Monday, February 27, 2012

Europa League: United Squeezes Through




United
1-2
Ajax
Aggregate
3-2

Hernandez 6’

Aras Özbiliz 37


Toby Alderweireld 87


United went into the game with healthy margin from 2-0  win over Ajax in the first room. Knowing that with BPL game on Sunday some players were rested. In the same time United welcome back few players that been sidelined due to injury. So some players need a rest while some players need games.

So Smalling and Jones were the prefered centre back with Da Silva twins as the fullbacks. So the average age for United backline for this game was 20 years old. Very young and inexperience backline. Then the midfield were Cleverley and Ji Sung at centre of midfield with Young and Nani as the wingers. Strikers were Hernandez and Berbatov.

Overall it was youthful squad with average age of 24 years old. And another surprised, Ji Sung Park was named as the captain. He is good servant of United with no question against his work rate and dedication, but to be the captain of United was another matter.

However United started brilliantly. Hernandez gave United the lead just after 6 minutes from brilliant forward move by United. From there United seemed to cruising and had comfortable evening. But then suddenly United lost their focus. They played without purpose and a little bit casual. Ajax just waiting to score and they did in 37th minutes.. From there on Ajax was the better side. Then Ajax set a nerving ending when they scored second on 87th minutes. United hold on and lucky enough to progress into the last 16 to meet Athletic Bilboa.

Again an inability to protect a lead and complacency almost made United pay. So buckled up United.


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