Other than Eric Cantona announcing that he will pull on a Red shirt one last time for the confrontation with FC Porto on Wednesday – there isn’t anything much more romantic other than Federico Macheda continuing his amazing scoring feat – having scored two winners in the previous two games against Aston Villa and Sunderland.
What is great about Macheda’s two goals are the difference in quality but both equal in importance. Turning away from his marked with a neat Cryuff turn – he proceeded to smash the ball into the top corner and saved the day for the Reds. He then repeated the feat although this time with a sneaky little side footed shot after Michael Carrick had struck a shot goal wards. Mark Hughes used to score goals like the one against Villa, whilst Gary Lineker used to score goals like the one against Sunderland. Combing both Lineker’s goal feat with Hughes ability to score amazing goals – would make some striker, however he has demonstrated that at a young age he has the confidence to play at the top level whilst scoring goal at important times.
So the big ‘Roy of the Rovers’ question – should Fergie stick with the youngster for the game against FC Porto on Wednesday OR should he stick with the experience of Berbatov – if he is fit. Now, I don’t criticise Berbatov like some Reds do for his apparent lack of work rate and ‘laziness’ around the park. I think he is a sublime player with good movement and creative guile – however his transfer fee will always play a part in his fortunes at Old Trafford.
One of our earlier blogs – from January 2008 – commented on the fee being branded around for the Bulgarian. It turns out he went for £5Million more than the shocked price we used that was being reported. Many fans will feel that thirteen goals (all competitions) combined with nine assists in thirty-four appearances – might not be considered value for money. There is a certain element of that which is true – however there can be no doubting what a quality footballer he is, although it can be questioned whether we needed him or not.
Back to Macheda – one thing I always heard when I played football (by the way I was never a striker – far too slow for that!) from teammates and coaches is that once you score a goal you want to keep it going as long as possible – so if Macheda has that mentality and we are anticipating a potential high scoring game, why not give the young lad a chance? He has scored two goals for the first team now, combined with his ten goals for the reserves – even if Berbatov is fit – shouldn’t Fergie opt for the fearless on form striker?
You get many fans jumping on the bandwagon when a player performs well for a couple of games (cue William ‘He played great against QPR’ Prunier) – however the boy has saved us twice now, he is strong and skillful plus he obviously he doesn’t hide when called upon. It would be an almighty risk by Fergie – and I highly doubt this will even be flirted with – but wouldn’t it be great to shut up all those doubters!? The media already think we’re on our way out whilst Arsenal fans seem to be planning how they can out fox Porto in the semi’s – why not get the goalscoring machine that is Macheda to set us up for that semi final against Arsenal or Villerreal?
In Porto’s last three games they have scored nine goals and lined up 4-3-3 in all three fixtures – this will not change on Wednesday. Everyone feels United need to win rather than obtain a 3-3 draw (w0uld love it if that happened!) – so obviously we can’t be overly cautious but I feel the key to ruffling the Portuguese league leaders is to unsettle the defensive midfielder Fernando, who I thought played superb last week at Old Trafford. He scored against an under strength Arsenal in their 2-0 win – whilst playing in the middle of a three man midfield. I think we’ll lineup the same as them, but I hope Rooney is given license to roam, thus dragging the young midfielder out of position – which could be the space needed for Carrick or Giggs to operate in. What ever happens – I hope we make a game of it – and I hope that he don’t go out on away goals.
Won’t make it at United. May have the fancy looks of Ronaldo but we need to have more of a target man. Look at Drogba or Adebayor, thats what we need – Berba is just a lazy bugger.
Hmmm. That would be quite some risk, but Hey, the kidmagician has shown us he fears no one. He’ taken his bow, and oh my, we are left with the aftershock of his magic….
Berbatov, for me, may not be a Tevez, but you ve said all there is to be said about him. I think more, he still hasn’t settled into the united front with confidence, whereas boy Mascheda’s already got the “I-can-do-all-things” spirit that MUST define a United striker.
Against Porto tho, I think our greatest worry is in the defence. We were shabby awful 1st leg.
+ the key, for me is getting that early goal. As Is, I dont mind a MAscheda start.
And Whats to bet him getting a hat trick ? 😀
I wouldn’t start him, but I see no harm in bringing him on around the 60 mark.
And I agree with you, Fernando was excellent on tuesday. He made countless tackles and was always there to shut down our attack in the second half, ya know, when we were actually passing to red shirts on occasion…