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Article by Mark
Graham, Stats Nerd
Match Review
F.A. Cup Quarter Final Replay, Manchester United 1 v 0
Middlesbrough,
Old Trafford, 20.00pm, Monday 19th March 2007.
Goals: Manchester United :
Ronaldo (pen 74)., Middlesbrough:
n/a.
Attendance: 71,325
A second consecutive Cristiano Ronaldo penalty and the red
hot in form Portuguese international's 18th goal of the
season was enough to put United through to their 25th
Semi-final in the illustrious history of the FA Cup, Watford
now await the Reds at Villa Park on Saturday 14th April K.O.
17.30.
United were far from the team that lit up Old Trafford the
previous Saturday, but the job was a defensively sound,
professional performance considering it was United's fourth
game in ten days & many 1st team players were missing as
Boro rarely troubled United.
SAF opted to play Ryan Giggs in a central role alongside
Carrick with JOS switching to the bench, Alan Smith started
up front with Rooney & most surprising of all was the
inclusion in the starting line up of Kieran Richardson after
Ji Sung Park had played so well against Bolton.
In a gloomy non highlighted 1st half, Boro content with a
draw and possibly penalty's it seemed, were content with
defending & Woodgate stood out at the back with a solid
performance keeping United's attacks at bay.
The best chance of the half came from the hosts as would be
expected, but Boro's keeper Schwarzer was in inspired form
for the visitors as the Aussie would save Rooney's goal
bound effort & not for the last time after being played
through by Giggs.
In the second half Boro became more adventurous after
possibly realising that defending against United for the
entire match my not be the best policy for a victory & ten
minutes in could have taken the lead only for Stewart
Downing to miss cue after good hold up play from Viduka.
Schwarzer in fine form on the night, then saved Boro twice
in quick succession as he saved from the United's Dynamic
duo of Ronaldo & Rooney, Ronaldo's effort was touched onto
the post & Rooney's attempt after being put through on goal
was thwarted after the keeper saved with his feet.
After a flawless 60 minutes plus from Woodgate the
England centre half was guilty as charged after Ronaldo won
a penalty in the Stretford End, Woodgate's solitary mistake
of the match after bringing Ronaldo down was punished
harshly as the resulting penalty was dispatched with ease.
In the final stages of the game with Boro a certainty for
defeat, Morrison tried to cut Ronaldo in two and was
immediately sent off, seeing his best mate almost being
assaulted, Rooney who was on a yellow card himself
needlessly got involved in the melee & on another day could
have been shown a red.
Carlos Quiroz then needed restraining after Ronaldo was
accused of cheating & the Boro & United benches clashed,
however United this proved little more of a distraction &
United now face a Watford side that has nothing to loose &
everything to gain.
United Starting Line-up
Player Ratings in parenthesis
Kuszczak (6); Brown (6), Ferdinand (6),
Vidic (6), Heinze (7);
Ronaldo (8), Carrick (6),
Giggs (7), Richardson (4);
Smith (6), Rooney (7).
Subs Used: Park (6)
for Richardson (60 mins), O'Shea (6)
for Smith (71 mins).
Subs not used: Heaton, Cathcart, Eagles
United's Man of the Match
The man once again always looked dangerous (is there
anything else he can be) and came up with the goods
.
Keano16's Reaction
A game with Watford at Villa Park waits
and the fixtures pile up has now been sorted out, Chelski
(A) will now be played Wed 9th May & Sheff Utd (H) will be
Tue 17 Apr. Throw in couple of Italian ingredients like AS
Roma into the mix & simmer gently.
Lets hope all the boys get back to fitness as the seasons
starts to get serious!!!
Moan of the Match
Richardson was crap again, after bring given his millionth
chance.
Was Our Prediction Right?
We said 2-0, United Rant 7 v 37 Wrong Predictions.
Milestones
Cristiano Ronaldo's 8th FA Cup goal of his United career
& 45th goal overall.
Miscellaneous Info
United’s next match is on Saturday 31st March 2007 (H)
to Blackburn Rovers in the Premiership, 15.00pm K.O.
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