Manchester United were on a three-game streak without victory in the Lillywhite part of western London, featuring a line-up without essential key players like De Gea, Vidic, Ferdinand, Cleverley, and Chicharito among others, but still battered a rather tame Fulham side to pieces, ending in a 5-0 scoreline. Here are what we learnt after one of this season's highlight matches:
by @Nicopoleides
1) It's possible to combine The United Way and three points
Okay, this Fulham side isn't Real Madrid despite a similiar shirt colour, and weaker than Roy Hodgson's Fulham which graced the bank of River Thames some years ago, but United have struggle against worse sides as well. In this game we played the United way from start to end apart from a period in the second half, and proved that success by entertainment is still possible, just like back in the days. Hopefully this will make Mr. Ferguson will try to win more games this way, with offensive-minded tactics. I know we can't play like this 38 games a league season, but we should try as many times as possible.
2) We can play entertaining in a fluid style of football without Tom Cleverley
The kick-start of the 2011/12 campaign included a 'Gung-hu', all-out attack Man United side to throw every man possible into attack with scoring as the seemingly only objective, and our starlet Tom Cleverley got a lot of credit due to this tactics' success. Then Cleveley was left out with an injury, and many supporters, partly myself as well, have blamed the lack of entertainment in recent months on the absence of the young Englishman. Now we have proved it's actually possible to batter opposition sides without the 22-year-old as well, which could be a key strength, as the so-called 'Squeaky bum-time' approaches game by game.
3) We have two quality goalkeepers
Despite David De Gea had a shaky start against Manchester City and West Bromwich, the Spaniard has been one of United's best players and most consistent performers this autumn. And when De Gea is on the bench or elsewhere, Anders Lindegaard has proved that he's also United quality, with just one conceded goal in the Champions League and none in the Premier League. (Yes, something of an unfair comparison, as the Dane has played fewer games, I'm aware), and the abilities and leadership he showed on the pitch in this game are absolutely top class! Additionally it's nice to see his improval of distribution.
4) Danny Welbeck is better in the build-up play
After the start of the calendar year 2011 Javier Hernández has seemingly been Mr. Ferguson's first choice up-front to partner Wayne Rooney, but that preference was subject to change when the mancunian 21-year old Daniel Nii Tackie Mensah Welbeck returned from his loan spell at Sunderland. In my opinion this is a clever move by the old Scot in charge, as Welbeck is better in the build-up play, with more abilities to create something for others (and himself) while being on the ball outside the box. As United are the dominating side in most games, I think it's essential to have as many players as possible able to handle the ball both in terms of keeping possession and creativity, and Welbeck has, both earlier in the campaign and against Fulham, proven that he's got more of these skills, making him an overall better player. Additionally, he can score tap-ins after clever movement (or horrible, ball-watching movement by Senderos....) in the box as well!
5) Maybe more Berba impact as a sub?
The Bulgarian has traditionally been a striker in need of controlling the game to make some impact, by his flair, skill and vision, but over the previous 18 months Dimitar may have added a key ability to his game. The first sign of this came in August 2010 against Chelsea in the Community Shield, then in a narrow 1-0 victory against Bolton Wanderers in March, and most recently now against Fulham. What's in common of the three appearances? Berbatov has scored when brought on as a substitute, something he hadn't done before the neat chip against Chelsea. With a little more time on the pitch, maybe there's a role as a super-sub for Berbatov at Old Trafford?
6) Jones the wanted warrior?
The Prawn Sandwich Brigade have on several occasions claimed that this United squad is missing a captain, leader and warrior. Nemanja Vidic is always putting in a hundred percent effort, but I personally feel that he comes a bit short in terms of leading by example. Players like John Terry and Steven Gerrard are able to make impact on their fellow teammates simply by presence added onto 'leading by example'-mentality, and Roy Keane was like that as well. I don't feel Vidic has got that aura and charisma, Phil Jones might be the player we're lookig for. After getting a serious knock from Clint Dempsey within just one minute of play, the England starlet kept on playing and showed an impressive fighting spirit through his refusal to be subbed off. Later on it was east to see his condition was more suited for a hospital than a football pitch, due to his lack of concentration (mistimed an aerial ball in the sequence before his final and heroic tackle) and seemingly dizzy behaviour. Okay, the right choice might have been to leave the pitch after one minute, but his willingness to fight is nothing short of admirable.
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