Manchester United Vs Sunderland Half Time Report
Manchester United returned to competitive football after a break of two weeks when their games against Blackpool and Chelsea had been called off due to adverse weather conditions but United didn’t look like a team that not been playing for such a long time
as within the first fifteen minutes United were 1 goal up and had hit the crossbar and the upright once each.
United went into the match with a clichéd 4-4-2 formation with Edwin van der Sar in goal, Rafael da Silva and Patrice Evra as the full backs and Nemenja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand took their position at the heart of the defense.
Giggs made a comeback into the side after a spell on the sidelines with an injury at the expense of Nani, who couldn’t even find a space on the bench while Park, Carrick and Andersen completed a 4 man midfield.
Rooney partnered Dimitar Berbatov upfront in the United attack.
For Sunderland, who have not won at Old Trafford since 1960 it was an occasion to stop the dismal run against United as they have been in impressive form in the league this season and are currently lying 6th in the table but the manager, Steve
Bruce opted for a safe 4-4-2 formation.
Craig Gordon started in goal whole Bardsley, Onouha, Anton Ferdinand and El Mohammady played as the defensive shield.
Zenden, Hendersen, Riveros and Malbranque completed a 4 man midfield while Bent and Asamoah Gyan were given the attacking responsibilities.
It was a blistering start to the game by Manchester United with Rooney, Berbatov and Giggs playing in inspirational form and the clock hadn’t even struck the five minute mark and United were up and running.
Andersen found Ryan Giggsin acres of space at the half way line and the Welshman made a bombarding run onto the gaol only laying the ball to Rooney at the edge of the box and the England striker played a pin pointed cross to The Bulgarian at the far post
and the top scorer of the Premier League extended his goal tally of the season to 14 with remarkable ease.
United began to control the proceedings as they pressed harder for the second and just inside the 10 minute mark United could have been 2-0 up but Dimitar Berbatov’s thunderbolt crashed against the upright.
Sunderland were at sea in the game as United were in cruise control of the game and again went close to scoring but this time the crossbar came to the Black Cat’s rescue.
Oliviera Andersen fired a craking shot towards the goal but only to see his effort rebounding back off the crossbar.
United also had a pretty decent penalty claim turned down when Rafael da Silva made a marauding run into the box only to be brought down at the edge of the box but the referee Phil Dowd waved play on.
Rooney was the next man to go close to extending the lead but he fired his shot straight at the keeper.
Rooney has not scored a goal for his team since open play in March of this year and the run continues but the England hot shot is showing signs that he is returning to his best form but still a goal eludes him.
Sunderland’s goal was living a charmed life as United went close again and this time it was Rooney but his shot was too feeble to trouble Gordon in goal.
The pace of the game slowed down after the half hour mark but United were still in control of the proceedings.
Sunderland tried to get back into the game but United were too disciplined in the midfield to allow them any opening and the strikers Bent and Gyan looked frustrated at the top having to feed on scraps as the teams went in for the break.
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