By Chris O'Brien
November 28 2004

November has changed the face of Manchester United's season. From sitting mid-table and fears of an early European exit, to qualification to Champions League last 16, a place in the League Cup quarter-finals and the Premiership campaign back on track. It really has been a month of transition.

One month ago, Manchester United fans were in disarray. A 2-0 defeat at the hands of Portsmouth saw United in 7th place with teams below enjoying the luxury of games in hand. European qualification to the knock-out stages was in doubt, and United were having difficulty finding the net despite boasting a forward line costing in excess of £60million.

However four weeks, 30 days, a month - whatever you may call it - is a long time in football. Things are looking a lot brighter at Old Trafford. Whilst there is still uncertainty of the pitch surrounding Glazier and a takeover, November has seen the Red Devils go unbeaten with 6 wins and a draw. The title challenge is back on track and United are in the last 16 of the Champions League with a game to spare.

United may still trail Chelsea by 9 points, but forgetting the disappointing derby-day draw, United are playing some of the attacking, entertaining football reminiscent of the success of the 1990's. Van Nistelrooy is firing on all cylinders, Scholes is back to his best and the team are playing as a unit once again. 16 goals in the last 7 outings is impressive, and the defence is looking solid having leaked just two goals in that time.

Could we still challenge for the Premiership crown? Well recent league performances suggest we are as good as anybody, and finally there are positive vibes coming from the club. Arsenal are stuttering, but Chelsea look unstoppable. United must continue to plug away and pick up points. The corner has been turned and there is no doubt we have the calibre to challenge at the top of the table.

November in Focus:

v. Sparta Prague (home), won 4-1, 3/11.
United put themselves in a great position to qualify for the Champions League knock-out phase with an emphatic win over Prague. Ruud Van Nistelrooy hit the net on four occasions, as two goals in each half dispatched the champions of the Czech Republic. The scoreline flattered United though, and Sparta could have challenged after Zalenka pulled it back to 2-1. However, in Manchester United fashion the hosts stayed strong and some Dutch class up front finished the job.

v. Manchester City (home), drew 0-0, 7/11.
The only bad 90 minutes of a great month for Manchester United. City came, defended well, and there fans will claim they conquered as they took a 0-0 back to the Council House Stadium. To be fair, Keegan's side defended with courage and purpose as an expensively assembled United frontline failed to score. A point was not good enough, and radio phone-ins were jam-packed with disgruntled, concerned Reds.

v. Crystal Palace (home), won 2-0, 10/11.
A third consecutive home game in a third consecutive competition. United secured a quarter-final with bitter rivals Arsenal following a 2-0 win over Iain Dowie's Palace. With both teams missing big-name players, Louis Saha made a case for a regular first-team slot with the opener before youngster Kieran Richardson sealed the cup tie. Just under 50,000 watched United take a step towards February's Millennium Stadium showpiece final.

v. Newcastle United (away), won 3-1, 14/11.
Perhaps the sensational result of the month. United went to St.James' Park and, despite surrendering an early one-goal advantage, brought all three points back to the North West. Wayne Rooney, subject to scrutiny for some below-par displays, netted a brace and Van Nistelrooy made it five for the month with a penalty as Fergie's sides deservedly took the spoils. Alan Shearer, it had to be him, restored parity at 1-1, but the club he turned down showed character to net twice in the closing stages to net a crucial victory that kept Arsenal and Chelsea in sight.

v. Charlton Athletic (home), won 2-0, 20/11.
A dour lunchtime contest, but another three points for Manchester United. Few will remember this game come the end of the season, but impressive strikes from Giggs and Scholes made the presence of the Sky cameras worthwhile. Charlton came close to reaching half-time with the scores goalless, but Curbishley's side lacked creativity as a 17-year void without a win at Old Trafford continued. Arsenal and Chelsea both slipped up at home - Premiership chase anyone?

v. Olympique Lyonnais (home), won 2-1, 23/11.
Grounding out results has been an integral part of Sir Alex Ferguson's reign as Red Devils manager. So what better way to celebrate his 1000th game in charge than a nervous, but deserved, victory over Lyon, the only real threat in European Cup Group D. Gary Neville shook off injury to start and bundled home the opener, only for a blunder from Roy Carroll leaving Mahamadou Diarra not believing his luck. However Van Nistelrooy, European goal scoring record breaker, hit the second-half winner to secure qualification for United.

v. West Bromwich Albion (away), won 3-0, 27/11.
Former Red Bryan Robson still searches for his first win as Baggies boss as United romped home at the Hawthorns. Sir Alex praised his players, labelling the win the best display of the season, as Paul Scholes netted twice and Van Nistelrooy made it a super seven for November. United had to wait until the second half to break the deadlock, but were good value for the win to complete a month that could have changed the course of our season.

So, progression in the League Cup and Europe in addition to 10 league points. Not a bad month! There is still a gap of 9 points behind the Red Devils and leaders Chelsea, whilst Arsenal and Everton both sit above Sir Alex Ferguson's side. However, the foundations have now been laid and this run must continue into December where the Reds face a run of games that do look winnable.

Hours after that first chocolate of the Advent calendar has been scoffed, United do battle with Arsenal at Old Trafford in the League Cup. Both sides will be expected to make changes, but hopefully Sir Alex will field a strong side as United look to maintain a rich vein of form. A place in the semi-finals is at stake for the winners, with big-names such as Chelsea and rivals Liverpool still in the Carling-backed competition. Three days later United host Southampton. The Saints are struggling under Steve Wigley, and there is no doubt that we are expected to take three points from the south coast club.

The Group D adventure ends on the 8th as knock-out stage-bound United face the unenviable task of a visit to Turkey. United will probably need a win at the Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium to win the pool, against the Turks who will be in the Uefa Cup after finishing 3rd. It is a never an easy country to visit, so lets hope the game passes without incident. Roll on the last 16.

Following the Fenerbache clash, the month ends with four back-to-back Premiership outings. Monday night football at Craven Cottage on the 13th, followed by home games against Crystal Palace and Bolton Wanderers. United then visit Villa Park, in arguable the toughest fixture of the month. United should certainly be looking for some big points from these games, and another successful month is needed to compensate for the slow start to the season.

A month to remember. Well done MUFC.