United played Arsenal on Saturday in the FA Cup. Games between United and Arsenal are usually good and with incident and this was no different!!
United won 4-0 playing brilliantly. Arsenal were particular poor (just 2 attempts on goal), they just couldnt pass and kept giving the ball away. They were also being pressured into making mistakes with United players pressuring them constantly. Fletcher, who always seems to play well against Arsenal, was constantly hassling them. It was a particular bad performance by Arsenal who looked like they didnt want to be there and showed no desire or passion.
United were not at full strength resting players with the game against Lyon on Wednesday in mind. He rested players such as Tevez, Ronaldo and Giggs. (Apparently Ronaldo was going to be on the bench but was ill (Fergie said in an interview he had a dodgy stomach and diarrhoea – maybe too much info!!). Arsenal also rested players including Adebayor.
United took the lead early on. Anderson headed the ball back on the 6 yard box and Rooney was in the right place to knock the ball past Lehmann. The 2nd goal came after great play by Nani. He took the ball to the byline and crossed in for Fletcher to score. (On the replays it looks like it was actually a Gallas own goal). That wasnt it for the first half and Nani scored a third. Carrick passed brilliantly and Nani controlled the ball around the 18 yard box and shot first time past Lehmann. The first half ended 3-0 and could easily have been 6 or 7-0. If only Rooney had his shooting boots on!!
The 2nd half I was expecting a reaction from Arsenal but it was more of the same (if not worse!!). Eboue got sent off for a rash high challenge on Evra. Eboue (who is no stranger to controversy) didnt want to leave the pitch but he had no excuse. Luckily Evra wasnt serious injured.
Gallas also was lucky not to get sent off (and if the FA do anything – which I doubt it – he could be in more trouble) after he kicked out at Nani. A few players had a kick at Nani after a little bit of showboating (see below). However thats what people like to see – bit of entertaining. (Especially at the expense of Arsenal!!). In one particular move Nani got the ball and almost did the “Seal move” bouncing the ball on his head while running with it). Cant remember which players it was but they certainly didnt like it and a few challenges went flying in!!
Adebayor came on with 20 minutes to go – too late to really do anything. He didnt do much expect an embarrassing dive!!
Fletcher scored to make it 4-0. There was no doubt this time that it was his goal. It was after great play by Nani again.
Man of the match is a tough one. It was certainly Rooney until he was subbed but than Nani just got better and better. Fletcher was also great as well as Carrick and Anderson. Even when Saha came on he looked lively. Just imagine of Ronaldo played as well!!
I read today that Wenger is moaning about the state of the pitch and how its rubbish how they couldnt pass between the ball was bouncing about – or something like that. LOL!!! We seemed to pass OK!!
Heres some highlights:
Nani showboating:
Michael Carrick should definitely be heading to the World Cup after his form for United this year. Good luck to him and England – they’ll need it!
So glad that Nani finally started to prove his worth in teh second half of the season – hope he does well for Portugal too