Manchester United 4 (Tevez 54, Ronaldo 59 76, Rooney 82) Wigan Athletic 0
Carlos Tevez showed great power and determination to hold off Kevin Killbane before showing equal amounts of skill and composure to open the scoring in what turned out to be United’s first big win of the season. It took them to the top of the table for the first time this season (at least for 24 hours).
Tevez might have been outgunned by two goal Ronaldo, but he showed all the qualities to prove that he will be a great signing for Manchester United. I was very impressed by his overall game but it was all in the way he was able to hold off the defenders whilst controlling the ball that stood out for me. Very hard to stop, but having the skill to go with it. If there is a fault to Christiano Ronaldo’s game, then it is that he goes to ground too easy and doesn’t fight for the team. You cannot say the same of Tevez.
The goal came as a relief to United as it followed a very disjointed first half. They started brightly but two injuries really slowed United down as first Vidic and then O’Shea had to go off. This was in addition to Saha being injured in the warm-up (what bad luck, he never gets a knock!). O’Shea started in midfield with Pique played at right back with Brown still injured. When Vidic went off with a blow to the head, Anderson came on and O’Shea played right back. Then O’Shea himself pulled a thigh muscle and young Danny Simpson replaced him and Pique shifted to centre back. It wasn’t surprising that United failed to play well in the first half.
Fergie must have got them organised at half time as United came out and played the best football of the season. After Tevez opened the scoring in the 54th minute, Wigan had to attack more and left themselves wide open to be beaten. Ronaldo scored from a well thought out short corner, and then again from an excellent cross from Rooney.
Rooney himself got the forth, a powerful header from an excellent cross from young Danny Simpson. Simpson looked good going forward and had a chance to score himself, but perhaps he should have passed it square. Wigan were limited going forward and both Simpson and Pique weren’t tested too much in defence.
Despite all praise for Tevez, I should mention another new signing, Anderson. Although he looked dodgy in the first half, in the 2nd he looked really good and played the best I’ve seen him so far. Better teams would take advantage of Scholes and Anderson together, I think Anderson will have a long term future at the club.
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A good game and although I watched the second half in arears (because I also support England in the Rugby. What a win . . . .) I had a good feeling about the game. United were always in control and the only scare for the clean sheet was stopped with an excellent save from Tomasz Kuszczak who is standing in for Van Der Sar and performing well. Rooney showed how he is a truly GREAT player with his unselfishness and was rewarded with a goal (with his head) this is something Ronaldo has yet to learn. Being unselfish that is, not for scoring with his head.
The problem that Wigan had was that they were not playing to really win. The formation that they used proved that. Having only one person up front and 5 in the midfield?! They were playing to draw really and not really score…of course as we all know that ended up biting them pretty square.
You are truly right about Simpson. That was great play between him and Rooney for the final goal. I can see Simpson playing great football for the Gaffer real soon. Our squad is shaping up really well and Rooney and Ronny are playing better and better all the time. Plus with all of the boys on the injured list, some of them are getting better and healthier. One can only hope that over time things get much better for our team and this was a great start… though I am still not convinced on Tevez just yet. One or two great performances does not a star make.
Dad: Rooney is very underrated in one area. His passing and awareness. I wonder if he doesn’t play so well for England because the players around him are just not good enough.
Steve: Wigan were very defencive which was why the Tevez goal was so important. Seeing now the replay, I was very impressed by the pass from Anderson which completely opened and turned the defence. Once we’d scored they had to open up and we ripped them apart.
Tevez did the business for half a season for West Ham, not just a couple of games for United so far. He singlehandedly kept them up last season. I’m convinced already I think.
Hey Paul – no doubts about Anderson. This lad has had some unfair critics in his first two months at the club. What do people expect ? The lad played in the Copa America in the summer and had no break after the Portuguese season. You can hardly blame the kid if he enjoys a bit of partying before he arrives to knuckle down at United. He was off the pace in his first few games, but is definitely getting his Premiership legs and lungs now. His class is there for all to see, great ball through to Tevez and he made some good tackles too.