Match Report: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 - 5 Manchester United

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 - 5 Manchester United

18/03/2012

Premier League

Manchester United put five past 10 man Wolves at Molineux.



After a month lay off with injury, Ecuadorian winger Antonio Valencia returned to the starting eleven for United as the reds looked to open a four point gap on rivals Manchester City. His return meant Ashley Young dropped to the bench as Danny Welbeck was chosen to start the game on the left, with Wayne Rooney and Chicharito started up front.

United were facing a Wolves side struggling for form, losing their last five home league games. However if anyone was expecting a walk over then opening twenty minutes proved anything otherwise, with Wolves matching United in all areas of the pitch. On seventeen minutes Wolves had a penalty shout when Rafael clashed with Matt Jarvis in the box, however the claims were waved away, in what was a coming together at most.

Just as it seemed Wolves were getting the upper hand Manchester United took the lead through Jonny Evans. After conceding a corner, Michael Carrick evaded his marker and with a smart run to the back post, headed the ball back towards goal for the Northern Ireland international to volley home for his first goal for the club.

United had the lead on the ground they took the lead at last season before falling to a 2-1 defeat, so were well aware of what Wolves were capable of. However the goal frustrated the hosts as Ronald Zubar picked up a booking for a reckless challenge on Wayne Rooney. United continued to probe but Wolves resisted well. This was until the 40th minute, in a moment of stupidity Ronald Zubar again lunged in for a challenge, this time on Danny Welbeck. His effort was no better than his first and he had to go. Wolves were down to 10 men with five minutes still to play before half time.

Wolves struggled after the sending off as United added a second when Wayne Rooney released Antonio Valencia on the right. United's number 25 ran the length of the Wolves half with the ball before smashing home across Wayne Hennessey's goal. Moments later United added a third this time through Welbeck, who fired a low shot past the helpless Henessey to give United a commanding lead going into the break.

Wolves were three nil down with a man sent off and in need of a miracle if they were to salvage anything from the game. The reds were in complete control going into the second period and it took only ten second half minutes to grab their fourth, this time through Chicharito. United's Mexican striker headed home a simple chance, as he went completely unmarked in the box, dinking home Rafael's cross.

It wasn't long before it was five, Chicharito grabbing his second as he hammered in a low Valencia cross. United looked like they were going to run riot, having five goal lead with half an hour still to play. Sir Alex Ferguson saw this an ample opportunity to rest some key players with Michael Carrick, Patrice Evra and goal scorer Jonny Evans making way for Paul Pogba, Fabio and Chris Smalling.

Wolves used the United shake up to rally themselves when second half substitute Michael Kightly forced De Gea into a smart stop. However the pressure was short lived as United almost added a sixth late on through Danny Welbeck.

A comfortable win for the reds in the end as they open up a four point gap at the top of the Premier League. After the disappointment of the trip to Bilbao in midweek, United will be happy to return to winning ways.

Match Report: Arsenal 1 - 2 Manchester United

Arsenal 1 - 2 Manchester United

Sunday 22/01/2012

Premier League

Dany Welbeck secures all three points for the Champions against a lacklustre Arsenal side.

Prior to kick off we had seen Manchester City beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 at home, meaning United needed to win at the Emirates Stadium to keep up the pressure on the leaders.

Anders Lindegaard was preferred in goal for the fourth consecutive match as he bids to secure United's number one spot. Danny Welbeck was rewarded for his goalscoring performance agaisnt Bolton last weekend as he started up front along side Wayne Rooney. Phil Jones was back in the starting line-up, appearing at right back.

However the Englishman's return was short lived when after 16 minutes he was stretchered off through injury after he had fallen awkwardly whilst defending an Arsenal counter attack. Early reports are that he will be facing a couple of weeks on the side lines. Rafael was his replacement slotting in at right back.

Despite the injury United went onto dominate, pushing Arsenal deep into their own half. Nani and Patrice Evra probed down the left flank making life tough for Yohan Djourou in the Arsenal defense.

The home crowd was being silenced by the attacking display of the away side, however United weren't converting the pressure into goals, Johnny Evans came close following a Ryan Giggs free kick and Danny Welbeck blazed a close range shot over the bar. Just as it seemed Arsenal were going to get to half time on levels terms United struck. Ryan Giggs floated in a pinpoint cross from the left wing which Antonio Valencia headed home to put the away side one up at the break. It was the least they deserved after a strong half from the defending Champions.


After a torrid first half Djourou was replaced by 18 year old full back Nicholas Yennaris as Arsenal tried to negate the threat of Nani and Evra down the left. In the 51st minute Arsenal almost drew level, when Chris Smalling slipped, Tomas Rosicky took advantage storming through on goal, he unselfishly set up Robin van Persie who somehow blazed his shot wide of the post from a great position.

Despite the miss Arsenal found their feet in the second half as the game evened out into a much tighter contest.Moments after the Dutchman's miss Alex Oxlade - Chamberlain setup Aaron Ramsay in the box but the Welshman fired his shot over the bar. In a frentic few minutes United had a great chance to pull two ahead when Danny Welbeck outpaced Per Mertesacker, to go one on one with Wojciech Szczęsny, the English forward managed to pass past the keeper, but the ball didn't have to the pace to cross the line before Mertesacker got back to clear the ball inches from goal.

United were made to pay for not putting the game to bed whene Oxlade-Chamberlain burst through the United defense at speed in the 71st minute, set up Robin van Persie who beautifully placed his shot across goal into the bottom corner of Lindegaard's net. Arsenal had fought back after a poor first half and now seemed to be the team in the ascendency.

Soon after the goal Paul Scholes was brought on for Nani, who had picked up a knock and Ryan Giggs moved out onto the left. The substitution changed the game as United kept possession well in the middle of the park. In the 81st minute it was a Paul Scholes ball, floated into Valencia's path that created the winner. The Ecuadorian jinked his way past a couple of defenders, playing an excellent one-two in the process before Danny Welbeck smashed home from close range.

United responded in the best way possible to the equaliser by moving ahead again. Arsenal piled on the pressure in the closing stages but the visitors held on to secure the spoils. The reds sent out a message that they are not giving up their title without a fight as they move back to within three points of the leaders Manchester City.

Match Report: Manchester United 5 - 0 Wigan Athletic

Manchester United 5 - 0 Wigan Athletic

Monday 26/12/2011

Premier League

Manchester United thrash Wigan to make it five wins on the trot.


It was all change in the starting eleven, as Sir Alex shuffled his pack during the congested run in of festive fixtures. Starts were handed to out of favour Dimitar Berbatov and returning from injury Chicharito. They replaced Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney who both started and scored in the 5 - 0 victory over Fulham.

United also had to field a makeshift defence with Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia deployed at centre and right back respectively. Darron Gibson was handed a rare start in the centre of midfield along side veteran Ryan Giggs.

United got off to an explosive start, taking the lead after just eight minutes when Park Ji-Sung slotted home accurately from a Patrice Evra cross. Wigan responded well to the goal and began pushing United back into their own half with Conor Sammon causing the hosts a lot of problems.

However a contentious refereeing decision was about to sway the game in United's favour as the impressive Sammon saw red for catching Michael Carrick in the face with his arm. Referee Phil Dowd pulled the red card from his pocket as both sets of players seemed stunned by the decision. Despite being a goal and a man down Wigan continued to show heart, not allowing United to take control of the game. In the 41st minute United finally managed to extend their lead as Dimitar Berbatov managed to gain control of Darron Gibson's cross, poking home from four yards.

United went into half time in complete control thanks not only to two sharp strikes, but Conor Sammon's red card. The second half began, and it soon became apparent that Wigan were now resigned to a damage limitation effort, Park almost grabbed his second instantly but he fired his header straight at Ali Al Habsi. Wigan held the reds off for thirteen second half minutes before extending their lead again as Berbatov grabbed his second of the game. The Bulgarian controlled well in the area firing a sharp effort into the roof the net to but the game beyond any doubt.

All Wigan's hard work was to no avail when in the 75th minute Antonio Valencia controlled the ball on the edge of the area a fired an unstoppable strike across the face on goal to make it four. And to rub salt into the wounds three minutes later United were awarded a penalty when Park Ji-Sung was felled on the edge of the area. Berbatov stepped up, completing his hat-trick with a simple finish as he sent Al Habsi the wrong way.

United sent a strong message to the opposition winning their second game on the bounce 5-0 and moving level on points with the leader Manchester City.

Match Report : Manchester United 2 - 0 Otelul Galati

Manchester United 2 - 0 Otelul Galati

Wednesday 02/11/2011

Champions League Group Stage

Manchester United moved top of Group C after a low key win at Old Trafford.




The positional change of Wayne Rooney was the main talking point as the team sheet was announced, as we saw the United top scorer start in central midfield. This deeper role left the striking spots up for grabs, and starts were awarded to Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen. The duo had had limited game time this season and were looking to make a big impression. Rio Ferdinand was reinstated at centre back, replacing the suspended Nemanja Vidic.

It was the home side who started the stronger putting Otelul under immense pressure with their high tempo passing game. It didn't take long for this pressure to tell, when after just 8 minutes Phil Jones broke down the right and fired across the face of goal, Antonio Valencia had an easy tap in to take the pressure off United. Michael Owen had made a dash to the near post in the build up, his determination had cost him, as moments after the goal he was withdrawn for picking up a muscle injury in the lunge. Chicharito was his replacement for the remain 80 minutes of play.

The early goal had settled the United nerves, but perhaps it had come too soon, as they struggled to settle into the game, being far too sloppy in possession. Otelul were getting men behind the ball and United were finding it hard to break the Romanian outfit down. As the game developed the visitors were finding themsevles with plenty of time on the ball, but lacked cutting edge, failing to create any chances of note.

Phil Jones from left back was providing United's strongest attacking threat with his marauding runs, and was unlucky not to double United's advantage when his curling shot was headed wide for a corner. On the stroke of half time the hosts almost threw their lead away when an Nani lost the ball deep in his own half, this gave Ionut Neagu a clear shot on goal, David De Gea was equal to the shot and beat the ball away well.

An unspectacular half, with United holding just a single goal lead meant the result was far from in the bag. If the fans were expecting a demolition of the Romanian minnows then it wasn't to come, as hosts were continually subdued in the second half. The resilience of Otelul was paying off as the enjoyed long periods of possession, and for a spell looked likely to pull things level. United weren't doing themselves any favours as Chicharito and Anderson in particular were incredibly sloppy with the ball.

Wayne Rooney's central role was proving to be a plus point as he sprayed quality passes around the field, working hard at both ends of the pitch, more than warrenting his man of the match award.

The hosts mopped things up late on when Rooney struck a shot from outside the box, it took a heavy deflection giving the Otelul keeper no chance. This was to be the last flash of excitement in a routine victory for United. The performance from the Old Trafford side was below par, but they did what was required to move to the top of Champions League Group C, after Benfica had drawn 1-1 at home to Basel.