Stroll in the park (vs Birmingham)

By: Shaun | January 22nd, 2011

Manchester-United-celebra-001 It’s always difficult to assess a game like this since Birmingham really didn’t show up today. It would be too easy to look at the scoreline and assume it was a first class display.

We struggled to put in a decent performance against them at St Andrews a few weeks ago. Yet, today at OT, we looked brilliant largely because they were poor and invited the pressure on themselves from the get go.

Impressions:

1. Our major blemish from today’s game was Rooney’s inability to get on the scoresheet. Nani played a brilliant cross inside the box in the 2nd half that the Rooney of a season ago would have buried with ease. For some reason, he fluffed his lines and headed it down and wide right in front of goal.

2. Patience pays off. Berba continues to have the scoring output that few in the United camp could have ever envisioned. If we had picked up Benzema or one of the many other forwards we were clamoring for in the offseason, Berba in all likelihood would have been at a different club this season. BerbatovDimitar_celebrates_v_Brum

3. Nani’s persistence all evening eventually got him a goal. We absolutely need him to stay aggressive, even if selfish at times, if we are to stay in contention for the title. Today’s encounter did not suggest his true value since the visitors gave our frontline so much space and time. In games where we face a congested defense, the ability of Nani to create a shot out of nothing will be absolutely invaluable.

4. Smalling’s inclusion in the starting 11 ahead of Evans could indicate what we’ve all been aware of this season-that Evans is no longer the first choice CB off the bench. Smalling had a solid game and was relatively unnoticed in that he didn’t make any major errors that called attention to himself. Then again, the visitors barely threatened going forward. So Evans might have probably looked just as comfortable.

5. Would have loved to see Berba and/or Rooney given a rest after we went 4-0 up. Unfortunately, we had to use our subs to replace the injured Carrick and elderly Giggs, who despite playing like a youthful 20 year old, hasn’t got the legs to play 180 minutes in 4 days.

FOTO_0420110122142315 6. The Giggs goal was a thing of beauty. He finished it, but the effort to win the ball back was Berba’s and the interplay that followed between him and Rooney was wonderful. The finish itself wasn’t exactly a tap in. But it was controlled and directed high into the roof of the net. No surprise that the 1 year contract extension is coming.

In all likelihood, we won’t finish the season undefeated and emulate the outstanding record of that great Arsenal team. However, we do look like a team that is capable of producing a result at OT every single time out and if we can continue that form with a few more wins away from home, we will be well positioned to lift the trophy in May.

Some Related Man United Posts:

Category: Berbatov, English Premier League, Manchester United, Match Reports, Old Trafford

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ahmad_h

22 games and counting.... i can really feel that we can at least go 30 without losing :)
as for rooney i admit that he isn't last year's wazza, but still very critical in terms of running down the field, defending, assisting, and attacking....
giggs ....... can't believe the determination that man has!!
Swapnil

i've had enough with rooney now.if he can't score against a side that was afraid to even make a tackle in the penalty area like today,he will never score against anyone!rooney should be ashamed of accepting that salary.players who earn that kind of salary(ronaldo,messi etc) carry their team forward by themselves and rooney has been frankly awful!!
Shaun

i think that's a little harsh considering he put in such a good shift in the game. yes, strikers should score, but we have other people picking up the scoring load. in the absence of goals however, he still brings so much to the game. look at his assist to giggs for the 3rd goal or his first touch from VDS's clearance that setup up the 4th. remember too that some forwards have a tendency to sulk and be selfish when they aren't finding the back of the net. Rooney celebrates hard everytime Berba scores. would i love to see him start scoring again? HELL YES. but i think he's doing all the other things he can do while out on the field.