2011/12 Season Review: April 2012

The absence of any cup football meant the Reds could focus solely on the league battle with City in April, and the month began swimmingly with two victories.

Relegation-threatened Blackburn were defiant for 80 minutes at Ewood Park, until Antonio Valencia crashed home a vicious cross-shot and Ashley Young joined him on the scoresheet with a delightful curler.

Another 2-0 win followed at Old Trafford, albeit a more straightforward one following the early dismissal of QPR’s Shaun Derry for a foul on Young. Wayne Rooney converted the resultant penalty, Paul Scholes added another and, by the end of the day, United were eight points clear as City came unstuck at Arsenal.

Next up was a trip to Wigan, a fixture United had traditionally bossed. But this time the Reds were strangely subdued, the embattled Latics were inspired and Shaun Maloney’s second-half winner was no more than they deserved.

Four days later, we were back at OT and normal service was resumed against Aston Villa. Again the Reds were awarded an early spot-kick, again for a trip on Young, and again Rooney put it away. The Reds’ top scorer bagged another in the second half, while Danny Welbeck and Nani also netted from close range.

The British media found a new agenda when they unfairly singled out Young for perceived dives to win the penalties against QPR and Villa. Sir Alex later admitted he’d “had a word” with the winger about going down too easily and took him out of the firing line for the next game, against Everton.

We were still in command in the title race, but nobody told our visitors, who twice came from two goals down to snatch a 4-4 draw in a breathless encounter. Nikica Jelavic headed the opener but United roared back through Rooney and superb goals from Welbeck and Nani.

After Marouane Fellaini’s volley, Rooney’s second seemingly put the game to bed, only for Everton to stun the Reds with late strikes from Jelavic and Steven Pienaar.

Suddenly City were back within three points and everything pointed to the colossal derby at the Etihad, as had seemed likely for so long. A cautious United contained the Blues until the last minute of the first half, when Vincent Kompany struck the decisive blow, to which the Reds could not respond. Advantage City on goal difference…

Goal of the month - Welbeck v Everton
April – and the Everton game alone – provided a few contenders. Welbeck gets it for his top-corner effort, delivered after fooling Heitinga with a dummy. Howard had no chance.

Player of the month - Paul Scholes
While goal-happy Rooney grabbed headlines, Scholes was content to pull the strings in midfield and showcase his timeless passing ability. He also notched his third goal of the season with a trademark long-range effort against QPR.

Quote of the month
"We have to get used to playing City in important games. They’re not going away." - Sir Alex Ferguson

April 2012 Results:

Reds' results in April 2012

PL: Blackburn 0 United 2
PL: United 2 QPR 0
PL: Wigan 1 United 0
PL: United 4 Aston Villa 0
PL: United 4 Everton 4
PL: Man City 1 United 0

Scholes nets a trademark beauty against QPR