Manchester United played with passion, heart and cohesion that has been conspicuous by its absence throughout their faltering campaign. THT explains United’s improved display with an eye on the all important second leg in Munich.Ai??
At the end, the much anticipated contest ended in a draw with Bayern getting an important away goal. On the face of it, the Bavarians should probably be the happier bunch. Pep Guordiolaai??i??s side dominated possession, scored at Old Trafford and now has the comforts of the Allianz Arena to bank upon. But the much-maligned English side should take pride and derive a lot of confidence not just from the result but also the performance.
Make no mistakes, Manchester United were heavy underdogs against this much stronger Bayern side, but David Moyes devised a strategy to somewhat neutralize their threat and the contest now moves to Germany with all to play for.
Moyes gets his tactics and Substitutions right
Every man and his dog is aware that a Pep Guordiola team is always going to enjoy the lion share of possession. Ergo, United allowed the Bavarians to have the ball in relatively non-threatening areas, but focused on maintaining their defensive shape and never getting overrun. The strategy adopted by Moyes was simple enough, but the execution demanded near perfection. The Reds defended deep and in large numbers, Danny Welbeck was used as the release ball and the Englishmanai??i??s pace and intelligent running had the Bayern defense worried all night long. Wayne Rooney was given the license to room but the Englishman would often be seen helping out the defense and building attacks from the midfield with early balls to his compatriot upfront.
Ryan Giggs and Fellaini were perhaps, the two United players who could have done better in the first half. Moyes who has in the past been accused of dithering on substitutions made a surprisingly pleasant proactive change, Shinji Kagawa started the second half and consequently United looked a much more cultured and menacing side on the counter.
With the game tantalizingly poised at a goal apiece, the United manager introduced Chicharito to stretch the Bayern rearguard. Although the Mexican hardly got any sniff of a goal but the positive intent of the manager wouldn’t have gone unnoticed among the Old Trafford faithful. It was a symbolic change in many ways, a change that indicated that United at home were willing to take on the European champions and gamble. More importantly, United fans would hope that it pointed to a long term shunning of a negative approach and the David Moyes method of hanging on in games at the end.
Looking ahead to second leg
Even though the United defense held firm and performed admirably, one must remember that barring Vidic none of the back four would be first choice for their respective positions. Patrice Evra would surely return at left back and if Rafael overcomes his injury issues, the Brazilian would be the first choice right full back. Also, thereai??i??s a case to be made for Smallingai??i??s inclusion but one suspects Rio with his experience will get the nod.
Moyes would do well to utilize Jones in midfield alongside the imperious Carrick. Fellaini was largely ineffective last night while Jones has in the past stepped up for the big games. The front four pick themselves in Rooney, Welbeck, Valencia and Kagawa, but Moyes could be tempted to start with an extra body in central midfield in place of the Japanese.
Bayern on the other hand would be without three of their influential central players for the second leg. While Schweinsteiger saw red, Javi Martinez is also suspended after picking up a yellow card too many. Thiago Alacantraai??i??s injury ensures that Pep would have to start with Kroos and Lahm in central midfield and that would still be anything better than what the English side could hope to put out. But at least, the plethora of options that Bayern possess are stretched.
The Old guard held firm
Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand were the bedrocks of Unitedai??i??s strong showing in Europe, about six to seven seasons back. At a combined age of 67 the duoai??i??s best days are long behind them, but perhaps the chance of one last swansong brought the best out of the pair as they stood firm against a high quality attacking opposition. The second leg would possibly provide a sterner test, United fans would hope that the Rio-Vida axis rolls back the years one last time.
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