Sunday 23 February 2014

Team Ratings: Manchester United vs Cardiff City 28/01/2014


  • 1. David De Gea - 6 - Made a couple of good saves but had a relatively quiet time.
  • 2. Rafael - 6 -  Looked good in attack, particularly in the second half but was a bit suspect in defence.
    12. Chris Smalling - 7 - Helped keep a clean sheet with some solid headers.
    6. Jonny Evans - 7 - Kept United old boy Campbell quiet in a comfortable performance. Almost scored too with an unlikely long range effort.
    3. Patrice Evra - 7 - Did well in the lead up to Van Persie's goal by keeping Mata's pass in play and was up and down the wing all afternoon in a lively display.
    25. Antonio Valencia - 7 - Seemed in confident form, hit the bar which led to the opener and then struck the post in the second half.
    4. Phil Jones - 6 - Did a good enough job, was neat in possession and protected the back four.
    11. Ryan Giggs - 5 - Was worrying when Mutch went past him like he wasn't there in the first half and could easily have been punished. Still has an eye for a pass and skill but perhaps better coming on as a sub as he lacks the legs to start games.
    18. Ashley Young - 8 - An impressive display from the off as his perfect cross caused the problems that led to the early first goal. Scored a stunning goal in the second half to put the game to bed. Much improved.
    8. Juan Mata - 7 - Showcased the creativity United have been lacking. He spread the ball well (as he did for the first goal) and got an assist.
    20. Robin Van Persie - 7 - Came back into the team and scored straight away, just what you look for in a striker. 

  • Substitutions-

    10. Wayne Rooney - 6 - Replaced Van Persie. Was involved straight away, creating chances and having a pop at goal himself. Understandably a little rusty but it's good to see him back.
  • 23. Tom Cleverley - 5 - Replaced Giggs. Not much to do when he came on.
  • 44. Adnan Januzaj - 6 - Replaced Mata. Looked lively as ever, sent a shot just wide.

Match Report: Manchester United vs Cardiff City 28/01/2014

United surpass Juan thousand home points in the Premier League on Mata's debut as they get back to winning ways with 2-0 home victory against Cardiff.



All eyes were on United's new addition Juan Mata for this match at Old Trafford so you could almost be forgiven for forgetting that dramatic Capital One Cup Semi Final that took place on the same pitch less than a week ago where United were knocked out by Sunderland in an embarrassing penalty shoot-out. Time moves fast at this club and there was a certain buzz around the stadium as the seats filled up with everyone wanting to catch a glimpse of United's new number 8.

If that wasn't enough for United fans, they also welcomed back their star men Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney with the former starting alongside Mata and the latter on the bench. Former United great Ole Gunnar Solskjaer received a loud and loving welcome from the fans that still chant his name on a regular basis but his Cardiff side were sitting bottom of the table and the Norwegian was surely hoping to capitalise on United's poor home form. Another ex-United player involved was Frazier Campbell who was chosen to lead the Bluebirds front line on his return to Old Trafford.



It didn't take long before United's flying Dutchman Van Persie notched a goal on his return to action. Less than six minutes in fact as Mata started the move with a wonderful pass out to the left from a deep-lying position. Evra collected the pass and linked with Van Persie and Young before the latter sent an inviting cross into the box. Valencia attacked it with venom but his header crashed against the bar. The rebound fell to Van Persie whose initial header was saved by Marshall but he made no mistake when the ball fell to him again and he headed it in to give United an early lead.



Cardiff tried their best to get back on terms as Mutch impressed in midfield but he was often let down by his team mates who struggled to continue the moves he had started. Van Persie went agonisingly close to his second goal just after the half hour mark as he sent the ball just wide from a difficult angle after a lovely pass from Evra.

Cardiff looked most dangerous on the counter-attack and tried their best to create chances, their best coming when Hudson prompted a good save from De Gea in the first half. However, United still looked relatively comfortable and Young ensured it was practically game over just before the hour mark when he put the ball in the net in stunning fashion. Mata was involved again as he spread the ball out wide for Young who picked it up, cut inside and went past two Cardiff players, setting himself up with a perfect opening to shoot from 25 yards. Although Young doesn't have the greatest scoring record at Old Trafford, he scores some brilliant goals and this was one to add to the collection as it swerved into the far bottom corner to put United 2-0 up.



Seconds later, Mata had a shot from inside the box saved to deny him a debut goal before Evans almost scored with an ambitious long-range effort. Rooney then came on to replace Van Persie and almost got in on the action himself as he tried an audacious lob from range that took a deflection and went just wide. Valencia then hit the post in a spell where the home side really should have gone further ahead.

The United pressure continued right into injury time when substitute Januzaj joined the list of United players to waste opportunities as he dragged a shot just wide of Marshall's left-hand post. Rooney then sent an effort past the same post before the whistle went with the match ending 2-0, although it could easily have been a bigger scoreline. Ultimately David Moyes will just be glad to have won the three points, performed well at home and have some of his star performers return to the line-up. Cardiff defended admirably but they will need to show more attacking promise in future games if they are to have a hope of getting off the foot of the table. Solskjaer's side will be hoping United can do them a favour in their next match by beating relegation contenders Stoke at the Brittania on Saturday.




Team Ratings: Manchester United vs Sunderland 22/01/2014


  • 1. David De Gea - 5 - Terrible mistake for Bardsley's goal, the only shot on target he had to deal with in the 119 minutes. Did make two decent saves in the shootout though.
  • 2. Rafael - 4 -  A poor performance where he struggled against Borini and missed a penalty. One to forget.
    12. Chris Smalling - 5 - Looked terrified of Johnson but made some good headers.
    6. Jonny Evans - 6 - Scored the goal to put United 1-0 up and tried his best to lead the team.
    28. Alexander Buttner - 4 - Often out of position and got caught out a few times. Struggled with Johnson all game.
    44. Adnan Januzaj - 7 - Missed a penalty but was United's best player, again. Never afraid to take a man on and played a part in both of United's goals.
    24. Darren Fletcher - 6 - Embarrassingly was the only United player to score his penalty. Led by example.
    16. Michael Carrick - 5 - Gave the ball away quite a few times before going off with an ankle injury.
    26. Shinji Kagawa - 4 - Forgot he was playing at times, really needs to impact the game more.
    19. Danny Welbeck - 5 - Was out-muscled a few times but always tried to be involved, as shown when he flicked on Januzaj's corner for the opener. Incredibly poor penalty though. 
    14. Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez - 4 - Scored the goal that took it to penalties with a tap in but looked lacklustre and slow all evening. His first touch was also very poor.


  • Substitutions-

    25. Antonio Valencia - 6 - Replaced Kagawa. Looked threatening but lacked support.
  • 3. Patrice Evra - 6 - Replaced Buttner. Did the job.
  • 4. Phil Jones - 4 - Replaced Carrick. Horrendous penalty.

Match Report: Manchester United vs Sunderland 22/01/2014

Penalty heartbreak for United as Sunderland scrape through to Capital One Cup Final in bizarre shoot-out.



Manchester United fans gathered at Old Trafford on the eve of this match hopeful that their team, who are in the process of acquiring the services of midfield maestro Juan Mata, could emulate their 2009 and 2010 campaigns in this competition by turning around a 2-1 first-leg deficit. 

David Moyes was still without his star strikers Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie who missed out with groin and thigh strains respectively. Nemanja Vidic started a three-match ban after his red card at Chelsea leaving Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans to partner up in central defence. Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck both started up front with Shinji Kagawa and Adnan Januzaj adding flare to the United attack. John O'shea returned for Sunderland to start against his former club although Valentin Roberge and Mobido Diakite were still absent from the back four with knocks. 

The home side quickly tried to get the tie back on level terms and made a bright start with Mannone keeping out a Hernandez header off a good set piece from Januzaj in the opening six minutes. Sunderland still carried a threat on the counter-attack though and United fans were thankful to see on-loan Liverpool striker Borini's long-range volley sail just over the bar halfway through the half. 

United had a golden opportunity to score when Kagawa lifted the ball to Fletcher who had ghosted in towards the far post but the Scot could only volley the ball against the bar. Luckily for United they finally made the break seconds later having forced a corner. Januzaj took it and it was Evans who headed the ball home after Welbeck had steered it goalwards with a miskick.

Sunderland still created chances, particularly off set pieces and Buttner had to be alert to stop a Brown header from crossing the line just before half time. The aggregate score was 2-2 going into the second half and United continued to create chances although many of them were poorly executed and most of their efforts were not on target. Januzaj was United's best attacking outlet and he sent a couple of efforts agonisingly wide in the second half. For Sunderland it was Johnson who carried their main threat and he also dragged a shot wide after creating a good opportunity to shoot. Johnson was the main man in terms of creativity too and set up Alonso for a fine shot that he volleyed just across the face of goal and out for a goal kick.

Januzaj had a free kick saved in injury time but it was not enough and the game, still level on aggregate, went to extra time. United should really have been ahead in the 11th minute of first half extra time as brilliant work from Januzaj on the wing allowed him to pick out Hernandez and set him free on goal for a one-versus-one with the keeper. However, the Mexican shot too early and sent the ball well wide of the post, leaving Mannone to breathe a sigh of relief.

The final few minutes of second half extra time then provided more drama than the whole of the other 115 minutes as Sunderland finally managed to put the ball in the net and edge the tie 2-3 on aggregate. Sunderland were working the ball around United's box with little threat but when the ball fell to United old boy Bardsley outside the box with a couple of minutes to play he hit a hopeful shot towards goal that was fairly tame and looked like an easy save for De Gea. It was to the delight of the 9,000 travelling Sunderland fans when De Gea uncharacteristically fumbled the ball and threw it in his own goal to gift the Mackems the lead.

Just when it looked as though it would be Sunderland heading to Wembley, United served up some more drama with an equaliser in stoppage time of extra time. Januzaj sent a cross into the box and goal poacher Hernandez was there to tap it home in the dying seconds to send the dramatic game to penalties.

Sunderland's Gardner took the first penalty and sent it soaring over the bar to give United the advantage. However, Danny Welbeck's penalty was just as bad and he sent the ball high and wide. De Gea then saved Fletcher's tame penalty for Sunderland before United's Fletcher was the first man to convert a penalty to put United 1-0 up. Alonso then followed to put Sunderland's first penalty in the net. It was then inevitable that one of United's best performers on the night would miss as Januzaj sent a poor penalty into the arms of Mannone. Ki then scored to put Sunderland 2-1 ahead and after misses from the remaining takers Jones (United), Johnson (Sunderland) and Rafael (United), 2-1 was enough to send the visitors to a Capital One Cup Final against Manchester City.

Gus Poyet's men will be hoping that the final is less dramatic after this finish where many of their 9,000 fans were left biting their nails and covering their eyes. United were once again left to rue missed chances but they were ultimately let down by a goalkeeping error and an array of terrible penalties. Sunderland's weren't much better but the Black Cats still put more in the net and ultimately probably deserve their chance at silverware in March.

United now must pick themselves back up for home game in the league against Cardiff in just under a weeks' time where they will be hopeful of a much-needed return to action for Rooney and Van Persie.

Team Ratings: Chelsea vs Manchester United 19/01/2014


1. David De Gea - 6 - Made one great save from Cahill and was ultimately unlucky with the three goals and let down heavily by his defenders.
2. Rafael - 4 - Culpable for the second goal and should have seen red in injury time with a stupid two-footed challenge on Cahill.
6. Jonny Evans - 5 - Looked nervy throughout and was part of a defensive unit that made countless mistakes.

15. Nemanja Vidic - 4 - Looked off the pace throughout and was one of many at fault when Eto'o scored his second. Was sent off late on for a silly challenge on Hazard when he was going nowhere. 
3. Patrice Evra - 4 - Struggled against the strength of Willian and only put one cross in all game before being subbed off with an injury.
25. Antonio Valencia - 4 - Made a bright start but faded fast, his crossing erratic and poor. Also failed in his defensive duties as he fell asleep and played Eto'o onside for the third goal. 
4. Phil Jones - 3 - A very poor display. Won only one of his tackles and gave the ball away on countless occasions. Was also beaten too easily for the first goal.
16. Michael Carrick - 6 - One of United's better performers on the day, decent in possession and ensured the score didn't get out of hand as Chelsea went 3-0 up with 40 minutes still to play.
18. Ashley Young - 5 - Like Valencia he made a bright start with a nice one-two with Welbeck that led to him testing Cech with a good strike. Unfortunately this was literally the only decent thing he did all game as he could only manage 4 crosses until he was replaced.
44. Adnan Januzaj - 7 - United's brightest spark, particularly in the first half when he proved capable of creating chances out of virtually nothing. Didn't get the support he needed though and couldn't pull United to victory.
19. Danny Welbeck - 6 - Neat in possession, held the ball up well and ran all game but was ultimately isolated up top and couldn't get the ball in the net with the few opportunities he had.

Substitutions-

12. Chris Smalling - 4 - Replaced Evra. Won a few headers, could maybe have done better when he found himself in the Chelsea box late on.

14. Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez - 6 - Replaced Young. Looked lively, scored the consolation goal and surprisingly played some very good long balls. 

Match Report: Chelsea vs Manchester United 19/01/2014

Hat-trick hero Eto'o ensures Chelsea remain in title hunt as Manchester United slide further down the table with 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge.



Manchester United travelled to Chelsea having finally secured a win in 2014 at home to Swansea, but despite this they were still without their star strikers Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie for this match at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea were looking for the three points that would put them in touching distance from Arsenal at the top of the league.

Danny Welbeck was chosen to lead the line again in the absence of Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie, with Ashley Young and Phil Jones also starting after returning from injury. Adnan Januzaj was picked to play in the hole behind Danny Welbeck as Shinji Kagawa started on the bench. David Luiz started in midfield for Chelsea with Samuel Eto'o picked to start ahead of Fernando Torres up front.

Following their form this season United were the underdogs going into the game but nobody seemed to tell them this as they certainly looked the stronger side in the opening ten minutes as Chelsea were largely penned in their own half. It wasn't long before they had an attempt on goal either, as a lovely one-two between Young and Welbeck allowed the former to test Cech from the left. The Czech keeper made a good save though and parried the ball away, the rebound just missing Welbeck.

United really should been ahead and it was testament to their bad luck this season when on 18 minutes a long-range deflected shot from Eto'o looped over the head of De Gea to put Chelsea ahead. Eto'o showed good footwork to take the ball past Jones and cut inside before sending a left-footed shot towards goal that clipped the outstretched leg of Carrick and curled into the net.



The match certainly became more even after the goal, although United should have been on level terms towards the end of the first half having scorned a brilliant chance to equalise. Januzaj, who had showcased his talent throughout the first half, sent a cross into the box that somehow evaded the Chelsea players and slowly trickled into the path of Welbeck. Almost not expecting it to reach him, the striker reacted as quickly as he could but under pressure from Azpilicueta his shot was weak and straight into the arms of Cech.

Both sides then went close as Januzaj had a shot blocked and Oscar put the ball wide after a good Chelsea break. The home side began to look the team more likely to score in the final few minutes of the half and through the clinical figure of Eto'o went 2-0 ahead right on the stroke of half time. The former Barcelona man had broken United hearts before with a goal in the Champions League final in 2009 and this goal put clear daylight between Chelsea and United. It was a devastating blow for Moyes' men who, although lacking in form recently, had actually performed quite well at times in this first half.

The goal came from a Cahill cross in from the right and fell perfectly for Eto'o, whose nearest marker Vidic was too slow to put him off allowing him to coolly side-foot home for his second of the game. The second half began with more joy for Chelsea and more misery for United as they were put clearly on the back-foot from the off and Eto'o got his hat-trick within three minutes of the re-start. The Cameroonian couldn't have asked for an easier goal as a Willian corner caused chaos in the box. Cahill got up with a decent header that De Gea kept out but Eto'o was ready to pounce and tapped in the rebound for his hat-trick goal.


United found a small consolation when Hernandez turned in Jones' cross-cum-shot 14 minutes from time after good work from Welbeck but it wasn't enough to turn the game, regardless of their efforts to make it a close finish. Their afternoon then went from bad to worse in injury time as Vidic needlessly lunged in on Hazard, who was going nowhere, and was subsequently shown a straight red card by referee Phil Dowd.


Rafael then received a yellow card for a two footed lunge on Cahill that looked more of a red card than Vidic's challenge. The Brazilian was clearly frustrated at the way the game had gone but can count himself very lucky he didn't follow Vidic down the tunnel. Phil Dowd then blew the whistle to put United out of their misery and give the blues the three points they desperately needed to remain in contention for the title.

United's next game is another tough test, this time in the Capital One Cup against Sunderland, as they must overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg if they are to confirm their place in an all-Manchester final at Wembley in March. This would give the fans something to shout about for the first time this season after a league campaign that has been frustrating and poor.


Sunday 9 February 2014

Team Ratings: Manchester United vs Swansea City 11/01/2014


1. David De Gea - 6 - Kept a clean sheet although rarely tested.
2. Rafael - 7 -  A good performance, particularly going forward.
12. Chris Smalling - 6 - Looked good in defence, keeping Bony quiet but missed an absolute sitter.
15. Nemanja Vidic - 7 - Solid. Like the Vidic of old.
3. Patrice Evra - 7 - One of his better performances recently, looked determined.
25. Antonio Valencia - 7 - Linked up nicely with Rafael and grew with confidence, particularly after his goal.
24. Darren Fletcher - 7 - Kept possession well and was involved in some lovely moves. Great to see.
16. Michael Carrick - 6 - Got better as the game went on.
26. Shinji Kagawa - 7 - Much improved in the second half playing behind Welbeck. Created much more after the switch from left wing.
44. Adnan Januzaj - 9 - Such a talent. Everything good United did went through him and he was lively throughout, playing a part in both goals and going close to scoring himself.
19. Danny Welbeck - 7 - Scored to make it 6 goals in 6 PL games. Good display.

Substitutions-

28. Alexander Buttner - 6 - Replaced Evra. Slotted in well enough, helping keep the clean sheet.
14. Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez - 5 - Replaced Welbeck. No time to make any impact on the game.

Match Report: Manchester United vs Swansea City 11/01/2014

Adnan adds spark United lacked in FA Cup tie as Moyes' men get revenge with 2-0 league victory against Swansea.


Less than a week since they met in the FA Cup in a match where Swansea earned their first win at Old Trafford in their history, United met the Welsh side again at home, this time in a league encounter where three points were essential for the Champions.

Moyes opted to start Adnan Januzaj in the number 10 role with Wayne Rooney still out through injury. It didn't take long for the 18 year old to begin to create chances for the home side, who could have done with the youngster's flair and enthusiasm in this cup tie last Sunday. In the opening 10 minutes Januzaj whipped in a dangerous free kick from the right that eventually fell to Vidic in the box, although he spurned the chance as he put it well over the bar. Unlike last week's game, United looked the team on top and moments later some good link-up play from Welbeck and Kagawa set up Valencia, whose fierce shot forced a decent save from Tremmel.

Just inside fifteen minutes Januzaj then went close himself as his dipping free kick clipped the crossbar and rebounded, although Swansea's defence somehow managed to clear. Swansea almost caught United on the break just after with a lovely one-two from Canas and Pozuelo, Shelvey then sent Routledge into the box with a brilliant pass but Routledge's resulting cross couldn't find a white shirt in the box and the chance was gone.


United then went close again with a well-worked move between Carrick, Evra, Valencia and Fletcher but the latter's shot at goal didn't stay down and soared over the bar to ensure the scores remained level. The home side's best opportunity then came, and went, as this time Welbeck ruined the chance to put United ahead. It was a fantastic, quick move from them as Januzaj's clever touch to Valencia allowed the Ecuadorian to play Rafael into the box, his cross then found Welbeck in front of goal and in space but his first-time take sent the ball just wide of the left post.

United continued to create chances right from the start of the second half and it didn't take long before they finally put the ball in the net. United's star performer Januzaj was the creator, as he teased Rangel before curling a cross in towards the far post. Williams got a head on it for Swansea but it then reached Kagawa, who headed it goalwards. Tremmel saved but the rebound fell to Valencia who made no mistake and lashed it home from three yards.

It wasn't long before United made it two just before the hour mark with Januzaj involved again as he won the ball from Tremmel's long throw out. Kagawa then gave it back to Januzaj, whose cross was poorly defended and allowed Evra to hit it towards goal. Welbeck got a touch to put it past Tremmel and put United 2-0 up and on course for their first win of 2014.


United continued to threaten the Swansea goal and should have been 3-0 up had Smalling not put the ball over the bar from a few yards out. It should have been game over but the defender just couldn't convert the chance from Kagawa's cross in. Swansea struggled to create anything of note in the second half, although Amat should have done better with a header at goal twenty minutes from time. 

United ended the game with another brilliant attack on goal as Januzaj set Rafael away on the counter attack. Rafael carried the ball and then squared it to Kagawa who sidestepped a challenge and only had the keeper to beat but his poor chip was too slow and allowed a Swansea defender to get back and clear it before it crossed the line. It should have been a third for Moyes' men but as the whistle went he will be relieved to have finally secured a win, and at home. It was a good performance from United with Januzaj shining in the absence of Rooney and Van Persie. They will need to be in even better form though, if they are to cause an upset at Stamford Bridge next weekend where they play a Chelsea side in form.