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.