Highlights, Statistics, & Post-Match Quotes | Manchester United 2-0 Stoke City

by Gene Um on Feb 1, 2012 5:00 AM GMT in Manchester United: Highlights

HIGHLIGHTS

For those in the United States, the following video -- which is from the same host as the video above -- may provide better viewing clarity:

TEAM STATISTICS

The Busby Babe	United	Stoke
Shots (on target)	12 (2)	9 (2)
Total Passes	781	216
Passing Accuracy	88%	71%
Ball Possession	75%	25%
Tackles won	15	12
Interceptions	10	16
Fouls	10	15
Corners	9	2
Offsides	1	0

PLAYER STATISTICS

* Ben Amos (goalkeeper): 23/29 passing (79%), 0 goals conceded, 2 saves

* Jonny Evans (right-center-back): 96/106 passing (91%), 1 key pass, 8/12 long balls, 3 tackles, 1 interception, 2 clearances, 1 shot blocked, 0 fouls, 1/6 aerial duels (17%)

* Rio Ferdinand (left-center-back): 82/85 passing (96%), 0 key passes, 9/9 long balls, 0 tackles, 1 interception, 9 clearances, 0 shots blocked, 0 fouls, 4/9 aerial duels (44%)

* Chris Smalling (right-back): 65/74 passing (88%), 0 key passes, 2/3 long balls, 2/2 crosses, 1 tackles, 0 interceptions, 5 clearances, 0 shots blocked, 3 fouls, 1/3 aerial duels (33%)

* Patrice Evra (left-back): 67/76 passing (88%), 0 key passes, 1/2 long balls, 0/3 crosses, 1 tackle, 2 interceptions, 3 clearances, 0 shots blocked, 1 foul, 1/4 aerial duels (25%)

* Michael Carrick (central-midfield): 129/141 passing (91%), 2 key passes, 6/6 long balls, 0/2 crosses, 0/0 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 0 fouls won, 1 tackle, 1 interception, 3 shots (0 on target)

* Paul Scholes (central-midfield): 113/126 passing (90%), 3 key passes, 13/19 long balls, 0/0 crosses, 0/0 through balls, 1 successful dribbles, 1 foul won, 1 tackle, 0 interceptions, 2 shots (0 on target)

* Antonio Valencia (right-winger): 64/78 passing (82%), 3 key passes, 1/7 crosses, 1/1 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 5 successful dribbles, 2 fouls won, 2 tackles, 0 interceptions, 2 shots (0 on target)

* Park Ji-sung (left-midfielder): 58/65 passsing (89%), 0 key passes, 0/2 crosses, 1/1 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 1 successful dribble, 5 fouls won, 5 tackles, 2 interceptions, 0 shots

* Javier Hernandez (striker | substituted off 73'): 20/26 passing (77%), 0 key passes, 0/1 crosses, 0/0 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 1 foul won, 1 shot (1 on target), 1 goal (penalty)

* Dimitar Berbatov (striker): 43/53 passing (81%), 1 key pass, 0/2 crosses, 1/1 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 0 fouls won, 2 shots (1 on target), 1 goal (penalty)

* Paul Pogba (central-midfielder | substituted on 73'): 21/24 passing (88%), 0 key passes, 0/3 crosses, 3/3 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 3 successful dribbles, 1 foul won, 0 tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 shots (0 on target)

POST-MATCH QUOTES

Sir Alex Ferguson | MUFC manager (courtesy of MUTV)

(On third-choice Ben Amos' start after the injuries to Anders Lindegaard and David de Gea...) "Anders got injured in training and then David got injured at the end of training, so we had a right nightmare there," Sir Alex said. "Ben Amos didn’t have a lot to do but he was confident and he was composed. I’m pleased with that."

(Overall thoughts on both the match and on the current state of the title race...) "It’s a good night for us, of course. But what I’m most pleased about is our own performance. I thought our football was terrific. We kept our composure, we were very patient. Okay, we won with two penalty kicks but I think the manner in which we played our football was the most important thing. It’s still early doors [in terms of the title race]. It’s only the last day in January. I always say that March is a very important month, as well as the beginning of April. We play Manchester City in April, for instance."

(On looking ahead to Sunday's clash at Stamford Bridge...) "We’re hopeful Wayne Rooney, Nani and possibly Ashley Young will be fit for Sunday."

(On the penalties converted by Chicharito and Berbatov...) "It was a very good penalty. But he [Chicharito] takes them for Mexico so it wasn't a problem. Dimitar thought he was going to take the first one so he took the second one and he scored too so we're pleased with that. It has been a good night."

(On promising youngster Ravel Morrison moving to West Ham...) "In the case of Ravel it's been quite well documented. I think he's better out of Manchester. He's got a great talent but it's how to deal with it that is important."

Ben Amos | MUFC goalkeeper (courtesy of MUTV)

(Overall thoughts on his Premier League debut...) "It feels really good. I’ve obviously been waiting a long time for an opportunity this season and thankfully it’s come and I’d like to think I’ve made the most of it. Obviously there were a few nerves but that’s healthy, to have a few nerves before you come out. I just played my own game really and it was a good result tonight."

(On being patient as United's third-choice 'keeper...) "I feel I’ve been ready to play at this level all season. It can be frustrating when the chances don’t come around but you’ve got to be ready when something like that [injuries to De Gea and Lindegaard] happens. When it does happen, you’re thrown straight in as I was tonight. All I can do is go out and do the best I can, and put pressure on the other goalkeepers in training and try and get a chance in the games. But it’s the manager’s decision."

(On whether he wished he was involved more during United's dominant performance...) "In a sense I did, but I also didn’t want to go and chase things to try and make an impact. I just wanted to be positive about any decisions I had to make."

(On his side's converted penalties and overall thoughts on the match...) "They were obviously really cool under pressure and kept their heads. I was happy to see them both go in, and we could have had another penalty later on. I thought we controlled the game really quite well throughout. We deserved to win tonight."

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Comments

Carrick only made one tackle and one interception

You sure? I swear I temember more

by Sweet science on Feb 1, 2012 11:43 AM GMT reply actions

126/141 passes.. WOW..

Though I think he had more tackles and interception but I guess they weren’t counted..

by dingmajiao on Feb 1, 2012 3:50 PM GMT up reply actions

Yes

It’s according to Opta.

Keep in mind that because we had so much possession, there simply wasn’t much opportunity to tackle or intercept passes.

Editor-in-Chief for The Busby Babe | SB Nation Soccer Contributor

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by Gene Um on Feb 1, 2012 4:37 PM GMT via Android app up reply actions

I just thought I remember a few more

Prehaps it is because He and Evans look alike when watching on laptop.

by Sweet science on Feb 1, 2012 8:43 PM GMT up reply actions

A few things I noticed…Ben Amos did fine. Why isn’t he out on loan somewhere to get playing time? Even if its the Championship. The other thing is, though we were all clamoring for a bigger signing, myself included. Given all the injuries to this squad once the better players start coming back from injury they will start blowing teams away again, and I think that will propel them to the title. Nani out, Ashley Young, Cleverly, etc. After De Gea’s performance the other day, Lindegaard should solidly be the first choice keeper. You can tell De Gea will be some day, but right now is just not good enough and need to grow up and get tougher first – which may take a few seasons.

People wonder why De Gea struggled after his time at Atletico Madird, but the reality is that the Spanish League is way over hyped and over rated. Outside the top two, you have 3-4 other good clubs, and everyone else is basically a slight tick above a championship side. In the Premiership, you have a discernable top 6 or so, yes, but the quality of the other clubs is much better. Which is why I am always leery of buying Spanish players who have not been at the youth academies here…the league is too soft.

As for us, I think we will be fine now that our stars are going to start coming back from injury. I think they will go into Stamford Bridge and win. Chelsea are a club in transition who are still perhaps not bought into their new managers system, and the permanent crisis going on in London with that owner always leaves them a little psychologically vulnerable to getting bounced at home.

by astrotrain on Feb 1, 2012 1:37 PM GMT reply actions

I think you're being harsh on La Liga

Also keep in mind that de Gea won the Europa League with them.

More than anything, it’s simply the style of play in England. It’s played at a higher tempo and is more physical than most leagues… That doesn’t to better. The playing in a general sense is more direct. Thus, de Gea’s inconsistent command of his box is magnified. It probably wouldn’t be as much of an issue elsewhere.

Contrast in styles? Go examine Peter Crouch’s goalscoring rate in European competition and for England and then compare it to his rates in domestic competition. It doesn’t mean English is better… it just highlights how it can be a style of play that the continent isn’t as preparrd to handle since they don’t see it on a consistent basis.

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by Gene Um on Feb 1, 2012 4:45 PM GMT via Android app up reply actions

Sorry for the typos

It tends to happen more from my phone

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by Gene Um on Feb 1, 2012 4:55 PM GMT via Android app up reply actions

+1

The tecnhical abilty of spanish players and the spanish league is far superior to our own.

by Sweet science on Feb 1, 2012 8:46 PM GMT up reply actions

I would agree. I was referring to the balance of power. We saw what Barcelona did to us last year, but they do that to everybody. But it is the supreme example of how that style is supposed to be played.

I would say that I personally like the physical style of play of the Premiership better. Its a tougher league to succeed in as an individual I think. A lot of players just cannot handle the physical play. Surely, there are quite a few players I would like to have who play in Spain, but there are still going to be the questions left as to whether they will be tough enough or not.

My favorite leagues to watch would be of course the Prem first, then Germany, then Spain, then Italy. The Italian league is difficult to watch when their elite clubs are not playing in Europe. The old Inter v Siena matches are a little rough.

by astrotrain on Feb 2, 2012 2:02 PM GMT up reply actions

I agree that you have to be careful in what players you sign

But that is also true of what players Spanish teams buy. For example Hleb, who was quite brilliant at Arsenal, couldn’t cut it at Barca.

You don’t see many English players go out to Spain because there is a premium on the best English talent, but only the best would succeed. For example, I couldn’t see Gerrard being the dominant force abroad that he is in England. He would be useful, but he wouldn’t be the same

by Sweet science on Feb 2, 2012 4:33 PM GMT up reply actions

To each their own

Serie A has actually been really exciting if you ask me. Tactically, it’s varied and there have been interesting trends as of late. For example, 9 teams used a back 3 at the weekend. I swear every Palermo match ends 4-4 and Napoli are as interesting to watch from this neutral’s perspective as any side in the world.

If possession football is your thing, then La Liga has no peer. Not even close. I actually think that more players could transition into the Premier League right now with success in comparison to the vice versa scenario. The physicality is an adjustment for some but there are a lot of players in the Premier League who simply lack the technical ability to adjust to La Liga.

Bundesliga is a fun league to watch as well. Currently, the tempo is high and more sides currently press high up the pitch in comparison to England, Spain, and, Italy. It was either Klose or van Bommel that recently observed that Germany play a good 5-10 yards higher up the pitch.

French Ligue 1 is also intriguing as well. If you get an opportunity this season, check Montpellier and Lille… really fun sides to watch.

Anyway, point is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Each top league brings it’s own unique traits. Barca and Madrid are clearly much better than that the rest of La Liga but there are some very good other teams and players that would have no trouble competing in England.

Editor-in-Chief for The Busby Babe | SB Nation Soccer Contributor

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by Gene Um on Feb 2, 2012 7:00 PM GMT up reply actions