Man United On The Brink Of Qualification

Manchester United's Darren Fletcher (R) celebrates a goal with team mates Gabriel Obertan (C) and Michael Carrick against Buraspor during their Champions League soccer match at Ataturk stadium in Bursa, western Turkey, November 2, 2010.    REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: SPORT SOCCER)
Manchester United only need one more point to qualify for the next round of the UEFA Champions League, after beating Bursapor 3-0 last night. With two games remaining (away to Rangers and at home to Valencia) one point is needed to progress to the final 16.

The main talking point of a fairly dull first half was the injury to Luis Nani. The winger picked up a slight groin injury, but it’s not to believed to be serious.

It was Dimitar Berbatov who had the first few opportunities for United, unfortunately for the Bulgarian he was unable to get the ball past Bursaspor keeper Dimitar Ivankov.

Paul Scholes had the ball past Ivankov not long before half time, the goal was ruled out after Scholes was penalised for handball.

Darren Fletcher gave United the lead only minutes into the second half. After a brilliant pass from Michael Carrick, Fletcher’s strike went into the bottom left corner of the goal.

After going 1-0 down Bursaspor went looking for an equaliser, both Ivan Ergic and Federico Insua both saw their efforts saved by Edwin Van Der Sar. Before the hour mark Omer Erdogan’s left-footed strike fell just wide of Van Der Sar’s right-hand post.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s second substitution of the game saw goalscorer Fletcher being replaced by Tiago Bebe. The game was virtually put to bed in the 77th minute with a superb strike from Gabriel Obertan.

The third and final goal of the night was scored by Bebe, he was put through on goal by a brilliant pass by Scholes, Bebe’s strike took a deflection off Ali Tandogan but he should be awarded with the goal.

Overall it was a good performance by the team, Michael Carrick looked much better than he has done in previous matches. It was great to see both Obertan and Bebe get on the score sheet, with injuries mounting they may be needed and the goals will fill them with some confidence. Chris Smalling replaced Rio Ferdinand in the heart of United's defence, he had a good game and there's definitely been some improvement.

Berbatov didn't have the best of games, with all the media spotlight on Javier Hernandez right now, maybe he just needs a goal. The other negatives were the injuries picked up by Fletcher and Nani, but both aren't thought to be too serious.

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