Manchester United: Januzaj give Moyes the genius that Mark Robbins moment at Sunderland
MANCHESTER UNITED defeated Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of light. Was it easy for Moyes’ marvels. Or were the Black Cats unlucky? Let’s see what the newspaperd said:
Craig Gardner’s early strike gave Sunderland a thoroughly deserved half-time advantage against the reigning Premier League champions and the lead could have been more handsome.
Emanuele Giaccherini was denied by a magnificent save from David De Gea before the Italian spurned another golden opportunity from eight yards out…
Sunderland got off to a dream start after getting their noses in front in the fifth minute. Emanuele Giaccherini’s cross from the right cannoned off Phil Jones and Nemanja Vidic into the path of Gardner who rifled the ball into the far bottom corner.
And:
United had a major let-off in the eighth minute after Gardner caught Jones on the ball.The midfielder burst down the left-hand side of the area, but dithered in his decision-making, allowing Jones to race back and intercept.
…
A magnificent save from David De Gea denied Sunderland a second in the 34th minute. At the end of a sweeping move, Giaccherini met Adam Johnson’s cross from the left with a pinpoint header back across goal. But De Gea managed to readjust and diving full-length to his right, tipped it around the post.
MEN:
Phil Jones had come in for Euro starter Chris Smalling and his weak clearance was stabbed at equally powderpuff-like Nemanja Vidic and the ball ran to Craig Gardner who smashed in the opener.
…
United’s response was virtually nil apart from the lively Januzaj who put his experienced and more illustrious colleagues to shame with his confidence and vibrancy.
Until the 55th minute… United were, until that point, trailing 1-0, having defended with some recklessness and having allowed Craig Gardner to plunder a goal. It would not have been an injustice had Sunderland extended their advantage.
Van Persie missed a simple chance to put the game out of reach and Cleverley could have won it as Westwood pushed up for an equaliser, but United held firm for the points — and the arrival of a remarkable young talent.
It might not quite have been a Mark Robins moment for David Moyes, but, make no mistake, Adnan Januzaj got the Scotsman off the hook last night.
Sir Alex Ferguson was up against it in 1990, when Robins came to his and United’s rescue against Oldham.
The goals may well hit United in the pocket, as Januzaj is yet to sign an extension to his contract that expires at the end of this season. Europe’s top clubs are watching the situation and will no doubt see replay after replay of Januzaj’s second strike. The winger’s agent will be debating how many zeros to add to his original demand.
I have no idea who Roger Bennett is but his half-time tweet deserves a mention: “For Manchester United under David Moyes, squeaky bum time is now just known as time.”
But it’s all down to Moyes, who says:
“We gave away a terrible goal and needed David de Gea to keep us in the game, but apart from that we played some really good stuff. I thought this was the right time to play Adnan because he’s been so good. I thought about using him three or four weeks ago but there was a slight injury.”
The man’s a genius…
Posted: 5th, October 2013 | In: manchester united, Sports Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
