Analysis: Manchester United 2 West Bromwich Albion 0

Premier League, Saturday 29^th December 2012

Manchester United picked up another three points with a relatively undramatic victory over West Bromwich Albion. An early own goal set United on their way, before a tentative second half culminated in a late Robin van Persie strike to seal the victory. Here’s the analysis:

Defensive solidity and tactics

This was only a fifth clean sheet of the season for United, and Nemanja Vidic was largely to thank. The Serbian won tackles, headers, and made clearances and interceptions as he looked right on top of his game. Despite this however, perhaps because of Vidic’s diminishing pace, United defended very deep and this invited second half pressure from West Brom. Nevertheless, Vidic and the rest of United’s defence did a good enough job to prevent any concessions.

Late in the second half, Sir Alex Ferguson switched his back four to a back five. Chris Smalling moved into the centre and Antonio Valencia moved to right wing-back as United converted to a 5-4-1. This move ensured the Reds three central defenders nullified any West Brom threat and gave license to the full-backs to push on in the counter-attack which helped to pin the Baggies back. It was an astute, late tactical switch from Ferguson.

A midfield axis

Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley lined-up alongside the returning Shinji Kagawa to create a midfield axis many have been longing to see. Cleverley and Kagawa in particular work well together. Cleverley likes to push forward and find space, and his one-touch passing is often in tandem with the Japanese. Cleverley’s forward-thinking also ensures Kagawa doesn’t become isolated, as he can do if for example Scholes and Carrick play behind him and sit too deep.

Amidst terrible conditions, this midfield trio tired and inevitably lost some of their stranglehold of the game after they dominated the first half. Cleverley and Kagawa made way for Scholes and van Persie, who each brought a calm and control to United late in the match, as well as a fresh energy, and saw out the victory.

Going Forward

A clean sheet and good defensive performance were no doubt the main positives from this match for Manchester United. The midfield trio of Carrick, Cleverley and Kagawa was encouraging, and van Persie once again showed his class when he came on. Seven points out of nine for the festive period is a good return so far, and should United make it ten out of twelve after an encounter with Wigan, then they will be flying very high indeed.

Ratings

[4-2-3-1]: De Gea-6, Smalling-6, Vidic-8*, Evans-7, Evra-7, Valencia-6, Carrick-7, Cleverley-7, Young-7, Kagawa-7, Welbeck-6

(Scholes-6, van Persie-7)

*Man of the match