matchday 2 review: MANCHESTER UNITED 1 v 0 a.s. roma

Article by Mark Graham, Stats Nerd
Match Review
Manchester United 1 v 0 AS Roma, Old Trafford, Manchester, 19.45pm, Tuesday 2nd October 2007.
Goals: Manchester United: Rooney (70)    AS Roma: n/a.
Attendance: 73,652

Not a hint of the eight goal thriller from last season, but maximum points none the less as well as a massive boost as United moved a step closer to qualifying for the K.O. stages of this seasons Champions League.  A intelligent finish from Wayne Rooney saw United win again by a solitary goal as well as keeping the what is now the customary clean sheet.

SAF had selection problems ahead of the tie with Roma with Wes Brown & Owen Hargreaves unable to make the match, Nani replaced an off form Ryan Giggs & Tevez was dropped to the bench for a rather tired looking Saha.

SAF also opted to play a interchangeable 4-4-2/4-3-3 with Nani & Ronaldo occupying the wings for most of the game, a move which surprised many.

For most of the 1st half, chances were hard to come by with Ronaldo & Totti almost shooting on sight should either talented player were to find any sort of space, this tactic may have been the fact that both goalkeepers Curci & Kuszczak were making their respective European cup debuts.

Roma later went close after a Totti free-kick made Tomasz Kuszczak work, after semi spilling the ball the Polish keeper gathered keeping the scores level.

MUFCINFO.COM's MOTM Nani who had his best game yet for United then fashioned an excellent chance after getting in behind the opposing defence, beating the Roma defenders from the left he sent over a teasing ball to Rooney and with time & space struck the cross with a volley which travelled harmlessly into the crowd.

The second half started brightly with United out of the traps quickly as Ronaldo ran down the right and found his pass blocked by Mexes with United attackers sniffing for any sort of touch.

Roma then responded with a Totti effort, but good keeping from Kuszczak saw Totti's angle cut after he was set up by Giuly from close range.

The visiting Italians again went close with Aquilani and the Romans were starting to gather momentum.

Rooney then went close for United shooting making Curci save for a corner.  With Saha off colour and lets face it a disappointment to all who wanted to see the Frenchman partner Wayne Rooney SAF opted to bring on "The Apache".

United looked like they had been given a second wind as Tevez instantly made a difference, dropping deep as he often does (Editor: A bit too deep) the Little Argie managed to get the ball to Ronaldo who was in an offside position, a cheeky back heel later saw the ball in the back of the net but not allowed due to the offside.

United almost sensing something would come then took the lead, Carrick fed Nani and the latest recruit in SAF's new team, threaded a pass to Rooney who still had work to do.  Using a technique which is difficult to master, Rooney struck the ball 1st time at where he thought the net was going to be paying of maximum diffident giving United the lead.

Most of the attacking play of the whole game came near the end of the match with both sides going close to scoring before the final whistle.

Carlos Tevez tried from distance with a powerful shot before Simone Perrotta tried from long range.

United finished the game with only ten men on the field after Ronaldo was caught in the head requiring 4 stitches, and deserving something from the game Roma again went close to claiming a point almost at the death as Totti passed to Esposito, but fortunately for the Reds he missed from 10 yards out.

United's Man of the Match
Nani was a danger all night, an assist & several tempting crosses & his best performance in a Red shirt to date .

MUFC.COM's Reaction
Dare we push the boat out & score more than 2 from open play this season, 6 points from two games & we look a certainty to win Group F at a canter, with Kiev seemingly the whipping boys of the group MUFCINFO.COM predicts that Victory at Old Trafford & another in Kiev will see us through with games to spare.

Was our prediction correct?
Yes!! We said 1-0. MUFC INFO 2 v 9 Wrong Predictions.

Milestones
SAF's 75th victory of his UCL career.
Wayne Rooney's 9th UCL goal of his United career and 60th goal overall.
John O'Shea's 50th competitive UCL appearance of his United career.

Ryan Giggs Countdown = 42 competitive Games left to eclipse the All Time Record Set by Sir Bobby Charlton.

United's Next Match
Tuesday 2nd October 2007 against A.S. Roma in the UCL at Old Trafford, with a 19.45pm kick off.

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