vs West Brom (a)

Summary
- The player who attempted the most passes was Rio Ferdinand
- The player with the most completed passes was Michael Carrick
- The player with the highest completion rate was Michael Carrick (90%), followed by Vidic (88%) and Fletcher (83%).

Summary
- The player who attempted the most tackles was Patrice Evra
- The players with the best tackling display are Anderson (4/4) and Gabriel Obertan (4/4)

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The Guardian’s Chalkboard

Obertan, who is only 21-years-old and speaks perfect English, explained his celebration after the match.

“It is good for the confidence to score some goals and good when the manager is watching the game,” said Obertan. “There are four matches left in the Premier League so it would be nice to be able to have a few minutes on the pitch. It’s been a bit difficult the last couple of months but I’ve worked hard with the reserves and in training, and it is paying off.”

United are now three points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Barclays Premier Reserve League North, having played two fewer games. Liverpool, who are in third, would have to win their two games in hand on United to draw level on points, but we currently have a goal difference superior by 12.

Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, Owen Hargreaves, Gabriel Obertan, Ben Foster, Park Ji-Sung, Patrice Evra and Jonny Evans visited the The Royal Children’s Hospital in Manchester as part of their annual hospital visit for this time of year.

The Manchester United Foundation has helped raise over £80,000 towards providing parental accommodation facilities so that parents can stay close to their child during treatment.

Mancunia Merchandise

The same has been done for Gabriel Obertan, particularly during his impressive display against Barnsley, which has made him feel very welcome.

“I’m very proud of that,” he told MUTV. “It gives you a huge push when you are playing and you hear the supporters singing your name. It’s like you have other forces behind you. It’s also made me feel very welcome here. If I hear the fans singing my name I want to give them something back by playing well and working hard for them.”

With ten minutes left to play and the game still at 1-0, Obertan had the opportunity to make it a dream start when Valencia presented him with a chance to score from five yards out. Somehow, he managed to miss though, something he is frustrated about.

“I was disappointed to miss my chance, but I was very fit and it all went well because we won in the end,” said Obertan. “It’s been four months now that I have been injured, so it was a good début. I ran hard and tried to do my best. I think I need a bit of rhythm; a few games to be fully fit. It’s going better and better and there’s no reason to end it. I think I’ll be better after a few games.”

Obertan reckons fellow countryman, Patrice Evra, has made his life easier since joining the club and he hopes to get in the first team squad more often.

“I was a bit nervous, but after a few minutes it was gone,” he added. “I really enjoyed the game and Pat Evra was just behind me encouraging me, so it was very good. With Pat it has been easier. I feel like I’m here for many years now so it is good to be here and I’m just enjoying it. I’ll just keep working hard to be in the squad and we’ll see what the manager will do.”

Sir Alex Ferguson has defended Obertan’s miss and reckons the Frenchman settled well in to the team.

“Gabriel was a bit nervous when he came on,” said Ferguson. “It was only his second game in seven months, so you have to put it in perspective. But then he settled down and did well. He is not happy with himself and that is a good thing.”