Manchester United 2-0 Benfica

Manchester United 2-0 Benfica (Svilar og. 45, Blind 78 pen)

Happy Halloween! Trick or treat? Hmm… I’ll go for an Anthony Martial trick, and the treat of another win, thanks. Preferably with no blood.

12 clean sheets in the last sixteen games in all competitions. 8 wins in as many games at Old Trafford, which is fast becoming a fortress again. A perfect 4 wins out of 4 in the Champions League. All but through to the knockout stage for the first time since 2014. Nothing is as effective as a few wins to change the mood around a club. We’re doing pretty well so far this season, y’know?

It’s been an ultra-professional job in Europe so far. Yes, the detractors could easily point out that it is a gentler group than some others, but we’ve stumbled and ended up eating pavement in bad groups before. Sometimes it would be good for Jose Mourinho to drunkenly fall over and hit the concrete himself in a Halloween accident, as maybe it would stop his prick like behavior. Before the match, he used his notes in United Review to seemingly have a go at the fans.  ‘I hope that you enjoy the game more than some of you did against Tottenham’. Probably this was a dig at the criticism of his football, or the small number of boos for the substitution of Marcus Rashford. He also suggested the fans were booing Lukaku himself, which is a clear case of #FAKENEWS. Although by now we all know how he operates, you would think that Mourinho would decide to exclude the supporters as a group to create a siege mentality against. Clearly, he went as a knobhead for Halloween.

But we can forgive his media games for the moment as his United side is proving pretty difficult to score against. We switched back to a back four after Tottenham, with Jones and Valencia again missing Europe. Young and Rashford were rotated, and Mata came back in after missing the last two games. With Chelsea away looming on Sunday wearing a scary Scream costume, Herrera was rested, with Scott McTominay starting in the Champions League in his place, a truly exciting moment for the lanky Lancaster lad.

It was Martial, full of confidence from the winner against Spurs, who was the best player on the pitch, giving Benfica defenders nightmares similar to ones small children get when watching the Exorcist. He was constantly dangerous, impossible to tackle, and the ball seemed tied to his foot at some stages, such as the audacious dribble past three players to win a penalty. In the only blemish on an outstanding display, the usually ice-cool Frenchman saw his spot-kick brilliantly saved by the 18-year-old keeper Mile Svilar, in the process becoming the youngest ever keeper to save a penalty in the Champions League. Some redemption then, for the talented kid after the bollock he dropped carrying Rashford’s free-kick over the line in Lisbon.

Benfica did keep the ball well, but United were breaking forward at pace. Lukaku’s shot from 20 yards was saved, before the Belgian headed over from a Martial cross, both chances coming from slick, fast moves. The Portuguese visitors only had one chance in the first half, but David De Gea was on top form. The Spaniard saved Diogo Goncalves' curling effort towards the top corner with a strong hand. At the other end, Martial left the right-back with twisted blood when turning in the penalty area but blazed over with his left foot after a poor touch. For all our great play, it did seem like it would be 0-0 at half-time, but once again, fate intervened in Svilar’s fledgling career.

Another great counter, featuring a sharp pass from McTominay surrounded by three players duly led to Matic striking from range, and his shot ricocheted off the post and went in off Svilar’s back. It was cruel again on the teenager. Forget Final Destination – the highlight reel of Svilar’s European travails against Man Utd will be enough to give any shot-stopper a nightmare. You had to feel for him – it almost seems like he is cursed. Or haunted. Or did a deal with the devil. Or something else vaguely to do with Halloween, I don’t bloody know. He did show his resilience when making a save one-on-one with Lukaku only moments later, though. Our star striker never quite looked confident or got it out of his feet, and maybe five games without a goal was preying on his mind.

Lingard was replaced at the break after a minor back injury and Mkhitaryan came on. United were impressive going forward with Mata hitting row J after a great Martial backheel had played in Darmian. It was a poor miss, a Texas Chainsaw Matassacre, you could say (I know, I know). But Benfica were growing into the game and starting to get the ball in United’s territory. Mexican striker Raul Jimenez had a shot saved, but saw a far better chance later on clip the post after Bailly gave the Old Trafford crowd a spooky fright with his horrendous under hit pass to Smalling being intercepted. Thankfully Jimenez only hit the woodwork, and his team-mate Goncalves had also seen an effort kept out by De Gea after skipping past Smalling.

Herrera was sent on to tighten things up and it seemed to work, as Benfica’s attacks soon died out like a comic relief character in Saw. The birthday boy Rashford was introduced for Martial (because heaven forbid was see an attack of Lukaku, Rashford and Martial, oh no) and he made an instantaneous impact, his direct mazy run ending only when being upended by a clumsy defender. With Martial off the pitch (and having missed one anyway) Lukaku put the ball down, but the manager seemed to communicate he didn’t want that, and via Herrera, Daley Blind ended up converting the penalty, hitting it straight down the middle. Although it would be nice for our number nine to get a goal, given his miss against Leciester, I don’t see it as a big deal, unlike some for the duties to be given temporarily to Blind, who of course, is hardly technically deficient.

We move on to Chelsea, with the penalty pass-the-parcel dominating the headlines, rather than the win, which suits Mourinho, of course. McTominay, was a calm presence on his full European debut, which was lovely, and the kid Rashford celebrated his 20^th birthday in style. No Nightmare on Eld Trafford Street for us, eh? Eh? So you’re telling me these Halloween references have been excruciatingly unfunny? Jeez, everyone’s an ‘Einstein’, as Jose says…

United (4-2-3-1) De Gea 8; Darmian 7, Bailly 6, Smalling 7, Blind 6.5; McTominay 7, Matic 8; Mata 6.5 (Herrera 68, 6), Lingard 5.5 (Mkhitaryan 46, 6), Martial 8.5 (Rashford 75, 7); Lukaku 6.5

Swansea 0-2 Manchester United EFL Cup 4th Round

Swansea 0-2 Manchester United (Lingard 21, 59)

After the disastrous 90 minutes against Huddersfield, Jose Mourinho desperately needed a good nights work to get the season back on track. The Portuguese boss got exactly that, thanks to a virtuoso performance from Jesse Lingard, admittedly helped by a Swansea side who were, ahem, not the most ambitious.

Events on the weekend had made this game vital in the quest for the ‘big M’ of momentum, but it was still the League Cup, and that means a slightly weakened side, with Valencia and De Gea left at home and Lukaku and Matic on the bench. Mata and Mkhitaryan were also dropped rested. Lindelof did indeed play, to some raised eyebrows, but really anything else would damage his confidence. No matter the circumstances, it was pleasing to see two kids get a chance, moreover, Phil Jones made it on to the bench, to puffed out cheeks from relieved United fans fearful of what Spurs would do to us come Saturday lunchtime. Whatever the team, a response was needed to the manager’s comments after Huddersfield regarding the ‘poor attitude’ shown.

When the team was announced, it looked like a 4-3-3 with either Blind or Tuanzebe in midfield, but in fact it was a back 5, with Lingard playing as the number 10 to great effect behind the two forwards. This setup led to United completely bossing the game, having total control of possession. Herrera and Darmian were both positive in the build-up and the Italian was rather adventurous in his right-wing back role.  

Jesse Lingard’s first league start of the season had been poor, but he was keen to make it up to the fans from the first whistle here. He instantly showed that he was up for the challenge when forcing a save from the Swansea keeper within the opening exchanges with a powerful long range shot. The Warrington born lad was constantly playing on the turn, looking to take on opponents, reveling in a role which gave him considerable freedom and pace ahead of him to look for. His first goal saw him receive reward for his proactive movement, with a classic third man run goal. Herrera fired in a strong low pass forward (he doesn’t do this enough, really) to Rashford whose clever flick put Lingard through, and the number 14 opened his body up and unerringly finished into the bottom-right corner. Cue a celebration where he mimicked playing a flute.

Jesse wheeling away after the opener...

Swansea were worse than they were when they were beaten here 4-0 in August, but then again, they had made 8 changes, and their attempt to get back into the game wasn’t helped by Martin Olsson limping off through injury in the first half.

The first 20 minutes of the second half was scrappy, with a decent number of fouls from both teams breaking up play. It was stop-start, but also, a tad dirty and cynical, given the tactical nature of some of these infringements. This passage of play was interrupted by Lingard’s second goal, another great move. Tuanzebe advanced into midfield before inviting Darmian to run down the wing. He sent in a cross and Lingard used the pace on the ball to head in from almost the edge of the area! Yep, a header from around 20 yards that fairly flew into the net. Was it Lingard or Alan Shearer?

... jubilant after putting United 2 up...

As the game entered the final stages, it was getting harder to retain possession as Swansea’s defence pushed up to the halfway line. They duly gave it a go and attacked, but our three Centre-backs were commanding in the air, and Romero made a couple of smart stops late on. This coincided with Mourinho puzzlingly bringing on Matic and Lukaku, but I suppose it makes sense to share out the rest between Herrera and Matic, and well, Lukaku must want to play every game at the moment anyway.

Both McTominay and Tuanzebe did well on their first starts of the season, which was lovely, and 4 academy players starting is good to see. Hopefully this will lead to more chances, I mean, saints alive… even Luke Shaw got some game time! The mostly forgotten, rather chubby defender got a whole THREE minutes for his second outing of the season. His medium term future at Old Trafford looks cloudy to say the least, but at least Mourinho hasn’t completely abandoned him. Given our struggles at left-back, the door must surely be open for him – although, better make sure it’s a double door if Shaw has to get through it.

Overall, it was a resilient display, with many things to enjoy; two fabulous goals from Lingard, the encouraging performances from the young lads, a clean sheet, and hopefully a return to form.

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United (5-3-2) Romero 7; Darmian 7, Lindelof 6, Smalling 7, Tuanzebe 7, Blind 6.5; Herrera 7 (Matic 67, 6), McTominay 7, Lingard 8.5; Rashford 7 (Lukaku 67, 6), Martial 6.5 (Shaw 87).

CSKA 1-4 Man Utd 27th Sept

CSKA Moscow 1-4 Manchester United (Kuchaev 90) (Lukaku 4, 26, Martial 18 pen, Mkhitaryan 57)

Before the game, Jose Mourinho had called this CSKA Moscow side the best he had faced. This was, at best, extremely generous given he had played the Russian side in a Champions League quarter final with Inter. Although you can never turn your nose up at a long trip to Moscow, with the effects of the long flight and close-to-freezing temperatures, it must be said those in the know were arguing that this was, on paper, the weakest CSKA team for a good few years. Certainly they were inferior to the side who drew 1-1 with us two seasons ago. But even then, it was a surprise how straightforward this victory was.

This side is so free scoring at the moment it’s almost slightly uncomfortable. Russia away is not meant to be so inviting, and it looks stupid now to think that pre-match I was a tad pessimistic after seeing the lineup. The gaffer had left Valencia at home and said before kick-off that Jones and Fellaini were nursing knocks, but even considering these absences, I was gob smacked that Jose had chosen to go with a back 5 considering how poor we were using that system in his debut season. I didn’t really see a justification for it, surely it would be too defensive an outlook against a pretty uninspiring CSKA outfit?

Well, I was shut up as we were in front almost instantaneously through our new main man, Romelu Lukaku.

It was an incisive break. Herrera cut out a pass, and Matic gave it to Lukaku. He turned and brilliantly set Martial away with a right-footed through ball. The Frenchman faced up to the defender before shifting right to create half a yard, and stood up a delicious ball that our no.9 powered low past Football Manager legend Igor Akinfeev. An early goal, from Lukaku, from a top cross. A trademark, one might say, of early 2017-18 United. Soon after something else happened that is common for us, which is a glorious save from David De Gea to stop a goal. The man from Madrid showing terrific reflexes to stop a close range drive.

It was 2-0 soon later after a decent move down the right was ended by Mkhitaryan being upended in the penalty area. Was it a foul? It wasn’t the most clear-cut, shall we say. It was left to the ice-cool Martial to stroke home from the spot. What a penalty taker he is, by the way.

24 hours before, Liverpool had laboured to a 1-1 draw against Spartak, but Mourinho was showing Klopp how you’re meant to play in Russia. We were in total command and a third goal was no shock, although Vasili Berezutski won’t want to see his missed clearance from a pretty average Martial cross again, leaving Lukaku with a tap in for his 10^th goal for United. He’s finding this Champions League lark pretty simple, isn’t he? Akinfeev could only look on in disgust but I felt bad for him, as he hadn’t done much wrong yet had had to pick the ball out of the back of his net three times. The level of the CSKA defending was pathetically bad, with the famous Russian duo of Sergei Ignashevich and Berezutski and their combined age of 73 both looking like they were running with a backpack full of rocks.

It felt fairly ridiculous at half time that it was all going so swimmingly. A weird formation, a long trip away to Moscow, a few changes, and the rank, slightly discoloured white/grey kit – it’s not meant to be this easy. Even Lindelof was good. It was an absolute annihilation job from us, really stamping our mark on Europe after years of making even the gentlest away tie (such as Midgetland) look challenging. After all, we’d only won one of our previous 10 away games in the Champions League.

United hit their fourth not too long into the second half. CSKA gave the ball away poorly (again), Herrera played in Martial, whose shot was saved, but Mkhitaryan showed speed and desire (your defence is terrified) to get to the rebound first. It was a rout. Martial was the main architect of our moves, and the sky is really the limit for a talent like him. What a player.

The home side did get a consolation with Golovin scooping a pass over the back four and the 19-year-old Kuchaev chesting it down and hitting it between De Gea’s legs. I wasn’t too bothered, but it was quite heartening to see how annoyed Smalling and Blind were at losing their clean sheet. Such a mentality will stand the backline in good stead over the campaign.

Overall, a fantastic result bearing in mind how bad we’ve been away in European games since Fergie retired, regardless of how bad the opposition were. We’re in control of our group as we move onto pointless Palace.

United (3-4-2-1) De Gea 8; Lindelof 7, Bailly 6, Smalling 7; Young 6.5 (Darmian 67, 6), Herrera 7.5, Matic 7, Blind 7.5; Mkhitaryan 6.5 (Lingard 60, 6), Martial 8.5 (Rashford 72, 6); Lukaku 8.

 

Manchester United 4-1 Burton Albion League Cup 3rd Round 20th Sept

Manchester United 4-1 Burton Albion (Rashford 5, 17, Lingard 36, Martial 60) (Dyer 90+1)

Not much to report on this third round procession, but I’ll give it a go anyway. United unsurprisingly strolled to victory, given that we played 11 internationals and Mata and Rashford kept their places, so there was no danger of Mourinho taking the League Cup lightly this season – he wants to retain it and nothing less will do. So no kids in the side, which was a bit of a shame, but I suppose some fringe players needed minutes. Smalling, Lindelof, Darmian, Lingard and Herrera had precious few minutes under their belt so far this term, plus to top it off the new club captain, Michael Carrick, was making his first appearance of the season.

Martial and Rashford started together for the first time this season and ran riot. Young Rash read Lingard’s clever lay-off from a Carrick pass to tuck in for the early lead. United were all over Burton, and another goal soon followed. Rashford’s second goal was a thunderous snap shot from outside the penalty area with little backlift on the turn; United’s overpowered team were on easy street and within 36 minutes the game was over as a contest when Lingard made it 3-0 after a brilliant Martial run. Meanwhile Tony Marshall could’ve had a hat trick, so mesmeric was his dribbling, but settled for one, and a nice video below.

It was just very easy, all a bit cruel on Championship overachievers Burton, who at least had the glory of scoring a consolation goal at Old Trafford through Lloyd Dyer late on. Sub keeper Joel Pereira really should’ve kept it out, but alas (What a gig Romero has right now by the way. Doesn’t even have to complete the 90). We’re through, full of confidence and goals, and drew Swansea away in the 4^th Round. A good evening’s work.

United (4-2-3-1) Romero 6 (Pereira 78, 5); Darmian 7, Lindelof 6.5, Smalling 6.5, Blind 7.5; Carrick 7.5, Herrera 6.5; Mata 7 (Shaw 46, 6), Lingard 7.5, Martial 8.5; Rashford 8 (McTominay 64, 6).

 

Swansea 0-4 Manchester United

Swansea 0-4 Manchester United (Bailly 45, Lukaku 80, Pogba 82, Martial 84)

We don’t have a very good record against Swansea, but last year we went to Wales under serious pressure and Jose, or rather Pogba, Zlatan and Rooney, pulled out a 3-1 away victory. Swansea don’t seem to be sleepwalking to relegation this time like they did around then, with Paul Clement an increasingly impressive figure. But United were obviously massive favourites.

The game started at a snail’s pace. There weren’t many highlights in the first half, so much so that much of the attention focused on the filmiest of claims of a second yellow card for Pogba that would see him take an early bath. Total nonsense, of course.

Our golden boy Rashford was getting plenty of stick from the Jacks, which surprised the commentators who wondered whether it was an example of Anglo-Welsh hostilities. Utd fans knew better – it was clearly a reference to Rashford’s, erm, rather flamboyant tumble in the Swans penalty area at Old Trafford last season. Rooney scored the subsequent dodgy spot-kick and the away fans were fuming given they still were in relegation danger at this point. So the kid probably deserved the choice words heading his way, it definitely won’t be the last time he faces a crowd like that, hopefully it’ll be a learning experience for him.

United went ahead just before the break from a corner which Pogba, given a free header, powered towards goal but the bar and the keeper coincided to keep it just out. The United fans went up in celebration and for a second everyone played on, but it didn’t matter as Eric Bailly reacted first and poked the ball over the line to bring a second round of cheers from the travelling hordes, and to take away the need for a look at goal-line technology.

After we went 1-0 up, the feeling was that the Swans would come out, but they didn’t, and this meant we couldn’t use Valencia and Blind to overlap as much because our wingers had to stay wide to try and open up the game.

For a large percentage of the second half, the game was pretty equal and a Swansea goal seemed just as likely as one from us. Their defensive 5-3-2 formation was hampering our attempts to break the backline, while simultaneously making it difficult for Chelsea loanee Tammy Abraham and Jordan Ayew to test our defence and hold the ball up, given their limited help. The match was becoming scrappy, with Abraham heading over from the penalty spot when unmarked a warning shot for our defence. I was thinking we should bring on Herrera to tighten the midfield up.

On 67 minutes, Clement blinked and brought on two wingers – Narsingh and Routledge – for Bartley and Roque Mesa and switched to a 4-4-2. It was just what Mourinho, the ultimate reactive manager, was waiting for.

8 minutes later, Martial and Fellaini were sent on for Rashford (who had drifted out of proceedings) and Mata. 9 minutes after those changes, United had moved from a tentative 1-0 away win to a comprehensive 4-0 thumping. Swansea didn’t deserve the final score line and had to go for the equaliser and leave the door open for the counter, but the way United shifted through the gears was thoroughly impressive, another sign that things could be different this season, as early as it is.

Lukaku had barely had a kick all game but finished emphatically when the chance came after Martial ran at the defenders before Mkhitaryan took over to play in the £75m man. Well, that is what we bought him for. Somehow I think there won’t be quite as many 1-1 home draws this season with him around. Anyway, 2-0, and in all probability, game over.  Right, let’s relax and keep it tight and go home with a nice win an-

Pogba!!! The third goal came after a lighting counter and the second assist for our midfield Armenian after superb dribbling, but it was all about the two brilliant parts of Pogba’s game; the athleticism to cover so much ground so quickly, and the world class technique rarely seen in such a tall, strong player that allowed him to delicately chip home and then celebrate with the away end. Fantastic move. If Pogba can get close to 15 goals in all competitions this season, and he certainly has the ability to, United’s season could be a lot sweeter this time around. 

There was barely time to breathe before United got their 4^th again. (Remember how rare United scoring four has been over the last three seasons! Yet we’ve made it look so easy!) Another brilliant Pogba-led counter and a typical Martial finish, cutting inside before slotting it in the far corner. The subs by Mourinho had tipped the balance. Sure, Swansea rather fell apart but Mkhitaryan, Martial, and particularly Pogba had been irresistible on the counter attack. Bringing on Fellaini to allow Pogba to roam further forward reminded me of when Roberto Mancini used to bring on De Jong as a sub for City as an attacking sub; to push Yaya Toure up the field.

The Rampant Reds had scored 4 goals in their opening two league games of a season for the first time in 110 years. The 1907-08 season, in case you were wondering. Early doors, I know, but another great day.

United (4-2-3-1) De Gea 6; Valencia 6, Bailly 7, Jones 8, Blind 7; Matic 7.5, Pogba 8; Mata 7 (Fellaini 75, 6), Mkhitaryan 7.5 (Herrera 85), Rashford 6.5 (Martial 75, 7.5); Lukaku 6