With Liverpool losing in the early kick off 4-1 to Arsenal
this was a chance for United to consolidate their hold on a top four position
and they did not disappoint. Much has rightly been made about United’s recent
renaissance and praise has been given to players such as Fellaini for finding
the type of form that made United fork out 27.5 pounds for his services over a
year ago. Today was about another man who last year was widely lambasted from
all sides. Ashley Young had for a long time failed to ingratiate himself to the
United faithful but today he took some steps towards remedying that with an
energetic and effective performance.
Villa, despite catching United with a sucker punch immediately after United's goal, were always second best in this game. They may have one eye on an upcoming FA Cup semifinal against either Liverpool or Blackburn but on this performance they didn't show anything to suggest they are clear of relegation just yet.
This game took but 4 minutes to explode. A beautiful forward pass by Young was helped on by Fellaini
sending Rooney bursting through on goal. Ciaran Clark seemed to wrap his arm
around Rooney’s neck in the struggle for the ball and when Rooney went to
ground the United fans demanded a penalty but referee, Roger Eastland, was
having none of it and waved play on. It looked a clear penalty on first view and
it can only be that Rooney was over-theatrical in his reaction to the challenge.
United dominated possession after that incident and with them playing a back
four Ashley Young was excelling without the shackles of having to track back.
Villa had to concentrate hard to deny United making anything of their pressure
and Ciaran Clark, who might have been sent off by this stage if the referee had
given the penalty, was the main rock on which United’s attacks floundered.
There still were lots of encouraging signs for United fans
that their sides recent improvement in consistency was still on the right track.
Along with Young other payers were beginning to show a cohesion that was not
present, understandably, at the start of the season. Herrera, Fellaini and Mata
were finding each other easily and Daly Blind was adding another dimension
attacking down the left wing. At this point Villa, with Benteke and Agbonlahor
up front, were feeding off scraps. With
half time in sight United moved up a gear. Again it was down the left wing,
Ashey Young released Blind on the under-lap and he was able to cut the ball
back to Herrera who had time to control the ball and pick his spot.
At the start of the second half it was more of the same with
United doing all the pressing and Villa restricted to a half chance where
Benteke couldn’t adjust himself properly after some good work by Weiman down
Villa’s left wing. While United were not creating clear cut chances they were
in complete control of the game and this was what was most impressive, their
ability to keep the ball and deny Villa any foothold in the game. After Young
and Fellaini had been substituted to generous applause the game suddenly jumped
to life again. On 80 minutes, Di Maria, who had come on for Young, showed some
good footwork to make space for himself and create a cross into Rooney who with
his back to goal was able to bring the ball down with one touch and then turn
and hammer the ball home on the half volley. Here was another man who was
hitting a vein of fine form. What happened next though was similar to blink and you
have missed it.
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