Analysis: Manchester United 4 Newcastle United 3

Premier League, Wednesday 26^th December 2012

This match was pure drama, but most importantly a match where Manchester United picked up three points and extended their lead at the top of the table to seven points. Newcastle lead three times, but each time were pegged back with goals from Jonny Evans, Patrice Evra and Robin van Persie, before Javier Hernandez stuck an injury time winner. Here’s some thoughts from the game:

Van Persie: the all-rounder

Robin van Persie showed all his remarkable qualities against Newcastle as he helped the Reds to secure a win. He delivered dangerous set-pieces, and of course struck an important goal, but most notably in this game was his impressive hold-up play. The Dutchman is proving to be one of the best around at holding the ball up and bringing others into play, an essential trait. It allows the team to regain possession and regain their shape as they look to attack teams.

In the last twenty minutes of this match, van Persie dropped slightly deeper behind Javier Hernandez. His hold-up play in this area of the pitch was superb, and he brought width to the play. With Carrick sitting deeper as a playmaker and defensive midfielder, and Cleverley adding energy and quick-thinking, this tactical switch is possibly what won Manchester United the game, and van Persie must take a lot of credit for his part.

Mistakes

The first-half was littered with individual errors from the Reds. Each goal can be attributed to errors, and these must be cut out if Sir Alex Ferguson’s side are to stop conceding. The pitch and the conditions were not in any way helpful, but it did not excuse some of the poor play.

Patrice Evra in particular can be singled out for his lacklustre attempt to close-down the ball leading to Newcastle’s second goal. Rio Ferdinand was rightly apoplectic with the Frenchman, who seemed to switch off before eventually jogging towards his opposition man. Whilst enormously effective and underrated in Manchester United’s attack, Evra appears susceptible to a lack of concentration in defence, something that could cost the Reds further.

Going Forward

This game once again showed the courage and resilience of an extraordinary Manchester United team. Halfway through the season now, they are on course for 92 points. There were some shoddy performances in this game, but the three points was the most important thing. A rotated team will now look to beat West Brom at home to consolidate the lead at the top of the table.

Ratings

[4-4-1-1]: De Gea-5, Smalling-5, Ferdinand-6, Evans-5, Evra-6 Valencia-6, Carrick-7, Scholes-6, Giggs-7, van Persie-7*, Hernandez-7

(Cleverley-7, Fletcher-6)

*Man of the match