Following two disastrous consecutive losses, United faced league leaders and rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup third round, looking to avoid a hat trick of defeats, a record United have preserved since 2001. Having succumbed to a humiliating 6-1 reverse scoreline at Old Trafford earlier in the season, the reds were keen to make amends and set the record straight, albeit whilst in their worst run of form of the campaign. United welcomed back Chris Smalling to the defence alongside Rio Ferdinand, with Phil Jones occupying a right back slot after enduring a difficult evening against Demba Ba in midweek. Wayne Rooney was looking to score his 12th derby goal for United, and assure the fans he was committed to club following reports that he is looking to move on in the near future, as he partnered Danny Welbeck in an attacking United line up. Pre match chatter however was diverted towards the shock inclusion of United legend Paul Scholes amongst the substitutes, with news that Scholesy is taking up a playing role with the club for the remainder of the season to avert the current injury crisis. It was to be the first twist in what was a bizarre afternoon of football.
A crackling atmosphere encouraged the home side to a strong start, controlling large amounts of possession and keeping United pinned back into their half for the opening 10 minutes. It was the red half of Manchester that struck the first blow however, when on 10 minutes, the much scrutinised Rooney bravely met Antonio Valencia’s cross to head United into the lead, triggering a match altering 5 minutes. Minutes after taking the lead, United were handed yet another boost, as City skipper Vincent Kompany was dismissed for a two footed lunge on Nani handing the reds a man advantage for the remaining 70 minutes of the tie. United asserted their dominance on the half hour mark, as they doubled their lead through Danny Welbeck, who pounced upon a loose ball in the City penalty area to volley home into the bottom corner. A dream half was complete for United when 5 minutes before the break, Ryan Giggs’s reverse pass to Danny Welbeck saw the England striker chopped down by a rash challenge from Alexsander Kolarov, handing the reds the chance to take a 3 goal lead from the spot. Stand in City keeper Pantilimon saved Rooney’s spot kick, but couldn’t prevent him from nodding home the rebound for his second of the game, sending the 6000 reds into a delirious celebratory Poznan! (More …)
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A J Khan 16:41 on May 19, 2012 Permalink |
A very interesting article and a different way of looking at the present United plight. I have been supporting United long enough to fully understand your point of view and the value of United history not only to United fans but to English football as a whole. Only this week, David Gill was talking about United history when a player is choosing between United and another team. The commitment of the Neville brothers, Butt, Beckham, Scholes etc to United cause has been unbelievable throughout their United career and it is interesting that foreign players joining United are given the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the club history. However, it will never replace the local player who has supported the club since childhood. I listen to Evra both on English and French media and he is always on about the history of the club and expectations from United players. Unfortunately, he’s an exception to the rule. Pogba is a typical case and I’m of the view that if a young player hasn’t got United in his soul after spending three years at the academy he’d better leave. Liverpool is suffering the same fate and only Carragher would give his life on the pitch for the club. Having said that, I don’t think we can linger on the past. Football has changed dramatically and unless a club brings in foreign internationals it would be very difficult to compete and it is part of the package that the foreign players will never have the same sense of belonging as the local lads. As Fergie once said about Ronaldo: If you can get six good years from a foreign player then it’s not bad. At the end of the day a combination of local and foreign players is a good compromise to maintain players commitment and a winning side. What should never be done is what Arsenal did recently when they didn’t have a single English player in their team. I think United have had some good foreign acquisitions in Park, Evra and Chicharito ( just to name these three ) both in terms of ability and club commitment but players like Tevez typifies exactly the opposite. It’s a matter of choosing the right ones.
Govan Red 13:25 on June 7, 2012 Permalink |
Tom, great article, and spot on. We have some great youngsters coming through the Reserves and Academy. Hopefully a few will follow in Danny’s footsteps.