RedsUnite: a man utd blog

As has been documented previously, it is nearly impossible to view FA Cup matches here in the States. You Brits are so possessive of your domestic cup that “contractual obligations” won’t even allow an American to listen to the matches on the radio. Maddening stuff. So here I sat on match day, forced to make due. With six browser windows open, I did what any addict would do, constantly reloaded match commentaries from numerous websites. It’s a pitiful existence, but it had to suffice as I had no other recourse.

Quite amusing stuff, some of these match commentaries. If any of you ever find yourselves in such a bind, I must suggest Lawrence Booth’s work at Guardian Unlimited. Priceless.

Anyhow, onto the match review. I will not pretend to suggest that I have some profound insights about Manchester United’s victory today. While text commentaries are better than nothing, following a match in statements such as, “United move the ball smoothly to the left, where Rooney steps infield and lets go with a 20-yarder from a tight angle. Cerny has it covered,” do well enough, I won’t pretend to know better than those of you who actually saw the match.

I will just say this, I’m glad to see that we were able to overcome an early Spurs goal and rebound to win convincingly. From what I understand Tottenham were not without their chances and perhaps we were fortunate to get the result we did and I am grateful for that. It’s good that we were able to continue our second half form, which has been simply unstoppable in recent weeks. Conversely, our inability to set the tone of matches early on makes me wonder. Has our quality made our players slightly complacent early on, assured that our class will reveal itself as the match progresses? With Ronaldo’s match-winning tendencies of late, has his heroics actually stripped United of some of its sense of urgency? We have scored only two first half goals in our past five matches, compared to twelve second half scores over the same interval. Our ability to adjust during the intermission and thoroughly dominate our opponents in the latter 45 minutes is tremendous, but I can’t help but be concerned. This is not to say that we are a poor first half team on the season; our first half form tops the EPL to date. But one must wonder if winning so consistently has taken some of the edge off of our early play of late. I suppose that most clubs would kill to struggle with such problems, but it’s just a curiosity of mine.

All in all, Ronaldo has saved the day again and United advance to the fifth round of the FA Cup. His form this season is beyond compare, scoring 25 goals in 27 games. We are witness to legend. Having played a premiership side in 15 of United’s last 18 FA Cup draws, we can expect a tough draw in the next round. With Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool still alive, one can help but feel we will be pitted against one of them. Not to tempt ill-fortune, but I say I’d prefer it. We are going to have to play one of those sides eventually, one would think, and our current form has me thinking there would be no better time.

With the reinsertion of Paul Scholes, a fit Owen Hargreaves, a near-fit Louis Saha and, hopefully, the imminent return of Gary Neville, United are at full strength and flying high. With the best manager, player and side in England, we should fear no one. Beating sides like Tottenham, Reading and Newcastle by multiple goals is nice, but I look to a match against top-notch competition as a truer barometer of our abilities. Until that day, we will have to maintain our focus. Harry Redknapp’s Portsmouth side should provide a decent test on Wednesday and I look forward actually being able to view a match, not read it in print.

Even fielding a side that wasn’t exactly full strength and suffering from some questionable officiating, Manchester United’s midweek exhibition loss to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal was hardly comforting. Our surprising failures in Riyadh coupled with an equally surprising 5-1 trouncing of Arsenal at the hands of this weekend’s opponents, Tottenham Hotspur, make United’s forthcoming FA Cup tie all the more interesting.

Sunday’s fourth round FA Cup match pits two of the five hottest teams in England against each other. Winners of seven of their last eight and almost untouchable at home, Manchester United come into this weekend in top form. Buoyed by the imminent return of Paul Scholes, who is said to be available as a substitute on Sunday, and a healthy Owen Hargreaves, United are reaping the benefits of the depth last summers transfer acquisitions have provided. Boss Alex Ferguson comes into Sunday’s match only lacking the services of Gary Neville and Louis Saha, both of whom are said to be nearing fitness as well.

The United defense has been impregnable at Old Trafford, allowing a miserly .25 goals against at home. Without allowing a goal in the last 270-plus minutes, United hope to continue their recent form as they face one of England’s strongest strike pairs in Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane. The Spurs duo will have to be in top form to penetrate a United back four that has conceded only two goals in the past two months at Old Trafford.

Barring the exemplary form of Cristiano Ronaldo, United’s offensive form has been more difficult to forecast. While not always running on all cylinders, their form has improved recently, scoring multiple times in their last three games. Rooney’s form upon return from injury was of some speculation, but last weekends 77th minute match winner hopefully indicates a return to form for the frustrated striker. With United nearing full fitness, this supporter eagerly anticipates the attacking prowess of a side featuring Rooney, Tevez, Ronaldo, Giggs, Scholes and Anderson. While United’s attack has proven strong enough of late, the addition of the midfield wizardry of Paul Scholes should give the Reds the extra cylinder they have lacked at times.

Tottenham Hotspur enter the match riding a wave of euphoria. After beating London rivals Arsenal for the first time in 23 matches to reach their first major final since 1999, the Spurs have every reason to believe that things are improving at White Hart Lane. Following the arrival of new boss Juande Ramos, the Spurs form has been much improved of late. In the replacement of goalkeeper Paul Robinson with Radek Cerney, coupled with the return of defender Ledley King, Spurs have exhibited a sturdier defense recently.

The Spurs road performance, however, has been a cause for concern for Ramos. Losers of 3 of their last 5 road matches, Tottenham have struggled when away. Their offense has been quiet on the road, averaging 2.5 fewer goals away than at home in their recent form. Spurs supporters hope that their recent successes will carry over into Sunday’s match, as they will need to be in top form to overcome their historical difficulties against United.

Undefeated in their last 13 meetings, United have had their way with the Spurs in recent years. In fact, Tottenham has not won at Old Trafford since 1989, almost 20 years now. For all their recent improvements, Tottenham simply are not on the level of Manchester United, especially when they are forced to leave White Hart Lane. With that said, a team in good form is always dangerous, and Ferguson may be forced to start some marginal players if United’s FA Cup matches truly are of third-tier importance to Fergie. But to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford has been nearly impossible this season and I can’t foresee Spurs being the club to change that. A confident Tottenham side should give the Reds a challenge, but I look for the Reds to advance 2-1.

It’s seldom easy when Manchester United and Reading clash and today was no different. It took United 78 minutes to breakthrough, as an expertly placed pass from Carlos Tevez was flicked on by Wayne Rooney to put United up 1-0. The Reds were able to maintain their clean sheet, adding a second goal from Cristiano Ronaldo in the 90′ to seal the victory.

Just when you begin to think you’re right about something the opposite happens. The title of today’s match review was going to be, “See, I told you so,” but Wayne Rooney’s go ahead goal eliminated that headline just as quickly as it eliminated 78 minutes of positive, compelling play from Reading.

I must confess something: I like Reading. I think Steve Coppell’s men play with a positivity not exhibited by many of the smaller clubs when they face United. Many clubs are content to play a more cynical style of play, often playing one up front, congesting the midfield with five across, seldom sending their fullbacks forward into attacking positions. Reading could never be accused of such cynicism.

The Royals featured three attacking players today and fullback Nicky Shorey was constantly playing the odds, leaving Cristiano Ronaldo free to counter-attack while pressing forward. The first half saw Reading almost mimicking the tactics usually employed by Sir Alex Ferguson. This positive, attacking play found Reading the beneficiaries of many reasonable chances. One moment saw a rare lapse of judgment from goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar, whose poor clearance saw Dave Kitson play a one-time lofted shot over Van der Sar, only to be cleared by a leaping header from Rio Ferdinand. The remainder of the half saw Reading unable to capitalize on four corners, sending Manchester United to the lockers looking unsure but fortunate to be level at 0-0.

From my vantage point, a strong reason for United’s first half struggles was Wayne Rooney. The striker came into today’s game following a goalless performance in United’s 6-0 victory over Newcastle last weekend. The Newcastle match saw Rooney unable to make the most of what seemed like a dozen chances and the striker looked visibly frustrated. The first half of today’s match was more of the same for Rooney, failing to find his form early on. The commentator of today’s match was openly critical of Rooney, convinced that he was the one to be replaced when Nani came on in the 70th minute. Quizzically wondering why Rooney was struggling of late, I thought that I had been vindicated in an opinion that was roundly rejected this week.

Earlier I wrote a piece criticizing Rooney. An excerpt:

“Rooney has nine goals this year in 20 appearance, five of them in Premier League play. He has struggled to remain fit this season through a fluky injury and a virus which cost him some games. Manchester United are undefeated in all matches in which Wayne Rooney appears, with his play, seemingly, a strong catalyst to the side. What causes concern for me, however, is this: Wayne Rooney has only scored once in a match decided by one goal or less. Said another way, if Wayne Rooney had not sored at all this season only one result would be different–he was the lone goal scorer in our 1-0 victory against Roma at Old Trafford…”

“…As the weeks go by and the games become more meaningful, the microscope will be more intense. Rooney, if he fails to find his form, will continue to be haunted by his sense of entitlement, cursing at the goal like a woman who repeatedly scorns him. As a Manchester United supporter, I hope that he breaks through shortly, for our treble hopes depend on it.”

I made a similar post over at the Republik of Mancunia forum to which not one single person agreed with me. “Oh well, guess I’m an idiot,” I figured. Everyone cited Rooney’s last season form, his “talismanic” abilities, and urged patience with the lad. I figured I was just being far too critical and concluded that all these people couldn’t be wrong.

Today’s first half performance, however, had me wondering whether I was actually right about Rooney’s current form. He certainly didn’t look to be enjoying himself. His countenance bore the look of a man who has been struggling. When Rooney’s well-placed shot in the 63rd minute was deflected by Hahnemann I began to wonder if today was going to be the day he would turn it around. Furthermore, I began to wonder whether this was going to be United’s day at all.

All that changed in the 78th minute as a beautiful Carlos Tevez pass found the outstretched boot of Wayne Rooney, who expertly slotted the go-ahead goal into the right-side netting. It seemed to be the most unlikely of goals from an unlikely goal scorer given the previous 77 minutes, but this is why the class of Wayne Rooney should never be doubted. The relief was visible as Rooney celebrated, releasing screams of liberation as he punched the air. His 168 minute nightmare was over. United were ahead 1-0.

Ronaldo added the padding, benefiting from a brilliant run from Rooney that saw Rooney break across Ronaldo, drawing the defender and clearing the necessary space for Ronaldo to finish easily. At 2-0, I could finally breathe easily in a match that gave few moments of relief.

While not the brightest performance from the Reds, wins like this are just as necessary a part of championship runs as last weekend’s 6-0 thumping of Newcastle. Not every match will be easy and we can take solace in the steadfast defense United has displayed of late, registering their fourth consecutive clean sheet today. Ferdinand and Vidic have looked impenetrable of late, with only one moment of real concern in today’s match. But most importantly, today displayed the United attacks most vital attributes: Its stubborn insistence upon scoring and Alex Ferguson’s unwavering faith in his men. A lesser team may have let their frustrations get the best of them and a lesser football mind, like mine for example, may have been apt to replace Rooney with Nani at the 70th minute, moving the in-form Ronaldo up to attack. Thankfully, none of these things could accurately be said as United showed their class today, even if it took 78 minutes to present it in full.

(Aside: While I may have been wrong about Rooney, I did predict a 2-0 United win with Rooney and Ronaldo scoring so I’m not a complete fool.)

What did you make of today’s match? Let me know in comments. (I know no one else is doing it, but someone has to break the mold. Why not you?)

Manchester United saw three goals from Cristiano Ronaldo today, as the Reds capitalized on a Newcastle side in complete disarray. With the victory, Manchester United pull even with Arsenal atop the Barclay’s English Premier League table.

Perhaps Newcastle United should have waited until today to sack Sam Allardyce. After a 6-0 thumping at the hands of Manchester United, there would have been far less surprise surrounding the announcement. Traveling to Old Trafford, where Manchester United had won 11 consecutive home matches, the odds were clearly against Newcastle. The Magpies’ resilience in the first half must have given the Toon Army some cause for optimism, but this hope was quickly eradicated as the second half saw the Reds score six unanswered goals.

Today’s scoreline was fortunate for Newcastle. It could have and should have been much worse. Newcastle’s defense was under constant attack all game, with the Reds taking 22 shots on goal. The Magpies were nothing if not lucky to find themselves even at the break, as United was scoreless on 10 first half attempts. But they ran out of fortune in the second half, with a clever Ronaldo free kick from just outside the 18-yard box, placed smartly under the jumping Newcastle wall, finding the goal.

United were quick to add to the tally as Newcastle compounded their problems by absolutely sabotaging themselves in their own third. Given horribly misplayed a pass into the back of his own defender, Cacapa, which deflected to Ryan Giggs whose well played cutback pass was slotted away cleanly by Carlos Tevez. From here, Manchester United’s victory went from convincing to cruel. Four more goals followed as a clearly discouraged and disheartened Newcastle side was inundated with seemingly ceaseless attacks. What must have made Manchester’s first two goals all the more crippling to the Magpies was that they did not come as a result of genuine attacking play from United. The Ronaldo goal was from a free kick and the Tevez goal that followed was a result of shockingly poor defending, not necessarily Manchester brilliance. They must have known how fortunate they were to be level beforehand, and once they allowed those questionably deserved goals–the foul that led to the Ronaldo free kick was slight at best–they capitulated entirely.

The result today came as a relief today, as the Reds inability to find the score sheet in the first half, coupled with a disallowed Michael Owen goal in which the replay showed him to be played onside by Vidic, had me wondering whether today would be one of those days. There was no denying Manchester’s resolve today, however, as they came out in the second half inflamed.

The result places us back atop the table, level with Arsenal who drew at home to Birmingham City today. Our performance showed only a sliver of what this side is capable of when clicking. If it weren’t for a truly profligate performance by Wayne Rooney our attacking play would have been even more clinical than it was. All in all it was a great result, as the scoreline indicates. We will look to build upon this form traveling to Madejski Stadium to face Reading next week. Now that we have drawn level with the Gunners again, here’s hoping that we have finally hit our stride and will remain atop the table from here.

What did you think of today’s performance? By all means, comment away.

Photo via Frielp

Manchester United 2, Aston Villa 0

Well it isn’t a perfect science in America yet; English Football coverage that is. I am able to see all the games from the Premier League and Champions League, but you Brits are, apparently, awfully protective of your FA Cup. It is nearly impossible to view these matches without going through one of those sketchy, back-alley seeming websites that offers streaming video an hour later than the match starts. I don’t know about all of that. I could have waited until Tuesday to watch the match, but this blog makes it pretty difficult to stay uninformed that long. So, with all that being said, I am just going to treat this match review like a book report: I’ll tell you my impression of what I’ve read.

Alex Ferguson seems to have gotten away with one today. Having baited supporters all week with his criticisms of their support, there would have been quite an uproar if United had failed to get a result with Wayne Rooney remaining seated until the 70th minute. Saha has been downright ineffectual this season and his player rating of 5 on BBC.com leads me to believe it was more of the same today. It was nice to see that Ronaldo was able to find the goal today, but I always believe that, while it is nice to be able to feature him as a striker, his presence on the wing is what gives United the versatility present when we are at our most potent. But victories like today, when we aren’t at our best but still manage to get the result, are what gives Ferguson the ability to say whatever he wants, whenever he wants.

In the end, what I am able to take away from the match is what I already knew: United is a much more potent side with Rooney than without him. Being able to take Man of the Match honors while being on the pitch for less than 1/3 of the 90 is illustrative of his quality. His tenacity, strength and attitude give United an intensity that is sorely lacking at times. This season, we have yet to lose when Rooney makes an appearance and our fortunes are largely dependent upon his ability to remain fit. With him our side is seldom paralleled and I look forward to Tuesday, when I can actually see the impact he was able to make.