Analysis: Sunderland 0 Manchester United 1

Premier League, Saturday 30^th March 2013

Another win, another clean sheet, and on marched Manchester United towards what now looks like an inevitable 20^th title. This was United’s 25^th win out of their 30 league games this season, a Premier League record. An own goal after good work from Robin van Persie in the first half proved decisive, and the Reds, in a blue kit, held on to a satisfying win. Here’s some analysis:

Defence

United’s sixth league clean sheet in a row was a demonstration of the recent new found defensive security. The Reds have only conceded three goals in eleven league matches since the Boxing Day thriller against Newcastle. As has been a recent theme, United established an early lead before inviting some pressure for the rest of the game, something the defence adequately coped with. Chris Smalling was perhaps the pick of the bunch with a towering and confident performance, but the efforts of De Gea, Vidic and Evans should not go unnoticed either. Even Alex Büttner at left-back had one of his better games, as he appeared to grow in confidence.

One particular nuance to United’s defending appeared to be an attempt to nullify Adam Johnson. Whilst sporadic in his form, Johnson is arguably the biggest threat in the Sunderland team on his day, and Sir Alex Ferguson and his team seemed to target him as the man to stop. When advancing on the left Ashley Young would track back well (making up for some of his errant forward play) and double up on Johnson with Büttner, meaning the winger had little room for manoeuvre. Similarly at other times, Michael Carrick could be seen offering support to a full-back when faced against Johnson. Stopping this particular threat no doubt contributed to United’s secure defensive display and Sunderland’s lack of clear-cut chances.

Combinations

An interesting aspect to the play against Sunderland, particularly in the more impressive first half, was some of United’s combination play. Anderson and Ashley Young showed their link-up ability with the latter often making good runs out wide enabling the Brazilian to spread the play-think back to Anderson’s goal against Reading earlier in the season as a demonstration of how well these two can work together.

Another combination of interest was Shinji Kagawa’s link-up play with those around him. Despite predictably fading late on, the Japanese artist had a good first half in which he would sometimes come deep to add extra men in midfield and control possession, when at other times he would advance behind the forward players in order to stretch the opposition. The technical quality of Kagawa is obvious, and it will be his intelligent movement and combinations with others that will really make him as a United player.

Going Forward

United’s inexorable march towards the Premier League title took another important step against Sunderland with a pleasing if not electric performance. The Reds’ attentions now turn to an FA Cup replay at Chelsea only 48 hours later, a match in which Ferguson is likely to make wholesale changes. Should United lose to Chelsea then the last couple of months of the season are likely to become nothing more than a steady walk towards the title.

Ratings

[4-4-1-1]: De Gea-6, Rafael-6, Smalling-8, Vidic-7, Büttner-7, Valencia-6, Anderson-6, Carrick-9*, Young-6, Kagawa-7, van Persie-7

(Evans-7, Welbeck-6, Cleverley-6)

*Man of the match

Analysis: Manchester United 1 Reading 0

Premier League, Saturday 16^th March 2013

Manchester United efficiently picked up three points in a drab affair against relegation-strugglers Reading. With the chance to extend their Premier League to a near unassailable six points, United got their necessary goal through Wayne Rooney and took their foot of the gas. Here’s some analysis from the match:

Front four

There was little to note tactically from this match; United often lacked movement and sharpness, perhaps because the match mattered relatively little after an earlier loss to rivals Manchester City. One tactical quirk though was the flexibility of the front four. Danny Welbeck in particular was a fluid forward, but any of the four were quick to cover the position vacated by another forward. It was a good display of positional flexibility and also responsibility between the players.

Robin van Persie spearheaded the attack, with Wayne Rooney behind him, Danny Welbeck right and Ashley Young left. Other than the spontaneous movements of any of the four, Welbeck and Young switched flanks midway through the first half. This was perhaps a sensible move as Young offered a more natural wide threat on the right with full-back Chris Smalling offering little going forward, however Young himself was not as productive as may have been expected in the end.

Response to the Madejski

In the reverse fixture earlier in the season United were torn apart at set-pieces and in the air, and Sir Alex Ferguson appeared keen to do something about this at Old Trafford. Chris Smalling came in for the tired Rafael at right-back, immediately adding a more secure aerial defender into the mix. Nemanja Vidic always played ahead of Jonny Evans, the Serbian no doubt chosen for his superb aerial ability and organisation, and always his leadership abilities with Patrice Evra not playing.

Going Forward

There was little excitement in this game, but United did enough to gain the three points. The Premier League appears all but won, although the Reds will need to be on their guard not to slip up in any of the coming games. An upcoming international break will give United a time to re-gather themselves before two quickfire games against Sunderland and Chelsea. The team selection against Sunderland may well be weakened as United prioritise the tough FA Cup replay away at Stamford Bridge.

Ratings

[4-2-3-1]: De Gea-6, Smalling-6, Ferdinand-7*, Vidic-7, Büttner-6, Anderson-6, Giggs-6, Welbeck-6, Rooney-7, Young-6, van Persie-6

(Carrick-6, Kagawa-6)

*Man of the match

Analysis: Manchester United 2 Chelsea 2

FA Cup, Sunday 10^th March 2013

This game can best be described as out of the ordinary for Manchester United. Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney ensured the Reds stormed into an early lead, but complacency and tiredness set in as Chelsea recovered to make a second half comeback, and were indeed lucky not to win. Here’s some analysis on the fixture:

Deep defence

Complacency was the theme of the day, as apart from some first-half moments United struggled to keep the ball in possession, a matter compounded by the fact the Reds did not win it back quickly. The reasons for this are arguably two-fold. Firstly, United’s emotional and physical exhaustion after recent exerts no doubt had its toll. Secondly, United’s defence was sat extremely deep, which invited problem after problem. It was perhaps the response to going 2-0 up, and a natural response that United began to sat deep. The defensive concentration and possession retention however was not on show to warrant such a tactical move.

Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans, whilst doing their defensive duties reasonably well, arguably did not push up enough, inviting a large midfield space for Chelsea’s players to occupy, notably Juan Mata. This space was also left open for surging runs from the likes of Ramires from deeper in midfield. Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley were notably tired towards the end of the game, and could not control such a large space between defence and attack against Chelsea’s plethora of midfield options. United’s deep defence certainly wasn’t a tactical approach that paid off against Chelsea.

Wing-play

United struggled out wide against Chelsea. Nani played well before his injury, and offered speed and trickery, particularly in counter-attacking situations. His replacement, Antonio Valencia, offered little however. Whilst clearly having a poor game, it would be unfair to wholly blame the Ecuadorian. A common theme this season from opposition teams has been to isolate Valencia and limit his options, something Chelsea did successfully after an initial good spell from the winger. United must look to exploit oppositions in the spaces they leave by squeezing out Valencia.

On the left-hand side United also struggled. Shinji Kagawa has shown his capability at floating inside and becoming an attacking threat, but his positioning was questionable against Chelsea. Several times, Kagawa’s ‘drifting’ had left spaces for Chelsea down his side. The little Japanese star perhaps needs more tactical discipline to become a regular viable option on the left side.

Going Forward

The highlights of this game were few and far between, but exhibited individual brilliance from Carrick, Ferdinand and de Gea was at times pleasing. United now have a week to rest and gather themselves for an assault on a domestic double. It appears that rest and the upcoming international break comes at a useful time as the players look exhausted from recent emotional and physical exerts.

Ratings

[4-2-3-1]: De Gea-8, Rafael-5, Ferdinand-8, Evans-6, Evra-6, Carrick-8*, Cleverley-5, Nani-7, Rooney-6, Kagawa-6, Hernandez-7

(Valencia-5, van Persie-6, Welbeck-6)

*Man of the match

Analysis: Manchester United 1 Real Madrid 2

Champions League, Tuesday 5^th March 2013

Manchester United suffered a galling defeat to Real Madrid in what was a titanic encounter at Old Trafford. United’s tactics appeared spot on, and they capitalised when Sergio Ramos inadvertently knocked the ball into his own net. An unjust red card on Nani however changed the game and two quick goals from Madrid settled the tie. Here’s some brief analytical thoughts on the match:

A trio of tactical phases

The game could be considered to have gone through three main tactical phases; one leading up to Nani’s 56^th minute red card, one in between the red card and Madrid’s second goal, and one from Madrid’s second goal until the end of the game.

Up until the red card, United held the upper hand. Danny Welbeck man-marked Xabi Alonso in order to cut off Madrid’s main supply line, and the team in Red defended stoutly as the Spanish champions failed to create any clear chances. United were mainly attacking on the counter, with Nani and Welbeck particularly important in running in behind the Madrid defence, with Robin van Persie holding up the ball and bringing others into play. This game-plan worked perfectly until the red card.

After the red card Jose Mourinho brought on Luka Modric into midfield, and the little Croat played more advanced and more creatively than Sami Khedira had previously in that position. Danny Welbeck moved out left, and suddenly Madrid were able to take full control of the midfield, and two goals resulted. One can only wonder if a Sir Alex Ferguson tactical reaction would have yielded any different results.

After Madrid took the lead, they then sat off and failed to take command of the game, thus United continued to create chances. The extra man for the Spanish side told however as the Red Devils could not win the ball back as quickly as they may have done with 11 men. For the last 20 minutes, United created and probed with great spirit, but eventually couldn’t find a way through.

1000 and still going

Ryan Giggs clocked up 1000 professional football appearances with his appearance against Real Madrid, and was United’s star of the show. The 39 year old showed unrelenting fitness and desire, defensive rigidity, and attacking flair. Giggs lasted the full game after 90 minutes of running, harassing, and intent. It was a truly remarkable performance from a truly remarkable player, and had United won the game it may have gone down in history. No-one can really know how long Giggs will play on for, but judging by his dynamic performance against Madrid, it could be a long while yet.

Going Forward

This was a game of many positives despite its overriding disappointment. Had it not been for Nani’s red card, United may well be celebrating one of the great European nights. The atmosphere inside Old Trafford was electric, and every single fan there deserves applauding. United’s players performed more than admirably on the pitch, with Giggs and Welbeck particularly standing out. Emerging from the ashes of a dramatic defeat, United will now look to get up and hunt down a domestic double, starting with an FA Cup quarter-final match at home to Chelsea this weekend.

Ratings

[4-2-3-1]: De Gea-8, Rafael-8, Ferdinand-7, Vidic-8, Evra-7, Carrick-7, Cleverley-7, Giggs-9*, Nani-7, Welbeck-9, van Persie-7

(Rooney-6, Young-6, Valencia-7)

*Man of the match

Analysis: Manchester United 4 Norwich City 0

Premier League, Saturday 2^nd March 2013

Manchester United saw off Norwich City with an eventually comfortable 4-0 victory on Saturday. Shinji Kagawa scored a hat-trick with a masterclass of superb timing and sublime finishing, before Wayne Rooney rounded off the game with a 25 yard ‘thronker’. Here is some analysis on the game:

Clean sheets

United have now kept four consecutive clean sheets in the league, and not conceded more than one goal in any match since 5^th January. There are arguably several reasons for this, some of which were witnessed against Norwich. Firstly, luck plays its part. In the early part of the season when United were conceding regularly, the goals were often different and not due to one single defensive factor. Recently though United appear to be getting more luck defensively, something that was evident as Norwich spurned two good chances, one early on with an over-hit cross, and one in the second half when the Canaries player spooned a good opportunity over the bar. Luck is always vital in top level football, and United are getting it defensively at the moment.

There are perhaps two more reasons for United’s increased defensive solidity. Firstly, the return of Nemanja Vidic has brought an aerial presence and organisational ability that has further secured the team, even despite the excellent performances of Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans. Secondly, better midfield displays have protected the back four more. The continuing excellence of Michael Carrick has shielded the defence, and the more frequent absence of the defensively-lacking Paul Scholes have certainly contributed to better defending. There are of course other reasons for United’s better defensive record in recent weeks too, and it can only be hoped that such a record continues.

A different kind of left wing

United’s tactical set-up against Norwich featured a common quirk that has been witnessed throughout this season and some of last: a flexible left winger. In contrast to the touchline-hugging Antonio Valencia on the right, the more flexible Shinji Kagawa, and later Danny Welbeck, played on the left. Both would look to cut inside often and join in to form a three man strikeforce. The ‘cutting inside’ of both players also allows one of United’s strikers to come wide in order to stretch and force the opposition defence out of position. This flexibility no doubt contributed to United’s goals against a stubborn Norwich defence. Interestingly, Kagawa’s first goal yesterday, and Danny Welbeck’s only Premier League goal this season, have both come when each player has come centrally from a left-sided position. No doubt the underrated excellence of Patrice Evra at left full-back helps to make such a flexible set-up possible.

Going Forward

Manchester United can be happy with again picking up three points and giving their goal difference a helping hand. Again, this was not a vintage performance, but not every game will be. The selection from Sir Alex Ferguson may give some indication to the team he will pick for Tuesday’s massive encounter with Real Madrid. One thing for sure though is that United will be going into that game in real form.

Ratings

[4-4-2]: De Gea-7, Smalling-6, Evans-7, Vidic-6, Evra-7, Valencia-7, Carrick-8*, Anderson-6, Kagawa-8, Rooney-7, van Persie-6

(Welbeck-7, Cleverley-6)

*Man of the match