UEFA Champions League Report: Man Utd and
Valencia play out a bore draw in the first half
The first half between Manchester United and Valencia at the Mestalla ended in a stalemate as both teams headed into the dressing rooms at 0-0, leaving a lot to be desired from the next 45 minutes of the match.
Man Utd’s manager Sir Alex had plenty of injury worries ahead of the game, and it was going to be interesting to see what team he fielded. Van der Sar remained in goal, with Rafael de Silva and Patrice Evra taking up the full back
berths. Rio Ferdinand was back in defence alongside Vidic, while Michael Carrick was also back in the team and partnered Darren Fletcher in middle of midfield. Anderson, who was starting his first game after a long injury layoff, finished off the midfield.
Up front, Berbatov was partnered on either wing by Nani and Ji-Sung Park.
It was the home side that got the game started.
Valencia broke forward down the right but Miguel's cross was too close to Edwin van der Sar. It was clear the Spaniards don't hang about when it comes to getting forward.
Manchester United, after a brief period, got themselves together and put together their first move. Dimitar Berbatov had a pop from the edge of the area for United and it was a decent effort, floating just a couple
of yards wide. Michael Carrick then gave the ball away for United in a dangerous area and suddenly Pablo Hernandez had a shooting chance. Unfortunately for the Los Che, he fired over from the edge of the box.
United were looking a bit nervous and soon there was another mistake by the away side, and another let-off. Edwin van der Sar completely missed a cross from the left and Roberto Soldado had the simple task of heading it home, or
so you would think. Instead, probably because he did not expect the chance, Soldado could not connect properly and nodded over.
United went a bit direct after the first 20 minutes to try and find Dimitar Berbatov, who was on his own up front tonight. It was not really working out however, but Valencia were at the same time hardly knocking on the door. Since
their two defensive errors, Sir Alex Ferguson's side looked a lot more solid.
After the half hour mark, Pablo Hernandez sprinted past Patrice Evra as though he wasn't there and whipped in a dangerous low ball. It rolled across the face of goal but no Valencia man was near enough to get a touch.
The pattern pretty much continued till the half time whistle, and one of these two teams would have to come out and really play if there is to be a real match tonight.
Tags: