Thoughts on England vs Ecuador, Miami-style

 

Scott's detailed notes from yesterday's game:

 

Ensconced in the luxurious surroundings of a Farlieonfootie-sponsored skybox, after a staggering amount of libationary and gastronomical delights were savored at the somewhat misty tailgate party, the in-town staff members (poor Ed) viewed the proceedings below with the critical eye to which our loyal readers have become accustomed. Dodging my head from side to side in order to catch the action beyond my impossibly large Heineken can (all the craft beer was in the parking lot), I was witness to 90 minutes of English languidness and Ecuadorian effort which, ultimately, earned the South Americans a deserved draw against the sputtering Three Lions.  Despite controlling large parts of the game, including most of the first half, the Brits were unable to triumph.

 

Milner at right back (for a while anyway), Rooney wide to the left, Lambert up top and Gerrard and Sturridge nowhere in sight, English fans will hope that Roy Hodgson learned what he needed to from the experimental lineup and will adjust accordingly. The middle defensive pairing of Jones and Smalling could generously be described as shaky while neither Luke Shaw nor the aforementioned Milner were able to provide appropriate cover at critical times. Shaw, especially, seemed lackadaisical when a yellow shirt threatened the box. Tired?  Adjusting to the climate?  Let's hope so.

 

Rooney and Wilshire were just OK and, while Lampard did ooze calmness on the ball, his howitzer shots from distance were far more dramatic than they were effective.  Barkley, on the other hand, showed moments of creativity which largely contrasted the general play of the English.  I have a sneaking suspicion that he will be critical in deciding England’s fate later this month.

 

Another bright spot was the new Liverpool boy, Rickie Lambert.  What a week he is having!  First signing a contract with your boyhood club at the age of 32 and then scoring an excellent goal for your country.  I think he, too, will have much to offer if given the chance in Brazil.

Plane and Simples: Manchester United 4 - Aston Villa 1

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In a season which has veered from one disaster to another, Manchester United held off the impending doom and gloom surrounding the club for at least another few days, winning 4-1 at Old Trafford over a hapless Aston Villa side that did more damage to itself than was inflicted by the home side.  Despite the misleading final margin of victory, the performance was far from easy on the eyes, and typical of most under manager David Moyes this season: devoid of style and attacking flair for much of the match, and papering over the cracks of a sloppy defensive effort.  Still, a win is a win, and United at least head into the mid-week Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich without the customary hand-wringing and cringeworthy explanations of another puzzling performance.

Standouts on Saturday afternoon included Juan Mata, whose scruffy goal represented the first real return on the board's largest-ever investment, and Shinji Kagawa, who played the number 10 role as if it was tailor-made for him.  Wayne Rooney also offered a passionate performance for the Reds, scoring one goal from the run of play and another from the spot while leading the line.

Herewith, a look at our individual player ratings on a  game that should be seen as no more than it was: a home win over a poor team that missed some very easy chances.

De Gea: Screened by the wall on Westwood's free kick, and little enough to do after that. 7.0

Rafael: Gaining quite the collection of yellow cards this season; seemingly a red card waiting to happen every game.  Good thing Bayern is coming into town....  6.0

Jones: Filled in at right back after the break, but was fortunate that Benteke couldn't find his range when played onside.  6.0

Vidic: Fortunate not to give up a penalty.  6.0

Büttner: Yet another dire performance.  4.0

Fletcher: Efficient, but not the same player he used to be. 6.0

Fellaini: Being uncomfortable with the ball at your feet is not a good quality for a central midfielder.  5.5

Young: Just not good enough. 5.0

Comfortable: Manchester United 2 - West Ham United 0

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Manchester United rode two Wayne Rooney goals to victory over West Ham United in a game that meant little to either team, but did manage to keep United's momentum moving forward before the Manchester derby early next week.  The first Rooney strike, from nearly 50 yards out, easily recalled the exploits of the watching David Beckham, with the United forward spotting the West Ham 'keeper off his line before volleying home from near the center line.  The Englishman's second goal was a poacher's delight, Rooney the recipient of a poor clearance attempt and able to slot the ball into an open net after shuffling his feet to corral the errant pass.

Although it was true the Reds' offense looked more fluid today in a game that saw Rooney supported by both Juan Mata and Shinji Kagawa, the visitors were unable to capitalize on their lead after the break, flubbing several opportunities to widen their margin of victory on a day that saw no lack of quality goals in the League.  Herewith,  the individual player ratings on a relatively comfortable away win.  

De Gea: Needed to stop Carroll's early header and did so. A little indecisive on a late cross, but didn't have much else to do tonight. 7.5

Rafael: Early yellow and beaten by Downing; aways looks one rash decision away from a red card of late. Improved as the game wore on. 7.0

Jones: Outleaped by Carroll on occasion, but had help keeping the Hammers' big man in check. 7.5

Carrick: Great distribution from the back and a confident performance in defense from the midfielder.  7.5

Büttner: Did well enough filling in for Evra, although did not face the same kind of test he will endure in the Champions League.  7.0

Mata: Great touch, fluid movement and beautiful passing.  7.5

Waking Up the Echoes: Manchester United 3 - Olympiacos 0

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Playing as if suddenly awoken from a long slumber, and showing grit, passion and incisiveness for virtually the first time in this nightmarish season, Manchester United rebounded from a dour 2-0 first leg defeat to knock Greek side Olympiacos out of the Champions League on Wednesday night.  The 3-0 victory in front of the home fans revived the many European memories this storied club holds in its vaults, with tonight's circumstances and result most closely approximating United's famous comeback against Barcelona nearly 30 years ago. 

Led by a Robin Van Persie hat trick, and inspirational play from Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Antonio Valencia, the Red Devils' offense was not the only storyline to emerge from the pulsating encounter; rather, it was David De Gea's stunning work in between the posts that saved the team from disaster on several occasions, the Spaniard staking his legitimate claim to world's best with his performance -- a position he no doubt holds in the hearts of any true United supporter after yet another otherworldly outing.

 

Although the predictable reaction in the twitter-verse was to greet the evening's victory as "saving" the manager's job, and even more so as a game that could well represent a "turnaround" in United's quagmire of a season, instead the victory should be savored for what it truly was: a win for the home crowd, and a game that woke up the echoes reverberating throughout the stadium from the clubs' legendary European past.

 

Herewith, the individual player ratings on a rare night to be enjoyed from this season:

De Gea: Stunning, instinctive saves both before and after the break: a stone wall that kept his team alive.  Man of the Match: 9.5

Rafael: Confident, decent defensive performance tonight. 8.0

Jones: Solid at the back.  7.5

Ferdinand: Did just enough to put off Olympiacos.  7.5

Evra: Nearly scored on a header before the break, but caught out repeatedly on defense and became a bigger and bigger liability as the game wore on. 5.5

Valencia: Targeted early for physical treatment and hammered repeatedly. Played one-eyed for most of the contest, and put in one hell of a shift.  8.0

Showing The Way Forward: Manchester United 3 - West Bromwich Albion 0

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David Moyes rolled out perhaps his best starting lineup for his club's trip to The Hawthorns and was rewarded with a 3-0 victory on Saturday afternoon.  Although the final scoreline suggested a leisurely stroll in the park, the Red Devils did not pick up the game's pace until after the hour mark had passed.  With Danny Welbeck replacing a frustrated Robin van Persie, the visitors' attack picked up speed and momentum, as space opened on the pitch for the first time all afternoon.  Wayne Rooney and Welbeck both provided late scores to complement Phil Jones' header before the interval, but it was Rafael Da Silva, United's attacking right back, who showed his teammates the way forward all afternoon long.

Herewith, the individual player ratings for a game that will quiet the critics, at least for a week's time:   

De Gea: Little to do until late, resulting in another shutout. 7.0

Rafael: The return of some attacking panache: denied by a fine Ben Foster save but offered a well-aimed cross for Rooney to put the game on ice. A Man of the Match performance from the Brazilian. 8.5

Jones: Shaky beginning before heading home prior to the interval. Crunching tackles delivered with youthful exuberance. 7.0

Smalling: Displayed an unexpected ability to make up ground. 6.5

Evra: Beaten too easily. 6.0

Carrick: Solid outing; paired well with his Belgian counterpart.  6.5

Fellaini: Played a holding role and provided a target for set pieces. Displaying an increasing steadiness in his new role. 7.5

Mata: His talents are wasted on the wing, although he did contribute a fine defensive clearance. 7.0

If This is the Future, Give Me Back the Past: Manchester United 2 - Crystal Palace 0

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via PhotoRee

An uninspired victory may be better than an pulsating loss or draw, and the three points earned by Manchester United against Crystal Palace on Saturday will undoubtedly lift Mancunian spirits sagging from a depressing start to the 2014 football calendar.  If the football on display in the Red Devils' 2-0 victory at Selhurst Park is the future, however, it's difficult not to pine for the past of this glorious franchise, as the contest can charitably be described as being utterly devoid of quality football and true scoring opportunities.  Marouane Fellaini, newly restored to the lineup after a lengthy absence due to injury, missed the visitors' easiest chance of the afternoon, and the victory was only secured by Robin Van Persie steadiness from the spot and Wayne Rooney's quality in front of net.

Shown below are our thoughts on the individual player ratings on a match that was largely missing what the Red Devils offer in droves when they play their best football: entertainment.  

De Gea: Long periods of boredom punctuated by the need to display his alertness and cat-like reflexes. 6.5

Smalling: Offered very little going forward from the right. 5.5

Vidic: Denied by the bar but commanded the box well. 6.0

Ferdinand: Appeared steadier than in other recent appearances. 6.0

Evra: Won the penalty as the clock hit the hour mark and pulled back a brilliant cross for Wayne Rooney to seal the victory. 7.0

Fellaini: Ventured forward but failed to hit an open net from 12 yards out. Looked comically slow going forward. 4.5

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

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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

Yawner: Manchester United 3 - West Ham United 1 -- Game Recap and Player Ratings

Photo by Tambako the Jaguar on Flickr

Manchester United gained the first of twelve much needed points over the Christmas festive period, dispatching a listless West Ham United squad 3-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday.  So complete was the Reds' latest win that even Sir Alex Ferguson was yawning from his seat in the stands, as the game felt comfortably in hand from the 20 minute mark.  Danny Welbeck, Wayne Rooney and Adnan Januzaj proved more than the West Ham defense were capable of handling on offense, while the defense handed David De Gea a virtual vacation day bar a late mental lapse that prevented a fourth consecutive clean sheet in the League.

Herewith, the individual player ratings on a game that saw the team improve their home goals record by more than 30%:  

De Gea: Won't need his uniform laundered after the game, so little did he move. Shutout spoiled late on by poor positioning from substitute Alexander Büttner.  7.0

Rafael: Beautiful understanding and interplay with Valencia. 7.0

Evra (c): Stuck mainly to defending, ceding the left side attack on the day to Januzaj.  7.0

Evans: Sacrificed the body to protect his goal on numerous occasions and was denied at the other end by Mark Noble. 7.5

Smalling: Rock solid at the back. 7.5

Januzaj: His first half penalty shout may have been denied, but there was no stopping the Belgian starlet just a minute later for the home side's second goal of the afternoon. 8.0

Valencia: Upside: another industrious effort on the right flank. Downside: consistently inconsistent with his crossing. 7.0

Jones: Not afraid to drive forward when in possession and broke up play well. 7.0

Cleverley: Was nearly in the net after only a minute and kept the ball on the move all afternoon long. 7.0

Rebound: Manchester United 3 - Aston Villa 0 -- Game Recap and Player Ratings

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Manchester United rebounded from a four game winless streak in the League on Sunday afternoon, emerging from Villa Park with a comfortable 3-0 victory over the home side, the Red Devils first domestic win since November 10th against Arsenal.  Coming on a weekend in which the League leaders Arsenal dropped points against a rampant Manchester City side, the three points will go a long way toward putting some salve on a number of the self-inflicted wounds the side has suffered in recent weeks.  Danny Welbeck, Antonio Valencia and Wayne Rooney competed for Man of the Match honors, with the homegrown Mancunian forward just nipping his fellow stars to the favored status, the reward for two early first half goals which made the game look comfortably in the bag before the interval.

 

Although United looked more free-flowing at times today, the perfunctory performance will do little to strike fear in the hearts of the teams' competitors, and much more of the same will be required before the team can put its rocky recent past behind it.  Herewith, the individual payer ratings in a game that must have calmed some jumpy nerves for the visitors:  

 

 

De Gea: Was tested early by the home side but proved more than up to the task. Finally, a clean sheet. 7.5

Rafael: The Brazilian is capable of crossing the ball as well as anyone on the team.  His best effort in quite some time. 8.0

Evans: Pumped some long balls forward and looked comfortable at the back. 7.5

Jones: Stalwart in the middle of defense. 7.5

Evra: Still looks a bit suspect. 6.0

Valencia: Clearly an important part of the afternoon's game plan and was on target with a cross that led to the away side's second goal of the afternoon. Had a stormer from the right. 8.5

Giggs: Creative force in the middle of the park, waned as the game drew on. 6.5

Cleverley: Key interception began the counterattack that led to a two goal lead. And finally a goal for the Red Devils' third of the afternoon. Much better effort than "average" on both sides of the ball. 7.5

Unsatisfactory: Manchester United 2 - Tottenham Hotspur 2 -- Game Recap and Player Ratings

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The result was a draw when a win was needed: Manchester United dropped points yet again, this time against a gritty Tottenham Hotspur side at White Hart Lane on Sunday, drawing 2-2 in a tense, nervy contest. Although enticing viewing for the neutrals, both sets of supporters likely watched the contest through their fingers, hoping for the best but fearing the worst. As per custom this season, Wayne Rooney was the Red Devils' best player by a country mile, twice pulling his team level through sheer force and determination after Spurs had taken the lead.

The absence of Michael Carrick and Robin Van Persie continued to plague the visitors, who were outplayed in middle of the park by the home side and consequently unable to create much in the way of offense. Although United held more of the ball, it was Spurs who looked the likelier of the two sides to win the game in its waning moments, as United repeatedly gave away free kicks in dangerous areas.   Herewith the individual player ratings in a result that will be deeply unsatisfactory to both sides:

De Gea: A couple of strong saves in his 100th outing, but was unable to spot Walker's free kick until it was desperately late.  A mere spectator for Sandro's missile. 6.5

Smalling: Same old story: comfortable on defense but didn't contribute much on the other side of the ball. 6.5

Evans: His rash decision (and a great acting job) led to the free kick which put the Reds in an early hole. 6.0

Vidic: The Serb's 50/50 tackle began the play that led to Welbeck's penalty.  7.0

Evra (C): Attempted to play tight on Lennon but was burned on numerous occasions. 5.5

Jones: One of the wall jumpers: enough said on that front. Brilliant cross partially redeemed his day. 6.5

Cleverley: Wasteful in possession and seemingly unable to pass the ball forward more than once or twice per game. Couldn't keep up with  Sandro as Spurs pulled ahead. 4.5

Beatdown: Manchester United 5 - Bayer Leverkusen 0 -- Game Recap and Player Ratings

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Three days off a disappointing draw in the Premier League, Manchester United traveled to Germany Wednesday night and shook off all their problems -- at least temporarily -- with a 5-0 hammering of Bayer Leverkusen to generate their biggest away win ever in the Champions League competition.  Wayne Rooney turned in a dominating performance, playing a crucial part in four of his team's five goals, on what turned out to be a glorious evening for the English champions.  Ryan Giggs also had an exceptional night out, bringing insight and virtuoso skills to a central midfield that has been sorely lacking both qualities this season.

As if serving to remind viewers of their past glories, and with their former manager watching from the stands high above, the Red Devils swaggered their way through the BayArena, silencing the home crowd and leaving a devastated and demoralized Leverkusen side in their wake.  Herewith the individual player ratings from the Red Devils' most comprehensive victory of the young season:

De Gea: A virtual spectator in the first 45, and only marginally more involved after the interval. 7.0

Smalling: His pressure on the offensive side of the ball led to an own goal and an early 2-0 lead, and his tap volley emphasized the gap in quality between the two sides at 4-0. 7.5

Ferdinand: Beaten much too easily by Stefan Kiessling on two occasions. 6.5

Evans: Crucial challenge to deny Kiessling and keep the home side off the board in the first half. Was rewarded for his efforts with a second half tap in for the third goal. 8.0

Evra (C): A big part of his side's early offense on the break. His header led to his defensive partners' second half goal. 7.0

Giggs: A playmaker in the middle who looked full of invention tonight, crystallized in the moment he picked out Nani for the evening's final tally.  Looked years younger than 40 tonight. 8.5

Jones: Did his job and broke up play well; never let Leverkusen get up a head of steam. Almost added a fifth goal near the end of the contest. 7.0

Donation: Manchester United 2 - Cardiff City 2 -- Game Recap and Player Ratings

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David Moyes' side may be unbeaten in ten, but the talk on the ride home from Wales was likely less about extending the streak than it was about donating two points in the 90th minute to a gritty Cardiff City side in a game played at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday.  Kim Bo-Kyung popped up late to equalize the scoreline at two in a game that never quite got going -- both teams combining for a disjointed, stuttering attack.  While certain of the visitors' problems can be laid at the doorstep of injuries, with medical issues necessitating a number of changes to the lineup in key areas, the Red Devils' Manager will be increasingly worried that the substitutes he recalled to action largely failed to perform.  

United put in an uneven and shaky performance without several marquee names in the lineup, particularly in the contest's second half.  Still, the visitors largely kept the home side at bay in the final frame, and could easily have emerged with all three points intact: Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney both misplaying gilt-edged opportunities late in the action.  Herewith the ratings of the players' individual performances in a loss that will smart at least until next weekend: 

De Gea: Busy early and might have done better on Campbell's goal. Good distribution from the back. 6.0

Smalling: Still looks a fish out of water offensively but was powerful in the air. Can't blame anyone but himself for the 90th minute free kick that led to the loss of two points. 5.5

Ferdinand: Showed his experience and positioned himself well throughout. 6.5

Evans: Beaten for pace by former Red Devil Frazier Campbell on the first half equalizer. 6.5

Evra: Kept the peace and linked up well with Januzaj. Well-taken unmarked header to re-establish the lead just before the half. Disappointingly flat footed on the late equalizer. 6.0

Valencia: Demonstrated great anticipation on the interception that led to his side's opening strike. 6.0

Fellaini: Paid the price for his reputation, as he was repeatedly called for fouls he didn't commit. Sat deep but came forward and should have done better on the corner kicks. Better today, but still little to write home about. 6.0

Cleverley: Was extremely lucky his giveaway didn't relinquish a 2-1 lead, and added a level of feistiness when the game called for calmer heads. 4.5

Chile Con Carnage: Footballing Thoughts on England and the USMNT

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Ed is not optimistic about Brazil:

Watching England battle Chile was sad at first.  They just don't seem to have the players.  Big guys with strong arms against small guys with quickness and footwork.  Not a fair fight.  Chile's players just seemed better at the sport, and ended up dominating in a 2 to 0 win that the English tabloids described as "Chile Con Carnage."  Even Wayne Rooney, who looked the most dangerous of England's players, seemed a distant second to Alexis Sanchez.  Sanchez had everything and reminded of a smaller but no less dangerous Sergio Aguero.  I've never seen much of Sanchez on Barcelona -- it always seems that Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta outshine him.  But perhaps it's more a question of there being only one ball, because even against Brazil last night he seemed the most dangerous and effective player on the pitch.

So is England really that bad?  No, but they're not that good, either. Ultimately, England doesn't have too many players that can just beat you with the ball in the final third.  While there are poachers and strikers that can beat you without -- Robert Lewandowski and Robin Van Persie come to mind -- those that can just run at players make an enormous difference.  See, for example, Luis Suarez, Aguero, and of course Messi.  England's best at this is the newcomer Andros Townsend.  And perhaps there's Theo Walcott, whose speed makes up for his lack of skill and allows him to get past defenders.

What about the USA?  Well, more of the same problem.  Sadly, I still think we are more or less a dumbed down version of England.  This isn't so bad and is much better than it used to be.  But in the game against Scotland the team really struggled with creativity in passing, and until Breck Shea and his ridiculous haircut came onto the field no one seemed dangerous or able to beat anyone.  A great coaching instructor commented that he believed that every country had a style of play, and for the USA it had to do with our conditioning.  Even at the very end of a long game against Angola game four years ago Landon Donovan was able to make a 70 yard run at full sprint and finish a goal.  But I'm not so sure of that.  I think we're still finding our style.  And I expect the US style to be something that contains a little bit of every other element, except our players are going to be bigger and faster than yours.

Flat Track Bullies Exposed? Manchester United 1 - Arsenal 0 -- Game Recap and Player Ratings

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Robin Van Persie's 28th minute header provided Manchester United with all the margin it needed as the home side rode the crowd's energy to a crucial 1-0 victory over league-leading Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.  Prior to the game the team's Captain, central defender Nemanja Vidic, had asked his teammates to produce a 'statement' victory, one that testified to the Club's title credentials in a season that has seen its share of ups and downs in the early going. Although he was badly shaken up in a collision with his own goalkeeper at the end of the first half, Vidic evidently received the performance he was looking for, as Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones in particular turned in inspired shifts on their way to victory. 

Although Arsenal looked lively and controlled much of the game's second half, the Red Devils successfully dulled the visitors' cutting edge, holding the Gunners scoreless for the first time this season.  Herewith, our ratings on the individual performances from a victory that saw the Reds gain ground on virtually all of their title rivals: 

De Gea: Nothing to do in the first half bar a punch or two. Busier in the second half but never truly threatened. 7.0

Smalling: Displaying good hustle and intensity on the right, the Englishman worked hard to stretch the Arsenal defense. Had a real chance to put Van Persie's free kick in the net but finished like the center half he is. 6.5

Evans: Read the game well and used his body to make a number of key blocks. 7.0

Vidic: Knocked nearly unconscious upon colliding with his own 'keeper after overseeing a very quiet first half. Departed at the interval. 7.0

Evra: Game plan involved lots of crossing from the left flank but the Frenchman needed to hustle back more on defense. 6.0

Valencia: Looked strong and committed in the air.  Worked his socks off but still lacks the ability to produce a consistently reliable cross. 6.0

Jones: Gritty performance in midfield but tried to do too much on the dribble. Clash of heads with Sczcesny produced an inexplicable yellow from the referee. Broke up play exceptionally well, and was badly missed in midfield when switched to center back. Beginning to come into his own? 8.5

Carrick: A calming presence in the middle, but was unable to dictate the game when Jones was moved back to defense. 6.0

Foot Off Pedal: Manchester United 3 - Fulham 1 -- Game Recap and Player Ratings

An early first half bombardment from the visitors led to a 3-1 victory for Manchester United over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday.  Although the Red Devils appeared good value for their lead during a blistering first half performance, three substitutions at the interval changed the side's chemistry as David Moyes' team took its collective foot off the gas pedal on the their way to a second consecutive victory in the League this season - another first under the new United manager.  The result was a victory that came with some of its sheen taken off, as Fulham fought their way back into the contest and could have scored on multiple occasions in the second half to cast doubt on the result.

The game was a tale of two halves, as Antonio Valencia, Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie all scored before the break.  Injuries and a desire to rest certain players before a tough mid-week trip to Spain altered the side's momentum, and Moyes will be pleased to have escaped with a two goal victory after a second half that saw his team outhustled and outplayed.  

Herewith the verdict on the individual player performances in a crucial victory that allowed the team to pick up some points on its rivals:   

De Gea: Tested and passed: did enough to deny Berbatov on two separate occasions. Beaten only by an own goal off the Rooney deflection. 7.0

Rafael: Good final touch to deny Berbatov when the score was 1-0 and the result was still in the balance. His injury could be a concern. 6.5

Evans: Rarely bothered before coming off at the half. 6.5

Vidic: At his imperious best today, and never afraid to lead with his head. 7.0

Evra: Made some nice runs, but didn't appear familiar with Januzaj playing in front of him. 6.5

Valencia: Side-footed tap in to start the game, the Ecuadorian looked in full beast mode early on. Dropped back to fill in for Rafael in the second half. 7.0

Jones: Skied his first shot, but worked diligently in the middle. Still looks a bit 'fish out of water' in midfield. 6.0

Cleverley: Sprung RVP to begin the play that led to the visitors' third of the afternoon before coming off at the break. 6.0

Januzaj: Beautiful pass to unleash RVP for the Red Devils' second, but didn't nearly impact the game in the same manner as past weeks. 6.0

Treasonous: Some Complaints About Events at Manchester United

Some thoughts after another disappointing weekend:

o We're getting a bit tired of being lectured by certain fans who believe only they know how "true" Manchester United fans should behave at the current moment. Who make it clear that if you disagree with their own viewpoint you should be dismissed as a "muppet," a "Johnny-Come-Lately," or -- worst of all -- a "plastic" fan for expressing your feelings. We've got news for you guys: it's a big world out there, and there's plenty of room for dissenting opinions. When someone doesn't agree with you it makes them neither a "moron, an "idiot," or worse; instead, the incessant hectoring of United fans who are expressing displeasure at the current time just shows one's own intolerance and incredibly egocentric worldview. 

o This is not a "Moyes Out" rant. We're all for giving the new guy more time. But just as we criticized Fergie when we thought he made mistakes, we'll feel as free as we like to offer complaints about the events over the last five months at Old Trafford. 

o The transfer window was a shambles. End of story.  There's no glossing over this fact. Whether this was due to the Glazers, Ed Woodward, or David Moyes is less clear. Certainly United's "all over the map" strategy reeked of indecision and naïveté. But we're less interested in assigning blame than we are in acknowledging the fact, as well as admitting that the destabilization of certain players and lack of adding a true world-class player or two is contibuting to the team's current woes. 

o Marouanne Fellaini is not who United needed. Sure, he's a decent player, but he's not world class by any stretch of the imagination, and he's not the answer partnering with Michael Carrick in midfield. He may want to play the role of the holding midfielder, but it's different to where he was played at Everton, and it's abundantly apparent after even a few games in the role that he lacks the requisite speed and gets beaten much too easily to play there long-term. Perhaps Moyes will find the right spot in which to deploy the Belgian, but it's going to require some shuffling of the current lineup to do so. 

o Personally, we're of the opinion that Fellaini is a squad player and nothing more -- and this year's midfield excels in squad players, unfortunately. Fellaini was added because Moyes felt "comfortable" with him. "Comfortable" was never a word used to describe Fergie's relationships with his players. 

Hangin' On: Manchester United 1 - Liverpool 0 -- Player Ratings

Manchester United outlasted a determined Liverpool side that gave as good as it got on Wednesday night, hanging on for a slim 1-0 victory in a third round Capitol One Cup match played at Old Trafford. Handed an early second half lead by a superb piece of footwork that saw Javjer Hernandez turn in Wayne Rooney's cross, United bent but ultimately did not break as the game wore on. Although the victory may not have answered all of the questions swirling around the club's new manager, David Moyes, a victory over the Red Devil's greatest historical rival will have relieved some of the immediate pressure which had built up after the Manchester derby. 

Herewith, our ratings of the players' individual performances in a very hard-fought contest:

De Gea: Came out strong to deny Suarez in the first half, but otherwise had precious little work to do before the break.  Superb distribution almost led to a United counterattack near the hour mark, and the Spaniard used every bit of his lightning quick reflexes to deny Victor Moses' second half header. 8.0

Rafael: Added an attacking element on the right flank that the Red Devils have been missing of late, but was forced to focus on defensive duties as Liverpool chased the game in the second half. 7.0

Evans: Trouble dealing with Daniel Sturridge's speed, a misjudged header and getting a couple of clearances caught in his feet showed the toll of accumulated rust.  Not bad, but far from his best. 6.0

Smalling: Very composed performance in his customary role of central defender. But for one giveaway, difficult to find fault. Man of the Match for our money. 8.5

Buttner: Good headed clearance to deny Sturridge in the first half and generally played better defense than given credit for by his critics. Late giveaways showed he's still learning on the job. 6.5

Nani: Showed more creativity in the first ten minutes of the game than United has seen from the wing all season long.  Flubbed a linkup with Kagawa near the hour mark, and appeared to be trying too hard in the second half. A mixed bag. 7.0