To describe Manchester United's preseason as dismay is no
exaggeration. Defeats both on and off the pitch are no ideal start to the
post-Sir Alex era. On Friday night, they spoiled Rio's party, but more worrying
looked far from ready for the season, when their opponents only arrived that
morning, having also played a competitive match the day before.
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| Moyes had not quite got used to doing this |
Robin Van Persie's double is the perfect pain-relief for
David Moyes, not only did it end the poor pre-season run, but also brought
Moyes his first managerial silverware. Apart from the goals, United was not
dominating as they would want to be against a not-so-threatening Wigan side.
Though without Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Nani and Ashley Young, you still
expect a bit more from the starting XI at Wembley.
The incapability
in passing
Sometimes, it is as simple as getting the basics right. One
key reason that let United down at Wembley is their passing. Predominantly
having the ball, their passes in general just lacked the power to facilitate smooth
transition.
Tom Cleverley, in particular, just could not get the touch
right and often found players on the receiving end struggled to take a neat
control of his passes. United never
quite got the flow of attack they envisioned and once again reminded the fans
their failure to capture a midfield playmaker this summer.
Was Wigan prepared
to compete?
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| Holt (left) had little support in the game |
Started their Championship season in a convincing manner, Wigan
should be relishing the opportunity to once again compete in Wembley Stadium. As
expected they went for a more defensive settings at the kick-off whistle, but
looked incapable to respond to Van Persie's early goal. Putting into context,
official record shows Wigan had merely one goal attempt, late in the second
half by substitute Roger Espinoza.
Apart from the clashes between Grant Holt and Nemanja Vidic,
the Latics gave minimal disturbance to United back four. Having already fielded
quite a strong side, they just did not look motivated or confident to give it a
fight for the trophy. There is a week to go before their next league fixture.
What were Owen Coyle and the players worrying about?
Does the Red Devil
need Leighton Baines?
Tempted by the return to Monaco, United looks set to replace
Patrice Evra with Moyes' favourite Leighton Baines. Everton stands firm not to
sell the left back, but United witnessed another solid performance from Evra.
Well-rested after the summer, the 32 years old was energetic and productive
down the left.
The question is, how likely can Evra maintain this form for
50 games a season? United were desperate for a reliable understudy but may
still yet to establish the confidence on Alex Buttner. Baines should be
United's long term solution to the left back, but the English defender will not
arrive at Old Trafford to be a bench-warmer. Moyes has three weeks left to sort
out this dilemma.
Man of the match
It could be an easy pick by looking at the scoresheet. Those
who watched the match might disagree. Van Persie was clinical in the two
chances he got. In truth, Manchester United did not create much for the last
season Premier League top goalscorer. Zaha started off brightly but looked less
threatening as time went by. Welbeck and Cleverley did not quite impress the
crowd on a season they should have targeted to shine.
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| Robin Van Persie's well-placed header gave United the lead |
With no significant tests to the defenders, Michael Carrick
had no real troubles in dominating the tempo. But United should be more than
capable to get more than merely just two this afternoon. Overall, it is not a
satisfying performance, either as a team or on an individual basis.
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