review: MANCHESTER UNITED 1 v 2 Manchester city

Article by Mark Graham, Stats Nerd
Match Review
Manchester United 1 v 2 Manchester City, Old Trafford, 13.30pm, Sunday 10th February 2008.
Goals: Manchester United: Carrick (90).  Manchester City: Vassell (25), Mwaruwari (45).
Attendance: 75,970

An Impeccable silence fell on Old Trafford before kick off on Sunday as both Manchester Clubs were United in their remembrance of the lost lives 50 years ago, a credit & hats off to the travelling Man City fans who honoured the minutes silence, for that I think I can speak for all Reds by saying THANK YOU.

What then transpired on the pitch for 90 minutes would have had the Babes looking down from below in shock as United's performance was pitiful on such an important day for the club.

Never since the drubbing to Liverpool on the 3rd of November 2001 have United looked so weak and feeble against a fierce rival.

Every team the worldwide has an off day & bad timing by the Reds saw it to be this date, second to everything in all areas of the park our usually rock solid defence was a shambles, midfield was dominated by a German Man City midfielder in his 60's & Richard Dunne & Micah Richards were nothing short of flawless.

For all their short fallings United started well after Nani found Carlos Tevez who tried picked out Ryan Giggs shot resulting in City keeper Joe Hart tipping over.

An opportunistic Carlos Tevez then pounced before Micah Richards only for Richard Dunne to block Tevez's effort.

City then took the lead when Petrov found Ireland after spotting his intelligent run, the City midfielder stabbed his effort goal bound only for EVDS to save, however the ball then strayed into the path of Darius Vassell and after another save by EVDS and on the second time of asking, Vassell gave the Blue side of Manchester something to cheer about.

A Blue blanket then seemingly came down on the pitch stifling anything United could try as Ronaldo, Scholes, Nani and any other attacking player for that matter were smothered.

Tevez then had United's best chance of the 1st half after hitting a volley on the turn but the Reds were not at the races as Hart saved easily.

The Reds then took another shock as on the stroke of half time new Man City signing Benjani beat EVDS when Petrov who tortured United's full back crossed from the right for Benjani to head across goal seeing United 2-0 down.

In the second half City had EVDS working early as the impressive Ex Bindipper Dietmar Hamann had a half-volley saved.

Ryan Giggs in a rare glimpse of something resembling a chance then shot over from close range but City were in no mood as they strangled the Reds attack, keeping United at bay.

SAF then changed the engine room as Carrick & Hargreaves were introduced and the Reds later pulled an undeserved goal back through Carrick but City were far to assured to to let the lead slip & United had score too little to late.

Submit Your Comments & Opinions Below.

United's Man of the Match
Christ, how do you pick from such a feeble attempt, Anderson & Tevez at least showed some sort of faint spark & urgency, but some of the other United players were so bad they stank.

MUFC.COM's Reaction

Milestones
Michael Carrick's 4th Premierships goal of his United career & 7th goal overall.

SAF's 88th Premiership defeat.

Cristiano Ronaldo's 150th competitive league appearance of his United career.

Ryan Giggs Countdown
Sir Bobby Charlton =753 appearances
Ryan Giggs             =731st appearance

22 competitive Games left to eclipse the All Time Record Set by Sir Bobby Charlton.

United's Next Match
Saturday 16th February 2008 against Arsenal in the FA Cup 5th Round @ the Old Trafford, with a 17.15pm K.O.

MUFCINFO.COM Reader Feedback

Name: Alex Smit
Email: 
Comments: What a disgrace! Agree with you though, Anderson's was united least shitty player.

Name: Alan
Email: alan1938@hotmail.com
Comments: Spot on except you were rather generous with your ratings. Maybe the Curse of The Monthly Awards. Every time SAF gets one of these his tactics and team selection go to pot.

Name: Morti
Email: ateusmorti@yahoo.co.uk
Comments: I was killed. such a day, such a date, 34 years at least... I hope that this will bring the raw energy to shrek and boys.

Name: John
Email:
Comments: excuses, Dubai trip, internationals, the emotion of the week leading to a poor performance on the day, or the fact that Paul Scholes slows down all our attacks just like last week at spurs??????????.