On United's draw against West Ham

What started off with United dominating, so much so that West Ham hardly got a touch of the ball in the first few minutes, appeared to be going according to script when United opened the scoring. However, this is the FA Cup. There is always the element of that something extra. West Ham hit back; not once but twice and were heading for a famous victory. This is, of course, the FA Cup and nothing is over until it is over. United equalized through van Persie and voila! A replay at Old Trafford beckons. Some thoughts:

Shaky defence is shaky

Since the season began, United have been free flowing going forward and this will please Sir Alex Ferguson. However, what will most definitely displease him is that they have been equally free flowing at the back too. They have let in far too many goals for his liking. Luckily, the strikers have been able to bail him out at most times. This luck, however, may not last.

Yesterday, it was a back four of Vidic and Evans at the center flanked by Smalling and Buttner from the right and left respectively. For most of the game, Vidic had his hands full with the excellent Carlton Cole and he did cope admirably at times. However, at times that he did not, United were susceptible to aerial attacks and knock downs. Evans has been the one constant factor in United’s back four this term and Sir Alex’s faith in him seems to be reaping rich dividends. He has been most excellent this term and the consistent run in the team could well be a contributing factor.

Smalling and Buttner were quite good going forwards but the marking,at times, left a lot to be desired. So too, their tackling.

Congested midfield is congested

Sir Alex opted for a midfield that comprised of Scholes, Clevereley, Kagawa and Rafael. Seemingly, the right back’s excellent run this term has given enough faith to Sir Alex that he believes he can shackle him from defensive duties. On paper, this midfield was all about fluidity. In reality, it was. Scholes was at the center of just about everything, pulling strings and dictating play. For some reason, West Ham were ready to provide him with the time and space that was necessary for him to strut his stuff. In hindsight, though, the tactic worked brilliantly, for although he got all his passes right, West Ham formed a wall that congested the rest of the midfield going forwards.

Kagawa is still feeling his way back from the injury setback and he looked quite a bit off the pace. Cleverley was industrious as ever and took his goal with aplomb. Rafael would really make an excellent right winger. If he stays on the wing, that is. He was full of tricks and flicks and even crossed a good ball. However, he was drifting infield much too often. Now, normally, that is not a problem but with Kagawa, Cleverley and Scholes playing more or less centrally, there was too much congestion in the middle and perhaps this was why United struggled to break West Ham down.

Often, the out-ball was the long raking diagonal to Smalling, who was unmarked but such was West Ham’s organization that he had almost no clear sight of any United man in the box. There was, of course, movement galore with everyone popping up everywhere. However, at times, it seemed most excessive and that directness was lacking.

It’s that man again

The difference between the winners and the runners-up?

Welbeck and Hernandez started up top; on paper, at least. In reality, Welbeck roamed about freely, often playing from the left. Hernandez, as ever, played in and around the edge of the box but he too dropped extremely deep at times, thereby making the lack of a target man distinct. While both Hernandez and Welbeck are full of running, they two do not complement each other in the way that, say, Rooney and van Persie do or indeed van Persie and Hernandez. There is that something extra that is missing. Perhaps it has something to do with the midfield that Sir Alex put out yesterday. Perhaps if there was a bit more directness in that midfield, it would’ve made it better for the duo.

When things came to head, however, Sir Alex showed that he well and truly had the ace up his sleeve; an ace that Roberto Mancini is bemoaning the loss of; an ace in the form of number 20. Robin was brought on for Hernandez and had a relatively quiet game up until extra time. Giggs got the ball at the half way line and looked up. That was that. Robin was on the move. Giggs floated a glorious ball over the head of the defender. One touch off his left foot to cushion it onto his weaker one. There was really no doubting the outcome, was there?

24 million pounds? Anyone still complaining about the excessive fee? Mancini might well be right. He might well be the difference between the title and the runners-up spot this season.