1. A month ago today Manchester United were five points behind Manchester City at the top of the table. The blues’ had a goal difference superior to ours by 13. We are now five points clear at the top with just one goal difference, with us now having scored more than them. By the time City next play, we could be eight points clear at the top, assuming we beat QPR at home. What a turnaround. We have suffered far more injuries than them, we have spent nowhere near as much money as them, yet here we are, top of the league, and it feels bloody brilliant!
2. There were quite a few whinges from the away end last night, most likely due to the frustration we felt as time ticked on, but I thought our overall performance was pretty good. We were playing against a team which stuck eleven men behind the ball and that is difficult to infiltrate, particularly when playing just one man up top. We didn’t create as many chances as we’d like, due to their defence, but we kept the ball well and didn’t ever look like giving up. We had 73% possession in the first half, 74% in the second, and tirelessly kept bringing the ball forward. Three points well deserved.
3. Antonio Valencia, what a player. He was a constant threat last night but with few options in the box to aim at, struggled to have the impact he would have liked. Time and again he beat their left back but he couldn’t find a player to put it away. Eventually, he seemed to just shrug and think “fuck it”, before coming inside and smashing it across the goal. All night he had been linking up with Rafael, so it was fitting that the Brazilian got the assist. Some have said Robinson will feel like he should have done better from that angle. That’s a possibility but as the Blackburn player who was floored for a good minute in the second half, after blocking a Valencia shot with his face, would attest, our Tony has got a wicked shot on him and the power he gets behind the ball is incredible.
4. All night we had just been crying out for someone to get a shot away. Robinson had hardly anything to do, in contrast to David de Gea, who was called upon to make a couple of excellent saves. Goalkeeping coach Eric Steele ran on to the pitch at the final whistle to give de Gea a massive hug in celebration. Ashley Young probably felt the same frustration we did from the bench so when a half chance came to him, he took it. He received the ball with his back to goal, took one touch to turn, the smashed it just inside the post. That was the game wrapped up.
5. What I particularly enjoyed after Valencia’s goal, aside from his passionate celebration, which is somewhat of a rarity where our Ecuadorian is concerned, was seeing the most experienced players rallying the others. Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs were gripping our players and whilst you obviously couldn’t hear what they were saying, you imagine it was along the lines of “concentration now! Don’t let this one slip!”. Ferguson has talked about the importance of experience time and again and we saw it pay off again last night.
6. It was a privilege to be amongst the away support last night, who didn’t stop singing throughout the 90 minutes. “The fans were fantastic, they were unbelievable,” Ferguson said after the final whistle. “They deserve the result tonight because they never stopped, they urged us on the whole way. They almost sucked that ball in.” Song after song, we got louder as the game went on, before finally getting to sing my favourite of them all: “and now you’re gonna believe us, we’re gonna win the league!”
7. The formation was a strange one and I’m not entirely sure we wouldn’t have done better if we’d played Young from the start and gone for our usual 442. Rooney could have still dropped deeper if required but we had no options down the left wing for much of the game and this held us back. Rooney was out there sometimes, then he was centrally deep, then he was pushing forward, and it meant we lacked real shape. Even at 2-0 up, he was racing all over the field, getting in their faces, trying to prevent any counter, and this should be applauded. Having players like Rooney in your team make all the difference but I would prefer to see him playing in his proper position.
8. Phil Jones and Javier Hernandez were probably the only disappointments of the night, with neither covering themselves in glory. Hernandez rarely does well leading the line by himself, so it was strange that the manager preferred him over Danny Welbeck for this one. Jones looked lost in midfield and his first touch gave the ball away time and again. Jones received a mixed reception from his former club’s fans as he left the pitch, with some opting to boo whilst others gave a standing ovation. It can’t happen for all of the players all of the time though, so let’s hope they’ve got something to think about and work on before the weekend.
9. If you read through past reactions, you’ll see that no matter what the score is, I stick with my conviction that we’re going to win the league. Following news of Vidic’s season long injury, our entry in to the Europa League and being five points behind City, I wrote: It’s not all doom and gloom. We’ve got a good squad and we’ve got the best manager. I still think we’ll win the league, even if Vidic’s injury makes that a lot more difficult, and not having the annual Champions League quarter/semi finals to deal with in the last couple of months of the season will help with that. It should come as no surprise that now, with us five points clear at the top, I still think the title is staying at Old Trafford. That doesn’t necessarily mean it will be plain sailing from here. We should all know by now that United like to do things the hard way. But our lads won’t throw this one away. “They’re cracking up, they’re cracking up, they’re cracking, City’s cracking up!” we sang last night. Whilst their players are having barneys over who is going to take a freekick, our lads are all pulling together in the same direction. This will be one of the best title wins I can remember and I couldn’t be more proud of how we have coped this season so far. Come on United!
Man Utd News 24/7
Still SO happy about last night’s result!! Get in lads
Valencia has been simply awesome. No one deserves it more than him. The guy comes back from injury as fresh as a daisy and for my money his return from injury was just as important as Paul Scholes coming out of retirement in getting us ahead of City..
Suddenly, none of the doubters are posting their regular doom & gloom posts any more. Twats!
Meanwhile, if anybody has got better memory that the crap 16MB I have in my head, I am desperately trying to reconcile my memory of Giggs and Beckham doing a “time-wasting confusion tactic” in which Becks/Giggs touched the ball lightly out of the corner quadrant, the other runs over to take the corner kick, only to change again, and one or both got carded. Anyone’s memory matches mine? Or can point me to a definite vid/match report to confirm this? Or did I get it wrong?
love the post match reactions STR, good work, and even better work to the guys, ESP TONY V. What a BEASSST.
Ive watched the goals at least 5 times this morning! Oh how i love being a red!
Well happy. Couldn’t see where the goal was gonna come from and then Valencia popped up to score. I’m not gonna forget his celebration in a hurry from a man who is usually cool, calm, and collected.
The United fans were amzing last night. I could hear them throughout the game on Sky Sports.
If only the support at Old Trafford was just as good all the while what an atmosphere we could create…!
Lets not get too carried away though boys, i think we still need citeh to fuck another one up for us to really be in the driving seat. The dangerous assumption they are making though is that they will win the derby, not only do we have to hope the derby result means nothing (which is does currently but we would have to not drop any points) but that their overconfidence will lead them right into our hands and the genius of Sir Alex.
come on united! this will be the most exciting title to win since we stuffed the bindippers to get one!
STR
Back on form
But er
Mancini:
Issa draw no?
Great stuff Scott. Really enjoyed this. What a fucking win and what unbelievable goals by Valencia and Ash Young. Let’s kick on now and bring title 20 home lads. MUFC!!!
Only just getting my voice back and my hands are red raw from clapping.
The riot when united scored was nothing short of unreal….
Prawn sandwich are we? Our away support is by a country mike the best around.
Shivers thinking back at the noise at the end.
I bet Cedars is still screaming away
Much to the displeasure of his neighbours who love him anyway
Well done G12G0
I thought I heard someone say:
MG! Mancini interview quick!
When the goals went in
There is only one endeavour in which you can start from the top,and thats digging a hole.$hitty should have known better.The good thing with Sir Alex is his ability to strike or pounce at the right time.Tell you what,we’ve got the manager required to make hey on a rainy day n his subs yesterday proved nothing short of that.
Blackburn away has invariably proved to be our nemesis,but at this stage of the season,they stood no chance.Lulled for a fucking 80 mins n the red army rans amok the final ten.Whilst i agree that we should be killing off teams early,from now till the end,i dont care how we do it as long as its 3 points.The end will surely justify the means.
As for Mankini and his blue twats,FUCK OFF.You enjoyed that sojourn at the top while it lasted.Now you are back in the pram n rightly so.Talk is cheap because supply exceeds demand and untill the time they learn how to shut their gobs at wastelands,they still under the tag ‘noisy neighbours.
STR
Cheers for that mate, excellent write up, I missed them! Our supporters were indeed brilliant last night, I keep watching highlights merely to hear them sing.
Morning all
Brilliant past three days eh?
Ant-o-nio…oho aha…we like him…oho aha…Ant-o-nio…oho aha…Va-len-cia…oho aha!
(2 d tune of “that’s d way” by KC&Sunshine).
Congrats red soldiers!
Nice one Scott lad. Fucking immense atomosphere last night. Could have gone but bit skint at minute. Yes fuck all threat down left but Fergie didn’t want to lose the midfield he said. Brought subs on and won the game. Gotta love Fergie,. Doing his little jig last night. Fucking legend and what joy he has brought the last two and half decades. Can’t wait to tell young Tom my son when he grows up all about this man and the unparralled success we have witnessed. Not being arrogant but it would take a momumental meltdown on our part to chuck this away now. The bitters do not have the fight . They have lost the league already in their swedes. Fucking get in.
City fans last night saying look at the difference in mentalities of the clubs. Even they acknowledge United are a breed apart.
Well written Scott and sums it all up perfectly. So pleased for the breakthrough, younger generation in the team that have heeded the good advice of our seniors. Such tutelage has paid dividends with their game and confidence.
Rafa had a blinder last night, i genuinely thought Robinson was going to struggle with his shot! Great defensive play, brilliant link-up with the man, the beast, that is Antonio. A void that has been so difficult to cover most of this season was comfortably handled by the wee lad last night.
David De Gea. I can’t give the United number 1 enough superlatives for his shot-stopping and world-class reactions last night. His courage and determination are impressive. You can tell how much it meant to the lad in his embrace with Steele post-match.
Valencia, as G Nev put it, a real, old school winger, a quiet lad who works bloody hard over 90 minutes and is relentless on his shift. What a quality signing he turned out to be. Wigan will rue having let the boy go. How he can come back fresh as a daisy each time following injury is astounding. Props go to the medical team who have worked wonders with him in particular. I can’t praise the lad enough. He’s my hero of the season.
I took WRN’s good advice and headed over to the Blue Moon fansite last night for giggles… Not only are the teams gulfed by class, it appears the blogs and it’s visitors are too.
Listening to the travelling fans last night made me proud to be a Red. If someone ever asked me to define TRUE support, THAT was it. The benchmark. One that needs to be installed throughout the whole of of Old Trafford.
Also credit to Fergie, who engaged the fans regularly and fist pumped his little heart out. Still not content with being 2-0 up at the closing stages of the game, gave Welbeck a rollicking for his careless passing. That’s why he’s the manager he is today – doesn’t accept half the shit that Mancini does. Again, gulf in class.
I enjoyed Steve Kean’s post-match assessment last night, very humbling and respectful of the display we all witnessed.
In very high spirits today and for the remaining fixtures that lay before us. Our away form has been fantastic. Let’s just hope we bring that kind of performance home.
20. Can you smell it yet?
Giggs12 – Kudos to you and mike and the other travelling Reds last night,. It sounded fucking superb pal.
Didnt know Eric Steele ran on to hug De Gea. Nice touch,. That kid will be the worlds best in next couple of years. Top barnet too!
ScholesForGoals – Yes mate. I like Steve Keane . Seems a decent bloke.
I just hope the lads can stay cool n calm at the top and paddle like crazy underneath.Its not over yet as the gaffer said and i for one believe the target should be a guard of honor at the emptyhead.
Ooooh and i thought i had seen clowns untill that Hanley came along.How that elbow on the ginger prince warranted a yellow card only,is one of the mysteries of mankind.
Amazing night. Such patience waiting for that all-important goal.
Brilliant blocks from Rio and Evans late on to keep them at nought. De Gea in excellent form. Great to see him concentrating for 90 minutes these days.
Rooney superb – he as good as 2 players sometimes – never stops, never slows down, always uses the ball well.
Scholes – the metronome – but Fergie was right to bring on Young and Welbeck to speed things up.
But…Hernandez is badly out of form. Squandered his two chances in the box. Gave the ball away too easily – we need to get him scoring in the reserves midweek, I reckon.
Massive 3 points – feels as good as ever!
Good day guyz.exquisite performance by d lads.best pass completion rate in d first half (91%) by any team in d prem era!I say SAF at his cunning best.Wear down their resistance and roll in d cavalry.Jones had a blinder.just couldn’t get proper direction to his header on his former stomping ground.kept breaking up rovers play hassling and harrying.no wonder nzonzi nearly hacked his head clean off.D beast is shouldering the team at d mo.instigating almost every dangerous move.Nerveless.DDG has gotta have some feline genetics.his spring is as Tarzan’s.might just start calling him that.Scholes has won us d title.Big little man.d antidote to Tevezery.Chicharito loves utd.it shows.he’s so loyal it’s almost doglike for lack of a better description.guyz plz is there any other world class player as selfless as Wazza?All hail d White Pele!Rio’s got our back(line).Captain is definitely lifting d 20th to put racist fools worldover to shame.We’re just getting warmed up!Glory b to God.
Morning Cedars!
Morning all!
Forgot to say Morning first!
Brilliant post Scott! Exactly the kind we’ve been screaming for weeks now. A proper blog post from you and kudos for that.
That last paragraph made my day. No one, I repeat no one, should undervalue our efforts this season by saying “Well, the PL has fallen a few notches below.” or “Well, City were always a shit team.” or any other excuse. Yes, the PL’s standards have fallen below. Yes, City are a shit team and were always set up for a meltdown like this. But, no other team, including the mighty Spanish teams some of our fans wank over like Barcelona or Real Madrid would’ve coped with as much injuries as we have and still challenged in their respective leagues.
The value of the overall squad Sir Alex Ferguson has assembled is vastly underestimated even by some of our own. They say the squad isn’t that great and then point to our lack of quality in mid-field. Well, forget about that. That is an issue which Sir Alex will address in the coming summer, one way or another. But the overall depth in quality and the like-minded mentality Sir Alex has drilled into this club is once again visible in this bunch of players.
I look at youngsters like Welbeck, Chicharito, Jones, Smalling, Evans, De Gea etc. and I see all of them having the “United mentality”. These players have been critical for us this season and will prove to be in the coming decade. I look at seniors like Giggs, Scholes, Rio, Rooney, etc and I see players who are strong examples to follow. I look at newcomers like Young, Valencia, and I see players who fit in with our club and who can immediately take on the mantle of leading this team to greatness.
The value of the process that has gone into assembling this mighty squad has been underestimated because of our poor performances in Europe this season. That value has been demonstrated once again with our success in the league this season. That is enough to make this a mighty successful season given what we’ve been through.
The so-called realists say the squad lacks quality and the defeats in Europe demonstrate how far behind the elite we are. Well, I think we’re behind obviously but not by far. A player here or there will see us in contention for all the top honors next season. Mark my words, this is again just the beginning. Last season was similar but Sir Alex rolled the dice last summer and some of his plans didn’t pan out. He’ll make new plans this summer either from inside or outside to make us the European force again.
Hell, this team is a work in progress and we’re winning the League comfortably. I cannot wait to see how the finished product turns out.
wanted to post this although i didnt post for more than a year.
You know what will be reeeally sweet?
Guard of honor on Wastelands. Oh let it come through!
What we all need as I watch England and Sri Lanka is an Ayurvedic Spa
So say the commentators!
@Red Tash – Yeah i agree. Scholes took it like a man though didn’t he! None of this fannying around on the floor, rolling about.. Hanley, shame on you. Dirty bastard. That was fucking horrid. It it wasn’t for his years, the ginger prince wouldn’t have allowed him to get away with that!
@King Eric Agreed mate. I feel sorry for the bloke really, but showed great respect to our lads and their performance last night, and didn’t contest any of the decisions.
Van der Sar didn’t leave, he just metamorphosed to van der Gea!
Issa okay
We win premiership next year
Sheikhy Baby I needah 400 million and Michael Owen
Great analysis Scott, particularly enjoyed your comments on Rio and Giggs focussing the team after we had scored – gave me goose bumps watching their passion, loved it!
Also great to see Big Dave in goal doing the business once again, he could pivotal in the next few weeks. As for Tony V, what a fucking legend this guy is.
By the way, did anyone carry on watching MNF with G Nev’s back 5 of the season so far then see Mark Bright tweeting about the fact he didn’t include any United players as if to say it’s a mockery we’re top or something? I’m fucking sick of this two-bob average former player slating United all the fucking time, I remember him tweeting shit about the two legitimate penalties at Chelsea earlier in the season. He’s so anti-United it fucks me off no end. Cunt!
Anyway, important thing is to tick off the fixtures one by one and it’s getting closer now. 3 points on Sunday please! Well done lads!!!!
Special shout out to G12G0,MIke12 n all our ambassadors at Ewood park.They surged the first goal in the net long before Valencia got us a second n Ash a third.Congratulations.
Bang on trend Scott.
It was a great performance last night, to a man, even those who didn’t play particularly well grafted, harried and hungered for supremacy.
Jonsey got lumps kicked out of him, Wazza played, as stated by STR- all over the shop- imagine playing against that sort of intensity? Fuck me running I’d be dead on my feet.
The Tony/ Rafael link up was superb and gave the inbreds a constant source of tribulation, it wasn’t any wonder the breakthrough came from that right wing.
Na na na na na na na na na na na- I thought he was a flop- was a flop? Some said he was a flop!?! Ash came on and buried a belter to seal it- those fucking morons who claimed he was shite along with Carrick and JE are mysteriously quiet now. Good.
All in all, I celebrated like I did when I was 12 and we beat Sheffield Wednesday a la Brucie last night, if that’s an omen, I think we’ll be fine.
“This is how it feels to be City…..”
Have that you fucking Bluenose jokers.
UNITED! UNITED! UNITED!
King Eric
Mate it was superb, nervous as hell as teh agme wore on and it was getting anxious but then we do what we always do.
The riot when we scored was as good as I have seen for a while it was brilliant.
Here are some more stats for you:
After 31 league games last season United had 66pts, scored 68 goals (league only) and had a goal diff of +36
This season after 31 games United have 76 pts, scored 76 goals (league only) and have a goal diff of +49
Granted that at the same stage last year we where still chasing a treble, but that’s still a hell of an improvement for an ‘average’ team, eh?
That was brilliant!!! Good game indeed.
I didnt even end up with Mike we got there late after leaving Warrington at 2.00pm haha we were drinking in bamber bridge with a couple hundred reds in a row of thtree pubs.
The song book was bloody brilliant
I want to echo @King Eric and say well done to you Scott and the raucous fans who really provided the 12th man on that pitch last night. It was an incredible night and you traveling United fans are just insanely amazing.
I can understand the midfield set up and the fact that United enjoyed over 70% possession showed it could work but they were up against a well drilled Blackburn defense (kudos to them and their decent manager Steve Kean).
At this stage it’s perhaps a luxury to harp on about what’s our best 11 and formation. It’s really take each game as it comes and do what works. I think that’s part of the genius of SAF’s man management to let every player know he has a role to play for the good of the whole squad.
It may be a team game but it takes a good squad to make it happen.
Opta shows that Valencia is much under rated and his assists and contribution this season have been more valuable than Silva at Shitty or RVP at Arsenal. But – like Scholes – the lad just gets his head down and gets on with it without the need to feel validated by anyone outside our fans and the club.
DDG – wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. This lad is a worthy successor to wear the coveted United goalie jersey. He just keeps growing in statute. The scary thing is that the lad isn’t even the finished article and hasn’t even reached a peak. What will he be like in 5-10 years? Wow!
I was having a nice romantic meal with my French wife overlooking the River Seine here in Paris at this really fancy restaurant. But I feigned sneaking off to the bathroom but slipping into the hallway where the maître d’ and one or two of the other waiters were watching the football on the kitchens. It was a surreal moment with staff and male guests crowding in the cramped kitchen.
I had to return to the table but our waiter was kind enough to slip me a note with our coffee that Valencia had scored a belter and Young wrapped it up for us.
I was so happy that my wife looked at me shocked as I half got up and made an impromptu YESSSS!!! to the bemusement of the rest of the restaurant. I sat down apologetically but on our way out I couldn’t help but give a high five to the maitre d’.
A night cap in an Irish pub afterwards made me night as I saw the highlights. It was just an incredible night.
But oh shit, 7 more games to go and I’m not sure my heart can take it. Because we know don’t we? We know that United always take it to the line and never do it the easy way.
This is what it means to be a United fan. I’m still recovering from ’99 Nou Camp.
Clevs, Rio and Rooney praised United’s support on Twitter. I believe Rooney said, the fans drove the players on. All on point there Scott? I love watching our fans celebrate lol. It’s exactly the way I am. You just lose yourself for a moment. You really can’t beat that feeling! United!! Gotta love this club. 19/20?
After watching Pedersen get KOed by Valencia’s shot, no one can blame Robinson for not getting out of the way for our opening goal. He didn’t want to lose his hands!
Don’t know what it was about it, but that was a high octane game in the end. Took me a long time for the adrenaline to wear off.
*no one can blame Robinson for getting out of the way* I meant.
BTW? This so called poor United team/squad is 10 points better off than last season. Not bad, eh?
The truth is
It’s all about the kebabs.
I could literally spend all day reading bluemoon. Piss funny watching them lot break down.
@Costas – Pedersen didn’t half take it to the face eh. Can’t blame Robinson for shitting himself
Valencia > Beast
@WillieRedNut Not bad, not bad at all good Sir. How DID City fuck it all up…………
@Xeno – It’s how i’m getting through the day mate. That and replays of our goals, fans etc
Proud to say, I was there last night, it was amazing, it really felt like we won the league.
WRN, well apparently we’ll be steamrolled by City in the league after falling out of 4 Cups. League ranking is not a measure of a club’s success, we need to have our intelligence checked.
Mancini’s “they’ll draw” remark reeked of Keegan’s infamous outburst, just more tame and more controlled. I expect something close to Keegan’s outburst after their result at Arsenal, which I reckon will be a draw.
Agree about Hernandez and Jones, Jones looked fucked from the word go, is he properly fit? He didn’t look it to me. Hernandez needs to learn how to hold the ball up and not fall over every time he is touched, I thought last summer he would have done a Ronaldo and beefed up but he didn’t, he needs to. His pace seems to be nowhere near what it was too, or at least he is making way less of the runs we saw last season. Come on Javier sort it out lad.
Managed to score a ticket late in the day yesterday, so glad I did, one of the best atmospheres I can remember behind the goal last night, the songs were so loud it must have sounded ace on TV. I just kept thinking of the city lot sat at home watching it hearing the cracking up song time and again. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
@willie
Yeah. 10 points better off and 13 points better off compared to the same 31 games from last season. We are fast approaching the total amount of points we got last season and there’s still some way to go.
@ScholesForGoals
Yeah but even a half talen Valencia shot can be lethal. He knocked all the gel off his head.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FF6YUqoaw3E
Ahhhh ha ha haaaaaa!
It really was a privilege to be part of that away support last night. I’v only missed one game, home, away and in Europe all season, but that was by far the best support for a long while.
@Balaji – Quality post at 10.14. Really good point about the under-estimation that goes on.
Gotta say, our experienced players really came to the fore last night. Rio was a rock, came up with a couple of crucial moments in the second half. Carrick and Scholesy ensured we never lost our composure, kept moving the ball. Rooney ran his socks off, played in about 3 different positions. I thought we looked at our most threatening when he came in off the flank and found pockets of space behind their midfield.
And then there was Giggsy, who showed just why he’s probably the best impact sub in the League. I said last week that this should be his role – he’s a bit of a liability when he starts…..but give him half an hour off the bench and he’ll produce magic.
It sure was refreshing as hell to watch Valencia celebrating his goal and screaming!!
Heard a crazy stat that Tony V recieved 71 passes last night,Blackburn doubled teamed him and still couldn’t do fuck all with him,agree entirely with STR didn’t understand Rooney being played out of position and the 71 passes to Tony V proved Utd were out of shape and perdictable in going forward.
A good win BUT NOT a great one. For eighty minutes – apart from Chicharito’s chance in the tenth minute (?) – TheLads posed little threat and, indeed, the score could easily have been 2-nil, for the home side. Possession does not equate with victory; goal scoring does !
Antonio Valencia’s “50/50″ shot/pass was the kind of difference maker that this match required. For sure, the same old/same old methods of the first eighty minutes weren’t making much of an impression. Apart from the peripherality of the “attack”, I was struck by the refusal the give-and-go into the area – smashing crosses into a crowded box works sometimes but not always.
As is often the case, SAF’s team-sheet was – ahem ! – confusing. He must have known that Blackburn would drop deep, park-the-bus, and try for a hit-’em-on-the-counter. The only explanation for choosing MrJones ahead of Ashely Young/SirRyanGiggs must be that the game-plan was to wear them down and then instruct Antonio Valencia to befuddle the keeper with a shot on goal. I’m no great fan of Ashley Young but his goal was excellent – and very timely.
Contrary to a number of previous posters, I thought that TheWayneBoy had an awful game – he was the hallmark of “periperality”. In contrast, I thought that Rafael was excellent, Evans and Rio, too, but that CaptainEvra was somewhat out-to-lunch as he was not especially dangerous going forward, despite being given the freedom-of-the-left-side (to my mind, Patrice is best when paired with Nani). From my seat, Scholes’ passing was somewhat less “SatNav” but he showed a lot of feistiness (and Hanley should have been red-carded for that elbow – rather more vicious than Pepe Reina’s laughable “head butt” the day before). Michael Carrick was, well, Michael Carrick and almost gave away a great chance with a dozey pass but, otherwise, did his thing in the usual way that he does his thing.
So, what about Chicharito ? HIs “miss” in the tenth minute (?) was the down-side of why the guy is so dangerous – but he can’t convert every chance and that one was excruciatingly close to going in (directly or indirectly by rebounding off Robinson’s arse). In the commentary-world of pantomime, Chicharito gets stick for his weak hold-up play but I have to admit that I didn’t see that – what I saw was that he was isolated because SAF instructed TheWayneBoy to play wide left and deep so Chicharito was isolated.
Finally, David De Gea – fantastic.
Not a peep from Mr Summerbee??? I wonder why?
PERFECT!!!
Who cares? We win! That was the objective before kick off. Rooney was selfless imo. The last 10 games are about results. Performance is a bonus. You can’t please everyone, though.
Our away support is always class but it was on a whole new level last night
Tom Cleverly twitter “Our away fans are unreal and what a result! Enough said”
Rio Ferdinand twitter “What a game, what a result and what fans we have, they were screaming the ball into the net….our 12th man. Love that!”
Wayne Rooney twitter “Great result tonight. Have to say that our fans were incredible tonight. Drove us on.”
We need to keep it up for the rest of the reason, and with the Scoreboard Paddock singing section in place next season lets see just how much we can improve our atmosphere.
Is there a special medical term for heart conditions caused by being a United supporter??? Pretty sure my thumper’s rhythm is off after last night
G12G0 which part of Warrington are you from ? I live there as well. Due to my working hours I can’t get to games.
@Wayne and Denton – I’m guessing Fergie wanted an extra man in the middle of the park coz he expected a battle – and a pairing of Carrick and Scholes by themselves isn’t the best for that sort of game. Could’ve put Rooney up front on his own (would’ve done a better job than Chicharito) and Young wide left….but I don’t think the gaffer trusted Young’s defensive qualities, so he put Rooney on the left. The funny thing was, whenever we attacked, Rooney came inside anyway (coz Hernandez is not the type of player you can leave isolated, he needs as much support as possible.)
Welbeck would’ve been a good option, either for the lone striker role or the left wing role….but his performance last Monday was poor, maybe that played a part.
Had Anderson been fit, I’m certain he would’ve played ahead of Jones – gives us the same energy + a greater attacking threat. IMO, Jones wasn’t suited to the role he was given, which is why we kept having to go out wide to Valencia. As Willie said though – at this stage of the season its about holding your nerve and getting the job done!
WillieRedNut @ 14:02: “Who cares? We win!”
Of course, I agree – # 20 will be very sweet. But…… just saying……….
Sparkz @ 14:44: “I’m guessing Fergie wanted an extra man in the middle of the park coz he expected a battle”
I disagree – he must have known that there wouldn’t be a “midfield battle” but, rather, a war-of-attrition with Blackburn conceding possession/territory and hoping to get lucky in the same way that they did at OT with three goals from three shots.
In a lot of matches, I’m puzzled by the strategy behind the team-sheet/selection. Usually, I’m wrong – or, at least, SAF is right BUT what continues to grate is his refusal to go with the 4-2-3-1 which gives fluidity and allows TheWayneBoy the chance to be his wonderful, undisciplined self. Right now, UTD have one great attacking player and that’s MrAmbition – sure, Antonio Valencia is a handful but he’s not unpredictable or a bag-of-tricks (like Nani).
For what it’s worth, I’d like to see SAF go for something completely different up=front against QPR with TheWayneBoy leading the line, Nani/Valencia on the wings, and Ashley Young in the withdrawn-striker role. Call it 4-2-3-1 or 4-2-4 but more movement from the forwards, please.
denton – Alright pal. Tony is more than a handful. He is one of our best players right now and is a constant threat. Top class.
Btw, thanks to everyone who’s filled in the questionnaire for my dissertation, much appreciated.
If you haven’t yet, I’d be glad if you could spare 5 minutes and fill it out! Gotta be over the age of 18 though, click the link below:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HG2532P
This is one of the last times I’ll be bothering you about it lol, thanks guys.
denton mate Tony V doesn’t need to be a bag of tricks,every team knows what he’s going to do but can’t stop him anyway
STR Bravo. Way to be such a great traveling fan base. Makes me proud to be a Man Utd fan. I would have loved to see the Stewart’s come and tell you to be quite, because Range Rover Prawn Sandwich eaters are being disturbed by you.
Question do fans have to travel to be themselves? Next great story by STR!!!
In the summer in Chicago I saw Man Utd kits every where!!! We bought our voice to Soldier Field!!!!!!
Sparks no problems I filled it out.
Cheers Zibbie, appreciate it.
With regards to Valencia, I agree – he’s direct and its very hard to stop him. Maybe occasionally he’ll come up against a full back where his simple style of play won’t work (Abidal last year!) but that’s a rarity.
As long as the other guys in the forward line are more unpredictable (Nani, Welbeck, Rooney), I haven’t got a problem with Valencia being predictable, he’s a beast.
Denton – We could be here till next year talking about ifs, or maybes. As for the formation? We’re critical of Fergie’s reluctance to change it. There must of been a reason for playing Rooney in that role. Maybe it was a case of getting the win. And securing the 5 point lead. Whatever it was, it bloody well worked!
Is there any reason why Valencia doesn’t speak English yet? Here’s been in this country long enough and I thought it would be something Fergie would encourage?
RJ Tony V is alot like Scholes shys away from the limelight if his English isn’t very good won’t get pestered by the press.For all we know his English might be fine just doesn’t let on
Was just watching show and they mentioned that United put together 38 passes which led to our second goal and they actually showed…..
#phone in show
STR Brilliant write up and props to you for putting it up day after. More of the same please!!!!!
I was relegated to the tellie but want to say just one thing about the away end.
THAT THERE WAS UNITED SUPPORT!
12th man! Would not know there was a Rover fan in the stadium from what came through the TV. Breathtaking. Hats off to all the proper reds who were part of that! That is what I loved about the support 30 years ago when I was part of it. Didn’t matter if we were tied or down a couple. Singing their hearts out just the same.
Loved Fergies Post match. Announcer was trying to make out that we were being handled the first 80 minutes but Fergie was having none of it. Sounded like it had been part of the game plan all along given the history of the fixture, keep at them down to wear em down, then bring on Giggs, Young and Welbeck. Credited DeGea and Rio as well, but the entire team put in a shift that saw fewer and fewer close markings for the last 20 minutes and gave Valencia the space to work the magic.
Subs:
Rovers: NONE! (big mistake? Well you just saw that coming from what they had on the bench)
United: 1 defensive, one controlling and one attacking player off (job done). 3 attacking players on (2 goals in 10 minutes)
Thats a game plan for ya then
Possession 73%
Pass completion 92%
Passes to Valencia 71
Goal Scoring moves that came through Valencia 100%.
Cedars hi mate the show i watched said 47 and it was a EPL record,mind you it was a Canadian ‘soccer’ show a very rarely get anything right
wayne
Hi pal, the one I saw it on was PLTV so I guess they might just have more credibility, besides they call it football! lol
As I said they actually showed them, not that I was counting to be honest!
Nice!
Really loved how Steele ran over to De Gea at the final whistle and hugged him…. Brilliant stuff
United Supporters at Eawood park were brilliant….. Much better than the Old Trafford prawn sandwitch eaters.
King Eric- on bluemoon , some supporters are reluctantly giving credit where it’s due and noting the difference in injures winning mentality.
does anyone have the post match reactions for last night????
Would really really love it if someone shared! Especially if it contains GNev’s analysis.. missed it completely
Would be much appreciated!
Cedars – drink up drink up!! cheers on the 20th coming back home buddy
@ Balaji – helluva post my fellow RED! loved it. just one thing though. SAF will not roll a dice again after this season ends. He rolls it throughout the season. We fans never really appreciated the role of Martin Ferguson in this whole 25 year reign of the great man. The “Godbrother” has made sure that SAF has been able to identify the right talent and take an informed call on who is worth the red shirt of this great club. The red shirt which was worn by not mere mortals such as Meredith, Best, Law, Charlton, Robbo, Giggs, Scholes, Nev x2 (I’m sure I’m missing loads of other great servants of this institution, will not defile their importance by writing “etc.”; I’m hoping my young age can be a reasonable excuse for multi decade supporters here on this blog, apologies my dear friends).
Martin Ferguson, sir, I salute your talent and assistance to your brother through thick and thin. You, Lady Ferguson and the family are surely one of the most important factors that Sir Alex has been able to prove beyond measure his talent and genius to the footballing world and given us millions, such great unforgettable memories and the chance to interact and meet (in the case of Mike, King Eric, G12G0, James21 and others) other fellow reds as passionate about the club as the next person.
For what its worth, from 333 million fans across the world, let this be a small token of appreciation, Thank you.
I thought all the back 4 were great, Evra was practically a defender and a winger the whole night till Ashley came on and did 2 peoples jobs, Rafael’s best game for a while.
Scholes & Carrick work well together, but I really don’t see what SAF sees in Jones, for me he has been our weakest player this season and he contributed nothing, I do not know why he got a chance over Pogba and Ashley, he is not as good as them in MF. I do not see him as a MF, he is an Alan Smith utility man and not a very good one at that. He failed to link defence and attack, he ran into Rafa and Valencia’s positions. Do not see why we bought him.
Pea had little service, he needs a player like Giggs to link with, he is also not playing as well. Re beefing up, he is built like a shit house, the issue is teams know him now and he is a little guy, he needs people like Giggs or Scholes or Rooney close by to play with. Welbeck seems to have gone off the boil. Young did well.
One thing that bugged me whole game was out lack of shots from distance and over reliance on the crosses, there were quite a few times I was screaming shoot just try and they would pass it wide. One thing about Darron Gibson, he would have hit a few at them from distance and that would have pulled them out of position to stop the shots as it was we hardly tried and shots from edge of box.
NBI @ 20:55: “Pea had little service, he needs a player like Giggs to link with, he is also not playing as well.”
I’d agree with that – although it doesn’t have to be Giggs. He’s not going to be able to do his thing if he’s only utilized as a “lead-the-line” striker. He’s also very good at the give-and-go/wall-ball style of play that UTD seem to have largely forgone. There’s no question that playing the ball out wide to Antonio Valencia is a very good strategy but it would be better if it wasn’t the only attacking strategy ! Antonio Valencia is a “handful” and seems to have taken his game up a level, too. BUT his game is rather predictable and over-reliance on him unbalances the other parts of the team.
The issue with BOTH Valencia and Chicharito is that the predictability of the attack tends to allow the opposition the opportunity to devise strategies to nullify their strengths. Valencia is among the assists-leaders in the EPL and Chicharito is UTD’s second-leading goal-scorer but, it seems to me, that the team game is better when they’re not “featured”. A more rounded, flexible attack would be better – and, I think that there are players who can provide that but when the formation/strategy is something of a straitjacket then Nani and Ashley Young and even TheWayneBoy are all, to some extent, neutralized.
Like I wrote before (@ 15:59), ” ’d like to see SAF go for something completely different up=front against QPR with TheWayneBoy leading the line, Nani/Valencia on the wings, and Ashley Young in the withdrawn-striker role. Call it 4-2-3-1 or 4-2-4 but more movement from the forwards, please.”
Well Done United! Time to put the Champaigne into the fridge!
Absolutely brilliant. Scott’s summary captures it perfectly. The support was awe-inspiring (I’m not going to say ‘awesome’, like some kid who likes REM or some other stadium rock-band. ) Let’s see the Old Trafford crowd live up to the away support , staring against QPR.
Well done united 5 points clear of city and maybe 8 points clear of city if united beat qpr on sunday