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MANCHESTER UNITED v MIDDLESBROUGH ANALYSIS AND PLAYER RATINGS 23-4-07
Udayan Mukherjee
I didn't hold up much optimism for this game but Boro managed to not only put in a spirited performance but one of class. Sure, Middlesbrough's defensive work was exemplary, but Alex Ferguson's statement that we simply 'contained' United was untrue. Indeed, Middlesbrough were extremely unlucky not to have taken away all three points and really blown the title race open.
With the history between the two teams this season, there was always going to be plenty of effort from the away side in front of a jittery home crowd.
It seemed to be going very badly wrong for Boro when after a mere three minutes a magnificent ball from Paul Scholes (incidentally, at this point my spell checker deems this to be an incorrect word and offers Schleps as an alternative. What the fuck is a schlep when it's at home?) found Shrek with a quite wonderful ball. Rooney, who initially looked offside rounded Schwarzer, but having played it slightly too far in front, Kieran Richardson stepped in to put United into the lead.
Replays showed the goal to be legitimate, and United nerves were settled. Indeed all but the most ardent Boro fan would have thought that we would go on to put in such a stellar performance.
Following the goal there was a five minute lull in play, but Middlesbrough began to dominate the midfield, a tough ask against famous workaholics United. This was the platform for the performance, with the likes of Cattermole and Boateng not only out-fighting the opposition, but driving Middlesbrough forward with astute and accurate passing.
Many expected Middlesbrough to attempt to play long, aimless balls up to the front two as we are so prone to do when things aren't going our way, but this did not materialise.
With both sides attempting to score an all important goal, it was Boro who broke after sterling defensive work from the back four. The ball squirmed forward where United attempted to build again but a Viduka challenge found Yakubu on the halfway line. The Nigerian broke forward with real speed, but was denied at the last by a great block by Wes Brown.
Wes Brown was again in the thick of it soon afterwards. A wonderful ball from Fabio Rochemback with the outside of his right boot found Stewart Downing galloping down the left flank. The lad from Pallister Park delayed his cross to the point that Brown blocked the cross, much to the chagrin of Mark Viduka. The Big Aussie chastised the young England international, and it wasn't long before Downing heeded Viduka's advice to great effect.
On the stroke of half time, a United clearance fell to Andrew Taylor who played a lovely lofted ball to Yakubu on the edge of the box. Yakubu's touch was excellent as he turned and fed it to the on-rushing Stewart Downing who whipped in a delicious first time ball that was met by the head of Mark Viduka. The net rippled and the travelling Boro fans went delirious. It was no more than they and the players deserved.
Early in the first half, Boro had a magnificent chance when Viduka controlled a ball on the edge of the United box before baffling the defence by flicking it over his head and finding himself one on one with Edwin Van der Sar. Unfortunately Viduka's effort was saved by the United keeper's legs. It would have been the ideal start, with Viduka showing once again why he is possibly the best back to goal forward in the league, or even further afield.
United's players and the prawn sandwich brigade in the stands were beginning to show their frustration, with a wayward shot by Ronaldo travelling woefully wide. The unhappy look on his face was so priceless that the writer of this column may or may not have gotten a semi-on. Ahem.
Boro on the other hand were having a monopoly on possession with the stats showing Boro to have 64% at one point. Another chance was fashioned when Lee Cattermole cut out a ball on the right hand side before galloping to the centre and making a beeline for the United goal. Cattermole played a quite wonderful ball through a gap in the United defence which found the onrushing Yakubu, albeit with the Nigerian at an acute angle to the goal. Van der Sar came out swiftly to prevent the half chance.
Cattermole, who was playing brilliantly, along with the rest of the players, burst in from the right hand side and smashed a wonderful shot towards goal with his left foot, which unfortunately went inches wide. Boro were making the play in the game and giving a brilliant account of themselves at this point.
On seventy-one minutes, with the Schwarzer taking a goal kick from his hands, substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer impudently flicked the ball away from the keeper and rolled it into the empty net. The rules of the game, as so eloquently shown by Alan Shearer on Match of the Day, state that the action of the ball leaving the goalkeeper's hands and his resulting kick is deemed as one action and hence the 'goal' was disallowed. Solskjaer received a booking for his troubles.
United were beginning to impose themselves on the game now, and fashioned a number of highly presentable chances. Good play by Ronaldo on the left hand side found Giggs in the box. The shot was blocked by a quite stupendous block by George Boateng, who was playing like the player we all know and love. The rebound was looped over by Carrick.
United went even closer thereafter with Wayne Rooney attempting a lob after a wonderful ball from Ryan Giggs. Unbelievably, the England forward missed, and Boro lived to fight another day. Solskjaer and Carrick both went close, before Boro nearly snatched the win themselves. Lee Dong Gook, who had come on earlier for Yakubu, latched onto a long ball and played it past John O'Shea who clattered into the Korean. It was, undoubtedly a cast iron penalty, and the referee bottled it. As Gareth Southgate alluded to at the end of the game, these decisions do not go for the opposing teams at Old Trafford.
United desperately tried to create a winning goal at the end, but Boro were resilient to the last, and earned a valuable point that all but assured premiership safety. I would have gladly taken a draw before kick off, but the performance by Boro today deserved all three.
Every player, including the much maligned ones put in an honest shift and more importantly gave a classy performance. Players like Lee Cattermole and George Boateng who put in 110% every game but often lose concentration and look like they have the passing ability of a pissed up Stevie Wonder.
Cattermole, although he did give away the ball in the build up to United's goal, played some brilliant dynamic football and for the most part his passing and movement was exemplary. Cattermole is a talent who with the right coaching and application on his part can become our very own version of Steven Gerrard. However without it he could develop into another Mark Summerbell.
Defensively, barring the aberration that led to the United goal, we were wonderful with Emmanuel Pogatetz and Jonathan Woodgate making a welcome and spectacular return to top form.
In any case with the magical fourty point mark being passed, then hopefully Boro can continue to play some good football. These last few games should be an opportunity to try out new formations and give certain players a last chance to prove that they are worthy of playing for our club.
A few confidence boosting wins will set us up quite nicely for next season and lead to some extra revenue from Premier League positioning. If the performance from this game is not carried on then surely only a lack of effort from the players can be given as an explanation.
Up the Boro
Player Ratings
Mark Schwarzer - Was good when called upon. Indeed the fact that he was not called upon more often is surely testament to the defensive work put in by the Boro. 7.5
Andrew Taylor - Cultured, comfortable on the ball and defensively sound. 8
Emmanuel Pogatetz - A rock in the centre of defence. 9
Jonathan Woodgate - Was at fault in attempting to play Rooney offside for the Manchester United goal, but played brilliantly for the rest of the game. 8.5
Andrew Davies - Defensively extremely sound. 7.5
Stewart Downing - Wonderful cross for the Boro goal, but needs to impose himself on the game more. Perhaps a summer in the gym would lead to him becoming an unstoppable player. 7
George Boateng - Quality performance from the skipper. More like the indestructible Boateng we all used to enjoy watching. 8.5
Fabio Rochemback - Impressive performance from the Brazilian, but interchanged between sublime passes with the outside of the boot that would lead to a collective wank by the world media if the same ball was played by Ronaldinho and the ridiculous type of passing that result in simple five yard passes being launched into touch. He was, undoubtedly much better in terms of concentration today and almost looked Brazillian rather than the player who often makes me think that we have mistakenly signed someone called Leslie from Aldershot. 7.5
Lee Cattermole - Class. He needs to replicate the same level of verve and panache in future if he is to fulfil his potential. It was interesting to note that his moments of exceptional play were when he tucked into the centre. Maybe Southgate can give him a little run in the centre of midfield? Here's hoping. 9
Mark Viduka - A real handful for the United defence. Scored with a brilliant diving header and his skill and flick over his head early in the second half was a joy to behold. 8.5
Yakubu - His touch and all round play was much better, but is still in dire need of a goal. 8
Substitues
Lee Dong Gook - Very lively on his arrival and should have been given a penalty when clattered by O'Shea. 7.5
Sign him on
As always Paul Scholes was exemplary. His range of passing and movement is absolutely wonderful. To be honest United were not allowed to show their class in this game, which is credit to the way Boro played.
That's all folks,
Udayan Mukherjee
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