Tweet
This is some kind of cruel joke. Sure, we got all 3 points. But one of our last remaining healthy defenders, Wes Brown, is replaced at halftime, supposedly due to injury. We then see Jonny Evans, who’s just returning from his own injury struggles, get sent off and join the rest of the injured defenders on the sidelines for the next couple of games.
Before we slip into depression at the thought of having a repeat of last season’s debacle where we played Carrick and Fletcher at the back, let’s take a quick look at what transpired today.
1.We won. Arsenal surprisingly dropped 2 points against West Brom. As a result, we now find ourselves 5 points ahead of the Gunners having played a game more. The clash at the Emirates means that much more now in the title race.
2.Hats off to Owen Coyle for the marvelous job he’s done with Bolton. The team had spells of possession today where they passed the ball around with confidence leaving us chasing shadows. No longer are they the bruising team that only knows one approach to goal. This team has established an exciting identity under Coyle and their league position is a reflection of this.
3.It was a tale of 2 substitutes. Matt Taylor had a free header in the box toward the end of the game, but could only head straight at VDS. If it had been Davies or Sturridge, VDS would probably have been picking the ball out of the back of the net. Berba on the other hand nicked us the winning goal after Jaaskelainen mishandled a Nani shot. Aside from that however, the Bulgarian also brought composure and ball retention upon his introduction into the game.
4.You can’t help but feel bad for both Jaaskelainen and Holden. The big Bolton keeper had an outstanding game up till the moment he spilled Nani’s shot that allowed Berba to creep in. Holden was having a very solid game in the middle and tracked back well on more than one occasion to snuff out our attacking threat. Hope he recovers swiftly.
5.Valencia and Nani on the wings are a nice luxury. We never really realized what we had until the months after Valencia’s injury where we had to see Obertan and Bebe take cracks at the positions out wide and fail miserably. With that said, maybe we could raise some cash over the summer by getting rid of one/both of them. However, if the Glazers decide to cash in on Nani while his stock remains high…
6.By the end of the match today, we only had Evra, Smalling and Fabio as healthy and eligible defenders who would be in consideration for a first team selection. Sure, Oliver Gill was on the bench today, but I can’t see us picking him in the first 11 if Carrick or Fletcher are available.
7.Love them or hate them (for a variety of reasons), Nani and Rooney are still our 2 most likely matchwinners. They’re the ones most likely and capable of conjuring something out of nothing.
The good news for us is that we don’t have another league game for 2 weeks. This will hopefully give Vidic and the rest of our ailing defenders enough time to get fit and be closer to 100%. We’re also close to seeing Park’s return since he was fit enough to find himself on the bench today.
The bad news for us as fans is the international break. Considering our current injury situation, this may not be the worst thing.
Some Related Man United Posts:The Berba Show pt 2 (feat Blackburn)Stroll in the park (vs Birmingham)A win on Boxing Day (vs Sunderland)The return of Rooney (vs Wigan)Not again?!?! (v West Brom)
Category: Berbatov, English Premier League, Manchester United, Match Reports
Tags: Antonio Valencia, Berbatov, English Premier League, Jonny Evans, Manchester United, Match Reports, Michael Carrick, Nani, Old Trafford, Wayne Rooney, Wes BrownTweet « Expect Coyle to Target Carrick | Home | blog comments powered by Disqus
Follow Us
Harry Redknapp, England manager? (Awful writing) Is It Too Early to Get Excited About Sturridge? Denmark 1 - 2 England (Via Hamlet) more news... Search The Offside
Related LinksManchester United TicketsManchester United JerseysManchester United BettingHotels near Old TraffordChicharitoPremier League Fantasy GameStretty Ender BlogMore Man United Links
Categories AndersonBerbatovCarling CupCarlos TevezChampions LeagueChicharitoCL PreviewCristiano RonaldoEnglandEnglish Premier LeagueFA CupFC UnitedFlashbacksinjuriesinjuryInternationalsLeague CupLoan DealsMan Utd RamblingsManchester Unitedmatch previewMatch ReportsNaniNemanja VidicNews OpinionOld TraffordPark Ji-SungPlayers CommentsPremiershippreviewRio FerdinandRyan GiggsSir Alex FergusonTeam NewsTransfer SpeculationUnited BusinessUnited FansUnited FutureUnited ImagesUnited LegendsUnited YoungstersVideo BitsWayne Rooney
Send Your Tips! Found a great story, photo or video that's perfect for The Offside?
Email manutd[at]theoffside[dot]com
Archives Select Archive Month March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006
About The Offside | Advertise on The Offside | Privacy Policy
Top Content: England National Team Blog | Bebe at Man United | Chicharito Signs for United | Federico Macheda | Manchester United 2011 Home Shirt
Related information: Premier League Kits | England Shirts | Chelsea FC | Man City Blog | Liverpool FC | England Travel Guide | International Flights to London | Guide to Manchester's Chinatown | Champions League Prize Money
© BootsnAll Travel Network - All rights reserved
EuropeEngland: PremiershipEngland: ChampionshipEngland: League One England: League Two FranceGermanyGreeceHollandItalyPolandPortugalRussiaScotlandSpainTurkeyAfricaEgyptTunisiaAustraliaSouth AmericaArgentinaBrazilColombia North AmericaMexicoMLSNPSLUSLWomen's SoccerCup CompetitionsChampions LeagueEuropa LeagueCopa LibertadoresCopa SudamericanaPlayersDidier DrogbaLionel MessiMesut OzilArjen RobbenCristiano RonaldoLigue 1 ProspectsSoccer Betting | World Cup 2010
Plan Your Soccer Travels | Soccer TicketsClose X
Home 
World 
Europe English Premier League 
Manchester United 
StoreTravelScores 
England: PremiershipEngland: ChampionshipEngland: League OneEngland: League TwoEngland: ConferenceFranceGermanyGreeceHollandItaly PolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaScotlandSpainTurkeyUkraineChampions League | Europa LeagueClose X Podcast Powered by podPress (v8.8)
No comments:
Post a Comment