Manchester United 0 Cluj 1: Match report

Posted on December 6, 2012 by adminsports

Manchester United 0 Cluj 1: Alberto's rocket shocks Reds as Romanians snatch win

UPDATED:

07:57 GMT, 6 December 2012

In the context of what happened to Manchester United in the Champions League last season, this has been a satisfactory campaign.

Sir Alex Ferguson will know, however, that a significant improvement will be needed in February if significant progress is to be made.

A year ago, of course, United were heading for the Europa League after a dismal night in Basle that saw them dumped out of this competition and lose captain Nemanja Vidic to injury for the rest of the season.

Defeat: Rooney and Co were on the wrong side of a 1-0 scoreline at Old Trafford

Away goal: Luis Alberto celebrates after scoring against Manchester United

Match facts

Man Utd: De Gea, Jones, Wootton, Smalling, Buttner, Powell (Macheda 73), Cleverley (Scholes 45), Giggs (Fletcher 86), Welbeck, Rooney, Hernandez.

Subs Not Used: Lindegaard, Da Silva, Young, Vermijl.

Booked: Scholes.

CFR Cluj-Napoca: Mario Felgueiras, Ivo Pinto, Cadu,Piccolo, Rada, Muresan, Luis Alberto, Rui Pedro (Aguirregaray 71), Camora, Sougou (Kapetanos 90), Bastos (Maftei 78).

Subs Not Used: Stancioiu, Sepsi, Bjelanovic, Godemeche.

Booked: Cadu, Mario Felgueiras.

Goals: Luis Alberto 56.

Attendance: 71,521

Referee: Daniele Orsato (Italy)

The latest Champions League tables, results and fixtures

This time, United qualified for the last 16 with two games to spare and head into a Barclays Premier League meeting with Manchester City on Sunday having rested virtually their whole squad against the Romanians of Cluj.

Nevertheless, a successive European defeat — they lost in Turkey a fortnight ago — will hardly delight Ferguson. In terms of application on a night when some of these players were supposedly playing for derby places, this was modest stuff.

For Cluj, a famous victory and a more than respectable 10 points in the group. Sadly for them, there was to be no qualification and they must make do with the Europa League; late Galatasaray goals in Braga saw to that.
Nevertheless, this was their night and victory came their way thanks to a truly spectacular goal.

On a night that featured moments of casual football from Ferguson’s team, the manner in which they gave the ball away in the 56th minute was unimpressive.

Paul Scholes’s pass from his own half never reached Nick Powell and when Luis Alberto moved forward, Chris Smalling backed away to allow the Cluj central midfielder to drive a wicked swerving shot into the corner of the goal via David de Gea’s left-hand post.

Shocked: Javier Hernandez, Ryan Giggs and Danny Welbeck react after Cluj take the lead

Going close: Danny Welbeck heads just wide

Off target: Rooney played the full 90 minutes at Old Trafford but failed to get on the scoresheet

It was a terrific goal and in the 30 minutes that remained, United enjoyed plenty of possession but never looked like replying.

Afterwards, Ferguson’s assessment was
surprisingly generous. ‘We were beaten by a wonder goal and there was
nothing we could do about that,’ said the United manager. ‘I thought we
did OK. We created quite a few chances.

‘We put a very young team out and they did very well at times.Sunday will be different altogether.
‘In terms of the defending, it’s the senior players that have to get their act together.’

Down you go: Nick Powell is challenged by Ricardo Cadu

Tangled up: Cluj's Lonut Rada challenges Manchester United's Javier Hernandez

The one advantage of this night was
secured before kick-off in that nine or 10 of Sunday’s likely side were
rested. Of last night’s starters, perhaps only Wayne Rooney, Danny
Welbeck and De Gea have a realistic chance of playing at the weekend.

Yet one could argue that a team
containing those three along with Paul Scholes — on for the injured Tom
Cleverley at half-time — Ryan Giggs, Javier Hernandez, Chris Smalling
and Phil Jones might have been expected to do better.

As it was, this was a performance largely devoid of life, never mind inspiration.

Close, but not close enough: Tom Cleverley sees his shot saved by Mario Felgueiras

United did have their moments and could have scored during a flurry of good attacking play towards the end of the first half.

Hernandez was denied by Mario
Felgueiras’s feet before the Cluj goalkeeper palmed away a delicate
Rooney chip and Smalling headed wide from a few yards out when the ball
was slung back in from the opposite side.

Earlier in the half Cleverley had
been denied twice by Felgueiras rushing from goal, while a Powell shot
struck a defender after Jones had crossed well from the right.

Shot on goal: Hernandez is put under pressure by Daniel Ivo Pinto

Cluj had created chances too,
though. De Gea kicked away a ball that deflected off Smalling’s toe
before young Scott Wootton was required to block a shot from Modou
Sougou just as the forward looked set to score.

As it turned out, that was an
indication of what was to come. For the main event on Sunday, United
will hope their first XI can do rather better.

But Ferguson will have been pleased
with the work of Jones on his second start in nine months, and if a
player who was so valuable to United early last season can stay fit he
will be an asset over the coming weeks. Last night also saw Rooney, who
was his usual energetic self, complete 90 minutes.

Ferguson added: ‘Phil Jones was
fantastic and we got exactly what we wanted as far as he was concerned.
The more game time players like Smalling and Jones can get, the better
it will be.
‘Wayne is now close to full fitness also and hopefully he will be approaching top form come Sunday.’

Nemanja Vidic set to return for Manchester United after injury

Posted on December 3, 2012 by adminsports

Fergie's early Xmas present: Vidic return perfectly timed as United strive to shore up their leaky defence in quest for trophies

UPDATED:

14:26 GMT, 3 December 2012

The sight of Manchester United’s defence at sixes and sevens as they struggled to contain an enterprising opponent was once as rare as a white Christmas.

But this season has seen a succession of calamitous moments and unnecessary shipped goals, the latest coming on Saturday evening when Reading breached the United rearguard three times in half an hour.

And even if, like in six other Premier League matches this season, they fought back to claim all the points and establish a handy three point lead at the top of the table, there remains genuine worries about their back four.

In the thick of it: Nemanja Vidic nearly gets a whack in the face from David De Gea in Manchester United's opening weekend match with Everton, one of only five matches he's played this season

United have let in 32 goals in 22 matches across all competitions so far this season and have fielded ten different central defensive partnerships featuring nine players (including Scott Wootton, Marnick Vermijl and Michael Keane in the League Cup).

Only the partnership between Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans has offered any kind of stability – they’ve started nine matches together – with a debilitating injury crisis meaning midfielder Michael Carrick has been drafted in on four occasions.

Sir Alex Ferguson will receive a big boost this week though with the return of his captain, Nemanja Vidic, following a two month knee injury lay-off, and the manager will hope the Serb will provide the steel and stability needed.

While Vidic may not be risked in the important Manchester derby this Sunday, he could start against FC Cluj in Wednesday’s dead rubber Champions League tie.

Sixes and sevens: United struggled to get a grip on Reading at the weekend, conceding three times in the first half an hour

WITH OR WITHOUT YOU

Premier League matches since August 2011

With Nemanja Vidic

Played: 10 Wins: 8 Draws: 1 Losses: 1

Goals For: 17 (1.70 per game)

Goals Against: 7 (0.70 per game)

Win %: 80 Points per game: 2.50

Without Nemanja Vidic

Played: 43 Win: 32 Draws: 4 Losses: 7

Goals For: 109 (2.53 per game)

Goals Against: 47 (1.09 per game)

Win %: 74 Points per game: 2.33

Source: Opta

Ferguson praised his skipper this weekend and clearly hopes restoring him to this side will help plug the gaps in his porous defence.

He said: ‘I’m hopeful maybe Vidic will play [against Cluj]. I think there’s a good chance he will but it depends on how he feels himself.

‘I knew he was doing really well with the physios. He was doing his football training with them in terms of turning and striking the ball but he came into training last Monday with the first team and did okay.

‘He’s a battler, an absolute competitor. He’s got that dour, uncompromising way of his. He likes defending – that’s what he does.’

Though boosted by the recent return of long-term absentees Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, Ferguson will be delighted at the return of 31-year-old Vidic, if only to avoid a repeat of last season when the defender missed the second half of the season and United ended up trophyless.

Options: Sir Alex Ferguson has been boosted by the return of Chris Smalling (below left), Phil Jones (below right) and Vidic in recent weeks

Chris Smalling of Manchester United

Phil Jones of Manchester United

The Opta statistics bear this out – since the start of last season, United have been without Vidic for 43 out of 53 matches in the Premier League.

Without him, United concede, on average, 1.09 goals per game compared to just 0.70 with Vidic in the defence. They also win more often and gain more points.

This season, they have conceded two goals on four occasions in the League and three goals against Tottenham and Reading.

If they are to regain the title and advance in Europe, United know they must stem the flow of goals conceded – and the return of Vidic should help enormously in this regard.

UNITED'S CENTRAL DEFENSIVE PARTNERSHIPS THIS SEASON

Vidic and Carrick – two games, three conceded

Ferdinand and Vidic – two games, two conceded

Evans and Vidic – one game, none conceded

Evans and Ferdinand – nine games, 14 conceded

Wootton and Vermijl – one game, one conceded

Evans and Carrick – one game, two conceded

Wootton and Keane – one game, five conceded

Smalling and Evans – two games, one conceded

Smalling and Ferdinand – two games, three conceded

Jones and Carrick – one game, one conceded

Nemanja Vidic could be back by Christmas

Posted on November 10, 2012 by adminsports

Ferguson set for Christmas present as United defender Vidic could be fit again by end of year

UPDATED:

01:19 GMT, 10 November 2012

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Manchester United skipper Nemanja Vidic is on track to recover from his latest knee operation by Christmas.

The 31-year-old made his comeback from cruciate surgery at the start of the season but within a month was experiencing more discomfort, which condemned Vidic to yet another stint on the sidelines.

United have not exactly been watertight in the Serbian's absence, even if they have climbed to the Premier League summit and booked their place in the Champions League knock-out stages.

Christmas present: Nemanja Vidic could return from injury for the busy festive period

However, clearly, the return of one of the world's best defenders would have a positive impact on United's season.

And Ferguson expects to be welcoming his captain back during the packed festive programme.

'I think it's Christmas time for Vidic,' said Ferguson.

'If we get him back for Christmas, then I'll be happy.

'There's been no setback but we cannot take any chances after his cruciate.'

Without Vidic, United have at times looked light at the back.

Both Phil Jones and Chris Smalling missed the start of the Premier League season through injury, leaving Ferguson with only Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans to choose from in the centre of defence.

The Scot rested the pair for United's Capital One Cup tie against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago.

Instead he played rookie defenders Michael Keane and Scott Wootton in front of Anders Lindegaard.

Both deputised well until Wootton seemed to tire, giving Chelsea a last-minute penalty which Eden Hazard duly converted, taking the match to extra time.

Daniel Sturridge later latched onto an errant Wootton knock-down, allowing the former Manchester City striker to round Lindegaard. The match finished 5-4 to the Blues.

Integral: Manchester United have been light at the back without the Serbian's services

Chelsea v Manchester United – guide to the young stars on show

Posted on October 31, 2012 by adminsports

Who is going to shine The young stars to look out for at Chelsea and United

UPDATED:

12:24 GMT, 31 October 2012

Both Manchester United and Chelsea are set to put their faith in youth as they go head-to-head in the Capital One Cup. Sportsmail takes a look at the players who could stand out for their sides.

CHELSEA

Chelsea’s blockbuster buys have been the main attraction at Stamford Bridge this season, but tonight some of Chelsea’s new young stars will hope to impress.

Victor Moses was already a Premier League regular when he joined from Wigan in the summer.

Looking to make his name: Victor Moses made a big money move to Chelsea from Wigan in the summer

Powerful and direct, the 21-year-old winger has featured six times already this season and scored against Wolves in the last round of the Capital One Cup.

Lucas Piazon is another highly rated Chelsea talent. The 18-year-old Brazilian forward joined the club in January 2012 and made his debut in the last round against Wolves.

Shining star: Lucas Piazon is highly thought of at Stamford Bridge

Watch out for right back Cesar Azpilicueta, 23, and fellow Spaniard Oriol Romeu, 21, who has already made a name for himself at Stamford Bridge.

Forgotten man Marko Marin, 23, will also feature. The German has been overshadowed by Eden Hazard and Oscar.

MANCHESTER UNITED

United have a fine record of producing talented youngsters and tonight’s game will give four more the chance to shine.

Scott Wootton, 21, is a centre back who joined from Liverpool in 2007 and has already featured for United in the Champions League this season. With loan spells at Tranmere, Peterborough and Nottingham Forest under his belt, the versatile defender finally looks ready to make the step up.

Capital gain: Scott Wootton is ready to step up

Also watch out for Belgian Marnick Vermijl, 20, an attack-minded right back, and defender Michael Keane, 19, who was voted Reserves Player of the Year.

New signing Nick Powell joined from Crewe in the summer and the talented 18-year-old midfielder is already training with United’s first team.

Ready to shine: Nick Powell has stepped up to Manchester United from Crewe

The young players to watch out for during the Chelsea v Manchester United clash

Posted on October 31, 2012 by adminsports

Who is going to shine The young stars to look out for at Chelsea and United

UPDATED:

00:26 GMT, 31 October 2012