Adam Dennehey WAFU manager
An inspired performance by Manchester United’s young players ensured that they made it two wins out of two in the Premier League, after comfortably overcoming Harry Redknapp’s Spurs side at Old Trafford.
United started the game well and almost went ahead on 7 minutes when Tom Cleverley making his home debut, burst through in midfield but saw his shot from outside the box tipped wide by Brad Friedel in goal.
Down the other end, David De Gea almost gave the Stretford End a scare when he was fouled by Rafael van der Vaart inside his area as he was dragging back the ball to clear. There was no doubt it was a foul by the Dutch international and he was lucky in fact not to get booked.
Spurs to their credit began to grab a hold of the game and with Jake Livermore and Nico Krancjar in midfield looked likely of creating chances as the half wore on. De Gea in goal did well to save shots by Gareth Bale and van der Vaart as he impressed with his distribution from defence, looking as confident as Jonny Evans and Phil Jones in front of him.
Due to United failing to mount a substantial amount of pressure and time on the ball, it was no surprise that Spurs had the final chance of the half through Jermain Defore. But what was a surprise was that the England striker failed to even test De Gea, as his shot from 25 yards fizzed well wide of the Spaniard’s near post.
Just as in the first half, United started the second half well and should really have been a goal ahead, but Ashley Young on the turn could only shoot at Friedel inside the area. The giant American who has always played well against United in the past then did well to deny Anderson and Wayne Rooney shortly afterwards as everyone inside Old Trafford thought it was going to be another one of ‘those days.’
Just after the hour-mark, United went ahead and what a goal it was as three of United’s young-guns combined to down Spurs. Cleverley after winning the ball back 35 yards out, played a one-two with Chris Smalling galloping up from right back before whipping in a brilliant ball into the heart of the area where Danny Welbeck was on hand to brilliantly head home for his first goal of the season.
Friedel who could do nothing about the goal, was in action moments later. After doing well to tip a Rooney free-kick wide at his near post, he denied Welbeck first from close range after failing to hang onto a low Ashley Young cross and then from an over-head kick produced by the 20 year old.
Redknapp becoming increasingly alarmed by the ease that United were controlling the ball, made changes and brought on Romain Pavluychenko and Tom Huddlestone in order to try and add abit more bite and power to his team
Neither were allowed the chance to make their mark on the game as 2 minutes after coming on, United doubled their lead with a goal inspired and created by young-blood that was simply a joy to behold.
Collecting a corner into the box De Gea instantly threw the ball to Young who ran the best part of 30 yards before giving the ball to Rooney who picked out Anderson. With Spurs unable to cope Anderson played in Welbeck who cheekily back-heeled the ball back into the Brazilian’s path who fired the ball home with ease to round of a wonderful team move.
Moments later Spurs almost reduced the lead, when De Gea failed to gather an Aaron Lennon cross. The ball fell to Defoe but from a tight angle he could only power the ball onto the post and United were able to clear the ball.
United’s final goal came 3 minutes from time when Anderson picked out substitute Ryan Giggs in the area whose delicate cross into the box was comfortably headed home by Rooney, who comically moments earlier had fired over from close range following a low Nani cross into the area.
United: De Gea, Evra, Jones, Evans, Smalling, Nani, Anderson, Cleverley (Giggs), Young (Park), Rooney, Welbeck (Hernandez).
Star Man
It’s hard to disagree with the man who the Sky Sports viewers last night voted as their man of the match. Welbeck improved as the game wore on and after getting his goal, looked a constant menace up front. His hold-up play was excellent and his back-heel for Anderson’s goal was simply out of this world. He deserved his standing ovation when being substituted last night and he will only get better if given the time and confidence to do so.
By Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87
