Analysis: Braga 1 Manchester United 3

Premier League, Wednesday 7^th November 2012

This was a lazy performance from Manchester United largely due to questionable tactics and a lack of intensity. Braga took a second-half lead from the penalty spot, but after a bizarre delay due to floodlight failure United found some momentum to turn the game around. Strikers Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez all found the net to continue the Red’s good recent scoring run. Here are some thoughts from the game:

Tactics and substitutions

United lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation with some unfamiliar personnel. Ryan Giggs played in the defensive midfield position, however at times was positionally exposed and unable to exert the same composure to the team as Michael Carrick or Darren Fletcher may have done. Anderson and Wayne Rooney played in front of him, but an ineffective first-half from Anderson coupled with a worryingly deep Rooney meant a lack of attacking threat. Nani and Danny Welbeck were also vastly ineffective on the wings and were appropriately substituted in the second half.

Second-half substitutions and a formation switch to 4-4-2 were the catalyst that enabled United to go on and win the match. Robin van Persie was introduced and formed a pairing up front with Hernandez, whilst Rooney moved left. Later in the half Rafael came on for Nani, and Valencia was moved further up the pitch on the wing. These fresh legs combined with the more attacking formation were the key to the victory. United simply looked lacklustre and uninventive with the original set-up.

The defence is coming together

Chris Smalling returned to the team for his first match since May, and is a welcome boost. He moved through this Braga match with relative ease as he looks to regain his match sharpness. Alongside him Jonny Evans had an uncharacteristically weak game, but came off with an injury and was substituted by the composed and controlled Ferdinand. The introduction of Rafael at right-back continued to prove the young Brazilian’s worth to the team as he added more security to the back line, whilst Patrice Evra also had another solid game.

Defensive injuries have been the curse of United’s squad this season, but now as Smalling returns, and Phil Jones returns to training, the United squad is looking stronger than ever.

Going Forward

This game was strange in many ways, not least the floodlight failure. United though will be pleased to have qualified with relative ease for the knockout stages, and to see injured players returning to the side. This was not a vintage performance, but the job was done, and the team can be satisfied. The future Champions League games are now an opportunity to give game time to those who need it, and to give experience to some young players.

Ratings

[4-1-4-1]: de Gea-7, Valencia-7, Smalling-6, Evans-5, Evra-6, Giggs-6, Nani-6, Anderson-5, Rooney-7*, Welbeck-5, Hernandez-7

(Ferdinand-7, van Persie-7, Rafael-6)

*Man of the match