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
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