AaB Aalborg 0 Manchester United 3 (Rooney 22, Berbatov 55, 79)
United win away in the Champions League three goals to nil and was a very comfortable win. With Rooney in spectacular form and Dmitar Berbatov getting his first two goals for United, this win was overshadowed by injuries to Scholes, Rooney and new right back sensation Rafael.
Gary Neville picked up a slight knock and 18 year Brazillian youngster Rafael was preferred to Wes Brown. Berbatov and Rooney started at the expense of Tevez and John O’Shea was the runner for Paul Scholes in central midfield. Nani and Ronaldo provided a dual Iberian wing attack.
What was immediately apparent was Rafael Da Silva. What a confident display from a youngster. Pace, skill going forward, slightly worrying defensively (with one very rash challenge that lead to a booking). A great prospect and when he was later replaced by Wes Brown it was immediate to see why Sir Alex had chosen him.
After watching the first 15 minutes, it really did seem to be a case of wondering how many United would score. Which lead you to immediately wonder if it was going to be one of those 0-0 nightmares when United create and then fail to put away about 123 chances.
Then Paul Scholes got kicked in the knee from a very poor challenge and had to be replaced. It looks like a serious injury, but did produce some comedy gold when the ITV commentator stated that he was back on his feet “gingerly”. He was replaced by Ryan Giggs, thus reproducing the central midfield partnership from a few years back of Giggs and O’Shea. For some reason, they do seem to play well together in the middle of midfield, the left back and the left winger.
A few minutes after coming on Giggs produced a wonder pass that was Scholeseque. The Aalborg defence was split wide open and Rooney slipped through and slotted the ball perfectly into the corner.
Wayne really was the star player today, running with purpose and working the team from the front. Unfortunately, he picked up an injury. Hopefully that wasn’t too serious. Less impressive was Nani who combined skill with overhit crosses with equal enthusiasm. Must keep thinking, one for next season, one for next season. I’d have played Park today. I was also less than impressed by Ronaldo’s impression of Jonny Wilkinson trying to put a freekick into the net from 40 yards and being lucky to keep it in the ground.
Final mention, must surely go to Dmitar Berbatov. Started the game as if he really couldn’t be bothered. Missed a sitter on 6 minutes and didn’t look much like he cared. Was gifted the ball for his first goal; honestly the Aalborg could not have sat the ball up better if he’d tried. Dmitar couldn’t really raise a smile.
Then Ronaldo skins his defender and lays the ball back. It picks up a deflection and bounces into the air. Berbatov performs an admiral impression of Mark Hughes’s wonder goal for Wales against Spain and volley’s the ball home and sort of smiled and half raised his hand in celebration. Good job he didn’t get a hattrick; he might have exploded into a grin.
The guy is pure skill, his pass late in the game; outside of the right foot straight into Ronaldo’s path was just fantastic, but he really has to learn the United way. You have to be more than just skillful. You have to have passion, determination and purpose. I do think that Fergie will bring this to his game and make him one of the very best. That, or we’ve just signed the new Veron.
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Ronaldo’s goal, on 17 minutes, will live long in the memory of those at Old Trafford to see. A back flick from around the penalty spot that went through a crowd of players and into the net. Not just a back heel into the net from a yard out (Scholes scored one of those a while ago) but from so far out, I doubt any other player could pull it off.