Our full backs today.

[rudedog]

Whether he's a wide player or not, Rooney is a top class attacking player. So his presence would still have given Aurelio something to think about.

However, our fullbacks took the initiative and got forward. Not only did this help in an attacking sense, it also pushed back Brown and Evra which negated the threat they usually have going forward.

All in all, it was a very beneficial asset to have fullbacks who regularly got high up the park.

I also believe that having Mascherano fully fit and on top of his game allows our fullbacks more much freedom as they know they have that extra cover.

[Joe King]

I know I am going to sound harsh but there were times in that match where Arbeloa and Aurelio looked extremely amateur. Arbeloa could have prevented the first goal by allowing Skrtel to defend the front post and just waiting for any problems with clearances. I know people will say Mascherano should have dealt with it and I'll agree however when you see Mascherano up the pitch, the responsibility should be taken on by every player. Aurelio should have crossed a lot more. There were times where Rooney's body positioning wasn't that of a right winger thus allowing him to cross however he looked square. For me, that was a waste. We know he can cross and with Kuyt winning a lot of first balls yesterday, test the back post out. Other than that, they did their defensive duties quite well. I thought Aurelio linked better with Riera than Arbeloa did with Benayoun. I thought Rafa's focus of attack was the left hence the lack of attack from Arbeloa.

[Marky]

Iv never seen Aurelio play so good. He was strong in tackle and never wasted a pass.

I personally thought he played really well.

[JPK]

I know I am going to sound harsh but there were times in that match where Arbeloa and Aurelio looked extremely amateur. Arbeloa could have prevented the first goal by allowing Skrtel to defend the front post and just waiting for any problems with clearances. I know people will say Mascherano should have dealt with it and I'll agree however when you see Mascherano up the pitch, the responsibility should be taken on by every player. Aurelio should have crossed a lot more. There were times where Rooney's body positioning wasn't that of a right winger thus allowing him to cross however he looked square. For me, that was a waste. We know he can cross and with Kuyt winning a lot of first balls yesterday, test the back post out. Other than that, they did their defensive duties quite well. I thought Aurelio linked better with Riera than Arbeloa did with Benayoun. I thought Rafa's focus of attack was the left hence the lack of attack from Arbeloa.

The Manc's defended Babel's goal the very same way.

[El Jefecito]

Iv never seen Aurelio play so good. He was strong in tackle and never wasted a pass.

I personally thought he played really well.

He did.Early on Rooney gave him the slip a couple of times, the commentators mentioned it and some obviously made up their mind about his performance at that point.

Didn't notice how well he got forward, how there was no width from Manure's right side. How well he and Riera interplayed to ensure we maintained width etc etc

[Joe King]

The Manc's defended Babel's goal the very same way.

Thats the mistake you shouldn't make when defending. Its an instinct thing. I was taught this by my teachers and I have taught it too when I have coached. Whenever there is a cutback, always, always, always, have one player in space. Just as precautionary. I watched Babel's goal again (and again and again, each time with a bigger smile) and I seen two United defenders and the goalkeeper on the line. What is the point?

[El Jefecito]

I know I am going to sound harsh but there were times in that match where Arbeloa and Aurelio looked extremely amateur. Arbeloa could have prevented the first goal by allowing Skrtel to defend the front post and just waiting for any problems with clearances. I know people will say Mascherano should have dealt with it and I'll agree however when you see Mascherano up the pitch, the responsibility should be taken on by every player. Aurelio should have crossed a lot more. There were times where Rooney's body positioning wasn't that of a right winger thus allowing him to cross however he looked square. For me, that was a waste. We know he can cross and with Kuyt winning a lot of first balls yesterday, test the back post out. Other than that, they did their defensive duties quite well. I thought Aurelio linked better with Riera than Arbeloa did with Benayoun. I thought Rafa's focus of attack was the left hence the lack of attack from Arbeloa.

Wouldn't have happened. There is no way Skrtel would have marked a zone that did not have a man in it. Tevez was El Jefecito / Xabi's to cover. End of.

[Joe King]

Wouldn't have happened. There is no way Skrtel would have marked a zone that did not have a man in it. Tevez was El Jefecito / Xabi's to cover. End of.

Skrtel to cover the man who attacks the front post with Arbeloa marking the space in and around the penalty spot. It positionally makes sense as well as Arbeloa could bring the ball out of defence and go to his right back position.

[dww]

Skrtel to cover the man who attacks the front post with Arbeloa marking the space in and around the penalty spot. It positionally makes sense as well as Arbeloa could bring the ball out of defence and go to his right back position.

Possibly but there is no doubt that if you play a holding midfield player he has to track runners from deep midfield.

I actually think that Arbeloa has come across to block the cut back to the more front post area at the edge of the box which seems fair enough. While not perfect it was sensible enough.

I'm afraid that goal has to be blamed squarely on Mascher.

[Joe King]

Possibly but there is no doubt that if you play a holding midfield player he has to track runners from deep midfield.

I actually think that Arbeloa has come across to block the cut back to the more front post area at the edge of the box which seems fair enough. While not perfect it was sensible enough.

I'm afraid that goal has to be blamed squarely on Mascher.

Yeah, I do agree that Mascherano should have done a lot better. Thats his role. To track and to nullify the threat. Tevez ran right across him and boy, didn't he know it.

However, as mentioned in my other post, that if either Skrtel and Arbeloa (preferably Arbeloa) realised that there was a threat at the edge of the box, one of them should have taken responsibility.

[El Jefecito]

Yeah, I do agree that Mascherano should have done a lot better. Thats his role. To track and to nullify the threat. Tevez ran right across him and boy, didn't he know it.

However, as mentioned in my other post, that if either Skrtel and Arbeloa (preferably Arbeloa) realised that there was a threat at the edge of the box, one of them should have taken responsibility.

They played percentages, dealt with the immediate threat and hoped that others dealt with the indirect threat. Didn't happen, El Jefecito will never again fall asleep in the first 3 mins of a game

[RedReet]

Thought Aurelio was brilliant today. Just finished watching the game again and couldn’t believe how far upfield he constantly was. Even when the ball didn’t reach him he was still always looking to receive in the final third of the pitch.

And defensively he was sound too. You would hardly have known Rooney was on if it wasn’t for the boo’s any time he got near the ball.