If you were to ask any Manchester United fan just what was so special about this past Sunday, the reply would be a resounding "Tribute to the Busby Babes!"Now, if you asked a Manchester City fan the same question the list would be a bit longer: beating Man U at Trafford 2-1, completing a double for the first time since '73, reigning victorious on the historic day, the nice "free" new scarf…oh, and the fact that everyone was “united” for that moment of silence.
Honestly, there’s a lot for City to celebrate.
The real question is, with all the emotional magnitude of the day how did United let such a momentous occasion fall so dreadfully flat? Perhaps the day was overshadowed by the memorializing of the Munich Air Disaster. Perhaps it was the “new” strip. Or the fact that Old Trafford was actually rocking for a change. Was it Sven's tactics, or Benjani's "it was written in the stars" debut? Or United’s shambolic play?
The first goal was an absolute disgrace defensively. Rio, Vidic, Wes, and O'Shea were all to blame.
Edwin van der Sar made a great double save but then the lads went to sleep—of course, Rio prefers the cruise control method. City was presented with an easy opener, scored by Dariaus "Where's the Goal" Vassel. That wasn’t a good sign.
The second goal gave us much of the same. The lads nodded off, gifting Benjani his dream debut goal. You’re going to become an instant cult hero scoring the winner against United on an occasion like this.
But it's not like only the back four are responsible for Man U’s dismal play. Ronaldo was virtually nonexistent on field after Micah Richards ploughed through him in the 4th minute, throwing him off for the rest of the afternoon.
Nani was quiet.
Anderson tried valiantly, but had no avenue to release the ball.
And Giggs’ approach was just too light weight for such a physical game. In my opinion, he should have either started on the bench or been subbed off at 60 minutes to allow Hargreaves a chance to toughen up the midfield battle, which we were losing consistently.
Scholes just didn’t seem up for the fight, though he did work pretty hard and tirelessly.
All afternoon the only Man U player with an ounce of fight in him was Tevez. He fought tooth and nail for every scrap and tried to force a goal. If it hadn’t been for a great stop by Hart, Tevez would have made it to the score sheet.
Most likely Man U’s disappointing defeat was a result of it all: Fergie's failed tactics (Park on for Nani? What the heck?), players exhausted by international duty, Rooney’s absence, any number of things.
All I ask is (this booms over the loudspeakers) if it was you who stole United players’ passion Sunday, do you think you could return it please, a.s.a.p? See, we have a busy fall of fixtures coming up. Thanks.
13 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Anonymous about 1 year ago
Park for Nani was a good sub. Nani is still an immature player and although a skillful one, fails to make tactical contributions often. Park was needed as he's a smart player who understands how to play Man U style. O'Shea should have been subbed off long ago, he wastes alot of balls. Yes you're right, Giggs definitely had to go off. His days are numbered
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Andrew McNair about 1 year ago
I really do think that the occasion affected the performance. A bad day and such a pressurized game so the result I felt was no surprise.
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Jamie Shields about 1 year ago
The Park Substitution mystified me because of the way the game was being played. Yes Nani is immature but in such a physical game, Parks presence was not required. If Hargreaves had come on for Gigg's, Anderson could of played wide left , with Nani Wide right with Scholes and Hargreaves in the middle. That way Ronaldo and Tevez would of played up front with freedom while the midfield could stretch the play with Scholes and Hargreaves , keep the middle strong and tight and Anderson and Nani running the wings.
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sege mee about 1 year ago
united is a team that plays 4-4-2 with two natural strikers.we are short of strikers and ronaldo can only play well from a wide position.fergie disrupted the balance in our mid-field the moment scholesy came back from injury.the combination of anderson-hargreaves/carrick had won a lot of games for us b4 he came back albeit the fact that scholes may never be 100 percent again cos of his age.taking the team to asia was the last straw that broke the camel's back.
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rahul lahore about 1 year ago
I think it was really the occasion which afftected united's display, the team was playing without any intent, they were probably too much engrossed in the emotions of the day, probably sir alex or carlos queiroz should have told the players that this is a premiership match and the ceremony has already been over we are playing here for winning, it was a reaaly big blow because we cannot expect united to lose at home to their derby rivals especially after losing to them earlier this year, they should have came up firing all cylinders, but it was not the case, also one thing that was noticeable was the lack of a target man, who has shooting in his sights, because most of the united players are not of that mentality, most of the players are better passers of the ball rather than shooter, i hope when manucho comes he solves some of our problems, and also one thing that saha should be sold as soon as possible because he has really done nothing for the club sinch joining, really its too much, just sell him back to fulham or whereever he wants to go, we need someone who is really like RVN, in these kind of days, i really miss RVN, because he was really a good opportunistic scorer, he was like a mean machine, we seriously need a striker,
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Ronaldo was playing a more central role, which as SAF has mentioned before isn't his best position. SAF was seriously hindered by the lack of firepower. No Saha or Rooney left him little option in terms of tactical brilliance. The team chemistry was lost because Tevez (normally brilliant playing behind the main striker) was forced to play up front. United is known for its strong defence, and its fast fast breaking highly compatable strikeforce. Unfortunately the defensive united wasn't up to its best and the players going forward were forced to play in unfavorable possitions.
I am sure that once Rooney and Evra return, normality will return to the United team and they should be back on track in their hopes of winning the title
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ahmed moosa about 1 year ago
Ronaldo was playing a more central role, which as SAF has mentioned before isn't his best position. SAF was seriously hindered by the lack of firepower. No Saha or Rooney left him little option in terms of tactical brilliance. The team chemistry was lost because Tevez (normally brilliant playing behind the main striker) was forced to play up front. United is known for its strong defence, and its fast fast breaking highly compatable strikeforce. Unfortunately the defensive united wasn't up to its best and the players going forward were forced to play in unfavorable possitions.
I am sure that once Rooney and Evra return, normality will return to the United team and they should be back on track in their hopes of winning the title
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ahmed moosa about 1 year ago
Ronaldo was playing a more central role, which as SAF has mentioned before isn't his best position. SAF was seriously hindered by the lack of firepower. No Saha or Rooney left him little option in terms of tactical brilliance. The team chemistry was lost because Tevez (normally brilliant playing behind the main striker) was forced to play up front. United is known for its strong defence, and its fast fast breaking highly compatable strikeforce. Unfortunately the defensive united wasn't up to its best and the players going forward were forced to play in unfavorable possitions.
I am sure that once Rooney and Evra return, normality will return to the United team and they should be back on track in their hopes of winning the title
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Sheikh Zakaria about 1 year ago
I think Sir Alex should tinker a bit with his formations...and start Nani often..
And stop playing attacking or defensive midfielders together--like Carrick/Hargreaves and Scholes/Anderson..
We had some decent chances in both the halfs, but Ctiy was never going to give up..
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
oh dear. and fergie is hoping arsenal slip up?not likely. those boys are getting tougher by the minute.for me since sholes came back the team has been doing badly.fergie should stop relying on past glories of players.giggs is out n so is scholes.just like solskjaer.they may have been legends but all are now past it and the team needs to look forward.about manucho.i have heard that he is not ready for epl.thats rubbish.he was made for the epl.fergie has no need for another high priced flop.he's gonna be fergies best investment ever(though it was quieroz's idea)
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ahmed moosa about 1 year ago
You guys are right, Scholes played pathetically in the last game, but I think that that was more fergies fault than anything else. He didn't give him enough recovery time (he didn't appear to be too confident). Furthermore, he played him as a defensive midfielder rather than his normal central/attacking role meaning that he did little to aid the team.
United need nothing more than a brilliant out and out striker who has a good temprement. No new Vannistleroy, because that would damage the team chemistry. But someone similar to Saha (but without the injuries) would be brilliant. Somebody that scores consistently, is good in the air but doesnt demand the ball.
The best united team should be:
Defence:
Van Der Saar
Rio
Vidic
Brown (Neville if he returns)
Evra
Midfield:
Hargreaves
Anderson (Scholes if he gets back in form)
Ronaldo
Giggs (Nani needs alot more experience before becoming first team material)
Attack:
Saha (or new striker)
Rooney (Rotate with Tevez)
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
saha can never be the same again,the injury had affected his mentality he is now goal-shy even when fit.we need a fresh leg that can add another dimension to our attacking game.
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Taku Famba about 1 year ago
There is no need to fools ourselves to believe United was not at it's best or maybe that the players were tired. They simply played a better team. With Benjani you will see an improved Man City because he has pace, is aggressive and now is a lucky guy with goals.
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