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United vs Seattle Sounders

Right boys, after staying up until the very early hours (5am!!!) I've finally arose from some well needed sleep, ready to shed some light for those who have jobs! (I'm a student before anyone accuses me of being a dole dosser!).

7-0, obviously we can't complain with that, fantastic display of finishing for the lads. To disect it further though;

Anderson had a good game, mixed, but overall good. After the first 15 minutes he seemed to be much more on his game, making very good defensive interceptions and tackles. Looked comfortable on the ball and spread it around nicely. I did feel for him at the beginning as it seemed he was a 1 man centre midfield surrounded by 3 Sounders. Took a couple of shots which may suggest his confidence as one of the 'main men' is growing.

Rooney was outstanding. The best player on the pitch by a country mile. We've come to expect such high standards from him that this isn't a surprise. Nice hat trick to give him a smile on his face, all good finishes within the box.

Also notably, Evra looked fantastic! The player we all know as the best left back in the world seemed to have returned. Much, much improved on some of his performances last year.

Nani looked like a sleeping giant to me in that game. You could see sparks of brilliance, stuff you'd expect from the world's top, top players. But, he also seemed like he wasn't playing 100% at all times which is very easy to understand as it's pre-season and no one expects him to bust his guts at every opportunity.

Giggs showed his timeless class, Vida was strong most of the time, perhaps not 100% but Vidic at 80% is better than most other CBs in the world. Rio was a similar story. Jonny Evans, when introduced didn't seem so comfortable. Perhaps being brought on in the second half meant he wasn't on terms with the rest of the playing field.

Rafa - typical. Strong, pacey, adventurous and never-tiring. The twins truly are unbelievable prospects and will definitely occupy the full back positions for years to come (Once Evra leaves, of course).

Owen got a goal but I was very underwhelmed with him. His overall play seemed off and there were 3-4 times when, if he'd have just sprinted (as is expected of a striker), he'd have reached balls and possibly created scoring chances.

Diouf and Obertan impressed me last night (this morning), the former looking strong, fast and always looking to feed Roo. Showed good composure for his goal. The latter looking beyond fast, incredible pace, good skill and technical ablility. Set up 2 and got what I'd declare the goal of the match based on the finish. He still needs to sort out his head, not notably in this game, but, I think all can see his ability, but we all agree his mental attributes are what's holding him back. I hope to see him mature this season, much like Nani.

The rest - Macheda - looked technically brilliant, strong and showed pace. On another day a good chance would have fallen to him and he looked assured of scoring should one present its self.

Lindegaard - may have given De Gea something to worry about. Looked hugely commanding and made 3 very memorable stops. Amos was similar but made one slip up in communication with Rio.

Park - commendable defensively, as per, and also added some good energy going forward, lovely goal.

Fabio - see Rafa basically, hugely exciting.

Carrick - spread the ball very well and certainly seemed to put Ando at ease with defensive burdens. Them two have been playing well together recently.

I think that's it. Forgive me if I've missed anyone but I'm shattered and have written an awful lot to be fair! Anyone else watch the game? Thoughts? Queries?

UPDATE: I missed Ashley Young! Sorry, I have been underwhelmed with the signing of Young but last night I must concede he definitely looked a Manchester United player. Quality link up with Evra and put in many tempting crosses. FINALLY, his corners actually posed problems for once! Us! Causing problems for corners! It is fantastic, we get enough!

posted on 21/7/11

Lazy, scrounging student dosser!

Great article. Told me much more about the performance and players than any of the stuff from the professional journalists today.

posted on 21/7/11

While we're on the subject, a word of praise for the Seattle fans too. That came across as a proper football crowd. Deserved a goal to cheer but kept making a noise right to the end anyway, which can't of been easy after being on the receiving end of a second half thumping.

posted on 21/7/11

While we're on the subject, a word of praise for the Seattle fans too. That came across as a proper football crowd. Deserved a goal to cheer but kept making a noise right to the end anyway, which can't of been easy after being on the receiving end of a second half thumping.

......................

The Seattle Seahawks crowd are exactly the same as well.

posted on 21/7/11

Armadillo,

I must agree, after forcing a few cups of coffee down to stay up, as soon as I saw the match starting it didn't feel like a 'boring' friendly at all.

It seemed much more. I got the feeling that, that must be what it's like week in week out for the big MLS and NFL games. Great atmosphere. Hugely entertaining game. Well worth the late night.

And Red Russian,

Us students are allowed a day or two off after all those 'strenuous' hours of revision for our exams, ey? haha.

I'm not surprised though, the journalism in football especially that presents its self to the British public is terribly sub-standard half of the time.

posted on 21/7/11

(U7012)

The vast majority of NFL games are like that. In the US there is only on city that has really bad fans and that is Philadelphia.

They boo their own teams, even when they are winning.

posted on 21/7/11

From a wage slave looking wistfully back to his long gone student days, cheers for the report. Have only managed to catch the goals on Youtube - couple looked decent team efforts - so I'll just give some very brief responses to you analysis.

Encouraging to hear good things about Evra, surely last season was a post-World Cup aberration. Massive season coming up for Anderson, especially if we don't make a big name signing so it's vital he get's in a good pre-season. The value of Young at set-pieces is not to be underestimated - we've been truly awful for the last couple of seasons. Don't agree about Diouf - I think he'll be off because there's just too much competition and Macheda in particular looks set to get some good playing time this season.

posted on 21/7/11

Giggsnscholes,

I hold Macheda in much higher regard that Diouf, don't get me wrong, I'm very, very fond of Kiko, but Diouf did surprise me this time.

I'm one of those who had written him off, and I'm still 85% sure he'll go to a lesser team, but if last night's anything to go by I think the lad might just be having one last say in his uncertain future.

posted on 21/7/11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwTIzPytYks

posted on 21/7/11

Obertan looked good in pre-season last year too. Unfortunately he got a bad knee injury against Rangers and never really got a chance after he came back 3 months into the season. Hopefuly this season he will get a few more chances an maybe show us what he can do.

comment by LLANLAD (U5316)

posted on 21/7/11

Unless we get some REAL quality in centre midfield then we are going to witness another season of bog standard performances from United.

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