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u.c.l. matchday 1, group F, review: MANCHESTER UNITED
3 v 2 Glasgow Celtic
Article by Mark Graham,
Stats Nerd
Match Review
Manchester United 3 v 2 Glasgow Celtic, Old Trafford,
19.45 Wednesday 13th September 2006.
Goals: Manchester United - Saha (30 pen), (40), Solskjaer ().
Glasgow Celtic - Vennegoor of Hesselink (21), Nakamura (43).
Attendance: 74,031
United just about beat Celtic to claim all three points in a
thriller, which was watched by 74, 031. There were five goals,
including a brace from Saha, his first goals in the Champions
League. Even better was to come with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
scoring the winner minutes into the second half to see off a
excellent effort from the Scottish Champions.
Prior to the game United had been boosted by the return to the
squad of Alan Smith and Nemanja Vidic but it was announced that
Ji Sung Park will be out for up to three months with ankle
ligament damage.
SAF paired Rooney and Saha up front and Paul Scholes returned to
the team with a sparkling performance alongside his new midfield
partner Michael Carrick. United looked like they would break the
deadlock first; Saha missed a header from Neville's cross and
then struck a left foot volley just over the bar. However,
Celtic scored first - Celtic 'keeper Boruc's hoofed kick was
missed by Rio under pressure from Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink to
turn and sweep a drive home to give the Scots the lead. Van Der
Sar should have done better but it was Rio's feeble attempted
clearance that made the goal.
The goal served to highlight just how many Travelling Muppets
had tickets in the United end as many half wits leapt up in
celebration - the stewards soon ejected them. One in particular
was struck several times and was taken away in a headlock as
United fans took exception to this VIRUS in our midst. Fuck off
and don't come to Old Trafford unless you can keep a low profile
and keep your mouth shut you arseholes!
United took only seven minutes to draw level as a Paul Scholes'
pass found Ryan Giggs running into the area. The Welshman was
seemingly felled by Boruc, who foolishly rushed Giggs. The
Celtic 'keeper caught the winger but it hardly warranted a
penalty as Giggs went crashing to the ground. The resulting spot
kick was struck home by Saha for the Frenchman's first goal in
the Champions League, although the Polish 'keeper almost made
amends by getting a hand to the ball.
Celtic continued to capitalize on United's unsure defending and
went close through Vennegoor's header only for the chance to go
straight at EVDS. United then punished Celtic as Paul Scholes'
class showed again, the midfielder rolling a perfect pass
through to Saha after it seemed Wayne Rooney would be the
recipient. The Frenchman poked the ball passed Boruc to give
United the lead for the first time in the game.
Celtic kept up the pressure on the Reds as United's defence
creaked and groaned. Within three minutes EVDS was picking a
ball out of the net again after Wes Brown needlessly conceded a
free kick in a dangerous position. Up stepped Shunsuke Nakamura
to strike a beautiful free kick over the wall and beat the
stranded EVDS for the equaliser.
United started the second half started on the front foot with
Thomas Graveson making a huge error to gift Paul Scholes
possession. The midfielder played a ball to Saha whose goal
bound effort fell to the path of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to convert
for 3-2. The goal seemed to end Celtic's hopes as United started
to create excellent scoring chances. Boruc saved from Saha's
header and Wayne Rooney missed from yards out when it was easier
to score. It kept the score respectable but at the end of the
night United had done enough to take their fifth win in as many
games!
Player Ratings
van der Sar (6); Neville (8), Ferdinand (4), Brown (6),
Silvestre (6); Fletcher (8), Carrick (7), Scholes (9), Giggs
(5); Saha (7), Rooney (6).
Subs Used: Solskjaer (7) for Giggs (32 mins), O'Shea (6) for
Scholes (79 mins), Richardson (5) for Rooney (86 mins).
Subs not used: Kusczak, Evra, Vidic, Smith
United's Man of the Match
Darren Fletcher had a great game, rarely lost possession and
delivered some great crosses from the right. However, Paul
Scholes was a marvel. His range of passing and build up play was
exceptional and he was involved in everything.
Match Reaction
Another home tie where we United were lucky to come away with
all three points but who cares eh? On a serious note Rio looks
like he needs a kick up the arse - his sloppy defending for the
second game running is unacceptable. Waiting for a ball to come
to you is not what a centre half does - attack the ball and take
no chances. Vidic awaits in the wings, tut tut Wobblygob.
Was Our Prediction Right?
No as we said 2-0. United Rant 0 v 6 Wrong Predictions
Milestones
Louis Saha's 1st and 2nd UCL goals of his United career - the
27th and 28th goals overall for the club
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's 20th UCL goal of his United career and
117th goal overall.
Gary Neville's 99th UCL appearance for United
Paul Scholes is now 9th in the all time United appearances list
with 483 games
Miscellaneous Info
United's next match is on Sunday 17th September 2006 against
Arsenal in the Premiership at Old Trafford with a 16.00 kick off
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