Bolton 0 v United 4

Watching Bolton try and contain United on Saturday reminded me of the line, ‘you can’t hit what your eyes don’t see’. It was the movement, pace and skill of United’s attacking play that simply left Bolton exposed as a bare-knuckle fighter trying to land one of a professional heavyweight who was light on his feet with a punch too quick to know its origins let alone block it.

This blog previously called for United to play with both Giggs and Ronadlo alongside Scholes and Carrick. Thankfully it happened on Saturday and boy did it pay dividends. United excelled. The opening 20 minutes was an exhibition of football not seen for some time. Even Alan Hansen was purring on Saturday night.

Yes the papers were full of praise for Rooney. Yes he scored 3 good goals but there were more positives than that on show, afterall the form of Rooney was never a question worth posing. Giggs is relishing each game and still giving fullbacks days to forget. Scholes and Carrick are both supplying passes that penetrate or retain possession in a way that compliments our style of play and keeps the tempo up. Ronaldo's speed and movement adds so much to our attacks and Saha, now free of injury, is excelling as a result of playing each game. He always had the ability, now he has the stage every-week.

Van der Saar was commanding, and the back four was very strong defensively, with both Neville and Evra able to support attacking moves in a way that helped lay continuous siege on Bolton’s goal. All in all this was an excellent display, it’s just a shame it was wasted on Bolton…

Bolton v Man United - A preview

The first game of the season saw Bolton lose 2-0 away at Charlton. Since then Sam’s men have climbed the table with wins over Watford, Liverpool, Portsmouth Newcastle and Blackburn and a draw against Middlesbrough. This constitutes Bolton’s best ever start to a premiership season. Presently sitting 3rd also means this is a top 3 encounter. Yes, really.

Bolton owe their current good run mainly to the excellent form of Jussi Jaaskalainen, a quality keeper that will no doubt prove hard to beat. Bolton do not average that many shots on goal per game, in contrast to United. Their supply to the front men will also be weakened by the absence of Kevin Nolan, who is suspended. In contrast, United are delighting in Paul Scholes’ form. In fact I expect there to be a few match-ups that will swing the result United’s way. I expect Ronaldo to come back in to the starting X1, with Giggs possibly rested for the trip to Denmark, although the brave option would be to deploy both Ronaldo and Giggs on the wings. I expect to see the very best of Ronaldo tomorrow, he debuted against Bolton with an amazing display of trickery, craft and pace and he seems to enjoy playing against them. He should be hungry after missing out on against Liverpool. I also expect Saha’s powerful runs to open gaps for Rooney to exploit.

Last season saw United pick up all 3 points with goals in this fixture from Saha and Van Nistelrooy. In fact, United have not lost to Bolton at the Reebok in the Premiership and I don’t see anything other than an away win on Saturday.

Probable line-up:
Van der Saar: Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra: Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes, Ronaldo, Saha, Rooney

Subs from: Kuszczak, Brown, Giggs, Solskjaer, Heinze, Smith, Richardson, Silvestre, O’Shea

Injured: Park

Prediction: 0-2
Rooney, Ronaldo

Crewe 1 v United 2 (aet)

Crewe’s attacking style gave United one hell of a game, which as it happens is the best thing that could have happened. For those in the United side needing competitive football or those trying to make their names it was exactly the type of game to see who has the character as well as the ability to succeed. You can’t make a final decision based on one game but you couldn’t help but notice that too many players for United failed to sparkle. Those guilty of not taking their chance were D Jones, R Jones, Gray, Marsh and Barnes. You don’t get too many chances at this club so you need to do something to stand out. Lee did exactly that by coming on and making a name for himself. Shawcross also did well and Kuszazck was again impressive. The question for the others is have they done enough to earn a starting spot against Southend?

Kuszczak is a very good goalkeeper that has both the ability and hunger to succeed at United. He pulled off a number of good quality saves when his defence were doing a good impression of the Maginot line. 7/10

Gray: A reasonable performance but Bardsley is some way ahead of him in the queue of right backs. 6/10

Brown: Should have led by example and was given the run around too often for a player of his experience and ability 5/10

Silvestre: Back 3 weeks early and it told. 5/10

Heinze: Reasonable and great to see him back. 6/10

Marsh: Didn’t do enough to start against Southend. 5/10

D Jones: Okay first half but not the performance expected. May just have done enough to start in the next round. 6/10

R Jones: Determination took him through to set up Solksjaer for the opening goal but otherwise it was not a memorable night. 5/10

Richardson: Some good runs and nice turn of pace but should have finished the game off for United when through on goal. Needs to do more in a game over 90 minutes to progress 5/10

Smith: Good pass to set up Lee’s winner. However, he is a long way short of having an impact in the Premiership. 5/10

Solksjaer: Nicely taken goal and looked sharp. In truth he was let down by others around him. 7/10

Subs:
Lee: Great goal and rightfully earned the praise of his manager. 7/10
Shawcross: Assured under pressure. 6/10
Barnes: No impact, except for his injury and got the hair-dryer treatment. 4/10

Loan Players – The good, the bad and the pointless

I was interested to read the recent comments of Sylvan Ebankes-Blake, now playing for Plymouth Argyle. When talking about his time at United he let slip that the players joked that a player’s time was up once they came back from loan from Belgium. Although this was true in his case and was obviously an in-house joke it made me wonder about the merits and futures of those players we have been sending out on loan. Recent United gossip columns have been saying that Fergie is unsure over the future of David Jones. He’s back at United, but there clearly is an issue now on how best to use him. He has been on loan to Preston and abroad. So what next??

But is it only David Jones? And how does Sir Alex juggle the pressure being applied by young players in the squad. A cynic might point out that it wasn’t a problem for Ronaldo and Rooney to find a space in the first X1. So is it really a question of loan spells and maturity or is just a simple ‘they’re not good enough”?

Players probably do develop at different rates and different times – it stands to reason, as individuals are just that. And yes, Rooney and Ronaldo are exceptionally gifted as players, although there is no guarantee that they will be as good as they are now when they reach 30. They should be, but there is no guarantee.

So who are the younger players (21 and under) on loan and what chance do they have of making into United’s first team? Again, I can provide no guarantee and in many ways wish to be proved wrong.

Name: C Eagles
Age: 20
At: NEC Nijmegen
Yes or No: No
Comment: I doubt his time at Watford will have helped his CV. He has talent but has yet to stand out as a vital player.

Name: L Martin
Age: 19
At: Rangers
Yes or No:Yes
Comment: I believe this guy has real promise and being sent to Rangers (he’s currently injured) will do him the world of good.

Name: P Bardsley
Age: 20
At: Rangers
Yes or No: Yes
Comment: I believe he could play as Neville’s understudy now.

Name: G Pique
Age: 19
At: Real Zaragoza
Yes or no: No
Comment: The option to buy on his loan spell may be telling. However, the guy could be a regular but will those Spanish skies become too enticing?

Name: J Evans
Age: 18
At: R Antwerp
Yes or No: Yes
Comment: No question here. Probably the best bet to make a back-four position his-own in due course

Name: G Rossi
Age: 19
At: Newcastle
Yes or No: Yes
Comment: His instinct to find the back of the net is a precious commodity. I believe he should get more chances this season in the English Cups.

Name: D Gibson
Age: 19
At: R Antwerp
Yes or No: Yes
Comment: He is highly thought of but central midfield is one of the hardest positions to fill. It will take time.

Name: D Simpson
Age: 19
At: R Antwerp
Yes or No: Yes
Comment: Fullbacks need aggression, pace and good control. He has all that and we are not blessed with natural fullbacks so expect him to get a few chances next season in cup games.

Name: F Campbell
Age: 19
At: R Antwerp
Yes or No: No
Comment: Scores plenty and has pace but reports are he may just fall short of the grade

Name: D Fangzhou
Age: 21
At: Royal Antwerp
Yes or No: No
Comment: His pace and movement are pleasing but his work permit vs country issue may mean another year passes him by.

Name: M Soulyemane
Age: 19
At: Royal Antwerp
Yes or No: No

Comment: Reports are okay but he could do with a spell on loan in the UK to appreciate the different challenge faced in the Premiership and English football.

Crewe v United – A preview

Tonight will see United take on Crewe in the 3rd round of the Carling Cup. As the holders it is important that United field a decent side, with one eye on giving some players some first team action. Of interest tonight will be the form of David Jones. Yes Alan Smith will make his long awaited start tonight upfront and yes, there are a number of others, particularly Aaron Burns who could make a name for themselves if used from the bench. However, it’s David Jones that has promised to break-through from the Reserves for a while now.

This summer the player himself pleaded for his chance at OT. Words that obviously were heard by Fergie, who himself has hinted at more of a role for the want to be United midfielder. We know from both Jones’ loans spells that he is a good player. The question is, is he United good? To find out he needs take his chance by putting in a performance that makes him stand out. It is that simple. Get the fans on your side and impress the boss.

Both domestic cups offer the perfect opportunity to demonstrate that he can make it. With his 22nd birthday just around the corner it is arguably make or break for him at OT. Lets put him into perspective. He is a year older than Rooney, six months older than Ronaldo, a couple of weeks younger than Kieran Richardson and eight months younger than Darren Fletcher. And lets not forget behind him in the ranks are Ritchie Jones, Darron Gibson and Floribert Ngalula. So its clear, he must take his chance this season. With United’s central midfield ripe for competition he will never have a better chance.

Recent games have seen O’Shea deployed as a right back again. Smith has gone back up front and Fletcher continues to toil away at right midfield. All this means that there is definitely a place up for grabs now, especially as buying Hargreaves in January remains a want rather than a done deal.

So tonight will give him the chance he asked for this summer. So it’s over to you David….

Probable side: Kuszczak; O’Shea; Brown; Silvestre; Heinze; D Jones; Fletcher; R Jones; Richardson; Solskjaer; Smith

Subs from: Heaton; Shawcross; Burns; Gray; Marsh

United 2 vs Liverpool 0

Liverpool’s challenge lasted only slightly longer than the time spent by Paul Scholes at his pre-match ceremony. People, led by the press, are now pointing out the failings of Liverpool but few are concentrating on the quiet efficiency with which United re-took top spot on Sunday. No matter, as United talked too much last season and achieved too little. This season the quiet approach is the right approach. Many will point to the deficiencies of the Liverpool performance and some will go down the road of attacking Benitez’s rotation policy. Personally, I don’t care. I care that United did a number of things well on Sunday.

Firstly, United’s midfield operated as a well-balanced 4-4-2. Lets not forget the more recent fixtures against Liverpool have often seen Rooney deployed on the left of a 4-5-1 system that also used Keane as a holding midfielder. That system seemed to be chosen due to a lack of faith in United’s central midfield. Enter, Giggs, Scholes, Carrick and Fletcher. The selection of Fletcher worried me (but not for the reason it worries most United fans). In my pre-match talk I had talked about the need to dominate the wings. However, on form the selection of Fletcher was justified. Ronaldo was creative, exciting but ultimately wasteful against FC Copenhagen whereas Fletcher has been displaying more of the qualities he has as well showing more maturity. He has obviously benefited from the guidance of Fergie but also more recently from Craig Brown when playing for Scotland.

United took time to settle against Liverpool but once they did they seized the initiative. Fletcher was more combative than creative but he set the tone for a series of strong tackles on Liverpool that seemed to shake their confidence and lifted the home crowd. His combative approach was ably supported by the fluency and guile provided by Carrick and Scholes. On the wing, Giggs carried the danger to Liverpool with some fine runs that were less speedy and more sensible in approach.

Upfront Rooney was purposeful and proved a handful all game without really providing a direct goal threat. He almost took a wonderful lifted pass from Carrick in his stride but a difficult opportunity to take was not taken and Liverpool cleared the danger. Fletcher muscled his way down the right side, rebounding of challenges to find himself hunting down a 50/50 with Reina. His eagerness told, as the ball came loose and found its way towards Liverpool’s goal only for some fortuitous defending to result in the score staying 0-0.

The breakthrough came from the wing as predicted. And as predicted it was Scholes that appeared in acres of space from a well placed cross from Giggs to hit the back of Liverpool’s net. Reina’s save from Scholes’ side-footed effort merely slowed down the inevitable, as Scholes extended his leg to finish off the move.

Saha spent most of the first half showing a mixture of strength and skill by collecting and then turning his markers on a number of occasions. He was only stopped by a foul from Sissoko. Yet, he managed to find some space later in the first half to test the abilities of Reina with a powerful low shot that was destined to result in celebration until the hand of Reina intervened. It was a great save.

The second half was more surprising as most expected to witness Liverpool really attack, after all they needed the win. However, what we witnessed was a rather flat performance from both sides which was only really lifted by a very memorable goal from Rio Ferdinand. A clever right footed cross from Giggs was well taken by the big defender who turned inside on to his left foot, leaving Riise too stretched to intervene, and unleashed a cracking drive into the top corner of the net beyond Reina. It was a goal for the cameras and one that meant the 3 points were United’s.

3 pleasing points: The attacking ability of Evra; the continued good form of Fletcher; and 3 points needed and taken to restore our position at the top of the table.

3 concerns: The occasional slip and space afforded to a sole striker; the speed of and accuracy of our passing needed to last for longer spells; and, knowing Scholes can’t play another 500 games!

Man United v Liverpool – A preview

Last season saw all three points go to United courtesy of a dramatic and well-taken header from Rio Ferdinand. Lets be honest, the last few encounters have been tense rather than top drawer.

United will go into this game in confident mood. With 17 goals scored already should provide the platform for a good attacking performance. A straight 4-4-2 must be used to ensure United attack down the wings, with the fullbacks pushing on to Liverpool’s wide men to prevent crosses. If United can control the flanks they will win the game.

If Giggs and Ronaldo supply, Saha and Rooney will do the rest. Oh and watch out for a certain Paul Scholes, as without the departed Hamman and the injured Sissoko Liverpool will provide less cover in that important space that both Rooney and Scholes are lethal at exploiting.

Probable line up:
Van der saar, Neville, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, Saha.

Subs from: Fletcher, Smith, Solskjaer, Heinze, Kuszczak, Brown, O’Shea, D Jones

Injured: Park Ji Sung, Silvestre

Prediction:
United 2 vs Liverpool 0
ScholesGiggs

One to watch
Paul Scholes (500 games and counting)

Champions League: United 3 vs FC Copenhagen 0

This game was not the game to make too many conclusions on the overall form and future of this United squad. It was however an opportunity for fans and critics to cast an eye over the team without Rio, Giggs, Neville, Silvestre and Heinze against a team that surprised Ajax. Unsurprisingly the majority of pre-match punditry centred on Wayne Rooney. This obsessive past-time was more tiresome than telling. The fact that Rooney was made captain was no surprise and to be honest, not really an issue either. No one doubts the selection and no one should doubt the man himself.

It was a pleasing victory and winning three games in a row in the Champions League should not be under-estimated. Fergie, his team and the players have done well. This is a significant improvement on last season.

Carrick and Scholes are an improvement on the pairings of last season too. For all of the calls for Carrick to dominate proceedings from those who presumably see Carrick as a different player to the one I know, I would urge them to acknowledge the impressive passing and composure he brings to the centre of midfield, particularly when placed alongside Paul Scholes. In a time where the slightest touch draws a foul and the threat of yellow or red, is it not useful to have a player who breaks up play without violent conduct at the forefront of his game? His passing is simply excellent and effective. Had Fletch not actually intercepted a ball for Rooney in the second half, the boy wonder may have actually got the goal he craved. For all the talk of Rooney’s ‘miss’ when he brought down the ball to then lob the keeper only to be thwarted by a last ditch headed clearance, there was no mention of the immaculate ball provided by Carrick. Oh and the deft touch that set up Paul Scholes to round the keeper, only to be fouled in the penalty area by the keeper was provided by, guess who, Carrick. This is said not to overstate Carrick. We still need Hargreaves. But I want to tip the balance away from those that seem solely intent on pointing out he is not Roy Keane. Congratulations. He isn’t, so let it go.

Below are my player ratings:

Van der Saar: 7/10. You don’t need to be used every minute to earn praise. His ability to concentrate for the whole 90 minutes already makes the memories of the Great Dane’s departure a lot less painful.

O’Shea: 6/10: Passing was at times sloppy but he moves around team positions more often than any other player, so it will take a run of games to judge him as a right back.

Evra: 7/10. His movement, engine, enthusiasm and pace are all crowd-pleasing. His touch is a good one for a defender too. This guy is starting to look the part.

Vidic: 6/10. Is Steve Bruce back with us? Hard tackling performance mixed in with a few moments of hesitation but generally sound.

Brown: 6/10. He is better than this game showed. No real concerns but Rio brings calmness to the centre that either Brown or Vidic complement. The two together are less assured.

Fletcher: 6/10. Always willing, never wonderful. He isn’t a winger but he is responsible enough to do a job there. He does it well but at times you long for more pace and guile. I sense Fergie will use him as a central midfielder as he gets older.

Paul Scholes: 8/10. He was as inventive as he was intelligent. Good performance and the goal was very timely given Sunday’s game.

Michael Carrick: 7/10. An impressive display of clever and quick passing mixed in with a range of sensible short passes that ensure possession was maintained at a tempo that encouraged attacking football.

Ronaldo: 6/10. End product! His final ball was too poor too often last night. When it works its unstoppable though. Lets hope it works on Sunday.

Rooney: 8/10. Took the responsibility of the armband in his stride. Wonderful passes to Saha showed his all round game is best when unleashed in the centre.

Saha: 6/10. If that first chance had been taken he would have had a different game. His movement and pace remain the best option to complement Rooney. However, it wasn’t his best performance.

Subs:

Smith: 5/10. Looked a bit too off the pace and wasted a gilt edged chance but game time is the only solution.

Richardson: 5/10. Looks bright and full of running as usual. Add to that a CL goal and we should be quietly satisfied he remains a young and gifted, if raw option at United.

Solskjaer: 7/10. For me this guy just oozes class and cunning every time he is on the pitch. He can’t do the defensive work of Fletcher or the out and out speed game of Ronaldo or Giggs but his intelligence and calmness that creates chances for others.