Date: 13th May 2010 at 1:00pm
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Diego Forlan, the ex-United washout, proved yet again last night that he CAN perform in the big games as he scored both of Atletico Madrid goals as the under performing La Liga side won the Europa League. His winning goal came at the death of extra time to end Roy Hodgson’s side’s quest for history.

Forlan was a constant threat throughout. His movement not just in the box, but in supporting areas was second to none and he always seemed to be in the right position at the right time – his first goal proving just that. A miss hit Sergio Aguero shot fell to Forlan who was there to divert the ball expertly past Mark Schwarzer. His winner came four minutes from the end of extra time. Great work down the left from Aguero gave Forlan the chance to flick the ball into the far corner via a deflection from the unlucky Brede Hangeland. This was the second time the Uruguayan had struck to defeat an English team in the competition after he scored another extra time, away winning goal to knock Liverpool out of Europe at the semi-final stage, consequently summing the Merseyside club to a torrid season.

The ex-red, who scored only 17 goals in 95 appearances at United, has now demonstrated what a good striker he really is, and has proven why Sir Alex Ferguson paid nearly 7million pounds for him back in 2002. His domestic form says it all, 35 goals last season, 32 coming in the league-decisively La Liga’s top scorer. Not to forget, that’s taking into consideration the other ‘world class’ strikers that were on show: Samuel Eto’o, David Villa, Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Thierry Henry to name a few.

He’s scored 18 goals this season and is a vastly improved player than the one we signed in 2002. Along with his young striking partner Sergio Aguero, I expect him to move on to better things next season and who says he won’t return for a second spell in the Premier League?

Whatever the case, I think we can all now see why Fergie’s decided to sign what was the promising Uruguayan forward. Unfortunately his spell at the club was not a roaring success however eight years on, Diego Forlan has sure proved what a top European striker he really is.

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16 responses to “Diego Forlan proves ‘Flop’ critics wrong – AGAIN!”

  1. Quico says:

    So, if he started on 37, and scored 17, his numbers are not that bad. Anyone know his minute played/goal average?

  2. John says:

    Diego Always In My Red Heart!!!!

  3. Vince says:

    This bad idea that Forlan was a flop at United needs to stop.Forlan was a good player who needed a run of matches, not cameos. Carlos Tevez did better than Forlan when he came to West Ham, but they were fighting relegation there, and needed him, as opposed to United, who had other options.

    He was playing in Argentina (not even Spain), and came straight from there to Man United. It would have been tough, since the footballing styles are different, and probably only Veron at United could talk to him in Spanish (remember they signed him on a whim). How many players do we know who came straight from Latin America to a big four club and scored a hatful?

    Then on top of that you have the physical game, that demands time in the gymn (every time he takes off his shirt, I see endless reps and bench presses. Women see eye candy).

    Saha on the other hand played in the French League and then in the Championship, before playing in the Premier league with Fulham. He had time to adapt to English football before signing for United. Imagine if Forlan had played in France, Spain, or a Dutch Club like PSV, or a lesser English club before Man United. He would have done well.

    Final thing, if you look at his match to goal ratio, AFTER he scores his first goal, you see a dramatically better figure, suggesting that once he found his feet, he was actually quite prolific.

  4. Jamie Allen says:

    Hence the reason I wrote “flop” in quotations.

  5. Vince says:

    @ Jamie Allen, no problem. It’s not the article, I have a problem with, it’s the responses to it that say ‘he was given a chance’, such as Chudi Onwuazor (Poster No. 3).

  6. Dave A says:

    Incredible Player, Fantastic.