ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - Manchester United

Posted by Mark Payne on 08/09/2010

A lovely afternoon in the sunshine. There is always the temptation to write this game off as nothing more than a glorified warm up, but against Chelsea I am always happy of a victory. It was gut wrenching watching their morally bankrupt team of evildoers win the league last year. Personally, I don’t want to make a habit of it.

There were fears at the start and Chelsea seem to have bought very well with Ivanovic, but Scholes’s stupendous passing gradually put United in charge. The opening goal, built on the back of one touch passes from Scholes and Rooney was sublime and it is tremendous to see a goal coming from a midfielder already. It is an area that needs to start producing the goods if we are the ease the pressure on Wayne this year.

A note on Scholes, and indeed Van Der Sar; I have been banging on in this column for a couple of years about the need to replace these two because of their age. The question must be asked though, who on earth would have played better than them yesterday? Both were exceptional and match-winners in their on way. You carry on boys. You carry on.

We must start to accept that Rio is not going to be a regular starter from now on. The injuries have caught up with him and I suspect he doesn’t have a full campaign left in him. Therefore, nailing Vidic down to an improved contract may well have been the most important piece of business we did this summer. He was imperious throughout and a partnership with Evans is something that my confidence is growing in.

Rooney was a different player to the one who played for England. And frankly thank Christ. He looked like someone who’d won a competition to play for the national side, I worried that he might return a broken man. It is also a good thing we have an extra day’s rest after the silly England game mid-week before the season proper starts.

All hail Ole Gunnar Chicarito. This guy has the feel of a fan favourite already, he’s got a lovely touch and I can see myself rising to my feet when he gets the ball. His strike was quite hilarious too, managing to muscle the ball home with his chin. A goal Jimmy Hill would have been proud of you might say. Ahem.

Ole Gunnar Chicarito
Berba’s marvellous chip at the death might just silence his naysayers for five minutes, but then again maybe not. All in all, with three goalscorers under our belts already and a result against Chelsea things are looking peachy. In my opinion, I also take great heart from the London team’s persistence with John Terry. He was bloody awful and if they play him every week we have every chance of finishing above them.

You can’t quite flip a coin between these two for the title yet. Many pundits are tipping Man City and I have a wary eye fixed on Arsenal’s progress. It would be nice though, if United’s young guns can step up to the plate. Oh yes, Oezil would be most welcome too…

Follow makjpayne@twitter.com and thedevilinme.co.uk

Photography courtesy of Ginger Me@FlickrCcoms

Comments

Posted by haji hamid on 08/09/2010

Yap...MU is having fressh blood in their vein. very exciting to watch. we shud do well this season.

Posted by Rishi on 08/09/2010

Oezil would certainly be most welcome... Hopefully all this talk of Sir Alex being happy with his squad is just so he can keep things on the down-low... When I heard he was at the Werder Bremen game, I got pretty excited... "I was scouting Fulham." Yeah, right. If he is trying to negotiate with Oezil behind the curtain, it's probably a pretty good idea. If you just go and announce it, some team like Man City or Real Madrid will probably just go on a pursuit of him too, which will make it all the more tougher to get him (which I seriously hope we are in the process of)...

Posted by Kirk on 08/09/2010

Spot on Mark. Great start of the season. I would not like to see Evans at LB again though. Scholes was super great. Everyone spoke about how bad Terry was but I thought that Cole was even worse. Chicharito runs are going to be a danger for all opposition and i really believe that we have something special in him. I would also like to see Cleverly getting some playing time as I also think that he is the one to replace Scholes as their styles are similar. I am looking forward to seeing this squad and is happy to see that SAF did not bring in too many new faces. This squad is as good as any and is promising for the future.
All the way MANU.

Posted by Raizzen on 08/09/2010

Chicarito is a breath of fresh air. All in all the squad, midfield dept. apart, I think should be strong enough to challenge for the title.

Again, I have to stress Chicarito really looked a good signing on our part and is already on his way to beckon Hero status with the Old Trafford faithfuls. Yay to the lad ! Yay to United ! :D

And YES, beating Chelsea is always good, any time and day.

Posted by meado on 08/09/2010

This result was great, it helped lift the gloom in my opinion. Scholes was brilliant and will still be a valuable asset this season. I still think we should get Oezil, though.

Posted by arthur on 08/09/2010

i think fergie's just trying to maintain a low profile on negotioations over ozil. otherwise, why would he miss a traditional open training session he's attended most of his 24+ years of managing united just to scout fulham?!!he may as well have been on the telly watching arsenal's defence be given the run around. methinks ozil will be a united player within two weeks. mark my word!!

Posted by MU vayil edukada on 08/09/2010

ya..good to see oldies scholes n sar playin well.. i think the best replacement would be two good retards from the mental asylum down the road from manchester andi pub

Posted by BD on 08/09/2010

Good one Mark.

Posted by azuamairo chidozie godwin on 08/09/2010

you must be a very stupid analyst to have the nerve to call chelsea players morally bankcrupt.
they did not only win the league they also won the FA cup. i guess you should try as much as possible to appreciate success whether it comes from you or someone else. bigggggggg fool!

Posted by sid on 08/09/2010

i nominate chicarito for the no.7 shirt after we throw out michael owen of he breaks down permanently

Posted by Hans Andoh on 08/09/2010

I can taste Glory already.The lads were fantastic,everyone of them.Giggs came on late but his broken nose was a testament to the fact that he is prepared to bleed for this club.Enter Chicharito and the rest of the premier league teams have serious problems this season.Forget the Sheikh and his billions at city.It takes more than Million dollar signings to win silverware.And Oezil,I just can't wait.

Posted by art on 08/09/2010

a great result from a team playing with pride good goals created by old school football (attack down the wings cross it and someone will put it into the net) It is scary to think of Scholes retiring I hope finding a replacement is a priority and I hope Berbaflops goal does not carry much weight as it was all he did all game. The game meant lots contrary to other comments in the press it was a team from Manchester beating a team from London or doesn't anyone care abouth that anymore?

Posted by Josedurden on 08/09/2010

One full entry plus some comments and no mention of the guy who scored the first goal and provided the assist for the second. Oh, he also gave hell to Ashley Cole, on both ends of the pitch.

Let me help you: it was Luis Antonio "Toño" Valencia.

I can't wait to see the Rooney-Chicharito-Valencia trio play together on a consistent basis. For some bizarre reason, Wayne has great football chemistry with people who don't speak English that well (Ronaldo, Tévez, Valencia). And Chicharito and Valencia already showed signs of a natural understanding (Toño is probably happy to have another Spanish speaker on the team).

It will be a fun season.

Posted by jude oshomah on 08/09/2010

yes beating dblue is very good bcus i win dem every time we play chelsea

Posted by gonzalo charrez on 08/09/2010

as a mexican an fanatic of soccer,following chicharito i probably become a manchester united fan now,i 'll be watching as much possible games,from these side of the water in america! go manchester!

Posted by Aravind on 08/09/2010

I have reservations about Oezil being able to play in a more withdrawn role in a 4-4-2 formation. Mesut Oezil is obviously a very good young player, but his presence may force United to change its style and play 4-5-1 in most of its games,since after signing him,he would have to be played regularly, which may deny Hernandez or Berbatov from being unleashed in tandem with Rooney,which I think is more preferable for the lower ranking opposition.We should rather keep faith in Cleverley,Gibson and Anderson, who are very exciting talents.

Posted by Maxmilo on 08/09/2010

yeah, splendid performance. the least we should take home this season is the league title. its been a while since i felt this way about united. i am just up beat and the strike force is just indescribable. keep it up boys, carry on.

Posted by kasule dan on 08/09/2010

how fur is sir alex reached on the sighnig of oezil

Posted by Jude Okeke on 08/09/2010

Beating Chelsea is always my dream and United has done it again and will continue to do it again and again. Up Rooney, Up Chicarito, Up Fletcher. Above all Scholes u are ok.

Posted by Lawrence on 08/09/2010

Thanks to everyone who sends their comment.Talking about Man Utd for my on side i see Man Utd lifting everything that comes there way.

Posted by asaseasi on 08/09/2010

fergie dats is a nice piece of football lesson for chelsea. keep de fire up but fergie everyone is cryin for ozil . what are we wautin for , he is gud to partner anyone in midfield or support attack . go go go go go go for him fergie . de is no time to waste .

Posted by Reid on 08/09/2010

Great result for United out of the gates! Chicharito is a perfect addition up top without breaking the bank. Well done Fergie! As for Scholes...there is no replacement but I do feel this is the one position we may need to spend some $$. Carrick is simply not good enough and Fletcher is effective but needs a partner in the middle. We have great talent on the flanks! Van Der Sar still has it for now thank God! Oezil is a stud, let's go get him! And as always, John terry was slow and as far as I'm concerned, I lick my chops everytime he starts for them. He can't match up with some of the pace we have. Chelsea did show signs that they can REALLY play so I hope we continue to improve because I think we will likely finish 1 and 2 again. Glory, Glory!!!

Posted by tenimu alhassan on 08/09/2010

fergi,tanks for disgracefully embarrasing dblue. meaning am gonna b happy again watching ma darling ManU 24/7. UNITED 4 LIFE

Posted by Charles on 08/09/2010

I like your phase Ole Gunnar Chicharito
I had already felt that he is in a similar mould to our baby-face Solskjaer, lightnight feet, good control of the ball, powerful and accurate shots... he will bring us 10+ goals

Scholes is hard to replace, Carrick had learnt from Scholes with the long range passes but somehow he gives you a feeling of no confidence after the penalty miss at Burnley one year ago, I hope he has now recovered after a month off. He and Fletcher will be key to our midfield.
And please Sir Alex, dont put Scholes together with Giggs...
and I hope your word is true that he is talking with Oezil... he can get us 10+ goals a season

Good to see Fabio getting more game time, and putting Evans on LB, hopefully this will give us more options at the back

VDS... its never going to be easy to replace such a great keeper, how long have we waited to replace our hero Schmeichel?

we still have a great team, look at the players havent make the benches..

Posted by Av on 08/09/2010

I agree with whoever mentioned Ozil not really fitting in the squad...while we did play 4-5-1 a lot last season, the pre-season success of Berba-Chicharito may well work towards some variance of a 4-4-2..perhaps even with Berba playing as a forward and not a striker. I think if we do sign somebody, it probably should be a CM to compliment Fletcher.
Also, if rumors are to be believed ozil is going to Barca for 8m. Still just a rumor though.

Posted by Joel on 08/10/2010

Nice opening article. Nice idea for the picture within the blog as well. I too, hope that Ozil comes, but I'd like to see Anderson get a chance at making the CAM role his own. I think he has the qualities necessary to do so. He just needs to work on his shooting, though, but he has oodles of time to develop that aspect of his game.

Posted by dark liberty on 08/10/2010

nice article..but a couple of names misspelled such as chicharito and ozil instead of chicarito and oezil..as a correspondent and a football fan u should nail this

Posted by Nikki Sulistio on 08/10/2010

I wouldn't mind getting Oezil this season and have him as understudy of Scholes before he retires. We need this kind of playmaker which Carrick nor Fletcher definitely isn't going to do for us. I don't really see Anderson taking Scholes' mantle as AMC with what we have seen so far, maybe time to cash-in on the Brazilian.? Chicharito is definitely the new Solskjaer, and I think he shall be the season's best bargain. Very fluid movement off-the-ball and causing a lot of problems for Chelsea's backline. Nani/Valencia/Obertan should be able to provide enough supply through the wings. I just think we need more cover for Evra on LB.

Posted by TheJepit on 08/10/2010

I don't agree that united needs to change the current formation to suit Oezil, if he is to join, because he is a player that having a similar style of play as Scholes. He can fit in perfectly in that role behind the strikers as long as we have an efficient ball winner in the middle of the park. Scholes was never an efficient ball winner, in fact he is a liability in that role since he seldom tackles cleanly. Hopefully Hargreaves, Carrick and Fletcher can fill in as the hardman in the midfield.

Posted by nichhaze on 08/10/2010

man utd don't need diver.

Posted by gaj on 08/10/2010

Fergie should definitely go for Mezut cos we cannot continually depend on Scholes to dictates the team's play forever. i have seen Mezut destroy teams in the Bundesliga prior to his brilliant performance in the mundial. i wish this one doesn't slip from us! GLORY,GLORY MAN UTD!

Posted by bibi on 08/10/2010

oezil would b a perfect addittion to utd.with d inclusion of oezil in dat squad,man u becomes completely indestructible.man utd 4 ever

Posted by Michael on 08/10/2010

i agree,man utd may have to deviate from 442 whn and if we get ozil n play him,,but then we r talkin abt a full season here,,so we do need quality players...n neway ozil can fill in on the left wing,,in the absence of nani or valencia,,but i sure wudnt play him in a cm role in a 442..say rooney gets injured,,like at crucial times last season,,berba cant lead the line,,but maybe chicarito can ,,n with ozil supporting him,,cmon guys gibson s nt gud enuff for europe,,play hm vs the bottom teams at best..and anderson s no longer the cam he was at porto,hes lost a lot of pace due to frequent injuries n lost his shooting boots,he will b better at cm dictating play frm deep,, n he can tackle as well(atlst better thn scholes)..so my opinion s without ozil,we wud always b one player short,n clevberley s 1-2 seasons away frm whr ozils ryt now..n we need to wrestle back lost trophies ths season itself,,so tht SAF may go out n a high

Posted by valentine on 08/11/2010

Great game, great result BUT we should all be wary of gettin carried away. Am i the only one who notices United wanted to play more than chelsea?! Am i the only one who saw a defense STILL in formation with confusion once in a while?! Am i the only one seein a lack of depth on the wings?! Am i the only one who saw a terrible game from Giggs/Owen/Oshea/Evans at right back?!

Lets have hope and support our team but lets get real and avoid unnecessary excessive expectation. Thats the kinda mood which forces fans to Boo Berba later in the season

Posted by TAM on 08/11/2010

CHICarito(on purpose)is a child of promise.He might deliver sth 2 the fans this season

Posted by LayOnU on 08/12/2010

yeah..i do hope Sir Alex will Buy Ozil..but i do not see it will happen..there're no attempt to sign him except the news about Sir Alex went to watch the Fulham Vs W.Bremen..with Hargraeves, anderson still in injured list..i m afraid Man U cannot cope with the Europe challenge..the only midfield(CM) who can cope with that challenge are Scholes, giggs, fletcher, Ji sung park..the likes of M carrick, gibson still unproven..if any of these players get injury, last season nerves will repeat..Man U should get/buy any of these players Ozil and Sneidjer..they both can replace scholes whenever it needed or maybe scholes can retire in peace if the signing any of these player can be made..whatever, i can wait to see rooney-hernandes-vlencia in action...

Posted by valentine on 08/12/2010

And after all this fuss Fergie goes ahead to buy a striker... disaster

Posted by Urmstonian on 08/12/2010

Valentine is right. If the Mexican lad can score goals falling over in the Wigan mud in winter as well as in the Wembley sunshine then well and good. But let's see if he can.

It's interesting to start with a home game against the Maggots, just as we did two years ago. I was there and left the ground very disappointed after the 1-1 draw. But, hey, that season didn't end too badly did it?

Everything has gone very very quiet about Hargreaves. All Fergie will say is that he's in America. Have BP used him to plug the leaking oil well I wonder?

Good article, Mark.

Posted by javier on 08/13/2010

The signing of Chicharito is a great investment by Manchester United. In a couple of years Chicharito will be worth over 50 times of what they spend on him. Excellent move by Manchester United, they hit the lottery you'll see.

Posted by Teslim on 08/13/2010

all hail sir fergie,we are doing fine and MU still need to sign at least one more player b4 the transfer date is closed.MU need one creative midfielder,signing of oezil is welcome.it is good to have signed javier,I'm very sure he is going to do well in MU jersey,red devils 4 life,neglect critics.

Posted by abhishek on 08/16/2010

yes, i can understand, how u all must be feeling... beating chelsea is always special for a MAN U fan as it happens so RARELY

Posted by John French on 08/18/2010

"morally bankrupt team of evildoers"? Is that resentment born of living in Manchester? Oops that couldn't be right no Man Utd supporter actually lives there!!! And speaking of bankrupt maybe you should load up Excel do a few quick sums and then see what a mess Utd are in financially - that's bankrupt not simply some overpaid and undersocialized idiot (like all of them it seems) being sleezy when he gets the chance.

Posted by AYOMIDE ODUBA on 09/19/2010

I THINK MAN U SHULD BY A GOOD FREEKICK PLAYER THAT CAN BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM EXAMPLES ARE LAMPARD,DIEGO FORLAN AND LETS SAY AND RONALDINHO

Posted by olu.akim on 10/07/2010

I luv man united is my good club,I like diego forlan his freekick speherlit is the one.

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