Knee-jerk reactions: Manchester United kicks Roma's ass, UEFA Champions League

VS

Now that we've vanquished Roma, it's time for us to focus on the next match. Our mission isn't complete, we're in the final stretch now and every game is absolutely crucial.

Not a lot to say about the match. United did a professional job and got it done. Although, Roma did have their moments, especially that penalty (fortunately missed by de Rossi), whichcould have made things quite a bit trickier for us. But ultimately, Tevez got the killer goal and that was that.

Great performances from the 3 who came in for Rooney, Ronaldo and Scholes. Tevez did well and came up with another important goal (he seems to have a knack for those). Park was generally excellent. And last but not least, Hargreaves did himself a lot of favours with a very positive all action performance. Given the license to roam, he was very impressive pushing forwards and created many chances with some quality crossing.

It seems like that's probably the best way to play both Carrick and Hargreaves together. To get Carrick to sit and Hargreaves to roam. This way enables both to play to their strengths. Carrick is accomplished in reading of the game, positional sense, linking play back-to-front and spraying passes from deep. Sitting deep in midfield also allows him to sweep up and keep things tidy in front of the defence (which he does very well) like a midfield version of Rio.

With him there, Hargreaves is freed to roam and put his boundless energy and mobility to good use. Many times I've criticised him for running around like a headless chicken and leaving us exposed in midfield. That wouldn't be a problem with the excellent Carrick there. And he can make his presence felt at both ends by buzzing back and forth, hassling opposing players all over the pitch as well as pushing forwards in support of the attack.

Our future midfield after Scholes could be a 3 man midfield anchored by Carrick with Anderson and Hargreaves going box-to-box. That will probably be our strongest midfield. Obviously, we would still play 4-4-2 with one of the 3 rested.

It was great to see Gary back. Also nice to have Silvestre back. To see them make their comeback after long layoffs...warms the heart.

Less great was to see Fergie risk Rio in this match. I would have thought that after getting a knock at Boro, that Rio would be rested. So imagine how worried I was when I saw blood on Rio's boots. Luckily it was only a small gash and nothing serious. But really, at this stage of the season, we can't afford to be without Rio. But I suppose a little "scratch" won't stop Rio from playing against Arsenal.

A lot of people are talking about facing Barcelona, about the semi finals of the Champions League. But we aren't playing Barca next. So forget about them for the moment.

A massive showdown against Arsenal at Old Trafford is coming up this weekend. This match is basically make and break for Arsenal's season. Lose and their season is all but over. So, although they're been through a rough, perhaps demoralising patch, there's a possibility that they would come out and give this game everything they've got. It's desperation for them now. Because of that, United will have to play with all the hunger and passion that they could muster. The players have a chance to finally put Arsenal away not to mention keep Chelsea at bay.

Don't lose concentration, don't be complacent and bring it every game. The finishing line is very close now...

Highlights

Knee-jerk reactions to Another One of Those Days AKA Middlesbrough vs Manchester United, English Premier League

VS

What can I say about that match?

I can be bitter of course. Like, why those cunts play as if it was a Cup Final, just about everytime they play United? You'd think if they tried harder more of the time, instead of just gearing up for United and the other big teams, they'd be fighting for a UEFA Cup spot instead of languishing close to the relegation zone. Tossers.

I can also be bitter about the officials, who again were less than competent. Rooney was definitely onside and it was a definite handball in the penalty box.

Why also did it look like the match was played in the Artic?

Why did that cunt Alves choose this game to stop being shite?

And why oh why did Rio get injured?

But, I choose not to be bitter. Considering the appalling conditions, Boro playing like they were on steroids and getting two goals via Route One, a draw is a fair result. It was just one of those days where things go crazy and anything will happen.

I'm happy that the players did well themselves. They played some good stuff and showed a lot of character when the going got tough. They dug deep and they didn't panic. I'm also happy that Rooney and Ronaldo scored again.

All that said, I would gladly give up the hard fought point for a fully fit Rio and Vida, right now.

The good news is, Rio had his scan and they found out that he hadn't broken any bones in his leg. However, they have yet to say when Rio will be back. Hopefully, its just a little knock and he'll be back for Arsenal this weekend.

We'll have to do without our first choice centreback pairing against Roma. So, its fantastic to have a 2 away goal advantage right now. Just that it isn't as reassuring as before. The players who come in, possibly Pique and O'Shea, with Brown and Evra will have to play their hearts out to ensure that we proceed to the Semi Finals of the Champions League.

I'd go for Brown and Pique at centreback, with O'Shea switching to RB. Brown will bring the experience and Pique will bring the size, strength and energy. But all 4 of them and van der Sar will have to work together and help each other.

It'll probably make sense to field a 3 man centre midfield to offer more protection for our defence as well. They'll have to work hard to provide cover and shield United's back four from Roma. Other than the defensive solidity, we're also better able to dominate possession and dictate play. With Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez marauding up front to terrorise Roma's defence.

Roma will probably be coming into this game with the mentality that they've got nothing to lose and will go for broke. So United have got to be wary of that. But United should still have more than enough to win the game, especially at home in Old Trafford, against Roma. The key thing being not to be complacent and play with the right attitude and the right desire. I hope to see that all of the players, especially those who have to come in as replacements, to really bring their A game and play their very best.

Highlights

No knee-jerk reactions to Roma vs Manchester United

VS

Why? Because I didn't manage to watch the game because it was in the undead hours of the morning. I caught the highlights and replay later.

It was a well played match. The boys did their jobs, defended well and scored the goals.

And how about that thundering header from Ronaldo. I didn't even see him in the screen when the Ginger Genius floated the ball into the middle of the 18 yard area. And then Bang! Out of nowhere, in comes Ronaldo soaring and scoring with a thumping downwards header. That was great instincts, determination and bravery to get there and put his head in where it hurts. Something you'd think only someone like Vidic would do, but then Ronaldo keeps on topping himself game after game and keeps on surprising us all with what he can do. He got pummeled by a Roma defender as well and later said that he couldn't remember much about the goal. Not surprising because he was left flattened and stunned on the ground and probably nearly gave Sir Alex a heart attack.

It was an important goal as well, the timing of it calmed nerves and gave us confidence. I've always felt that the reason United often under perform away in Europe is because we are a little bit unsure of ourselves. And this is partly filtered down from Fergie, who is a bit too cautious when it comes to European away fixtures. That I think, kind of explain our less than stellar results away from home in Europe. We are nervy and edgy and thus cannot express ourselves freely. So that goal was important that way, I feel. Because it lifted us at the right moment and United steadily grew in confidence, bit by bit.

The defending, especially after Vidic departed, was admirable. Rio and van der Sar especially, stood up to be counted. O'Shea did a good job stepping in for Vida as well. In the early parts of the second half the had to weather a period of Roma offence, that put them under the kosh and very nearly forced the equaliser if not for some great defending, luck and bad finishing from Roma.

And yes Fergie, you should have reacted a little bit earlier in adjusting our tactics to counter Roma's momentum. Rooney started playing more centrally and got the decisive second goal, a gift from Roma's goalkeeper and defender. Again, the timing was excellent, because Roma were deflated after that. And it was all one way traffic from then onwards. United even got their swagger back and should have got a couple more goals too.

But, not too much to complain about a result that means we've got 2 massive away goals advantage to take back to Old Trafford. The only thing that worries me from this result is complacency in the 2nd leg, which I think Fergie and the players themselves realise is vital, not to let creep into our game.

Now United must turn their attentions back to the league and up next is a tricky encounter at Riverside against Middlesborough, a team that often cause problems for United. So, they'll need to forget the results midweek in Roma and concentrate fully on overcoming Boro. Again, no complacency. Every game is a final.

Highlights

 

And as a reminder of what happened last season, when Roma visited Old Trafford. Relive a quite simply magical, majestic performance from United that night.

Manchester United VS As Roma
by kaillant

"Diaby shouldn't be playing football", Arsene Wenger

Well...that's what Wenger would have said if he wasn't a hypocrite or biased and was consistent in his judgement because...

On the left is Martin Taylor, who broke Eduardo's leg with a pretty bad tackle. On the right is one of Wenger's player's, Abou Diaby, trying to do the same to a Bolton's Gretar Steinsson.

I wonder what Wenger had to say on both occasions?

Wenger on Martin Taylor’s tackle on Eduardo:

“The tackle was horrendous and unforgivable.”

He did retract the statement that contained that comment, but presumably he would still stand by that part of it. “On reflection, I feel that my comments about Martin Taylor were excessive”, he later said, but nothing along the lines of “the tackle wasn’t that bad after all”.

So after Abou Diaby’s red card against Bolton (video), which to my mind was right up there with Martin Taylor’s leg-breaker, we get

“I was not upset with the sending off but I felt it was more of a protective tackle. But he was too high so I don’t complain. Just before that I thought it was a foul on him.”

Awesome.

And just what the fuck is a protective tackle?

Quoted from SoccerShout.com. Top image from RedCafe.com.