is the Arsenal of old back?

What ever people say, whatever club you support, there is no denying that Arsenal-Tottenham games are one of the most exciting in the Premier League. But well, honesty, everyone thought that today's match at the Emirates would be a close one. Wasn't a tight game but still good enough to spend our time watching it.

It started of well with Defoe getting behind the defenders and getting a shot on, then Adebayor on to pounce on it to score the goal within the first 10 mins . Have to say it was poor defending by the Arsenal backline. And just you think could it be Tottenham this time? Adebayor gets a red card. Ahh.. After that it was all Arsenal in the match with Mertesacker equalizing in the 24th min. Arsenal continued to dominate possession and with Tottenham one man down, there was no way back. Podolski and Giroud it 3-1 to end the first half.

When they came out for the second half, you got a feeling the Tottenham may just buckle up and get something out of it, but that was not to be. Cazorla who was the star of the whole show got on the scoresheet in the 60th min, then it was all over and both the teams were just playing for the sake of it. Bale then got one back for Tottenham to make it 4-2 but time was running out. Later on, Walcott added another one in injury time to make it 5-2. A similar scoreline, the last time Arsenal won at the Emirates against Tottenham it did end 5-2. Wilshere did show some class. The real upcoming star.

The question is whether did Arsenal really perform well to get this result or was it the Adebayor red card early. Like always, everyone anticipated a tight game as long as it remains 11 versus 11. But really, Tottenham going to 10 man team changed it all. Arsenal fans may say that Arsenal do have better players but the truth is Arsenal still have to prove things as a team. Considering the position in the Premier League right now, the Champions League position, you have to say that this isn't the Arsenal of old. The Veira's, Bergkamp's, no one like them now. But you can still see light in players suck as Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jenkinson. But nothing done yet cause they seem to be the future not present. But Arsenal do have some established players in Arteta and Cazorla and Giroud is starting to win the confidence of the Arsenal fans. This is where may be they can start from.

So yes, the red card definitely did play the part or else could have been a 50-50 match. But the confidence you gain from winning such derbies, especially the North London derby. Now you can hope Arsenal carry on from here. As for Tottenham, they really have only one star in Bale and really need to get up do something of their lack-lustre display.

Wilfried Zaha : The rising star..

His full name - Dazet Wilfried Armel Zaha. More popularly known as Wilfried Zaha. He was born in the country of Ivory Coast, but later on moved over to South London in England with his family at the age of 4. He recently celebrated his birthday on the 10th of November, turning 20. He plays as a winger for Crystal Palace. His performances have also earned him 5 England U21 appearances. Recently he was also selected in the senior England squad for the match against Sweden on the 14th of November at the Friends Arena

Age - 20
Club - Crystal Palace
Appearances - 110
Goals - 17 
Assists - 10

His inclusion in the England squad is quite controversial as he hasn't even played in the Premier League. More over, there also have been better choices, in terms of players, have been ignored. It has been said that his inclusion in the England squad is to prevent him from being capped by his country of birth, that is Ivory Coast, as he is still eligible to play for his country of birth according to FIFA rules, until he makes his England debut.

Didier Drogba is also said to have intervened in this matter. Zaha recently said, "Didier called me and I was shocked, to be honest. He’s a humble guy and he was just talking to me about the Ivory Coast.

"I was born in the Ivory Coast but all I know is England. It’s 50-50 at the moment but it’s a choice I will have to make at some stage"

"I’ve been with the Under 21s and, now that I am with England, I will have to make a decision."

But at this stage it can also be noted that he will still be eligible to play for Ivory Coast even if he makes his debut for England against Sweden as according to FIFA rules, this match is a Non-competitive match.

Recently he even said that the Premier League is the place to be. Many clubs are said to be tracking Zaha. Stoke City and Wigan were after his signature, and now even Manchester United are said to be in the fray.

Considering that already at the age of 20 and with over 100 Championship appearances with Crystal Palace he is ready to make it to the big stage. With Crystal Palace looking good in the Championship, we could see him playing in the Premier League next season with his current club.

Although he plays on the right wing, after watching some of his videos, it came to my notice that he loves to come infield quite often. He has pace and love taking on defenders, a feature which most young Englishmen lack. Never is shy to take a shot on goal. Although he is good player right now, he still has a long way before he reaches that Premier League level. Nevertheless, a rising star.

Wayne Rooney - Already a Legend?

I have been a Wayne Rooney fan ever since I have started watching football, and after all the football he has played over the years, it's surprising to know he just turned 27 on the 24th of October 2012, Even at 27, he is regarded as one of the all time greats for club and country.

Somethings that many people wouldn't know is that Wayne Rooney is of Irish descent, but born in the city of Liverpool. He grew up supporting the blue half of Liverpool, that is Everton. When aged 9, playing for Copplehouse boys' club, he scored a record 99 goals in that season. Later was spotted by an Everton scout. As a 11 year old he even stood as a mascot for the Everton-Liverpool derby.

Wayne is such a talented footballer that at the age of 15 played for the Everton under 19s. He even led the Everton youth team to the FA youth cup final in 2002 In the same season he was an unused substitute for the game against Southampton. Next season, at the age of 16, was promoted to the first team and made his debut against Tottenham, becoming the second youngest player to play for the senior Everton side. He scored his first ever goal against Wrexham in the League Cu, but it was against Arsenal in the Premier League that he announced himself when he scored the last minute winner, ending Arsenal's 30 game unbeaten run and also becoming the youngest Premier League scorer at that time. Incredible, isn't it?

Later in 2004 he joined Manchester United for £25.6 million and again announced himself in great style with a hat-trick against Fenerbahce in the Champions League. Since then with many ups and downs he has gone on to win 4 Premier League titles, 1 Champions League title(including 3 finals), 1 Club World Cup and 2 League Cups. During this process, he has already made more than 450 club appearances(both Everton and Manchester United) with over 200 goals. He also won 3 'goal of the season award', with the latest one coming in the 2010-11 season when he scored that incredible over-head kick against Manchester City in the Premier League at Old Trafford. Although my favorite Wayne Rooney goal is the volley against Newcastle in April 2005. He also has made 78 appearances for England with 32 goals. Wayne's also been nominated for the 2012 FIFA Ballon D'or making him the only Englishman on the shortlist.

Wayne ranks 5th in the all time top scorers for England and 4th in the list for all time top scorers for Manchester United.

Currently, I think both Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie share a great partnership up top for Manchester United. #Deadly. And his new role of playing deeper in the midfield excites me too. The good thing is that both of these players are interchangeable and that only aids his game. A versatile player and even tracks backs once he loses the ball - not many players are that dedicated. One word to describe Wayne? - ' Warrior'.

Another fact is that both Wayne Rooney's son Kai and Leo Messi's son Thiago share the same birthday - 2nd November. #Legends.