Four is the Magic Number--Manchester United Equal 100 Year Old Record
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by Jgiuffra
Manc Yank's Red Review #2
Manchester United dispatched perennial bogey team 4-1 at Old Trafford last weekend. Rooney, Tevez (2) and Nani provided the firepower that overwhelmed the Teesiders shaky defence. The win equalled a club record set all the way back in the 1907-08 season of four consecutive wins with four goals scored. It seems impossible that United have not had a similar run of results in so long; especially due to their dominance in the 90's. It is not surprising that some are saying this team may be better than that hallowed squad that won the treble in '99. On to the match.
The game started with a flurry that built into a storm. 3 minutes after the start Nani found himself on the left flank with the ball and 3 defenders in front of him. He shimmied past the lot and sent a dipping screamer 30 yards over Shwarzer and into the back of the net. The Red’s could have doubled their advantage a minute later but for a stretching save from the Australian denying Carlos Tevez what would have been a sublime chip.
Middlesbrough drew level on 6 minutes when Turkish International Tuncay took advantage of some timid defending by John O’Shea and played a devastating cross into the box that glanced of the head of Aliadiere past Van der Sar, off the post and into the goal. It looked like Gareth Southgate was putting the whammy on United again. Thankfully, Stuart Downing wanted to play his part for United. He was mulling over a pass deep in Middlesbrough’s area in the 32nd minute for too long when Nani dispossessed him and fed it to a wide open Rooney in front of the goal. Young Wayne smashed the ball first time and left Shwarzer with no chance of keeping the rocket out. That was Rooney's 8th goal in his last 7 starts for club and country.
After that it was pretty much all United. Rooney and Tevez displayed a telepathic like talent for knowing where the other was at all times. Tevez passed the ball to Rooney and continued his run into the area. Rooney played an audacious back-heel to set up Tevez for his first goal. People are already noting the similarities of the new pair to United’s most productive strike partnership—Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole.
Rooney made a bursting run up-field and picked out Tevez for his 2 nd and United’s 4 th on the day. Tevez’s shot was deflected off Taylor’s arm and looped over the helpless keeper. It was a bit fortunate but well deserved.
Perhaps the best part of the match was having Owen Hargreaves play a solid 66 minutes in his first match since the 1-0 defeat of Sunderland back in September. Ferguson's most famous summer signing has not featured much in the side due to chronic tendonitis. Sir Alex brought him off and replaced him with Darren Fletcher who is playing his way back to fitness—if not the starting 11. He also brought Anderson and Ferdinand off for a rest, replacing them with Ryan Giggs and Gerard Pique respectively. (There was a question of whether or not Rio had picked up a knock, but it has been announced today that he will be in the line-up against Arsenal next weekend.)Anderson played very well for the injured Paul Scholes. It was just reported this morning that the Ginger Magician has some ligament damage in his knee which requires surgery. He is estimated to be out for up to 3 months. With Carrick due back in a week or so, the Red Devils should have enough horses in the midfield to cope with the loss of such a fantastic player.
The true mettle of both Arsenal and United will be tested on Saturday when the 2 sides clash at the Emirates. Many of the questions that have been left unanswered about Wenger’s men will be on show for all to see next weekend. The draw against Liverpool at the weekend hinted that the Arsenal might find results hard to come by against the top tier squads. Admittedly, Anfield is a hard place for visiting teams to get anything, but they’re no Manchester United. One way or the other next week’s early match will have most of the English nation hoping that Arsenal will thump our Northwest heros as they chant “Anybody but United!”
I wouldn’t have it any other way, especially if we win!
JUST IN. Gary Neville is due to play for United’s reserves on Thursday in his first game for over 6 months. Here’s hoping the Captain makes a speedy return to form.
