Arsenal Aftermath

The Good

Could just write up the 90min match report in this section....but will try to keep it brief ;-)

Andos Assist: The ball falls to a midfield player, 30-odd yards from goal many would shoot, a lot would pass to the wings but very few would try the lobbed pass that Anderson played today. I will admit that the Arsenal defence really should have handled it much better, but it is not our fault they didn't. The assist was hit into the danger area and towards Welbeck, great vision from the young Brazilian in my opinion, anyone who calls it lucky, I say you make your own luck!

Double de Gea: Looked a lot more solid in goal today! Particularly impressive and sticking out in the mind, was the double save, shortly after the penalty save (obviously impressive in itself)  But on a whole, de Gea looked so much more confident, surely starting to win over many of his doubters. And who knows what way the game may have turned out if Van Persies penalty or the efforts shortly after had of found the back of the net!


Super-Strikes: If anybody was still thinking United where lucky to be in the lead after Welbeck's goal, the other two goals in the first half surely dispelled that thought. Ashely Young with a magnificent curling effort, finding the top corner. He then repeated the feat at the end of the game, from inside the box this time, it as almost unstoppable! Great to see him settle at the club so well. I said, when he signed, he is a player who seems made for United, but I am sure he has exceeded even his own expectations at the start of this season. Maybe unlucky not to get the Man of the Match award today.

Set-piece Hat-trick: What can I say about this other than Wayne Rooney...take a bow. The two free-kicks looked directly off the training ground. The first one looked pretty unstoppable, but I think Szczesny should have been doing better for the second free-kick. From the opposite side of the pitch perhaps the Arsenal keeper thought Rooney would try to find the opposite corner, rather than shoot across the goal, leaving the goalie stuck in the mud it seems.

The Bad

Welbeck Injury: After an excellent start to the game unfortunately Danny pulled up with what seems to be a hamstring injury when chasing a long ball on the counter attack, such a shame that he only got 35mins under his belt today. It looks like it could be a month or so before we see Danny back in first team action again, which is a shame and we wish him a full & speedy recovery. Of course the silver lining is we seen almost an hour of football from Chicharito, who did well, unfortunately unable to find the net himself! But it goes to show, with Sir Alex speaking of selection headaches leading into the game, it is shown why the full depth of the squad is required. I dare say Wenger would have liked the same strength in numbers as we hold.

The Ugly

Arshavins Tackle: Leaving a bitter taste in many reds mouth, Arshavin can count himself lucky to have stayed on this pitch with a horrendous tackle on Ashley Young. I suppose Young can also count himself luck that he was not seriously injured by the tackle. Arshavin's foot was high  with studs showing and could have cause much more damage than it did in the end. Arsenal eventually did keep their record for a Red Card in every premier league game so far this season, with young Jenkinson picking up two yellows. Although the two bookings were fully deserved you almost felt sorry for the young gooner as he was tortured the whole game by Ashely Young on the wing and offered no help or protection from the Arsenal midfield!


Thanks for taking the time to read my blog, it is always appreciated. Please share it if you enjoyed it and feel free to leave comments or tweet me with your opinions & thoughts.

WBA - Away Day Win

I was hoping for a more emphatic start to the season from United after last weeks performance in the community shield, but the important thing was of course the three points that we earned. Considering the torrid time we had last season away from home in the league, not earning our first 3points outside of Old Trafford until the week before Halloween. Glad to have that out of the way because I don't think we can afford to through away so many points this season and still finish top.

The game started off bright with United pinning West Brom into their own box, with a few corners and a free kick from just outside the box which where delivered into the box by Anderson & Young.These looked much more dangerous, than any of the set-pieces we were delivering in last year so hopefully it's an area we can improve upon this year. 

I'm not going to do a match report, because I'm sure if you weren't watching it, you've seen it by now, on TV or on-line. Im just going to select a few of the major talking points, arising from the match.

Dodgy de Gea?

I've already made my feelings clear on this matter, after the Community Shield game (in Season Starts Now) and my feelings remain the same. We have to support de Gea, we cant expect him to walk in and be an instant replacement for Van der Sar, that's not how it works. He is only 20 years old, he has moved to a completely different country, he has moved to one of the biggest clubs in the world where he is expected to step right in to the first team. The unfortunate thing about being a goalkeeper is that there is nowhere to hide, you cannot be slowly integrated into the squad with 20mins here and there. You are in with the spot light from the very beginning. The other issue with being a goalkeeper is that if you do make a mistake, it will almost certainly cost a goal. 

This is exactly what de Gea has done in his first few games, made a couple of mistakes. I'm not denying this, but rather than jump on the band wagon and decided he shouldn't be the 1st team goalkeeper, we should be thank-full we have went on to win both games as he is making his transaction. He will take time to adjust, but given that time, he will settle and begin to impress at Old Trafford.

Defensive Injury Crisis?

Four of or eight first team defenders are currently injured, Evra is expected to be back for next week, so if he is fit to return that will ease worries a little. Rafael is reportedly out for 10weeks, requiring surgery. Rio will also be out for 6weeks, with a hamstring injury & it is still unclear how long Vidic could be out for.

The problem does not lie in the fact that the four our out because I have great faith in our second string defensive line up. Rather the problem may occur if we any of them where to pick up an injury. We don't want to end up stretched at the back as we where a few seasons ago when we had Carrick & Fletcher in defence and paid the price. Without them injuries we could have even went on to win the league for the record 4th time in a row. This year we have much greater strength and depth in the defensive area so hopefully Evra will return and this will be the only bad luck we have with injuries this year, because injuries can ruin seasons.

MotM - Ashley Young

Ashley Young picked up the man of the match award. Fully deserved in my opinion, he looks made for United, just as Valencia did when he joined. he hugs the left touchline and is always looking for that killer cross. He looks to have settled in well, stating himself the fact that he knew a number of the fellas, from the England set-up and also signing in time for the pre-season tour allowed him to meet all the players too.

He gained an assist for Rooney's goal and played a bit of pinball as he created the second goal. Long may his confidence and effectiveness continue.

Please subscribe, comment and share with friends, this blog is just beginning and I would love to hear your opinions on how to improve or what topics I should be looking at.  

New Player Review #2 - Ashley Young

 Debut vs New England Revolution - mirrorfootball.co.uk

Date of Birth: 09/07/1985 (Age 26)
Place of Birth: Stevenage
Professional Debut: 13/09/03 (vs Milwall)
Nationality: English
International Caps: 15

Joined Manchester United: 01/07/2011
Signed From: Aston Villa FC
Transfer Fee: Undisclosed (estimated £16million)
Squad Number: 18
Position: Winger/Attacking Mid (R/L/C)

No hassle, no fuss. That's the best way to describe the capture of Ashley Young from Villa, it appears to have been contact was made between the two clubs and Ashley agent. A price and the move was agreed before the news broke. All there was to do was allow Young to finish his holiday, there never seemed to be any panic or noise about the transfer until he had. Then he returned to completed his medical on the 22nd of June and the transfer was officially announced the next day.

As with Phil Jones, I am glad to have grabbed another English player and at 26, Ashley is only coming into his prime. He is a player that I see as made for United, a proper winger who can run all day. Like Antonio Valencia, who came from a smaller team and never flinched as he stepped onto the right-hand side of the turf at Old Trafford, I can see Ashley having a similar effect on the left. He can beat men, cross the ball and shoot.

He was impressive at Villa over the past few years and that was with a struggling team, when given the opportunity and freedom now to show what he can do, I hope he can step up to the challenge. He has all the tools to be successful and can give United that same steady influence on the left wing as Valencia gives on the right.

Just one piece of advice for Ashley. No snoods at OT.

Snoods Banned at Old Trafford - bleacherreport.com

Rating: Made for Utd. Great Signing.

Vote for your favourite signing now on the right hand sidebar.

Please subscribe, comment and share with friends, this blog is just beginning and I would love to hear your opinions on how to improve or what topics I should be looking at.