Manchester United 3-0 Celtic, Champion's League Review

Before the match I was expecting a tough, open match but a sneaky Manchester United win, well we didn't get that. After United's first goal it was comfortable and we didn't have to step up a gear to win the game.

Cristiano Ronaldo did start after Sir Alex said he may leave him out so that he can rest but Ronaldo's reaction to that comment led to him being in the starting line-up. Another surprise was Evans' start after Rio Ferdinand picked up a slight knock in Monday's training.

The first chance of the match fell to Ronaldo who hit it over but we did see some great interplay between Neville, Berbatov and Anderson.
Rooney tried a spectacular bicycle kick was blocked on the six yard line but it did look like it was going in.
Celtic didn't start off badly, they drew some class saves out of Edwin Van Der Sar, the first one was a low shot from McGeady, who was given space on the ball. The second was a volley from outside the penalty area from Caldwell.

The opening 'dubious' goal came on the half hour mark when Nani's corner was knocked forward by O'Shea and Berbatov was in the right place to knock the ball straight past the goalie. Replays show that Berbatov was offside, just, it was a tough on to call.

From now on United looked totally in control of the match but it wasn't safe until we get a second goal. The confidence came out and ManUnited were full of one touch passing.
Just before half time, Darren Fletcher had a fantastic chance to put United 2-0 up going into the break but he fired the ball over from around 8 yards out.

Second half and United carried on where they left off with some great movement and one touch passing. 6 minutes into the second half and there came the second goal that we have been looking for, it was another 'dubious' Berbatov goal.
The goal came from a freekick which Ronaldo took, it was on target and going in but the goalie got to it but Berbatov was there to knock in the ball, replays showed that Berbatov was just offside again but the goal stood and United were 2-0 up and cruising.

So far we had two bad decisions by the officials and we got another one. Rooney was onside when he ran onto Fletcher's ball and scored but it was ruled out for offside.
Berbatov was substituted on the hour mark which he did look disappointed with but it was probably Fergie thinking of Saturday's match away at Everton.

Tevez came on in the place of Berba and he narrowly missed straight away, as soon as he came on, Tevez looked like he wanted to make an impression on the game which is great but I do feel sorry for him because when he is playing for us he has been playing very well but so far it hasn't been enough to get him a starting place.

The third goal was a great goal- Van Der Sar threw the ball out to Fletcher who passed the ball out wide to Tevez, Tevez played the ball to Rooney who controlled it and he fired in the ball from 18 yards out and it hit the back of the net to make it Manchester United 3-0 Celtic.

That was it, Manchester United won convincingly but there are a few things that I haven't mentioned. Later on in the game Ronaldo was taken off with what looked like an injury but you never no because he does limp off sometimes when he isn't injured.
The other thing that I haven't mentioned is Jonny Evans who had a fantastic match replacing Ferdinand, he looked comfortable in our penalty area under pressure and he is definitely a player to hang onto.

So that is three matches and seven points, Sir Alex Ferguson has predicted that a win at Parkhead will be enough for us to go through but I would like us to get another two or three wins, just to make sure.

One Response so far.

  1. Anonymous says:

    If the first 2 goals were not allowed to stand, based on poor offside decisions then the game would have been completely different!

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