United finally chalked up the first victory of 2014 with a 2-0 victory at home to Swansea, thanks to second half goals from Antonio Valencia and Danny Welbeck. Adnan Januzaj was at the heart of everything good once again for United, and it was also nice to see Shinji Kagawa put in an excellent performance from out wide.
The first half was awful. Very few opportunities and a really disappointing display from the boys in red. An Adnan Januzaj free kick that struck the bar and a Patrice Evra strike were the highlights of a dull performance.
United came out in the second half with a better intent and an increased performance level. Adnan Januzaj put in a great cross for Shinji Kagawa who saw his header saved, but Antonio Valencia followed in with the rebound within 90 seconds of the restart. Danny Welbeck made sure of the points scoring his 6th goal in 6 games after getting a touch on Patrice Evra’s shot. Chris Smalling should have made it 3-0 but blazed over from 4 yards.
Player Ratings
David de Gea: Clean sheet and very little to do. 6/10
Rafael: Good game at right back. 7/10
Chris Smalling: Defended fairly well and should have scored in the second half but smashed his attempt sailing into the Stretford End. 6/10
Nemanja Vidic: Again, defended well and cut out a lot of crosses. Protected the clean sheet well. 6/10
Patrice Evra: Played well, got forward at every opportunity and put in some good crosses. Replaced by Büttner in the second half due to a knee injury. 6/10
Michael Carrick: Still coming back from injury still. Sloppy in the first half but did better in the second half. 5/10
Darren Fletcher: Really strong performance. Good on the ball, kept possession and was positive throughout. 7/10
Antonio Valencia: Doesn’t seem to be playing as wide as we’ve been used to, but linked well with Rafael today, as well as scoring early in the second period. 6/10
Shinji Kagawa: A game of two halves. A passenger in the first half on the left, superb in the second half in behind Welbeck. Creative and made chances including his saved header that lead to Valencia’s goal. Could, and should have scored himself. Second half performance merited an 8, so overall 7/10
Adnan Januzaj: The bright spark in the dull first half, hit the bar with a free kick, and then he excelled in the second half when moved to the left. The boy really can do anything. 8/10
Danny Welbeck: Scored with an instinctive finish, making it 6 goals in 6. Worked hard and was good on the ball throughout. 7/10
Substitutes
Alexander Büttner: Replaced Evra and maintained the defensive stability and attacking threat. 6/10
Javier Hernandez: Not enough time to mark.
Next up is Chelsea, let’s hope RVP and Rooney are back for that one as well as some new signings (wishful thinking I know).
As a side note It was a shame not to see Wilfred Zaha or Jesse Lingard not get a run out late on with the game won today though.
Be the first to comment