Sep 20
Sporting Lisbon 0-1 Man Utd: Local Boy Scores
United started their 07/08 Champions’ League campaign with a 1-0 win that was more important — considering that it was played away from home against a tricky opposition — than enthralling. At the moment, 1-0 wins are becoming the forte of the 2007 edition of Manchester United — something we talked about at length the other day.
While what we saw wasn’t too pretty, there were some positives to take home, and we’ll dwell on those, apart from discussing the obvious sore points.
We didn’t start the game too well and we were, by no measure, the dominant team. They had the better chances and they dominated possession. Let’s be honest with that. But in the past, we used to manage to carve out a few chances for ourselves whenever we had the ball, but it didn’t happen yesterday. Not in the first half at least and not in my book.
Sporting had one really good long range swerving shot that was well saved by EVDS – who had an outstanding game. He was my man of the match clearly, as he had two more crucial saves to make in the second half that well won us the match.
Before we talk a little more about the match a word on the formation used. SAF opted for a 4-3-3/4-5-1. It was pretty much expected, if you ask me, given they were playing away in a CL tie. Not that I approve of it that much. I had suggested it in the preview, with the personnel mentioned there, varying ever so slightly — Nani on the left instead of Tevez and Rooney upfront instead of Saha.
Another thing I had to mention was the turf. It was ridiculous. I could have made a pitch like that. All a player had to do was sprint and suddenly change direction and pop! — and entire chunk of grass (or whatever it was, that was apparently glued to the soil) came off. One must be relieved that no one hit a shot to goal along the ground that made the ball take a cruel bump and over the arms of the keeper into the net.
Back to the game, Rooney started and Saha was on the bench. Tells you a story, doesn’t it? Fergie is still not confident starting Saha — which is fair play to him if you think about it. We need Saha and given his wretched injury record, and the important game against Chelsea, we’d prefer it if he’s used sparingly, while getting good minutes up on the clock. This is of course not saying that Rooney had a cracking game. No he wasn’t. If you play him in a 4-3-3 up on his own, he wouldn’t be too happy. And since he’s just coming back from injury, he wouldn’t be fit enough to make any significant impact in the game, which he didn’t. There was just the one chance where he set up Nani in the first half during a counterattacking move, but Nani couldn’t get past the defender and hence, shot it wide.
We picked up our game in the second half, but not immediately. It took us quite sometime. The early part of the second half was all Sporting. They were taking the initiative, and while they weren’t creating too many chances, they did prove to be more attacking. We kept giving the ball away far too many times. The overall passing was sloppy. Carrick, Nani, Ronaldo, Scholes, Brown were all guilty of that. I reserve special mention to Giggs, who wasn’t too involved in the game, and generally did a great job of watching the game fly past him. I really couldn’t see anything from him and was actually surprised that Giggs wasn’t taken off earlier.
Scholes wasn’t too bad, to be honest. The problem with the midfield is actually the partnership between Carrick and Scholes. Carrick is looking to move forward more this season. So is Scholes, as is his wont. When they both do that they do get in each other’s way and that creates problems when it comes to passing the ball or tracking back. Individually I wouldn’t blame either of them, but collectively they are not gelling as well as they did last season. But then, one wouldn’t be too wrong to suggest that the whole team (from midfield onwards) has not been gelling well. Last season, we had a well settled team, and with minimum injuries early on, we played the same team in and out, for a good part, with O’Shea and Fletcher deputising.
Saha didn’t do much, but you might have noticed how he moves and holds the ball up, waiting for others to come in. I will love it if he plays with another forward say, Tevez or Rooney, but that will have to wait.
Ronaldo came to life for around 15 minutes in the game and that was a decisive period. He initiated the move and was at the end of it before diving low for a great header into goal. While we talked about bad passing, and awful movement in the box, Ronaldo was a live demonstration of what we have to do more often in order to score. The build up was good and quick (not the usual slow ones), the passing was good and Brown’s cross was perfect. And to top it all off, the player who started the move showed awareness and movement to get into the business end of the box to see the ball home. Perfect. That’s the way to do it. Ronny didn’t celebrate, because it was an emotional moment for him, and was applauded by the home crowd when he was taken off. They still love him, which is nice for a change — considering what he faces in England.
It is also worth noting that after the Tottenham game, this was the first goal scored in open play. Although, we have headed-in all our last three goals! We’ll take it however they come at the moment.
Before I end this, some positives:
- Rooney got a valuable 70 minutes under his belt. He showed desire to have the ball, but is still some distance from full fitness.
- Our defence has been outstanding this season. They are, as Ahmed also suggested to me, better than last season. Especially Rio and Vidic. Rio must get the armband for good now. He has shown great desire to win as many other bloggers have recently suggested and I like the vibes from him. It is testament to the excellence of the back four that I feel strangely over confident that we will not concede if we score. Even if it was a one-nil advantage. Regular United fans would realize that is not something you could be too confident of, based on recent history.
- EVDS had a brilliant game. Which is good, now that we have to face Chelsea this weekend.
And that is about it for the day. Arsenal meanwhile look scary, especially Fabregas. They are playing their usual good football but they are also finishing. Let’s hope they slip up somewhere in the league.
Although, that’s not happening next week. They play Derby.
Update: At the time of writing this article, Mourinho hadn’t quit. Or at least news hadn’t filtered through. Anyway, will post detailed opinions on that later. Although it’s fair enough to assume that Chelsea would be the bigger losers with his resignation/sacking.
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Related items from Red Rants:
- Rooney Out For A Month
- Sporting Lisbon vs Man Utd – Preview
- History Beckons As United Discover Their Group
- Wigan 0-2 Man Utd: CHAMPIONEEES!
- Has Nani Penned New Deal?
Tags: Match Reports
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SAF must avoid this thinking that Giggs can strike. He is left footed so when the ball comes to him on the right side he cannot shoot. So the idea of putting Giggs up there to assist the other striker just won’t work. Additionally, I did not see Anderson touch the ball when he cam on. He looks to rigid, too tired just moving round watching the other players do the work. Could we have wasted 17 M here?????
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Well.. I agree on everything you said RR.
And Hiram I did like Anderson’s passing. Wasting 17M? hahaha
come on bro, I don’t even have to start with his age, seriously how many games did he play for UTD?
a few, not even 4 I think. And you’re already talking if he’s a failure or not.
By that logic you could have been saying the same about Vidic and Evra, when they 1st came to OT.
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mourinho goes b4 we meet them kewl shit
and the game was another ok
our romance with one – nil’s is stretching a bit too long and saha needs to start soon
and now that our three strikers are all up wonder what will tevez do
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we won the game 1-0 away from home, i’m happy enough with that, Anderson when he came on didn’t do an awful lot, but common who actually stuck out and played amazing last night? not many atall. but 1-0 away from home and the first game off the group, i’ll take that, as for the 1-0, we don’t automatically have a say to win games more than 1-0. at least we aren’t drawing or losing these games. common, we could be in chelsea’s position right now lol.
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We won…I suppose that’s the most important hey?
The performance was utter shit. So bad that I found myself not even celebrating when Ronaldo scored a goal.
Then again, we always expected this performance. Thing is, it’s going to happen on Sunday as well. Chelsea I believe will be more motivated to impress their new manager so we can expect to be pushed to the limits.
A real pity about Mourinho though. I think he is an excellent manager. With him leaving, I believe it effectively pulls Chelsea out of the running for the title.
Someone made a comment earlier about 451 and 2 wins from our last 14 European away matches. I wonder if SAF knows this? I suppose it shows how stubbourn SAF can be. I really think that however will be his successor, will need to be more creative.
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Jose knew all along he was to leave Chelsea b4 the end of this season, especially when he started performing poorly thus prompting Abramovich to be leaving the field earlier than the fina whistle. So it must have been a matter of choosing the apt time to call it quits. He knows he has an amazing record against Man U. So why wait and get a thrashing at Old Trafford instead of throwing in the towel just b4 the fixture? During his short stay at Chelsea, Man U beat Chelsea only once i.e. 1-0 at Old Trafford in Nov 2005 through that freak goal by Fletcher. Our only other win over them was the recent 3-0 post match penalties victory after we tied 1-1 during this season’s Community Shield cup.
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Thanx alot my boys it shows a good sign to win such an important game. Jose did know already that if he waits to be trashed at old tradford he will be fired right away good he is leaving before he can be buried at Old alive
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Last season our midfield was on fire with Scholes, Carrick, Ronaldo & Giggs firing on all cylinders. This together with Saha knocking them in, even with Rooney stuttering, we were blowing teams away.
This season is a total reverse with Scholes and Giggs trying hard but looking tired. Carrick is either lacking in confidence or sulking because of Hargreaves arrival. Nani & Anderson aren’t ready for a Premiership campaign and we need Ronaldo back on form pretty damn quick.
Saha seems to be a permanent walking wounded and Rooney again showed that he really does not like being up front on his own (Then again neither does Tevez)
Querioz’s tactics do not suit us and we need to rediscover some verve and form pretty soon as we can,t keep winning 1-0 for ever.
Thank god for Vidic, Ferdinand, Brown & Evra!!
At least Ronaldo looked to be improving in the second half last night.
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mourinhos gone, thats great news, i wonder whats this avram grant is like, i hope he has a shit first day on the job
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ronaldo has played 2 games since his suspension, and people say his form has dropped? god i’d hate to see what this would be like if united weren’t winning. and please don’t have a go at me i know people are speaking their minds and so am i, but its always negative, if we don’t win the team get hammered for it, then we win so be it only 1-0 they still do. chelsea i don’t think will doas well, is this guy not one of romans friends? and i heard he isnt liked too much round chelski. oh well its there problem going into the united game on sunday not ours, i think they will be down come sunday, jose really had built up a good atmosphere and belief around there and i can’t see this new dude doing the same, plus it’ll only be a temporary thing til they find another manager.
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Some thoughts on the Special One. I will miss his ridiculous temper tantrums on the sidelines and his feud with Rafa. I will also miss his ridiculous interviews. What I won’t miss is how well organized and committed he mad his team and how he seemed to have SAF number on the pitch. Chelsea always seemed to now how to limit United’s ability to play their game. Yes we won a few but lost more and drew too many games that we should have won. He was a great defensive minded manager and an outstanding motivator of those who were in his good books. I think his team was selected originally for his style of play (using two wingers) but Abramovich destroyed that chemistry by buying Ballack and Sheva.
I do have sympathy for him in that regards. You hired the man to mange and coach your team, then let him. I personally may hate the style of play he used but it was very successful given the talent on hand. I think the EPL will miss him but I for one say good riddance. The man scared me with his managing style. He was good at beating us. The only reason Chelsea weren’t closer last season was due to losing Cech for a long spell. And just when we thought we could breath easier as United supporters, we find that Wenger has assembled a young juggernaut at Arsenal. UNITED ALL THE WAY!
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Ronaldo’s performance in the second half yesterday was electric. In fact the whole team kicked it up a notch and performed better than at any other time this season. I hate to say it but I have written many times that the team needed to play with more pace and that Ronaldo Nani and Giggs need to be more aggressive and run at defenders more. Well at least Ronaldo did and we all saw what a difference that made. Heck if we just finished better on our chances we could have had 3 or 4 goals. Edwin was also Schmeichel-like in goal which is always appreciated.
Now with Mourinho out of the picture I think we will beat Chelsea and the season will really start to look bright. Chelsea will probably change the style and way they play over time to accommodate Roman’s idea of what is attractive football, but that will take time. In the mean time the turmoil and disorganization brought on by their injuries, slump and Mourinho’s sacking should make them easy pickings. Then again, we need to score more than one goal a game ourselves. Things are definitely looking better, until we face Arsenal. Now they play the game the way it should be played and they positively scare me with their pace skill and confidence. And they are all so young too. But then again, so are we.
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Ahhhhhhh ima miss mr mourinho really i will.i loved his comments on wenger,benitez etc.i think he was a terrific coach.with all his animation.he lit up the prem!he was just entertaining.i wish he could ave stayed.
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agree with your second post completely groggy
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I think the main problem is simply lack of attacking play. Scholes has for some reason started playing like a DM and it seems our whole midfield would rather pass the ball backwards than go forward. ‘Patient’ build up play is fine but this has gone beyond patient. Last season it was all about coming straight out of the blocks and it shows by the amount of early goals that United scored last season but for some reason this season they come out and just play it around for the first 20 or so minutes before they attempt an attack.
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Good call on the part of Anderson JK SLEEPU .Again not a good show by the boys but an away win take that any day and about Vidic what a cracking footballer he is . Its just sad that Michael Carricks got no balls about him because thats where we need someone.
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cant wait for sunday lads. agree that nani has to drive at defenders more but that will def come with time. with regards to giggs as i KEEP ON SAYIN- He is FINISHED. Honestly tho when i look back 2/3/4 years the signs were already there!!
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come on fellas. i cant tolerate such harsh words on giggsy. he gives his heart out for us. i admit he didnt do a good job playing upfront. but he was so so effective last season playing on the flanks. and i am sure he ll be great should SAF play him on the left wing. giggs-scholes-hargreaves-ronaldo in the mid with nani/carrick coming on as subs would be perfect. the team as a whole is going thru a lean patch and all the frustration is being shown on giggs. this is unfair.
GIGGS IS GOD
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redevil: I can’t agree with that the evidence is there, SAF no longer regards Giggs as a left winger. Last season the normally played quite centrally even if the teamsheets had him out on the left. Presumably SAF doesn;t think he has the legs for out wide anymore.
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GIGGS is now the leader of OLD TRAFFORD and yes he may not be as good as he once was im sure that other teams still have that fear when they see his name on the team sheet.UNITED are poorer without him he is by far one of the Greats of football SIMPLE GIGGS IS A LEGEND..
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And yet the time comes (and I’m not saying it is now) that players have to put out to pasture. Significant damage was done to the club on the field because of misplaced loyalty and faith placed in Roy Keane for at least 2 years when it was obvious he was no longer physically up to the job. Nostalgia should never be allowed to cloud the manager’s judgement because his job is to WIN football matches not to pander to legends, as hard as that may be at times.
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Giggs certainly has lost pace. but its not all about pace, isnt it? his knowledge of the game is immense. there is no replacement for him still. Nani is not good enuf to replace him, atleast in this season. he lacks maturity and i dont think its wise to play him all 90 minutes.
HALF WAY DOWN Mt. GIGGS IS STILL HIGHER THAN MOST PEAKS AT MAN UNITED
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But Nani isn’t replacing Giggs, given that he is playing as a support striker now. For easy games I would like to see a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3 for tougher opponents and truth be told if everyone was fit Giggs would not merit a start in either formation.
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