01/05/2011 15:30,
Our individual assessments of the players' performances in United's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.
Edwin van der Sar
Looked as safe as houses and didn't make a save of note all afternoon. However, he was unable to get his fingertips to Aaron Ramsey's low shot which handed the points to Arsenal, despite a desperate dive.
Fabio
One of the biggest plus points as his positive approach continues to impress. Bombed forward wherever possible and almost picked Javier Hernandez out after one dart into the box when he could've tried to win a penalty but stayed on his feet. Tenacious as ever, he picked up a yellow card.
Patrice Evra
Made one goal-saving intervention to deny Theo Walcott at the far post and tangled with the England winger in the other box when racing onto a pass by Ji-sung Park. Was unable to prevent Robin van Persie from teeing up Ramsey for the winner.
Rio Ferdinand
Looked desperate to cruise forward and get attacks started but concentrated on his defensive duties, which he filled with customary coolness. Won important headers all match and made one excellent tackle on Ramsey inside the area.
Nemanja Vidic
After getting away with one unusually poor clearance that was drilled wide by Jack Wilshere, the skipper was fortunate to escape a handball from a Walcott cross. Otherwise, he was very stout and domineering and sent a header wide with one of United's rare attempts on goal.
Nani
Embroiled in a fascinating duel with Gael Clichy throughout but was forced to show his defensive nous as well when backtracking on several occasions. Always the creative spark his colleagues looked to, he had a few shots on goal, and was denied by Wojciech Szczesny late on.
Michael Carrick
Composed and tidy as ever, breaking up attacks with his intelligent positioning and passing sensibly. One tackle on Laurent Koscielny when he broke out of defence was top class and he felt Ramsey handled his cross inside the penalty area, even though a free-kick was awarded instead.
Anderson
Fired some inventive passes out wide to Nani but his radar wasn't at 100 percent in the first half. Managed a tame shot at Szczesny but was substituted in the second half.
Ji-sung Park
Worked hard and battled for the ball but was still getting accustomed to switching infield when Ramsey was left unmarked to steer in the only goal. Played a lovely ball down the left flank to Evra but most of his work was attritional rather than attractive.
Wayne Rooney
Tried in vain to spark United but picked up a harsh yellow card for a little shove on Wilshere. Started breaking with more menace in the second half and forced Szczesny into a diving save with a decent free-kick. Another set-piece lacked power and he was unable to perform another rescue act.
Javier Hernandez
Unable to get involved and was flagged offside on several occasions when trying to get in behind the Arsenal defence. Was inches away from meeting a Nani cross from the right but failed to get in any shots and was substituted for Dimitar Berbatov.
Substitutes:
Antonio Valencia (for Anderson, 56)
Miscued his first cross when played down the right and, although he managed a supply line of dangerous balls into the area, he was unable to have a vital impact.
Dimitar Berbatov (for Hernandez, 74)
Found it hard to quickly adapt to the pace of the game with the Reds chasing an equaliser but made a couple of touches in and around the Gunners' box.
Michael Owen (for Carrick, 85)
Only had a few minutes but it was enough time to be denied what looked a stone-wall penalty after being felled by Gael Clichy. Always looks determined to get into the danger zone to make things happen.
Credit: Manchester United (www.manutd.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment