United Back With A Bang: By Aditya Nayak @AdityaNayak12

After a shock defeat to Everton last week, Manchester United kicked their new season life after seeing of a very adventurous Fulham squad. Being the first home game of the season and added pressure of the defeat, the expectations on United and Sir Alex for a win was at its highest peak. This time though the Red devils didn’t disappoint and came out with exactly what the fans would want to see – a win. United Still play catch up to Chelsea who have amassed 3 out 3 victories and to Manchester city who have only won the only game they played.

There was a lot of way perhaps to go about the tactics and players to be used for this Game and Sir Alex went with most Weirdest of them all (as expected).Rooney started the game from the bench while RVP was handed his first start. Nani didn’t even make it to the bench and reports of him storming out of OT were making rounds. Drama had started even before the whistle was blown and more was to follow as the game proceeded.

Slow start to season, defeat to Everton, no goals scored yet, United needed to answer all of this in today’s game and they would have ninety minutes to do it. Much to the fans dislike though United made a horrible start to the game. Rafael who was given his first start of this campaign gave away a free kick on the edge of the box on the 3^rd minute. Bryan Ruiz took the kick to find Duff in box who fired the ball in to hand Fulham a very big lead very early in the game. The Theatre of Dreams looked stunned with what had happened. What followed next though was just amazing from the Red Devils. On the Stroke of 10 minutes Robin Van Persie Announced himself at United with a Sensational Volley from inside the box. United were back level and it was their 24 million controversial Signing is what put them there. And as if saying “If RVP can why not me?” kagawa was next to follow with the Beautiful tap from 6 yard out. The lads in red were on top and looked dangerous by the minute. The beautiful free flowing attacking football was alive once more in the united camp. Fulham were Further Forced back on the 41^st minute when Rafael headed in a cross from Evra to United a two goal cushion. An eventful first half was thus closed with a 3 -1 lead to United.

The Second half was expected to be more of the same as the first but it wasn’t to be. Fulham with a little slower tempo started claw back into the game slowly and at the same time shut out United’s attack.Dembele looked to be menacing in the middle with some classy dribbles and ball control. The high pressing play of Fulham wasn’t helping United either and nightmares of last season where united were beaten by teams like Bilbao in the similar fashion were resurfacing again. Cleverley and Anderson who looked to be in total control of midfield in the first half now were giving the ball away easily. Fulham were enjoying the possession and coming closer to score by the minute. On 64^th minute this became a reality but in the most bizzare manner. A complete Fiasco between David De Gea - Captain Vidic led to an own goal and also gave a huge lifeline to Fulham. Changes were needed in tactics and immediately for the Devils.

Rooney and Welbeck were hence sent in to shake things up and get back the two Goal cushion. For the Second time in two weeks though the Substitutes and late tactic change failed to create any impact on the game. United still lacked possession and Fulham now with a lifeline were bossing things around. United had only but one option and that was to see the game out by defending well. Rooney tried to the same by putting his body in line and came out with deep gash on his legs. He was immediately stretchered off and that injury adds to the already long list of injured players. United down to ten man with the Rooney injury saw the game through and denied the cottagers any chance of a late equalizer.

United won the match but not without creating a lot of anxiety and Drama till the very end. Hopefully, the fans will be treated to much cleaner performance in the coming games.

Full Time:

Manchester United 3 (RVP 10', Kagawa 35', Rafael 41')

Fulham 2 (Duff 3', Vidic o.g 64')

Line ups:

Manchester United: De Gea, Rafael, Evra, Vidic, Valencia, Anderson (Giggs), Carrick, Young (Welbeck), Cleverley, Robin Van Persie, Kagawa (Rooney)

Subs Not used- Scholes, Evans, Lindegaard, Hernandez

Fulham: Schwazer, Hangeland, Briggs, Hughes, Reither, Duff, Diarra( ), Dembele, Kacaniklic(), Petric( ), Ruiz

Subs not used- Stockdale, Kelly, Halliche, kasami

Top Performers:

Manchester United -

Rafael: 8.5/10 – Was a threat going forward and backed it up with a good goal and also made some critical interceptions throughout the game.

Cleverley: 7.5/10 – dictated play beautifully and also made some good challenges to win the ball back

Fulham –

Dembele:  7.5/10 – Controlled the Midfield in the second half and also whenever possible in the first half. Was a Constant threat to united in the Second half.

Ruiz: 7/10 – Assisted the first Goal and drilled in some beautiful Crosses through corners in the entire game.

Next Game: Southampton (A) 9/1/2012