Abhranil Roy
It has been an extremely rare sight for Manchester United to decimate their opponents ever since Fergie left, so many of us were completely caught off guard when the team did exactly that against Stoke City at Old Trafford. The passing was quick and accurate, the defending resolute and the attack vibrant and multifaceted. Even the often criticised Juan Mata and Maroune Fellaini were very good, while Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney got on the scoresheet. While we hope this is a start of better things for us, here are 3 things we learnt from the game:
1. MARTIAL IS TOO GOOD FOR HIS AGE
Another game, another goal and another assist— That’s Anthony Martial for you. Right now the Frenchman has the world at his feet, and right now he doesn’t seem to stop impressing you everytime you see him play. Last night he not only finished off a brilliant counter attack with an exquisite curler, but also set up Rooney’s goal with a well timed run. We had criticised van Gaal previously for using the striker as a wide man, but he continues to dazzle us with his maturity and skill, and looks like he has gotten to play on the wings now.
2. ACADEMY LADS SHINING AGAIN
Jesse Lingard and Cameron Borthwick Jackson both had excellent games, and they even combined to score the opener. The latter put in a peach of a cross into the box, which the former had no problem in heading in. In a game in which the team utilised the full width of the pitch, the winger and the fullback both found great freedom to run up and down the pitch which was delightful to watch.
3. VAN GAAL SURVIVES
The Dutchman has been under great criticism of late, with media houses certain that he will be sacked very soon. However, it seems that he has lived to die another day. If this is the philosophy he was talking about, then we can’t wait to see more of it every week. However, given how its been one baby step forward and several giant step backwards for United under him, we will not count our chickens before they hatch.
