Match Report: Manchester United 3 – 3 FC Basel

Manchester United 3 – 3 FC Basel

Tuesday 27/09/2011

Champions League Group Stage

Manchester United rescue a point from an open game at Old Trafford

The back four for United going into the second match of the Champions League group stage, were the only fit defenders at United’s disposal. With Nemanja Vidic, Chris Smalling, Rafaeal Da Silva and Johnny Evans out injured, in came Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Fabio Da Silva and Phil Jones. Other injuries up front meant that Danny Welbeck started up front on his own. This certainly wasn’t united strongest XI, but would still be expected to beat teams like FC Basel at home.

From the off it was apparent that United had a lot of confidence, with players swarming forward in abundance looking for the opening goal. However they were wasteful in possession and Basel were not there to just make up the numbers. It was end to end in the opening stages with the away side having the better of the chances, up until the 16th minute, when Danny Welbeck put United one up with a scuffed finish. Then before you knew it Basel found themselves two goals behind, and it was Welbeck again, slotting in a Ryan Giggs cross, much more convincingly than his first.

Getting two goals so early on relaxed the crowd and perhaps the United players, as Basel continued to push forward, creating the better of the chances. United’s defence seemed to go to sleep, with Basel only staying two goals behind with a succession of terrible misses, after getting themselves into goal scoring positions time and time again.

Against the run of play United went into the interval still two goals to the good, however the home sides defending had been sub-par. If things continued as they had, it could be a tough second half. And it seemed lessons hadn’t been learnt as Basel continued to press, with United seemingly having nothing in response. In the 52nd minute it took a world class stop from David De Gea to deny Marco Streller from five yards out. The Old Trafford faithful were watching a woeful second half and unsurprisingly it was Basel who scored next, when Fabian Frei got the visitors back in the game. And just like United in the first half the visitors scored two goals in two minutes when Alexander Frei, brought the game level. United were shell shocked. The introduction of Ji Sung Park for Ryan Giggs did not calm United’s tension as they still continued to look shaky in defence, giving the ball away to freely. If they were not careful they were not just going to surrender the lead, but lose at home for the first time in 18 months.

And that looked like the likely outcome when a calamity of errors from Phil Jones and Antonio Valencia gave Basel a penalty. A. Frei put it away emphatically to give the Swiss outfit an unexpected lead. With only fifteen minutes remaining on clock, United needed to wake up and fast. And that they did, throwing everyone forward looking for the equaliser, a dangerous tactic, but all they had left. Basel defended well keeping United at bay and looked likely to secure a famous victory, until the 90th minute, when Nani whipped in a glorious cross from the right wing which Ashley Young got to first, heading home from close range, levelling the scores once again.

The relief on the manager’s and the fans faces told the story at full time as the teams finished level on three a piece after a frantic game. With two more points dropped it leaves United with lots to do, but with four more games ahead of them in the group stages, there will still be plenty of opportunities to make amends.

Match Report : Stoke City 1 - 1 Manchester United

Stoke City 1 - 1 Manchester United

Premier League

Manchester United drop their first points of the season in a tough away day at Stoke.

There was a shock in the build up to the game when the absence of Wayne Rooney from the match day squad was announced, meaning Dimitar Berbatov kept his starting place from the 0-3 victory away at Leeds in the Carling Cup midweek. And moments before the game United were forced into another last minute change, when Johnny Evans who was set to start at right back, pulled up with a hamstring injury. Antonio Valencia took his place for the start of the game.

If it seemed United's injuries were bad before the game, then when it started they got even worse. When after just three minutes Chicharito was brought down in the box by Jonathan Woodgate, and fell badly on his head. Chicharito's game was over almost as soon as it had begun. To add insult to injury United were not awarded what should have been a penalty for the challenge, leaving Sir Alex dumbfounded. On the back of a brace of goals midweek, Michael Owen came on to replace the Mexican.

The game was a scrappy affair with challenges flying in from both sides. The free flowing football United had produced in previous weeks, was not coming together as the manager hoped, at a hostile Britannia Stadium. It took till the 27th

minute for the first clear cut chance, which also resulted in the opening goal. Nani played an intricate one two with Darren Fletcher on the right wing when he cut inside, beating a couple of defenders before cutting back onto his right foot, slotting a sublime shot past the helpless Begovic. A stunning goal from United's Portuguese winger. However going behind didn't shock the home side, when just a minute later they almost levelled the score, when David De Gea made a world class reaction save to deny Andy Wilkinson. Just moments before half time De Gea made another equally impressive save, diving to his right to deny a Jonathan Walters shot, that was heading for the bottom corner of goal.

United held onto their lead until half time, however it took Stoke City just six minutes after the restart to draw things level. Peter Crouch nodded home a simple header from a Matthew Etherington corner. It was poor marking from Rio Ferdinand that gave Stoke's summer signing the opportunity to level, and just minutes later Crouch almost put the home team ahead, when he found him self unmarked again inside the United area. De Gea made yet another crucial save tipping Crouch's shot over with his elbow.

United were under pressure throughout the second half, and on 68 minutes the United keeper was forced into action again beating out Mark Wilson's powerful free kick. There was another contentious refereeing decision late in the second half when Ryan Shawcross clearly blocked a Patrice Evra shot with his arm, but yet again Peter Walton refused to give United the decision. In the final seconds of the game it was United who almost snatched the winner when Ryan Giggs, a second half substitute, shot wide from an in swinging cross.

The points were shared in what had been an even game. Stoke created the clearer chances throughout the game, and with better refereeing United could have had a couple of penalties. United drooped their first league points of the season, but returned to the top of the table on goal difference from their rivals Manchester City.

Match Report : Leeds United 0 - 3 Manchester United

Leeds United 0 - 3 Manchester United

Carling Cup Third Round

Manchester United eased past one of their oldest rivals at a hostile Elland Road.

As expected United made wholesale changes compared to the line up that started in the 3-1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday. However where as in the past games like these would
have been used to give younger players a run out, there was an unusual XI fielded by Sir Alex. Including both youth and experience. Youth players such as Ben Amos and Ezekiel Fryers found themselves starting alongside the likes of Ryan Giggs, Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov. A line-up that not only shows the depth to United squad, but that they
are also taking the competition seriously.

Both sets of fans were in full voice, renewing a rivalry that even the recent lack of matches against each other, due to Leeds relegation, hasnt subdued. And it was the home side who got off to the better start when they had a a succesion of chances early on, when Berbatov had to clear off the line twice, first from a Tom Lees's header and then from a Ross McCormack's shot.

The match was understandably being played at a slower pace than Sunday's open game, and was much more scrappy in midfield. Leeds's chances of striking first did not last long, as after 15 minutes United''s out of favour striker Michael Owen, gave the away team the lead, with a scruffy but accurate shot into the bottom right of the Leeds goal. From that point on it was the United in red that dominated proceedings.

They struck again just after half an hour when Michael Owen doubled his and United's score, when he drilled home a fine shot from the edge of the area. The Leeds fans did not lose voice, but their players dropped their heads and rarely threatened again. Just before half time and the game, as a contest, was over, when Ryan Giggs showed his ageless brilliance again, making the score 0-3. A weaving run off the left wing by the Welshman saw him nutmegging Robert Snodgrass on route to firing a sublime shot past Andy Lonergan in the Leeds United goal.



The second half saw Leeds battle bravely to keep the score at 0-3. During the second period we saw an impressive debut for Paul Pogba, United's 18 year old french midfielder, who is being dubbed the next big thing at United. His calmness on the ball and solid positional play certainly showed he has a potential future in red. Dimitar Berbatov saw himself finish the game in the centre of defence, after Fryers picked up an injury late in the second half after United, had used all 3 of their permitted substitutes. This aside United played out the rest of the game comfortably and were through to the fourth round of the Carling Cup.

Match Report: Manchester United 3 - 1 Chelsea

Manchester United 3 – 1 Chelsea

Premier League

United’s 100% start to the new premier league campaign continued today as they beat Chelsea at Old Trafford. After a more experienced XI was fielded in United’s midweek Champions League draw with Benfica, Sir Alex selected six different players from that side, with the likes of De Gea, Nani, Young and Anderson back in. This more youthful set up looked to continue United’s blistering start to the season. Wayne Rooney who had eight goals from his opening four premier league games was leading the line against a Chelsea side, who with three wins and a draw from their opening league games, were on a decent run of form themselves.

United dominated possession in the early stages with United trying to feed Chicharito, in hope of repeating his first minute goal from the corresponding fixture last season. This season however it took United just a little longer to take the lead. When in the 8^th minute Young was tripped on the left wing, giving him the opportunity to whip in a freekick. Chris Smalling rose highest to meet the freekick with his head to fire United into the lead. Replays showed that Smalling was offside, however the goal stood and the Old Trafford crowd went crazy as their team took the lead.

Chelsea were not happy with the decision, and for the next period of play saw them pushing forward for an equaliser. After 13 minutes they came close, when a poor pass from Anderson, saw Torres given possession 25 yard from goal, where he managed to beat Evans, but scuffed his shot harmlessly wide, much to the relief of Anderson. As they game developed it became apparent that it was much more open than previous encounters between the two sides, with chances being created at both ends of the pitch. On 27 minutes United’s young Spanish keeper De Gea was forced into action, when Chelsea broke down the left through Juan Mata, he played in Torres who unselfishly slid the ball across goal for Rameires who's shot was pushed away superblyby United’s number 1. An excellent save reinforcing why Sir Alex has so much faith in him. The Chelsea pressure continued, and after 31 minutes Torres attempted an audacious overhead kick from a Bosingwa cross, which sailed well wide of the goal.

The rip roaring pace of the game continued as both sided created chances. Then following an acrobatic clearance from Evra, we saw the 2^nd goal of the match. Evans launched a fine pass up towards Nani on the right, who cut inside, and dispatched an unstoppable effort from 25 yards, right into the top left of the goal. A world class strike from Nani. The Replays showed again that Nani began the move in an offside position, with the same linesman at fault for not giving the call. Chelsea did not let their heads drop, as they continued being equal to United in terms of attacking play. Their finishing however had not been as clinical as the home sides. This point was proven further still, when on the brink of half time, United took a three goal lead. Jones took a strong run into the Chelsea area, where hetried to link up with Nani, but with too many bodies in the way, the ball bounces around the box until it falls kindly for Rooney, who made no mistake, rolling the ball calmly into the back of the net from eight yards.

Chelsea went into the break wondering how they were three goals behind, and whatever manager Andres Villas Boas said in the half time team talk seemed to have worked. When they came out in the second half they were firing on all cylinders, taking them just one second half minute to pull the score back to 3 – 1, through a sumptuous chip from Fernando Torres. The game was far from over. Chelsea looked the sharper of the two sides as the half progressed, winning a number of corners, but never quite finding that killer ball. After 55 minutes Chelsea almost snatched their second, as a quick break sees De Gea turn a Mata snapshot around the post for yet another corner, United seemed to be feeling the pressure. Then out of nothing, it was a penalty to United. Braking from the Chelsea corner, Nani hammered a shot against the bar, and as it fell to him again in the box, was tripped by Bosingwa, who earns a yellow card for his challenge. Rooney stepped up, and a chance for United to put the game to bed. The in-form striker failed convert from the spot, as a slip in the run up meant he ballooned the ball horribly wide, with visions of John Terry’s miss in the Champions League final 2008 coming to mind. Would this miss prove to be revenge for the London club?

United were under real pressure, as Chelsea took a morale boost from Rooney’s miss a ploughed forward in attempt to get a second goal. It was corner after corner again for Cheslea, and second half substitute Romelu Lukaku looked very threatening. Amidst all the Chelsea pressure United almost snatched a fourth. Evra crossed in from the right, with the ball landing with Rooney six yards from goal, he scuffed the shot onto the post and Chicharito blasted the ball wide from the follow up. Ashley Cole came in very late on the Mexican striker and was lucky to espace a sending off, as Chicharito looked in real pain and had to come off, with Dimitar Berbatov coming on in his place.

The Chelsea forward play came to boiling point seven minutes from times when Ramires played in Torres for a one on one with De Gea and slipped passed him with ease, which left him with an easy tap in. Unbelievably, with all the hard work done, Torres managed to put the ball wide from three yards, with the goal gaping in front of him. The United players had stopped, expecting a goal, and after the shocking miss Torres crumpled to the floor in horror, as United gasped a sigh of relief. Chelsea were on all out attack, when United managed to launch a quick counter, and with Rooney one on one with Petr Cech, instead of shooting he played the ball to Berbatov. His pass was over hit, and what should have been a simple tap in, ends up being blocked by a lunging defensive clearance off the line by Ashley Cole.

United saw out the rest of the game to hang on for the victory. Making it 5 out of 5 wins and putting them two points clear at the top of the premier league. The final score was 3 -1, but with the amount of chances spurned by both sides, it could’ve just as easily been 6-6l. An exciting game played at great speed by two of the top teams in English football. United take all three points, but come the end of the season expect Chelsea to be fighting for the top spot.

Match report : Benfica 1 - 1 Manchester United

Benfica 1 - 1 Manchester United

Wednesday 14/09/2011

Champions League Group Stage

United battled their way to a tough point away at Benfica. Sir Alex went for a more experienced team for their opening champions league match of the campaign, with the likes of Carrick, Fletcher and Giggs started ahead of Young, Anderson and Chicharito. The other notable absentee was the £18.6 million summer signing David De Gea, as Anders Lindegaard was preferred in goal (We learnt after the game that this was an opportunity to give Lindegaard some much needed game time, rather than an injury to De Gea.)

For the opening 10 minutes a fierce atmosphere in the Stadium of Light didn't stop United dominating possession with a calm and measured passing game. Whilst not inviting much pressure, United also lacked creativity going forward at this point. However at around the 15 minute mark Benfica settled into the game when Guitan saw his powerful shot flash across goal. A Carrick mistake in the 20th minute led to a long range Oscar Cardozo shot being saved by Lindegaard and the hostile atmosphere rose again as Benfica pushed for a goal, despite the lack of clear cut chances. This changed in the 24th minute when Cardozo, who was leading the line for the Portuguese outfit, received the ball on the edge of the United area and managed to turn Johnny Evans and fire a shot past United's Champions League Debutant Goalkeeper to give the hosts the lead. United needed to compose themselves to halt their opposition, who were getting the bit between their teeth. Benfica continued to push forward, and it took Antonio Valencia tracking back superbly, making a last ditch challenge to concede just a corner rather than a second goal.

Towards the end of the half, the home side's pressure began to fade and a late challenge on Darren Fletcher by Pablo Aimar could have seen the Argentine walking, as it would have been his second yellow on the night: he was very lucky to escape his marching orders. For the last 5 minutes of the first half it was all United. Their slow passing game finally payed off as Giggs received the ball 30 yards out, took one touch, and with a thunderous left foot strike from just outside the box put United back on level terms going into half time. The home side's hard work undone with a moment of magic from United's number 11.

The second half began much as the first did, with United dominating possession. Soon after the restart Valencia fired a cross right across the face of goal, which could have easily been turned in, United were turning the screw with the quality of their advanced play increasing significantly from the first half. This almost paid off again in the 63rd minute when a mad goal scramble ended with a poked effort towards goal from Darren Fletcher that was comfortably saved. With a different bounce of the ball and the outcome could have resulted in an easy tap in. A minute later, United goal scorer Ryan Giggs, almost doubled his tally for the night with a weaving run which carved through the Benfica defence with ease and was only stopped by a brilliant save from Artur.

The United pressure did not last and as the game wore on, Benfica looked more likely to claim a winner. Lindegaard made two fine saves, helping his claim for more starts in the United goal. Benfica's attacking play almost resulted in a goal in the final moments, but second half substitute Nolito only managed to slide his shot into the side netting from 6 yards. United held on for a point, which on the overall balance of play, was probably a fair result. With what is arguably the hardest game of the group stage out of the way, there will no complaints from within the United camp.

United Analysis

Lindegaard - 7.5 - Solid in the United goal, made two great saves in the second half which prevented United from going behind for a second time. Though the quality of his distribution had nothing on usual starter David De Gea, meaning the chances of him usurping the number 1 shirt on a permanent basis are low.

Evra - 7.0 - A good all round performance from the captain on the night, didn't push forward as much as we have come to expect from the French left back but was composed in defence.

Evans - 7.5 - Perhaps turned too easily for the goal, but doesn't take away from his sublime passing display which saw him complete 58 out of 59 passes.

Smalling - 7.0 - Chis Smalling is gaining experience all the time and getting better and better, no complaints with his performance.

Fabio - 6.5 - Commited as always and a fantastic talent, however is still looking very lightweight and some rash decision making sometimes left the defence exposed.

Giggs - 7.5 - A Fantastic goal, and with a bit of luck could have had a second. The United legend showing why he is still worthy of a place in the starting eleven.

Park - 7.0 - Industrious all over the pitch, working hard for the team without really clicking.

Carrick - 7.0 - A couple of slips from Carrick could have led to United conceding, but his calm midfield play helped subdue the hosts.

Fletcher - 6.5- Looked rusty after so long on the side lines, but much needed game time for the Scot.

Valenica - 7.0 - Stuck to the right wing and was sometimes left isolated, used his pace well to whip in a couple of his trademark crosses.

Rooney - 7.0 - A quiet night from the United top goal scorer, and wasn't helped by the formation where he was left leading the forward line alone for long periods. Improved when his partner in crime Chicharito came on in the second half.

Substitutes

De Gea - Unused

Jones - 7.0 - came on for Fabio after 78 mins, no mistakes in his 12 minutes.

Anderson - Unused

Nani - 7.0 - came on for Valencia after 69 minutes, not much chance to get into the game, streamlined United play more centrally

Owen - Unused

Berbatov - Unused

Hernandez - 6.5 - came on for Fletcher after 69 minutes. Partnered Rooney up front, but hampered by lack of service.