There seems to be a theme to these match reactions I’m writing this season – fall behind early, rally back and then deservedly win the game. This is what happened again last night after Braga found themselves 2-0 up after 15 minutes, we came back strong to win the game, but once again the defending has given Sir Alex a major headache.
Now, resting Rio Ferdinand made a lot of sense last night, the game was at Old Trafford, Sir Alex obviously felt our attacking players would pull us through and we have a huge game this weekend at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. I’m a huge admirer of what Michael Carrick brings to our midfield, he’s a fantastic footballer, but he never has and never will be a centre back. I made a case in the preview to this match for Scott Wootton to start. Now I know he’s not the most experienced player, but for starters he’d have had Jonny Evans by the side of him and secondly and perhaps the most important, he’s an actual defender. But the defence is definitional giving Sir Alex a few headaches – he said after the game.
“It’s been the story of our season really at home, starting badly, conceding goals and having to fight back to rescue games. And it’s the front players who are doing that for us,” admitted Sir Alex.
“It is a concern we’re losing a lot of goals, but I must say some of our football was terrific tonight, we played some fantastic football and we created a lot of chances. We kept a really good momentum to our game and played with good speed.
“We got a result most people would not have expected us to get after being 2-0 down – being 2-0 down in a European tie is very difficult – but credit to the players for the way we came back.”
Sir Alex also insisted United were right to rest Ferdinand and Evra.
“I think we did the right thing [to rest Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra],” replied Sir Alex.
“I think you have to look at the big picture with Rio’s age. We have a big game on Sunday against Chelsea, Chelsea on the Wednesday, and Arsenal on the Saturday, we’ve a massive programme coming up now and it’s important to utilise the squad we have.
“Okay, at the moment with Vidic out and Jones and Smalling not available, then putting Michael back there in defence is not the best but he does his job well.”
So, even the boss admits we have some issues at the back. But going forward there are no concerns whatsoever. At times last night there was some wonderful attacking play.
We started once again with the diamond, and I actually felt it worked well, it wasn’t because of the formation we found ourselves 2-0 down, and some of the movement between RVP, Rooney, Hernandez, Kagawa and Cleverley was outstanding at times. But it’s the little Mexican who takes all the plaudits today.
Javier Hernandez has come on leaps and bounds since joining us, he’s still the lightning quick striker who likes to wait on the shoulders of the defenders, but now his overall build & link up play is getting much better. He gives Sir Alex issues and the boss admitted to that after the game.
“Chicharito has given me a good problem,” said Sir Alex. “He’s got me thinking, I must say that. He and van Persie and Rooney and Welbeck… I don’t know what to do with them to be honest with you.
“The boy is improving all the time. He has a great enthusiasm for the game, he trains magnificently, he practices all the time and his goal ratio is fantastic.
“It was a great ball from Tom Cleverley for the second goal but Chicharito’s movement in behind the defender for the second goal was terrific.”
As long as we keep playing the diamond he will give Sir Alex a massive selection headache, don’t get me wrong, I love Danny Welbeck, I’ve even stated on here and on twitter that he could be our equivalent of Didier Drogba in the future – but he lacks the hardest thing a striker has to do, and that’s scoring goals, his finishing can be, well erratic to say the least.
But it’s a good problem for Sir Alex to have – we have four genuine top class strikers hopefully leading us to glory.
We are now just one point away from qualifying for the knockout stage, and I do expect us to get that in two weeks in Braga – but before that, two massive premier league games. Away to Chelsea and home to Arsenal, and the defence really does have to buck its ideas up as we move on to them games.
One thing is for sure though, the season is hotting up nicely.
Now, resting Rio Ferdinand made a lot of sense last night, the game was at Old Trafford, Sir Alex obviously felt our attacking players would pull us through and we have a huge game this weekend at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. I’m a huge admirer of what Michael Carrick brings to our midfield, he’s a fantastic footballer, but he never has and never will be a centre back. I made a case in the preview to this match for Scott Wootton to start. Now I know he’s not the most experienced player, but for starters he’d have had Jonny Evans by the side of him and secondly and perhaps the most important, he’s an actual defender. But the defence is definitional giving Sir Alex a few headaches – he said after the game.
“It’s been the story of our season really at home, starting badly, conceding goals and having to fight back to rescue games. And it’s the front players who are doing that for us,” admitted Sir Alex.
“It is a concern we’re losing a lot of goals, but I must say some of our football was terrific tonight, we played some fantastic football and we created a lot of chances. We kept a really good momentum to our game and played with good speed.
“We got a result most people would not have expected us to get after being 2-0 down – being 2-0 down in a European tie is very difficult – but credit to the players for the way we came back.”
Sir Alex also insisted United were right to rest Ferdinand and Evra.
“I think we did the right thing [to rest Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra],” replied Sir Alex.
“I think you have to look at the big picture with Rio’s age. We have a big game on Sunday against Chelsea, Chelsea on the Wednesday, and Arsenal on the Saturday, we’ve a massive programme coming up now and it’s important to utilise the squad we have.
“Okay, at the moment with Vidic out and Jones and Smalling not available, then putting Michael back there in defence is not the best but he does his job well.”
So, even the boss admits we have some issues at the back. But going forward there are no concerns whatsoever. At times last night there was some wonderful attacking play.
We started once again with the diamond, and I actually felt it worked well, it wasn’t because of the formation we found ourselves 2-0 down, and some of the movement between RVP, Rooney, Hernandez, Kagawa and Cleverley was outstanding at times. But it’s the little Mexican who takes all the plaudits today.
Javier Hernandez has come on leaps and bounds since joining us, he’s still the lightning quick striker who likes to wait on the shoulders of the defenders, but now his overall build & link up play is getting much better. He gives Sir Alex issues and the boss admitted to that after the game.
“Chicharito has given me a good problem,” said Sir Alex. “He’s got me thinking, I must say that. He and van Persie and Rooney and Welbeck… I don’t know what to do with them to be honest with you.
“The boy is improving all the time. He has a great enthusiasm for the game, he trains magnificently, he practices all the time and his goal ratio is fantastic.
“It was a great ball from Tom Cleverley for the second goal but Chicharito’s movement in behind the defender for the second goal was terrific.”
As long as we keep playing the diamond he will give Sir Alex a massive selection headache, don’t get me wrong, I love Danny Welbeck, I’ve even stated on here and on twitter that he could be our equivalent of Didier Drogba in the future – but he lacks the hardest thing a striker has to do, and that’s scoring goals, his finishing can be, well erratic to say the least.
But it’s a good problem for Sir Alex to have – we have four genuine top class strikers hopefully leading us to glory.
We are now just one point away from qualifying for the knockout stage, and I do expect us to get that in two weeks in Braga – but before that, two massive premier league games. Away to Chelsea and home to Arsenal, and the defence really does have to buck its ideas up as we move on to them games.
One thing is for sure though, the season is hotting up nicely.
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