So United create close to 30 chances but take a painful one--whatever happened to destroying opponents. Nonetheless, United did get the job done--Dimitar Berbatov lashing home the only goal of the game after 69 minutes.
Now firstly, I was not impressed with Sir Alex's squad selection as I thought that Anderson and Nani each deserved at least a place on the bench. For the first time in quite a while, United's bench looked depleted. The only 'game changers' we had were Paul and Ryan. Thankfully, they did change the game for us.
Secondly, and more worryingly, United are not scoring with a frequency that defines the club. For the fourth time in 5 games, we win 1-0 and yet these are supposed to be the games in which we compensate our impotence in front of goal earlier in the season. Cristiano Ronaldo is trying too hard to score and yet goals came his way last season even when he didn't want them. He had half a dozen chances in the first-half but still couldn't find the back of the net. His contribution last season means that unlike most wingers, he will be judged basing on how many he scores and that is going to affect the rest of the players on pitch as well. His body language when he was being substituted told a lot. He was already fighting a battle with Pogatez on pitch and was unlucky not to win a penalty--not surprising as this was the same ref who denied him a clear spot-kick when Distin knocked him out in the FA Cup quarterfinal last season. The boy should watch his head as he's just 23 and there are many more years for him to....well...score goals.
Ronaldo wasn't the only culprit yesterday as Vidic, Berbatov, Carrick, etc all missed good chances. Park went one better and helped himself to a miss of the season contender. He was lucky that the linesman flagge him offsside. I'd like to see Carrick improve his accuracy in front of goal and without taking a second touch on the ball. If the goals are shared out ore evenly then Ronado might just get rid of one or two man markers.
I'd also like Berba to be in the 6 yard box more often to tuck away goals such as the one he put away yesterday. It was an important goal and I daresay, his most important for us so far. Those are 2 big contributions for 2 wins over the festive season.
Then of course it seems that our defence has come of form finally as we have now gone 7 games without letting in a goal in the league. If we keep it up at the back, then 1-0 wins might just do!
Labels: REVIEWS
