Post Match Review: Manchester City Vs Manchester United

F.A. Community Shield 2011-‘12

                                          

        3 -2

  

Well, Manchester derbies can never be categorized as a friendly match even if it is played on school pitch or at the Wembley for a charity purpose. Assuredly though, it was an energetic and aggressive affair with tackles flying from the very first minute as United pressed City very high up the pitch. The game was quite open from the initial moments contrary to the past few derbies and community shield games. City’s players’ touches were hardly promising on the ball, at times giving it away way too cheaply. Ever industrious Welbeck paid first-class compliment to Rooney in the striker’s department. Anderson, for whom Old Trafford is an important season (he has no option but to perform!), was full of energy and used the ball wisely.

The first yellow card was handed to Dzeko and Anderson, after Dzeko failed to control a high and Anderson nicked it off his feet with Dzeko retaliating with a wild lunge. He was not particularly pleased with the Bosnian, and both of them were booked for throwing arms at each other. City were half a yard off the pace, and it was evident from a mistimed violent studs-up tackle from Richards on Young just outside the box. The spot was perfect for a right footer to bend it over the right top hand corner. Rooney, with Beckham like run-up almost parallel to the ball, just couldn’t get enough dip on the ball, and the free kick ended three inches above the upright. 20 minutes gone and United were well settled into their passing rhythm. A neat one-touch was exchanged between Welbeck and Anderson outside the box, but the resulting attempt was blocked off by Kompany for a corner.

 United were in complete control of game and dominating. Their forwards’ movements were too swift for City to handle, Rooney drew Kompany all the way to the half way line to expose the space behind and Young exploited it perfectly only to be let down by a poor over-hit pass from Evra. City weren’t slick in open play and wasted a handful of corners, before finally converting the opportunity in set-play. 37 minutes into the game, Evra was guilty of a cynical challenge which gave Silva being quiet the whole game, a chance to the ball into the box. United’s defence held a pretty high line for the free kick consequently Lescott’s perfectly timed  beat the offside trap, got in front of Ferdinand and buried the header, leaving De Gea with no chance. Clearly dazed by this goal, United lost their way for the last 7 minutes of the first half. Another lapse in concentration by Vidic, who failed to close down Dzeko, allowed a free shot on goal. Although De Gea could see the ball all the way, he failed to react quick enough with his feet firmly rooted on the ground, had to pick up the ball from inside the net to what seemed a pretty ordinary effort from Dzeko. United, now, desperately seeking the half-time whistle and another “hair-dryer “treatment from Sir Alex.

Wholesale changes were made during the half-time. Carrick, Ferdinand and Vidic were replaced by Cleverly, Evans and Jones. United were again quicker off the blocks never allowing the opponents any time on the ball. Their work ethic finally paid off within six minutes into the second half. An Ashley young free kick, this time, did the damage. Smalling, after losing his marker Dzeko, side footed the ball home. United, now upbeat, bounced right back into the game. Cleverly did what was originally expected of Carrick: link-up play with the forwards and control the game. He brought the required urgency to United’s game. After some commendable work, Cleverly found Nani in space. In a superb one-touch exchange between Nani - Rooney – Cleverly - Nani outside the box, Nani was clear on goal, finishing it past the approaching goalkeeper, Hart.

City sole effort in the second half wasn’t until the 76^th min. But this time De gea was up to the task, nicely parrying away a powerful swirling shot from Adam Johnson. Before we entered “Fergie time”, there was great run from Smalling down the right hand channel, adroitly passing Clichy, before squaring it to Nani. Nani’s shot was blocked off, after a little shimmy, and it fell to Cleverly who scuffed his half volley over the top of the post. Just when we approached the end of game which was destined for a penalty shootout, a defensive mix-up between Kompany and Clichy on the half-way line, allowed Nani clear on goal. Indecisiveness on Rooney’s clearance, with both of them backing of the ball, let Nani take possession. He squared Joe Hart, to coolly seal the game.

In spite of the score line (3-2) Sir Alex Ferguson would have been pleased with the game as United played at high intensity, high energy and completely dominated City for most part of the game. His young guns responded magnificently in adversity and comeback seemed inevitable. Two-man United midfield outplayed the three of City. For City they have to find the right formula, and in addition hope that their moody players will turn up for the game, the given day.

Man of Match:  Tom Cleverly. He played very cleverly indeed.