Re: Manchester United Supporters Thread - Owen wants move!
Peterborough FC vs Man United
Final Score: 0-6, v.Nistelrooy(3),Ronaldo(2) & Rossi.
First Half
First XI: van Der Sar,Ferdinand,Pique,Bardsley,Richardson,Kleberson,Jones,Fletcher,
Rooney,Park & Saha. *4-3-3*
This first half team captained by Rooney didnt do much.Sir Alex decided to retain the defence from the Clyde FC game apart from Bardsley coming in for McShane at rightback.Rio lost the boo-boys jeerings eventually after a few touches and Pique seems to play well ahead of Rio in this game too.Richardson was superb in counter attacking from defence but I'm not too sure how he would fare againts teams in the Premiership or even Europe.Bardsley again didnt do much to contribute in attack but was steady in defence.The midfield trio was also retained and David Jones shone in this game.Always wanting the ball,showed his array of passes and tackles well.Fletcher had an OK game but did nothing penetrative.Kleberson looked tired and off colour maybe because of the on-goin transfer talks on him goin to Celta Vigo.Between Klebs and Fletcher,none wanted to be the playmaker in this team and that explains the goalless situation.Park showed a lot of energy just as expected and he did took some pretty nasty clashes and tackles well.A player who opts for that quick short passes instead of goin big.Still has do much more to impress this critic.Rooney was brought in to deliver goals to this team from Clyde FC but he was getting none.Had 3-5 powerful drives from the edge of the box that just gone over the bar but looked less-inspired to play for this team.I'm pretty impressed with Saha after two games.He looks fit as an ox now,hard runnings with pace,power and determination,again was unlucky to score.First half, 0-0.
Second Half
Second XI: Howard,McShane,O'Shea,P.Neville,Eckersley,Scholes,Smith,Giggs,Rossi,
Ronaldo,v.Nistelrooy *4-4-2*
The defence looked shaky for this team but didnt concede a goal and that was important.P.Neville was back like he was never gone.McShane played in his preferred centerback role,not shy in handing out some hard tackles,played well alongside O'Shea.The latter was the one pulling this defence together and played well,had a header that just went over the bar from a corner.Eckersley has to do more to impress me also,good in goin forward but was suspect in defence.The midfield quartet in this team was devastating.Smith played in Keano's role again,passing very well and was better in his positioning in this game.Somehow I felt,Smith was proud of playing in this position,showing signs that he could replace Keano in the future.Scholes continued this great form from the last game.Had a couple of assist if I'm not wrong,dished out brilliant passes for his forwards and looked pretty fit.Ronaldo is back and was brilliant.Someobody from this forum said he looked all beefed up now and I think that person is right.He does looked bigger,suppliments and weights training perhaps? Showed no signs of his injury and his first goal proved that.Recieving a pass from Scholes,he deftly guided it to Ruud with the outside of his right foot,turns and rans to receive the through pass in the box to blast the ball past the keeper,superb 3 man move.His second goal,showed composure and power in finishing.Receiving a long through pass from McShane,Ronaldo was clear in the box,1 on 1 against the keeper.Controlled well,and literally smacked the ball past the keeper,no thinking needed.Giggs somehow looked tired in this one,should have done better with some of his crosses.Rossi played better in this game in his natural position,a second forward.Finally got to see his superb dribbling and control of the ball.Had a great understading with Scholes and Ruud.Layed out some superb slide rule passes to Ruud,Giggs and Ronaldo.A player whom is never too greedy to lay it out to someone else in a better position.His goal was inevitable just as RuneEdge puts it.Blasted the ball past the keeper in a 1 on 1 situation just like Ronaldo.Ruud van Nistelrooy is back and the Premiership has been warned.A hattrick in this one brings his tally to 5 goals in 2 games.First goal,slide rule pass from Rossi,back facing the goal,Ruud controls well,swiveled turn the defender and placed the ball to the keeper's right.His second and third goal showed his predatory instinct at its best,one off a corner and one off a cross from Giggs.Great stuff from the Dutch Master and we should see more goals in the Far East,judging from these two games.Final score 0-6.
