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Wayne Rooney’s brace and overall brilliant performance offensively gave United a third home win in the league this season, as both Manchester sides closed the gap on leaders Chelsea’s lead to four points. It was not, however, without experiencing the opening jitters we have become used to in the first twenty minutes. The win against The Potters kept in touch with the pattern of almost all of United’s wins so far in the league. And due to this, there have been a few tweaks in United’s team shape throughout. Let’s break it down:
Everton and Fulham: The first two games of the season were sound evidence that our defence this season does not even come close to the ones that Van Der Sar and Schmeichel commanded during their respective reigns in between the sticks. At Goodison Park, had De Gea not summoned his fantastic reflexes to make some great saves, United wouldn’t have gotten away with a not-so-disgraceful 0-1 scoreline. No points gained, nonetheless, as a defence featuring a rusty Vidic and Carrick filling in for the injured centre-halves sent out a clue to the other title challengers as to where United’s weak points lay.
The midfield shape for both the games was in many ways, similar to the one applied last season, where Evra’s overlapping runs on the left mirrored the more effective ones from Nani or Valencia on the right. Kagawa smoothly drifted onto the left when required, and Cleverley’s long-ball ability was hardly questioned. But Vidic’s horrific misunderstanding with De Gea in the second game, resulting in an own goal, showed our shakiness in front of our goal.
Southampton, Wigan and Liverpool: Anders Lindegaard took over from De Gea as United No.1 for the next four games, three of which were wins. At Southampton, Ferdinand’s return did not witness too much jubilation among the fans, as Rickie Lambert and Southampton bullied United with their aerial prowess. However, Robin Van Persie just pushed them over the edge, re-establishing United’s ability to win games out of nothing. The team was slowly re-adjusting itself into the diamond shape that was to take form after a couple of games. At home to Wigan, Alex Buttner made his league debut with a fine showing that included an assist and a goal. Evra had found his successor. We still used the width provided by Nani and Rafael on the right, but the formation hardly resembled the typical 4-4-2 of the old United. All that was needed to complete the diamond was its tip. Wayne Rooney was still injured. His presence was missed at Anfield, where Liverpool completely dominated United until Shelvey’s dismissal. Luck had a great role to play as we took three points from Anfield without much pomp, as a mark of respect for the 96 unfortunate Liverpool fans, who’d finally gotten their deserved justice a few days ago.
Tottenham Hotspur – The Completion of the Diamond: That we had so dearly missed the indefatigable workmanship of Wayne Rooney was given away when it was his introduction at half-time that spurred a frighteningly dull United side in the first half to give Spurs the fight of their lives in the second. Spurs prevailed, but United had come away with a moral win. And Ferguson finally seemed to learn that irrespective of his illustrious career with United, it was Ryan Giggs who was holding the team back. The tip of the diamond had been formed. Wayne Rooney was back. Carrick served as the base, and Kagawa found in Cleverley his central midfield partner in their next game, a walk in St. James’ Park.
Newcastle and Stoke – The diamond can stab: The last half hour of the home game against Spurs had given Ferguson’s men such a lift they returned all the three goals of the 0-3 defeat away at the Toon last season in January. The midfielders were simply superb, as was Wayne Rooney, the razor sharp point of the midfield. De Gea was back to his agile best, and the defence was peculiarly clinical. Tom Cleverley’s dream goal sealed the win, and Steve McMahon’s crying and whining was ignored as United played host to Stoke, conceded the now traditional early goal, went into a 3-1 lead just after half time, and Rooney killed the game off with his second goal.
My preferred formation: The 4-1-2-1-2
Patrice Evra does not find himself in this team because his days as a reliable defender are almost upon him. It was his waywardness that cost us a win at home to Everton last season and with it, the title. In just one game in the league, Alexander Buttner has made his case and made it well, showing that even when he gives the ball away, he has the legs to sprint back and recover it. Once Smalling is completely fit, Ferdinand’s position goes to him and Phil Jones fits in either Rafael’s or Carrick’s position, the latter being occupied by Scholes now.
Cleverley must remain a fixture in this formation as must Wayne Rooney, and Welbeck and Hernandez can be swapped, depending on the opposition and the scenario. Ashley Young’s well, dribbling ability would prove more than helpful on occasions, so will Valencia’s sly wing craft, and either of them can fill in Kagawa’s position when needed. In Valencia’s case, of course, Cleverley has to swap positions with the Ecuadorian. And Nani, if he sheds his negative image and undergoes a metamorphosis out of which he comes out a new footballer and a new person, can come close to emulating Cristiano Ronaldo.
