Our team lacks a finisher *clears throat* don't think so.. Try looking at Rooney and Berbatov's goals against Blackburn - try looking at Valencia's goal in Russia against CSKA... We lack a finisher.. Even Welbeck's goal against Barnsley was well taken and Owen is a finisher too when in the right area... Grow some eyes..

phil-berba:

hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha i bet your eating your words right now, dont count your chickens before they hatch son

Lol I was about to say that exact same saying as well phil - along with I don't remember us losing... But then again you'll always have these assuming muppets who come to a foregone conclusion which can only be due to doubting the team's ability to come back! Some supporter... Fergie proved that he didn't get it wrong too after this 'supporter' slated him

Also To Dizza and Himann: Well said both of you!

Great summary PureFootball.

CSKA's first goal "oozed" class, If United scored that we would be raving about it today. I applaud CSKA's style - They came to attack, and attack they did.

I was indeed a bit disappointed in the manner we went 2-1 and then 3-1 down. It was just extremely poor defending and lack of concentration.

At 3-1 I was finding the game hard to watch... reminiscent of the Barca game last year, however I knew deep we could still come back and level. It's just in our nature, seen so much in the past.

With the referee knowing Fletcher is a serial diver* we were denied the most blatant penalty I have seen in years. Then after Macheda hit the post and Rooney's follow up saved by Akinfeev I was steadily losing hope.

But, just when you thought there was not enough time left. Scholes glancing header nestles into the back of the net and then Valencia levels it up in dramatic style.

I still found myself believing we would score another!!!!  The injury time seemed to last forever......

Two important outcomes in the game - 1) We qualify to the next stage 2) We prolong our home record

Scholes was class. Now he get's torn by young pacy midfielders...sometimes not all. I still love him. Richmod supporter eih? 

While I agree with the back four as its all we had, But Fabio should of been replaced at half time. I think Fabio is a brilliant player but he's still learning the game when you come up to a real class player in Krasic you need experience.

The midfield was the main concern last night we were over run, Scholes needs 3 good plays around he now so he can pull the strings not next to a half fit Fletcher how couldn't keep up with the game(fully fit would of run the show) Valencia did his best but again needs the best players around him while he still getting to grips with us. As for Nani I know he's getting slated last night and he didn't play well but he had 3 players on him most of the night he just can't do the simple things like run with the ball and start a counter attack.

Owen and Kiko needed the game time but Owen should of had the match ball by half time, they both will have there part to play this season.

We need 3 player in Jan and I'm sure Valencia will be interested in cash plus Nani for either Silva of Villa of even both. Nani will like Spain he gets the time on the ball he needs and I'm sure if he went there in a few years people will say we should of kept him, But he never going to be a Premier league player. What you guys think?

 Transfer speculation??? try fixtures/results! under the new regime I think you will find your thread hasbeen moved!

{It has and merged with similar threads as well! - Gavinio]

 Not sure what you have all seen in Obertan, I must have been watching different games. So far he hasn't done anything, apart from a couple of through balls which incidentally would have gone out of play if it wasnt for Evra's speed!!

 Jury still out for me!

i don't think the problem was playing 2 defensive mids. this could have worked really well IF we used the wings to attack. the problem was that we tried to make pinpoint passes through the defence, when their weakness was actually in the air. later in the 2nd half, we figured that out, and the difference showed.

 Could you have any more questions?

redzepplin,

After reading your post, I thought I should also add to what you have written.

It was a very big surprise to see that purefootball was not made a moderator. I remember that audouc and many others in this forum had indeed recommended purefootball. One of the most intelligent among fans who are active in the forum, he/she deserved to be one. Every match of ours is previewed and analysed with a lot of footballing fundamentals & tactical nuances and he/she along with others like Gavinio and audouc had been screeming out for changes and improvement in the forum.

Anyway, good that atleast some active memebers have been made and that 's good.  

purefootball,

I for one enjoyed the match. This CSKA was certainly not the one we played a fortninght ago. The new Manager seems to have brought in a very sharp turn in their style of play, the open attacking game very deservedly produced the results for them. The home team expected a repeat of the previous experience and that was not to be.

It was a stone wall penalty. I agree with you, if there is a classic example to justify introduction of technology to assist the referees, it is this. It was so clear, so unambiguous, how could the referee deduce it to be simulation? There is hawkeye in Tennis, third umpires are referred to in Cricket and in Rugby this has been widely in use. Like in Tennis, why not give say, three chances for the Captain/Manager to challenge the decisions and let the TV replay be used to over rule or approve the decision taken in the field. Alternatively, let the referee on the pitch refer to the fourth official, if he is not certain, about a penalty, ball crossing the line for a goal etc. etc.

Good observations, pure football, I enjoyed reading your post.

By the way, I am really surprised that you have not become a Mod. I was so sure that you will be one of them. The most consistent and loyal fan of the club, in my opinion and your posts are always brilliant. Anyway, please do continue with your write ups, there are many of us who look forward to those.  

 Akinfeev will be a steal from us quality keeper, if he played the same way our keeper did we would have won by 8 goals. I seriuosly feel that although the defence was at fault for atleast 2 of their goals Van Der Sar could have done better especially the first goal more like the one we conceded against Liverpool.

Valencia i thought is too one dimensional you just feel he'll keep on running to the byline even when the better option is to cut in, but overall very impressed with Orbetan the lad gets in the box more often than any of our other wingers he'll be BIG.

Bring on Chelsea but the defence needs to up its game in this one else.....

Lucky????

Not in my opinion. Manchester United FC is an established European team. They have ample champions league match experience that i don't consider this draw as lucky.

Fair enough we squandered some good opportunities but in this competition, experience is equivalent to an extra man in the team.

Most importantly we are through to the next stage. Now, we can sit a bit back for the next two games against wolfsburg and besiktas. We can give our brilliant reserve's prospects some champions league runs. This experience will be vital to help them establish temselves.

But to say we were lucky, NO WAY!!!

purefootball,

I am with you on most of the points.

I thought Gary Neville also played very well and he needs a mention.

A late, late recovery and a stunning one at  that. Yes, a few more minutes and we would have been through!

As always we perform best during the injury time beyond 90 minutes!!!

i was lucky enough to get a ticket krasic ripped fabio apart nani didnt track ack and help him at all. im not sure nani will be hre much longer i was impressed when rooney and obertan came on the atmosphere was brilliant we could have won the game if it wasnt for there keeper he was immense. i juse hope we up our game for sunday COME ON YOU RED DEVILS!!!!!!