Job done, Wembley here we come (vs Schalke)

What an efficient and entertaining display by the lads. Let’s not forget as well that we had most of our second team out to start the game.

On to the impressions:

1. Smalling and Evans surprised me. Smalling made the most of the opportunity with a very good outing save for the misplaced pass that led to their goal. His better performances this season have been alongside Vidic, but this showing alongside Evans was solid if unspectacular. With that said, the Germans didn’t really pose too much of a threat.

2. Gibson had a good game tonight. Maybe it was all the criticism leveled at him when he had his Twitter account open for all of 2 hours. Aside from his perfectly weighted pass to Valencia for the opener, he also showed a nice touch a couple of minutes before with an interception and forward run that took him past a couple of Schalke players before playing it off to Berbatov. More of that will do some good in earning him more playing time as well as the respect of the fans at OT.

3. Anderson was a threat going forward. Aside from his 2 goals, he had a stunning shot set up by Berba that Neuer did well to tip away for a corner. I never imagined we would see a game in which Ando would score 2 goals and actually pose a threat to the opposing goalkeeper. He also put in his usual hardworking shift in the center of the park.

4. Nani and Valencia were up to the task tonight. They attacked the flanks with confidence and took on defenders whenever they had a chance. It was yet another reminder that our best moves going forward typically run through either one of them.

5. Neuer is human after all. After a superb display in the first leg, he showed that he’s prone to the odd mistake here and there with the way he handled Gibson’s shot. The Neuer of the first leg would probably have collected that easily. To his credit, he did produce some outstanding stops in the game namely from Ando and Owen.

6. Barca worries me. I’m still unconvinced that we have the players to cope with them. However, I do believe in the tactical genius of SAF. He gambled tonight by fielding an 11 comprised largely of second team players. We’ll have to wait and see what he throws out there at Wembley.

As elated as I am by the result, the joy is short lived since my main concern is the upcoming game against Chelsea. Here’s hoping that the extra rest afforded to the likes of Vidic, Rio and Rooney will translate into a victory this Sunday.

Maybe then and only then, will I feel a little more at ease in celebrating the position we find ourselves in at this point of the season.

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Category: Anderson, Champions League, Manchester United, Match Reports, Old Trafford