Quite literally, Manchester United just can't buy a clean sheet at the moment. Just when you thought that this was the game when United would put on a show and restore their confidence, they concede yet another avoidable goal.
There has been a slight dip in our ruthlessness of late and that has kept teams in games we have somewhat dominated. Sunderland rallied briefly in certain periods but we had two or three good chances to make it 2-0 after Scholes' goal that we missed. For as long as the opponents are still a just a goal behind, the will come at you for an equaliser. It's what has cost us leads against Liverpool, Aston Villa and Sunderland. Luckily for us though, Kiko Macheda was at hand to stab in another vital winner that has now re-defined the title race for us. Nobody in Manchester will care a jot that the winner was courtesy of a touch of fortune because it doesn't matter how they get in, they all count! United were once again not at their best and constantly gave the hosts reason to atatck! Cisse and Jones were proving to be a nightmare for Evans and Vidic. I feared the worst when Jones poked in the equaliser. Thankfully that goal came early in the second half so we had the time to manufacture an equaliser. Interestingly, of late, United have only been upping a gear when their back is against the wall--another example of how they like it the hard way! If only they could start in top gear and slow down when the game is already won! Berbatov--a surprise inclusion, got another stamp on his ankle and was replaced by Federico Macheda who needed only two touches and 46 seconds to get us what proved to be a winner. It must be said that whilst it's true the goal was sponsored by fortune, the kid did stick out his leg on purpose to re-direct the shot. On that note, I'd like to say that I was pleased United players did shoot a lot outside the box yesterday. Wayne and Carrick did give it a go and given that Kiko benefited from Carrick's shot, tactic did win us the game. It's a case of buy the ticket if you want to stand a chance of winning the raffle!
FACT; The rest of the big four did score 4 goals yesterday, but for as long as United continue winning their games in the craftiest of fashions, nobody else is going to win the league!
Personally, I'm only calling for an improvement in performance for the sake of the Champions League and the FA Cup where one has to be at his best to advance but I will not be spending sleepless nights if United stagger throughout the remainder of the league season with narrow ugly wins! The win means that the opposition now has less games (6) to overhaul United!
Labels: REVIEWS
