While a lot of importance was placed on the Chelsea game on Sunday, it's fixtures like Everton and the upcoming Middlesbrough and City which will have more bearing on United's title chances this season. All 3 teams took points off United last season and a win against the Toffees was essential to keep United top by 3 points.
Ferguson toyed with the supporters patience and nerves, making 5 changes to the team that drew with Chelsea. Seeing O'Shea and Silvestre in the starting XI has not boded well so far this season. With leading scorer Saha rested after taking a knock on Sunday, Rooney was joined by Ronaldo in attack.
Everton battled well and it looked like United were going to be frustrated again, the changes unbalancing the team. Fortunately Ronaldo managed to break the deadlock shortly before half-time, firing in Carrick's deflected shot from outside the penalty area. Once they'd taken the lead, the result was never in doubt. Beattie up front for Everton offered very little and was poor.
In the second half Evra scored his first goal for United and killed the game off with less than 30 minutes to go. This allowed Ferguson to make further changes and left United with a central midfield of O'Shea and Brown, highlighting the current lack of depth in the squad. Despite this, United managed a third goal just before full-time, O'Shea flicking the ball over Wright from Evra's pass.
The score line flattered United who weren't at their best or full strength but it gave them 3 points and allowed Giggs, Scholes and Saha to be rested, ready for the visit to Middlesbrough on Saturday. The next 3 games are crucial with Middlesbrough and City in the league and Benfica in Europe. Champions League qualification and the chance to go 9 points clear of Chelsea are at stake here.
The Ruudometer reaches an important milestone. The 'missing Ruud' column hitting 10 goals thanks to Evra scoring. Despite his poor performances, O'Shea has equalled last season's tally and Ronaldo is nearly halfway to his target. Fifteen different scorers so far and with Larsson to arrive in January, there's a good chance that there'll be another name to add to the list.
No comments:
Post a Comment