the blog of manchester united

Vidic!! There’s no doubt the Serbian international is the Man of the Match for the game at Goodison Park between Everton and Manchester United. A no non-sense display at defense closing down Andy Johnson and Yakubu ensure United did not allow Everton to take a lead, and with a powerful timely header ahead of three Everton defenders, United ensured 3 points from Goodison Park, continuing a stretch of 1-0 win to 3 matches in a row. If winning the Premiership came down to grinding results like this, United certainly has developed good habits early on in the season.

The match started with United missing Hargreaves, Anderson, Fletcher, O’Shea, Neville, and still Rooney as Ferguson decided to keep him out for the upcoming tie with Sporting Lisbon. The headline was Ronaldo back from his 3 match suspension. Carrick was restored back to the starting line-up to partner Scholes in anchoring the midfield. Giggs, back from injury, again was played out of position in the attack alongside Tevez. A surprise starter was Silvestre, who came back from injury, played at the left back with Evra pushed forward to play at left wing. The match itself was rather dull with chances were far and between and most of the battle was done in the midfield.

11 musings and facts from the match:

1. Nani provided yet another brilliant corner, an inswinging corner for Vidic to head into the winner.

2. Giggs, again, looked confused in his role. I just thought SAF should play him at left wing as he does still show some brilliant when for some moments switched back to the his usual left wing position.

3. Silvestre, having come back from injury, might’ve suffered another blow for several weeks with knee damage.

4. Ronaldo looked rusty and only showed flashes of brilliance having come back from 3 match suspension.

5. Ferdinand, though not thoroughly superb throughout the game, had another crucial tackle to ensure United kept another clean sheet by blocking Anichebe from scoring off van der Sar save.

6. James McFadden, who’s the unlikely hero for Scotland famous win in Paris, might’ve grabbed another headline had it not for van der Sar’s alert to keep it away.

7. Gerard Pique, came in as a substitute for the first time this season for United in the Premiership, having had a successful loan at Zaragoza last season, showed alertness and composure for United. He’s another youngster to watch this season as Ferguson will certainly give him a number of matches.

8. Saha, who was the hero last week, did not have the same impact as he was against Sunderland, and with United is still struggling to break down opponents’ defense, the same question is raised, “Why don’t we get another striker?”

9. Tevez, though worked hard, seemed to sit deeper and deeper into midfield these days in search of ball. It’ll be interesting to see his partnership with Rooney once he’s back.

10. Evra continuously looks dangerous on the attack, but I don’t think there should be another left back playing behind him. He’s a natural left back who has flair to march forward.

11. Scholes showed marvelous composure in clearing Johnson’s header off the line. No doubt he’s still one of the best all around players in the world.