Wayne Rooney and Gareth Bale dominated last night’s headlines for very different reasons. While the spectre of Rooney’s future hung over Old Trafford and added “flavour” to the terraces courtesy of a some biting banners, Bale was busy building his reputation with a San Siro hat-trick that oozed quality.
Around the media circus, United did have a game to win and win they did courtesy of a fine Nani strike. Over in Milan meanwhile, Bale’s efforts went unrewarded as Harry Redknapp’s side slipped to a 4-3 defeat to holders Inter, after an opening period that saw them lose a goal a minute into the game, followed by keeper Heurelho Gomes to a red and two more quickfire strikes.
Life without Rooney began well for Alex Ferguson; Nani’s quality strike underlined the form that have the winger atop of our Midfielder Watchlist rankings (updated later today). Nani, revelling in the attacking limelight that he’s assumed in Rooney’s absence has duly promised to deliver more of the same…
“I’ve scored a few goals this season and I want to score more..I don’t want to set myself any targets. I don’t want to say anything about that – I just want to work hard and see how well I do by the end of the season.”
Nani’s ascent to a consistent and productive performer provides some solace for Ferguson in troubled times at Old Trafford. Despite the goal and the victory that puts United well in control of their group, there’s no doubting that last night’s showing was listless and unconvincing. Tony Pulis will have been watching on and will be buoyed by what he saw ahead of United’s visit to the Britannia this weekend. Stoke will surely present a stern test for Ferguson’s back four, while United’s attacking players will likely need to find more guile if they are to get past the Potter’s muscular resistance.
There will be changes to the United lineup of course. Last night Ferguson shuffled five new faces into the side from the eleven that took the field against West Brom. Tomasz Kuszczak, Chris Smalling, Darren Fletcher, Ji-sung Park and Federico Macheda all came in which saw the likes of Berbatov, Edwin Van der Sar John O’Shea, Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand and Javier Hernandez all rested. All five would seem likely to push for a recall at Stoke, with Park set to keep his starting role on the left. Rooney, with his ankle injury that saw him miss last night’s cauldron of discontent, will surely be absent once again.
From a Fantasy perspective the prospects at United seem limited to Nani and Dimitar Berbatov’s talents. They will surely carry the responsibility to win United the points against a run of opponents that should offer continued returns over the next month (stk TOT WOL mcy avl WIG). While that pair of attacking assets can be relied upon, investment in United’s defence will be made with more trepidation – Stoke will stretch Vidic’s dominance in the air and Ferdinand’s fragile back and limbs; Spurs and Rafael Van der Vaart will weave a very different kind of problem at Old Trafford in Gameweek 10.
Home fixtures against Wolves and Wigan clearly hold the key to defensive returns from United in the next month, but it’s doubtful whether the promise of two clean sheets is enough to warrant the outlay required to recruit a United defender.
While we’ve already covered Bale’s stunning display in Italy, it’s worth picking over Redknapp’s team selection with one eye on the White Hart Lane clash with Everton this weekend. Bale’s showing will surely book him a start on the left-flank, despite his considerably exertions. Roman Pavlyuchenko’s absence as an unused sub would hint that he will start ahead of Peter Crouch, with Van der Vaart a prompting and creative force up in support; the Dutchman was suspended from last night’s game. Ledley King will be restored to the back line if he can recover from his ongoing knee problems, although Younes Kaboul’s return to the bench last night does at least offer Redknapp a further option.
