Manutd.com report: Middlesbrough 0 - 2 Man Utd
Foster
O'Shea - Vidic - Evans - Evra (Rafael 78')
Park (Nani 75') - Scholes - Giggs - Rooney
Berbatov - Macheda (Tevez 56')
scorers:
Giggs 25'
Park 51'
They had only 2 shots on goal but Man Utd converted them both to win 2-0 in comfortable fashion. There was a little surprise that Macheda started the game instead of Tevez, maybe a sign of things to come for the midweek UCL game against Arsenal, but Macheda showed enough glimpses to show that he can be a more than able replacement for the want-away Argentinian who reiterated his desire to move on if he is unable to find his happiness at Old Trafford.
With the win, Man Utd are 6 points ahead of nearest rivals Liverpool and need only 7 points from their last 4 games to secure the Premiership crown.
Evans was given the nod over a doubtful Ferdinand while Scholes and Giggs were surprise starters as well while Ronaldo and VDS were also rested with a view to the midweek's Arsenal game.
Middlesbrough are currently sitting among the 3 relegation spots and needed a win to boost their hopes of staying in the top flight since being promoted 11 seasons ago. But in a stadium where they defeated Liverpool, they would have rued drawing too many games against teams near them much too often at home.
The opening exchange was even with plenty of penetration from both teams led to the game being an open affair. It was with no surprise then that the opening goal came from such a play. Giggs was able to pick up on a loose ball on the edge of the penalty box to coolly slot home only his 2nd league goal of the season.
That goal just before the half hour allowed Man Utd to take more liberty with the ball at their feet and it represents more of a training session than for any need to press the issue. Middlesbrough successfully kept the Red Devils at bay, but if anything, Man Utd were not trying too hard either.
After the break, a flowing move of many passes involving half the Man Utd team from the left flank led to the decisive goal as a befuddled Middlesbrough team were snapped apart by the simplicity of the attacking approach.
Park, as he has done so often this season, got behind the defence to latch onto an intelligent Rooney pass to finish with ease.
Man Utd brought on Tevez shortly after but his endless running was not useful as Man Utd sought to close out the game without tiring themselves too much. Nani was also allowed a run-out while Rafael came on Evra as a precautionary measure.
Man Utd can now head into the midweek UCL game with a fresh strong 1st team as VDS, Ferdinand, Carrick and Ronaldo all likely to return to the starting line-up.
Ratings:
Foster (7): Had to be alert in the opening 45 minutes as the game was an open affair. Foster was decisive and dominant in his penalty area and has a clean sheet as his reward.
O'Shea (7): The regular for this season enjoyed a comfortable run-out.
Evra (7): Had to be taken off as he sustained a slight injury but is likely to return on Wednesday.
Vidic (7): Was again dominant in the air.
Evans (7): The stand-in for Ferdinand was not tested by a poor Middlesbrough attack.
Park (7): Scored the 2nd goal to cushion the 1st, he has been running behind the defence like this throughout this season.
Rooney (7): Looked hungrier to score from range; understandable given that his scoring instincts closer in the penalty box area has been limited due to his new role at left flank.
Scholes (7): Misfired with his long-range efforts but the veteran was comfortable with the ball at his feet in the middle of the park.
Giggs (7): Scored the opener with a cool head and was actively involved throughout.
Berbatov (7): At one point early in the match was at his own corner flag to win possession of the ball. The Bulgarian would be pleased to win his 1st national league title (he has been in Bulgaria and Germany) since joining the Premier league (and Tottenham Hotspurs) 3 years ago.
Macheda (7): Has shown again that he is the real deal.
Subs:
Tevez (7): Time is running out for one of Man Utd fans' favourite players, will he listen to his fans' call to stay?
Nani (6): For a fringe player costing 14-17 mil. bucks, surely the more impressive home-grown Welbeck, for example, would make Nani realise that he has got to improve drastically next season - assuming he is still here. A subs' appearance in a game already won is hardly a call for such an expensive signing.
Rafael (6): Had an easy last few minutes coming on for the slightly injured Evra.
~akim~
O'Shea - Vidic - Evans - Evra (Rafael 78')
Park (Nani 75') - Scholes - Giggs - Rooney
Berbatov - Macheda (Tevez 56')
scorers:
Giggs 25'
Park 51'
They had only 2 shots on goal but Man Utd converted them both to win 2-0 in comfortable fashion. There was a little surprise that Macheda started the game instead of Tevez, maybe a sign of things to come for the midweek UCL game against Arsenal, but Macheda showed enough glimpses to show that he can be a more than able replacement for the want-away Argentinian who reiterated his desire to move on if he is unable to find his happiness at Old Trafford.
With the win, Man Utd are 6 points ahead of nearest rivals Liverpool and need only 7 points from their last 4 games to secure the Premiership crown.
Evans was given the nod over a doubtful Ferdinand while Scholes and Giggs were surprise starters as well while Ronaldo and VDS were also rested with a view to the midweek's Arsenal game.
Middlesbrough are currently sitting among the 3 relegation spots and needed a win to boost their hopes of staying in the top flight since being promoted 11 seasons ago. But in a stadium where they defeated Liverpool, they would have rued drawing too many games against teams near them much too often at home.
The opening exchange was even with plenty of penetration from both teams led to the game being an open affair. It was with no surprise then that the opening goal came from such a play. Giggs was able to pick up on a loose ball on the edge of the penalty box to coolly slot home only his 2nd league goal of the season.
That goal just before the half hour allowed Man Utd to take more liberty with the ball at their feet and it represents more of a training session than for any need to press the issue. Middlesbrough successfully kept the Red Devils at bay, but if anything, Man Utd were not trying too hard either.
After the break, a flowing move of many passes involving half the Man Utd team from the left flank led to the decisive goal as a befuddled Middlesbrough team were snapped apart by the simplicity of the attacking approach.
Park, as he has done so often this season, got behind the defence to latch onto an intelligent Rooney pass to finish with ease.
Man Utd brought on Tevez shortly after but his endless running was not useful as Man Utd sought to close out the game without tiring themselves too much. Nani was also allowed a run-out while Rafael came on Evra as a precautionary measure.
Man Utd can now head into the midweek UCL game with a fresh strong 1st team as VDS, Ferdinand, Carrick and Ronaldo all likely to return to the starting line-up.
Ratings:
Foster (7): Had to be alert in the opening 45 minutes as the game was an open affair. Foster was decisive and dominant in his penalty area and has a clean sheet as his reward.
O'Shea (7): The regular for this season enjoyed a comfortable run-out.
Evra (7): Had to be taken off as he sustained a slight injury but is likely to return on Wednesday.
Vidic (7): Was again dominant in the air.
Evans (7): The stand-in for Ferdinand was not tested by a poor Middlesbrough attack.
Park (7): Scored the 2nd goal to cushion the 1st, he has been running behind the defence like this throughout this season.
Rooney (7): Looked hungrier to score from range; understandable given that his scoring instincts closer in the penalty box area has been limited due to his new role at left flank.
Scholes (7): Misfired with his long-range efforts but the veteran was comfortable with the ball at his feet in the middle of the park.
Giggs (7): Scored the opener with a cool head and was actively involved throughout.
Berbatov (7): At one point early in the match was at his own corner flag to win possession of the ball. The Bulgarian would be pleased to win his 1st national league title (he has been in Bulgaria and Germany) since joining the Premier league (and Tottenham Hotspurs) 3 years ago.
Macheda (7): Has shown again that he is the real deal.
Subs:
Tevez (7): Time is running out for one of Man Utd fans' favourite players, will he listen to his fans' call to stay?
Nani (6): For a fringe player costing 14-17 mil. bucks, surely the more impressive home-grown Welbeck, for example, would make Nani realise that he has got to improve drastically next season - assuming he is still here. A subs' appearance in a game already won is hardly a call for such an expensive signing.
Rafael (6): Had an easy last few minutes coming on for the slightly injured Evra.
~akim~
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