Late Strike From Park Saves United

Manchester United's Owen Hargreaves (C) leaves the pitch after being injured during their English Premier League soccer match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England, November 6, 2010. REUTERS/Phil Noble (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT SOCCER IMAGES OF THE DAY) NO ONLINE/INTERNET USAGE WITHOUT A LICENCE FROM THE FOOTBALL DATA CO LTD. FOR LICENCE ENQUIRIES PLEASE TELEPHONE ++44 (0)
Tonight Sir Alex Ferguson will be celebrating his 24 years as Manchester United manager after United picked up all three points after beating Wolves 2-1 at Old Trafford.

Both Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov were missing after they both picked up the same virus that has kept Anderson, Darron Gibson, Federico Macheda and Jonny Evans out. United were also without Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Michael Owen, Luis Nani and Antonio Valencia.

The surprising name on the team sheet was Owen Hargreaves, who started his first match for over two years. The joy of his return didn’t last long with the midfielder picking up a hamstring injury within the first five minutes.

Hargreaves’ departure saw the introduction of Bebe. His main contribution to the game were quite a few poor crosses, which saw him being substituted later on.

The away side had the better chances of the first half with a shot from Nenad Milijas deflected just wide of the post. Minutes later Stephen Hunt marginally failed to get a touch on the ball, if he had it looked like a certain goal.

A poor first half performance from United was quickly forgotton about when United took the lead in the 44th minute. Darren Fletcher’s brilliant ball into the area was slotted past keeper Marcus Hahnemann by Park.

United’s undeserved late first half lead should have lifted the game and spurred the players on but an equaliser from Wolves would insure a nervous finish.

With 65 minutes on the clock substitute Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, who had only been on the pitch for two minutes, fired the ball past Edwin Van Der Sar.

Time was running out for United so Sir Alex Ferguson brought on Paul Scholes and Federico Macheda for John O’Shea and Bebe.

Man United have already dropped too many points this season, another draw would be a massive setback to United’s title challenge. For the final few minutes the game opened up, four minutes of injury time were added on. Three minutes into that Park’s strike flew past Hahnemann to grab a very late winning goal.

It was a very poor performance from the whole team but the most important thing is that United picked up three vital points. It's also important to remember that it was a team without players such as Valencia, Nani, Giggs, Carrick, Berbatov and Rooney. Next up is an away match at Manchester City this Wednesday.

United are now two points behind Chelsea, who play Liverpool at Anfield tomorrow, Arsenal play Newcastle at the Emirates.

2 Responses so far.

  1. Anonymous says:

    sell bebe back to the hole he crawled out from

  2. Anonymous says:

    NO! Keep Bebe, I really want to see how he develops! I think he has the potential to be a great player, he's got pace, footwork, and humility. Fergie can teach him all the rest he needs to be a top player.

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