I love wingers, I love them. It was a crushing realisation when I was growing up to learn that I ran about as fast a geriatric on valium and was better suited to clogging than crossing. Due to the lack of kids with a sense of direction at our school my lot was to play up front, the glory position, and try and direct our side’s frantic clearances towards the opposition’s goal. People compared me to Mark Hughes at the time, probably because my name was Mark, I certainly didn’t have any of the Welshman’s skill, guile or toughness.
It would be pushing it to say that United invented wing play, but from Busby through to Ferguson it is a position our club has cherished and honed into a much loved art. One league game in to this season and, although it may be tempting fate, I am happy to sing the praises of Ashley Young.
That really was a terrific league debut, it is a shame that the ping-pong nature of our flukey winner at the Hawthorns denied Young the goal his performance deserved. Flukey as the winner was, the result was certainly justified and the fact that it was in question until the last ten minutes is slightly worrying. Our opponents over the next month will be tougher fare than West Brom.
Baggies manager Hodgson looked twitchy and worried this time last year in Scouse-land, on Sunday he seemed enormously peeved throughout. His anger is nothing compared to what you would usually expect from Fergie at De Gea’s Bobbins impression for the equaliser.
We need to give this guy time, he has produced enough excellent saves in the past two matches to confirm his talent. However, teams like Arsenal, Chelsea and lob-it-in-the-box Stoke, all of whom we face in the near future, will be aware of the Spaniard’s tendency to lapse. Fergie has decisions to make.
None of this is unexpected. My forecast for the season sees United conceding more goals than usual, scoring themselves out of trouble and swashbuckling their way through. With Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool starting their campaigns in whimpering fashion we have little to complain about. What’s more, all of United’s football in pre-season, and again this weekend, has been pretty darn entertaining. In Rooney’s opener we have scored yet another beauty too. ‘Bring on Arsenal, Chelsea and Stoke’ I say, ‘lob as many crosses into the box as you like’. We look like we can score against anybody at the moment.
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Posted by Daniel Fayemi on 08/16/2011
Yeah Young was bright in the match. It wasn't surprising though as we all know what Youngy's capable of. I also feel De Gea should retain the no 1 for the moment as dropping him might kill his morale. However, my concern is the CM area. After seeing City waltz over Swansea 2day (and were they on fire!) I wish Fergie would just buy a top Midfielder (not Snjeider) maybe Goetze.
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Posted by David Smith on 08/16/2011
Without a doubt, Ashley was Man of the Match. We started very brightly indeed and when Rooney scored the opener, you thought it might be one of those fine away strolls we're so used to seeing from United. Their equalizer was an absolute travesty and De Gea deserves all the criticism and questions coming his way. Just like Peter Schmeichel did when he started his glorious United career at Old Trafford. Simply put, our 20 year old keeper MUST be given time to develop both mentally and physically. It's gonna be up to the rest of the lads to bail him out of hot water from time-to-time and with the speed, class and experience in front of him, I think we'll be OK. It's no secret our first 10 matches are challenging at best and losing Vidic, Rio and Rafael has come at the worst possible time. Rio's inability to stay healthy is really getting annoying, but Jones, Evans and Fabio will now get a chance to shine and we're gonna need them. I see a comfortable victory next Monday against Spurs.
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Posted by Lyall on 08/16/2011
i agree with u fellas,de gea needs time to adjust to the premier league style of play but the gk has got alot of talent.go man utd go
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Posted by Jayzee on 08/16/2011
that's irrefutable fella, more fluidity in our game and can be match for whoever the opponent. More depth on the bench than before just incase you forgot cos Valencia, Park, Giggs, etc. are yet to play.
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Posted by Mike on 08/16/2011
All young goalkeepers generally make fantastic acrobatic saves and then let in some weak ones, it's just how it goes. I just hope he doesn't get Tim Howard'd or Ben Foster'd
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Posted by JJ on 08/17/2011
This time last season I was concerned abt MU. It was not easy to see how we would get the title that we so desperately needed to match L'pool. This year things look good but I geuss the league will be more challenging. Just like some have said, I am more worried by Rio's inability to stay healthy than De Gea's mistakes. Is Rio getting old? De Gea; I feel sorry for the young man. The knowledge that he is being compared to EVDS might be the problem. I could see his frustration after that goal and I could almost hear him say to himself "Why this to me? Not to me again" following what had happenned during the Cup game against City. He will be a good guy. He needs to get used to the people, the place, the league. He has been with MU for just about a month after the youth world cup. We wish him and MU all the best for the future.
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Posted by aussiered on 08/17/2011
A 2-1 win on the opening day of the season settles alot of nerves. Ok it might and has brought to the surface questions. SAF has answered them in his purchases Jones is Rios replacement Lindegaard is a equal deputy and more experienced than De Gea. Young brings pressure to bear on the flank positions.
As Smithy said the Great Dane made plenty of mistakes during his time some in bigger games than wba away.
But in the short and long term every player learns from mistakes made or else they find another club.
So all in all the boys did ok We have got a 2 point jump on the pretenders. Shiitty will be bedazzled by the devil inconsistency. Bring on the big four
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Posted by Joe956 on 08/17/2011
Can we please stop the rubbish about signing Sjneider? This was never a serious offer and fabricated "again" by the media. Enough is enough...it's done...Let little Wes stay where he's at.
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Posted by JJD on 08/17/2011
First match won, with a touch of luck. Young played ok but not great as some have suggested. He had lots of possession but more often than not, his delivery wasn't good or easily intercepted, as he preferred to cross with his right foot rather than go to byline, which finally resulted in the winning goal. What was clear too was our midfield was not creative nor combative enuf. Cleverly and Anderson good for BPL but not for UCL and the likes of Barca. Please get Wesley (rumour today has it that he is prepared for a lower wage to go to MU), failing which steal Nasri from the doors of City. Fergie, either one additional will make us more competitive and give us the edge for a memorable season. Glory2 Man Utd.
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Posted by louis p jnr on 08/17/2011
fellas, wayne rooney dare i sae he looks like a man on a mission and i wouldnt put world player of th year too far awae frm him at ths rate ,young , jones and cleverly luk top class de gea needs tym bt he,ll come gud m sure , nani iz gettin bettr nd bettr although he hd a bit of a nightmare at west brom , th balance of the squad iz beta thn eva with players in reserve like park ,giggs ,fletcher and valencia,who msure we,ll b more prominent at th back-end of th season letz also nt forget abt chicharito ths squad iz booming with class nd with th greatest manager at our disposal ,man city poze th biggest threat bt in my view player for player united are still beta so stop worrying abt de gea th boy iz only 20 nd m sure he cn only gt beta bt with such a worl class front line i cn only see goals galore which in turn will bail out degea's mistakes i sense a long period of dominance frm ths united side just like barca in spain bt cit just lyk madrid will fyt tooth and nail 2 th end
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Posted by Kripa on 08/17/2011
This opening game gave mixed feelings, good and bad things took turns showing up.
Let's start at the front, Rooney, great goal, looked a bit tired at the end, but he'll reach full fitness soon. Welbeck had potentials, but can he compare to Hernandez, who was exceptional at the start of last season. Another half season loan might do him good. Berba is okay, although he didn't score or make chances, he draws defenders away which would lead to an opening for team mates, hopefully he'll stay for at least 2-3 more seasons.
Wingers. I agreed about Young, Mark, some miscommunications but that's acceptable for a new recruit. Nani seemed overconfident after the Community Shield, wasted a lot. Until he can control his ego he'll never cross the bridge between very good mediocre player and superstar.
Midfield, both are AMs deployed in CM, and at times they lacked that instinct to get back and do some DM work, lots of stray balls in that area goes to the opponent. Really missed Fletch :(
-cont-
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Posted by Kripa on 08/17/2011
-cont-
Anderson still lacked the stamina to play 90 mins, Cleverley is better in this department. Carrick - Cleverly start to stabilize the CM area, let Anderson came in if we need creativity in the last 30 minutes.
Back 4, even with injuries to 4 1st choice and 2 sold, we still have high hopes, this is a very good sign. Let's hope we don't lose anyone else, we might see Carrick & Giggs with Valencia & Park on the flanks.
Keeper. De Gea have potentials, but lacked experience in EPL games. He need confidence (and language skill), so he can bark and shout to keep the defenders' concentration, he's too quiet. Confidence could make him try that long clearance to the opposite goal when the enemy goalie is in our half.
Looking at pre-season games I felt that Lindegaard is a ready replacement in case De Gea lost his confidence. Maybe it would be good to give both keepers a fair chance to fight for the position, especially now, the youthful back 4 might need someone to keep them in order.
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Posted by JB on 08/18/2011
Always have loved the wing work at Utd. Not too sure about Young just yet - he looks good on the ball (and finding space) but his crosses too often didn't get passed the first defender. He needs to work on that a bit - its pointless doing good wing work without the final delivery.
De Gea is a talent - no doubt about it, lets hope he doesn't buckle under the pressure of expectation.
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Posted by Dunstan chunda on 08/18/2011
young is so good so is our goalkeeper,let us give them time.at 20 playing 4 manutd is no joke,,his at the best club with the best defence he has to be calm and enjoy the game..all the best DAVID DE GEA
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Posted by carrick fan on 08/18/2011
United are great always, starting this brightly this season makes even better!
de gea;smalling evans jones evra; carrick cleverley; young anderson nani; rooney
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Posted by doc LBN on 08/18/2011
still early to to punish DE GEA...he will get his tempo n become more confident by the time goes on,he wiil be one of the best goalkeeper in MU history....young is very good but still need improvement in his cross...MU look better with young players.....keep up United
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Posted by Somnath Mallick on 08/18/2011
Pretty impressed with Stoke and Pulis. He has done well for their club. They would certainly be up there for 7th place this season.
But as for us, if we leak goals like this clubs like Chelsea, LFC wont give us a second chance. Arsenal is still an open question this season. Swashbuckling style of play and finding a way out may happen against mid table table teams, but when playing the heavy-weights of the EPL, switching off would be suicide. Don't know how long De Gea would take to become consistent and less error-prone. But the guys reflexes and acrobatic skill are pretty good. Time is something we dont get in the EPL, one slip up and you are out of it! But if these mishaps continue, then i would believe that soon Lindegraad would be given a chance!
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Posted by oz on 08/18/2011
Young played well and showed promise - but his final delivery was poor, needs to improve his crosses - but he will improve.
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Posted by Luckie on 08/19/2011
Dude, right on there borhter.
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Posted by Steve on 08/19/2011
Hi, the 2 matches De Gea has been btn the poles, he has been good!. Its too challenging for the young man b'se he needs to get used to English style of playing. He needs to be given more time to acquire experience, however putting him on the bench will kill his morale. I like the boyz in the flangs (Nani & Young) they help keep pace on the pitch. MU midfield is in trouble probably until Fletcher returns.
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Posted by Kingdom on 08/20/2011
I think david de gea is a very good gk with potentials bt he needs time 2 adapt,but i think man utd needs an xpernce player @ Amf though tom is ok bt he's stil a kid....I luv man utd,sir do u thing cos we bliv in u I think david de gea is a very good gk with potentials bt he needs time 2 adapt,but i think man utd needs an xpernce player @ Amf though tom is ok bt he's stil a kid....I luv man utd,sir do u thing cos we bliv in u
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Posted by johanzul on 08/23/2011
Congrat SAF, staff and players! Wonderful display of football game! It is not just that we had won the game but also how we had won it. This is the United that we know (even it is not yet complete as Beckham, Cantona, Keane, etc era) but still for me lacking the strength in central midfield. Having Young and Nani at both flanks certainly provide sufficient threat + overlapping on the flanks again by Evra and Smalling (more confidence to see him on the right side!) just to much to handle for any other teams in BPL from my viewpoint BUT...consistent threat from central midfield is question mark. As I posted from last season entry, a club as massive as MU should not just won local cups but cup like CL in which seems like Barca is likely to win it again as they are superbly outcast other clubs in most of the 'departments' on the field. Is good a mixture of proven Seniors and Juniors in current MU squad, in Front and Back BUT..in central midfield, as of now it's up to Giggsy I guess.
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Mark Payne writes about football for a variety of media outlets. He reported on the 2010 World Cup for Australia’s ABC network and worked at one of the FIFA fan sites. He has been ESPN’s Manchester United correspondent for four years. His writing attracts a worldwide following and in 2011 this blog was nominated for an award. To contact Mark for football discussion e-mail him on markpayne.editor@hotmail.com at any time. He wears lucky socks on match days.
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