Re: Manchester United Supporters Thread - Owen wants move!
Here's my take on our first pre-season game against Clyde FC.
First Half.
A few players are worth mentioning in the first half and they are, Pique,Kleberson,Fletcher,Richardson and Saha.Firstly,I'm quite impressed with Pique,all the descriptions about the ball-playing,composed and cool under pressure defender seems to fit him perfectly.Sounds like Rio,you might say.I dare say,if hes given the chance,he might be better than Rio and yeah,he closes down and tackles his opponents superbly.Kleberson had a good 45 minutes game.He drifts between the hole and the centremid role pretty well and he capped it off with a goal,just like how the commentators were saying that if United would get a first goal,it would be from the brasilian.Captain Fletcher seems to be pulling the strings in this first half team,some lovely passes from the lad.Shades of Franky Lampard I should say in his movements and passing.Richardson was played as a leftback and did really well too,flying up and down that left flank,crosses really well too.I didnt know he could play as a fullback and that was a nice surprise.Saha had an industrious but goalless 45 minutes,always workin hard,had a lot of shots on goal.Unlucky to get on the scoresheet though.Our first goal came from his shot that was brilliant save but Klebs scored on the rebound.I hope he keeps his fitness and should give our other strikers some good competition.
First XI: Van der Sar, Ferdinand, Pique, McShane, Richardson, Jones, Fletcher(C), Kleberson,Park,Rossi & Saha
Second Half.
Players that caught my eye in the second 45 was Scholes, Rooney, Smith and Van Nistelrooy.Pulling the strings for the second team was Scholes,lots of interchanging passes between himself and Rooney.Great vision and passes as usual, a sure first team starter in our coming season.Rooney was a crowd favourite,always toying with the Clyde players.Brilliant through pass for Ruud's second game.Showed superb understanding with Scholesy and if both of them are playing in the same team,its almost certain that we are gonna get goals.Smith was playing in Keano's role in this game and I think Ferguson is behind this decision.He tackles really well,his passion and pride cant be questioned and he is looking good to replace Keano.Having said that,Smith needs to learn the role really well and needs to improve his positioning and defensive awareness.Van Nistelrooy looked tired for the first few touches before bursting into action.Had a couple of good shots on goal saved by the keeper.In a counter attack,he dribbled from the centre line,past 3 players before the keeper brought him down.Blasted the pk in to the keeper's right for his first goal.Credits to Rooney for his through ball for Ruud's second goal,a crisp shot from an acute angle.Ruud is looking good and two goals in his first 45 under his belt should boost up his confidence.
Second XI: Howard, O'Shea, Silvestre, Bardsley, Eckersley, Scholes, Miller, Smith, Rooney, Giggs(C), v.Nistelrooy.