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Article by Mark Graham, Editor, Record Keeper & Official
Reporter @ MUFCINFO.COM
Another game, another 1-0 victory & another glut of missed
chances saw United sneak a win again at Old Trafford, with
freezing temperatures "The Vampire of Bulgaria" swooped
first after a goalmouth scramble and dispatched the ball
into the back of the net to finally beat a stubborn
Middlesboro side.
This victory sees the Premiership table at the end of 2008
with United on 38 points & two (home) fixtures in hand on
the bindippers, who currently have 45 points.
Jesus H Christ the temperature was something else as before
kick off SAF rang in the changes as Anderson, Nani, Carlos
Tevez were all given Christmas off and didn't feature &
instead starting positions for Berbatov, Rafael, Park & the
Two Jonnies.
United's manager also had a weaker looking bench with
Neville, Giggs, Scholes, Kuszczak & the younger Welbeck,
Gibson & Brazilian midfielder Rodrigo Possebon.
As is the usual of late, opposing goalkeepers seem to take
the opponents MOTM award and on this occasion Ross Turnbull
took the award with a string of great saves.
After Ex Arsenal
forward Jeremie Aliadiere appealed for a penalty in the very
early stages Wayne Rooney had a shot saved before Ronaldo
poorly missed a chance after good work by JSP.
Boro like Stoke last week kept much discipline & tried to
disrupt United as much as possible, United's brilliant
defence once again ensured in the whole ninety minutes not a
single shot on target came their way.
When Boro did
eventually get into the Reds half Afonso Alves shot went
wide after Stewart Downing used some trickery.
Rooney involved in much of United's creative play & maybe
guilty of dropping too deep as his strike partner did,
combined well with Berbatov to set up Ronaldo, but gifted
with an excellent chance flared his shot wide.
Boro's danger man Stewart Downing shot from distance &
Ronaldo made Turnbull work but neither team could make
a clear cut chance.
Rafael having one of his less productive games at right back
shortly after hit the side netting after Rooney had tried to
deceive Turnbull with a cross/shot.
United kept up the pressure on Turnbull as again the young
keeper impressively saved from Rooney by tipping the ball
over the bar after Ronaldo had nodded the ball into the path
of the England striker & Rooney smashed a volley goalbound.
At the end of the
1st half Ronaldo & Pogatetz
were involved in an exchange of words as the two teams left
the pitch, much to the delight of the Old Trafford crowd.
In the second
half Boro were first to create a chance when Nemanja Vidic
(MUFCINFO.COM's choice for Vice Captain post Neville &
Giggsy) blocked the Boro goal machine Alves shot for a
corner.
After a purple
patch of possession for the visitors, SAF must have finally
saw enough when but for better finishing after a Matthew
Bates cross, Tuncay missed a golden opportunity.
Cue a tactical
substitution as Paul Scholes replaced Darren Fletcher in a
midfield that was struggling to create & contain & Gary
Neville for Rafael.
With Scholes dropping back & Carrick given more chance to
press Boro, United looked far better as Scholes began
knocking balls wide to Neville & Park forcing Boro to commit
men & give United's forwards space. The plan paid off within
minutes as from a quick counter Michael Carrick crossed from
the left & David Wheater seemingly handballed into the path
of Dimitar Berbatov who stuck out a leg 7 volleyed past Ross
Turnbull into the Stretford End net.
With Scholes in
midfield United looked a more comfortable & indeed more
likely to add to the lead as JSP saw chances for the home
side as well as Ronaldo who shot from distance forcing work
from Boro.
United managed to indeed keep another clean sheet as time
expired & taking all three points are showing the classic
signs of a good side who win & play poorly
With a clutch of domestic cup games to come for United, SAF
will flex the teams strength in depth & wity his top stars
rested will be rubbing his hands in anticipation at the
visit of Chelsea, who look as poor a Chelsea side as has
been seen in recent years especially at the back where they
have conceded some bad goals, visually they also seem to be
void of ideas & have one threat in Anelka which they could
tactically easily play into the hands of a counter attacking
United side who are very resilient at the back & would
expose Chelsea attacking full backs.
What's your
opinion?.....HAVE YOU'RE SAY BELOW |
Berbatov (69 mins)
