A Loss, A Win, Where to Begin?
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by Jgiuffra
MANC YANK's RED REVIEW
Your heroic reporter has been sidelined for a week with a stomach bug I wouldn’t wish on my mother-in-law.
I was unable to enjoy or endure much of the 2 matches this week. I assure none of my woes were self inflicted or brought on by the shock defeat by Bolton at the weekend. As I peek my head from under my covers for the first time in days I bring you a belated Red Review.
Bolton v UNITED
Sir Alex was forced to field an under-strength squad for the Red Devil’s trip up north to the Reebok Stadium. Rooney is still not available and Ronaldo needed a rest after playing 2 crucial matches for Portugal last week. Vidic was also unavailable as he picked up a back injury playing for Serbia. United started with a back four of Brown, Ferdinand, Pique and Evra. The midfield consisted of Nani, Hagreaves, Carrick and Giggs with Tevez and Saha up front. Many people are speculating that Saha must show some consistency while Rooney is injured to make sure he doesn’t get traded away come January.
With the depth of United’s side a few notable absences does not excuse a lacklustre performance. Gerard Pique in for Vidic lost track of the most dangerous Trotter of them all, Frenchman Nicolas Anelka. He allowed him to collect a blooped cross from Ivan Campo inside the 18 yard box. The in form Frenchman coolly collected the ball, turned and fired it past a helpless Edwin Van der Sar. The goal added to speculation flying around Manchester that Mr Anelka will be plying his trade for United come January. I for one think Ferguson may be the only manager in the prem who could control the journeyman and get the best out of him. Back to the match…
After taking the lead on 11 minutes it was no surprise when Bolton closed ranks and tried to kill the game. Bolton brought their physicality to bear on the more skilful United players much to the dismay of the gaffer. Kevin Davies abused Patrice Evra throughout the opening period with poor tackling and picked up a yellow card for his wayward challenges. Fergie thought the Bolton frontman deserved red and told the 4 th official in no uncertain terms just after the break The refs sent the enraged Scotsman into the stands for his behaviour. This seemed to spur on United in the second half.
They kept the pressure on the home side and were unlucky not to score when the ball fell kindly from a Nani shot to the feet of Carlos Tevez. The Argentinean miscued his shot when the goalmouth was begging. There was also a late penalty shout when Nani crossed the ball into the area and Ricardo Gardner blocked it with his upper arm. It was not given and United fell to their second league defeat of the season.
UNITED v Sporting Lisbon
Again, Sir Alex rested some key players, but last night saw the return of Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronoldo to the starting line-up. Ferguson set up his side in a very similar formation to the one used so ineptly by Steve McClaren at the weekend. After the first 25 minutes it looked like Fergie would have the same success his former assistant enjoyed…none! He started with a 4-3-3 formation with a back four of O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra with Kuszczak between the pipes. The midfield featured Carrick, Anderson and Fletcher with Nani and Ronaldo on the wings and Saha up front. In reality it looked more like a 4-5-1 defensive set up. United paid the price early again when Kuszczak anticipated a cross from his left and vacated his near post. The Sporting defender Abel read the mistake and swerved the ball into the near post before the keeper could make his way back to cover. It was one of the poorest goals I have seen a senior United side concede. The rest of the first half United could get anything together. I was unsure if my stomach bug had somehow manifested itself in the United ranks or if all this poor play was just a figment of my imagination. All the purpose and drive Nani has been showing over the past couple of months completely deserted the Portuguese youngster against his old side. Ronaldo was making telling runs, but there was no one there finish off the moves. There seemed to be no link up with Saha.
Fergie had had enough and brought on Ryan Giggs and Carlos Tevez at the start of the 2nd half for Nani and Fletcher and switched to a conventional 4-4-2. United were level on 61 minutes when Evra made a run down the right and set up Ronaldo for a shot. The Portuguese winger miscued his strike and it ended up deflecting off of Tevez for the goal. Tevez knew little about it, but he knew enough to claim it as his own. That gives him 6 for the season in all competitions. United had to wait until added time for Ronaldo to seal the victory with a trademark free kick from about 25 yards out on the left hand side of the goal. He smashed it into the far side of the goal condemning his old club to the UEFA cup.
In all I’d say the week could have been a lot worse. Derby matches are always going to be tough. There’s no shame in losing at the Reebok. Unfortunately, all our nearest rivals won to. Most notably, Stephen Ireland’s late strike that sent Reading packing with nothing to show for their efforts. Arsenal and Chelsea both won in unconvincing fashion and Liverpool thrashed Newcastle at St James’ park. It looked like one Steven Gerrard had something to prove after his abysmal performance at Wembley.
Sir Alex and Carlos Quiroz also got to look at two transfer possibilities in the flesh. Nicolas Anelka and Sporting Lisbon’s Veloso made themselves look like attractive targets for the Reds. Look for Rooney to return to the first team this Monday at home to Fulham and Saha to sit once more.
