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