Five Things We Learned – United vs. Chelsea at Old Trafford

3) Valencia and Fabio show a strong partnership

Antonio Valencia has given fans many reasons to believe he was missed sorely since his injury early in the season and Sunday afternoon proved no exception as he gave Ashley Cole a game that would have left him with nightmares, constantly charging down the right wing, Cole failed to contain him from bursting past and delivering crosses, or providing an attacking edge himself.

However, one other point that should be worth noting is how well he tracked back and provided support for Fabio Da Silva. Regularly, when Chelsea were pushing forward, we would find the Ecuadorian winger back with Fabio, giving cover and carrying out defensive duties.

This meant United were rarely exposed down their right flank, as he proved to be a competent defender himself, and with the young Brazilian displaying a tenacious attitude combined with an offensive mind, it meant that the risks of him going forward were fairly low. It seems a good understanding has developed between the two, and clearly are a first choice pairing for Ferguson. This is testament to Valencia’s impact since returning, given that he has replaced Nani who holds the highest number of assists in the league this season. It should also be noted that United looked very solid defensively, with Vidic and Ferdinand controlling the back four as ever, with John O’Shea and his replacement Jonny Evans proving more than adequate at left back, without going forward too much like Evra would have done.

4) A strong team spirit and desire won the game

I was going to make this point about Hernandez, considering he notched up his 20th goal in all competitions with a superb early goal. However, I am running out of superlatives to give for a player who has adapted so well to life in the Premier League, a joy to watch for the United faithful, people have been astounded by a player who by Ferguson’s own admission was expected to take a year to settle in to the English game.

It would also be worth mentioning Rooney’s performance. From start to finish he looked fired up for the game, which was helped to no end by such an early opening, and although he could have scored a few himself today, one must compliment his performance as a whole as being superb and representative of how United played as a team. Everyone had a job to do, and everyone carried it out to the standard that was required of them. When Smalling was brought on at right back, he immediately got involved in the game in helping secure the victory, even charging forward himself, and Jonny Evans making his mark after being brought on at half time, providing solid defensive cover on the left, never finding himself caught out.

United simply looked as if they wanted to win the game more and this spirit could be seen upon the final whistle with scenes of jubilation from everyone involved with Manchester United. The sight of Sir Bobby Charlton looking elated in the stands, combined with Sir Alex Ferguson bowing to the Stretford End, along with the look of pure joy on Hernandez showed what it meant, and the significance of Sunday’s victory.

5) One point seals a 19th League title

Of course it is all well and good to state how the title has been won all but mathematically. However, Ferguson will still be sure not to allow his players to get complacent, realising there is still a job to do, and no doubt will be making sure his squad go out for a win in their trip to Ewood Park against Blackburn next week. Against a team that are fighting a relegation battle, the squad will be aware that they cannot rest until they know the title is secure, providing Manchester United with a twelfth Premier League title. If the job is done and dusted, all the focus will be on the trip to Wembley to face Barcelona. Having seen off this crucial period of matches, the excitement and anticipation will be rising to fever pitch for the coming weeks.

Man of the Match: Ryan Giggs

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The Taken For Granted Brilliance of Michael Carrick

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13 responses to “Five Things We Learned – United vs. Chelsea at Old Trafford”

  1. Come on man u you are rocking… Torres you are ‘bore us’

  2. RedScot says:

    The “five things we learned” Dont drink and support, Manchester United and post on a very fine article.That clearly needs a clear head to understand the 5 points.
    Thats one point for me.A pure simpleton.pmsl.
    Its just a brilliant night.

    • Zayd Jawad says:

      I appreciate the compliment, United were fantastic, really deserved it and could have won by more.

      • RedScot says:

        I Agree Zayd am a bit pissed, dealing with Dippers on various sites and calling United down.
        Disrespecting our manager in comparison to Bob Paisley.I wont have it! He is my hero, those dippers are so jealous of what he has brought to United and wont be repeated by anyone…there in lays the problem, like Scholes Giggs and the other Icons we have had the pleasure to watch.The big decision is on the bag burner, thank our lucky stars and good health.
        Mind I drink a drink for him.He is Scottish and he knows the Scottish temper.Volitaile agressive and pure winners.Thats my Club, Thats Sir Alex!

  3. Lee says:

    As SAF said a few years ago; this Chelsea team is ageing and you wonder how much better they can get. They looked sluggish and overran in all areas and there was only Drogba that worried me.
    Fantastic performance and not one player dropped th standard – we played and won as a team and that is a huge thing.
    I wonder who we can sign in the summer?
    Anyone think David Luiz looks like Sideshow Bob from The Simpson’s? He played like him too.

  4. RedScot says:

    @ Lee being slightly serious, if you dump your top players like Ballack,Carvalho, and your assistant coach Ray Wilkins , with no reason, you are going to fail!A club with a real intent does not do this.
    The summer signings is a different matter for United, so many names so many formations.Who would you like or imagine United will sign?
    I know the goal keeper signed, but i cant tell!

  5. BW says:

    Carrick and Giggs is an amazing central midfield partnership. It’s funny to see the TV pundits scratching their heads pondering the “lack of a defensive midfielder”, and wondering why the powerhouse Chelsea midfield trio did not rip us to shreds!

    Meanwhile, Carrick quietly pockets his 4th Premier League winners medal in five seasons and will shortly be playing in his 3rd Champions League final. And Giggs wisn his twelve PL winners medal…

    We all know Giggs is a legend, but Carrick is too, and he deserves to get credit where it is due!

  6. lamar says:

    this is more about momentum than anything. send barcelona a clear message. we are more than cristiano ronaldo. we r nothing to be fucked with.

  7. Baldrick says:

    6. We need to stay switched on for 90(+) minutes. About 30 mins into the second half we went to sleep for 5 minutes.

    Otherwise, well done United, you played like champions last night.

    Oh, and I clapped so hard when Chich scored that my hands we still tingling 10 minutes later! 🙂

  8. Anagafo Michael says:

    Am I dreaming? The weakest United squad in a decade with one hand on a 20th league title and a stone’s throw from a champions league triumph? This has taught me one lesson; football is not mathematics. Trophies are not won by how many marquee signings you have in your squad but by the grace of God who alone performs miracles.

    • Zayd says:

      To claim them as the weakest side in a decade is an exaggerated claim that is proved wrong by their success this season. You simply don’t achieve that success over the course of the season by sheer luck alone.