Despite another crucial victory for a resurgent Manchester United the side’s inconsistencies are clear. Milan posed a significant challenge for a United side still finding its feet on the European stage this season on Wednesday. But the test, met with endeavour, demonstrated a lack of quality expected of prospective European champions. Wayne Rooney noticed.
Rooney, now United’s undoubted leader on the pitch, offered up rare public criticism of his team-mates after the Reds’ victory over Milan. Some might consider it rash but United’s 25-goal marksman has earned the right to criticise.
He also hit the right note.
“I was very frustrated in the first half with a lot of things,” Rooney said, whose two goals in Milan helped United stretch an unbeaten European run to 26 away matches
“Some people were not doing their jobs right and I let my feelings be known. We learnt from that and won the game, which I am delighted about.”
There’s no doubt that the verbal assault was aimed – in part at least – at Portuguese winger Nani, who struggled to offer any conviction to United’s attack.
Although Nani has played well in recent weeks, the winger seemed overwhelmed by the occasion and his inevitable substitution was the catalyst for United’s eventual victory.
Nani’s replacement, Antonio Valencia, can count himself unlucky not to command a regular starting place following a promising début season with the club.
But the former-Wigan winger’s presence was warmly received on the pitch by his team-mates, who sought out the Ecuadorian as United aimed to change the game in the last half-hour.
Valencia went on to create both a goal and further chances for Rooney in an excellent substitute performance in Milan.
Elsewhere United struggled for consistency, despite the 3-1 win. Youngster Rafael had a troubled night, with Ronaldinho finding his compatriot seemingly star-struck. While it bodes well that Rafael recovered his composure to put in a disciplined second-half performance, the Brazilian needs to learn fast.
Likewise Johnny Evans was uneasy at the prospect of tackling players he no doubt once idolised.
United’s midfield, charged with eliminating the threat of Milan’s pensioners, David Beckham, Andrea Pirlo and Massimo Ambrosini, tended towards wastefulness.
Darren Fletcher covered acres of ground and Paul Scholes doubled his usual work-rate. Meanwhile, Michael Carrick and Ji-Sung Park were the unfortunate victims of a tactical system designed to limit Milan’s possession.
It’s a lesson learned following last season’s humiliating defeat to Barcelona but Sir Alex Ferguson’s side was lucky Milan is no longer the attacking force that comprehensively beat United in 2007.
Ferguson’s side will gain huge confidence from the victory in the San Siro but that Milan has failed to win a single home game in the Champions League this season is telling.
The Italian side had many chances to rectify that record on Wednesday. United cannot hope to reach the Champions League final in Madrid come May if the side does improve dramatically.
It’s a lesson that Rooney, like Roy Keane before him, will impress upon his team-mates should they fall short of the highest standards again.
I took it that Rooney’s comments were aimed at the referee and not critising any of his team mates.
Nani didn’t have a great game… but he wasn’t the problem. We gave the ball away several times… very cheaply. I thought Evans and Scholes were the main culprits…. and I think Sir Alex thought the same. (if looks could kill, SAF would have been charged with triple homicide) But Rafael is by far the weak link in our armor…. but he’s young, and still learning.
But lets not blow it out of proportion… it is the Champions League afterall. And we are 1 point from the top of the prem. Considering we lost Ronny and that twat Tevez… I think we’re in great shape.
Hi Ed,
Could you pass this on to Dan please (I’ll pay for the postage or packaging or whatever it is these days)
Hi Dan,
I was just flicking through your archive and stumbled across this absolute gem! It’s a brilliant article and leads me onto the question of whether, in your eyes, Wayne should be promoted to captain next season.
I mean, Rio is a great captain on the pitch, and I’m sure Gazza Nev is a great captain on the treatment table, but both have about half a lef these days and Wayne has two very efficient ones, plus a bagful of goals under his belt, a red hot temper, and a passion like no other.
If not, then don’t you think we should be buying a player this summer who we could just stick into the team purely to captain the whole shabang, i.e Lee Carsley, Kevin Davies or Dennis Wise?
Please respond,
I wait in anticipation,
The Emperor