A weird bit of a mish mash of a team, stronger than it might have been, given a better start to the season completed what in other seasons would have been a routine victory. Of course given our less than stellar season so far, it was a very welcome victory.
Vidic and Ferdinand were re-united at the heart of the defence, with Rafael at right back and Buttner at left back. I felt sorry for Fabio, I thought he deserved a start in either of the full back positions. Buttner didn't have a bad game, it was a lovely cross for the second goal, but Fabio is a far better player. It looks as if Moyes thinks a left back should be left footed, I can't think of any other reason Buttner would seem to be second choice to Evra in front of the other Da Silva twin. I suppose that's a fair enough opinion to hold, though Denis Irwin wasn't that bad a left back was he.
I hadn't expected both Rio and Vidic to start, I thought one might start tonight and one on Saturday. Neither really looks anything like the player of old, Ferdinand in particular looks like the end is nigh for his United career. Still on the night it didn't really matter as the visitors made as many changes as United, no doubt prioritizing premier league survival ahead of possible Wembley glory. Given those circumstances, I thought they brought a pretty healthy following with them. Thankfully from our perspective, it wasn't to be much of a night for them.
I was glad to see Januzaj given a free role behind Hernandez, that will be his position eventually, so it makes sense to give him opportunities there when the chance arises. He didn't let us down, giving another masterclass, he really is the business. It was a piece of magic from the number 44 that led to tthe first goal. He mesmerized his defender in the penalty box, who brought him down, rather clumsily. It may have been on the soft side, but it was definite penalty from my seat. Hernandez made no mistake from the spot and any nerves there may have been were immediately eased.
United dominated the rest of the half but couldn't get a second goal, I thought Januzaj was going to get the second when he shimmied past two as if they weren't there, but his shot was well blocked in the area. Zaha was getting a go on the right hand side and he did alright on his first outing,he has talent, that's clear. What is obvious though, is that he has a lot of work to do on the defensive side of things, and to learn when to try tricks and when not. I'm not sure why he was took off near the end for Rooney, despite what Round said after the game, he wasn't tiring.
Ashley Young returned to the starting line up on the other flank and whilst doing nothing to really suggest he has a long term future at the club, fared far better than before his form induced spell on the sidelines.
Jones partnered Cleverley in the middle of the park and once more did a fair job, though again the poor opposition has to be taken into account. The two late goals put the gloss on a efficient performance as we now look to the next round and to see if we get another home draw, which no doubt Moyes and the sqquad would love, the fans, probably less so.
Vidic and Ferdinand were re-united at the heart of the defence, with Rafael at right back and Buttner at left back. I felt sorry for Fabio, I thought he deserved a start in either of the full back positions. Buttner didn't have a bad game, it was a lovely cross for the second goal, but Fabio is a far better player. It looks as if Moyes thinks a left back should be left footed, I can't think of any other reason Buttner would seem to be second choice to Evra in front of the other Da Silva twin. I suppose that's a fair enough opinion to hold, though Denis Irwin wasn't that bad a left back was he.
I hadn't expected both Rio and Vidic to start, I thought one might start tonight and one on Saturday. Neither really looks anything like the player of old, Ferdinand in particular looks like the end is nigh for his United career. Still on the night it didn't really matter as the visitors made as many changes as United, no doubt prioritizing premier league survival ahead of possible Wembley glory. Given those circumstances, I thought they brought a pretty healthy following with them. Thankfully from our perspective, it wasn't to be much of a night for them.
I was glad to see Januzaj given a free role behind Hernandez, that will be his position eventually, so it makes sense to give him opportunities there when the chance arises. He didn't let us down, giving another masterclass, he really is the business. It was a piece of magic from the number 44 that led to tthe first goal. He mesmerized his defender in the penalty box, who brought him down, rather clumsily. It may have been on the soft side, but it was definite penalty from my seat. Hernandez made no mistake from the spot and any nerves there may have been were immediately eased.
United dominated the rest of the half but couldn't get a second goal, I thought Januzaj was going to get the second when he shimmied past two as if they weren't there, but his shot was well blocked in the area. Zaha was getting a go on the right hand side and he did alright on his first outing,he has talent, that's clear. What is obvious though, is that he has a lot of work to do on the defensive side of things, and to learn when to try tricks and when not. I'm not sure why he was took off near the end for Rooney, despite what Round said after the game, he wasn't tiring.
Ashley Young returned to the starting line up on the other flank and whilst doing nothing to really suggest he has a long term future at the club, fared far better than before his form induced spell on the sidelines.
Jones partnered Cleverley in the middle of the park and once more did a fair job, though again the poor opposition has to be taken into account. The two late goals put the gloss on a efficient performance as we now look to the next round and to see if we get another home draw, which no doubt Moyes and the sqquad would love, the fans, probably less so.
No comments:
Post a Comment