Was it just me, or, did you pinch yourself this morning too? Part of me still finds the score line from last night’s game difficult to comprehend. After all, aren’t English teams supposed to huff and puff their way to a result against the technically superior teams from the continent? Aren’t English clubs generally meant to live up to the reputation for falling short in Europe? Even in the wonder that was 1999, Manchester United arguably stole the trophy right at the death in that oh so memorable final. They did not dictate the game against Bayern and cannot claim to have outclassed their opponents in the manner that took place last night.
Lets get this straight, Roma were serious opponents and having already knocked out the formidable Lyon no doubt fancied themselves to win last night. They started the game at Old Trafford with intent in the first 10 minutes, taking shots and building play in a way that for a brief moment suggested United would find the night difficult. In Totti and De Rossi they have two players of the highest quality in key positions. We knew from the start these two would prove a handful for our changed midfield and defence. Without Scholes and without Vidic could Fletcher and Brown cope? And what of the decision to start Alan Smith and use Rooney out left? Could O’Shea cope with the trickery of Mancini? Could Carrick control things without Scholes? Would Ronaldo be shackled by good old Italian defending?
Well all doubt, all concern and all caution was cast aside last night in a way that had all the hallmarks of a great performance. In Rooney, Ronaldo and Giggs United have a holy trinity worthy of praise from Best, Charlton and Law. In Carrick we have the closest thing I have seen to an English Riquelme and finally he was rewarded in the media for his role in the team. Even the Guardian gave him a 9/10 – my god, what a night it was!
And the man the Stretford End normally refers to as the ‘Scottish’ player (a jocular take on saying his true name, like that “Scottish” play) revelled in the responsibility placed on him. For me it was his best game since the FA Cup final against Millwall and is a sign of what we can get from him when used in central midfield. He will hopefully now been taken more seriously as a dependable and useful squad player.
Wes Brown was composed and strong when called upon, getting turned once or twice early on but threw himself in front of shots and was strong in the tackle against Totti. And then there was Alan Smith….
Now, I have been critical of Alan Smith in the past and still feel there are better strikers out there. However, I have to hold my hand up and say that last night Alan Smith was fantastic. He was so every inch the player that helped Leeds get to the semi-finals of the Champions League. His physical presence and ability to link play was top drawer. Rooney, Carrick, Giggs and Ronaldo didn’t think twice about passing to him. His speed is there now and as a result he looked every part a trusted player in the team. His performance and finish was vintage Hughes. More must follow but I am beginning to rethink my logic about selling him in the summer.
Finally, I would like to pay homage to Sir Alex Ferguson and to Carlos Queiroz for having the strength of mind and tenacity to push through the changes in recent times – both in terms of personnel and formations. For to score 7 goals in the Champions League without seeing the name Van Nistelrooy flash up on the screen is nothing short of incredible. And to see Manchester United set up as 4-2-3-1 in the QF of the Champions League and be that fluent and ruthless in attack just goes to show Fergie was spot on when he said, “tactics don’t win games, men do”.
Whatever happens now, this season has already surpassed expectations – not just because of results but also because of the football on display. Last night was breathtaking, bold and beautiful – it was vintage Manchester United.
Lets get this straight, Roma were serious opponents and having already knocked out the formidable Lyon no doubt fancied themselves to win last night. They started the game at Old Trafford with intent in the first 10 minutes, taking shots and building play in a way that for a brief moment suggested United would find the night difficult. In Totti and De Rossi they have two players of the highest quality in key positions. We knew from the start these two would prove a handful for our changed midfield and defence. Without Scholes and without Vidic could Fletcher and Brown cope? And what of the decision to start Alan Smith and use Rooney out left? Could O’Shea cope with the trickery of Mancini? Could Carrick control things without Scholes? Would Ronaldo be shackled by good old Italian defending?
Well all doubt, all concern and all caution was cast aside last night in a way that had all the hallmarks of a great performance. In Rooney, Ronaldo and Giggs United have a holy trinity worthy of praise from Best, Charlton and Law. In Carrick we have the closest thing I have seen to an English Riquelme and finally he was rewarded in the media for his role in the team. Even the Guardian gave him a 9/10 – my god, what a night it was!
And the man the Stretford End normally refers to as the ‘Scottish’ player (a jocular take on saying his true name, like that “Scottish” play) revelled in the responsibility placed on him. For me it was his best game since the FA Cup final against Millwall and is a sign of what we can get from him when used in central midfield. He will hopefully now been taken more seriously as a dependable and useful squad player.
Wes Brown was composed and strong when called upon, getting turned once or twice early on but threw himself in front of shots and was strong in the tackle against Totti. And then there was Alan Smith….
Now, I have been critical of Alan Smith in the past and still feel there are better strikers out there. However, I have to hold my hand up and say that last night Alan Smith was fantastic. He was so every inch the player that helped Leeds get to the semi-finals of the Champions League. His physical presence and ability to link play was top drawer. Rooney, Carrick, Giggs and Ronaldo didn’t think twice about passing to him. His speed is there now and as a result he looked every part a trusted player in the team. His performance and finish was vintage Hughes. More must follow but I am beginning to rethink my logic about selling him in the summer.
Finally, I would like to pay homage to Sir Alex Ferguson and to Carlos Queiroz for having the strength of mind and tenacity to push through the changes in recent times – both in terms of personnel and formations. For to score 7 goals in the Champions League without seeing the name Van Nistelrooy flash up on the screen is nothing short of incredible. And to see Manchester United set up as 4-2-3-1 in the QF of the Champions League and be that fluent and ruthless in attack just goes to show Fergie was spot on when he said, “tactics don’t win games, men do”.
Whatever happens now, this season has already surpassed expectations – not just because of results but also because of the football on display. Last night was breathtaking, bold and beautiful – it was vintage Manchester United.
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