Before the Manchester derby start, i expect United will continue the recent top form, to present the United attacking football to beat City.
I was a little bit disappointing when i know the starting line up before the match, Giggs is on the bench while Park Ji-Sung & Darren Fletcher in the starting line up. Cristiano Ronaldo was out of the squad following the death of his father. Well, i expect Giggs will start with Park but Sir Alex chosen Fletcher with Park. I’m finger cross with the chosen of starting line up while drink my teh tarik in mamak stall. Think from another perspective, maybe Sir Alex want to keep captain Roy Keane and Giggs in fresh for Wednesday Champions League clash with Spain’s Villarreal.
The match started, I was so exciting to watch my “first game” of the season as I have long time didn’t watch the whole live match. The first goal was came at the first half injury time, Ruud van Nistelrooy scored in the box, I felt lucky with the goal as I suspect Ruud was offiside, but I’m happy with the referee decision 🙂
Second half, I’m get bored by both side, no any creative pass, no spark of creativeness, boring crossing…… and i doesn’t felt Fletcher is really work in the match, and two of the United fullback, Heinze and O’Shea looks tired and off the pace of the match. Determination of City’s wingers was strong and make some dangerous cross for few times. But Alan Smith looks promising to replace Keane in the holding midfield row with some fierce tackles! Rio read the game well, Rooney steady as always, but fell down 3 times without any challenge, maybe too tired after two pressured International match for England.
City’s bad-boy Joey Barton scored the equaliser in 75 minutes, van der Sar can’t help with the goal as he already tried his best to parried out the 1st shot before Joey Barton to put the rebound past Rio who defend in the goal line. Then Sir Alex begin to auxious as he sent Giggs in the 80 minutes, I wonder will it be too late? Giggs almost gave United a win as his header was just wide. Kieran Richardson also came on from bench to add more attacking move but City just steady in their defend.
After the match, as a United supporter, I must said United doesn’t played good enough and City deserve the point. I personally felt United lack of creative pass from midfield, something Giggs and Ronaldo always do. I think United still need time to reinforce the teamwork, and Sir Alex’s new formation.
My United Rating :
van der Sar *8, O’Shea *6, Rio *7, Silvestre *6, Heinze *6, Fletcher *6, Smith *7, Scholes *7, JS Park *7, Rooney *7, Ruud *7