Bring On The Knockout

04Nov09

Manchester United booked its passage to the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League in dramatic and somewhat embarrassing fashion. If a side like CSKA Moscow can come to Old Trafford and score goals in the manner they did, I don’t think the Special One at Inter Milan or Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola will be having sleepless nights worrying about United’s threat to their title hopes.

It seemed that Wayne Rooney was not the only one suffering from insomnia in the last few days. He had a legitimate excuse with the birth of his son and future England international Kai Rooney. On the other hand, United’s backline, Wes Brown and Jonny Evans in particular, were time and again caught napping by a fluid Russian offence.

United really made heavy weather of a game that with better defending ought to have been a stroll in the park. The opening goal from bright prospect Alan Dzagoev was a case of Evans being outdone by the youngster’s pace. The Northern Ireland international should have got closer to him and Edwin Van der Sar’s lame attempt at a save would have seen him being slaughtered in the media if his name was Ben Foster instead.

Michael Owen’s equaliser a few minutes later seemed to restore normality to the proceedings. A flick from Nani, intentional or not, preceded a cool side-footed finish from Owen, whose predatory instincts kicked in. He once again displayed his positional awareness by staying onside, although the CSKA defence did help in part by playing a deep line.

Milos Krasic, who has now turned in two commendable displays against United in this campaign, gave Fabio da Silva such a torrid time that I wonder if Sir Alex Ferguson subbed in his twin brother Rafael without anyone knowing during the break to give him a rest. Krasic’s goal was well-taken as he breezed past Evans and took it around Van der Sar for the tap-in. Darren Fletcher should have done better to track Krasic’s run as he ran onto Dzagoev’s pass.

But the goal that has got Carlo Ancelotti brimming with confidence going into Sunday’s crunch encounter was Berezutski’s header just after the break. Ferguson described the marking, or the lack of, at the back post for the set-piece as “unbelievable”. As he rightly points out, they will be slaughtered if they carry on defending in this manner at Stamford Bridge.

Federico Macheda, who was making his first European start, was quick to point the blame at others when the ball went into the net but the Italian was the one caught flat footed as the cross came in. The Italian could learn from watching Chelsea ace Didier Drogba in defending set-pieces. He will get a chance to watch it up close this weekend and I hope Drogba will be a useless teacher and score an own goal!

CSKA were probably too embarrassed to be leading by two goals at the Theatre of Dreams. The Russians added to the “How not to defend set-pieces” instructional DVD by giving Paul Scholes the freedom of Manchester to head the ball in from a Gary Beckham, I mean, Neville free-kick.

And that is why I love this club so much because inspiration is found from somewhere to not only get a goal back but also make you believe that all three points are a possibility. Antonio Valencia, who is the complete opposite of Cristiano Ronaldo by passing too much and not shooting enough, finally decided to have an attempt that was heading for row Z in the Stretford End before the law of physics decided to intervene.

There was not enough Fergie time to get all three points but the Ecuadorian’s deflected equaliser showed that if you don’t buy the ticket, you won’t win the lottery.

So I suggest you keep buying your 4D and Toto tickets. And if you win, please don’t forget to make out a cheque to yours truly.

Qualification is secured, United’s eight-year unbeaten Champions League home record is still intact and the Red Devils will top the group with a win over Besiktas in the penultimate group match.

United fans have probably become accustomed to the team playing in fits and starts this season. I just hope key players like Nemanja Vidic and Ryan Giggs are FIT to play against Chelsea this weekend and United can START to play like the champions they are.

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Tags: alan dzagoev, antonio valencia, champions league, chelsea, cska moscow, darren fletcher, didier drogba, edwin van der sar, england, english league, federico macheda, football, jonny evans, jose mourinho, manchester united, michael owen, milos krasic, nani, nemanja vidic, old trafford, paul scholes, premier league, ryan giggs, sir alex ferguson, soccer, uefa, wayne rooney