Mame Biram Diouf Scores A Hat-trick for Blackburn

Manchester United's youth seems to be getting better and better. The promising 22 year old striker Mame Biram Diouf, who was sent by Sir Alex Ferguson out on loan to Blackburn for the season to gain some Premier League experience scored a hat-trick on Tuesday night to help Blackburn beat Norwich 3 - 1 in the Carling Cup.

Sir Alex seems to have an eye for the younger players, after the signings of Chicharito Hernandez, Chris Smalling and Diouf. Either that or United's financial position is forcing Ferguson to go for un-established, young players with potential. Nevertheless, they seem to be slowly proving their worth.

With Chelsea seeming like they could run away with the Premier League title this season with their six goals a week policy, United need all the firepower they need. Diouf may not be with them this season, but he certainly seems to be one for the future after begginning to prove himself as a great goalscorer.

Sloppy Liverpool outplayed by Manchester City

It was a night to forget for Liverpool. They were wasteful, sloppy, slow, unconvincing on and off the ball, and were completely outplayed by the Mega-Bucks stars from Manchester City. As soon as City got their first goal, I saw no way back for Roy Hodgson's team.

I felt starting with Torres was a mistake, because one, he is clearly un-fit and unable to last a good 90 minutes, and two, when Liverpool need a goal late on, they have no-one of any better quality to bring on and change a game. If Torres had started on the bench, he would have been able to come on and have some impact against tired defenders. But starting with an un-fit Torres against top class and fit defenders - Torres couldn't get in the game.

There was a lack of spark and creativity in the Liverpool side, who lacked width, and despite Gerrards best efforts, the City defence were too much for one man. Joe Cole of course was missed after being suspended against Arsenal. His creativity, trickery and width, would have been greatly appreciated in a game where Liverpool looked similar to the failing team of last season.

No credit, however must be taken away from Manchester City's brilliance on the night. The young English players, watched by Capello's right-hand-man, Baldini, played magnificently, in Hart and Johnson. Adam Johnson was involved in everything. How ironic it is that he has been one of their cheapest signings but has made the biggest impact. He tore Liverpool's left-back to shreds, won a penalty, delivered some great crosses and had a few good shots. Hart too, is quickly cementing his place as number one for both club and country. Another solid display, in particular with a fine double save from Ngog and Torres to deny a Liverpool comeback. Dare I say it, but England's goalkeeping nightmare may have found a long term solution.

Two contrasting clubs in terms of their ownership. Manchester City are on the up, with billions of pounds to spend on anything they please, and aiming for new heights. Whereas Liverpool, have been on the decline from their glory days for a while, with the American owners plunging the club into masses of debt with the club with very little to spend on new recruits. With prospective buyers pulling out of deals to save the club, and teams around them getting better, Roy Hodgson has a big job ahead of him.

Berbatov back in Business?

Something to Prove? - Berbatov

A convincing 3-1 win against Chelsea in the Community Shield for Manchester United, with Valencia, Hernandez, and Berbatov getting on the score sheet. It turned out to be brilliant preparation for Manchester United as they head into the new season next Monday against Newcastle.

Rooney set up the first after a brilliant pass from Scholes and Valencia sweeped the ball into the net.

United new boy "Chicharito" scored an awkward, quite funny goal as he slipped as he went to place it and it came off his baby- face into the Chelsea net. While Berbatov scored a delightful chip at the end to nicely round off United's pre-season.

Berbatov had a hard season last season, as fans questioned his commitment as well as the price Ferguson paid for him, at £30 million. It was hard for him to live up to expectations as he walked in Rooney's shadow for much of the season, and as we willed him to grab a goal which would set him off on a goal-scoring run, nothing happened. But he has scored an early goal now, against quality opposition in Chelsea. It will do wonders for his confidence as he ran, smiling to the United fans after the goal to celebrate - a sight that wasn't seen very often at all last season.

He has pressure now for a starting spot with the impressive Mexican Javier Hernandez, or "Chicharito" as his shirt reads, as well as the experienced goal-scorer Michael Owen. His future is in his own hands, because Ferguson has shown that he has faith in him, by playing him many times, often with no reward. But with an early goal under his belt, and the United fans starting to warm to him, it could be Berbatov's season at the Theatre of Dreams.