MANCHESTER UNITED vs FULHAM

25-AUG-2012 BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE

OLD TRAFFORD

Sir Alex Ferguson handed home debuts to Shinji Kagawa and Robin Van Persie. Rafael replaced Nani who did not even make the bench, Anderson came in for Paul Scholes and Ashley Young replaced Danny Welbeck, Wayne Rooney was dropped to the bench allowing Van Persie to start.

Martin Jol played Matthew Briggs at left-back in the place of the injured John Arne Riise, the rest of the team remained unchanged from the side that beat Norwich City 5-0 the previous weekend.

Early Goals

Fulham took an early lead from a well-worked set-play in just the 3^rd minute of the game. With United set to defend a cross, Ruiz pulled the ball back for Damien Duff who lost Ashley Young and converted from 10 yards out. It took United just 7 minutes to equalise; Patrice Evra’s shallow cross from the left touchline was beautifully diverted into the goal on the half volley by Robin Van Persie.

United Control

Fulham played with a 4-4-2 shape without possession and retreated behind the ball allowing United to retain possession in front of them under little pressure. They kept their defensive lines compact denying space for United to work the ball through them centrally. United’s approach without the ball was different, they looked to win the ball back early, pressing Fulham high up the pitch forced Fulham to play long balls forward and when United won the ball created opportunities to counter attack  with Fulham’s defensive lines disorganised. Fulham really struggled to keep possession in the 1^st-half, United dominated 69.4%-30.6%. Is this high tempo pressing game a new approach from United who traditionally have been a team that retreats and recovers their shape before trying to win possession back or was it simply a reflection of the energetic team Sir Alex fielded?

The Flanks

With Fulham compact through the centre of the pitch, United’s most creative area was from the flanks, particularly down the right hand side. United worked the ball from side to side and both full-backs Patrice Evra and Rafael made good overlapping runs to support Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia. Ashley Young on the left did not have a particularly productive game despite getting into good position’s he had no successful dribbles and only produced 6 crosses, Valencia on the right carried a much bigger threat producing 14 crosses and linked very well with Rafael. Valencia would often dribble the ball infield dragging Briggs narrow which would then create space for Rafael to make runs forward or for Shinji Kagawa to move into from his central position. Perhaps United targeted the right flank more often because the young and inexperienced Matthew Briggs was playing for Fulham at left back. United went in at half-time 3-1 up after Kagawa finished a rebound from Tom Cleverly’s shot after a corner was cleared and when Rafael headed home at the back post from Ashley Young cross in the second phase of another corner.

2^nd Half

United continued to probe and move the ball from side to side in front of Fulham and still produced lots of crosses and good wing-play on the flanks, but Fulham grew into the game after Martin Jol made a tactical switch in the 62^nd minute. He took off Alexander Kacaniklic and put on Steve Sidwell, moving Damien Duff to the left and Bryan Ruiz to the right, creating a narrow 4-5-1 formation. This system did 3 things, it gave Fulham more control of possession because they had more men in the central area, it allowed Moussa Dembele more freedom to move forward and create things further up the pitch and it also encouraged the full-backs to make overlapping runs which forced United wide men to recover and track the runs deep, this meant when United did win the ball back their wingers would be in a deeper position in transition and less of threat. Matthew Briggs put in the cross from the left which was put into his goal by Vidic after a mix up with David De Gea to make it 3-2.  United’s pressing also dropped off a little but the possession stats in the 2^nd half show Fulham were in the game more with United only just edging it 52.1%-47.9%, a significant shift from the 1^st half.

Moussa Dembele

He was Fulham’s and perhaps the game’s best player. He has been converted into a central midfielder and he seems to have grown into the role very well. He can break play up (he made 8 tackles more than any other player), he can beat a player (he made 9 successful dribbles more than any other player) he can pass (3 key passes, 96% passing accuracy, better than any other player), he is strong, he is quick and he could be available on a free transfer at the end of the season. Fulham will do well to keep him.

Fulham’s system helps them regain control of the game, by getting extra players into the central midfield zone.

Robin Van Persie

He scored a wonderful goal that really show cased his brilliant finishing ability in the penalty box. His movement off the ball is good too, he can drop deep to link up with the midfield and wingers and he can make well timed runs in-behind the opposition centre-backs. If United keep control of games they will make chances for him and he will score plenty of goals.

Conclusion

For 60 minutes, United were very good, they played at a good tempo, pressing Fulham early, moving the ball quickly side to side and they carried a good threat down the flanks, particularly the right. They controlled the game and deserved their lead, but Martin Jol tactical change in the 2^nd half swung the game Fulham’s way and United lost their grip by conceding a silly goal from a harmless cross. This meant the game became a bit nervier than it really should have been given United dominance for 2 thirds of the match.