A win to finish (vs Blackpool)
By: Shaun | May 22nd, 2011
Our 2 primary concerns coming into this game was firstly, to ensure that we put out a strong enough squad and performance so that our selection would not come under FA scrutiny. Secondly, we needed to ensure that our key players would come away from this weekend’s encounter injury free and ready for Wembley.
In that sense, it was mission accomplished.
A blend of youth and experience saw us grab the goals we needed to notch home win # 18 of the season and maintain our unbeaten league record at OT.
Quick impressions:
1. Scholes started the game off by getting crowded off the ball. After that incident, he rarely put a wrong foot forward and reminded us yet again why SAF is going to try and persuade him to stick around for one more year.
2. Pretty poor defending by Blackpool on Park’s goal. Which is a shame since they’ve garnered so many fans this season with their attractive play going forward.
3. VDS. What a professional. In his brief speech, he did speak of his regret that he only got to spend 6 years at United when it really should have been more. I don’t think any United fan disagree with that sentiment.
4. Park had a good game with a goal and an assist. Based on the team section in prior rounds and his usual endeavor, he looks to be a lock for a starting spot against Barca.
5. Not to rub it in, but we were rather wasteful in front of goal. Berba and Nani were both guilty.
6. Every game recently has been a Darren Fletcher Fitness Watch. Will he or won’t he be at the level that SAF is looking for to warrant selection in the starting 11 against Barca? He looked to be actively involved in the first half, but faded a little in the 2nd. Perhaps it was fatigue or a lack of match fitness? If our biggest takeaway from our embarrassment to Barca 2 years ago was that we missed Fletcher, then you have to hope that the backroom staff are doing everything they can to get him ready for Wembley.
On a day when we weren’t as concerned about the result as we were about the celebrations that would follow at the final whistle, it felt like a mere subplot in the larger story of a relegation battle that was being fought out on various grounds (including ours).
At the end of it all, it was an incredibly bittersweet day for everyone in attendance at Old Trafford. Aside from the celebration of an incredibly emotional season that has culminated in trophy # 19, United fans will also remember this day as the final home appearance of VDS and possibly, Scholes. For Blackpool and their fans, it was a sad finish to their season that started off so brightly, but faded toward the end.
Some Related Man United Posts:
Category: 
-
Mabs Sith Lord
-
ahmad_h
-
Swapnil
Home 
