Yes,
that is how desperate Manchester United fans have become – a win with a
solidarity goal (own goal by opponent in the opening minutes). It was at Old
Trafford and facing an opponent considered the weakest in United’s Champions
League group and all this United side can do was one own goal win!On
the bright side fans get to see Shinji Kagawa in action – a full 90 minutes for
the first time this season. Kagawa did well in the early part of the game and
truly came alive with his talent once Javier Hernandez went off and Wayne
Rooney played up front. That kind of performance will give David Moyes and
Manchester United fans hopes – of a creative force in the middle of the park.
But Moyes has since stated that he sees Kagawa more of an ‘understudy’ to
Rooney in that No 10 role. Fans will hope that Moyes will have the guts to make
changes – either in the starting XI or during the games – instead of letting a
talent like Kagawa sits on the bench the whole match, which was the case
throughout this season. Rooney however was the most hardworking of the forwards
and it is here that maybe Moyes preferred him (Rooney) to Kagawa over the work
rate issue.
But
this win – as well as Shakthar Donetsk’s lost to Bayer Leverkusen in Germany –
allows Manchester United to sits on top of Champions League group A, and in
good stead to progress to the knockout stage. This is a relief for United’s
fans especially after David Moyes had stated earlier in the season that United did
not has enough ‘world class’ players to win this tournament – or progress
further. The return leg of this fixture in two weeks time will be the yardstick
– to whether United will progress to the next stage or crumble embarrassingly. For
now, United move on to the next series (of four) of home games where Mark
Hughes’ Stoke City awaits – and Moyes’ team selection will once again comes
under spotlight. The momentum must continue – and this where most United fans
will take a tight win – under any circumstances!
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