Midfield marksmen guide United to victory

Some games appear scripted for the strikers. This was one such, providing a trio of protagonists with interweaving tales. There was Wayne Rooney, Everton's teenage prodigy turned Manchester United's talisman; Michael Owen, the boyhood Evertonian alongside a Scouser in the champions' forward line; and Louis Saha, a byword for unfortunate injuries at Old Trafford, but a man who has outscored both Owen and the missing Dimitar Berbatov after being rehabilitated on Merseyside.

Yet, in a welcome development for Manchester United, all three were overshadowed by more irregular scorers. "Everyone was talking about the lack of goals from midfield," said Sir Alex Ferguson after the game. The conversations can continue, but the subject can change to the calibre of the finishes after Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia scored. The men in the middle determined the game with Ryan Giggs and the substitute Paul Scholes each creating a goal. As a result, the reliance on Rooney, even if only temporarily, was eased and the memories of Cristiano Ronaldo, perhaps, were tinged with rather less nostalgia.

He averaged 30 goals a season in his last three years in Manchester, even if some were spot kicks and quite a few came when he operated in attack rather than on the flank. Yet, as this season is proving, goalscoring has to be a team effort. There were times when Ronaldo's magnificent megalomania obscured that, when everything was about him and when he struck so frequently it scarcely mattered that others barely contributed.

Now it is an issue. Unflattering comparisons could have been drawn with both Chelsea, where Frank Lampard invariably musters 20 goals a season from the centre of the pitch, and Arsenal, where Cesc Fabregas threatens to do likewise. Even, perhaps, with Liverpool, where Dirk Kuyt and Yossi Benayoun offer the potential to reach double figures from the flanks.

If none of United's myriad of midfielders are as prolific, there are indications that a settled unit are beginning to produce a return in front of goal. Earlier in the campaign, Ferguson's policy of permanent rotation produced an entirely different midfield for the matches against Burnley and then Wigan. Each of his preferred quartet today started at Chelsea, and three of them found a finish against Everton.

Fletcher's was first and finest. United had been enterprising, but failed to penetrate until Valencia displayed the awareness to head Patrice Evra's cross towards the Scot. His stunning volley flew into the top corner. "Unbelievable," said Evra. "A quality finish," added Ferguson. "It was a goal you wouldn't expect him to score."

Recognition outside Old Trafford is no longer elusive. Fletcher is arguably the Premier League's most improved player over the last 15 months. Ferguson added: "You see his performance level each year for the last few years has gone up and up. He is extraordinary like that."

Carrick's form this season has been rather more ordinary. There is a sense, however, that such a talented technician should be on the scoresheet more often. His second of the season was placed beyond Tim Howard after Giggs' perceptive pass.

Valencia had arrived at Old Trafford with an unenviable scoring record at Wigan, where he struck seven times in three years. A fourth of the current campaign followed Scholes' pass, requiring a deflection off Leighton Baines but justifying United's pre-match instructions. "We have been saying to him to shoot because he has power in his shooting," Ferguson explained.

Rooney had clipped the crossbar against his former employers during a spell when Everton threatened an equaliser. The offside Marouane Fellaini had a goal chalked off, Tim Cahill was denied by Edwin van der Sar and Yakubu shot narrowly wide. David Moyes' half-time reshuffle, when he introduced the Nigerian and moved to a two-man attack, almost succeeded.

Instead Everton were condemned to defeat for the fifth time in seven matches. Injury-ravaged as they are, they have become unaccustomed to such bleak times. A depleted side prospered last season, helped in no small measure by the efforts of their goalscoring midfielders. They are, as United can testify, useful players to possess.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Darren Fletcher - "A great player," according to Evra. Such a statement would once have invited ridicule. Now, plenty would concur. Besides a glorious goal and an all-action display in midfield, Fletcher finished the game at right-back where he was competent.

MANCHESTER UNITED VERDICT: This was their biggest home win of the season and perhaps their most convincing, but nervy moments have become a feature of matches at Old Trafford. There were plenty in Everton's revival after the interval but the impressive Evra and the returning Nemanja Vidic helped keep a clean sheet. In attack, Owen couldn't quite make the most of the opportunity Berbatov's absence afforded him.

EVERTON VERDICT: Moyes' injury problems never seem to abate. As Ferguson noted in his column in the programme, that accounts for their position in the lower half of the table. Yet Everton displayed spirit, first in their defending and then in their search for a leveller. With Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea coming up, they will need to be similarly determined again.

RUGBY FOR RAFAEL: The oval-ball game probably doesn't have a huge following in Brazil, but it does seem to include the Da Silva twins. Fabio attempted a rugby tackle against Wolves two months ago and now Rafael, in a bid to halt Tim Cahill, emulated his brother.

Obertan eyes regular place, Nani have to begin!!

Manchester United's £3 million summer signing Gabriel Obertan has given himself a year to become an Old Trafford regular and it could be at the expense of Portuguese flop Nani.

The France Under-21 joined United from Ligue 1 club Bordeaux on the recommendation of former Red Devil and current les Girondins coach Laurent Blanc but knee surgery sidelined the winger soon after he arrived in England.

After almost four months out injured, Obertan finally made his debut in the Carling Cup victory at Barnsley last month and has since gone on to make two more appearances for Sir Alex Ferguson's men - both as a substitute.

The Manchester Evening News report that Obertan's progress is already putting Nani's future at United in doubt and the Frenchman is eager to force his way into manager Sir Alex Ferguson's starting line-up on a regular basis.

"I wanted to feel part of the squad and be involved in the games, so I am feeling really good right now," said the 20-year-old. "At first I just want to be part of the squad, be in the group that travels to all the games, and get a few minutes on the pitch.

"But I have ambition. If I keep working hard and show what I can do, why not aim to be a regular in the team? I might need a year to achieve that, but I hope I can do it."

Portuguese international Nani has struggled to establish himself at United since his £18 million move from Sporting Lisbon in 2007 and now Obertan aims to leapfrog the winger in the pecking order.

Manchester United Debate: Where Now For Wounded United?

The lessons learnt from the Chelsea clash should shape the rest of the season...

As the dust settles after another damaging setback for Manchester United, the challenge is on to pick up the pieces and push forward.




The bitter pill of outplaying Chelsea on their own patch and coming home empty handed is a hard one to swallow. Sir Alex Ferguson is an expert at pulling his troops through the tough times and his revitalising skills will have to be at their sharpest once again.

No matter the result, United are still right in the race for the Premier League title. The lessons learnt from yesterday’s loss could prove critical in nudging them ahead by the time May comes along.



Ginger Meastro plays his last tune

Time's up | Scholes' has been usurped

Paul Scholes’ place in the pantheon of United greats is already set in stone, but another run out in a top of the table clash is beyond his reach.




Time catches up with everyone and the sharpness of mind remains, but his legs can no longer keep up. United’s dynamism was their greatest weapon in London but its absence was the architect of their downfall in Merseyside.



Scholes cannot compete against the bulldogs guarding the patches of the ‘Big Four,’ but Darren Fletcher, Owen Hargreaves and Anderson can bare their teeth at the best of them.



Two up top no more against ‘Big Four’



Bullied at Anfield but dominant at Stamford Bridge, the difference was in the detail for United. A flimsy 4-4-2 was replaced by a solid 4-5-1, and the result was a display rarely seen in the last year.



No matter the twin talents of Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney, too much is sacrificed against the Premier League elite with both utilised as centre forwards. A central midfield over-run when reduced to a pairing found its lungs as a triumvirate.



Control is key in the top-end clashes and this proved much harder to attain in the previous guise. With Hargreaves set to return in the coming days, United will now be able to punch their weight in the midfield battleground.



Fletcher earns his stripes

Braveheart | Fletcher is United's talisman

As the old guard makes way for the new, Darren Fletcher’s position as the standard bearer should be rewarded with the captain’s armband.



The Scot fought for every inch of the Stamford Bridge turf and deserved recognition as the man of the match honours were handed out. Such a performance didn’t deserve to end in defeat and he almost dragged his team-mates along with him to claim a share of the spoils.



Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney have long been considered as the heirs to Gary Neville’s throne, but United’s miracle man's transformation from pariah to platoon leader has seen him move to the front of the line.



Nani Ober-taken



In little over 30 minutes of football, Gabriel Obertan has exhibited he has the credentials to overtake Nani in the fight for the left-wing spot.



The former Bordeaux man excelled again in his cameo performance yesterday, adding flair and a final ball to the United push for parity. An understanding has already been formed with countryman Patrice Evra, and this pair has added another weapon to Ferguson’s armoury.



Nani’s infuriatingly inconsistent output stands as a stark contrast. It’s still early days, but the successor for Ryan Giggs could finally have been found.



Evans in ascendancy

Proven performer | Evans is ready to face the best

Karate kick aside, Jonny Evans didn’t put a foot wrong against Chelsea. Any doubts existing after a shaky performance against CSKA Moscow were answered in emphatic fashion.



The Blues’ deadly duo of Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba held no fear for him as he defiantly kept out the home side for 76 minutes.



Centre-backs are a combative bunch and Evans’ boldness as the game drifted away fired up his team-mates and supporters. With Ferdinand caught in a spiral of never-ending injuries, the Ulsterman proved he is the man to step in to the fray.



Matt Monaghan, Goal.com UK

Ferguson to escape action for ref comments

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Fergusonwill not face any action from the Football Association for comments he made about referee Martin Atkinson following his side's 1-0 defeat to Chelsea.

Ferguson condemned the decision to award the free-kick that led to the goal as "absolutely ridiculous'' and said he is losing his faith in refereeing.

It is understood however the FA are not planning to take any action against the United manager as he did not question the referee's integrity or claim there was any bias.

Atkinson awarded a free-kick for Darren Fletcher's challenge on Ashley Cole and Wes Brown appeared to be impeded as Frank Lampard's delivery was turned into the net by John Terry.

Ferguson said afterwards: "Clearly, Darren Fletcher's won the ball - Ashley Cole's never touched and has jumped up in the air - and then [Didier] Drogba's pulled Brown to the ground for the goal.

"The referee's position to make the decision was absolutely ridiculous - he can't see anything. He's got a Chelsea player [Joe Cole] standing right in front of him - and he doesn't even move.

"It was a bad decision, but there's nothing we can do about it. You lose faith in refereeing sometimes, that's the way the players are talking in there - it was a bad one.''

Atkinson has suffered criticism from Ferguson before; the United boss branded him a "disgrace" after he awarded Portsmouth a penalty that proved to be their winner in United's FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Old Trafford in March 2008.

Sir Alex also declared after that game that Atkinson's performance "should not be accepted in our game" and then rounded on referees' chief Keith Hackett for "not doing his job properly".

Ferguson was charged with improper conduct but was cleared after the FA decided they could not appeal against the independent Regulatory Commission, which found that the charges levelled against him could not be proven.