Game in a sentence
Robin Van Persie steals three points from a valiant Southampton side that deserved better.
Observations
- Rickie Lambert for England? Rickie Lambert for England. The Saints’ striker’s header in the 16th minute put the home side ahead. It was a great ball in from Jason Puncheon – who was fantastic until manager Nigel Adkins took him off, we’ll get to that later. Once again United were exposed defensively. The return of Rio Ferdinand wasn’t the elixir for a team that simply cannot defend.
- No matter. With the best striker in the league at his disposal, Alex Ferguson is keen – probably not – to sit back and relax. Antonio Valencia capitalized on a Nathaniel Clyne slip and sent an excellent ball to a lurking RVP. The Dutchman adeptly chested the ball down to his left foot. He doesn’t miss from there. 1-1.
- While they were on the wrong side of the possession numbers, the Saints were tenacious in the midfield. The first half saw 16 successful tackles for Southampton to just seven for United. Morgan Schneiderlin was fantastic throughout. The 22 year old’s header in the 55th minute put Southampton ahead once again. And then Nigel Adkins took off his team’s three best players – Puncheon, Lambert and Adam Lallana. Absolutely bizarre and unneeded.
- Jos Hooiveld has had quite the time adjusting to the rigors of the Prem. The defender’s clumsy challenge on RVP in the box resulted in a penalty. On the ensuing kick Van Persie attempted a paneka that was saved by Kelvin Davis – he’s stopped the last three penalties he’s faced. Arsenal fans on twitter – myself included – began trolling. Little did we know what was to come.
- Lambert’s substitution came back to haunt Adkins in the 87th minute. Ferdinand, who towered over the Saints defense, hit the post with a header. Van Persie slotted home the rebound to equalize. So you’re nursing a one goal lead with a guy who is excellent in the air – and then you take him off. In this case parking the bus with Lambert playing deep would’ve been wise. Their performance against City was riveting but we learned what we needed to know about the newly promoted side. They play entertaining football but struggle defensively. Struggle is being kind.
- Hat-trick. In the second minute of stoppage time Van Persie put United ahead to complete an audacious smash and grab. This is why Ferguson brought him. In his 1,000th game, Fergie’s move for the Arsenal man was vindicated – again. Without him the red devils are near the bottom of the table. For all the slack Arsenal received last year for being a one man team, currently, United are exactly that. Shinji Kagawa was a non-factor, as was Danny Welbeck. Ferguson’s men will go as far as Robin Van Persie will take them. That’s probably not enough for the title.
Three Stars
1. Robin Van Persie
2. Morgan Schneiderlin
3. Adam Lallana
Utd fans now get to experience the unique joy Arsenal fans have known for the past five or six seasons: twitching nervously for two weeks hoping RvP avoids injury while on international duty.
A bit early to be calling Man Utd a one man team. That being said, I’m glad we signed RvP. Truegooner’s comment rings very true for me right now though.
But don’t you know United have always been a one man team?
First it was Ronaldo, then Rooney and now Van Persie.
In reality, Scholes turned this game around for United as he has done so many times in the past. While it was brilliant, it is also rather alarming as he can’t be expected to play that much/pull United out of the fire when they are lacking ideas.
Ummm when Ronaldo was at United, we also had Hargreaves, Evra and Tevez in their prime. Not to mention VDS, and the stone wall partnership of Vidic and Ferdinand. That was not a one man team. Once Ronaldo and Tevez left, in stepped Valencia and Berbatov along with Rooney. Manchester United are not just a one man team. Even this season, Valencia been great throughout, Kagawa was fantastic in the first two matches (admittedly not at his best today), and Cleverley has been decent as well. Yes RVP is scoring goals (a lot of them) but to call United a one-man team at this stage is a bit naive.
“Ferguson’s men” will go as far as Ferguson takes them, not Robin Van Persie. And that is probably enough for the title.
Eh…I was being sarcastic, the idea of a “one man team” is silly.
Unless the defense plays better, Utd is not winning the title. Your starting back 4 were taken to school by Ricky Lambert.
Like every team in the league, there are concerns and a lot of room for improvement.
Also, I believe Nigel Adkins’ imitation of the Cowardly Lion School of Management affected the game much more than Paul Scholes.
Yup, pretty much what I expected from this blog. If it’s not Whittall bleating about Ferguson, it’s Desai crying his little Arsenal heart out like a scorned lover with the usual nonsensical rhetoric. Paul Scholes was fucking great today and was a game changer when he came on, yet he doesn’t even get a mention in your writeup. I bet you’d have been happier to see United lose and RVP miss a penalty than you’d have been to see your own team beat Liverpool at Anfield. Wind your fucking neck in and find a way to write a report that doesn’t ooze with bias.
Wow. You’re way too bitter about this; its not like any game write-up actually influences how your team performs. Why not just head back to your Man U. fan sites, since that’s clearly all you want to read anyway.
the big thing is that Man u no matter what match always have tons of extra time which seems like a coincidence but who knows right? as for RvP …hes good he is real good and i do miss him but he will get hurt as he always does. Holland will abuse him and sorry bout chur luck man u fans he will be out
Gutted to have missed this game.
Gutted. First I watch a pretty dour performance by LFC and then the saints gift another win to a top 4 side they should have beat. I wanted to puke after watching this loss. 0 points probably should be atleast 2 and could have been 6. I need two weeks off of watching my prem teams. Adkins was making all the right moves in the previous years and so far he seems to be working against the players by doing stupid shit like not starting Lambert or taking him off for no reason?
united look a mediocore side at best so far this year they have only played everton, fulham, and southampton here and havent looked convincing at all there midfield is awful and there back line is getting no younger what will united do when vanpussy comes back injured from international duty like he always did for the gunners?