It’s been a long time since I’ve done one of these so I may be a little rusty but if you’re familiar with them you will know the formula.
Firstly I would like to say hello and welcome to the start of the 2010/2011 Premier League season and what a start it’s got off to beating Chelsea 3-1.
In boxing it’s common for fighters to watch tapes of opponents before fights in order to get a feel as well as little hints and tips well this is football and it looks like Chelsea chose not to. Many will say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks but when that old dog is playing like it’s in its prime it is nice to have a little heads up, something Chelsea could have done with as Scholes shone in the midfield.
If they had bothered take any notice they would have seen how well Scholes has done this preseason, from his first half against Celtic to now, pulling the strings from midfield. When United’s first goal came it was born from the boots of the ginger wizard too as he hit an awesome long pass to Rooney who was out wide on the right. The striker appeared to have swapped places with his partner in crime from last season Antonio Valencia as he laid the ball off to the oncoming winger who was left with the simple task of knocking the ball past Hilario.
Man of the match Scholes has been in fine form this preseason and if he carries it on into the season regaining the title will be that bit easier.
Wayne Rooney looked a lot more energetic for the 45 minutes he played and appears to be suffering no World Cup hangover. He got into the game, had some efforts on goal and set up Valencia for the opener. A real two fingers up at those fickle fans who felt the need to boo him whenever he touched the ball or have been giving him stick since the World Cup.
Michael Carrick, for all his detractors, looked good in the middle of the park. He got himself about and was solid without being spectacular. In a time where many, myself included, have found time to criticise him it is important to highlight the positive moments too.
Javier Hernandez’s introduction provided a much welcomed energy boost and he showed why he is so highly rated. He almost put Berbatov through instantly after smartly holding up the ball and waiting for Berbatov’s run. Then almost got a goal after being played in by Berbatov but fluffed his lines but the second time this happened he made sure it went into the back of the net. Slipping over as he met Valencia’s cross he (perhaps unintentionally) improvised played the ball into the Chelsea goal off his own face. Sign of a great goal scorer that, scoring with all legal body parts!
Valencia has clearly carried on where he left off last season and seemed to have fun going down the right wing and coming up against Ashley Cole. Early it seemed that Cole would be up to the challenge Valencia posed but twice Valencia got the better of him and twice United scored.
Good to see Dimitar Berbatov score too after some simple keep ball, really a slap in the face after it seemed United were simply running the clock down. He too has looked an improved player in preseason and I’m looking forward to see how this season pans out for him after the criticism he faced last season. Also good to see how well his goal was received by his team mates too.
I said before a win here would be good psychologically and I think the win and the manner puts us in good stead for the season, definitely looking forward to this campaign.
Valencia was brilliant! He showed ‘the worlds best left back’ up many a times!! Very excited about him..add a few more goals like today and we have a world class player on are hands!
Forgot to mention his brilliant willingness to track back and tackle Cole whist the fullback was on the attack.