Oct 27
Man Utd 4-1 Middlesbrough
So our boys play host to Middlesbrough on the back of, what has been, a free scoring run in the past three games. We have put 4 past three teams, consecutively, and if we do repeat that today, we would be smashing a 100 year old record for scoring 4 goals in each of 4 matches.
It certainly would be a handy record, but that would be the least of the priorities when the lads step on the pitch.
Boro, managed by the obnoxious Gareth (wonder how he even got his coaching badge) Southgate have been poor this season. They have been leaking goals and their attack seems to have lost its potency ever since the sale of Yakubu and Viduka. In the past, they had good records against us as well as the other top four sides. Many of us might remember the 4-1 hammering that made Keane blow his top on that mysterious MUTV interview. But that Boro side, had the two strikers just mentioned, as well as an in-form Mendieta. And we had a thread bare midfield.
This time, though, it looks almost certain that Owen Hargreaves would return to shore up things at the centre. His presence would free up Anderson, and for the first time I must say that I feel fairly confident despite Scholes’ absence. That is the effect, the presence of a high octane midfielder like Hargreaves, can have. I do remain cautious, however, of his chances of lasting the entire game. While it looks possible that he might start, I believe he will be on the pitch for an hour at the most. If we are cruising at that point then he will, in all probability, be taken off for someone like O’Shea or Fletcher to keep things simple.
I would expect the boss to play a 4-4-2. Anderson will partner Hargreaves at the centre; Tevez and Rooney upfront; and Giggs and Ronaldo on the wings. There is a chance that Nani might be preferred over Giggs in an effort to use the veteran in short bursts — especially ahead of the crunch game against Arsenal, next week.
In defence, things look like the usual. Brown-Vidic-Rio and Evra will continue as usual. But given, there are certain last minute tests that Evra needs to clear before he can be confirmed fit to play, Pique could as well deputise at left back.
In short, this game must be won. Boro are there for the taking and we must spank them suitably. Especially with that twat of a manager they have who, along with Boateng, went on a whining spree about Ronaldo’s disputed penalty.
Prediction: 3-0 to United. We should have too much class for them. (A brace from Rooney, and Tevez to score the third.)
Related items from Red Rants:
- Man Utd v Stoke: Preview
- Boro v Man Utd: Preview
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Man Utd v Spurs match thread
- Rooney Out For A Month
Tags: Manchester United News
Craig Mc (195)
RedDevilEddy (170)
Opti (135)
Moscow is my heaven (96)
Ian (95)
I don’t think Nani’s goal was a fluke but it did have a bit of hit and hope about it. That’s why if I was voting for goal of the season I would pick Tevez’s first ahead of it.
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Every goal that is hit outside of 20 yards is a hope and a prayer, even for the elite boomers of the game. It’s just that some not only have the leg strength, but the talent to make it more than others. Nani is that kind of player. He’ll hit one out of every five or six long shots he takes. From out there those are excellent odds. Nothing fluky about. It takes talent, class and a bit of luck. Nani is special and he will only get better and better. He also hits a ball much better than Ronaldo. Ronaldo’s overall game is better but his long shots are straight as an arrow with no spin to create a curve. We also need to look at Nani or Hargo to start taking free kicks. If I see Ronny ram one of his one dimensional specials into the wall again he will be demoted to my second fave player in the world behind Riquelme. Now there is a man that knows how to take a free kick. He makes Beckham look like an amateur chump.
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I don’t think it is fair to label nani’s goal as a fluke because it is clearly what he was trying to do but as Grognard says all shots from that distance are hit with a hint of a hope and a prayer.
Also that was a hugely effective performance against a Boro’ team that actually came to have a go at us and that made it into a really decent game that was a pleasure to watch.
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