SAFC 0-2 Manchester United (A)

Plenty other teams will get beat at Old Trafford this season, we must try not to dwell on how awful it was, and look to get points from the next two games.

That was one long 90 minutes. Richardson failed to shake off the flu and was replaced by Riveros. A very young bench for SAFC included Jordan Cook, Blair Adams and Adam Reed.

The whole game was a non-event. We barely got out of first gear, and United didn’t have to get out of second, such was the game.

We should have been at least 3 down after 10 minutes with Berbatov hitting the post, and Anderson striking the bar and numerous other chances foiled by Gordon. However, it was only 1-0, and that came when Berbatov came free at the back post to head past Gordon from close-range. The defending was awful. Elmohamady looking on doing nothing and Ferdinand, along with Onouha were simply chasing shadows. Gordon was helpless.

Bruce felt it necessary to drop Bent out left into a 5 man midfield. Whilst we retained plenty of possession, we were completely toothless. And that continued for the rest of the afternoon.

Second half finished just as the first ended – plenty SAFC possession, absolutely no danger of us ever scoring.

Anton continued his habit of unlucky deflections at Old Trafford, and when Berbatov’s wayward looking shot form distance cannoned off Ferdinand’s hip into the net, it was game over.

Despite this, Bruce decided to consolidate 2-0, and continued on with 4-5-1. I don’t know what else to say really, we could still be playing now, with MUFC in the showers, and we’d still be 2-0 down.

Zenden had our best chance, stinging Van Der Sar’s palms from distance. Young Jordan Cook came on and didn’t seem over-rawed by the occasion at all. Good play on the ball and to be fair, was the only bright spark in our performance. And he only played 10 minutes.

Marcos Angeleri also made an appearance for the final 5-6 minutes, and didn’t touch the ball. Nice to know he exists.

Ratings:

01 Gordon – 8/10 – Kept the score to only 2, nothing he could do about the goals.
02 Bardsley – 6/10 – Poor by his recent standards. Lucky to stay on pitch.
07 Zenden – 8/10 – Stand in captain today, and lead by example. Only semi-dangerous player for us.
08 Malbranque – 6/10 – Typical Steed performance, lots of huff and puff with no end product.
10 Henderson – 7/10 – Still a boy, asked to do a man’s job in midfield. Tried his best.
11 Bent – 5/10 – Ineffectual for large parts of the game, and rightly substituted.
15 Onouha – 7/10 – Fairly solid, gave Giggs far too much room for their first goal.
16 Riveros – 6/10 – Game passed him by for about 75 minutes. I hope he has more in his locker.
27 Elmohamady – 6/10 – I find it hard to believe he has ever played RB. Get him back in midfield.
29 Ferdinand – 6/10 – Bad defelection, shouldn’t have turned his back on it like a ponce.
33 Gyan – 4/10 – Thought he was shocking today. Couldn’t pass, control, shoot. Awful.

Subs:

Angeleri – 4/10 – Didn’t touch the ball. At least we saw he exists. Only on 5 minutes.
Cook – 7/10 – Fairly positive when on the ball, might have had a few shots but encouraging.
Meyler – 6/10 – Booked, and not much else. Still looks way off the pace.

Plenty other teams will go to Old Trafford and get beat this season. No point dwelling on it at all, so we can just forget this one, be pleased we didn’t get battered and look to Blackpool where hopefully 3 points await.

Keep the faith everyone.