UEFA Champions League: Manchester United-Schalke Breakdown
There it is. The third Champions League final in four seasons. Sir Alex Ferguson's chance to "win the double with the shi****st United team for the last 15 years." The only thing standing between them and the Champions League final was a German team called Schalke 04. United gave a sterling performance, worthy of their name and reputation, tonight with a 4-1 victory against Schalke 04. However, there were many interesting things indeed about this rout.
Squad Players Come Through
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Many of Sir Alex Ferguson's doubters have pointed to the under-performing squad players in United's, well, squad. An example would be Darron Gibson, who has underperformed at best. However, Gibson was immense tonight.
With a fantastic curling effort, he gave United a 2-0 advantage. He also provided a lovely pass for Valencia to curl and slot past Manuel Neuer. He was very lively throughout the game, and he helped to keep the tempo up with compatriot Anderson.
Now I come to Anderson, whose form has been just as erratic as that of Darron Gibson. Tonight, he grabbed a brace with a man-of-the-match midfield performance. He was also very lively in tackling and also went forward to add an extra body to the United attack.
Fergie Will Find the Right Combination in Midfield
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Do Gibson, Anderson and Scholes seem like an unorthodox midfield trio to you, based on current form? Well, then you obviously don't remember Giggs and Carrick. Chronic underperformers of the season and wide-men. Didn't bat an eye in the face of Lampard and Essien.
Ferguson, however, outdid himself when fielding a midfield of Gibson, Scholes and Anderson. They played a fluid 4-3-3, with Anderson (he was the one making the tackles though) and Gibson both going forward. Passmaster Scholes peeled back the years with a pass that nearly picked out Dimitar Berbatov. Gibson grabbed a goal and an assist, and Anderson a brace. How's that for a clinical midfield?
Evans Is Still Erroneous
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Evans and Smalling as a central defense pairing seemed to be unorthodox, at best. Evans had been unimpressive this season, starring in Manchester United's first defeat in any competition, a 4-0 defeat to West Ham (in the League Cup).
Smalling was hailed as the new Ferdinand, in contrast to Evans. Furthermore, it was noticed that Smalling was young and, therefore, still error-prone. Against Schalke, however, Smalling was immense and helped to keep out the burgeoning Schalke threat. But, his botched clearance was directly responsible for the Schalke goal.
Evans, however, was a different story. He looked shaky throughout the match. The ball bounced off his leg, leading to Schalke's only goal of the game (Jose Manuel Jurado shot). He also gave Raul space from Farfan passes, leading to Schalke chances.
Scholes Can Still Play
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Paul Scholes controlled the tempo for United today, having the lion's share of passes for his side (44). He had a decent game today, picking out several good passes. He looked a far cry from the "busted flush" people had described him as during the Man City game (especially the tackle on Kolarov). The fact that he got a yellow card today is neither here nor there.
Another Selection Headache Looms for Fergie at Wembley
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Ferguson's list of form players: Rafael, Fabio, Park, Rooney, Hernandez, Berbatov, Anderson, Gibson, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs and Patrice Evra
Furthermore, Darron Fletcher has just returned and he has been a presence in midfield during the first quarter of the season, being arguably, United's best in central midfield.
Pick a first XI from that!
