matchday 5 review: MANCHESTER UNITED 2 v 1 sporting Lisbon

Article by Mark Graham, Stats Nerd
Match Review
Manchester United 2 v 1 Sporting Lisbon, Old Trafford, Manchester, 19.45pm, Tuesday 27th November 2007.
Goals: Manchester United: Tevez (61), Ronaldo (90).    Sporting Lisbon: Abel (22).
Attendance: 75,162

United claimed top spot in Group F on Tuesday night finishing above AS Roma after a nail biting final portion of the game saw the Reds claw back a one goal deficit, finally claming all the points after an injury time free kick winner from Cristiano Ronaldo.

4-5-1 with Saha as a lone, depressed figure giving the body language of a beaten man was SAF's tactic of the night with a midfield comprising of Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson with Nani & Ronaldo wide at times!!!

A uncomfortable 1st half saw United start brightly after Ronaldo ran immediately into the hear of the Lisbon defence with only his final ball to Saha letting him down. Still unsettled United soon conceded somewhat arguably aided by United's reserve keeper Kuszczak, Abel on an overlapping run gathered a ball thirty yards from goal with seemingly one option but to cross into the box, but a smashing strike later beat Kuszczak at his near post much to the chagrin of the Stretford End, giving the visitors the lead.

Lisbon almost doubled their lead soon after as Liedson as television camera's showed was 'just and no more' onside when a Polga effort was converted after goalmouth action.

Several United players were again out of sorts with only Ronaldo in the Reds attack looking like he could change the game after a string of chances missed the net escaping the former Lisbon wingers efforts to score.

 Ronaldo was again chief orchestration as a skilful "back heel" played to Saha only for the Frenchman to convert to nothing, the half ended with a another inept United display & few muffled boos from fans near the Players Tunnel area. (TUT TUT)

The second half saw SAF use Giggs and Tevez immediately and the Argentine had immediate impact making holes with intelligent runs & always willing to close down defenders when not in possession.

Saha, who did everything wrong a player could do then wasted another chance after waiting far too long when Ronaldo gifted the chance to the Frenchman.

United were slowly turning up the heat and looking a certainty for a breakthrough when Nemanja Vidic headed a Ryan Giggs corner just wide.

Lisbon's defence finally broke almost on the hour as Ronaldo's shot found Tevez who managed to steer the ball passed Rui Patricio giving United a deserved goal, not stopping there the Argentine then created a further nuisance of himself as a pass saw Ronaldo as the thankful beneficiary only for Ronaldo's effort to be saved again by Patricio in the visitors goal.

With only two minutes of injury time left, United picked up a late free kick in a danger zone, Ronaldo uncharacteristically then managed to beat the wall with his free-kick, deceiving the flawless Patricio & scoring an excellent goal which sees United with an "easier" draw for the second round & a chance for SAF to rest key players before Liverpool @ Anfield.


Should Ronny really take our freekicks?, are there better takers in the club?.
Is Saha's perforamces & body language just a temporary glitch or has he lost the plot and isn't interested????
Submit Your Comments & Opinions Below.

United's Man of the Match
Ronaldo & half of the back four deserve a mention, again several key players underperformed.

Patrice Evra win the MUFCINFO.COM MOTM award as again was excellent showing the two finger gesture to Kevin Davies after Saturday  an excellent creative left sided hub as well as never shirking on his defensive duties.

MUFC.COM's Reaction
(Editor: Never one for a knee jerk), but Saha concerns me a lot, given the chance to prove he is one to push Tevez & Rooney, our Louis was real poor, perhaps not fully match fit & low on confidence, Saha should emerge from the blip as the guy was one of the star performers of the 1st half of last seasons "Push over the Wall" title charge.
Come On Louis show us what you can do!!!

Was our prediction correct?
OH YES, Get in there (chuffed victory fist to celebrate) ! We said 2-1. MUFC INFO 3 v 17 Wrong Predictions.

Milestones
SAF's 78th win of his UCL career.

Ryan Giggs's 720th competitive appearance of his United career.

Ryan Giggs Countdown = 34 competitive Games left to eclipse the All Time Record Set by Sir Bobby Charlton.

United's Next Match
Monday 3rd December 2007 against Fulham in the Premiership at Old Trafford with a 20.00pm K.O.

MUFCINFO.COM Reader Feedback

Name: Scots Dave
Email: wendydickson@btinternet.com 
Comments: Good to see u got the score right for a change anyway hope everything goes alright on the big day, best of luck mate, its downhill from here. Off to Tenerife in morning see u for derby match in village.

Name: Dave "Tinker" Taylor
Email:
Comments: Thought Anderson was better than a 6 after first 10 mins, anyway don't think we need to worry about replacing Scholesey, his vision at times is as good as anyone anywhere, looking forward to seeing him develop into one of the best players in the world SAF has found a diamond I think.

Name: Dave C
Email:
Comments: Saha's heart and soul has not been in it for god knows how long. Its time SAF bit the bullet and got rid.