Manchester United 1-2 Manchester City – Well Done City, Where Were You United?
I could have sworn that I’d seen this happen before with United – big occasion, history, time and location supporting us, and then everything just went tits up as players refused to play according to script.
First up, credit to Manchester City, to the fans for their respect of the one-minute silence, to Sven Goran Eriksson for his tactics, for Richard Dunne and Nedum Onuha for their defending, for Martin Petrov and Benjani Mwaruwari for their attacking play, for Dietmar Hamann for his irritating but effective display as a holding midfielder, and to Joe Hart for his keeping, especially in the second half with the sunlight shining brightly in his eyes. Well played, City.
And now, to United.
Lots of people will have scathing comments – maybe about the players, maybe about the team selection. I’m sure Scott and RR will have their say on this, and expect Anthony to chime in as well, considering that this is a big win for City.
The United players were a bit off mentally and although the game opened up and they attacked more after the first goal, they weren’t able to break City down (in time, considering Carrick’s injury time goal).
Was it because of all the attention and press about Munich 1958? I said on Wednesday that neither Capello nor Ferguson could afford to let their players get caught up in the occasion, but all that we heard coming out of Manchester United was players talking about the Busby Babes and whether City fans would behave or not. Bottom line, United were always in danger of getting distracted and when they did get distracted, City were on hand to step up and take the 3 points.
It’s easy to second-guess Ferguson and blame him for not starting with Carrick / Hargreaves in the center alongside Anderson / Scholes, and keeping Nani on the bench as an impact player. That’s what I would have done, but hindsight’s 20/20 and the Scholes / Anderson combo has worked well for us in the past, there was no reason for it not to work well if the players had done what was expected of them.
Chelsea will probably beat Liverpool and Arsenal will probably tomorrow, but that’s out of our hands. Fergie needs to whip the players into shape in to play Arsenal and Lyon in the next 10 days. I hope he gives them the hairdryer treatment, and for United’s sake, I hope this is the last time we need to bring on two central midfielders in the second half to help us win when we’re 2 goals down.
Sounds to me that we got huge help from your world class defender – well, people tell me he is – Rio Ferdinand. The man has the concentration of a puppy. Not that I mind. Well played, City. And well done the fans, after all the slurs we have had to put up with this week.
First of all: I am a Utd die hard and must admit that I was (like countless others) convinced that some City fans would marr the minute’s silence…
Hence I have no hesitation to say what is only fair and just: Well done to all associated with City, the fans were impecable and the players outstanding on the day, they wanted it more than those close to my heart. Sven for his tactics etc etc. A well deserved victory and today you have done your club, the city of Manchester, your country and Football as a whole more than proud.
Regarding ‘my’ team… the less said about today the better, except that today of all days you have disappointed a lot of people. Its not so much the fact that we lost, or indeed lost to City that disappoints, but the manner by which it happened…
For Carlos Q to come out and blame the International friendly, given not that long ago we were lining the coffers over in the middle east, angers me a lot. Since THAT friendly we have put in two poor performances. £1m in the bank, but was it worth it?
We done City, you usually get what you deserve in this game, none more so then the points going to either team tonight.
We certainly wont win the league or F.A cup playing like we have in the last matches, we’re looking for favours from other teams again, a very precarious position.
Man U just looked a bit toothless with Tevez easily shackled by Richards and Ronaldo looking out of position. They were overhitting passes, close control was not as good as usual, and we played everything through the centre which was way too congested. When we are on form it works, but when we aren’t we do not really have a Plan B. In that game we needed to play with more width and could have used an aerial threat so we could ping some crosses into the box.
I also salute the Manchester City fans. I did not doubt that the majority of them would live up to the expectations of the moment. Well done!
To the game itself, I am sure Sir Alex got the selection wrong, and thats not 20/20 vision. I knew it before the start and told friends that playing Giggs and a just returning Scholes was a NO NO! Truth must be told, Giggs has not done that muchgoing forward in the last 10-15 matches he has started for us. I do agree that Nani has not yet made the grade though
Scholes a world class player at his prime is now over 32, been injured for over 3 months and cant make those runs into the box anymore !! Carrick may never be as good as Scholes was at his prime but in my view he is United’s new passer in the middle of the park, we are more penetrative when he plays and he can tackle! Carrick/Anderson, Carrick/Hargreaves or Carrick/Anderson/Hargreaves when required. If we intend to win things there is no room for sentiment in team selection, at home our strongest central midfield should comprise Carrick/Anderson while away from home should be Carrick/Hargreaves or Hargreaves/Anderson. Sir Alex should allow Scholes to return slowly.
Man City played really well to be fair to Utd i dont think any team in the league could have won agaisnt a team defending that well Dunne is just immense and ask for Richards? God! The only problem with Cities defence is they have to be careful a team like Barca, Ac or Madrid, who both really need good defenders dont come knocking on their door. After watching Skrtel agaisnt Chelsea (and Sunderland) i really dont think Liverpool need a CB now