In the
successful campaign of 1968 which saw Manchester United
crowned European Champions,
William Foulkes a highly unlikely goalscorer gave
United a priceless goal which eventually sent the Reds to
the
1968 European Cup Final, some forty years on from the
Wembley triumph, another unlikely source came up trumps in
the form of right back, John O'Shea.
The Irishman, an integral part of United back four this
season scored the only goal of a excellent United
performance, a performance which under performance
warranted a healthier scoreline than the slim 1-0 victory.
SAF rewarded
Carlos Tevez with a start after his excellent form against
Tottenham & also gave starts to another first-rate
performer in Darren Fletcher.
Immediate attacking the jugular, United flew at Arsenal
like crazed wolfs in from the kick off with the reward
coming in the form of a world class save from returning
Arsenal keeper Almunia after a looping Wayne Rooney header
The Spanish keeper continued his admirable form saving
from Ronaldo on two occasions as the home side looked
dangerous & aggressive, but as the match wore on the rest
of the night he would foil United time & time again thus
keeping his team in the match.
The
deserved breakthrough finally came for United when an
Anderson corner floated deep to the back post, Wenger's
men failing to clear thier lines saw Michael Carrick
swiftly shoot across the face of the goal & from his
attacking right back position, showed great technique
shooting (Editor: Are you watching Anderson!!) into
the roof of the net for 1-0.
With Arsenal coming second in every area on the pitch,
United looked to have all the ingredients to hand out a
mauling after the visitors hopelessly failed to muster any
sort of offence such was the aggressiveness & hunger of
United.
However due to the inspired for of the visitors keeper
Arsenal trudged in at half time with themselves & many
fans wondering why the home side had not buried the match
from one period of play.
Carlos Tevez in a clash with Arsenals keeper saw himself
earn a yellow card after he had slid in on Almunia.
The
second half was much like the 1st with Adebayor looking
like the
proverbial
child who was picked last for a football match in school,
Fabregas playing behind
Adebayor looking totally
lost, Nasri the man who scored twice past the Reds back in
November so anonymous id forgotten he was even
participating.
Creaking & groaning, Arsenal were being taken apart, but
most importantly no goals had beaten Almunia as the
Gunners defence earned their wages.
Ex United
defender
Mikael Silvestre intercepted a Patrice Evra cross when
Carlos Tevez was lurking & Anderson who seemingly
struggles to hit a cows arse with a banjo when it comes to
shooting skied horribly.
United saw a offside decision go against them as the
Brazilian gathered a pass from O'Shea.
After running himself ragged, Carlos Tevez was replaced by
Berbatov & Ryan Giggs replaced Anderson.
SAF then changed his tactics as Giggs took up a left sided
midfield position & Berbatov joined Cristiano Ronaldo in
United's attack.
Arsenal then enjoyed their best spell when Fabregas tamely
tried with two efforts, the anonymous figure of Adebayor
shot from distance & Nicolas Bendtner possibly could have
given United trouble with a header.
The Danish Striker after the header looked to have been
the instigator in the knick that Rio Ferdinand had
received to his ribs.
The
visitors continued to pass the ball without if truth be
told troubling the United defence, as the brick wall of
Fletcher aided by Carrick, Rooney & Tevez hassled &
charged down Arsenal keeping them from settling.
Ronaldo
then smashed a 30 yard shot against Almunia's cross bar &
as Arsenal's MOTM walked toward my seat in the Stretford
End to recover the ball for a by kick, the Spanish keeper
reveled his thought as he shook his head showing a
bewildered look as he wondered just how his team was still
in the tie.
Taking no
chances SAF replaced Rio with Jonny Evans for the last few
minutes & the England defender gave United some laugh's as
he tried to enter the game again even though he had been
subbed previous.
Deserving
more for their performance United still have it all to
play for down at the Emirates, but on this form, I feel
United should score in London, making Arsenals chances
much much harder as the Away goal rule comes into play.
13 tickets & a Mini-Bus Ride to North London next week
awaits your reporter & hopefully......hopefully fingers
crossed & good piss up after the game!!
Ronaldo...waving
arms, having a strop & NOT TRACKING BACK, tut tut tut
.....HAVE YOU'RE SAY BELOW. |
Article by Mark Graham, Editor, Record Keeper & Official
Reporter @ MUFCINFO.COM.
O'Shea (18 mins).
