The hangover from Wednesday’s Champions League exit will no doubt remain in the system for quite some time but United’s response this afternoon was swift and emphatic.
Bereft of their skipper for the rest of the season and with goals proving hard to come by, plenty had questioned the champions’ credentials after the embarrassment of Basel but, unfortunately for Mick McCarthy, Fergie’s team had all the answers.
Perhaps buoyed by the easing of his Euro 2012 suspension, Wayne Rooney returned to his form of early season, slamming two past Wolves in a stroll at Old Trafford. Nani reprised his role of last season, moving over to the left, with Ashley Young afforded nothing more than a brief cameo late on in the second half. The Portuguese winger served a timely reminder of his Fantasy worth, grabbing a brace and assist and sits on 15 points. Pre-bonus, this is already his best haul of the campaign.
Antonio Valencia patrolled the right flank and provided 3 assists. Incredibly, his 11 point return is more than his total for the previous fourteen gameweeks and will surely give Fergie food for thought, with Young’s owners more than a little nervous of United’s increased potency in his absence.
Having recorded four clean sheets in their previous five, United had relied on Nemanja Vidic to shore up their leaky defensive but with the Serbian no longer an option this season, attack seems to be the way forward once again. A dependence on clean sheets has definitely diminished and a return to the displays of the opening few gameweeks will surely see investment in Rooney and Nani pick up pace over the next few days and beyond.
The next six gameweeks only add to the appeal- (qpr, ful, WIG, BLA, new, BOL) and will have many pondering the unthinkable and taking the armband off Robin Van Persie, particularly with Arsenal rolling up to the Etihad next week.
Post-match, Chris Smalling admitted the players were keen to answer their critics after the midweek humiliation in Switzerland:
It was a big game for all of us. The manager has shown faith all season and it was up to us to show the fans we should be a part of his starting XI.
Following today’s result, some of them may just have earned a place in plenty Fantasy XIs over the next few weeks, too.
