Manchester United – yes, there are positives from the Reading draw
In protest of Manchester United’s shambolic showing against Reading on Saturday 23rd September, Soccerlens refuses to publish a match report.
Instead, we’ll just bring you a sampling of Reading’s romp through the Championship last season, where they stormed to an unprecedented 106 points and scored 99 goals along the way.
Enjoy the rare footage.
Ok, ok, who am I kidding 
Credit to Reading for putting up such a great show, but honestly, Manchester United should have buried them several times under. I know that Benfica are up on Tuesday, but if you’re putting Richardson and Fletcher on the wings, leaving Saha on the bench is not a great idea. Ronaldo had a good game but without Saha to give the final ball to, he kept taking shots himself.
Scholes tried very hard and for most of the match he was getting into positions outside the Reading area and then getting completely ignored by Richardson and Ronaldo, who preferred shooting themselves. Richardson in particular had a tough game,
Fans will criticise Ferguson for not strengthening the squad, but the reality is that right now, Manchester United have to make do with the resources they have and that’s not happening. I was happy to see Vidic and and Heinze start (even if Heinze was busier hacking down Seol Ki-Hyeun than providing any crosses and threat down the flanks), and hopefully these two will start against Benfica as well.
Yes, Reading defended well – but that’s what you expect with teams who want to win. It would be unfair to Reading to say that they went for a draw – they just weren’t good enough to get a win against Manchester United, and had it not been for a bad penalty call, they wouldn’t have gotten a point from this game either.
Richardson will improve, and I’m happy to see Fletcher improve as well, but we need to start playing Ole more regularly on that right flank, especially if Ronaldo is pushed up front or played on the left.
Some fans have voiced the opinion that Manchester United will never catch up to Chelsea now that we’ve fallen behind. I’d be more worried if Portsmouth and Everton won today and tomorrow than if we were 2-5 points behind Chelsea going into Christmas. Manchester United have the quality to overhaul any team in the Premiership, and while we have more or less squandered our perfect start there is still time to recover, regroup and renew our assault on the Premiership title. Remember, Chelsea will have a tough end to October and may drop points in the league before or after then – and we still have to play two matches against them.
Manchester United 1-1 Reading – Ronaldo saves us from shame
And as far as the ‘positives’ in the title are concerned..well, I’d point to Vidic’s return, Fletcher’s improvement, Scholes’ greater willingness to take responsibility in attacks (Ronaldo has to link up with him in training and practice more) and the improved showing from Carrick are all positives to take into the away clash with Benfica in midweek. At this rate, we’ll be crushing them and Newcastle too on Sunday.
Too optimistic? You must be mistaking me for a Tottenham fan from pre-season
Topics: Manchester United, Reading
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I some what agree.
September 24th, 2006 @ 15:05I must admit looking at the team sheet yesterday it did slightly worry me about the way we would play,but I was proved wrong.Ok the result wasnt partically good BUT the overal performance was very very good,partically from Young Darren Fletcher (people forget he is actually only 22,bar fabregas I cant see anyone else better than him interms of experience and what he has achieved in this short time,he will get better,he’s a monster of a player).I also feel Richardson will get better.He reminds me of most players his age who havent had the greatest run in teams ie very inconsistant,decision making can be spontanious (passing plus shooting),but he certainly has the talent.
Scholes and Carrick also put in good displays,and its great to see Hienze and Vidic back.
We deserved the Win,but it was just one of those days.
fletcher is average , and o shea is average in midfield they got showed up last week and yesterday, how do u compete with alonso.gerrars,cesc,ballack,essien, u cant
September 24th, 2006 @ 15:10I agree. O’Shea has improved as a holding midfielder as well. He’s had some good displays and I think he brings defensive quality into the side. I don’t agree that Carrick has made an impact yet – Against Reading I would have played O’Shea and Scholes on central midfield, paired with Richardson and Fletcher on the flanks. O’Shea brings balance to the central midfield – Carrick can’t provide that. To me, Carrick is a long term replacement for Scholes, not the player to be by his side.
I can’t understand that SAF didn’t play Saha from the start, as we need him for Champions League. On top, Ronaldo and Rooney…
September 24th, 2006 @ 18:01Saha limped off w/ an injury sustained in training the day before the game – thus he didn’t start – or so say the highly intellectual members of the media. If it is true, then the fact that he got a run in for a bit was a pleasant sight.
The positives were there for all to see – the return of Vidic and Gabi, along with the improvement shown by Carrick – but this midfield needs time to gel before it can actually pronounce its worth. Of course, you really can’t see Richardson getting a run in, with the impending return of Giggs. Doesn’t really do much good for the lad’s confidence – gets these select few games where he has to deliver, or deliver.
Fletcher’s got the confidence in him – do a compare and contrast of Fletcher 06-07, v. Fletcher 05-06. You’ll realize what I’m talking about.
September 25th, 2006 @ 01:32haaai
I live in Holland sooo.
why did Saha didn’t play?
that was a shock for me..
Rooney do something pleassee!
are they still ‘booing’ Ronaldo?
Yeaah hi scored, !finely
byeee
September 25th, 2006 @ 18:01dr – you’re right about fletcher. O’Shea needs to step up this season though, has been a bit anonymous. David Jones anyone?
September 25th, 2006 @ 20:19