Analysis: Reading 3 Manchester United 4

Premier League, Saturday 1^st December 2012

34 minutes and 7 goals at the Madejski stadium eventually culminated in a tumultuous win for Manchester United over Reading. Anderson and Wayne Rooney initially overturned a one goal deficit, before Rooney and Robin van Persie had to score again to ensure the win. Below are some talking points from the match:

Defensive frailties

Beyond anything else so far this season, this was United’s worst defensive display. Three early crosses resulted in three goals for Reading, with the United defence non-existent. In fact, Jonny Evans’ positioning and decision-making was largely at fault for the goals in his direst performance for a season and a half. Anders Lindegaard, whilst not as bad as some suggested, was nevertheless apparently bereft of communication and appeared to lack command of his area in a nonchalant performance.

Half an hour in, a yellow card for Rafael was the cue for Ferguson to bring on Chris Smalling in his place to bring more height and security to the United defence. Smalling effectively nullified his side of Reading’s attack and gave more solidity when facing high balls. Rio Ferdinand had a relatively good game and was rightly nonplussed at the calamity around him. The moment of the half was when Evans and Lindegaard got mixed up dealing with a ball into the box, and Ferdinand stood there, hands on hips, as if to say “what on earth is this?.” It was a truly horrendous defensive performance from United that Sir Alex Ferguson has accepted must not happen again, and it is hard to imagine that anything as bad will happen again this season.

Another forward set-up

Another forward combination was implemented for this game against Reading, and it was one that brought goals. Wayne Rooney started on the right, Ashley Young on the left, and Anderson behind Robin van Persie up front. Rooney had an excellent game, tracking back well and using the ball wisely in forward positions. His interchangability with Young and Anderson served to cause an unstable Reading defence problems. One goal in particular was a result of Young and Rooney swapping flanks and Reading failing to track the players.

Young had one of his better games this season on the left, but this was largely due to the space he was afforded and the willing running of Patrice Evra down his side. There were still some notably awry crosses and shots from the English winger. Anderson was purposeful before being withdrawn due to injury, and van Persie was dangerous at times, albeit dropping too deep as the lone striker at times too.

This 4-2-3-1 combination worked well for the most part for United, with Wayne Rooney particularly impressing. This is a set-up that appears to favour the likes of Anderson and Shinji Kagawa, making it a contender to feature more often this season. In particular against a fragile Reading defence, United looked dangerous at nearly every attack.

Going Forward

Defensively, this was a horror show, and will surely not be repeated. It can be expected that David de Gea will come in for Anders Lindegaard in goal for the next few games. After a dead-rubber in the Champions League, United visit current champions Manchester City for the tie of the season so far in the league. United will need an improved performance, no doubt, but one can be invariably expected.

Ratings

[4-2-3-1]: Lindegaard-5, Rafael-5, Ferdinand-7, Evans-4, Evra-6, Carrick-7, Fletcher-6, Anderson-7, Young-6, Rooney-8*, van Persie-6

(Smalling-7, Jones-6, Welbeck-6)

*Man of the match