My thoughts: 1. Good to stem the losing run and good to kick Arsenal whilst they're down. If they don't get a good result against West Brom next weekend they're gonna have a loooong international break for their failures to weigh on their minds. 2. A good performance all round, particularly given we only had one central midfielder on the pitch and that was Gibson! 3. A great performance by the da Silvas, even if they did manage to run themselves into the ground within about an hour. They're gonna be immense in the future. 4. Our midfield again coped better when there was space in the centre, rather than when the centre is tight with the opposition closing the space down quickly as against Chelsea and Liverpool. Was that due to Rooney and the da Silvas dragging the Arsenal midfield out of position, or just the Arsenal midfield being crap? 5. That was one of Rooney's best performances all season. Can he fix our current problems in the forward midfield area, at least until summer? EDIT: 6. Great to see Valencia back, and looking as good as he was before the injury. If we can get Nani, Rio and Anderson all back after the internationals, we'll be in good shape for the run in.
6. Great to see Valencia back and play a full half, he looked pretty sharp considering how long he's been out.
I'll add a 6th Valencia, how we have missed him... Genuine width. Plays the ball simple and hugs the touchline. Delivered a few threatening balls into the area... So happy he is back OOOOoooo and a 7th... Smalling is improving all the time, he's slowing cutting out the over-enthusaism in his defensive game. He's learning when to stand tall, and when to attempt to nick the ball. He's growing in cofidence by the game. And a cheeky 8th... Rooney and Hernandez seem to be building a neat partnership...
I already added that to my post Definitely - he looked really comfortable and assured today, and even went forward in a manner that reminded me a lot of Rio - hard to believe he's only 21. Also a very good thing for the run in - Rooney seems to be benefitting a lot from partnering an out and out striker. Be interesting to see if we stick with a similar formation vs Marseille, with Rooney in the centre, or shift him out to the wings as often happens in Europe.
I have to say that Manchester United won as they outclassed Arsenal off the ball. Likelihood is that Ferguson knows that Man Utd cannot match Arsenal for control of the ball, and the way to play against them is to play in a way they excell themselves (i.e. the Barcelona home tie in the Champions League). By getting men behind the ball swiftly when in position, and using the work rate of the Silvas to still allow a threat going forward, Utd played the classic counter-attacking game. I thought that Utd's use of the ball was clumsy at times, and obviously Van Der Sar was magnificient in goal, but for me the Arsenal forwards did not create space for themselves off the ball, were not clinical and di not exploit Vidic's lack of pace like Torres has done. Rooney's work rate was magnificient. Overall summarised the season for the two teams (from a neutral perspective) as Arsenal's movement of the ball was not matched by sufficient defensive cover or positioning (the left back was susceptible to being drawn inside, and uts should have made more use of the overlap) and they struggled against a very well organised team of the ball, whilst united were not exactly flamboyant but were very efficient and workmanlike. Good game overall though.
I think SAF realises we could probably do a decent job matching Arsenal for control of the ball, but realises that the best way to win a match is not to play to your opponents strengths, but their weaknesses. Why make the game about control of the ball, when we can easily suck Arsenal in and take them apart on the counter attack? After all, it's worked like a charm the last eight times we've played them!
----------------------------------------------------------- I was reading an article on Mourinho's philosophy. And he made a point about the impact of an effective ball turnover and good transition. Essentially, sitting back and soaking up pressure to such an extent that the opposition falls into a false sense of security. Then winning the ball back and targeting the opposition's weak spots at pace. Mourinho: “Turnover ball in the modern game – albeit now more rare – is incredibly precious, because the opposition’s defence is at its weakest, hence the greater opportunity to launch an effective attack” Article on Mourinho: Mourinho has long been associated with the concept of "transition" in a football match - the idea that the opposition is at its most vulnerable when it loses possession. "At corners, Mourinho would always keep three players up," said Pleat. "That avoids the penalty area becoming too crowded and allows the goalkeeper a clear run at the ball but it also provides his teams with great counterattacking opportunities And this is something Fergie also utilises well against Arsenal, time and time again....
great to see valencia back,dont forget park swarbs,and carrick and fletcher are out of the marseille game,so it only leaves us with 2 cms in gibson and scholes,come on united
I agree, utd did play to Arsenal's weaknesses, and Wenger was outplayed tactically. People comment that utd do not often look champion material, yet the stats often hide how comfortable utd often are. I meant that sometimes the use of the ball was clumsy with a few passes but really means nothing. As always Arsenal have potential and underachieve, and old Fergie gets the best out of his team, whether its playing sublime football or sucking the life out of the opposition and hititng them on the counter.
Very interesting, I wonder if he uses these ideals at Real Madrid? I have not seen them play under him, I am rather xenophobic. Utd's adaptation to different circumstance is impressive though, such as against Arsenal, whilst Wenger seems lodged in the same style of play and tactics.
I think he's tried to, but the board are demanding he play more 'entertaining' football. As a result he's been forced to adapt, and been beaten 5-0 by Barca. Will be interesting to see what approach he takes if he comes up against a tough team in the CL, provided of course RM can get past Lyon.
