In the books this will go down as an unremarkable 2-0 victory over Arsenal at Old Trafford. Unremarkable because Manchester United has now scored four victories in a row over the Londoners. In truth, with Sir Alex Ferguson selecting a line-up few could have predicted – including seven defenders – United’s victory was anything but ordinary.
The Scot had sprung a major pre-match surprise, naming both da Silva brothers in the United side but in unfamiliar wide midfield positions. With John O’Shea and Darron Gibson completing a highly unfamiliar midfield Ferguson sent out a strong signal that next week’s Champions League fixture with Marseille takes precedent.
It mattered little as goals from Fabio da Silva and Wayne Rooney fired Ferguson’s side into a semi-final date at Wembley and potentially a first final since 2005. It’s also a win that will surely have a crushing effect on the visitors – direct rivals for the Premier League title – who have now lost in the Carling Cup final, been dumped out of the Champions League and removed from the FA Cup within a devastating two-week period.
For Untied the spoils. For both sides it could well be a season defining result.
“Having a lot of injuries in midfield, I had to come up with a plan or an idea where I could utilise energies,” Ferguson told MUTV of the seemingly bizarre starting line-up.
“The two Da Silvas are such keen and enthusiastic boys, I thought they could do that. I couldn’t risk Scholes and Giggs because of Tuesday’s game against Marseille, such a vital game for the club, so Darron Gibson had to play as the only natural midfielder. John O’Shea has played there before but he’s obviously a centre-back or a full-back.
“Considering we made these major changes with a host of injuries in the club, I think we can be well pleased with the result.”
Indeed, the United side should have filled Arsène Wenger’s outfit with confidence despite the morale-sapping defeat in Barcelona last week. But if anything United began the more positive though, with the da Silva brothers, Rooney and Javier Hernández forming a dynamic, if surprising, front quartet. And Rafael – the younger brother by just 10 minutes – should have put the hosts in front, contriving to head Fabio’s cross over when a goal should have come.
Arsenal though shared the majority of possession, as has been the pattern in recent meetings, without providing the finishing touch. Indeed, when the Londoners fashioned an opening veteran Edwin van der Sar provided the hosts with yet another example of why he will be so missed at Old Trafford. The Dutchman saved well from Robin van Persie, before pulling off a string of second-half stops to earn a deserved man-on-the-match award.
If Rafael had missed earlier than Fabio made no mistake on the half-hour to give United a crucial lead. The Brazilian youngster fired into the roof of the visitors’ net after smart work by Rooney to find Hernández whose header was pushed into Fabio’s path for the goal.
The goal provided a huge boost to United, whose endeavor was not always matched by quality use of the ball. No surprise perhaps given the line-up. However, Antonio Valencia’s return at half-time provided another tonic, with the Ecuadorian returning to the United side after breaking his ankle in September.
But it was to van der Sar that United owed much as Arsenal threatened to break United’s control of the game. First the 40-year-old, who has promised to retire in the summer, twice saved from Laurent Koscielny after the defender had been played in by Van Persie. Later the United legend saved from Marouanne Chamakh and substitute Tomas Rosicky to draw chants of “Fergie sign him up” and “one more year” from the Old Trafford crowd.
In the meantime United doubled the advantage on 50 minutes, with Rooney heading home after Hernández’ shot was blocked by Manuel Almunia in the Arsenal net. It was a sixth goal in eight games for the former Evertonian, who played in a markedly deeper role against Arsenal to no little effect. Indeed, with the Mexican playing on the shoulders of the visitors’ defence there was yet more evidence that Rooney and Hernández – not Berbatov – may become the most productive pairing for Ferguson’s outfit.
Yet, Arsenal continued to press and gained both territorial advantage and possession as the match drew to a close. Here, United’s defence proved its worth once again, with Chris Smalling amply demonstrating his potential. And the Reds could have added to the lead, with Arsenal increasingly leaving gaps at the back. Almunia pushed out one shot from Hernández, before Rooney and substitute Ryan Giggs also tested the Arsenal stopper.
“It was an intense game as we expected it to be and both teams played their part in different stages of the game,” added the United boss.
“The first goal opened up the game and there could have been a lot of goals for both sides in the second half. Arsenal had a lot of chances in the second half and Edwin van der Sar made four or five fantastic saves. On the other side, their goalkeeper made three saves from Chicharito while Rooney went through with a good chance. There was nothing much between the two teams but we could have won by a few more goals.”
It’s a result that will provide United with a huge lift ahead of Tuesday’s match with Marseille. As so often this season, whatever is in the water at Old Trafford – it works.
Match Facts
United – 4231 – Van der Sar; Brown, Smalling, Vidic, Evra (Scholes 80); O’Shea, Gibson; Rafael (Giggs 64), Rooney, Fabio Da Silva (Valencia 46); Hernandez.
Arsenal – 433 – Almunia; Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Gibbs; Diaby (Ramsey 72), Nasri, Denilson (Chamakh 59), Wilshere, Arshavin (Rosicky 72); Van Persie.
Attendance – 74,693
Man of the Match – van der Sar
Possession: United 46% – 54% Arsenal
Attempts: 11 – 18
On Target: 6 – 11
Corners: 4- 4
Fouls: 6- 4
First final since 2007. 😉
The da Silva brothers together were fantastic. With them, Smalling, Hernandez and Wellbeck and Cleverley back next year (please), we have a great core of young talent.
It must be noted, given that he takes so much shit on this site, that Gibson was solid. He might not have the talent to stay, but he sure wants to.
VDS was superb, as was Almunia.
For the second game in a row, Wilshere was a mouthy little bitch. He’s lucky GNev and Keane no longer roam free. The kid needs to stop reading all the press saying he’s the Second Coming of English football.
Viva da Silvas
Viva da Silvas
Running down the pitch
Can’t tell which is which
Viva da Silvas
Fabio abd Rafael
One looks like the other
Rafael and Fabio
Is that him! …or it’s his brother.
I fall more in love with Chris Smalling every time I see him play. And jesus, even O’Shea and the G-Bomb were pretty faultless today!
Poor old Wenger. Utd start with the anti-midfield of the G-Bomb and O’Shank and still win!
Outstanding performances from Rafael and Fabio today I thought. I’ve always wondered why Fabio hasn’t been given his chance on the wing. Bitterly disappointing that he had to come off at half-time again though, presumably for another minor injury.
I also agree with the others who have praised Darron Gibson for this performance. Obviously one good game doesn’t prove anything but he looked much calmer and more collected than usual.
Chris Smalling looked terrific again as well – he is slowly and surely proving to be a fantastic centre-back who often also plays the intelligent pass. Finally a reprieve for the sale of Gerard Piqué?
In a season of little excitement, all of these performances (not to mention those of Rooney and Valencia) made the game hugely enjoyable. Hopefully this will be a springboard for the rest of our season and a blow to the rest of the Gooners’ season.
The G-Bomb is dropped! In a good way! 🙂 Wasn’t too shabby against a legit midfield with O’Shea as his partner. If he could just work on his defending and availability to his teammates he would be much better off. I’d prefer him to Carrick at the moment. Loved how he got in between Scholes when the Arsenal player pushed him that was great hahaha.
I just read United have signed an agreement to buy Jack Rodwell for 25 million! It seems to be the big news story. I will check for confirmation on their website.
Yeah I read about that too…..but no confirmation on the official site.
I really hope this story is true.
As for the match,it was good that we won with such a makeshift squad…..this shows just how much catching up Arsenal have to do.
This game could well be a turning point for the season for both United and Arsenal.
If this last two weeks doesnt make Wenger re-think his ‘philosophy’ nothing will. Djourou – who is by far their best defender – is now injured too.
There ae so many positives from that game the Da Silvas, Vidic, VDS, even Wes Brown! Also, did Rooney look ike he had his mojo back yesterday? Perhaps he just loves playing against Arsenal. But I was most pleased to see Tony V back and looking confident and quick.
Rooney had one of his best games for a long while. This role in the hole is definitely the way forward. On the Supplement they are going on about his lack of form, get with the programme – he’s not going to be the Rooney of last season but he will still be one of the best players in the premiership. Its a team game!
You can also see why Rooney fares well against Arsenal – his energetic and aggressive style is clearly the Londoners kryptonite.
Great win.
I don’t get the Gibson praise. He was the only midfielder playing yesterday and the three defenders who played with him looked more accomplished in midfield.
I thought yesterday was Gibbo’s worst performance in the first team. I was so annoyed. Especially as when he actually had the ball his passing was just sublime. He flicked one left footer into Rooney’s path as we broke in the second-half that was jaw dropping because the ball came to him at an awkward height yet he adjusted so well and passed in one movement. Another time, he controlled the ball on his chest and moved past Sagna with ease crossing brilliantly with his left foot on the run. The things that make me feel that he really can be what he wants if he can just work harder.
Well one penny has now dropped. SAF at last realises that the twins are a far better option than Obertan & Bebe. The best news was AV was back AND he does not seem to have lost speed or confidence.Every time he has the ball either he makes something happen or he does not give the bloody thing away.
What’s all this shit about Gibson having a good game?
We won, and he wasn’t complete rubbish… that’s not the same as being good.
O’Shea was better… what does that say for Gibson?
“Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don’t need badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching’ tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you.”
Sometimes all it takes is willingness! The twins were willing to run forward, take on midfielders/defenders, Chicarito is always lively and Rooney was in the mood…coupled with 2 proper central defenders and we did better against LeArse than Barca did-when they had 11 players on the pitch.
That’s why its time for a mega clean up at OT. Players like Carrick, Anderson,Brown, Obertan and even Fletcher must go caue they’re uninspired&unwilling! Gibson cause he’s not good enough. I’d rather we lose with a host f yound players than with the shit that’s on offer. But it’s just not gonna happen…3 of those mentioned above have just penned contracts!! Why? If we’d play Carrick yesterday our would be lethargic, backwards and innefective…
Rooney as playmaker is an option to consider seriously; how can Fergis try hom on the left wing but not in central midfield? 1 great win doesn’t hide the fact that we have a serious problem with our squad and attitude of some of our players…we should’ve held a juble sale not offer them contract!!
Running on 4 fronts to end up (possibly) with nothing…is this the end of Wenger-would be sad though as the guy is a real French grumpy psycho-though I back him fully against Barca!!
aye.. he hit the lofy heights of below average. ok he hit 1/2 good passes, is that really enough. the centre of midfield was bypassed most of the time and rooney had to work his bals off to help out. defo not good enough for manchester united.
Aresenal have serious problems, but just compare Wiltshire, (you might not like it but he has attitude) & Nasri (a bit of attitude too) with Gibson & O’Shea, its embarrassing. Wiltshire passes & moves; Nasri runs with ball. Gibson isn’t interested, is lazy & in the EPL midfielders he would struggle to be in the top 50; simply not good enough. O’Shea wouldn’t make the top hundred. Pity no one has the nous to anticipate the 60 yards inspirational passes into space, John.
but the current crop of players seem happy with mediocrity.
And here comes the Gibson haters. Typical.
It’s because he’s useless and undeserving of a United shirt.
And the one from Northern Ireland is the most strident I tell ya. He has never forgiven Gibbo for choosing the Republic.