The Gain in Spain (at Valencia, 09.30.10)

Hello,

It is amazing what a game will do.  Going into this match, United had three, back-to-back away draws in the PL and one in CL against Rangers at home.  United also seemed to be leaking goals with some mid-field question marks and no Rooney going into Spain.  Couple that with a not-so-great record on Spanish soil and one could see how United fans could be nervous.  A loss or tie would mean having to make up ground in teh group.  With this win, United can look at the two games against (so-called) feather-weight Bursaspor, knowing those six points will virtually secure their place in the last 16 of this season's Champions League.  How things change.

Let's begin shall we.

Despite the commentators and some reports saying United were sloppy in the first half and the game looked like a goaless draw until Hernandez scored, I will step out on a limb and say that United played almost a perfect away European game against the current leaders of La Liga. 

Yes, there were moments.  Valancia had possibly their best shot after a rare mistake from Edwin van der Sar, who completely failed to cut out Alejandro Dominguez's right-wing cross. Soldado headed the ball well over the wide open net.  Remember commentators, this is a good team, in La Liga, at home who are the current leaders.  Did you expect United to dominate?  Did you not expect Valencia to have chances?  Do you even watch football?  How many chances would you say are ok before calling United sloppy?  One, ten?  United played a great, measured game.  Attacking at times, defending at times and leaving open lanes in the mid-field to try and tempt Valencia into mistakes.  The returning Rio with Vidic made a huge difference on the back-line with both making huge defensive saves. 

Then, in the second half, Sir Alex brought on Federico Macheda for Berbatov and Hernandez for Anderson.  Anderson was in there to do a job and he did it.  Ran around, opening and closing lanes and tired out the starting mid-field players.  Hernandez, a striker for a mid-field player, came on with a specific task to compliment Macheda and he performed it well.  A great series from Nani, Macheda to Hernandez saw the winning goal.  That is all United needed.  Hmm, after that, the commentator did not say sloppy?  Hmmm...

As Fletcher said afterwards:  "It was an all-round team performance from the front players, to midfielders, to the defenders. Everyone put in a shift, worked hard tactically and concentrated through the whole game. If you lose concentration away from home against a talented team like Valencia, you get punished. Even when things were getting difficult and people were getting tired the concentration levels were high."

The plan worked.

Oh yeah, Soldado < Vidic.

Derek