Man Utd destroy Celtic in ‘Battle of Britain’
By: Wayne Farry | October 21st, 2008
Champions League, Group Stage
Old Trafford, Manchester
Man Utd 3 – 0 Celtic
It had been billed the ‘Battle of Britain’ but in truth it couldn’t have been further from a battle. Whereas WBA put up stern resistance in the first half at Old Trafford on Saturday, Celtic never really looked like troubling United, who dominated from start to finish and really should have scored more.
We all knew that Patrice Evra was ruled out and John O’Shea took his place. What surprised me slightly was seeing Gary Neville start ahead of Rafael, who’s really impressed me lately. However, it’s probably a good idea to pace the lad and give him glimpses of big-stage football at the moment.
Gary Caldwell had Celtic’s first and only real chance of the game, before Berba continued his rich vein of form in the CL with a 30th minute goal. Video replays showed however that he was offside. Daz Fletcher then had a golden opportunity. The ball was sprayed towards the box and fell kindly to his feet. From just a few yards out, and with the whole goal to aim at he lost his composure and blazed it over Boruc’s goal. Towards the end of the second half United began to play some lovely one-touch football with Berba, Rooney and Ronaldo linking up beautifully on a few occasions.
The second half was even more one-way traffic as United began to pull the strings. Anderson and Nani, along with the the front 3 played some great stuff, knocking the ball around and making Celtic look like a underage school team. Saying that, the Bhoys did cause an occasional threat but nothing that wasn’t handled well by Vidic and the mature beyond his years Evans. Berba made it 2-0 after a rebound from a Ronaldo free-kick but again, he appeared to be was offside. Rooney had had a wonderful game, and he wasn’t going to let his good run finish here. In the 76th minute he received a pass from Tevez, he took a step back from the edge of the box and calmly but firmly placed a lovely shot into Boruc’s bottom right-hand corner.
All in all, United gave Celtic a masterclass in football. United have had a slow start to the season but are really starting to kick on now, especially with Berba and Rooney appearing to be in great form. Following this fantastic display I can see them going from strength to strength.
Team Line-Ups
MANCHESTER UNITED: Van der Sar; Neville (Brown 60), Vidic, Evans, O’Shea; Ronaldo (Park 82), Anderson, Fletcher, Nani; Berbatov (Tevez 60), Rooney.
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Giggs, Rafael, Gibson.
CELTIC: Boruc; Wilson, Loovens, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor; Nakamura (Hartley 62), S Brown, Robson (Maloney 62), McGeady; McDonald (Sheridan 76).
Subs not used: Brown, Hinkel, Donati, O’Dea.
Bookings: Loovens.
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Comments
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Berbatov OFFSIDE clearly on both goals. 0-0 at that point is an entirely different game. the rooney goal may not have even been a factor had the linesmen taken there blindfolds off
Posted from
United States
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You have to understand that even though the game was 0-0 and the two goals were offside, Celtic were overpowered comprehensively…it was just a matter of time before it counted on the pitch, like the Rooney goal which was on but was given offside (maybe the ref was giving Celtic back some)…
Posted from
United States -
What do you make of Darren Fletcher’s start to the season? He’s started 6 games thus far and I don’t recall him being substituted frequently like in recent seaons.
In all the matches I’ve seen I thought he’s been very good and he has played with whatever other midfielder happens to be fit. Do you think he is finally reaching the potential Sir Alex has always thought he had?
Posted from
Canada -
@Mike: I think Fletcher’s made a great start to the season. He’s done the hard work in midfield and has gone about his business without much notice, which is a good thing I think because in recent years he’s been noticed purely for inconsistency. He’s doing a great job as the link-man between defence and attack. I think he’s finally starting to show some star potential, both for United and Scotland. He’s pulling the strings in midfield and to be honest I’m surprised and delighted.
Posted from
United States -
Ya I am surprised too at his progress..pleasantly though. There was a time that I used to curse Fergie and rant off that the only reason Fletcher’s in the club is cause he’s a Scot… that maybe partly true..but what is also true that all clubs, esp big ones need these sort of players who are so versatile and do the job without any fuss that the other players get the glory…and he is faithful to the club too ..same with O’Shea too but he is not as gifted as Fletcher… did anyone hear in the commentary that yesterday was his 300th game… Wiki says its 192 appearances…but still a lot..
Posted from
United States -
Yeah, I think the days of Fergie being accused of keeping him because he’s Scottish are gone. I used to say it myself, but his performances and his obvious maturity are a great thing to see..
Posted from
United States
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