One Door Closes and Another Opens: Manchester United 3 - Hull City 1 -- Game Recap and Player Ratings

photo by bere	via PhotoRee

 

 

On an evening in which time was called on the Manchester United career of club captain Nemanja Vidic -- and potentially on that of player-manager Ryan Giggs, as well -- youth was served in the form of striker James Wilson, who bagged a brace in his senior level debut to lead the home side to a 3-1 victory over Hull City.  After the game the crowd said an emotional goodbye to their widely-admired captain, and witnessed manager Giggs' request for the fans to continue supporting the club during the inevitable re-building that will follow at season's end. 

 

If the game marked the end of an era, the atmosphere at Old Trafford was strangely subdued for much for the evening, as if the crowd were contemplating the many changes to come and thinking back fondly on the magical memories shared with the players on the pitch.  David De Gea made a fine save to preserve his side's slim lead before the game was truly ended by Robin Van Persie's strike -- with the assist coming from none other than late-game substitute Giggs.

 

Herewith we look back at the individual player ratings from another special night at Old Trafford:  

 

De Gea: Would've needed some No-Doze before the half, but looked as if  any effects had worn off by the time Fryatt unloaded to pull back a goal.  Showed great reflexes to save the victory with twelve minutes left and the game still in the balance. 7.5

Valencia: Serviceable, at best. 5.5

Jones: Another dim-witted challenge saw him end up on the training table. 5.0

Smalling: A couple of nice clearances and interceptions after the half. 6.5

Büttner: Nearly stranded his 'keeper with a very poor header. 5.5

Carrick (c): A fairly invisible performance, if we're honest. 5.0

Fellaini: Two headers in one half, with the latter accounting for the Belgian's first assist of the campaign. Should've scored after the break but saw Wilson put in his rebound.  Performance got worse as the evening drew on. 6.0

Kagawa: Misplayed passes were a specialty of his evening. 6.5

Januzaj: Denied a clear penalty only minutes into the contest and was unafraid to run directly at defenders. Looked electric at times with his play, especially in the second half. 8.5

Christmas Cracker: Manchester United 3 - Hull City 2 -- Game Recap and Player Ratings

photo by Lauren Close	via PhotoRee

Manchester United scored as many goals as all of the KC Stadium's visitors combined this season, spotting the home side an early two goal lead before storming back to claim a much needed 3-2 victory over the Hull City Tigers on Boxing Day.  Wayne Rooney added yet another assist in a season full of them and a stunning goal from free play to his stellar campaign, while Chris Smalling and an own goal gift from the home side proved just enough to overcome a wobbly start by the Reds.   

An early injury to Rafael necessitated that David Moyes show his hand early on in the action, and the United Manager's attacking intent became crystal clear as Adnan Januzaj entered the contest from the bench in the 18th minute.  Despite being down a pair of goals due to hesitant defensive work, the team's faith in the ultimate outcome was never in doubt, as Rooney put on a virtual one man show to haul his side back level less than 14 minutes after conceding the Tiger's second goal.  Although the offense was not quite as free-flowing after the break, there was always the sense that a late winner would claim the vital victory for the visitors, and the team's industrious effort was rewarded when James Chester's own goal completed the Red Devils' fightback.  

There was still  bit of work to be done to preserve the victory, though, as a late Antonio Valencia red card required United goalkeeper David De Gea to come up big in stoppage time to claim the three points.  Herewith, the individual player ratings on a victory that saw the visitors move up another notch in the table, and within 8 points of the top spot:

De Gea: Little to do in the first 45 other than pick the ball out of his net twice. Alert when required after the break, denying Hull in stoppage time to hang onto the victory. 7.0

Rafael: Hooked early due to a groin strain. 5.0

Smalling: Made no mistake with a free header for his side's first goal of the afternoon. 7.0

Evans: An own goal wasn't quite the gift he had in mind for Boxing Day. 6.0

Evra (c): Relatively quiet day at the office. 6.0

Valencia: Lost his marker on Hull's corner kick goal in the first five minutes. Filled in admirably at right back -- right until an unnecessary red card almost cost his side two points. 5.5

Cleverley: Still lacks a cutting edge. 6.0

My Bottom (tee hee!!) and the Top Four

Another Day, Another Cable Car for Correspondent Ed
photo by deeleea	via PhotoRee

 

Ed took some time off from mapping San Francisco's cable car system to file this report:

 

 

It's so painfully annoying when FoF picks the favorites to win each season, and then congratulates himself when they go on to do so.  Well, here's to going out on a limb, beginning with the Relegation Zone.

 

20.  Hull City Tigers.  These guys never stay up.  Plus I think Steve Bruce has a proven track record of mediocrity. 

 

19.  Norwich.  I think the efforts of the last coach will wear off and leave them with the less than inspiring methods of the new. 

 

18.  Cardiff City.  They will make it happen for most of the year but their luck will run out in the end despite the hard work of Frazer Campbell.

 

17.  Crystal Palace.  Will they really survive?  Well, here's hoping Ian Holloway can pull it off.  Marouanne Chamahk?  Well, Ian even made Charlie Adam into an all BPL player, so why not?

 

And now the Top Four:

 

1.  Chelsea.  I hate to agree with FoF, but the Special One knows how to win leagues.  I expect less in Europe, though, unless they get a real striker.