In a match similar to the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Man Utd found the two centre backs in Richard Dunne and Micah Richards of Man City the barrier en route to goal in a one-sided match in Man Utd's favor. If the 2 brilliant performers failed, there was the England prospect in Joe Hart, the goal custodian.
Man Utd did all they could except scoring.
For some freak reason, Man City went 1-0 in the 25th minute through Darius Vassell whose initial shot was parried by Van Der Sar. The goal was a setback as Man Utd had been dominating proceedings but not really threatening Man City's goal.
Rooney and Evra was suspended for this game and Nani and O'Shea took their places with Ronaldo playing the 2nd striker alongside Tevez and it was fair to say the Red Devils missed the dogged tenacity and aggression of Rooney and the pace and attacking option of Evra, though to Man City's credit, Richards and Dunne will have been an impenetrable fort as they commanded their defence well and on this night, harried and stifled the creativity of almost every Man Utd attack, who were destitute of ideas.
Man Utd faced a mountain to climb when debutant Benjani signed from Portsmouth headed in off a corner just before half-time.
The 2nd half was similar to the 1st but thankfully, Man Utd did not break down and continued carving, scraping really, for chances.
At one time, I felt that Man Utd should have gone more direct and play through the middle as they have the players to unlock the defence with short passes, which provided the consolation goal in injury time through Carrick.
Instead, they were playing down both flanks playing low crosses that found no Man Utd players and when it did, no decisive impact ensued. It did not help that when the crosses are played, Man City had half of the team camped inside the box.
Nevertheless, I am proud of Man Utd's performance. They may have looked jaded recently but hopefully, they hit top gear soon.
Man Utd did all they could except scoring.
For some freak reason, Man City went 1-0 in the 25th minute through Darius Vassell whose initial shot was parried by Van Der Sar. The goal was a setback as Man Utd had been dominating proceedings but not really threatening Man City's goal.
Rooney and Evra was suspended for this game and Nani and O'Shea took their places with Ronaldo playing the 2nd striker alongside Tevez and it was fair to say the Red Devils missed the dogged tenacity and aggression of Rooney and the pace and attacking option of Evra, though to Man City's credit, Richards and Dunne will have been an impenetrable fort as they commanded their defence well and on this night, harried and stifled the creativity of almost every Man Utd attack, who were destitute of ideas.
Man Utd faced a mountain to climb when debutant Benjani signed from Portsmouth headed in off a corner just before half-time.
The 2nd half was similar to the 1st but thankfully, Man Utd did not break down and continued carving, scraping really, for chances.
At one time, I felt that Man Utd should have gone more direct and play through the middle as they have the players to unlock the defence with short passes, which provided the consolation goal in injury time through Carrick.
Instead, they were playing down both flanks playing low crosses that found no Man Utd players and when it did, no decisive impact ensued. It did not help that when the crosses are played, Man City had half of the team camped inside the box.
Nevertheless, I am proud of Man Utd's performance. They may have looked jaded recently but hopefully, they hit top gear soon.
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