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| United striker sets Christmas target Posted: 11 Nov 2013 12:08 AM PST
Robin Van Persie’s third goal in as many games against his former club since joining United, sparked raucous celebration at Old Trafford, as United fought tooth and nail to secure what could prove to be a huge three points, given that not only have David Moyes’ men cut Arsenal’s lead to five points, they’ve also sent a strong message to the rest of the league.
With Chelsea drawing on Saturday and Spurs and Manchester City losing yesterday, United seized their chance with superb timing. “We knew we had to win today at all costs. That was the toughest we’ve been to break down and we defended really well. We knew we could not afford to lose, we couldn’t let Arsenal get 11 points away from us,” explained Rooney. “The other results today and yesterday also gave us a boost and we are right back in it now. It’s a massive lift, a great weekend for us ahead of the international break. Our aim is to be top or thereabouts at the new year.” David Moyes was extremely pleased with Rooney and Van Persie’s contribution, as the strikers combined for United’s winner and put in a huge shift for the team. “Great players score great goals in big games and he is a great player. I have got to say, his sidekick today played great as well, Wayne, the two of them were fantastic, Wayne made it, Robin scored it. “I always hoped that Robin would show that and he has done since I came here – he has been great. The two forwards, one scoring the winning goal and one making it, their performance merited the title of big players. They really did. In the big game, they came up trumps,” said Moyes. After a poor start of the season which saw United losing against Liverpool and City and drawing at home against Chelsea, the Reds have now gone nine games unbeaten in all competitions and have won their last three league games, but yesterday’s win was undoubtedly Moyes’ finest moment since replacing Sir Alex Ferguson. “Yeah, especially in the first half. A resilient job was required in the last 20 minutes but overall it was a good three points against a very much in-form Arsenal team. It’s another step in the right direction for us. We have got a lot of big steps to take here. It is going to take a while for me to get it all the way I’d like it to be. “I don’t know if it puts out any statement. Everybody for years has known how good Manchester United have been. My job and the team’s job is to make sure that we do that again. We know that we are going to get a few bloody noses along the way.”
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| Moyes’ hard to beat United grab victory over Gunners Posted: 10 Nov 2013 12:47 PM PST
That’s how it had been billed.
Arsenal arrived at Old Trafford on the back of 14 wins in their last 15 games and, for the first time in almost a decade, they looked to carry a genuine threat, considering their scintillating form had yielded back-to-back wins against Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund. And yet, much as they had done in a similar situation on a wet October afternoon nine years ago, United stood up and were counted. Granted, the win won’t mask the lack of an imposing midfield, where Michael Carrick, Phil Jones and Tom Cleverley were out-passed by their counterparts, nor will it make United favourites for the title. What today’s win will do, however, is fill David Moyes and his men with confidence, for they displayed the grit and combative approach proper of every United side.
Yes, Chris Smalling can’t play at right-back and Phil Jones is a strange selection in midfield when the £27m-rated Marouane Fellaini is on the bench, but there they were putting tackles in and launching themselves in front of their opponents. United’s heart on sleeve attitude worked wonders in the second half, but in the first 45 minutes the Reds carried a much bigger attacking threat, albeit without creating any clear cut chances. When the first opening came after 28 minutes, Robin Van Persie – who else? – dispatched brilliantly, heading Wayne Rooney’s corner past Wojciech Szczesny to give United the lead. It was the Dutchman’s third goal in three games against Arsenal since leaving the North Londoners and United were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty soon after as Olivier Giroud barged into Rooney in the penalty box. The United striker was among the many who put in an impressive shift, fighting on every ball and getting the crowd into the game. Singing section or not, Old Trafford today reminded everybody how important a role it can play for the team, with the Stretford End and K-Stand constantly bellowing out chants of “20 times, 20 times Man United” to remind Arsenal fans who the biggest club in the land is. As Tom Cleverley replaced Nemanja Vidic at the beginning of the second half after the Serbian had suffered a head injury in a collision with David De Gea, United sat back and invited Arsenal on. The Gunners, however, failed to produce any clear cut chances and even though United put their fans through the mill in the second 45 minutes, it was them who had the best chance to score, Rooney scuffing his shot wide with 30 minutes to go. Ryan Giggs and Marouane Fellaini replaced Kagawa and Van Persie and United held on for what could be a crucial win. Manchester’s other team are now eight, Chelsea are within a point, but United are in crisis. And so be it, then. Dan |
A team in crisis facing the runaway league leaders. A team in decline facing the new kings of English football.
The United manager opted for an offensive line-up, with Shinji Kagawa, Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney on the pitch at the same time, while Phil Jones and Michael Carrick were tasked with controlling the midfield.| You are subscribed to email updates from Red Rants To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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