That Was Easy: Manchester United 2 - Stoke City 0

photo by NCinDC	via PhotoRee

It was Ben Amos to the front of the line last night for his Premier League debut, on an evening that ended up being much easier than first envisaged.  Greeted by the news of a David De Gea illness (I wonder if lack of confidence is catching? I believe it must be...) and an Anders Lindegaard knock, the United faitfhul were right to be slightly wary of facing a battle hardened Stoke City team at Old Trafford with only their third choice goaltender available for duty.  With the Potters currently lying eighth in the League table and playing a lineup with a decidedly attacking bent, the young 'keeper was given an assignment that few would relish, even for their inaugural League effort. 

But lo and behold, a strange thing happened on the way to a tough assignment: assisted on defense by veterans Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra, and complimented by youngsters Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling, Amos handled the few difficult chances he saw with considerable aplomb and self assurance, as United overcame a determined Stoke defense with a couple of efforts from the penalty spot, and saw out an easy 2-nil victory to remain bang on Manchester City's heels heading into a crucial three game period.

Ji-Sung Park, Dimitar Berbatov and Chicharito also made rare starting appearances for the Reds, as United sought to bounce back from the weekend defeat at Anfield.  Once again, though, it was veteran midfielder Paul Scholes who conducted the orchestra and drove the United attack in the early going.  Sitting deep in the middle and pulling the strings, Scholes controlled the tempo of the game, as United sought to patiently find weaknesses in Stoke's defense. The Potter's gameplan, on the other hand, became evident with Jonathan Walters' first long-range bomb: shoot early and often to test the unproven 'keeper. With Scholes' positioning allowing Michael Carrick to play further upfront than is customary, Stoke had few opportunities in the game's opening minutes to further apply their strategy.

The Reds' attack built into a flurry of forays in and around the box, as the home side controlled 75% of the ball in the game's first 10 minutes. Although United also controlled more of the ball over the next ten minutes, as well, their possession was more of the prodding and probing variety than the dangerous brand of football that this United side is capable of at its attacking best.  Once again, it was Antonio Valencia who created the most dangerous of the opportunities, as the core of the United flow ran through Scholes and the Ecuadorian, the former just wide of target with a hard-hit laser, and the latter darting in crosses from the right-hand flank.

After thirty minutes, though, Tony Pulis had to be satisfied with the effort of his men, as the game reached the half hour mark with the scoreline unscathed; although United were indeed controlling the action and bossing midfield, the paucity of real chances for the home side was bound to please the Stoke boss man.  Meanwhile, despite the attack-minded lineup they fielded, Stoke seemed to forget its initial instincts, as they sat behind the ball in an attempt to pull of what no club in 41 games had done at Old Trafford: shut out the home side.

Back on Track: Manchester United 3 - Aldershot Town 0

photo by tompagenet	via PhotoRee

Playing in a stadium just one-tenth the size of Old Trafford, Manchester United went back to basics last night in a fifth round Carling Cup contest against Coach Dean Holdsworth's Division Two Aldershot Town.

Herewith, a few thoughts from "the game after," as United eased their way to a relatively straightforward 3-0 victory against industrious opposition, and began the effort to salve the self-inflicted wounds administered during the stoppage time beatdown on Sunday:

o I loved the feel of the broadcast. With its extra tight angles and close-up sideline shots, the camera was practically on the pitch during the contest.  The broadcast had a totally different feel than a weekend Premier League encounter, and the feeling pervaded the entire watching experience.  It had the effect of making the action on dsiplay seem initmately familiar: sure, this might have been Manchester United on display, but this was the game we all know and love at its very core, and the action felt much closer to what the average football fan's experience is with the game than the hyped-up glamour that is big time British football.

o Dimitar Berbatov looked a man among boys last night, which in all fairness, he should have. After all, the Berbinator did lead a certain English League in scoring last season....  The Bulgarian scored the team's first goal last night, and should have bagged a second just a short while later, before he was mowed down in the box by an Aldershot defender. Berba looked geared up and primed for the game, all full of poetry and trickery, and was the undisputed leader of United's attack.  In fact, as if proving a point to his Coach, Berbatov also played defense last night, tracking back repeatedly -- not a trait for which he is especially well known -- and took over the ball in many a deep lying position as he drove the team forward.

o After being thoroughly dominated for the first 25 minutes, Aldershot worked their way back into the game and gave as good as they got for much of the latter stages of the first half. But once again it was Berbatov to the fore: with a deliciously simple side-footed dish to an onrushing Michael Owen, Berbatov set the table for a 2-nil United lead, and quickly and dramatically closed off any remaining "shot" the Aldertownians had at getting back into the game.