Monday, September 17, 2012

Manchester United 4-0 Wigan athletic

After the suprising and ultimately disastrous defeat to the pie eaters towards the end of last season, usual service was resumed in this fixture as United took the three points and improved our goal difference by four. It was looking very likely at half time though, as United struggled to break the Wigan rearguard down and even looked susceptible to the counter attack.
I wasn't sure what to expect before the game, Wigan ended last season playing pretty good football and for once seem to have started the new season pretty well despite seeing players move on during the summer as usual. On the other side though, they don't like coming to Old trafford and we don't just usually beat them, but usually grab a few goals as well.
They started with three at the back and United without really getting going earned a pretty soft penalty when El Habsi rushed out and slid into Welbeck. It probably wasn't a penalty but the goalie should have stayed on his feet in any case. There was a bit of a discussion as to who would take the penalty which Hernandez won, to my delight having money for first goal. Which turned to what the fuck, when he struck it tamely into El Habsi's arms. Two penalty misses in consecutive games, that's not a habit we want to get into.
United went in at half time all square having failed to hit any heights. Nani was back in the team and delivered a reasonable performance, though i don't think he'd have scored if they'd played another ninety minutes. It was a first start of the season for our Mexican centre forward, but although Hernandez managed to get himself on the scoresheet, it was another disappointing performance from the Mexican. In the first half especially he was completely anonymous, it was good job that Welbeck was on his game, but i thought Fergie did the right thing giving the Mexican a full ninety minutes, i don't know if he just isn't as good as he promised to be in that first season or he needs to build up his confidence. Rafael was another to worry me, he just seesm to have big mistake in him every time he takes the pitch. The injury to Jones was a blow i far prefer him to Rafael at right back. It was nice to see Evans come on in the second half, and it will be nice to see him getting a couple of full matches under his belt.
We saw two debut's on the day, and remarkably both found the net, Buttner's was slightly fortunate, the ball ran for him alright and then the goalie made a right horlicks of his attempted save. I wouldn't go too overboard about our new left back yet, i thought Fergie's words were spot on the money, a bit rough round the edges. But Powell showed that he will be able to translate the spectacular goals he delivered in the second division with Crewe to the biggest stage of all. It was a cracking goal, the feint and then the shot that gave El Habsi no chance, but just as importantly he did his stuff in the middle of the park with some nice touches. He looks very promising.
The results from elsewhere topped off a nice day, United were flattered i thought by the scoreline, but three points is three points and we carried on our goalscoring form.

It will be interesting to see if Michael Carrick starts on Wednesday, because he must be a certainty to start at Anfailed on Sunday, my guess is that we'll see Cleverley and Anderson in the middle against Galatsaray, which doesn't really fill me full of confidence. Carrick is sure his best is still to come, I actually thought he was a bit below par during our lacklustre first half on Saturday, but he pass to Nani for the first game was sublime.
As for his midfield partner, opening goalscorer Paul Scholes, Gary Neville argues that he is simply the best English footballer of his generation, a player capable of changing a game or controlling a game. Before the game Fergie alluded to the fact he thought Giggs could do a couple more seasons, but wasn't sure about Scholes. If he is used wisely, i don't see any reason why we can't get another season out of him, here's hoping anyway.

It was nice to Van Der Saar did his bit in persuading Robin Van Persie that his future lay in the red shirts of Manchester, i love the quote, i spent five minutes talking about Juvents and fifty five about United.

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