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Manchester United Comment: Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic answer Arsenal and Chelsea's Premier League title challenge
Defence and attack in perfect unison to defuse Londoners' threat
14 Mar 2010 16:53:00
By Matt Monaghan | Manchester United comment
All questions asked of Manchester United by their Premier League title rivals yesterday were answered by an ominous statement of intent against Fulham.
Wins for Arsenal and Chelsea had knocked United off their perch at the top of the table. A superb 90 minutes has moved the reigning champions back into their favoured top spot.
From front to back, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men look in no mood to relinquish their grip on the trophy. The Cottagers’ solid resistance could not withstand the pressure from the hosts as they charged to a 3-0 victory.
All championship winning sides need their defence and attack to be functioning as the season swings into the finishing straight. The red machine is certainly clicking into gear on today’s evidence.
Wayne Rooney was again the man to watch as his brace cemented United’s place at the head of the standings. A more welcome sight, however, was a welcome return to form for Nemanja Vidic.
A campaign disrupted by injury, suspension and transfer rumours has seen the gloss taken off his hard-won reputation.
A year ago, Vidic was the glue that held United’s assault on a third successive league title together as he played the key role in a record breaking run of clean sheets. The superlatives were in free supply then, but this stream had dried up.
A superb block after an uncharacteristic slip was the highlight of a full blooded display that will please Ferguson as much at that of his superstar striker. In tandem with Rio Ferdinand, the platform is now there for a successful charge.
The contrast to the 3-0 demolition suffered at Craven Cottage in the reverse fixture came from the stability at the back.
United boast the finest pair of central defenders in the sport when available. Without them, a fragility not usually associated with the club appears.
All the focus has shone on Rooney’s unrelenting charge up the goalscorers' chart and the travails of winter have been forgotten.
Wes Brown’s broken foot and Jonny Evans’ shot nerves has enforced their importance. While not up to the world class standard Rooney has set, Dimitar Berbatov proved this afternoon he can perform should injury befall the main man.
United built from the back a year ago to sweep all before them. Vidic and Ferdinand must continue to provide the ballast to Rooney’s brilliance to repeat the trick.
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All questions asked of Manchester United by their Premier League title rivals yesterday were answered by an ominous statement of intent against Fulham.
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Wins for Arsenal and Chelsea had knocked United off their perch at the top of the table. A superb 90 minutes has moved the reigning champions back into their favoured top spot.
From front to back, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men look in no mood to relinquish their grip on the trophy. The Cottagers’ solid resistance could not withstand the pressure from the hosts as they charged to a 3-0 victory.
All championship winning sides need their defence and attack to be functioning as the season swings into the finishing straight. The red machine is certainly clicking into gear on today’s evidence.
Wayne Rooney was again the man to watch as his brace cemented United’s place at the head of the standings. A more welcome sight, however, was a welcome return to form for Nemanja Vidic.
A campaign disrupted by injury, suspension and transfer rumours has seen the gloss taken off his hard-won reputation.
A year ago, Vidic was the glue that held United’s assault on a third successive league title together as he played the key role in a record breaking run of clean sheets. The superlatives were in free supply then, but this stream had dried up.
Rooney riot | Striker grabbed a brace today
A superb block after an uncharacteristic slip was the highlight of a full blooded display that will please Ferguson as much at that of his superstar striker. In tandem with Rio Ferdinand, the platform is now there for a successful charge.
The contrast to the 3-0 demolition suffered at Craven Cottage in the reverse fixture came from the stability at the back.
United boast the finest pair of central defenders in the sport when available. Without them, a fragility not usually associated with the club appears.
All the focus has shone on Rooney’s unrelenting charge up the goalscorers' chart and the travails of winter have been forgotten.
Wes Brown’s broken foot and Jonny Evans’ shot nerves has enforced their importance. While not up to the world class standard Rooney has set, Dimitar Berbatov proved this afternoon he can perform should injury befall the main man.
United built from the back a year ago to sweep all before them. Vidic and Ferdinand must continue to provide the ballast to Rooney’s brilliance to repeat the trick.
Become a fan of Goal.com UK's Facebook fan page for all the latest news and insight into everything related to the beautiful game!
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
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