Apr 27
Chelsea 2-1 Man Utd: So, Is This harakiri In Progress?
I’ve been trying my best to write a match report for the past hour or so. I bet this is going to be a bad one. It’s going to be incoherent, but it has to be done. So here goes…
Manchester United look set to gifting the title to Chelsea after being in the lead all this while. Sure, we still are in control of our destiny realistically. But we have to beat West Ham and Wigan to ensure we win the title. Also there is the small matter of a Barcelona side that needs to be seen off at OT on Tuesday; not too much time to recover one suspects, considering the Spanish giants rested six of the players in their weekend loss to Deportivo.
We, ran around for 90 minutes on Wednesday in Camp Nou and did an equal amount of running around yesterday. Trust me, to win on Tuesday — and next weekend — would require a little more than a grit of the teeth. It’s not going to be easy, but, to use a cliche, when have we done things the easy way?
Chelsea were the first to get off the blocks today. A midfield of Ballack and Essien went on a rampage, but we weren’t unduly troubled as Vidic and Rio along with Silvestre — who was deputising for Evra — and Brown kept the Chavs at bay. But I think, Vidic’s injury had some part to play in the bigger scheme of things for the rest of the game. Drogba’s knee knocked him off and Fergie had to reshuffle his back four, bringing on Hargreaves at RB and pushing Brown to the centre.
While Chelsea were on the ascendancy it appeared that the reds had done just about enough to keep the score level before half time, only for Ballack to head home in injury time.
The second half was much better though and some urgency kicked in to United. But I could never really see how they were going to score as Nani continued to frustrate and Giggs, well, he just doesn’t have the pace to break on the counter, anymore. It was a blunder by Carvalho that gifted us the goal as Rooney, for once, put a one on one into the net.
We continued to press, although Avram Grant — to his credit — did look to attack by sending on the right subs. However, despite all of Chelsea’s efforts, they didn’t look like scoring until the penalty. I thought it was harsh, but I guess we have been having a strange relationship with penalties over the past couple of weeks haven’t we? Two weren’t given against Boro, one (I think) at Ewood Park, Ronaldo’s failure to convert one at the Nou Camp, Marquez bundling Ron over inside the area and today Ballack wrestling Ronaldo in the penalty area, rugby style. The Carrick one is not something I’d want to whine over — it’s just that the word penalty isn’t ringing anything positive for us at the moment. It was unfortunate. Ballack scoring the penalty was as certain as the sun rising in the east tomorrow.
Fans have blamed Fergie for showing too little respect for Chelsea. Some have called his side selection as baffling. OK let’s get some perspective.
I know, it may have seemed a little arrogant of Fergie to not start Ronaldo. But I thought either of Ronaldo or Rooney was going to be rested. They have been running at full tilt for many weeks now and they seem like they are on their last legs. Perhaps Ronaldo starting upfront instead of Rooney might not have been a bad idea either. But I really can’t fault the gaffer too much on this count. I also thought he got his back four right.
The main point of contention is central midfield. Anderson, Carrick and Fletcher have all shown the stomach for the biggest games this season. In fact Fletch was among the better players yesterday. Scholes, on current form, doesn’t have the legs to play two games in a week. And the same could be said of Hargo. So I don’t know what our alternatives could have been, really.
You see, it’s easy to blame the manager’s team selection for these things but I think there has been a bigger problem that has been swept under the rug since we were already on top of the league till now. The rot was evident to me in Camp Nou where we failed to keep the ball for more than 30% of the time. United are a different team when they start to respect their opponents. They seem unsure, almost confused, in this unfamiliar role where hanging on to a lead or settling for a draw is the sole aim. Fergie’s mentality has been questionable more than his selections. Clearly he was willing to settle for a draw in Camp Nou as well as at the Bridge. While we escaped from Barcelona with a draw — although it was reasonably justifiable in Europe — we weren’t quite so lucky yesterday. And that, I think, is what could cost all the good work we’ve done till now.
Arsenal went through a horror week where they faced Liverpool, us and Liverpool, again, and effectively ended their dreams of winning any trophy. We are going through a tough couple of weeks ourselves: Blackburn, Barca, Chelsea and Barca. If we get through Barca with a win and manage to beat West Ham next weekend, we can hope to smile. And for a start, let’s practice “hold onto the feckin’ ball for 1 minute at a stretch while passing inside the opposition half.”
But till then I will be biting chunks off my nails.
PS: I am still positive that we’ll retain the title despite the negativity. It’s just that it’s been a while since we won a game over the past couple of weeks.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Rooney Out For A Month
- Porto it is then…
- Man Utd Blog 2007/2008 Home Kit
- Man Utd 2-0 Chelsea (FT) : Tevez, Saha Score
- Glazers: Manchester United is not for sale
Tags: Match Reports
Opti (541)
Stephen (487)
RedDevilEddy (461)
Craig Mc (349)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
I fully agree beautifulgamer. Ronaldo and United as a whole are being kicked around around the park. We could use a hard man in the middle. I was hoping Hargo would provide more “protection” for our players.
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When I suggested and hoped the rumors of Gennaro Gattuso showing up next season were true, many said they never wanted him. That hard man ManUtd9Titles refers to comes no better than Gattuso. Lets put it this way, Essien, Joe Cole and Ballack would not have had so easy just outside our box yesterday had he been on the pitch. And perhaps they would think twice about careless tackles on Ronaldo or others because once again, Gattuso is known for protecting his teammates by sending stiff and painful messages back to the opponent. This team needs a RWB and a striker most of all however, some grit and hard physical play in the midfield would also be a godsend. Hargreaves for all his great defensive skills, pace and marking ability god love him, is not a physical player. Move him slightly to the right and let him open up his game and bring in Gattuso to enforce the midfield Keane style.
One more thing about the midfield. Early in the season I was getting Michael Carrick as well as Scholes for their poor and unspectacular play. They then went on a good run and both improved and began to play really well for a few months. Since then Scholes has been hot and cold but overall, he has played well enough. I cannot say the same about Carrick. To be honest, I cannot remember the last great game Carrick has played. And yet I don’t dislike the lad. In fact he’s always on my mind as a certain starter but that kind of thinking is starting to leave me. Right now I cannot justify his place in the starting eleven over Hargreaves, Anderson, Scholes and even Fletcher. He’s just been invisible of late. And his underrated defense is starting to show cracks as well. He was never one with great pace but now he looks really slow and indecisive at times and teaming him with Scholes in Barcelona had much to do with our slow and poor performance trying to counter over there.
I listen to some footy podcasts that are strong favorites of mine. Perhaps some of you have heard of Red Devil Radio as well as North America’s top footy podcast World Soccer Daily. These shows are hosted by people from England Ireland as well as Scotland. They each have two hosts and in each case the guys all think Carrick is just total shite. On Red Rants there are many more supporters of Carrick than there are critics. But I’m starting to wonder whether Carrick has a long future in the starting eleven for us or if he is going to end up like Fletcher? Our free flowing fast paced attack is dependent on solid and quick passes as well as quick and decisive decision making by our central midfielders. Right now Carrick looks slower and older than Scholes. I’m glad we resigned him because I see his potential but unless he taps in to his potential and unleashes that ability on a consistent basis, we may have to look for a game breaking attacking midfielder as well. The bottom line, is Michael Carrick good enough to be running the midfiled for Manchester United? What do many of you think. I’d be interested to know what you all think of Carricks short term effect as well as his long term prospects.
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Since last wednessday, I’m feeling embarrassed with the way Man U playing.
I’m worried,we may end up this season empty handed.
If really, I’ll be shocked.
Player and Manager got their pay check regularly,
but the fans like me will only receive the shock shock and shock
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Owen Hargreaves, Michael Carrick and Anderson are all we need in defensive midfield, I don’t think Gattuso would have made the result any different on Saturday. Anderson is young but based on the way he has played against Top players like Fabregas and Gerrard he is more than capable of quickly growing into a ‘hard man’. We have him already, a player who fears nobody and don’t need to sign any other player in midfield.
Players in the mould of Keane and Gattuso, “hard men” are not what today’s style of play is going towards, you can hardly breathe on a player without a free-kick being given so for the ability and pace that Andy and Hargo have we are heading in the right direction, unlike John Arne Riise last week.
IMO.
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Regarding Riise, I heard a traffic cop pulled him aside and gave him a ticket the other night. Apparently he was HEADING in the wrong direction.
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much less utd players in the team this season. the only reason fabregas won is because he’s younger and it voted by players. ronaldo really isnt young, he’s pre-prime.
but enough of this, we need to look forward to the barca game, us ranting about how we played in past wont make us win anything in the future. Bring on barca.
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Carrick is a luxury….if he is given time and space his passing can unlock defences. But defensively he can be suspect and he’s a bit lightweight and can be hustled. He is great to have in the league against the weaker teams, and good in a three man central midfield in europe but i would not play him in a two man central midfield in europe or against the big premier league teams.
I do not think he is a big game players…in the way that Fletcher and Anderson are. I think he is a confidence player.
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Oh yeah my team for Barca would be
EVDS
Brown Vidic Rio Evra
Hargreaves Scholes Anderson Giggs/Park
Ronaldo Tevez/Rooney
Reasoning:
Barca are strong on the wings so we need players who will track back and provide defensive as well as offensive capabilities. We do not have the luxury of letting Ronaldo and Nani bomb down the wings leaving us exposed.
Ronaldo in a free role up front does work so long as he has the support from Rooney or Tevez. Tevez did not do his job last Tuesday but I expect improvements.
Scholes is undroppable because of his experience and performance last tuesday and anderson is needed for this game. Carrick was disappointing against barca and is a luxury we cannot afford in a must win game.
I would rather play Rooney as an impact sub as presumabely tevez is the fitter of the two after being rested on saturday
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Actually, Colver I’d go for the following
Brown Vidic Ferdinand Evra
ronaldo Carrick Anderson Giggs
Tevez Rooney
although i’m pretty sure, SAF will start with a 4-5-1 and with Scholes
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**************This is a Barcelona fan********************
Have to say quite astonished by the way people are criticizing Ferguson. Isn’t it normal that he left Ronaldo on the bench, when you consider that ManU have to win against Barcelona. may be Alex wasn’t daring enough, but boy he is sensible. The only problem for him was that he have to bring on Ronaldo much earlier than he wanted.
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Die hard ManU fan: Get a grip will you! What exactly is it about a 0-0 draw and a narrow 2-1 defeat away from home against two of the best teams in Europe you find embarassing? Also, if you really were a die hard Utd fan you would 1) not be making fickle, glory hunting comments like that and 2) not be using the term ManU in your name, which if you knew your club history you would know is derogatory due to Munich connotations. Sorry to get personal, but I felt I had to make a stand. RR, if you read this, I hope you understand where I am coming from (I suspect this poster may be a WUM).
Grognard: With regard to your long post, point #2, would the fact that we have conceded six goals in the last six games have anything to do with the on-off absence of a certain Nemanja Vidic perhaps?
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Nino: There weren’t that many people on here who were aware of the history behind the term ManU until RR commented on his dislike of it.
On the defence, losing Vidic is a factor but the best form of defence is possession. If you have the ball the opposition can’t score and in recent weeks our passing by both the forwards and midfielders has been poor.
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JB, to be honest, when have we ever played possession football? Against the weaker teams in the Prem and CL, yes, but whenever we play Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and any big team in Europe, home or away, generally we always concede the majority of possession to them. Could you tell me of any recent examples to the contrary? I do agree, however, that our passing in recent weeks has either been exceptionally sloppy (the Arsenal game in particular springs to mind) or practically non-existent (Barca).
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I was at the game on saturday and I have to say we sung our hearts out for the lads – only stopping once when ballack scored. I have some points to add having seen it in the flesh…
(1) Rooney is not fit and wasnt fit on saturday (I have my doubts in sarting him tomorrow night.
(2) Carrick, Giggs and Anderson did not take control or stand up to the fight/bullying of the Chelski – we were overrun!
(3) Giggs should only ever be used as a sub again – he has lost pace, passing & form
(4) Fletch was one of the few players to stand up & fight except when he lost ballack for the goal but I blame Ferdinand more.
(5) SAF must now go for it in all remaining games – no more of this looking for a draw crap – we are United we do not know how to play that game – its win by attacking!
(6) My Team for Barca – Normal back 5 if all fit and then Scholes, Carrick and Hargreaves, Rooney, Ronaldo & Tevez up front. Bring Anderson on later on in the game as he is better at impact sub.
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Tom, you’re right: “you can hardly breathe on a player without a free-kick being given” – and that in some ways is not bad given the highly skilled team United have. Referees also have to protect United. What I’m saying about Chelsea refers to the subtleties of the game or the game within the game. Along with Keane’s ability to inflict pain, it was more Keane’s ability to suss out when things were going against United (Ferguson is also excellent at this) and then sorting out the opposition. I thought it was more psychological than physical with Roy. He intimidated the hell out of most players in the league. My position on Chelsea is that they are pack of cheaters and no one is sorting them out. They could steal the Premiership. I don’t know if they can do it in Europe though since the refereeing is different. Back to Fergie: he’s probably still trying to piece together what happened in the Chelsea match. One thing is for sure: he wasn’t out-managed by Avramgrantovich. He was undone by a renegade team willing to do whatever it takes to win. I’m not a Liverpool fan but I hope that they and the referee pull the plug on Chelsea.
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I think/hope/pray we will beat Barcelona 2-0. Being at home is a huge confidence boost, and in the words of Owen Hargreaves: “Lets show those Barca boys how its done!”
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nice report..
i would howeevr like to elaborate more on Mentality part. At the outset this is in no manner a bashing towards SAF coz i truly respect the man and cant think of a united without him but just the expression of dissapointment of a fan.
I remember last week (barcalona v. Man utd)… tired and exhausted from the day’s work at 11 in the nite, i forced myself to bathe and sit to watch the match. it started here at 12 30. I remembered the 1999 games and how much i rued having missed them and promised this wont be the same.
Not to my surprise though we played the 4-5-1 and i have really hated that formation when we play it.. i put up with it evertytime just coz SAF must haev a better plan and i saw that we are getting better at it. However, the formation is not the problem, the MENTALITY is.
During the years i started watichin and supportin united, we were winning nothin (2001 or 2002) and ppl were saying we have lost the edge.. the only thing that used to inspire me to watch united was the football and the desire to win every game. Remember the Leverkusen semi final, we attacked attacked and attacked. I was proud but disaapointed when we lost the game. WE NEVER WOULD HAVE SETTLED FOR A DRAW.
It was this all or nothin mentality that made me fall in live with the club.
Not that we don’t wanna win now or that we are not the best in the World, but i hate the fact that instead of scaring teams that will play us, we encourage them to treat us as another one of the good teams but not the greatest. When barca won the champs leage 2 years back, there was an air of inevitability coz they did not change their tactics based on the opponent but made the opponent do that.
We are doin exactly the opposite and i have got frustrated with seein united play the big teams and/or european away games without any imagination. We settle happily for draws when we should be beatin teams there. Its not the formatin that does not work, its the dissappointment of knowing that United played for a draw at CHELSEA and BARCA. I would have been less dissapointed if we played to win and got a draw or for that matter even got beat but i have enough faith in the team to know that if we had played to win, we would have.
But football is not the game of if’s and would’s is it.
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