Analysis: Galatasaray 1 Manchester United 0

Champions League, Tuesday 20^th November 2012

A first defeat in the Champions League this season was of little consequence for an already-qualified Manchester United. The game was in fact a fairly even contest, but Galatasaray predictably had more intensity in their play, and they scored the only goal from a corner in the second-half. Below are some talking points from the match:

The other midfielders

Whilst Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes have been the stalwarts of the Manchester United midfield over the last year, this game against Galatasaray was an opportunity to view an amalgamation of United’s other options in that position. Lining-up in the diamond formation, Darren Fletcher, Tom Cleverley, Anderson, and Nick Powell all started.

Fletcher, by far the senior of the quartet, was at the base of the diamond as he continues on the comeback road to football after missing a large period of time due to his illness. He was neat, yet somewhat ineffective against the Turkish side. Nick Powell at the tip of the diamond, the youngest of the quartet, showed his mighty potential with his physical and technical ability, and came close for United when he struck the crossbar. The English youngster could have a fantastic career ahead of him. Cleverley was his usual efficient passing self, whilst Anderson offered less than usual in terms of attacking effectiveness, but had a solid game all round. These four midfielders all have claims to be in the first-team on a regular basis, and did no harm to their efforts against Galatasaray.

Phil Jones

Phil Jones played his first game since May against Galatasaray on his return from a lengthy injured spell, and was excellent. He looked sharp in the tackle, alert in positioning and the interception, and confident and calm on the ball. There has unsurprisingly been much talk about Jones’ long-term position, and it is an asset to such a young player than he offers the team something whether at right-back, midfield or centre-back. Against Galatasaray however he looked at home in his central defensive role. Naturally this appears to be his most-suited role, and time is on his side in terms of development. After all, the best central-defenders are never at their best until later in their careers. So welcome back to the team Phil Jones: (possibly) future Man United central-defensive gladiator.

Going Forward

It was somewhat bizarre for United to be involved in a game of so little consequence, and even more bizarre for there to be an air of content with a loss. But this game had positives in that the result didn’t matter, and the youthful players showed their potential. Teenagers Jones and Powell looked particularly promising, and it can be expected at least one of the midfield four will get a Premier League start very soon.

Ratings

[4-3-1-2]: Lindegaard-7, Rafael-5, Carrick-6, Jones-8*, Büttner-6, Fletcher-6, Anderson-6, Cleverley-7, Powell-6, Welbeck-8, Hernandez-6

(Young-6, Macheda-5, King-6)

*Man of the match