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.
No comments:
Post a Comment