EPL Week 3: Manchester United Return To Form With 5-0 Win Over Wigan
August 22nd 2009 21:29
Now, this is what I'm talking about! After a poor showing against Burnley on Wednesday, Manchester United bounced back in a big way with an impressive 5-0 win over Wigan.
From the opening minutes, it was obvious that Sir Alex Ferguson's men weren't going to fool around this time. With a completely re-tooled midfield (Valencia and Nani on the wings, Fletcher and Scholes in the middle), and the return of Vidic in center defense, they meant business. They dominated the first half with crisp passing, tight marking and a lot more aggressivity once they lost the ball. The only thing keeping them off the scoresheet at the halftime was their lack of opportunism along with some desperate defending by Wigan.
United's hard work finally came to fruition at the 10th minute of the second half when Valencia's cross connected with Rooney's head. The Ecuadorian winger had been looking for the striker during most of the first half to no avail. They finally clicked for that goal which coincided with Rooney's 100th tally with the club.
Two minutes later, Berbatov put United 2-0 up with a nifty goal, lifting the ball over the goalkeeper before half-volleying it in the back of the net. Berbatov had been at the origin of the play, sending a pass to Rooney who passed back to Scholes who then chipped the ball for Berbatov who had continued his run – a vintage United goal with one-touch passing. But United weren't done yet.
At the 64th minute, Rooney scored his second of the game when his shot hit defender Melchiot to beat Kirkland at the near post. Twenty minutes later, substitute Michael Owen finally opened his United account with his first goal of the season. Although the finishing was excellent, the play was all about Nani's pass and Owen's run which caught Wigan defenders flat-footed. The Portuguese winger – who had a great game on the left wing – finished things off with a majestic free-kick in stoppage time to put the score at 5-0.
All in all, it was an excellent day for the Red Devils. Although the attack stole the spotlight, the defense also did a terrific job by providing timely tackles and – in the case of Foster – excellent saves to keep the clean sheet. Personally, this is the United line-up I would like to see week in week out with a rotation between Carrick, Scholes and Giggs in midfield and a couple of exceptions: Rafael in Neville's place and Rio Ferdinand at his rightful spot.
Manchester United line-up: Ben Foster; Gary Neville, Nemanja Vidic, Jonny Evans (John O'Shea, 71st), Patrice Evra; Antonio Valencia, Darren Fletcher, Paul Scholes (Darron Gibson, 71st), Nani; Wayne Rooney (Michael Owen, 71st), Dimitar Berbatov.
From the opening minutes, it was obvious that Sir Alex Ferguson's men weren't going to fool around this time. With a completely re-tooled midfield (Valencia and Nani on the wings, Fletcher and Scholes in the middle), and the return of Vidic in center defense, they meant business. They dominated the first half with crisp passing, tight marking and a lot more aggressivity once they lost the ball. The only thing keeping them off the scoresheet at the halftime was their lack of opportunism along with some desperate defending by Wigan.
United's hard work finally came to fruition at the 10th minute of the second half when Valencia's cross connected with Rooney's head. The Ecuadorian winger had been looking for the striker during most of the first half to no avail. They finally clicked for that goal which coincided with Rooney's 100th tally with the club.
Two minutes later, Berbatov put United 2-0 up with a nifty goal, lifting the ball over the goalkeeper before half-volleying it in the back of the net. Berbatov had been at the origin of the play, sending a pass to Rooney who passed back to Scholes who then chipped the ball for Berbatov who had continued his run – a vintage United goal with one-touch passing. But United weren't done yet.
At the 64th minute, Rooney scored his second of the game when his shot hit defender Melchiot to beat Kirkland at the near post. Twenty minutes later, substitute Michael Owen finally opened his United account with his first goal of the season. Although the finishing was excellent, the play was all about Nani's pass and Owen's run which caught Wigan defenders flat-footed. The Portuguese winger – who had a great game on the left wing – finished things off with a majestic free-kick in stoppage time to put the score at 5-0.
All in all, it was an excellent day for the Red Devils. Although the attack stole the spotlight, the defense also did a terrific job by providing timely tackles and – in the case of Foster – excellent saves to keep the clean sheet. Personally, this is the United line-up I would like to see week in week out with a rotation between Carrick, Scholes and Giggs in midfield and a couple of exceptions: Rafael in Neville's place and Rio Ferdinand at his rightful spot.
Manchester United line-up: Ben Foster; Gary Neville, Nemanja Vidic, Jonny Evans (John O'Shea, 71st), Patrice Evra; Antonio Valencia, Darren Fletcher, Paul Scholes (Darron Gibson, 71st), Nani; Wayne Rooney (Michael Owen, 71st), Dimitar Berbatov.
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