You'd think this is written by a blue... It isn't...
– Can that be the end of the discussion about who England’s first-choice right back should be? Micah Richards is a better athlete, a better defender, and far more disciplined than Glen Johnson or Chris Smalling.
– Darren Fletcher and Anderson were badly outnumbered in midfield. If you’re going to accept a numerical disadvantage in one part of the pitch, then the personnel you employ in that area have to be of sufficient quality to make an impression. Zero impact.
– Why is David Silva more effective in the Premier League than he is in European competition? Because teams in England don’t seem to be able to cope with a player that drifts between the midfield and attacking lines. The amount of space and time afforded to the Spaniard today was quite remarkable, United had no idea how to cope with him.
– That being said, a player still needs to have the quality to exploit such a weakness in the opposition. Silva’s reverse pass that led to the second goal was a clear demonstration of his vision, but his through ball for Edin Dzeko’s second was truly delightful in both its creativity and its execution. A masterclass in how to play that position.
– Mark Clattenburg had a really good game. There are plenty of referees who would have choked on the decision to send a United player off at Old Trafford, but Clattenburg fully-justified his appointment to such an occasion.
– The way Manchester United capitulated in the last five minutes would have been incredibly disappointing for the fans and their manager. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them surrender so readily at Old Trafford. At 4-1 the game is obviously lost, but 6-1 is an entirely different type of humiliation.
– Rio Ferdinand just isn’t the same player anymore. He doesn’t move well, he doesn’t read the game well, and he doesn’t look nearly as composed on the ball anymore. Tick-tock…
– Conversely, Vincent Kompany was outstanding. Everything about this City team is so ‘secure’, and as Joe Hart said in his post-match interview they ‘are a unit’ – and Kompany is the centre-piece. Ironically, he reminds me of a younger Rio Ferdinand…
– Those hailing Danny Welbeck as a candidate for Euro 2012 selection need look no further than this game for proof that he’s not ready. Yes, at times he was isolated from his team-mates tody, but he just doesn’t have enough of anything to be a credible force at this level of football yet. Everything about him is still very raw.