Analysis: CFR Cluj 1 Manchester United 2

Champions League, Tuesday 2^nd October 2012

This trip to Romania was for the most part an easier workout than the scoreline suggests. An early goal was conceded, but United responded with an overwhelming possession-based display and van Persie helped overcome Cluj with a goal either side of half-time. The slim one-goal advantage meant a tense last ten minutes, but this was for the majority a comfortable win. Here’s some analysis:

Possession play

Ferguson opted for another 4-3-1-2 based formation as against Newcastle last week. This centralised set-up combined with the excessively deep, defensive positioning of Cluj led to United dominating the game with 73% possession. Some stats reflect this: Fletcher completed 100% of his 23 long passes, Rafael completed 93 out of 94 passes, and the superb Tom Cleverley finished the game with a 93% passing completion rate. Whilst this 4-3-1-2 formation has no natural width, it is a fluid set-up that enabled any of the six front players and two full-backs to occupy the wide areas. This fluid approach helped to maintain possession throughout the game, and was an exciting snapshot as to what we might see of United in the future. The main challenge, for all United’s possession, was the find a way through the Cluj fortress, but two super deliveries from Wayne Rooney gave van Persie the opportunities to score the vital goals.

Shoddy defending

Whilst Cluj failed to offer any sustained threat in attack, when they did attack it was cause for concern, not because of their stunning talent going forward, but because of a sloppy defensive display. The goal conceded was, as the manager described, a ‘shocker’. The ball came out wide to Cluj winger Sougo as Evra sauntered along to him never looking like he even wanted to close him down. A pinpoint cross then came in which Evans failed to position himself well enough to deal with, and de Gea perhaps should’ve at least got a hand on the shot too as opposed to attempting to save with his feet. This shoddy defending was a surprise as it came only a few days after the awful defensive showing against Tottenham, and the team will obviously be working hard to eradicate it.

Going Forward

The possession play was on the whole brilliant, and Anderson, Cleverley and Fletcher will all give Sir Alex food for thought with his midfield selections after great displays. It was encouraging to see Rooney and van Persie link-up well, and it will also be interesting to see whether the 4-3-1-2 formation can work effectively against better quality opposition with a more intense pressing game. It is unfortunately true however that United still need to keep better concentration in defence, and the back four need to work more in tandem. One can only hope this comes with time; the law of averages suggests there’s only so long the Reds can be so sloppy in defence.

Ratings

[4-3-1-2]: De Gea-7, Rafael-8, Ferdinand-7, Evans-6, Evra-5, Fletcher-7, Anderson-7, Cleverley-8*, Rooney-8, van Persie-7, Hernandez-6

(Wooton-6, Welbeck-6)

*Man of the match

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