United Back With A Bang

Manchester United new boys Kagawa(2nd from right) and Robin Van Persie(center) both scored against Fulham.

After a shock defeat to Everton last week, Manchester United kicked off their new season by seeing off a very adventurous Fulham squad. Being the first home game of the season and added pressure of the early defeat, the expectations on United and Sir Alex for a win was at its highest peak. This time though, the Red Devils didn’t disappoint and came out with exactly what the fans would want to see – a win. United still play catch up to Chelsea who have amassed 3 victories already, and to Manchester City who have won one game and drawn the other.

There was a lot of ways perhaps to go about the tactics and players to be used for this game and Sir Alex went with the weirdest of them all (as expected). Rooney was benched while RVP was handed his first start. Nani didn’t even make it to the bench and reports of him storming out of Old Trafford made the rounds. Drama had started even before the whistle was blown and more was to follow as the game proceeded.

A slow start to the season, a defeat to Everton coupled with no goals scored yet meant that United needed to answer all of this in today’s game and they would have ninety minutes to do it. Much to the fans dislike though, United made a horrible start to the game. Rafael, who was given his first start of the campaign, gave away a free kick on the edge of the box in the 3^rd minute. Bryan Ruiz took the kick to find Duff in the box, who fired the ball in to hand Fulham a lead very early in the game. The Theatre of Dreams looked stunned with what had happened. What followed next though was just amazing from the Red Devils. On the stroke of 10 minutes, Robin Van Persie announced himself at United with a sensational volley from inside the box. United were back level and it was their 24 million controversial signing which put them there. And as if saying “If RVP can, why not me?”, Kagawa was the next to follow with a beautiful tap from 6 yards out. The lads in red were on top and looked dangerous by the minute. The beautiful free flowing attacking football was alive once more in the United camp. Fulham were further forced back on the 41^st minute when Rafael headed in a cross from Evra to provide United with a two goal cushion. An eventful first half was thus closed with a 3 -1 lead to United.

The second half was expected to be more of the same as the first but it wasn’t to be. Fulham, with a little slower tempo, started clawing back into the game and at the same time, shut out United’s attack. Dembele looked to be menacing in the middle with some classy dribbles and ball control. The high pressing play of Fulham wasn’t helping United either and nightmares of last season where United were beaten by teams like Bilbao in similar fashion were resurfacing again. Cleverley and Anderson, who looked to be in total control of midfield in the first half, were now giving the ball away easily. Fulham were enjoying possession and looked closer to score by the minute. On the 64^th minute, this became a reality but in the most bizzare manner. A complete fiasco between David De Gea and captain Vidic led to an own goal and also gave a huge lifeline to Fulham. Changes were needed in tactics and immediately for the Devils.

Rooney and Welbeck were hence sent in to shake things up and get back the two goal cushion. For the second time in two weeks though, the substitutions and late tactical changes failed to create any impact on the game. United still lacked possession and Fulham were bossing things around. United had only one option and that was to see the game out by defending well. Rooney tried to do the same by putting his body in line and came out with a deep gash on his right leg. He was immediately stretchered off and that injury adds to the already long list of injured players. United, down to ten men with the Rooney injury, saw the game through and denied the Cottagers any chance of a late equalizer.

United won the match but not without creating a lot of anxiety and drama till the very end. Hopefully, the fans will be treated to a much cleaner performance in the coming games.

Full Time:

Manchester United 3 (RVP 10′, Kagawa 35′, Rafael 41′)

Fulham 2 (Duff 3′, Vidic o.g 64′)

Line ups:

Manchester United: De Gea, Rafael, Evra, Vidic, Valencia, Anderson (Giggs), Carrick, Young (Welbeck), Cleverley, Robin Van Persie, Kagawa (Rooney)

Subs not Used- Scholes, Evans, Lindegaard, Hernandez

Fulham: Schwazer, Hangeland, Briggs, Hughes, Reither, Duff, Diarra, Dembele, Kacaniklic, Petric, Ruiz

Subs not used- Stockdale, Kelly, Halliche, Kasami

Top Performers:

Manchester United -

Rafael: 8.5/10 – Was a threat going forward and backed it up with a good goal and also made some critical interceptions throughout the game.

Cleverley: 7.5/10 – Dictated play beautifully and also made some good challenges to win the ball back

Fulham –

Dembele: 7.5/10 – Controlled the midfield in the second half and also whenever possible in the first half. Was a constant threat to United in the second half.

Ruiz: 7/10 – Assisted the first goal and drilled in some beautiful crosses through corners in the entire game.

Next Game: Southampton (A) 01/09/2012