United hits a Set; Back in Second Place

By: Ryan | November 22nd, 2009

First off, let me apologize for not having a live-blog for the game. I had to drive back to my parent’s house for the Thanksgiving holiday, and was not able to get back until the game was well under way, and my current internet (damn you parents) is spotty as all hell.

Second, I was wrong. I said “United would win 2-0″. My bad, they hit 3. Everton came out in a 4-5-1 formation, with former Red Devil Saha sitting as the lone striker. Basically, Everton threw down a challenge, ‘we’re just going to defend, just try and score’. Worked out great, didn’t it?

Here’s all the match highlights, with player reviews following:

Edwin Van der Sar — 10

Clean Sheet, including a couple impressive saves. ‘Nuff said

Rafael — 8

Solid play for the young Brazilian. Great job defending both Saha and Fellaini, while providing decent crosses from the right flank to Rooney and co. Also, gotta love the rugby tackle on Saha, prefect form.

Vidic — 8

Sooooo glad to have him back.

Brown — 8

Solid play, as always. Not too much to write about.

Evra — 10

I read the comments everyone left during the game, and it seems we were in unison; Evra is a beast.

Valencia — 9

Played well (ignoring the couple of wayward shots), and made one of my pre-match predictions correct.

Fletchdinho — 10

The only way Fletcher wasn’t getting a 10 after that goal was if he scored an own goal. Then again if that own goal was in the same ridiculous fashion, he’d probably still get a 10. Bravo

Carrick — 9

I am a huge Carrick fan, there’s no secret about that. Smart player, pristine passing, and showed it all yesterday. Even got a goal for his efforts.

Giggs — 9

Whatever kind of water Giggsy is drinking to let him play the way he does at his age, cannot be man-made.

Rooney — 9

Always a threat, shame he couldn’t get a goal (now 1 goal in the past 10 fixtures).

Owen — 7

Had a couple through-balls played in, took a bad angle and Howard was able to save. Besides nit-picking, did a great job spreading the ball around and creating chances. I hope to see more and more of Owen.

The Subs

Gibson — 8
Obertan — 8

Everyone asked for it and got some Obertan (unfortunately no goals). I am REALLY starting to like this guy. Played comfortably and kid has got some moves.

Scholes — 9

35 Years old, and he can still play football with the best of them.

More Fletch love, absolutely brilliant strike.

Not only is a 3-0 win huge for United morale (after the “loss” to Chelsea), but also other league games. Arsenal lost to Sunderland, which means United re-took second place in the league table (which can conveniently be seen below):

Team	Played	Goal Diff	Points
1 Chelsea	13	+25	33
2 Man United	13	+14	28
3 Arsenal	12	+21	25
Aston Villa	13	+8	22

Some Related Man United Posts:

Category: Manchester United

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Colin

Ando shows signs of probing runs forward and also so insightful through balls. Ando showing me potential and attacking intentions. Not to mention he isn't afraid to show passion and throw in a good tackle.

Carrick, not so much lately.
andersen

yes, there is no reason carrick should get a start over ando this weekend
Evan

I dunno, I think Carrick is alright. would you guys rather have ando in his place?
andersen

I agree, colin, but its not just that anymore with carrick. His positioning is woeful. It's not that he can't link the defense to attack in midfield it's that he refuses to. My friends and I spent a good 5 minutes watching carrick drift away from play leaving vidic or brown stranded forcing them to lauch a long ball or give it away. Watch the game again and youll see what I'm refering to.
Colin

Personally, I thought Carrick was rubbish again. The vast majority of his passes are either backwards or perpendicular to the play. He is slowly becoming a poor mans Pirlo.
Man Utd Shirts

Good to see Obertan, looking forward to seeing more of the young lad
Evan

Hey Ryan, ratings are a little inflated but great to have you on the blog. Scott on the Republic of Mancunia had a post today comparing this season's win against Everton's to last, in which Slave scored the only goal. Do you think we've coped with Slave leaving pretty well? I think we have, the team seems to be playing better as a unit, minus some (*cough* Nani *cough*). Anyway do you think that's a fair assessment?
matt

fletcher was pretty fuckin awesome to be honest. that goal was the best he'll ever score. he was everywhere and he ended up doing a shutdown job at rb after rafael came out. total football. it's a 10 for me, it doesn't have to be a world remembered performance to be a 10 in my book.
agiamba

Generally what I'd say is, 0-3 never given, 4 is a horrifying game, 5 is not good, 5.5-6.5 is average, 7 is a very good ratings, 8 is a brilliant performance, 9 is a man-of-the-season performance, and 10 I never give out because that means you transcended footy and played like nirvana.
matt

also vidic was kind of wasteful with some passes. yea over inflated across the board.
Sarit P.

I agree, I'm a United fan and these ratings are just nutty. Rafael at 8, surely not; he struggled in the 2nd half and was helped by his good first half performance and exuberance.

Giggs at 9? I'm sorry, one brilliant pass and the age of 36 does not make up for, as was said, the first touch of a rapist/Tevez and some generally wayword passing.

Carrick at 9? 7 more like. MAYBE. Rooney at 9, again, if a forward is getting a 9, he's had to have achieved something like a goal or an assist or a 2nd assist. Rooney played well but not 9.

Van der Sar, 10? This one's just laughable. 6. He didn't do anything, so how can he be perfect? 6 is the default score generally, and usually what is given to a keeper for United ;)

If you don't understand our views on the ratings, try playing Football Manager, it gives you a good idea of what typical ratings are and what it takes to really get up there in the 8,9,10 range.
andersen

Holy crap you are overinflating the ratings.

There is no way carrick giggs, and rooney should have ratings of 9.

Carrick can not run the midfield. Twice vidic had to attempt a 70 yard pass because carrick decided he wouldn't open up to him. The only way carrick can complete a pass is if it is backwards or square.

Giggs should have come off for obertan instead of rooney. Other than the assist he had poor passes and the first touch of a rapist. He's a great player for his age, but I'm sick of having to continue to use that modifier.

Rooney just didn't stand out enough to earn a 9.

When you do a rating system and you only use the numbers 7-10, it kinda weakens the whole system. When you have not much to write about, it is because the player had a forgettable performance "4-6" not a default 8. Dont be afraid to be critical.