I'm going to start this report by saying I am mostly going off of my thoughts on the game at the time last night. I've only seen an 8 minute highlight clip on the internet this morning after hearing that there were 2 penalty appeals I was not really aware of at the time so don't think it is total bias when I downplay them a bit.
I was really looking forward to last night's game. There is nothing like a Champions League night at Old Trafford in my opinion and Galatasaray fans have such a good reputation for atmosphere. I thought it would be a cracking game. After last season's debacle in Europe this was also a chance for the players to right some wrongs, but I think that proved more of a burden in the end, which I will come to. Fergie's programme notes said that he took the blame for last year's exit as he experimented with the lineup too much in Europe, and that he wouldn't do the same thing again this year. He was true to his word last night as he picked a very strong team from the outset (thankfully).
The game started at a very lively pace and to be honest like I said above, I wasn't really aware that there was a big penalty appeal from Gala straight away in the game. Vidic looked like he got the ball from where we were sitting and Umut Bulut seemed to go down rather theatrically, which probably didn't help his cause with Wolfgang Stark or 'Wolfsta' as I know him. On closer inspection it did look like a penalty, but that was with the aid of a replay.
Subsequently, United then seemed to start playing the ball nicely and Carrick scored after 7 minutes with a peach of a goal. It was a really nice move and his interplay with Kagawa was lovely. He took the goal with aplomb and took it round the keeper with some style. You'd normally associate a goal like that with someone like RVP and it was a great start.
Galatasaray then seemed to come into the game a bit more, or rather were let into the game a lot more by United being sloppy passing the ball. They hit the top of the bar through Nordin Amrabat who looked really quite handy down their right hand side. It seemed like Gala attacks were mainly coming through wastefulness in possession by United who just seemed a notch down from their usual level of passing. I think they wanted to take the sting out of the game and pass it around too much and Galatasaray came with a plan to counter attack in numbers and at speed which was the perfect game plan to take advantage of United this match, since their passing was so lackadaisical and sloppy. Gala also hit the post from a nice little free kick routine where Hamit Altintop was given the freedom of Old Trafford to pick his spot and curl one in. Fortunately for United he didn't get quite enough bend on it.
Throughout the game, but particularly in the first half, I thought that once again Shinji Kagawa was superb and looks like a genuinely class player, or as 'Arry would put it - 'a top, top player'. His ability to find space to receive the ball is uncanny and also reminiscent of a player who's name begins with P and ends in aul Scholes. His passing is also really triffic (Arry again) and is so clever. Just look at the passes to release Nani for a one on one in the first 5 minutes and then for Carrick's goal and you'll see what I mean. You get the feeling him and RVP haven't quite got the perfect understanding at the moment but I'm sure that will come, and I cannot wait for when it does.
I thought that Kagawa was United's best attacking spark as the remaining attacking trio of Nani, Valencia and RVP all lacked a final product. RVP never really got into the game and that's credit to the 'Gala' defence as he didn't really have a sniff all night. Valencia put in a lot of industry and gave the 'Gala' left back a good roasting at some points but he never really came up with any end product to match his effort. His crossing seemed off all game and I lost count of the number of times he overhit a cross or just failed to find anyone. It seemed that he was just crossing for the sake of it last night and didn't really ever have an intended target for any of his crosses. That said, he was constantly a threat and is almost always a better outlet than Nani who had another one of his infuriating nights.
When United got their penalty in the 52nd minute the Stretford End immediately began chanting Robin Van Persie's name in anticipation, until Nani picked up the ball. Nearly everyone around us was asking 'What?'. It seemed inevitable he would miss and I'm not exaggerating when I say I don't think many around me were confident of him scoring. His run up was ridiculous and his penalty was tame. I don't know why he thought he should take the penalty and Fergie has since blamed himself for not designating RVP as penalty taker before the game. Nani has so much potential but he sometimes seems to lack any brain cells when picking what to do, and his dive in the area from a corner was indicative of this. He completely fooled the defender and would have had space to take a shot from a decent position in the box, but instead he chose to dive (terribly, I might add) and unsuprisingly nothing was given and Galatasaray almost scored straight from the counter attack that followed but for a brilliant double save from David De Gea.
In the brightest spot of the game, Darren Fletcher returned to the team after 10 months out with a bowel problem, and he was given a magnificent standing ovation by OT. It's great to see Fletcher back as he was one of United's best midfielders before his illness and his determination and grit is exactly what the midfield needs when times get tough. He can add a bit more steel than other midfielders who are all a bit more creative. He looked like he was understandably lacking sharpness and I think he'll be eased back gently over the next few weeks/months until he regains match fitness.
Chicharito came on for RVP in the latter stages of the game and as the match became more stretched with 'Gala' trying to find an equaliser he could have had a hat-trick. But all in all this was a solid result for United. I thought the team looked increasingly nervous throughout the match which could be as a result of last season's dismal performances in Europe. Hopefully this win will give them some confidence to move forward and on this game's evidence, I wouldn't be surprised if Galatasaray qualify from the group, as long as they take their chances a bit more clinically. United would have come undone against a better side I am sure, but they did enough to win this game and the three points is all that matters.
*A quick note to say how lovely it was to hear 'Viva Ronaldo' ringing out through OT after his winning goal against City the night before. Just remember Cristiano (he's a regular reader of the blog don't you know): you're always welcome back anytime!
J
