Man United rack up a comfortable win over Tottenham to join Wolves and Man City at the top of the table on six points. Wayne Rooney scores in the opening two league matches for the first time in his career, while Harry Redknapp is now insistent that Luka Modric stays put. Here’s this morning’s Scout Notes:
Youthful United
Sir Alex Ferguson fielded his second-youngest starting XI ever in the Premier League but the outcome was the same as ever. Patrice Evra returned from injury and was the only first-choice member of the back-four, although the recent performances of Chris Smalling at right-back may offer him a more regular slot in the first-team, even when Rafael recovers from his shoulder injury.
Fergie continued with the bustling, energetic pairing of Tom Cleverley and Anderson in central midfield and the duo played a crucial part in the goals- Cleverley’s cross created the opener and Anderson scored the second as United grabbed a firm hold of the match.
Fergie’s Forward Dilemma
Dimitar Berbatov once again sat out the proceedings, with Danny Welbeck vindicating his recent starting slot alongside Wayne Rooney up front with a goal and an assist. Javier Hernandez’s return to action as a sub, however, may signal the end of Welbeck’s game time, though with a game at home to Arsenal up next on Sunday, the United boss will be wary of the Mexican’s lack of match-fitness.
Fergie praised Welbeck for his influential display before admitting he has something of a selection dilemma up front:
He (Welbeck) is still only 20 years of age and the lad has a great future. If you look at Berbatov, Owen, Hernandez and Rooney, they all have different qualities. You have to utilise all that and make changes as best you can. The horrible part for me now is with having Javier back, what do we do? It is going to be a big problem for me.
Modric Staying Put, Says Harry
Earlier last week, Harry Redknapp had indicated he’d be willing to let Luka Modric move on if the money could be used to re-invest, but last night his opinion seemed to have changed. With Spurs chairman Daniel Levy adamant that the Croatian won’t be moving to Chelsea, Harry called for the pair to sit down and settle their differences, with the saga clearly starting to have an effect. Redknapp admitted the player’s head “wasn’t right” and left him out of the Old Trafford match, but post-match, stated:
He will stay and we will move on. The chairman has made his mind up that he’s not going to sell him and there’s no point this late in the window because it’s hard to get replacements and that won’t help anyone.
Spurs Soft Centre
With the likes of Sandro, Tom Huddlestone and Jermaine Jenas still out of the picture through injury, Harry Redknapp continued with Niko Krancjar and Jake Livermore in central midfield – the duo were impressive in the 5-0 win over Hearts last week but the current lack of options will surely see Redknapp make a move in the transfer market before the month is out. Former Arsenal player Lassana Diarra is out of favour at Real Madrid and, having working under Redknapp at Portsmouth, has been strongly linked with a move to White Hart Lane
Redknapp on Changes
Brad Friedel started in place of Heurelho Gomes last night, with Kyle Walker replaced at half-time due to illness. Having given as good as they got in the first half, the Spurs boss admitted his tactics after going a goal down in the second forty-five put a more comprehensive spin on the scoreline and handed the initiative to United:
We were going well in the second half, no real problems, but we conceded a goal and then we opened up. That goal changed the game and gave them confidence. I brought Pavlyuchenko on, went with two up front, dropped Rafa into midfield, and then we looked very open.
We were looking for an equaliser but we became too open and it was a problem.I took a chance, looking for a goal. Rafa might score, Pav might score, Defoe might score, we still had two wingers on. We were very open but at 1-0 down it was a case of trying to get an equaliser.
