All across the world,football lovers sat on Sunday afternoon to watch the champions of last season who double as city rivals go head-to-head in the game that ushers in the new season. Man U showed superiority by coming from two goals down to win the game by 3 goals to 2.Nani was the man of the afternoon as he crowned a great display with a brace.
United started on bright note,running through City's midfield with every ball they got forward.Ashley Young drove United forward from the first minute,giving City players a run for their monies.On exactly 23', Nani and Welbeck ran through the right side and exchanged passes in an entertaining fashion but the Portugese could not finish the last pass. The continuous United threats forced City to initiate attacks and their first real chance came on 28'with Silva picking Milner,but the former Villa man could not finish either.It was obvious City were struggling through the game as they had picked up 3 bookings by the half-hour mark. Nani had an attempt from a freekick as United continued to look for a goal. City responded in a timely manner as Lescott made the best of Silva's freekick by heading home past Degea. As if this was not enough,the United defence again opened up space for Dzeko to shoot from outside the area and caught the United keeper responding late for City's second just before half time.
As expected,Sir Ferguson made tactical changes to the side at half time and United again resumed the second half very strong.This time,their efforts provided them a goal on 52' as Smalling tapped into the net an Ashley Young freekick.Nani proved his brilliance at 58' as he scored a nice goal well assisted by the Cleverley.Just before the final whistle went off came Kompany's saddest moment as a spirited Nani fought for the ball and ran past him to score United's winner.
OBSERVATIONS
If you ask me,I will say Sir Alex got it all right in the game while a lot is to be said about Mancini.Sir Alex was a genius for taking off Ferdinand and Vidic and bringing in Evans and Jones who played central defence without being wary of City striker's threats. Also, Cleverley's introduction was key to United's victory as he opened the midfield and created space for the wingers to play in and afforded Anderson room to play an anchor man role in the midfield.Mancini's first sub should have been Balotelli off for Adam Johnson because he needed width in the game and had to pull one of Nani or Ashley back to support in defence thereby reducing United's attacking threat.Also,Milner was the best performing midfielder for City and I wonder why he was taken off.There is no point highlighting Kompany's mistake.In a nutshell,what I saw on Sunday was unlike City's midfield.Maybe the players are tired from pre-season games as was Kompany's excuse or maybe Mancini is not just getting it right. I believe the non-stop signing of players is making the current squad at City unsettled.
We wish United,City and out other beloved teams in the premier league all the best this season as we eagerly awaiting the opening games this weekend.
