MU 3 Southampton 0
People often ask me, “Hey, which club do you support?” I often say I support football itself, not any club. Actually it’s half truth. Yes I support football, but there are a few teams which is my favorite. If you know me well, one of it is Manchester United.
Held at Old Trafford, Man U took on bottom three Southampton last Saturday afternoon. Having known that Chelsea had trashed Newcastle United earlier on, MU players knew that they would have to come up with 3 vital points if they are to keep up with the league leaders. The Old Gaffer, ( Sir Alex) came up with a starting line-up of 4-4-1-1. Having admitted a few months ago that he messed around too much with the formation and starting line-up, finally we could see that a more consistent line up of players. A back four of ever solid Rio Ferdinand and (only good when Rio’s around) Mikael Silvestre, as well as hardworking Gabriel Heinze and Gary Neville was introduced. Captain Roy Keane took up his defensive role in the midfield, and in form Paul Scholes was support the attackers up front. Manchester United probably boasts one of the best pairs of wings around with seasoned Ryan Giggs and wonderkid Cristiano Ronaldo. With van Nistelrooy out, up front was left to fiery Alan Smith and supporting striker teen sensation Wayne Rooney. Southampton line up? Still working on learning the players. ;)
Anyways, I would not comment on the match report, anyone can watch on TV. But I’ll like to talk about the players, and gameplay of Manchester United.
Player Ratings
Just looking at the match stats itself will tell it all how the players fare. MU had a massive 30 over attempts on goal. Southampton less than 5. MU had possession of 62% with only 38% for Southampton, which is a lot of difference in football terms. Throughout the game, Southampton players were left chasing shadows as MU held on to possession of the ball flawlessly. We start at the back. Rio and Silvestre had an outstanding game. I would like to state a difference between the Chelsea centre backs and MU centre backs. Chelsea centre backs act more as sweepers. The ball comes, they balloon the ball back into the midfield. Where else, MU defenders act more as team players, as in the ball comes, they take the ball away from opponents, and feed it back to their teammates. Both have its pros and cons. Ballooning the ball away definitely clears the dangers, but it apprehends the game flow and rhythm of the game. Feeding it back to your players as in MU, avoids that, but a mistake in that could prove to be horrible and really costly. Of course, only steady and ice-cold defenders like Rio Ferdinand could afford to do that. ;) Another thing about the defence system of both clubs. MU fullbacks love to support in attack. You could see Neville and Heinze up the field many a times, crossing the balls in and helping in holding up the ball. Heinze even had a shot on target. Chelsea full backs tend to just stay back and defend, though once in a while they venture out a little into the opponent’s half.
Roy Keane as usual had he’s hands full in pulling the strings in midfield. He’s always in defending the grasp of the midfield power, and when the team is attacking, he acts as holding ball role to feed to other attackers. Of course, Giggs and Ronaldo had a good time tormenting the defenders. Giggs had a few shots on target, and it was obvious Ronaldo was trying to get on the score sheet, with many thunderous shots on goal. Giggs set up Rooney with he’s goal. A lovely through ball, practically though the bodies of 2 defenders gave Rooney a one-on-one, which is all he needed to almost make a hole in the keeper’s net. After watching a few games of Ronaldo, one could actually dictate the style of Ronaldo’s playing. Usually from the right flank, he will dribble he’s way through as least through one midfielder, and when at the penalty box, either he dashes on and crosses it to the middle, or he cuts into the left and unleash a volley with he’s left foot.
Old Gaffer has finally discovered how to use Rooney to he’s full potential, which is on the supporting role of the attacker. It was something which Paul Scholes couldn’t really fulfill when Sir Alex tried putting him there. Rooney likes playing deep. He likes to be the initiator of an attack, the one who creates chances and the finisher as well. Slow at the start, he probably needed to warm up his engine. Once it got all hot and warm and nice, there was no stopping to Rooney. He’s different from Ruud van Nistelrooy. RVD is the classic striker and predator. He doesn’t create chances, he FINISHES on chances. You need to provide and feed him with the ball. The key to getting RVD chances is to give him the ball in the penalty box. Once he’s in there, he can score even if it’s only a 0.1% chance of scoring
I would like to state that there are great players out there who play the role of supporting striker. A few players I know is AC Milan’s Jon Dahl Tomasson, Schalke’s Ebbe Sand. Up coming and learning ones is Thierry Henry, Kaka. This players not only score goals, they set them up. Finally, Alan Smith. Not much of a contribution, best probably used in substitutions.
Ratings:
Caroll: 7 ( more of a spectator than a keeper)
Ferdinand: 8 ( what’s to say? He’s my favorite of all)
Silvestre:8 ( monkey face, but still good with Rio around)
Neville: 7
Heinze: 8 ( another of my favorite. Hardworking and good in tackles)
Keane: 7 ( just another day at the office?)
Scholes: 8 ( another goal, another confidence built)
Ronaldo: 9 ( scored he’s first goal of the season.)
Giggs: 8 ( involved in every attack)
Rooney: 8
Bellion(sub) : 6
Team Play
MU have developed a unique kind of game play. Concentrating on keeping possession is one of the new things. They tend play much of the ball at the back, involving the keeper a lot. Then they pass on to midfield, then they pass back. Let me illustrate:
Ferdinand holds ball. Passes to Silvestre. Silvestre passes to Heinze. Then pass back to keeper. Keeper kicks ball to midfield. Too much preassure. Pass back to Ferdinand. Then pass to Gary. Then floats the ball across to Heinze again. Bla…Bla..Bla…..
Though it may be boring at some time, this tends to frustrate the opposition teams. As time gets along, the opposition team will start coming forward to try getting the ball. This tends to leave more space exposed for the MU attackers to work on. Then out of nowhere, the defenders will float a high ball in, and before you know it, you have Ronaldo sprinting down towards the opposition goal mouth. Besides that, slowly MU has rediscovered the flowing football they were once famous of. You could see glimpses of fine passing and deadly through balls again. Not yet quite there yet, still a lot of things to work on.
In conclusion, if Manchester United could keep up with consistency in their game, they can start believing that they can challenge the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, and surprisingly Everton to be a title contender. History has proven for every champion, there’s always a prolific striker in the team. United need to have a player who can lift the team, who can score goals.
People often ask me, “Hey, which club do you support?” I often say I support football itself, not any club. Actually it’s half truth. Yes I support football, but there are a few teams which is my favorite. If you know me well, one of it is Manchester United.
Held at Old Trafford, Man U took on bottom three Southampton last Saturday afternoon. Having known that Chelsea had trashed Newcastle United earlier on, MU players knew that they would have to come up with 3 vital points if they are to keep up with the league leaders. The Old Gaffer, ( Sir Alex) came up with a starting line-up of 4-4-1-1. Having admitted a few months ago that he messed around too much with the formation and starting line-up, finally we could see that a more consistent line up of players. A back four of ever solid Rio Ferdinand and (only good when Rio’s around) Mikael Silvestre, as well as hardworking Gabriel Heinze and Gary Neville was introduced. Captain Roy Keane took up his defensive role in the midfield, and in form Paul Scholes was support the attackers up front. Manchester United probably boasts one of the best pairs of wings around with seasoned Ryan Giggs and wonderkid Cristiano Ronaldo. With van Nistelrooy out, up front was left to fiery Alan Smith and supporting striker teen sensation Wayne Rooney. Southampton line up? Still working on learning the players. ;)
Anyways, I would not comment on the match report, anyone can watch on TV. But I’ll like to talk about the players, and gameplay of Manchester United.
Player Ratings
Just looking at the match stats itself will tell it all how the players fare. MU had a massive 30 over attempts on goal. Southampton less than 5. MU had possession of 62% with only 38% for Southampton, which is a lot of difference in football terms. Throughout the game, Southampton players were left chasing shadows as MU held on to possession of the ball flawlessly. We start at the back. Rio and Silvestre had an outstanding game. I would like to state a difference between the Chelsea centre backs and MU centre backs. Chelsea centre backs act more as sweepers. The ball comes, they balloon the ball back into the midfield. Where else, MU defenders act more as team players, as in the ball comes, they take the ball away from opponents, and feed it back to their teammates. Both have its pros and cons. Ballooning the ball away definitely clears the dangers, but it apprehends the game flow and rhythm of the game. Feeding it back to your players as in MU, avoids that, but a mistake in that could prove to be horrible and really costly. Of course, only steady and ice-cold defenders like Rio Ferdinand could afford to do that. ;) Another thing about the defence system of both clubs. MU fullbacks love to support in attack. You could see Neville and Heinze up the field many a times, crossing the balls in and helping in holding up the ball. Heinze even had a shot on target. Chelsea full backs tend to just stay back and defend, though once in a while they venture out a little into the opponent’s half.
Roy Keane as usual had he’s hands full in pulling the strings in midfield. He’s always in defending the grasp of the midfield power, and when the team is attacking, he acts as holding ball role to feed to other attackers. Of course, Giggs and Ronaldo had a good time tormenting the defenders. Giggs had a few shots on target, and it was obvious Ronaldo was trying to get on the score sheet, with many thunderous shots on goal. Giggs set up Rooney with he’s goal. A lovely through ball, practically though the bodies of 2 defenders gave Rooney a one-on-one, which is all he needed to almost make a hole in the keeper’s net. After watching a few games of Ronaldo, one could actually dictate the style of Ronaldo’s playing. Usually from the right flank, he will dribble he’s way through as least through one midfielder, and when at the penalty box, either he dashes on and crosses it to the middle, or he cuts into the left and unleash a volley with he’s left foot.
Old Gaffer has finally discovered how to use Rooney to he’s full potential, which is on the supporting role of the attacker. It was something which Paul Scholes couldn’t really fulfill when Sir Alex tried putting him there. Rooney likes playing deep. He likes to be the initiator of an attack, the one who creates chances and the finisher as well. Slow at the start, he probably needed to warm up his engine. Once it got all hot and warm and nice, there was no stopping to Rooney. He’s different from Ruud van Nistelrooy. RVD is the classic striker and predator. He doesn’t create chances, he FINISHES on chances. You need to provide and feed him with the ball. The key to getting RVD chances is to give him the ball in the penalty box. Once he’s in there, he can score even if it’s only a 0.1% chance of scoring
I would like to state that there are great players out there who play the role of supporting striker. A few players I know is AC Milan’s Jon Dahl Tomasson, Schalke’s Ebbe Sand. Up coming and learning ones is Thierry Henry, Kaka. This players not only score goals, they set them up. Finally, Alan Smith. Not much of a contribution, best probably used in substitutions.
Ratings:
Caroll: 7 ( more of a spectator than a keeper)
Ferdinand: 8 ( what’s to say? He’s my favorite of all)
Silvestre:8 ( monkey face, but still good with Rio around)
Neville: 7
Heinze: 8 ( another of my favorite. Hardworking and good in tackles)
Keane: 7 ( just another day at the office?)
Scholes: 8 ( another goal, another confidence built)
Ronaldo: 9 ( scored he’s first goal of the season.)
Giggs: 8 ( involved in every attack)
Rooney: 8
Bellion(sub) : 6
Team Play
MU have developed a unique kind of game play. Concentrating on keeping possession is one of the new things. They tend play much of the ball at the back, involving the keeper a lot. Then they pass on to midfield, then they pass back. Let me illustrate:
Ferdinand holds ball. Passes to Silvestre. Silvestre passes to Heinze. Then pass back to keeper. Keeper kicks ball to midfield. Too much preassure. Pass back to Ferdinand. Then pass to Gary. Then floats the ball across to Heinze again. Bla…Bla..Bla…..
Though it may be boring at some time, this tends to frustrate the opposition teams. As time gets along, the opposition team will start coming forward to try getting the ball. This tends to leave more space exposed for the MU attackers to work on. Then out of nowhere, the defenders will float a high ball in, and before you know it, you have Ronaldo sprinting down towards the opposition goal mouth. Besides that, slowly MU has rediscovered the flowing football they were once famous of. You could see glimpses of fine passing and deadly through balls again. Not yet quite there yet, still a lot of things to work on.
In conclusion, if Manchester United could keep up with consistency in their game, they can start believing that they can challenge the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, and surprisingly Everton to be a title contender. History has proven for every champion, there’s always a prolific striker in the team. United need to have a player who can lift the team, who can score goals.
