Mar 02
All we need is Shinji Kagawa…and now roll on Tuesday night.
By the time Shinji Kagawa effortlessly rolled the ball in the back of the net, doubling up his tally and putting United two goals ahead, every mind inside Old Trafford, bar those of the away fans and the Norwich players, turned towards the huge clash against Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
Those who remained focused were treated to two of the best goals Old Trafford has seen this season, an exquisite little chip with which Kagawa secured his hat-trick and a trademark long-range effort from Wayne Rooney, the United number 10 securing a well earned moment in the spotlight after an afternoon in which he had worked tirelessly for his team-mates.
With the likes of Ronaldo, Benzema and Mourinho looming large on the horizon, the game against Norwich could have run the risk of flying under radar, thus becoming a potential banana skin on United’s path, but there was little room for turnover for Sir Alex Ferguson. Smalling for Rafael and Anderson replacing Tom Cleverley were the only changes, as Ryan Giggs was made to wait for his 1000th professional appearance, while Shinji Kagawa was deployed wide on the left.
Norwich, still looking for a first Premier League win at Old Trafford, were the last team to beat United in the Premier League. Since that 1-0 defeat at Carrow Road in mid-November, the United machine has been ruthlessly churning away, picking up 13 wins in the last 15 league games.
The numbers made for ominous reading for the Canaries, whose game-plan wasn’t as much a case of parking the bus, rather of a bus whose engine has broken down on the edge of the box. Having huffed and puffed for the first 45 minutes trying to unlock the visitor’s disciplined rearguard, United were rewarded on the stroke of half-time as Shinji Kagawa pounced on a loose ball in the box to slot the ball past Bunn with the outside of his right foot to give United the lead.
The Japanese had been United’s busiest man in the first half, constantly trying to find space behind Norwich’s defence and some of the passes between him, Rooney and Van Persie were absolutely superb, an apt reminder as to why Sir Alex Ferguson had decided to lure Kagawa away from Dortmund.
Having started the second half more positively, Norwich were denied a good chance by Nemanja Vidic, whose timely challenge on Robert Snodgrass prevented the Scotsman from testing De Gea. For a former Leeds player, playing at Old Trafford is never easy, but Snodgrass’ horrendous challenge on Patrice Evra did nothing to win him any friends, and the Norwich number 7 was lucky to remain on the pitch.
Welbeck and Cleverley replaced Van Persie and Anderson as Sir Alex wrapped up his prize asset in cotton wool ahead of Tuesday night, much as Jose Mourinho did against Barcelona.
The last fifteen minutes were an advert for one touch football. With 76 minutes gone, the outstanding Michael Carrick delivered a sumptuous ball to Wayne Rooney who, having held off a challenge from Bassong, unselfishly picked out Kagawa in the middle of the box, allowing the Japanese to roll the ball past Bunn with consummate ease.
Ten minutes later, the Japanese was both orchestrator and finisher, as he picked out Welbeck’s run before rushing in the box to receive Rooney’s first touch pass, set himself with a sublime first touch that took him past Garrido and Bassong before beating Bunn with an exquisite chip.
Injuries have blighted Kagawa’s first season in a United shirt, but the diminutive Japanese seems to have finally come to the party, giving Sir Alex a selection trouble ahead of Tuesday night, for the former Dortmund’s vision is an asset Fergie isn’t likely to be willing to part with.
Having assisted two goals, Wayne Rooney put his name on the scoresheet with a superb curling effort from 25 yards out that left Bunn no chance and was also Rooney’s first ever goal against Norwich. A fourth consecutive clean sheet and the gap on City momentarily restored to 15 points were undoubtedly pleasing stats but as fans streamed out of Old Trafford, only one thought would have occupied their minds: “Roll on Tuesday night”.
Dan (@MUFC_dan87)
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Tags: Match Reports
The_Philosopher (402)
Redrich (220)
Opti (207)
Moscow (147)
Stephen (146)
It was actually a bit frustrating before the last 15 minuets. We never got out of second gear and we were doing enough, but it was dangerous at times in the 2nd half. We got the win though and scored 4 goals, so it was a good day and that’s another game ticked off. The players were professional and got the job done. The next few games are vital and they are keeping the pressure on in terms of the Premiership. We just need to take it one game at a time, but the players are doing the job.
Kagawa scored a fantastic hat-trick and deserves praise for this performance. I think his goals aside, Kagawa also played very well and linked our play very well. The boy is intelligent and Ferguson will want to find room for him for Tuesday. He played as a floating wide left player and that is the position I see him playing for us. Next season he will be even better and physically stronger as well.
The focus is on Tuesday now and the big clash with Real Madrid. They are on fire having beaten Barcelona twice in a row. We rested Rafeal and Ferdinand, so they will start and most likely in place of Smalling and Vidic. I cannot see Cleverley or Anderson starting to be honest, but it seems clear that Giggs might be getting a start alongside Carrick. Ferguson will hope Jones will be fit to start alongside.
…………………..De Gea………..
…Rafeal…Ferdinand…Evans…Evra
…………Jones…Carrick…Giggs….
……..Rooney…Van Persie…Kagawa..
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Kagawa’s performance was much more than the goals, he seemed to find that no-mans-land slot in between their MF and their back line. On the ball a lot and setting up some scything one-twos with Rooney and RVP, he was clearly our most dominant attacking force.
Valencia, on the other hand, once again found it hard to beat his man and break into some open space (which seems so important to his game). He stuttered all game long and never once looked like the player we knew this time last year.
Rooney showed us what he’s capable of with a beautiful dipper, but struggled all game with heavy touches and errant passes.
Ferguson believes that he gets confidence out of scoring – lets hope that confidence relays into a good productive performance on Tuesday.
We’ll need it.
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I’m very happy for Shinji Kagawa. I always knew he had lots of quality.
And he’s only gonna get better. I would like to hear from all the ‘Kagawa was a bad buy’ people right now.
Madrid is on Tuesday. We need to limit them to just 1 goal. I can see us scoring 2 at Old Trafford. But it will be tough for us to score 3.
i have no idea how Ferguson will approach it but its gonna be a cracker thats for sure.
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I’m very happy for Shinji Kagawa. I always knew he had lots of quality.
And he’s only gonna get better. I would like to hear from all the ‘Kagawa was a bad buy’ people right now.
Madrid is on Tuesday. We need to limit them to just 1 goal. I can see us scoring 2 at Old Trafford. But it will be tough for us to score 3.
i have no idea how Ferguson will approach it but its gonna be a cracker thats for sure.
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@The_Philosopher: well i said he was a bad buy, i will explain my reasoning behind this…… if he is to play in a central role and forces rooney out wide then he is a bad buy, but he had a very good performance on saturday and if he can play foating from the left and allowing rooney a central role then that would be great, BUT HEY, lets see what happens with the big test on tuesday
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@ash is the man: I would say the test for Kagawa would be the entire rest of the season.
Given that he is new to the league and that he was injured, we do need to give him some leeway. The Madrid game will not be a litmus test for Kagawa, but more like a test for the the strength of our entire squad.
We cannot continue to judge ourselves against the likes of Reading or Norwich. The benchmark is set by the teams at the top – and so, positive results against RM and then Chelsea will tell us more about our team, overall, and maybe more about Kagawa, in particular.
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@Redrich: Very well said.
Beating Norwich and Reading is great. But its the big games that show you how good you really are.
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@Redrich: exactly what i was saying
I also agree on kagawa being givn some leeway but what i meant is although he did great against norwich i just hope can he do it against the likes of madrid….
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Against Madrid we’re going to be at home so we will probably attack them more than we did at the Bernabeu.
That leaves us open to their counter.
Jones might not be ready.
If Jones doesn’t play who will be in the middle? And if Jones doesn’t play will that effect Fergie’s choice of the centre pairing at the back
Right now it looks like Ferdinand and Evans. But maybe it might be Ferdinand and Vidic if Fergie is ok to gamble on Vidic’s knee.
But in the middle of the park Ferguson might pair Giggs with Carrick which concerns me.
other than who knows who will play.
Anderson has been quiet for a while. Has Ferguson been keeping him reserve for this game?
De Gea, Evra, Rafael, Carrick, Rooney, and van Persie are certainties to play.
But who will line up on the wings?
Kagawa? Young? Nani? Valencia?
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You have to feel that Giggsy will play as he wasn’t in the squad on Saturday. This is a proper test, Real are in great form and scoring goals. I hope Fergie starts with Rio and Vida and also I hope RvP returns to form as we will need to take our chances as we might not get many!
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@Stephen: Very true. But I trust that RVP won’t miss infront of goal again.
He will burry any chance (or half chance) that presents itself on Tuesday night.
But we will have to take our chances.
Real won’t offer us a tonne of chances so we need to take the one that come our way
A clean sheet will get us through but what are the chances of shutting Madrid out completely.
I’m hoping for a 2-1 win for United.
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I am glad Rooney got the last goal against Norwich.
Its good for him to go into the Madrid game with a taste of goals in his mouth.
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i have a feeling tuesday night will bring a big performance from mr rooney ( of course only if he is played centrally )
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@ash is the man: yup just like against AC Milan. Remember that amazing goal virtually in the dying seconds (now was it 2007 or 2008 I’m forgetting). Rooney should be playing centrally and he can be massively influential.
how i wish Fletcher was available. Made for these games he is!
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@jos: Ya fletch would be ideal but unfortunatrly i believe he is the past. I would start anderson as i believe he has the energy. Yes rooney has a huge influence when played centrally….. yes he doesnt have the finest touch but he is a warrior and when he has the confidence he can win games on his own….. i hate seeing him forced out wide as he seems lost and its a waste of a fantastic talent
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