Another Clean Sheet

My last post was “One-nil to the United” poking fun at the score in a boring-boring-Arsenal kind of way.

But, today’s match was no prank whatsoever, with three clean sheets on the trot in the Premier League.

Sir Alex’s men largely controlled this match, with a stern focus on defensive shape before over-committing anything bombing forward. A professional three road points gained ahead of fixtures against Benfica and Newcastle this week, a job well done – thank you very much.

Here are five thoughts about this match.

First, all props to the Swansea supporters, who were fantastic throughout the match, including of course, their acknowledgement when Giggs was substituted off late on. Certainly, TV audio didn’t do justice to the volumes coming from the Swans faithful, who relished their first glamour Premiership match of the season with full voice.

Second, in honor of the ubiquitous 11-11-11 homage-to-Spinal Tap image floating around Facebook earlier this month, it’s fitting that the Welsh number eleven would take a wasteful Swansea turnover, nutmeg the defender with his assist to Chicharito for the only goal of the match in the eleventh minute. After all, when you need that little extra something, you know, to push it over the top – always turn to number eleven, that’s our motto.

Third, our goal-scoring-hero Chicharito continues to provide the pace and poaching instincts needed along Ferguson’s front line, as he’s especially money away from home this campaign. With his customary aplomb, the Little Pea’s poach was made to look easy, despite the pass hit with pace tight to his body. Away form demons be gone, the little Mexican declares with each match-winning goal.

Fourth, how good does De Gea look now in his United kit?

The lad’s been brilliant over the last six weeks. He did everything asked of him today, including difficult punch-clears off crosses that caused so many problems early on. Often, the United keeper wouldn’t even come for them, but now, he looks much, much more assured.

You always knew De Gea had God-given, shot-stopping ability – that was without question. The biggest problem was he had no presence in his area, especially in the air. His play today demonstrates his improved presence in the box, with the back line much, much more comfortable with him.

Fifth and most important, United rediscovered their commitment to defense after the shellacking against City. Impressively, the Red Devils haven’t conceded a goal since that match, which comes down to overall shape, solid keeping, and Nemanja Vidic.

Outside of an occasional error, such as Jones ball watching on Sinclair’s horrible miss, Sir Alex’s men kept an excellent defensive shape today, with everybody seamlessly covering for each and pressuring the ball appropriately – no flying in late, leaving a huge gap, if beaten.

The composure, positional awareness, and opportune counter-attacking speak to a resurgent build-from-the-back mentality, especially away from home, which suites this squad’s strengths – the front and back lines.

Don’t get me wrong, the wing play and overall quality in the midfield are quite good, but thus far, we’ve watched a lack of health, depth, and form plague United’s midfield.

To compete with Barcelona, I still contend, United lack a rare, world-class midfielder. The Red’s issues in the midfield come when the central players fail to dictated match, then tend to fall back too far off the ball too close to goal, which helps explain the lop-sided shots-conceded stats thus far.

Ah, but I digress, as the midfield today, especially Carrick, were as cool as the sheet beneath your pillow. All you Carrick-haters, just watch the game again and focus on his undoubted influence over proceedings. He’s my co-MOTM tied with a certain Nemanja Vidic.

The old cliché that the captains need to “lead by example” holds true in spades for our beloved defender. Nobody, I repeat, nobody demonstrates more consistent and contagious commitment than the number fifteen. His brave header just ahead of a Swan forward’s boot exemplifies his all-in mentality at a critical moment.

Seriously, as a Red Devil, how could you look Vidic in the eye without matching that effort? Not a chance. There’s an aura building around this captain that you’d better not let him down, a bit Keane-like, without the ever-obvious scowling. It’s more like a half-crazed look of intensity, one from someone not to be crossed.

Thus we have another clean sheet brought to you from he who comes from Serbia. After all, you know what he’ll do to ya. Cheers.

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Back at you hopefully after the Benfica tilt, but surely after the Newcastle match. Btw, I’m for Kinnear.