Match Report: Besiktas 0 – 1 Manchester United

Scholes

Besiktas 0 – 1 Manchester United

Paul Scholes headed a crucial goal against Turkish opponents Besiktas in the opening group game of the Champions League.

While perhaps not strictly against the run of play, it did seem as though a goal would never come for the English Champions against their Turkish counterparts. In all truth, though, it was a drab affair that probably more suited the visitors. The home crowd did make sparse attempts at creating a volatile atmosphere but Sir Alex Ferguson’s side are on the whole an experienced collection of players who are now capable of not freezing in such an environment.


Tentative chances for Michael Carrick and wild long range efforts from Wayne Rooney and Nani were the only B side to a lead story that had Antonio Valencia’s forages down the right hand side dominating – the wide man started in similar fashion in the second half but little in the way of end product was looking like coming into fruition.

Changes in the second half saw Rooney angrily substituted as Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov were brought on for him and Carrick, though the reaction was probably down to frustration rather than anger. Certainly the changes made no visible addition to the potency of the side and it was in a Nani drive that was parried that the breakthrough came – the former Lisbon winger’s shot was only half dealt with by the home custodian, and United legend Scholes nipped in to expertly, if easily, convert a header from 15 yards off the post with around quarter of an hour to play.

Besiktas response was mute – as was their crowd – and the visitors comfortably saw out the game. All in all there were no particular physical exertions and no forthcoming worries for Sir Alex whose troops were able to put a potentially tricky tie away with relative ease.

Ratings : Foster 6, Neville 7, Vidic 7, *Evans 8, Evra 7, Valencia 7 (Park), Anderson 7, Scholes 8, Carrick 6 (Owen 5) Nani 7, Rooney 7 (Berbatov 5).

Source:(Yolkie)

2 Comments on Match Report: Besiktas 0 – 1 Manchester United

  1. Nice to win the first game but it was not a really convincing display from United, and that 1 striker tactics never really worked for them, United is a 4-4-2 formation team and i think Fergie must stick to it instead of experimenting

  2. I don’t mind the odd tinkering to try and find a plan B. Last night was perhaps not an ideal time to try it, nor was the Arsenal game, but we won and that’s the main thing.

    I would say that so far a 4-3-3 with Rooney as the centre forward does not seem a brilliant option. We haven’t looked particularly good and we haven’t played well. I would like to see a 4-2-3-1 (the formation used against Roma), just don’t ask me about who would fit where!

    I fully agree though, 4-4-2 is by far our most productive system so far and that’s what I expect, and hope, to see on Sunday. Though something worryingly tells me with City’s lack of options up front they will flood the midfield and Fergie will do the same. If so we’ll need Anderson and from playing him 90 minutes last night I’d be surprised if he was in the managers thoughts for the weekend.

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