UEFA Champions League: Five Things Manchester United Learned From Win At Chelsea

Manchester United may not have the stardust sprinkling and flair that has been associated with previous sides, but its ability to silence the loudest stadiums in the world with its never-say-die mentality and cohesive-unit team play is what serves as the catalyst propelling United to further glory.  United has won 10 out of its last 12 outings, which has prompted fans to adopt the saying "Not arrogant, just better."

United was quick, if not first, to every ball.  Dominating in its tackles and effective in its possession,  Manchester United met the match head on, with little fear against big sides—something that can not be said about our noisy neighbors in the blue side of Manchester.  The team played with courage, adventure and ambition, and above all, held its head high.

United seemed prepped, ready to attack the vulnerable sides of Chelsea.  Roman Abramovich was seen pushing his comb-over side to side in frustration.  Carlo Ancelotti masked his displeasure by taking it out on the fourth official.  Chelsea's passes were misplaced, lacked the cutting edge and prompted moans and groans from the fans—especially when a United player got the ball first and showed more heart and desire.

United was, by the far, the more composed side. The team had been in stages like this before, and relied on a combination of superior experience and skill to finish the game.  Before the opening goal, Chelsea appeared edgy and uncertain—that was when United seized their moment and attacked.

Viewers and fans will know that this tie is certainly not over, and in no way can Chelsea be written off.  But if United continues on this run of form, it doesn't seem likely that many teams have the ability to slow it down.

Micael Carrick Isn't as Useless as We All Thought Afterall

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Michael Carrick of Manchester United applauds the fans at the end of the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford on February 1, 2011 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Cli

For Michael Carrick, this season has not been one to remember.  He has, at times, been dreadful for Manchester United, contributing little to the game besides useless back passes.  Along with Darren Fletcher and Darren Gibson, Carrick has blended in as a like-for-like. 

The combination of any of them playing together offers little for United going forward.  Carrick is not as powerful and hard working as Fletcher and does not posses the booming shot of Gibson.  More or less, Carrick is—for lack of better words—Mehh.

Last night, Carrick made many eat their negative words about him—including myself.  Carrick was the base of our midfield and dominated the midfield battle.  Carrick's interceptions, dedicated back-tracking and game-changing tackles allowed Park and Valencia to attack Chelsea's defense.  Carrick looked re-born, similar to the Carrick many fans sang praise remember from 2008-2009.

The Manchester United goal was brilliantly set up by Ryan Giggs and calmly finished by Wayne Rooney, but the spectacular right-to-left diagonal ball Carrick played was absolutely sublime.  Carrick's switch was almost uncharacteristic of him, especially since he has often drifted through games without anyone noticing he was even on the pitch. Last night, Carrick completed 36 of 41 passes, most of them forward and useful.

However, last night was different.  Pairing Carrick with Ryan Giggs/Ji-Sung Park in the midfield was a perfect illustration of the class and skill that Carrick can exude.  Welcome back Carrick!  Hopefully more is to come and he continues to prove all of us wrong.

Rooney Is Paul Schole's Replacement and Back to His Best

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 20: Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney of Manchester United are brought on as subs during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford on November 20, 2010 in Manchester, England.

The position that United has needed to fill this season has been the attacking midfielder position.  Made crucial by Paul Scholes, United has lacked spark and invention when jump-starting an attack.  In a midfield that at times lacks creativity going forward, Carrick, Fletcher and Gibson are essentially carbon-copy players of each other.  While they effectively break down the opposing team's attack, they offer very little for United going forward.

Names such as Wesley Sneijder, Luka Modric, Marek Hamsik and Yoann Gourcuff have been linked to United and regarded as the new Paul Scholes.  However, Rooney is proving that the Scholes role is a position that he can make his own

As much as fans of opposing teams will hate to admit it, Wayne Rooney is back, proving why people have regarded him as one of the greatest talents in the modern game.  The reason Rooney has begun to flourish comes down to great management.

Wayne Rooney simply has too much energy and to much skill to play up top.  Rooney gets involved in every attack and likes to throw in a tackle here and there as well.  The constraints of playing up top limit Rooney from reaching his ultimate potential and do not allow him to play a position that has become natural for him.

Sir Alex has begun to deploy Wayne Rooney deeper behind the attacker, allowing him to receive the ball and orchestrate the Manchester United attack just like his predecessor, Scholes.  Rooney has thrived in this new position and has scored 14 goals while assisting 15 total competitions. 

The Stamford Bridge crown hissed and booed whenever Rooney received the ball, hoping to get a reaction out of the English player.  Despite the adversity and swear-gate controversy, Rooney pressed on and drove the ball forward.  It was during his runs that the crowd at Stamford Bridge got slightly quieter—an awkward and eerie silence prompted by fear at what Rooney might be capable of doing next.

Rooney is nowhere near his best yet, but his new-found freedom in the attacking midfielder position has allowed him to showcase his talents and bring his game to the next level. 

Manchester United Exposed Chelsea's Right Sided Dilemma

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 15: Jose Bosingwa of Chelsea in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers at Stamford Bridge on January 15, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

These are the matches where Chelsea will miss David Luiz more than any other player.  In the league, Luiz partners John Terry in the back, with Branislav Ivanocic occupying the right-back and Ashey Cole at his left-back position.  With the Brazilian Alex out injured, Chelsea lacks an adequate option on defense.  Pairing Ivanovic and Terry meant that Chelsea's right side was going to be left vulnerable.

Jose Bosingwa is a Portuguese international attacking threat, but his defensive abilities have often been called into question.  Chelsea opted for a 4-4-2, with Ramires playing as the right midfielder.  However, Ramires tends to drift in towards his more natural position, which left Chelsea open and allowed United to exploit its weakness.

Chelsea was breached early and often on the right side and could not recover.  If Carlo Ancelotti wants to assure the same thing does not happen at Old Trafford, he will look for options to plug the right side and keep 37-year-old Ryan Giggs at bay.

Our Karma Is Officially Balanced

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LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 06: The injured Patrice Evra of Manchester United kneels on the pitch during the UEFA Champions League quarter final first leg match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on April 6, 2011 in London, England. (P

Patrice Evra is the best left back in the world.  He is a better defender than any other left back and as threatening on the attack as any left back in the modern game.  However, last night, Evra (who has been very consistent since his 2006 transfer to Manchester United) had a rare and almost serious slip up. 

In the ending moments of the game, Evra went for the ball but missed and just got Ramires.  Thankfully, the goal line referees are as useless as many people thought they would be, and the referee was just out of position.  United was fortunate to not have conceded a penalty, but many feel that this was karma for the last meeting in the league when Chelsea hosted Manchester United.  David Luiz was lucky to not be sent off twice, and United should have also been awarded a penalty. 

United had many decisions go against it in that match, and Chelsea was unlucky last night.  United's karma is now equal with Chelsea's, and United will have to be more disciplined if it expects to advance past a resilient and determined Chelsea at Old Trafford

In all fairness, it should have been a penalty, but it wasn't given—so let's move on.

Manchester United Is on Course for Another Treble

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26 May 1999: Manchester United celebrate with the trophy after their 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League Final at the Nou Camp in Barcelona, Spain. \ Mandatory Credit: Phil Cole /Allsport

Chelsea's squad is nearing full fitness and strength.  Yossi Benayoun and Alex will be back from injury and available for selection in the second leg.  However, Manchester United is also kicking its play into the next gear, whereas other teams seem to continually be slipping up and dropping points.  In addition, the return of key players will add more depth for United to achieve another treble.

Antonio Valencia, Rio Ferdinand and Park Ji-Sung are back from injuries and adding depth and competition for starting spots.  Nani is in scintillating form and virtually unplayable when he is on his game.  Paul Scholes is still an integral part of the squad despite being relegated to the bench alongside EPL leading goalscorer Dimitar Berbatov.  Manchester United will only get better, and the possibility of another treble does not sound far-fetched at all.