Jul 21
FC Seoul 0-4 Manchester United: First Half Blitz
The crowds came to watch Rooney, Ronaldo and - to some extent, Park - in action and got exactly that. It was a game that was definitely - what the commerce department would term - a commercial success, as fans turned up in hordes. Thankfully I got to watch the game, after all. In fact, it was good that I didn’t miss the first half.
Here are my notes on the game.
- Sir Alex fielded an experimental looking team. The team had a 4-4-1-1 (or 4-2-3-1) formation to begin with. He started off with Vidic-Rio at centre-back and Slivestre-Bardsley as full backs. O’Shea and Carrick were in central midfield while Ronaldo started in the hole behind Rooney. Eagles started on the right. But most surprisingly, Evra started on left wing. Now I’ve always wondered if that might be an option Fergie might consider at some point, due to his attacking abilities and better defensive awareness.
- The first goal was initiated by an Evra throw in with Ronaldo topping it off with a powerful finish.
- Evra again was at the heart of the second goal, starting it from the centre of the park, with a neat flick on by Ronaldo onto the path of Eagles, who showed good composure to finish it off.
- The third goal was the result of a Rooney-Ronaldo combination, and Rooney fired to ball in to the ‘keeper’s near post. Although the ‘keeper ought to have done better than that.
- The cameras focused ever so often on the darling of the masses - Park Ji Sung. He is clearly HUGE in Korea. And he acknowledged the crowd during half time. Hopefully he returns sometime soon in our next campaign.
- The fourth goal game in the 60th minute, with Evra - who impressed a lot in the game - getting the goal he deserved with a great finish from a narrow angle.
- In all, a great day at the office with no injury worries, although we were disappointed at not seeing Nani even on the bench. Hargreaves might not be playing in the Asian leg of the tour, despite what he says. I suppose SAF wouldn’t want to risk him at any cost.
- Scholes came on in the second half, waded into tackles and picked up his customary yellow.
- While Rooney and Ronaldo were headline grabbers, there were also performances that deserved mention. Evra was good on the left wing and so was Eagles.
- Simpson came on in the second half for Bardsley and so did Evans for Vidic
- Going from the way he’s been playing so far, Rooney looks very very hungry to be back playing again. I think this could be the season where he comes into his own for real. He’s been working his socks off in both games, harrying defenders, running at them. Injuries aside, I predict great things for the lad this season.
So that should about do it. Here are the goals in case you missed the game.
Related items from Red Rants:- Manchester United 07/08 Away Kit
- United* 1-1 Chelsea: First Blood to the Reds
- Manchester United Pre-Season Fixture List
- Chelsea v Man Utd: Preview
- Reds 1-0 Sunderland: Full Time | Saha Saves the Day
Tags: Match Reports
July 21st, 2007 at 9:38
But most surprisingly, Evra started on left wing. Now I’ve always wondered if that might be an option Fergie might consider at some point, due to his attacking abilities and better defensive awareness.
Ummm…better defensive awareness?
July 21st, 2007 at 9:58
As in ability to track back. As opposed to pure wingers.
July 21st, 2007 at 12:01
Scholes came on in the second half, waded into tackles and picked up his customary yellow.
Something he needs to be cautious about In the CL i must say
July 21st, 2007 at 14:18
whatever fergie is formulating it’s surely working. his players are gonna give defenders whole lot of problems and strategy headaches for managers next season.you don’t know who is going to attack you.its a good strategy as it will be useful when players get injured or otherwise.
July 21st, 2007 at 14:22
with fergie opting to play scholes in a deep role the guy should take time off and work on his defending(he was a defender before switching to midfield). another suggestion is to be using gerard pique as a defensive midfileder at times(if he will be in OT next season). When will anderson link up with the squad?
July 21st, 2007 at 14:45
Is there a chance Eagles will be kept a part of the first team squad (rather than loaned out) for at least the first half of the season? With Park out until December/January there could be a few opportunities for him to pick up some game time on the RW and see how he handles the greater responsibility and opportunity.
July 21st, 2007 at 16:54
ahmed u dnt no much do ya evra dus hav better defesive awareness thn any of our left wingers plonker jus lk athis taklin lst season which probly earned him as a regular strter along with his atakin prowess ahmed mn u gt summit against otha peeps dnt ya jus hintin ya loser
July 21st, 2007 at 22:14
[Shera]
We would be able to appreciate your comments better if you could avoid ‘text message’ type of a language. I mean, it makes your comment difficult to read. Hope you do understand. We appreciate criticism, but only if we are able to understand what you write. I’ve been reading your comments for quite a while, that’s why I am asking you to change the way you comment here. Hope you don’t take this otherwise.
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:04
Apart from the obvious desire to try Evra out on the left wing is there any possibility to the fact that Ferguson may be sending a message to Heinze that all is not settled at LB and that possibly, in some games, the two could play together. I don’t think Ferguson ever guarantees anyone a position in his teams and even though Evra is possibly slightly ahead of Heinze at this moment in time it is still very much an open race (as it will be throughout the season and beyond, should Heinze choose to stay - as I, and many others hope he does).
July 22nd, 2007 at 10:02
Playing Evra as a left winger with the ability to “track back” may just be an acceptance of the fact that that’s how he plays when he’s picked at left back, with the result that there’s frequently an enormous space behind him. Although United are good enough to play like this against a lot of teams, the gaps terrify me sometimes. Gaby on the other hand, has seemed increasingly reluctant to venture forward since his return from injury (as well as apparently losing most if his heading ability). I’m not sure I like the concept of them both playing. Are we going to be flirting with a back three?
July 22nd, 2007 at 10:51
I only really mentioned it as an occasional thing… the depth we have on the left wing with the additions of Nani and Anderson would more often that not leave us spoilt for choice in this area.
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:12
Red - thats what I was asking about - the biggest problem with Evra was that he didn’t track back and was often caught out of position and stayed too far upfront.
July 22nd, 2007 at 13:52
i loved that bit about the gonger nija worthy of a little chuckle. having not seen the game i was wondering how ronaldo went about playing off the shoulder of rooney… smoething iv been thinking SAF might want to try at times if we are looking stagment during games in the EPL to add a bit of creativity and razzle in the centre to spark a goal or more confidence…