So much for the bad start, Manchester United?

The new manager David Moyes came in with all the backing of the former Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. How would he handle the pressure? What are the expectations? were some of the questions put forward. Nevertheless,  Moyes proved himself as a decent manager at Everton and was determined to carry on at the Theatre of Dreams.

It started off well for the new manager winning the FA Community shield and won on the first day of the Premier League. Surely that must have cooled things down, but that was not to be.

Manchester United had a tough list of fixtures right from the beginning, facing Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal, all quite early. Fixtures came thick and fast. Although not a fancy display but United secured a goalless draw against Chelsea in their second game of the premier league season. Next came Liverpool, who seemed to be in a good form, even though they were without Suarez, who was banned from his previous season's antics. United faced their first defeat of the season, against Liverpool, their arch rivals - Big blow. United faced their most disappointing game of the season versus their neighbours Manchester City, going down 4-1. 

The talks started. Criticism in the air. But they had forgotten something. As stated by Sir Alex Ferguson, " Manchester United are the only team that can come from behind to win the title ". Although a new manager came in, the team remained the same, the desire to win was the same. Since then Manchester United also got back at Liverpool with a 1-0 win in the Capital One cup. Arsenal, the title favourites in the eyes of some people with some of their transfers, were defeated by Manchester United. Champions League, also going smoothly and should qualify if they win their game at Leverkusen in their fifth Champions League game of the season, provided Shakhtar draw or lose in their respective game against Real Sociedad. Still very much in control for Manchester United, considering they still have to play Shakhtar at Old Trafford in their final game of the group stages

So much for the bad start? Manchester United are only 3 points behind 2nd - placed Liverpool and 2 points behind Manchester City, with only Arsenal 7 points at the top of the Premier League, also reached the quarter finals of the Capital one cup and sitting on top of their Champions League group.

Interesting stats:

1) Manchester United are the only English team currently undefeated in the Champions League.

2) Manchester United are on a 10-match unbeaten run in all competitions

3) Rooney has 8 assists which is even more than Mesut Ozil

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.

Ballon D'or?

The Ballon D'or literally means 'Golden Ball'. Its inception was in the year 1956. The award was conceived by France Football's chief magazine writer Gabriel Hanot, who asked his colleagues to vote for the player of the year in Europe in 1956. Hence at that time this award was only presented to European players playing for a European club and hence players of Non-European nations were ineligible for this award. This however was changed in the year 1995 when it allowed non-European players to be eligible for the award if they played for a European club. While later in the year 2007 any player in the world became eligible for this award. Another noticeable thing is that the selection is done by football journalists

The first person to win the Ballon D'or was an English footballer Stanley Matthews who played for Blackpool. After the rule change in the year which allowed Non-European players to be eligible, it was a Liberian player George Weah who won the Ballon D'or while playing for AC Milan. Three players have won the award three times each - Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini and Marco van Basten. The last Premier League player to win the FIFA Ballon D'or was Michael Owen

Later in the year 2010, Ballon D'or and FIFA player of the year were merged, and came to be known as the FIFA Ballon D'or. Leo Messi became the inaugural winner and won it again in the following year. The FIFA Ballon D'or for 2012 is scheduled for January 7th, 2013 in Kongresshaus, Zurich (Switzerland)

Like every year, 23 player shortlist is made. The shortlist for the 2012 FIFA Ballon D'or includes -

Sergio Aguero (Manchester City/Argentina), 

Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid/Spain), 

Mario Balotelli (Manchester City/Italy), 

Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/France), 

Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus/Italy),

Sergio Busquets (Barcelona/Spain), 

Iker Casillas (Real Madrid/Spain), 

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/Portugal), 

Didier Drogba (Shanghai Shenhua/Ivory Coast), 

Radamel Falcao (Atletico Madrid/Colombia), 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris St Germain/Sweden), 

Andres Iniesta (Barcelona/Spain), 

Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Argentina), 

Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich/Germany), 

Neymar (Santos/Brazil), 

Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid/Germany), 

Gerard Pique (Barcelona/Spain), 

Andrea Pirlo (Juventus/Italy), 

Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid/Spain), 

Wayne Rooney (Manchester United/England), 

Yaya Toure (Manchester City/Ivory Coast), 

Robin van Persie (Manchester United/Netherlands), 

Xavi (Barcelona/Spain)

Neymar and Drogba are the only players playing for a Non-European club in the shortlist, while Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba the only Africans that make the shortlist. Gianluigi Buffon and Manuel Neuer are the only goalkeepers that make the shortlist. Rooney, the only player representing England, while the same applies to Van Persie win Nederlands
So, what do you make of this?