Chicharito embodies the strength of United’s squad
So Chelsea edged past Manchester United last night to gain a modicum of revenge for their home defeat to the same club, if not the same eleven, in The Premier League on Sunday.
And team selection merits a mention here because, while Chelsea just about got through this fantastic tie by bringing on some of their best players as substitutes, Manchester United looked like the better team for much of the evening with a second string side that was almost unrecognisable from Sunday.
And this is probably the main difference between the clubs right now. The only Manchester United starter last night, who could argue that he’s a nailed on first eleven player, was young right back Rafael. Apart from the Brazilian it was a completely different United team from Sunday’s spectacular league encounter.
Despite the defeat, Manchester United demonstrated the true power of their current squad. This was United’s second XI but it included Mexico and England international strikers, the Scotland captain, the most capped Manchester United player ever and a Brazilian and Portuguese duo who cost a combined £45m plus. Scholes, RVP, Rooney, Valencia, Vidic, Kagawa, Evra, Ferdinand, Carrick, Cleverley and Young all sat it out.
Chelsea, by contrast, included Petr Cech, David Luiz, Gary Cahill, John Obi Mikel and star man Juan Mata, but still struggled against a more clinical opponent until they introduced three more of their main men in Hazard, Oscar and Ramires. Even with these additions Chelsea only equalised with the last kick of the 90.
There is little doubt that the Chelsea’s starting XI from Sunday would have given this Manchester United team more serious problems. But it is also clear that Manchester United, still without Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, have their strongest squad in years.
We think that this could be a decisive factor when it comes to the business end of the season. Chelsea will surely add in the winter window, particularly in the striking section, but they still won’t have the frightening strength and quality in numbers that Sir Alex Ferguson now has at his disposal.
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Ovans el-nino
Nov 1, 2012 at 9:31 am
No clattenburg,no man utd.
Aveshan
Nov 1, 2012 at 9:43 am
No Ambramovich – no Chelsea. Stupid ass
Aveshan
Nov 1, 2012 at 9:43 am
Was really impressed with the United side last night. Anderson was great, Nani was also quite good (aprt from him losing the ball that led to the equaliser in the final moments) Wotton and Keane are defintiely gonna be giving Jones and Smalling a tough time for selection in 2 to 3 years time. Didn’t think Welbeck played well, as well as Buttner but they still great young talents who are going to become superstars.If you look at the young side we put out compared to all the big money stars Chelsea had, and they barely scrapped a win this really bodes well for Manchester United. Now if only Ferguson would get a top quality defensive and attacking midfielder then we will become unstoppable.
Fergie is GOD
Nov 1, 2012 at 9:59 am
Deluded ABUs, chelski media, chelski. Our reserve/fringe team would of beat their 1st team if not for the ref coming to the rescue w 2 dodgie pens, we was the better side and didnt even play strongest team. We won fairly on sunday nomatter wat losers think but back to usual of being screwed last night v team fa/ref chelski. We can do treble whiles their only hope is tin pot. THE FUTURE IS MANUTD.
BajoNigeria
Nov 1, 2012 at 10:04 am
I’m still trying to imagine how 9-man Man utd against 11-man Chelsea would have looked like, even with Clattenburg. However, I must commend Mr Soccersweep for the article. U definitely know how 2 console urself.
Steve
Nov 1, 2012 at 10:33 am
With regards to the initial post regarding the quality of players that played last night.Look at the first team that played against Chelsea in the league.Degea non International,Rafael non International,Ferdinand non International,Evans plays for the mighty northern Ireland,Evra non International,Carrick ,Cleverly and Young are not good enough for any of the Europian International sides which will challenge for honours,Valencia is top class,Rooney has proved he is not International class over the last number of years and RVP is world class.For anyone to say Utd have a good squad is total rubbish and Europe again will tell us who is right.I have followed Utd since my first live game in 1965 and I think this side is very poor and badly coached.
harbey
Nov 1, 2012 at 10:48 am
Steve I believe you are on drugs before this post totally rubbish stat lwklm
henry
Nov 1, 2012 at 11:06 am
Man u cant win agst a good unless a man down. for e.g chelsea and liverpool.
Gubby Boy
Nov 1, 2012 at 11:40 am
Wow.. United used a second string team and almost won and you say that they can only win by having more players than the opposition? Seriously.. Do you even know United? I guess ABUs are just jealous that United are winning title that they can’t.