Records are great, but the primary concern is the job at hand. Manchester United secured top spot despite conceding a goal in the Champions League for the first time since their exit from the competition last season, and in similar circumstances, but the overall feeling at the end of the night was certainly optimistic. With the Red Devils on top and Anderson scoring his first ever goal at the Stretford End, there was plenty of reason to celebrate the closing game of the group stages.
Perhaps there was a sense of over-excitement considering the relatively lacklustre way with which United had achieved qualification prior to this game but there can be no denying that there were certain elements of the performance that will certainly have only added fuel to the excitement. The same front 6 that took to the pitch against Blackburn were here too, but it took a bit longer for them to warm up – when they did, however, it was the same two players, Anderson and Wayne Rooney, who were the heartbeat of the display.
Anderson’s pass provided a chance for Nani which went wide, and the Brazilian created an opportunity with a great 1-2 link with Rooney, firing it tamely at the keeper.
Domingues soon became a thorn in United’s side, punctuating the hosts attacks with his own sting. A bullet shot at the near post almost caught Ben Amos out but it rocketed off the woodwork; Anderson was the creator of a Berbatov chance but the forward completely fluffed it. Park should have scored when Rooney span and crossed the ball, but his shot went straight at the keeper.
Less than 60 seconds later, Valencia took the lead, when Michael Carrick gave the ball away. Otherwise, Carrick had been ok, but it was this kind of lapse that essentially cost United their Champions League status last season – his misjudgement was pounced upon by Domingues, who fed Pablo Hernandez. Hernandez, on the angle, fired powerfully past Amos.
United almost levelled in the 36th minute when Rooney cut inside and smashed a stunning effort against the crossbar – Nani, on the rebound, fired the effort wide. It seemed that it was only a matter of time. After Rio Ferdinand was replaced by Chris Smalling, the Red Devils upped the ante, with Wayne Rooney having two efforts within a minute – firing one wide, and stinging the keepers hands.
Rafael rampaged forward on the 63rd minute, playing into Rooney who found Park – Park tested the keeper again from 20 yards but again, Guaita used his hands to push away and Anderson was there, 10 yards out, to half volley past the keeper.
Chances dried up; aside from a Berbatov header from a Rooney cross and another chance created from the same combination that lead to Nani blazing over, and a couple of half efforts for the visitors presented by the hesitancy of Smalling.
United’s qualification was guaranteed before the night, and while it would have been nice to have sealed the progress with a win and clean sheet, what they gained in terms of tangible advancement from their players may be far more worthwhile.
Ratings : Amos 7, Rafael 7, Ferdinand 7 (Smalling 5), Vidic 7, Fabio 7, Nani 7, (Giggs) Carrick 7, *Anderson 8 (Fletcher), Park 7, Rooney 7, Berbatov 6
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