Manchester United vs. Valencia, recap
Manchester United finally earned their first UEFA Champions League win of this season with a 1-0 triumph at Valencia. Javier Hernandez scored the late winner for the Red Devils. It was also Hernandez’s first goal in the UEFA Champions League.
After their frustrating draw in the first fixture of UEFA Champions League’s group stage against their rivals, Rangers FC at Old Trafford, the Red Devils finally got a win which will surely boost their chance of topping their group.
Valencia CF began the fixture in typical Spanish style and dominated the match in the opening minutes by keeping possession. The Red Devils’ early touches were greeted with whistles and jeers, which have been seen every time when any English side takes over
any European side.
The Spanish side approached the game in a different manner with how they have started their domestic season. Despite playing two strikers in the attack, which they usually play in Spanish La Liga, Valencia decided to play Roberto Soldado as a lone striker.
The Bulgarian attacker of Manchester United, Dimitar Berbatov was also playing as a sole attacker for the Red Devils. Berbatov was supported by his nearest team-mate Anderson, who acted as a second striker in a similar manner to how he played at his former
club Porto FC before moving to Manchester United in 2007.
Anderson was extremely impressive in his first start of the season. The Brazilian midfielder started for the Red Devils almost after a year. The talented attacking midfielder suffered a horrible car accident last year and he remained out of action for one
complete season.
Moreover, after Manchester United’s poor defensive performance in their last fixtures, the Red Devils happily welcome the inclusion of Rio Ferdinand to their defence. The English defender took the place of Johnny Evans, who was very poor at the heart of
United’s defence lately. Inclusion of Rio Ferdinand in Fergusons’ squad surely boosted the defence line of Manchester United.
Michael Carrick was another new addition to the starting lineup of Sir Alex Ferguson’s visiting squad. It was the first start for the English midfielder following his recovery from an Achilles injury. Moreover, Carrick started for the Manchester United because
veteran Paul Scholes was sidelined for two weeks.
But Michael Carrick looked distinctly off in the first half of the match. Moreover, a heavy touch from English midfielder allowed Valencia’s forward Pablo some space on the edge of the area, but Pablo failed to capitalize on the opportunity and blazed his
shot over the bar.
Without a doubt, Manchester United was missing Paul Scholes. Paul Scholes is the only holding midfielder in United’s squad and Michael Carrick didn’t completely perform his duties as a holding midfielder. It was not a good come back for the English midfielder.
However, the best chance of the first half came to Valencia’s sole striker Soldado. As Manchester United’s goalkeeper flapped at a long pass from the left flank, the ball flew into the path of Soldado, who had an open chance but his headed effort ballooned
over the post.
The home side should have taken the opportunity and scored but a more crucial issue for the Red Devils was their poor marking that led to that open chance for Valencia.
The English giants, Manchester United lacked in high tempo passing and speedy build ups. The Red Devils found it difficult to create opportunities in the opening half.
Moreover, Manchester United’s sole striker Dimitar was frequently isolated, despite showing the commitment which is required to play as a sole forward. Berbatov displayed an extraordinary work rate in such difficult Spanish circumstances.
Tags: