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Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Manchester United V Middlesbrough match review

Another victory and the treble is still on. We had to deal with a little bit of afters last night, with Ronaldo in the thick of it yet again. It was Ronaldo who provided us with the goal, that sent us through, to be honest I think the Middlesbrough players and coaching staff just couldn’t handle his exquisite skill.

The penalty was a stone cold penalty if ever I saw one. People have said that Ronaldo drew the foul, that he played for it and blah blah blah. I’m sorry but the only person to blame for that penalty was Jonathan Woodgate. You cannot tackle a player from behind, not get the ball and then claim that he played for it. As a defender you need to be aware that if you don’t get your man in the penalty box then you will concede a penalty, simple.

The antics that followed clearly showed Middlesbrough’s frustration with the Portuguese superstar as James Morrison was dismissed for a horrible challenge on Ronaldo close to the end of the game. Rooney then unnecessarily got involved as did a few other United players. I think this is more proof that this team is so together, that they will fight for each other whatever the cost. A rash challenge riled so many of the players that tempers flaired and many of our lads had to be held back.

Carlos Queiroz was involved in a scuffle on the touchline after a number of the Middlesbrough coaches branded Ronaldo a cheat. I think Ronaldo put it best when he said “Perhaps I am just too good for them”, I think he may just be right.

In transfer news, Hargreaves is reportedly being told that he should move to Liverpool instead of Man Utd. That sounds like a great plan… if you want to win no trophies and fight it out for 3rd in the premiership year in year out.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't see this match but I was sure that united will win and I am happy you did it.

Bravo Ronaldo. He is right he is too good for them.

Anonymous said...

It was an obvious penalty and a rash challenge by Woodgate. Serves them right for parking the bus for much of the game!

I thought Heinze was excellent (again) last night. Will be a shame if he leaves in the summer.

Unknown said...

It's clear that we depend so much of Ronaldo.What will happenn when he would be leaving for Real?Who will replace him?If nobody would do it,then the style of the team will change...for worse.

marlowe diego said...

yes. if heinze leaves that will be a blow. it's tough to decide between him and evra. i think saf managed to buy two for the price of one - ie. he could have got roberto carlos or ashley cole or some other superstar left back but the smart old fox went and bought two players that he could tell were going to fit perfectly in the team.

again, it's interesting to see their different styles of play. evra is an excellent tackler in midfield and obviously very quick and skilled going forward. heinze lacks a little bit of evra's guile and subtlety but just watch him make the last tackle (in the box usually!) and every time get the ball cleanly and safely. evra has a tendency to get lost in his own box and drift out of position - can't remember the exact goals but i've seen two this season where his man snuck in round the back as he just watched the action in front of him.

anyway, what a great dilemma to have.

as for ronaldo's penalty....still haven't seen it but i think i've said this before: the way he runs - on the tips of his toes with a very short stride - means he is very finely balanced. the slightest touch and he will go flying. compare him to the other ronaldo, or rooney. when they run at defenders they keep the ball very close to their feet, but they also have long strides and use their upper body. c ronaldo barely moves his torso. it's all in the legs. that's why he seems to 'dive'. i wish hansen and co would just come out and say it as it is. he's no where near as bad as robben who will dive even when their isn't even an attempt to take him down.

i just hope the way the fans and press in england treat ronaldo doesn't encourage him to take one of those offers from spain.

Anonymous said...

Middlesbrough got what they deserved - fuck all. Totally negative play for most of the match hoping to get a lucky break and grab a goal. We were the only team that played the entire match looking for a goal - they only had about 10 minutes in the second half when they actually looked threatening and positve.

And yes Ronnie is too good not just for Boro' but for all the premiership teams - thank fuck he's with us.

Chelsea beating Spurs could also be good for us in a funny way because their fixtures are really piling up now even more than our own!

See http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2038495,00.html