Saturday, December 27, 2014

Manchester United 3-1 Newcastle United

Three points and a first half performance that was as good as we've seen al season. Yet I came away from the game feeling a little flat, the players seemed to feel it was job done at half time. Despite a fine third goal, United never really came out for the second half. The passing was lazy and minds semed to already be focused on tomorrow's game at White hart lane.
It felt a little like a lost opportunity to me, Newcastle weren't really up to much and it seemed a god chance to make our goal difference a little more impressive. Of course if we take the three points tomorow, then full marks to the players, they read the script correctly.
The first half saw United dominate possession, the passing and movement was as good as it's been all season. Young had another excellent game, he's our most consistent performer at present. I'm a big fan of Shaw, but the way Young has taken to the left wing back role I'm not really sure a case can be made for dropping the ex Villa man. He's probably our most creative player at present, that's not saying much for our midfield, it's took Rooney going back to produce any creativity back there, especially given Di Maria's absence. Mata ended up having a reasonably good game yesterday, but for the those first twenty minutes before we scored he was almost invisible, again. Playing in central midfield  and seeing the game played all around you, contributing almost nothing, is not really good enough. But then he dug out the ball to Falcao, who laid it into Rooney's feet for the opening goal. There is quality there, you just don't see it enough for my liking.
The second goal was an even better goal, a quality move and Rooney's finish, superb. Despite being involved in each of the first two goals, overall I wasn't that impressed with Falcao's performance, his first touch was prety shabby all afternoon. He had one or two nearly moments, but always seemed to be flying by the seat of his pants to me. In time honoured fashion, by the time Wilson came on, United had settled for the three goals, and the service to fresh striker was non existant, the same has happened to Falcao when he's been brought on as a sub. It can't be much fun coming on as attacking substitute at United at the moment.
It's not an aspect of our game that that I've much time for, it's hard to see this side ever really putting a side to the sword, you couldn't see this lot hitting six, seven or even eight.
The final goal was completely out of kilter with the half it was played in, a sublime pass from Rooney and a fine finish from Van Persie, it was a harder chance than he made it look. It was a shame about their consolation penalty, but if you take your foot of the gas, these things will happen.
As to tomorrow, who knows what will happen there. I've not been that impressed with Tottenham under their new manager so far, But United away and with three at the back, it's just fingers crosed time!

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