Man Utd started the match with an odd 4-4-1-1 formation with Rooney relying on Nani’s backup, Park and Fletcher on the flanks with Anderson and Carrick running the middle of the park. It looks like Sir Alex’s playing soccer roulette, but his gamble payed dividends.
Arsenal just could not cope with the surging runs, tenacity and enterprise of tough-tackling Anderson, who looks set to replace Scholes anytime. For once, it was Man Utd who was running the show for Arsenal, with short passes well strung together and the traditional runs from the attacking right and left defenders being fully appreciated.
Rooney scored the first goal with a good header. After some effort from Man Utd to swing the ball into the penalty area from a corner, Anderson was on hand to head the ball towards Rooney, who in turn directed the ball past Lehmann.
Nani, in Ronaldo’s total absence, delighted the crowd with a piece of trickery; he sidestepped a defender to the crossline before faking a cross, and finally duly delivered a nice cross for Fletcher to head in – possibly with a little bit of help from Gallas’s head.
Rooney had a couple of chances, with crosses coming from Park and Fletcher. While he did very well to control the ball and get between the towering Toure and sturdy Gallas, his final finish was wide of the mark.
Carrick showed his vision and trademark pass to pick out Nani, who was then making a surging run to the left, chested the ball and smacked the ball to the right. 3-0 to United within the first 35 minutes of first half and United was in cruise control.
Arsenal’s misery piled up when Eboue was sent off for a high-legged challenge on Evra when they were battling for an aerial ball on the 49th minute, before Nani again turned provider, executing a couple of sidesteps into the penalty area before unleashing a high cross to the far post for Fletcher to convincingly head in the ball. 4-0 to United.
It was the style of play that used to be a trademark of Man Utd and it remains till today, but even the first team hasn’t played as convincingly as today’s supposedly second team. Man Utd fans and non-fans alike will agree that Man Utd’s performance today was simply breathtaking.
Recent Comments