Overview
Manchester United host Tottenham as they finally kick off their Premier League campaign. The Red Devils are without first choice defenders Ferdinand and Vidic due to injury but there’s a reason Sir Alex stocked up on young defenders and here is the chance for Jones to prove his worth alongside Evans. The midfield and attack stay unchanged, which is no surprise as we still wait for Hernandez to gain full fitness and partner Rooney up front.
Tottenham arrive without Modric suggesting his transfer saga is far from over. Kranjcar takes his fellow countryman’s central role and joins a strong Tottenham side looking to show everyone that they can compete with the big boys.
Team Line-ups
GK: De Gea
RB: Smalling CB: Evans CB: Jones LB: Evra
RM: Nani CM: Cleverly CM: Anderson LM: Young
ST: Rooney ST: Welbeck
GK: Friedel
RB: Walker CB: Dawson CB: Kaboul LB: Assou-Ekotto
RM: Lennon CM: Livermore CM: Kranjcar LM: Bale
ST: Defoe ST: Van Der Vaart
Key Moments
1st half
0.40 opportunity: Young crosses low trying to find Welbeck but Kaboul matches the striker’s run and clears the ball.
1.55 opportunity: Nani finds Rooney who intercepts Bale’s pass. His header is straight at Friedel.
7.27 opportunity: Cleverly drives a low shot into the bottom corner but Friedel matches it, fantastic save!
13.55 opportunity: Dawson aims a header towards goal but it floats just over, good effort.
20.45 opportunity: Bale has a pop on his weaker right foot but it’s an easy save for De Gea.
27.30 opportunity: Rooney floats in an inviting ball and Young manages to get a header across goal that goes wide narrowly, unfortunate.
36.10 yellow card: Evans goes in rashly and takes VDV out, fair yellow.
38.55 yellow card: Young and Dawson collide in a 50-50 and the referee pulls out a yellow, a little harsh in my opinion.
42.20 opportunity: VDV tests De Gea once again but it’s straight at him, clean handling however, well kept.
46.25 opportunity: Defoe lines up in front of goal and hits it well wide.
Half-time score: Manchester United 0 – 0 Tottenham
1st half synopsis
Plenty of good football and solid defences made the first half a defensive display. Chances for both sides have been few and far between, with Friedel making the most impressive save of the half. De Gea’s nerves seem to be settling as Tottenham have been doing him a massive favour and hitting balls right at him, allowing for some easy saves.
Let’s hope the 2nd half brings some more concrete chances.
2nd half
45.00 substitute: Corluka comes on for Walker, the young lad didn’t seem to do anything wrong but perhaps Tottenham want more experience against Young.
47.20 opportunity: Young turns in the box and aims for the bottom right corner but Friedel makes the save.
48.30 opportunity: Defoe smashes a low drive but De Gea gets his body behind it, no problem.
49.09 opportunity: Lennon does brilliantly to sprint down the right and find Bale lurking in the middle. The Welshman hits his shot wide of De Gea’s left post.
49.59 opportunity: Lennon beats Evra with a questionable shove and finds himself in the box with plenty of time, how he couldn’t find VDV who was in acres of space is beyond me.
53.08 opportunity: Anderson finds Rooney with a lovely one two and hits a direct effort, Friedel stops the shot and Rooney’s rebounded effort, good goalkeeping.
57.20 opportunity: Young smashes a volley from Welbeck’s flick on but it goes into row Z.
60.20 *goal*: Cleverly whips in a cross from the right and Welbeck latches onto it with a beautiful header – Friedel had no chance.
64.00 opportunity: Rooney lines up a free kick from the left side of the box, perfect shooting angle. He hits the target but Friedel once again keeps the ball out.
65.30 opportunity: Rooney lashes at the ball from far out and it goes narrowly over, unlucky.
67.33 opportunity: Welbeck goes for the spectacular with a bicycle kick, but Friedel is there once again!
68.00 opportunity: Manchester United’s corner kick finds Evans who volleys the ball and Friedel gets his hands to it again!
75.45 *goal*: Welbeck serves up a cheeky back heel to give Anderson an easy side-foot finish – 2 – 0!
77.00 opportunity: Friedel saves a one on one against Nani, what keeping tonight!
78.07 opportunity: De Gea comes for a cross and misses it completely, Defoe smashes the rebound off the post, so unlucky.
81.00 substitute: Welbeck, Cleverly and Young all make way for Hernandez, Giggs and Park.
83.00 opportunity: Rooney and Hernandez dive towards Nani’s cross but both miss an open goal, very unlucky.
85.40 opportunity: VDV drives a low effort towards De Gea who parries outward. Tottenham deliver a ball into the box, which lands at VDV’s feet again who shoots again, very greedy.
86.40 *goal*: Ryan Giggs floats a beautiful ball into the box and Rooney unmarked headers the ball into the net, I feel sorry for Friedel who certainly hasn’t deserved to concede 3.
88.40 opportunity: Park makes a dash through the centre but kicks the ground.
89.00 opportunity: VDV lofts the ball well over the bar with his effort – he has been very poor in front of goal tonight.
90.40 yellow card: De Gea fumbles a ball and Defoe plays for the 50/50, catching the Spaniard, the Tottenham striker goes into the book.
Final Score: Manchester United 3 – 0 Tottenham
2nd half synopsis
Tottenham looked very good in the first 15 minutes of this half, providing strong contention for the Red Devils. However as the pressure mounted Tottenham began to crumble and slowly United took control of the game and punished with 3 goals.
A solid showing by the reigning champions who look fantastic.
Star player: Young had another brilliant game as he continued to dominate down the left flank and provide fantastic distribution to his teammates. Condolences go out to Friedel who played very well and didn't deserve to concede 3.
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