Manchester United awoke from their collective slumber last night to remind the fans how good it can be. Speaking to a Manchester United fan after the game he talked about how strange it was to be cheering again and that he had almost forgotten how to celebrate!
The were some excellent performances, not least from the timeless magician that is Ryan Giggs. Wayne Rooney was superb and RvP once more clinical. We also thought that Patrice Evra and Antonio Valencia deserve real credit.
But one player who seemed to transform the whole vibe of the team was Danny Welbeck. He put in an unbelievable shift last night to remind Manchester United fans that there is much more depth in this squad than some give it credit for.
With Juan Mata and RvP coming in in the last two seasons Welbeck has found game time hard to come by. But, the Manchester born lad rarely let’s you down.
Last night, he did what Manchester United have failed to do all season – namely to get in behind the opposition defence. It’s incredible how rarely that has happened in this campaign as Manchester United players all seem to want the ball to feet and are happy to play in front of the opposition defence. Even with the addition of Mata they haven’t been able to unlock defences.
But with the pace, power and running ability of Danny Welbeck Manchester United were transformed. Right from the off Welbeck was making runs behind the defence which encouraged players like Ryan Giggs to make those forward passes. It turned a pedestrian team into one with teeth again.
You have to say that, on this form, Welbeck is pretty much undroppable. Whether he plays on the left, in place of Adnan Januzaj, or replaces Valencia on the right, he gives Manchester United the pace that it otherwise lacks. If fit, he is a nailed on starter for the next round.
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