Playing Wolverhamton at home after the massive disappointment midweek provided the perfect tonic for what ails United, with a comfortable 4-1 victory.
Normal service resumed around goal with Rooney and Nani netting two goals apiece, and in truth, it could have been much more lopsided, as Mick McCarthy’s side left too many delicious pockets of space for the Red Devils to exploit.
Here are my five immediate reactions to this victory.
First, United are clearly a club in transition at the moment. All illusions of a seamless evolution from one generation to another disappeared with Red’s Champions League exit this past week.
Simply look at the age and form of the squad at the moment.
You have extreme youth with the de Silvas, De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Welbeck, Cleverly, and Macheda, coupled with aging veterans still playing in Berbatov, Giggs, Owen and Rio, as well as the recently departed Brown, Neville, O’Shea, Scholes, and van der Sar.
With youthful defenders, we’ve witnessed more errors and shots on goal than you’d expect from a Ferguson side thus far this year.
Today’s culprit was Chris Smalling, who repeatedly let Matt Jarvis get around the edge with the same move, which led to the cross that provided Wolves’ only goal.
It’s not so much that he got beat, which happens, it’s that he didn’t adjust to the threat against him.
Reviewing tape, Smalling will be embarrassed by witnessing himself beat repeatedly with so much help provided by the hardworking Valencia. He’ll learn, without question, but his error provided Wolves a huge lifeline early in the second half. Against a different side on a different day, United would not be so lucky.
Second, United desperately need an in-form Nani with the current injury list and lack of execution around goal. Thankfully, the number seventeen hath obliged.
Everyone knows the Portuguese winger created the most goals last term, as he can beat anyone – sometimes two or even three – off the dribble. His ability to get around the outside edge, nutmeg defenders, or cut inside causes defenders nightmares.
In Basel, Nani looked the most likely to score, as he toyed with anyone attempting to cover him, albeit his crosses left teammates wanting.
Today, he opened the Red Devils account with a brilliant jaunt across the top of the box before slotting home his shot just inside the post. This goal loosened up United’s play with Rooney, not coincidentally, netting the second soon afterwards.
Third, welcome back, Rio Ferdinand, as his elegant anticipation and timing returns precisely when United need it most.
We all have questions about his durability and fitness, but with what we’ve seen during the Newcastle, Basel, and Wolves matches, Sir Alex must be greatly encouraged. United need veteran leadership to help cover for and develop the youngsters. Rio is providing that quality at the moment.
Fourth, Phil Jones is a stud. Period.
Certainly, he’s still learning his craft, especially at center half, but just look at the nineteen year old: he’s our preferred central midfield option at the moment, which speaks to his talent and versatility as well as United’s lack of consistency and depth in the center of the park.
Where would the Red Devils be without this lad? I shudder the thought, as he’s filled a gaping whole in the middle of the formation.
Fifth, and most important, this victory restores some confidence around goal, particularly for Rooney, and applies much-needed pressure on City, especially after being knocked out of Champions League.
A loss to Chelsea would summon up anxiety on the Blue Moon, as they have yet to deal with adversity this campaign outside of an unnamed player’s soap opera. Until City win the Premier League, the inevitable questions will surface upon each slip-up.
We may all look back at this very week, where United fell out of European glory, as the turning point for this season and this squad of players.
The price paid for being complacent and having concentration lapses on defensive leave sharp bitterness in Red Devil mouths.
Have the youngsters learned that simply donning the red shirt doesn’t guarantee anything and that you must earn everything against everybody at this level of football?
Have the youth been taught how hard you must work to develop and maintain that elusive form that saw opponents battered early in the season?
We shall all find out soon enough, as today was one baby-step in the right direction.
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Won’t have a write-up after the QPR match, but will be back at you after Fulham at Craven Cottage. Cheers.
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