Strikers come to the fore, as Berbatov gets off the mark helping United cruise to 3-0 win in Denmark, while Adeabayor and Van Persie share the goals in a 4-0 win at the Emirates.
Here’s the notes for Tuesday’s Champions League action..
Arsenal 4 Porto 0
Despite threatening to make changes to his lineup, Wenger made just one – bringing in the fit-again Nasri for Eboue on the left. Walcott and Denilson kept their places then, while Adeabyor and Van Persie started up front.
The front pairing shared the goals. Van Persie calming the early nerves with a 31st minute effort from an Adebayor assist. The roles then reversed for the second, Van Persie providing the corner which was headed home by Adeabyor. Van Persie added a third before half-time, then Adebayor converted a penalty after sub Bendtner was brought down in the box.
Walcott had another decent game – taunting the Porto defence with a typically fleet-footed performance. Fabregas also had a good night but, significantly, was once again without an assist, despite the scoreline. Indeed, it’s worth noting that of 24 efforts on goal by the Gunners, the Spaniard manage just two shots.
Nasri demonstrated his willingness to get forward and should have scored after some blistering work from Walcott. Again, the likes of Nasri and Denilson -both so intent on getting ahead of the strikers, is threatening to push Fabregas into a deeper, probing role.
I can see the changes that Wenger talked of on Monday, arriving for the weekend trip to Sunderland. Wenger’s comments that his side lack defensive height across the team, is a far more relevant arugment in the Premiership than it is in the Champions League.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bendtner start up front for Van Persie, despite his goals tonight. I’d also expect Eboue to earn a recall for either Nasri or Walcott. We could also see Denilson rested if Song recovers from his hip injury.
Lineup
Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Walcott (Vela 71), Fabregas, Denilson, Nasri (Eboue 64), Van Persie (Bendtner 64), Adebayor.
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Ramsey, Silvestre, Djourou.
AaB Aalborg 0 Man Utd 3
Ferguson’s lineup saw five changes to the side that took the field against Bolton. In came Scholes, Nani, O’Shea and Rooney with Anderson, Park, Tevez and Fletcher making way. The most interesting lineup change saw 18-year-old Rafael preferred to Wes Brown at right back. I’m not entirely sure what Brown has done wrong, but with Neville seemingly ahead of him for Premiership starts, it was a real surprise to see Brown on the bench in this one.
A strong performance from United with Berbatov grabbing the all the attention with his first couple of goals for the club. This will no doubt see some renewed fantasy interest in the striker, although with all the transfer focus currently on Ronaldo, I think he’ll need some Premiership goals before we see interest really accelerate.
Scholes picked up a nasty injury early on. He has reportedly suffered knee ligament damage and although scans are expected tomorrow, already there is talk of a two month absence.
His replacement on 16 minutes, Ryan Giggs, provided the assist for the opening goal. Berbatov’s first early in the second half, was gifted by some awful defending by the Danish side. Ronaldo then crossed to earn the assist for Berbatov’s second.
I’d expect more changes in the United lineup for the weekend trip to Blackburn. Scholes is absent of course, and with Hargreaves and Carrick also out, Ferguson seems set to turn to Anderson and Fletcher to man his central midfield. Giggs is another option though, with Ferguson confirming last week that he saw central midfield as his new position. I’d also expect to see Park back in action at Rovers, with Nani the favourite to drop out here.
In defence meanwhile, Neville is expected to recover from a minor injury to be in contention. Tevez would be favourite to start up front, probably for Rooney who was also in the wars tonight. Berbatov has now started three consecutive games and is looking pretty much untouchable, despite Ferguson’s claims that he would rotate his combination of attacking players.
Lineup
Van der Sar, Rafael, (Brown 66), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Scholes (Giggs 16), O’Shea, Nani, Berbatov, Rooney (Tevez 59).
Subs Not Used: Amos, Anderson, Park, Evans.
Injuries and Bans
Scholes suffered a knee injury – confirmed as knee ligament damage and will now face a lengthy spell on the sidelines. More on that later. Rooney also picked up a knock to his ankle and was eventually subbed just before the hour mark. He is due to be assessed tomorrow. Rafael also picked up an injury and was replaced.