Thursday, September 26, 2013

Manchester United 1-0 Liverpool

It wasn't pretty, but but a 1-0 victory, given the circumstances, was job done as far as I'm concerned. Moyes completely reshuffled the team, which was good to see on more than one level. Smalling stayed in the team, but was moved into his proper position at centre half alongside Jonny Evans and gave a pretty solid display. It was nice to see Evans back in the action, it was his first game of the season, i think, so his was an even more creditable performance. I'll admit i was worried when i saw the teamsheet, the inclusion of Buttner, always scares the shit out of me, but for once he didn't look totally out of his depth in a red shirt. It was nice to see Rafael back in the starting eleven and he performed as if he'd never been away.
The central two was a bit of a surprise, Jones and Giggs, but they did a reasonable job. Jones was excellent, he's obviously not really the answe in the middle of the park, centre half is definitely his best position, but it must be a manager's dream to have a defender who can do a job like that out of psoition. Giggs did the job you expect from him, and probably have no right to expect. We weren't particularly creative, again, but it probably wasn't a night for that.
Young and Valencia were thankfully removed from the flanks, and though neither Kagawa particularly shined, they weren't woeful either. Rooney and Hernandez worked hard without really ever hurting the scouse back line, though Rooney hit a couple of excellent long range efforts. Yet again, our goal came from a dead ball situation.
I liked Moyes bringing Januzaj on for the last quarter of an hour, even on such an important occasion, he seems to have plenty of confidence in the lad. Quite rightly so in fact, as yet again he didn't look out of place I'd love him to get a run of two or three games together, I'm certain it would bring his game on, would definitely help United and top of the bill, would be exciting to watch,
It will be interesting to see the team selected for Saturday, we really need to get a run of victories under our belt. But the Evans, Jones and such like need games. Just as long as Young doesn't get near the pitch. Some will make a case for Zaha, but from what I saw of pre-season, he's exciting, but maybe a touch too erratic for regular first team football yet. Still if he doesn't get a game over the next few weeks, it would seem as if maybe a loan spell for him would have been a good idea.

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