Another eventful afternoon for followers of Manchester United, but this week the three points were ours. Van Gaal gave a debut to McNair, partnering Rojo at centre half, with Luke Shaw making his debut at left back to complete an almost unrecongnisable back four. McNair has improved over the last year, but I still find his inclusion over Tom Thorpe absolutely bizarre. Thorpe has been superb for the youth team and apparently impressed at Birmingham in his short spell there on loan. You would have thought that he would have to had been first choice, if Van Gaal waas going to go with a youngster. But no, the young Irishman was given the nod. That's the kind of decision that would be leading me to think it's time to start looking for a new club.
Anyway that gripe over, United started well and a fine move down the right saw the rejuvenated Rafael put a lovely cross in for Rooney to drive home. Almost immediately the visitors had the chance to equalise, but West Ham's Valencia wildly smashed the ball over the ball. United went two goals up after a decent link up between Falcao and Van Persie saw the Dutchman open his account for the season with a composed right foot finish. United continued to play attractive football and could have added to their tally, but went into the half time break with the two goal lead.
I'd expected the east Londoners to give our makeshift defence a sterner examination than they managed during the first half. But they did up their game at the beginning of the second half. What Rooney was thinking of when he launched into Downing, fuck knows, despite the crowd reaction, it was about as blatant a red card as you could wish to see. From then on, it became a rearguard action. Fair enough, down to ten men, you've got expect to come under pressure. But I was amazed that Van Gaal didn't try to rejig the line up to try and enable us to retain a reasonable amount of possession or leave us with some kind of attacking outlet. Injuries didn't help of course, but to me at least, it was pretty unimpressive stuff. I read somebody on one of the messageboards suggest it was like watching the Bayern Munich champions league game where Rafael got sent off and we ended up just waiting for the Germans to score, that was a good comparison. With all the debate over the offside, what hasn't really been mentioned is that Nolan should really have been able to keep himself onside.
At least the remaining ten players showed at bit of steel, unlike last weeks second half collapse. I thought Valencia and Fletcher did better than i'd expected them to when introduced and i really like the look of Luke Shaw, good going forward, but he can defend as well. He should be able to make that left back spot on his own, but under Van Gaal, who knows.
Three points were vital, more for the fact of trying to put last week behind us than our position in the league table, but it's all very much a work in progress at the moment. I just hope there's lot more progress been made for that clash against the rent boys, because at the moment, I find it hard to see us getting three points on that particular Sunday afternoon
Anyway that gripe over, United started well and a fine move down the right saw the rejuvenated Rafael put a lovely cross in for Rooney to drive home. Almost immediately the visitors had the chance to equalise, but West Ham's Valencia wildly smashed the ball over the ball. United went two goals up after a decent link up between Falcao and Van Persie saw the Dutchman open his account for the season with a composed right foot finish. United continued to play attractive football and could have added to their tally, but went into the half time break with the two goal lead.
I'd expected the east Londoners to give our makeshift defence a sterner examination than they managed during the first half. But they did up their game at the beginning of the second half. What Rooney was thinking of when he launched into Downing, fuck knows, despite the crowd reaction, it was about as blatant a red card as you could wish to see. From then on, it became a rearguard action. Fair enough, down to ten men, you've got expect to come under pressure. But I was amazed that Van Gaal didn't try to rejig the line up to try and enable us to retain a reasonable amount of possession or leave us with some kind of attacking outlet. Injuries didn't help of course, but to me at least, it was pretty unimpressive stuff. I read somebody on one of the messageboards suggest it was like watching the Bayern Munich champions league game where Rafael got sent off and we ended up just waiting for the Germans to score, that was a good comparison. With all the debate over the offside, what hasn't really been mentioned is that Nolan should really have been able to keep himself onside.
At least the remaining ten players showed at bit of steel, unlike last weeks second half collapse. I thought Valencia and Fletcher did better than i'd expected them to when introduced and i really like the look of Luke Shaw, good going forward, but he can defend as well. He should be able to make that left back spot on his own, but under Van Gaal, who knows.
Three points were vital, more for the fact of trying to put last week behind us than our position in the league table, but it's all very much a work in progress at the moment. I just hope there's lot more progress been made for that clash against the rent boys, because at the moment, I find it hard to see us getting three points on that particular Sunday afternoon
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