An important win, which puts us right back into the title hunting mix after a weekend where all the main title pretenders dropped points, if we discount the dippers. It was a solid performance, especially the first half, where once more Phil Jones more than showed he can operate in the middle of the park. I can't help thinking his removal to centre half, made it easier for the opposition to get back into the game.
The team selected was fair enough, even if I doubt that would have Europe's finest quaking in their boots. I wouldn't have selected Smalling at right back, and despite an improved defensive display, he's still no right back for me. Jones and Carrick in central midfield is a decent pairing, not that creative, but it provides a solid base for the wide men and the front two. I would have liked Januzaj to start, but it was understandable he was left out given the significance of the day. The wide men did a reasonable job, Kagawa had an impressive first half, and Valencia without being right back to his best had as good a game as he's had this season.
Up front Rooney had his best game of the season, working hard and causing the Arsenal back line all kinds of problems. It wasn't perfect, he should have done better with that chance at the beginning of the second half, that could have ensured an easier second half.
I'm not getting as carried as other reds have, the second half saw us revert to our bad habit of gifting the opposition almost total control of midfield. A better opposition than Arsenal, or should i say, an opposition with forwards that can hurt you, would probably have broke us down. I know that this was the way Fergie's sides played at times, sitting back, inviting the opposition on, hoping to kill them on the counter attack. But I don't believe you can just give the opposition the kind of possession we gave them at times in the second half. Of course the removal of Jones to centre back, harmed us in that sense, Cleverley got brushed off the ball far too easily at times when introduced.
The first half was far better, we bossed the game in midfield and were the only team that looked as if it could hurt the other side when in attack. Saying that we didn't really create many chances, and the goal came from a set piece. Still we were in control of the game, the first time in a big game since the Real Madrid home tie last season.
I know Arsenal didn't really manage to to create much in the second half, but there were a few occasions where it was touch and go whether they were going to find that killer pass. As for their title hopes, after watching yesterday's performance, I'm not sure they have what it takes. They are much improved, that was the first serious test they have given us at Old trafford for a few years. But that lack of a real top class forward, is a serious handicap if you are aiming to compete with the very best in the premier league.
As for the weekends other results, I thought West Brom could do something at Chelsea, they're a decent team. But i didn't see the City defeat at Sunderland coming, after the 4-0 debacle, i would never have believed we would be be above them in the table come the beginning of November. I wasn't and aren't a fan of Mancini, but if they had kept faith in him in the summer, I think they would be doing rather better at the moment, mainly down to continuity. Thank fuck City can still fuck things up so spectacularly.
The team selected was fair enough, even if I doubt that would have Europe's finest quaking in their boots. I wouldn't have selected Smalling at right back, and despite an improved defensive display, he's still no right back for me. Jones and Carrick in central midfield is a decent pairing, not that creative, but it provides a solid base for the wide men and the front two. I would have liked Januzaj to start, but it was understandable he was left out given the significance of the day. The wide men did a reasonable job, Kagawa had an impressive first half, and Valencia without being right back to his best had as good a game as he's had this season.
Up front Rooney had his best game of the season, working hard and causing the Arsenal back line all kinds of problems. It wasn't perfect, he should have done better with that chance at the beginning of the second half, that could have ensured an easier second half.
I'm not getting as carried as other reds have, the second half saw us revert to our bad habit of gifting the opposition almost total control of midfield. A better opposition than Arsenal, or should i say, an opposition with forwards that can hurt you, would probably have broke us down. I know that this was the way Fergie's sides played at times, sitting back, inviting the opposition on, hoping to kill them on the counter attack. But I don't believe you can just give the opposition the kind of possession we gave them at times in the second half. Of course the removal of Jones to centre back, harmed us in that sense, Cleverley got brushed off the ball far too easily at times when introduced.
The first half was far better, we bossed the game in midfield and were the only team that looked as if it could hurt the other side when in attack. Saying that we didn't really create many chances, and the goal came from a set piece. Still we were in control of the game, the first time in a big game since the Real Madrid home tie last season.
I know Arsenal didn't really manage to to create much in the second half, but there were a few occasions where it was touch and go whether they were going to find that killer pass. As for their title hopes, after watching yesterday's performance, I'm not sure they have what it takes. They are much improved, that was the first serious test they have given us at Old trafford for a few years. But that lack of a real top class forward, is a serious handicap if you are aiming to compete with the very best in the premier league.
As for the weekends other results, I thought West Brom could do something at Chelsea, they're a decent team. But i didn't see the City defeat at Sunderland coming, after the 4-0 debacle, i would never have believed we would be be above them in the table come the beginning of November. I wasn't and aren't a fan of Mancini, but if they had kept faith in him in the summer, I think they would be doing rather better at the moment, mainly down to continuity. Thank fuck City can still fuck things up so spectacularly.
No comments:
Post a Comment