Seydou Doumbia – a second half substitute – suddenly found himself through on goal was twice denied, first by a wonderful stop by David De Gea’s left boot and then by a world class block by Chris Smalling.
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Smalling continued his impressive campaign with a fine goal-line clearance just minutes before Wayne Rooney’s victor at Old Trafford on Tuesday. He admitted that he had heard the jeers, but insisted that the fans would “not be disappointed with the decision”, despite the evidence to the contrary. I would have been sitting here differently because then it is another game.
The Manchester United manager seemed to have heeded the hues and cries for his team to attack more, as he seemingly sent his men out in the 4-4-2 formation that we have often seen their legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson use.
“But it is fantastic to see players doing that – Ashley Young was also doing it. We deserve the win totally, I am relieved, but also very proud of my players”.
And it proved to be a pivotal as Carrick and Lingard combined to set up Rooney for the victor in front of the Stretford End less than a minute later to seal a first home victory for United against Russian opposition. “I try to create my own opinion and my opinion is clear – Wayne Rooney is one of the best”.
Herrera came off the bench in the final minutes of the Champions League clash to help secure an important victory, one which has seen Louis van Gaal’s side move to the top of Group B with two games remaining.
The former England midfielder questioned Van Gaal’s tactical approach after United crashed out of the League Cup on penalties against Middlesbrough. “We were prepared for it to be late on, we thought there was a chance it might have gone like that and it proved to be”. The ball was played wide right to Jesse Lingard who volleyed a ball into the six-yard box.
That ties him with Denis Law for second-place on the all-time Manchester United scoring list.
“I’m very happy because I put him again in the striker’s position and he scored”.
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“It was a big moment for us because we hadn’t scored a goal in the last few matches so it was very important”, Schweinsteiger was quoted as saying by the club’s website (www.manutd.com).
