Welcome back Nani (vs Stoke)

By: Shaun | January 4th, 2011

nanistoke A much better showing than the previous 2 outings, but nowhere near the dominating performance that we expect from our our boys especially at home.

Some impressions:

1. Nani adds such a cutting edge to our attack. He also brings an arrogance onto the field that may border on petulance at times, but gives us more confidence going forward. His goal really came out of nothing and that’s why he is so valuable. He is able to do something that noone else on the team is capable of save for Rooney and maybe Berba. His ability to strike and curl with his left is an added threat since defenders can’t just force him one way. If he keeps playing at this level, I can’t see him still being a United player in 3 years. The call of the Bernabeu will be too strong to resist.

2. Chicharito truly has that poacher’s instinct as he has a knack of getting into the right spots at the right time. It’s been said repeatedly, but very Owen-like.

chicharitostoke2 3. Neville should have seen how Giggs, despite his age, contributes and makes positive things happen when he’s out there. Contrast that with his own performances this season and he should have the common sense to call it a day come May. Would love to see the club offer him a spot on the coaching staff to work specifically with the younger ones (Rafael, Fabio, Smalling). Yes, his pace and ability may have diminished, but the experience from which he can draw upon and impart to the younger defenders is priceless. All that aside, Giggs was in the thick of things today and used his experience to great effect.

4. Awful defending on their goal. Smalling was on the wing defending the cross from coming in and Whitehead crept in between Vidic and Evra. Fletcher had dropped back to help, but it was 3 on 3 in the box.

5. We are set at rightback for the next 10 years or however long Rafael wants to play in a United shirt.

6. Chris Smalling looked good as well. More often than not, very calm and composed on the ball. Will have to work on his positioning and tactical understanding (like all young players), but is able to keep cool with the ball at his feet when under pressure.

7. Owen is still alive and still has a squad number. He didn’t really do anything noteworthy while in the game except a late run into the box in injury time only to miscontrol the cross from Nani. Well, he did finish the game injury free. Which for Owen, is a big positive.

chicharitostoke3 8. Sometimes, patience is what we need in much greater measure. Would we ever have expected Nani to be performing consistently at this level after his performances in his second season? We knew the talent was there, we just questioned his ability to understand the game and play intelligently. Maybe the same rule needs to be applied to players like Obertan and Bebe. Maybe even Evans. Not sure if Gibson should be included with that bunch. Still really haven’t seen anything from him that would suggest a step up to United quality if given more experience/playing time.

Some Related Man United Posts:

Category: Chicharito, English Premier League, Manchester United, Match Reports, Nani, Old Trafford, United Youngsters

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Swapnil

"He is able to do something that noone else on the team is capable of save for Rooney and maybe Berba"...seriously??when was the last time you saw either of them curl or even just shoot the ball from outside the box????nani's the only player in the team who can do that
also i thought though giggs was great yesterday,he was trying to play fancy or maybe difficult passes way to often when there was easier option available but i don't have any problem with that really.since the absence of scholes we are lacking creativity.
kusczack thought is not a bad no 2 to have,for me his reactions are a second or two slower.i maybe wrong but i thought vds would have reacted a little early than him and would probably have tipped away yesterday's goal and the goal by west brom.
finally we have never played our best 11 this season with someone either valencia,rooney or vds,scholes out in every game and still we are 5 clear of arsenal,9 clear of chelsea!how great is that!!!!
Shaun

swapnil-that statement was in reference to being able to produce a goal out of nothing, not so much to the ability to strike cleanly from outside the box. sorry for the confusion.

and i agree with you regarding the keeper's reaction to their goal. when i saw the replay again, i thought "vds would have reached that". i guess thats the difference between a 1st and 2nd choice keeper.