P: United 2 - 0 Sheffield United
Two excellent goals from Carrick and Rooney helped United to victory and a six point lead over Chelsea as the season enters its final month.
United were good value for their win, offering sequences of passing and movement which mesmerised the poorest of visitors to Old Trafford. Sheffield United so rarely summoned any threat beyond the pace of Shelton up front, that United looked set for another goal romp.
Sheffield’s meekness reflected a desire to keep their powder dry for the six-pointer against Charlton next weekend. The excuse of referee Rob Styles for his dismal performance was less easy to fathom. The game ran away from him soon after he failed to dismiss forward Kazim Edwards for a potentially leg-breaking challenge on Patrtice Evra. Alas, it was only the Frenchman who was forced to leave the field to be substituted by Kieran Richardson.
United’s game thus changed from cruise to bruise control. The home players hoped to end the game with their limbs intact in the face of Neil Warnock’s side repeated attempts to kick and push United out of their game. Alan Smith finished the first half almost naked from the waist down after coming off second to some invasive defending whilst Cristiano Ronaldo was reduced to offering his shirt to a Sheffield defender who refused no opportunity for a tug on the Portuguese winger or some rough house play.
It was all Sheffield could do, for they were left chasing shadows during United’s blistering start. Sir Alex’s troops kept possession of the ball like fat men guarding chocolate and launched wave after wave of glorious attacks. But for Kenny’s bravery in goal and wayward marksmanship, Sir Alex’s side might have equalled the sacking of Roma.
Certainly, United began as quickly as they did in last week’s Champions League match. In the 3rd minute, Smith, now making fans almost forget Louis Saha now, fed Ronaldo who danced passed the Sheffield defenders on his way towards goal. The Portuguese winger gave another nudge to the judges of the 2006-07 ‘Player Of The Year’ competition by threading a blindside pass to Carrick who was bearing down on goal. The midfielder, coming into his own now as a goalscorer, chipped the advancing keeper to the delight of all but the travelling contingent.
Sheffield United were pinned back for long periods as United pressed forward. Kazim-Edwards dreadful challenge on Evra on 20 minutes forced United into a less expansive mood, as befitting a side playing without recognised fullbacks but they did retain control of the game.
Shelton, a lone one trick pony upfront, was something of a danger to Brown and the sloppy Heinze and should have earned a penalty for his endeavour midway through the second half. Alas, Styles proved he was an equal opportunity incompetent and missed Heinze’s trip on the attacker.
By then, United were already two goals ahead. Ryan Giggs’ beautifully flighted long pass towards the Sheffield goal on 49 minutes found Wayne Rooney running free of his marker. The youngster still had work to do but buried the chance.
The game was effectively over. Sheffield didn’t want to play. United didn’t have to. Football. Bloody hell!
TEAM
United: Kuszczak, Evra (Richardson 20), Fletcher, Brown, Heinze, Ronaldo, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs (Solskjaer 80min), Rooney, Smith
Subs: Van der Sar, O’Shea, Cathcart.
POST SCRIPT
Sir Alex: “It was a professional job and a good result. The performance was economical. We didn’t kill ourselves, which is important. In the second half with the score at 2-0, the game was over and we kept the ball at the back to save our legs. That was the sensible thing to do.
“With five games to go, most of the games are like cup finals. Hopefully we’re a step closer now and I think we’ve got the right temperament to do it.”
Neil Warnock: “They have got to give the decision and then upset Sir Alex. I know people don’t like upsetting Sir Alex, but they have got to give what is there.”
“We did ever so well and we are disappointed, but we were beaten by the better side and two great finishes. If you’d offered me 2-0 the night before the game, I’d have snapped your fingers off, but it’s funny how things change.
“Another night we might have had one or two and it would have been different. Other things could have gone our way on another night, too. If he [Heinze] had been sent off, they might have tried harder and got another five goals. So it’s not all bad.”
