Match Report (CL): Kiev 2 - 4 United
Goals: Rincon; Bangoura / Ferdinand; Rooney; Ronaldo (2)
Four goals and a first class performance that was more authoritative than the scoreline suggests. This was the game in which United, at last, offered convincing evidence that they know how to win away in Europe.
United have played against poorer teams than Kiev and struggled mightily. On this night, United hit their stride early and with Sir Alex forced to introduce squad players in his team, United produced another performance of power, purpose and goals.
The match was over as a contest after 45 minutes. During the first half, United took control and scored three excellent goals to fully justify a pre-match billing that they would be far too strong for their hosts.
Yet the signs going into the match were not promising. Scholes succumbed to a knee injury which early bulletins suggest could be a worrisome cartilage problem. During the warm-up, Patrice Evra injured his calf and was withdrawn as a precaution. United’s injury curse shows no sign of ending.
Any fears were drowned out by celebrations on nine minutes when Ferdinand, another United player quietly going through a purple patch, scored with a fierce Vidic-like header from a Giggs free-kick after Ronaldo was fouled.
Eight minutes later, United were two goals to the good after a sweet, flowing move. Ronaldo ran at the Kiev defenders who backed away sufficiently for the Portuguese winger to find Brown overlapping on the right. The defender swept in a great cross which Rooney, 22 tomorrow, met with a simple tap in. Few would have predicted such a fast and perfect start.
With United taking the measure of their opponents like a matador, the game looked destined to be little more than Kiev’s race against the clock to keep down the score.
But carelessness set into United’s play and on 33 minutes, the Ukrainians began to believe that not all was lost. A corner found Rincon 10 yards out. His firm header evaded both Edwin van der Sar and Ronaldo on the line. It was a sloppy goal to concede, with United guilty of the wretched marking that was a feature of all the game’s goals.
However, with Anderson enjoying the freedom of the midfield and Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez looking like scoring whenever United moved forward, Sir Alex would have had few worries as the half moved towards its close. His mood was vidicated in the 40th minute when Ronaldo scored with yet another header. Giggs was again the left wing provider, with a peach of a cross.
United came out for the second half with the game already won. There were a few scares and more moments to cherish. Anderson might have done better than hit the foot of the right post on 49 minutes after receiving a Tevez cross unmarked in the box.
On 67 minutes, a penalty, given after a Kiev defender raised an elbow in the box to block a Tevez cross, allowed Ronaldo to demonstrate the art of the spot kick to team mate Wayne Rooney. His go, stop, kick penalty was superb.
Kiev scored again 10 minutes later when United failed to close down Bangoura but it would have no influence on the game.
United ran out comfortable winners and will relish the return match in two weeks.
TEAM: Van der Sar (Kuszczak 78); Brown; O’Shea; Ferdinand; Vidic; Fletcher; Ronaldo; Anderson; Rooney; Tevez (72 Nani); Giggs (Simpson 79)
Substitutes: Pique; Evans; Simpson; Eagles
POST SCRIPT
Sir Alex: “Dynamo probably caught us at the wrong time. Our form is strong now, much stronger than it was in our previous matches in this competition. Our attacking play was excellent, I can’t ask for better than that.
“We could have scored a lot of goals, we had to defend some moments in the second half when they were a bigger threat but all in all very pleased with that result. I think this team is more mature now.
“We have the strength in depth; the changes are not affecting our performances. John O’Shea and Darren Fletcher, who we brought in, have been with us a long time and they understand what playing for the club means. They have been with Manchester United long enough to know how to adapt and here you saw how they did it.
“Scoring four goals away from home in Europe is a great achievement. We could have scored more.”
