The weekend that saw a twentieth title edge that little bit closer to Old trafford was one to savour. Fergie had apparently told the press on Friday that he would be fielding two different teams for the forthcoming games against Everton and then Real Madrid. Yesterday he said he had changed his mind after City's debacle at Southampton. I can't say i ever really believed that he would field a weakened team against Everton, and sure enough he didn't. Though what kind of logic it is, that says he would have thrown out a weakened side to face Everton if City had won, loses me.
This is usually one of the tougher fixtures of the season, for any team near the top of the table, never mind us. Yesterday was no different, it had to see a convincing performance from United and it got it. The pitch is a bit of a leveller at the moment, so it has become a physical battle as well as a football battle, and you have to say United were right up to that from the start. Jones was picked in midfield, presumably to rest Carrick ahead of Wednesday night, but also to do a job on Fellaini, and he certainly did that, he completely snuffed him out of the game until he was forced off during the second half.
The 2-0 scoreline was probably about right, though we had more chances, Van Perise should have given us the lead early on, but hit the post when he should have really scored. He made amends though as a Valencia head on saw him beat one man before feeding Giggs who finished off the move finding the net via the inside of a post. You have to pinch yourself when your reminded of Giggs age, he was absolutely magnificent on the day. There seems no doubt anymore that Giggs will get another one year extension if he wants it, which it's hard to see him not.
Van Persie had toyed with Everton's high line all first half, and had been caught just offside a couple of times earlier in the half. But right on the stroke of half time he finally cracked it as Rafael put him through and he rounded the keeper Howard before stroking it home to give us a nice safety cushion. The second half saw United play pretty much risk free football, we had a couple of chances, Evans was unlucky when Howard made a great save and Van Persie had a great chance to make it 3-0, but hit the shot wide. At the back United were solid until Evans went off at least, when Everton had a couple of chances. The improvement in Rafael and Evans this season has been immense, they are both now commanding figures in the team, not just in their position. I hope there is nothing wrong with Evans, we'll need him in Madrid, Fergie has said Jones should be alright and hinted that he may start on Wednesday, that's good news, though I'm not sure about the man marking suggestion.
So on to the game, the world is waiting for, according to Mourinho. I'm fairly confident, there is so much riding on this game for them, that i can see them being nervous on the night, and those would be nerves their back four could do without, as that is their weak link for me.
The big question mark, obviously is whether we can stop Ronaldo, Bayern managed it last season as did Dortmund this, so it's doable. I'm presuming we will play 4-3-3, and look to play them on the counter, if so it will be interesting to see who plays where. I have a feeling Welbeck will play wide for his work rate and pace as much as anything else, with Rooney to the other side of a central Van Persie. The other question would be who joins Carrick and Cleverley in midfield, Fergie has suggested Jones, but i think it more likely Kagawa will play as the man to give Van Persie occasional support. Presuming Evans is fit, he must surely start, and as Vidic played yesterday, that would suggest it will Be Ferdinand who partners him. Let's hope the rejuvenated Evra carries the good form on as he is certainly going to need it as Ronaldo will surely target him at some stage.
What constitutes a good result is debatable, away goals are a must, so if we get beat we need to have those in the bag for the home tie. I actually fancy us to win, i do realise that i might look very silly on Thursday morning, but i think we have as good a team as they have, but more importantly we are a team, not a collection of ego's. Anyway, here's hoping.
This is usually one of the tougher fixtures of the season, for any team near the top of the table, never mind us. Yesterday was no different, it had to see a convincing performance from United and it got it. The pitch is a bit of a leveller at the moment, so it has become a physical battle as well as a football battle, and you have to say United were right up to that from the start. Jones was picked in midfield, presumably to rest Carrick ahead of Wednesday night, but also to do a job on Fellaini, and he certainly did that, he completely snuffed him out of the game until he was forced off during the second half.
The 2-0 scoreline was probably about right, though we had more chances, Van Perise should have given us the lead early on, but hit the post when he should have really scored. He made amends though as a Valencia head on saw him beat one man before feeding Giggs who finished off the move finding the net via the inside of a post. You have to pinch yourself when your reminded of Giggs age, he was absolutely magnificent on the day. There seems no doubt anymore that Giggs will get another one year extension if he wants it, which it's hard to see him not.
Van Persie had toyed with Everton's high line all first half, and had been caught just offside a couple of times earlier in the half. But right on the stroke of half time he finally cracked it as Rafael put him through and he rounded the keeper Howard before stroking it home to give us a nice safety cushion. The second half saw United play pretty much risk free football, we had a couple of chances, Evans was unlucky when Howard made a great save and Van Persie had a great chance to make it 3-0, but hit the shot wide. At the back United were solid until Evans went off at least, when Everton had a couple of chances. The improvement in Rafael and Evans this season has been immense, they are both now commanding figures in the team, not just in their position. I hope there is nothing wrong with Evans, we'll need him in Madrid, Fergie has said Jones should be alright and hinted that he may start on Wednesday, that's good news, though I'm not sure about the man marking suggestion.
So on to the game, the world is waiting for, according to Mourinho. I'm fairly confident, there is so much riding on this game for them, that i can see them being nervous on the night, and those would be nerves their back four could do without, as that is their weak link for me.
The big question mark, obviously is whether we can stop Ronaldo, Bayern managed it last season as did Dortmund this, so it's doable. I'm presuming we will play 4-3-3, and look to play them on the counter, if so it will be interesting to see who plays where. I have a feeling Welbeck will play wide for his work rate and pace as much as anything else, with Rooney to the other side of a central Van Persie. The other question would be who joins Carrick and Cleverley in midfield, Fergie has suggested Jones, but i think it more likely Kagawa will play as the man to give Van Persie occasional support. Presuming Evans is fit, he must surely start, and as Vidic played yesterday, that would suggest it will Be Ferdinand who partners him. Let's hope the rejuvenated Evra carries the good form on as he is certainly going to need it as Ronaldo will surely target him at some stage.
What constitutes a good result is debatable, away goals are a must, so if we get beat we need to have those in the bag for the home tie. I actually fancy us to win, i do realise that i might look very silly on Thursday morning, but i think we have as good a team as they have, but more importantly we are a team, not a collection of ego's. Anyway, here's hoping.
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