Without setting the world alight, Manchester United proved again how far we have come in Europe over the past few years. Of course, you could argue the two appearances in the last two European Cup finals already have shown that, but it’s results like the one last night in Moscow that do it for me.
Three years ago almost to the day United lost 1-0 in Copenhagen after Ferguson fielded a weakened team. FC Copenhagen hadn’t even scored a Champions League goal before that evening, let alone won a game, yet there we were, losing to them. In the past ten years we’ve lost to Maccabi Haifa, Anderlecht, Stuttgart, Deportivo (more than once), Benfica, Lille, PSV Eindhoven, Fiorentina, Marseille, Porto and Fenerbahce away from home in the Champions League. This year we’ve gone to Turkey and won, but more impressively, to Russia and won, with several first team players missing. Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Darren Fletcher and Patrice Evra have been our best performing players so far this season, and we were without all of them, amongst others.
Nani retained his crown for the most frustrating player going though, with him showing the usual flashes of brilliance before giving the ball away, failing to beat the first man with a cross, or shooting wildly. I want to see the manager keep on persevering though because all it takes in one moment of greatness to change a game. Last night, it was his cross to Dimitar Berbatov, which the Bulgarian headed on to Antonio Valencia, which won us the game.
Berbatov had a frustrating match, which could have been predicted, as the lone striker. Whatever progress we made down the flanks, particularly down the left under the ownership of Fabio and Nani, it was hard to find Berbatov in the box, who was always outnumbered. He isn’t a lone striker because his best position is behind the main striker, holding the ball up and looking for the clever pass. The game was crying out to dump the extra midfielder and bring Michael Owen on but this didn’t happen until the 70th minute. His best chance would have been buried in to the back of the net if he was a couple of inches taller, but as it is, the cross sailed over his head.
At 0-0, Owen played in Nani who had Berbatov and Owen to choose from, but he played it miles behind both of them. Berbatov then got on the ball and took a swing at it with the resulting shot going over the bar, but his frustration was apparent all game. The booking he received just after half time summed up his irritating evening really, given that he had actually been fouled but his over the top fall convinced the referee otherwise. He could be less frustrated three minutes after his off target shot though when Nani got his cross spot on and Berbatov got a CL assist to his name.
It’s two goals in as many games for Valencia now, which is already vindicating the reasons behind buying him. He isn’t going to score 42 goals in a season but he is going to chip in to our goals tally and hopefully the extra confidence gained over the past week will mean he can kick on and add more goals to his game. He hit the woodwork minutes before scoring showing that he is accurate and eager enough to get goals to his name.
United didn’t shut up shop after this goal though. Another lovely move from the lads should have finished with an Anderson goal after Berbatov neatly rolled the ball back to him, but his goal-bound shot was deflected wide of the post.
Defensively, we didn’t have an awful lot to do and Edwin Van der Sar was virtually redundant until his bravery was called upon in the dying moments. Fabio was impressive going forward and will be available as option for the weekend with it being revealed the stretcher off the pitch was just for cramp, apparently. It was his hard work defensively which lead to our goal so credit to him as much as anyone else. Gary Neville also had a good game down the other wing and after getting the assist for Valencia at the weekend, it was his cross that found Nani in the lead up to the goal.
After the game, Neville rightly identified that the league is the priority and another win in Europe will allow the manager to pick a team that puts us in a more favourable position in the Premiership. Wolfsburg and Besiktas drew last night meaning we’re five points clear of any other team. Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand were taken off as a precaution for the weekend, again showing that our league game had to take priority.We should be full strength for the weekend and I really hope we do add to the misery at Anfield, although, it is in our best interest that Rafa isn’t “sacked in the morning” as then they might actually appoint a manager who is capable of winning the league. A simple three points rather than an absolute battering would do me nicely. Let the countdown begin.
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Spot on assessment I think. Nani came in and out of the game, Berbatov was visibly frustrated all night (as is any striker playing alone), Gazza had a great game and is starting to reclaim the right back spot, and the overall strength in depth meant that we never looked vulnerable of conceding. That is what’s most impressive, how calm and reassured we looked in midfield and the defensive third. Champions League group games have rarely been exciting encounters, so I think getting home with three points, no injuries from that turf, and our big guns rested for Anfield is a real accomplishment. Kick on Anfield.
Good article Scott…..ya covered most of the details quite well.
Very right about Nani, frustrating for the most part but doing well for the goal. I actually thought Nani played quite well yesterday night in the sense that he almost always beat his man with skill or pace and got into good crossing positions several times, its just that the final ball lacked quality….many a ties he just lobbed the ball aimlessly into the box without looking for anything in particular…its this lack of intelligence Sir Alex was referring to a few weeks ago when Giggs came on for him and changed the game against Stoke…..if he can just get that intelligence and usage of the ball into his game, he can be a fantastic asset.
Fabio was caught out of position a few times, but to be fair it was more out of his youthful exuberance and willingness to just go for the last-ditch tackle too early which cost him. He needs to be more patient and make the attacker beat him…..I’m sure all that wll come with age and maturity.
A good win overall and yes…BRING ON ANFIELD!!!
Rafa…..you’re gonna get yours…..GRRRRRRRR
I agree about Manuel, but my whole being is crying out to really stuff the fuckers. Still if it keeps Manuel there, i’d take a 1-0. Come on United!!
Who the fuck is Manuel?
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/5175/fatspanishwaiter.jpg
You have to look at the timing and squads for the previous Euro defeats that you have highlighted over the last 10 years.
The Macabi Haifa away game was played with a virtual 2nd strength team at the time, having already qualified. (One of the best Euro away trips Ive ever been on).
Stuttgart, Deportivo, Benfica, Fiorentina, Marseille, Porto all had decent teams at the time and were very hard for anyone to visit, whilst Fenerbahce was never an easy place to go and having already qualifieed from the group, the game didnt need a win (Look at the team that night, hardly any experience in it).
Uniteds squad is now a lot stronger than it was a few years back, we now have two decent players in every position, allowing for roatation.
The group stages of the Champions League almost ensure the best teams qualify, but each year you always get a few suprise results as this year has already shown.
On last nights performance I thought Nani was probably one of our best players. Yes at times you can bemoan his final ball, but last night he suffered at times from the lack of forwards in the box. His confidence will come with the more games he plays.
Valencia is also quite frustrating at times, his main move is to beat the man at the touchline and get in a cross from the touchline. I’d like to see him going at defenders a bit more, getting into the box and taking the shot.
We did have a couple of wobbles in defence, but that was only expected given the surface and a back four that has two attacking full backs.
Tougher games will come in Europe after Christmas and luck plays a big part in deciding the fate of the eventual winners.
Our biggest challenge on Sunday is the team selection itself.
Will Rooney be fit or more to the point will he be in a labour ward?!?
I’d go with a team of – VDS, Gary Nev, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs, Scholes, Berbatov and Rooney.
There is a lot of space behind Liverpools back 4, especially if Johnson attacks and Carragher also lacks pace. We need to explit that, going with an attacking formation, rather than a team that sets out for a draw, as is often the case in the bigger away games.
Last year Utd fans got carried away with Gerrard and Torres not starting, so if thats the case again, we musnt presume it gives us a better chance.
Personally if we beat Liverpool, Id rather beat their first X1, rather than giving them excuses.
The next few days are important days in terms of getting our own players fit.
Ok, ok you can say the results are speaking for themselves! But if everybody keeps going on about how the EPL is priority, what is the CL , at least the group-stage, for? It’s marketing, a shirt-selling competition! So i don’t get my head around our fondness for grinding out results! Why don’t we play 4-4-2 full steam ahead the United way? It would maybe result in some 3:3 draws and a loss of price money! But it would at least sell us shirts across the world and it would be as much fun to watch as it is in the EPL!
So bring on Liverpool and brick’em
good morning everyone
@Tufty.
i have a few disagreements in the team.Berba may not start on SUnday given the hectic alst 2 weeks he had.Gary Nev definitely cant play 3 games ina week.ill go with O Shea there.Maybe play 5 in the middle with Carrick Fletcher and Anderson in the middle.Valencia and Giigs on the Flanks and Rooney on his own up front.IF Rooney is not fit i really wont mind going with Owen up front on his own. We can play those defence splitting passes to Owen and if he can remain on side i am sure he can get a few.I am not being negative saying a 4-5-1 but a draw will be fine for us so no need to take a risk.Concentrate on Set Pieces because liverpools zonal marking system is ridiculous.
MY TEAM.
VDS
O shea rio vidic Evra
Valencia Fletcher Carrick Anderson Giggs/nani
Rooney/Owen
Bench.Berba,scholes,foster,nani,macheda,evans,Fabio
agree with rom assesment, but was wondering about the “we should be full strength for the weekend” part. is rooney playing then? any updates on fitness and his newborn? he needs to kick start coleen’s labor! might be a long delivery if the baby inherits his big round head! all joking aside, as a father of 2 boys, there’s nothing greater than watching your kids coming into the world. may wayne and coleen have a healthy bouncy lil manchester united supporter in the making.
seriously though, is rooney’s calf injury getting better? is he at least training?
Anyone know why Valencia has such subdued celebrations? Not that I’m complaining… I couldn’t care less if as long as he keeps putting them in.
@reyals
Valencia has a lot to offer.very talented. he knows he will improve. I have seen him celebrating for wigan so i can only assume it is because he wants to further improve the level of his performances.he knows that this is his big chance and he will have to score atleast 12-15 goals to prove that he is really good enough for United. He will improve and start celebrating
wondering the same thing about valencia. he scored for united! he scored winners for united! enjoy it! he did run around the pitch slapping hands with owen after the great win versus the dirty oil money mercenaries, so he can show emotion.
@ Fass
Manuel is the spanish waiter from Fawlty Towers, but unlike Benitez he was thin, smart and had a personality that wasn’t comparable to excrement.
Morning Chaps, Missed the game yesterday (brought the misses to see Green Day) tell me was the CSKA keeper any use? there was talk United were interested in him… also i was reading on another site that United were lucky?? as I said on that site winning is a habit and losing is aslo a habit (just ask FSW!!!!)… roll on sunday!!!
Going Anfield?
Then remember your Cantona mask (Can be stuck around the Liverpool area as you pass through, so print as many as you can off and cut out the eyes and mouth).
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/1985/ericju.jpg
This months Rednews also has a different version in the middle
A very good professional performance. The likes of which have become a trademark. 14 away games in Europe unbeaten. That’s very impressive. Now, time for the dippers!
I’m really frustrated about Valencia. The boy has some talent and can shoot as we saw yesterday but we don’t get nearly enough production out of him (except in defense, he’s extremely good defensively for a winger).
Whenever he takes on a defender he’s always going towards the goalline. It’s way too predictable even if he has great pace. I think one of the reasons he don’t challenge defenders inside is because he doesn’t feel comfortable with the ball on his left foot. That definitely needs work – it’s one of the major reasons Ronaldo and Messi are so succesful. Because they can use both legs and challenge both inside and outside.
I have confidence his performances will improve though, but the sooner the better.
Thought we played very well. Didn’t really get going until the second half but it was still a good solid performance. Last 25 mins we battered them with some quality football.
Nani, Valencia, Anderson, Fabio, Berbs (had a frustrating night but still played his part) all played well.
Three wins and we haven’t even hit top gear yet. Looking good.
Roll on Sunday.
I notice Valencia seldom smile and so cool when he score. I guess he will take some time to be happy? lol But i’m sure he will. I do miss his celebration when he was at wigan.
I think the key thing in this article is that fact that we did leave behind so many good players, were still able to select a strong side and even then were able to bring on Carrick, Brown and Owen as subs. Compare this to the bindippers on Tuesday who were without 3 first-team regulars and ended up with a very weakened side and sod all on the bench. We may not have the strongest first XI at the moment but our strength in depth is superb.
Great win – 1st time against a Russian side. Plus points were defintiely Fabio, Nev, Scholes (some sublime passing) and VdS.
@aig
i dont agree with u mate on the 4 51 line up against the dippers.i never prefer united playing in that line up.anygame my choice would be 4 4 2.
as far as yesterdays game was concerned i havent seen such a boring game played by united.but a win is a win.thats y we are better than every team.
@ash
Neither am i but SAF fancies going for 4-5-1 in these big games because we lost with 4-4-2 agaginst the dippers and arsenal last year.Sofergie tries to be tactical.The 4-5-1 against Arsenal was poor and we played very badly but i doubt we will go for 4-4- on Sunday
aig
yeah agree with u but looking at liverpools current form i think we should go for the kill.if we give liverpool even half a chance they will dominate the game. i think we should straight away go for the win.
@ash
right there.hope so we are postive and go for the kill and dont fuck up like last year. After that Own Goal.we were shit.
everyone has to read this post on football365 by some mental united fan. he really does not like berba. look who he’d prefer to have. Great win last night i might add. Fabio was absolutely class and for all you john o’shea haters of which i know there are a few he had an awesome game in centre mid. Last nights game was, in a nutshell, the reason why o’shea is so important to us. Can play anywhere. enjoy this nonsense http://www.football365.com/mailbox/story/0,17033,8744_5643879,00.html
That guy Valencia is like a snake…great goal
Nani is so frustrating – lost count of the number of times he was either put ina good position or put himself in a good position, only to waste the oportunity. OK, if there is no-one in the box – keep possession! How longer will Fergie persevere with him?
Surprised more has not been made of O’Shea starting in centre-mid with a fit Carrick on the bench! Fergie said this was a pitch for ball players. Is Carrick’s time up? I hope so.
Aig – Agree entirely mate with your team for the dippers. Don’t like 4-5-1 but with the likes of Giggs, Ando and Carrick in there we will create more than enough chances.
Hurdy Gurdy Man – I really do wish these clueless United fans would fuck off. Swap Berba for Crouch or fucking Kuyt? Piss take.
Scott, have anybody told you yet, that your writing is as improving as United squad is?
@Tufty i like the mask idea, i’ll be watching if you all wear it at Anfield. But i dont think there is any serious need to look at the timing of the defeats you mentioned, because the bottom line is, now it is for us to win even with our weakened squad. That means, in general, we have improved a lot in all aspects, proved by the fact that our weakened team is stronger than it was two years ago.
Anyway, i dont pay attention to any Berba haters anymore, or JOS’ , because they are all nuts.
All credit for Berbatov winning over his critics the right way: knuckling down and doing his talking on the pitch with that sublime touch and divine vision of his.
His just a few shades of kingly arrogance shy of being the next Cantona… Let’s hope he embraces his inner bad boy and unleashes hell on our opposition. Especially those retrogazing stork-fuckers of Anfield.
Seriously manuel.. Who ate all the paellas?
Hurdy Gurdy Man-Those “fans” can fuck off.Berbatov is class,and no one insults my favourite United player,O’Shea,and gets away with it.
I just clocked the bit about nani, it’s tripe. He was man of the match.