POST-MATCH REACTION THREAD: Aldershot Town 0-3 Manchester United | Carling Cup
by Gene Um on Oct 25, 2011 9:54 PM BST
in Manchester United: Carling Cup
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Just two days after their shock 1-6 defeat to Manchester City, Manchester United traveled south to defeat League Two side Aldershot Town FC 0-3 in a round 4 Carling Cup match. United dominated possession throughout the match and it was Dimitar Berbatov that opened the scoring in the 15th minute. Near the top of the box, Park Ji-sung played the ball to Tom Cleverley who then split the defense and returned the pass to Park in the box after an intelligent run -- the Korean then pulled it back for Berba who clinically finished. Michael Owen scored the 2nd goal in the 41st minute after Berbatov played a nice ball across the box for him to finish. Just 3 minutes into the 2nd half, Antonio Valencia added a third goal to effectively seal the match when he cracked a shot to the top corner from about 24 yards out.
The match was a positive for United as many squad members who haven't been playing were able to get a run -- Berbatov and Owen made the most of their appearances. Captain Nemanja Vidic continues to search for form and fitness after his long injury lay-off but his timing in tackle appears to be a bit off at the moment. Park Ji-sung gave an industrious display in the center of the park and helped United overrun Aldershot in the center. Perhaps the most welcoming sight was the return of Tom Cleverley to the side. The youngster dictated the match for entire hour that he was on the pitch. He looks ready to compete for being first-choice again in the center of the park -- a spark that the Reds need at the moment.
Youngsters Zeki Fryers, Paul Pogba, Ravel Morrison, and Michael Keane were all able to make appearances as well -- for the latter, it was a senior debut. Fryers put in another class performance -- just as he did versus Leeds United in round 3 -- but this time at left-back. Pogba did well to break up play in the final half hour and he showed class with his technical ability. Starlet Morrison and Keane came on later on in the match and perhaps did not have enough time to display their full potential. Nonetheless, it was good to get them on the pitch with the senior side.
Overall, it was a very positive night for the club. A small step to feeling better after Sunday's nightmare. The draw for Round 5 will be on Saturday. What are your impressions from the match? Did any particular individuals impress you or concern you? If you were at the match, please your experiences.
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So proud of our boys
Danny Hylton especially done very well I thought, up against the best defender in the world argubly, and in my opinion the man that will become the best defender in the world.
Gene you nailed it in the live thread. We needed an extra body in midfield. Cleverly and your man Park ran us ragged in the first half. Couldn’t get near to the ball at times.
Always was going to be up against it. Put it this way. The 30M for Berba could have let you buy Aldershot Town……. probably 20 times. Maybe more….
Il be back with more…. Shattered….. No voice either, too much singing
I really did think we’d win 6-1 when we went a goal down though…..
Sounds like you still had a hell of a time
Fantastic stuff on the Aldershot info that you provided. I can’t speak for others but it’s always fun to learn about a football club that you know little, or in this case for me, nothing about.
Hylton looked to be the most talented Aldershot player on the pitch. I was watching Guttridge closely as well but he just never seemed to have enough of the ball. Good call on McGlashan… his pace gave me a scare early but I soon realized he had no final product (at least on Tuesday)… worse comparison could be made than a poor-mans Aaron Lennon (although I don’t rate the template too highly either).
Editor and Writer for SB Nation's Manchester United blog, 'The Busby Babe'
http://twitter.com/#!/GeneUmTBB
Fantastic stuff on the Aldershot info that you provided. I can’t speak for others but it’s always fun to learn about a football club that you know little, or in this case for me, nothing about.
Cheers. That really was the reason I done it. Especially as most of the readers here come from the States so I thought it would be nice to enlighten you on the workings of a small club that struggles to survive.
Hylton looked to be the most talented Aldershot player on the pitch. I was watching Guttridge closely as well but he just never seemed to have enough of the ball. Good call on McGlashan… his pace gave me a scare early but I soon realized he had no final product
Hylton had a fantastic game. Battled well and looked to use the ball. It makes it even more special considering he came through the ranks and is a local lad. Martin Tyler said on commentary that at 22, he is already the longest serving member of the current squad. I wonder how long it is untill someone with more money snaps him up if he keeps on impressing.
That is why I would have prefered if McGlashan had started on the bench. He might well have done some damage. But what with Collins’s injury and Jermaine scoring two at the weekend after starting the game, im not suprised he started.
And Guttridge had his work cut out. You could tell he s one of our better players though with the way he took the free kick and almost lashing home in the second half
by Sweet science on Oct 27, 2011 12:27 AM BST up reply actions
Aldershot formation question
Do they typically play 4-3-3/4-5-1 hybrid or is that just what you anticipated for this United match? I was quite surprised that they didn’t have another player in the center. I wrote about it in the tactical review but having a defender between the lines seemingly would have provided a better defensive shape for a side that likely anticipated being without the ball a lot. Then maybe use Rankine as a target-forward as a long-ball outlet and the speed of McGlashan and Hylton on counters?
Editor and Writer for SB Nation's Manchester United blog, 'The Busby Babe'
http://twitter.com/#!/GeneUmTBB
We tend to usually play the 4-5-1
Collins was struggiling with a knee injury, and the only reason I think he came on was because Holdsworth wanted to get him involved when he knew the game was out of reach (he brought him here from his old club)
We don’t really have many CM’s and none really that have played (Gutteridge and Collins have almost been ever present this season) so our hands were tied. Im sure if Collins was fit we would have played 4-5-1 and picked one of Rodman or McGlashan.
by Sweet science on Oct 27, 2011 12:19 AM BST up reply actions
Just one other thing
I play Sunday League football. And this last weekend we reached the QF of the cup. If we reach the final we get to play at Aldershot’s ground
If that does happen, I bet Vidic and Berba and Jones will feel privledged that they would have played on the same pitch as me……
So do I
But were playing a Div one side and we only started this team this year. Notlookinggood#
by Sweet science on Oct 27, 2011 12:15 AM BST up reply actions
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