Manchester United succumbed to their second successive Champions
League defeat with a 1-0 loss at home to CFR Cluj in a game that meant
literally nothing to the reds.
Already safely champions of group H, Sir Alex sent out a weakened
side, resting the likes of van Persie, Ferdinand and Rafael ready for
this weekends derby against Manchester City. The goalkeeper
merry-go-round continued as De Gea started in nets behind a back four of
Buttner, Smalling, Wootton, and Jones. The midfield four lined up in a
hap-hazard diamond formation with Rooney wide right, Nick Powell wide
left, Giggs deep and Cleverley at the tip in behind Welbeck and
Hernandez – a midfield that seemed to successfully waste the talents of
all four participants.
On balance United had the better of a stale first half, Scott Wootton
with a particularly impressive last-ditch tackle early, on and should
have been ahead after Scholes picked out Smalling with an inviting
cross, only for the impressive centre-half to head wide from a matter of
yards out..
Just before half time Tom Cleverley was withdrawn with a calf injury
and replaced by Paul Scholes. Cleverley is now in some doubt for
Sunday’s derby game though he will be assessed by United’s medical staff
tomorrow.
The second half followed much the same pattern as the first, save for
a superb goal from Luis Alberto 10 minutes after the restart. No one
from United seemed inclined to close him down, so he ambled towards the
East Stand and unleashed a wicked shot that glanced off the post and in.
De Gea, though not at fault for that one, had a mixed game including
once instance of passing the ball out straight to a Cluj forward that i
would have gone to town on had it been Lindegaard. Such a mistake i
believe is more likely down to a lack of match-sharpness in the case of
De Gea though, were as Lindegaard fundamentally lacks the skill to kick
the ball accurately.
United attempted to move through the gears slightly and pushed for
the equalizer, but in truth never really looked A) dangerous, or B)
arsed that they didn’t look dangerous. The biggest laugh of the night
came when the attendance of 71,521 was announced to a ground that was at
a maximum, 3/4 full meaning i think a figure closer to 50,000 was far
more realistic.
The draw for the next round of the Champions League will be made on
the 14th of December. United can face FC Porto, AC Milan, Real Madrid,
Shakhtar Donetsk, Celtic or Valencia. And i don't want Real Madrid..Lol
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