MANCHESTER UNITED MAY have had just 26% possession at Old Trafford during their 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich but the performance still ranks as one of their best of an extremely troubled season.
United, as they famously did against Barcelona in the 2008 Champions League semi-finals, gave up the wings in favour of a tightly-packed defensive unit. They restricted Bayern to long-range efforts, for the most part, but were infiltrated on four occasions by Arjen Robben, David Alaba and Franck Ribery. If Pep Guardiola had opted to start with a dedicated striker, rather than the roving Thomas Mueller, David Moyes’ men may not have found themselves level at half-time.
Buoyed by their staunch defence and a Danny Welbeck one-on-one miss that stirred belief, if not the scoreboard, United grew in confidence as the game went on. Shinji Kagawa, who came on at the break for Ryan Giggs, earned United a corner that Nemanja Vidic scored from after a superb, glanced header. Guardiola’s will snapped. On came Mario Mandzukic and Bastian Schweinsteiger soon clipped in a deserved equaliser.
Bayern’s leveller featured a jogging, spectating cameo from Marouane Fellaini that summed up his 94-minute appearance at Old Trafford. The Belgian made up 20 yards on Schweinstieger as he tracked back from the halfway line. He then stopped and watched as Mandzukic cushioned a header back for the midfielder to dispatch.
Fellaini’s part in the goal summed up his overall performance. He was a seriously off the pace all evening, squandered possession on numerous occasions, needlessly fouled Bayern Munich players and rarely harried an opponent. In a game in which his teammates ran themselves into the ground, Fellaini seemed to glide around the pitch, inevitably arriving a second or three too late in attack and defence.
While he was not the only United player to give away cheap possession — Alex Buttner and Phil Jones pumped a lot of long balls straight to the grateful Bayern defence — Fellaini’s aberrations often came from his failure to find a teammate 10 yards away. Bayern knew he would rush his passes if they pressed him.
Two moments — both in the second-half — stood out as United supporters went from irritation and weary frustration to ironic cheers if a tackle was won or a pass found its intended recipient. Antonio Valencia won possession deep in the United half and a diagonal ball was lofted to the halfway line. With Kagawa making a run, and expecting a flick on, Fellaini was out-jumped by Alaba — a player who is six inches smaller than the former Everton man.
The second was just after the hour mark, as United defended their 1-0 lead. A Bayern attack broke down at the edge of the United boss and Fellaini tore off up-field. He ran diagonally and both his second and third touches were heavy. He ended go throwing himself into a sliding tackle to concede a throw-in.
Rhys Jones / Twitter
Rhys Jones / Twitter / Twitter
Fellaini’s best moments came in the final 15 minutes of the match as the pace slowed. He won some important challenges in midfield and initiated a couple of attacking forays up the right wing. His overall contribution, in comparison to players such as Valencia or Wayne Rooney, was scant. Jones may be another United player that appears heavy-handed at times but his commitment was clear to see and he made some important interventions to break down Bayern attacks.
There was speculation that Fellaini was selected ahead of Kagawa to provide greater protection to the United back four. There may have been a certain logic to Moyes’ call but reality proved to be a eons away from whatever plans the Scot may have sketched on on his whiteboard.
Kagawa, with his close control, ability to pick a pass and attacking intent, demonstrated in his 45 minutes on the pitch that he is better suited for United’s mountainous task of knocking Bayern over at the Allianz Arena next week. If Moyes can find room for Darren Fletcher, too, United may yet have a glimmer of hope against a German side that will be without Javi Martinez and Schweinsteiger.
Please some one in the FAI sort this mess ,
Too late, the lunatics have taken over the asylum…
We need leadership now.
We need someone like Harry redknapp to manage the team and Niall Quinn on the fai board
Gibson always had an attitude. Don’t mind Ronaldo having an attitude but Gibson is not good enough to have one. Another Stephen Ireland is all we need.
With regards to Stephen Ireland, I say a prayer every night for his return
The FAI is the mess.
Just imagine if they fans had the same attitude.Darren needs to man up.
Trap has lost the players. Now keep an eye on the attendance figures for the home fixtures in the WCQ. If they’re lower than expected his time may be up
Amazed that he was able to convince Dunne to stay on – probably guilt tripped him into it. Dunne doesn’t owe us anything now.
I can see why he has made himself unavailable, but this is his big chance for him to become a part of the starting 11, it’s going to be interesting what happens when he does make himself available
Gibson is a loss. Trap is so conservative that he won’t give Gibson a game therefore Gibson wants to focus on his club. Fair enough. When a regular prem starter sits on the bench and sees Cox being played in midfield you can’t ble him for getting pissed off.
Don’t forget Green also got more game time than him in the euros and he didn’t even have a team, he’s right to do what he’s doing
Yes you can blame him. If you’re offered the green shirt you wear it with pride. He should never be allowed to sully it again.
Vincent, he was not getting his Green shirt in order to wear it with pride. Unless the training bid is green. He was being asked to turn up for a week, with no realistic opportunity of game time. He placed club commitments above that, sounds fair to me and certainly understandable. You can keep your simplistic views if you want but at least try to see bigger picture.
Aww. The poor little fella.
What a mess. Gibson to scared to ruin his confidence if he plays rubbish again for Ireland. More interested in playing for everton. Not that Gibson is much of a loss it’s a sure sign that Traps style of play is not popular with the players anymore. Delaney & Trap out now… You could not pay me to go watch an international match these days….disgusting dinosaur football. Delaney and his 400,000 a year OUT now that delaney is a Buffon and a sham looking Irish fool get him OUT now!
He’s struggling by on ?360,000 now poor mite.
Hard one to call, however I can see why he’s done it. For all the hype in qualifying for the Euro’s Ireland were awful. I don’t blame any of the players but the outdated negative system Trap insists on. To sit on the bench and watch that must be a killer.
We need a change of management from the top down and play a style of football that will bring the fans back.
You get offered the green shirt you wear it with pride. End of.
Traps man management skills have to be questioned at this stage!!!!
He needs to grow a set. Most people would love to be in his position and he refuses.
We need to sign Andy Carrol,
How would football work if every player who felt aggrieved at a Managers decision not to play him refused to line out. By the way, I challenge any of you defending Gibson so name a match where Gibson had a good game for Ireland.
I hope everyone who defended Roy Keane in Saipan recognise now that their tolerance of his treachery lay the foundations for the likes of Stephen Ireland and Darron Gibson to betray their country.
Troll! J’acuse
Disagreeing with you, Stephen does not constitute Trollery, I’m afraid. But while we’re accusing, I notice you are an Everton fan. Putting club before country, it would seem.
Bringing Roy Keane (whom I agreed with BTW) and Stephen Ireland (Whom I hate) is not helpful. Why not bring Collins and Dev while you are at it? And I think bringing Keane and Ireland into the argument is bordering on Trollery (If thats a word, maybe it demonstrates Trollish tendencies!)
Trap is an idiot. At the Euros we had the option of Gibson or Green to come on off the bench and he choses bloody Paul Green. That is ridiculous. Must be sickening to watch Paul Green play ahead of you. Feel sorry for Gibson
Gibson went to the Euros and had to sit on the bench and watch two lesser players getting picked ahead of him. I dont blame him for pulling out.
I didn’t realise players get to pick the team now. Interesting how the whole squad system works in that scenario.
if we had a no nonsense manager like Alex Ferguson he would never withdraw from a squad cos he knows he’d be finished.. wouldnt be surprised if he retires from international, who could blame em with a senile old man in charge
No loss
Sure he’s not even Irish so f@@@ him we don’t need him, onwards and upwards
I take it you dont want McClean then?
Silly comment, McLean and McGeady should be gone too so?
Not Irish Donal? How dare you? Who or what gives you the right to deny Darron Gibson his nationality? If there is one thing this country can do without is people like yourself spouting pro-British partitionist views. You really should try to avoid demonstrating your ignorance. Darron Gibson like everyone else born on this island is Irish. Now, we know there are some (kindred spirits of yours) who consider themselves British but Gibson is not one of them. You have no right to deny him his birthright. By your ignorant and twisted reckoning McLean and Wilson (also born in Ireland) are not Irish either, certainly you surely believe McCarthy, McGeady, Fox, Walters, St Leger are not Irish either. You in your exalted position would no doubt deny these members of the diaspora their right to be Irish. Obviously, you would also have been irritated in the past by the inclusion of non-Irish players such as Paul McGrath and David O’Leary (both born in England).
Be a man – apologise for, and retract your scurrilous statement. If you can’t or won’t might I suggest you take yourself off to an English and/or N. Ireland fan site where I am sure you will find others of a similar mindset to yourself. Shame on you!
Is he any good though? Looks like Trap hasnt him in his first 11 for the next games. Whelan, Andrews and McCarthy will fill the mid 3 for the Germany game if fit. Gibson obviously not happy. Is he doing anything at Everton? Took him a long time to realise he wasnt good enough for Utd. Pity to see players walking away though.
No he’s overrated always throwing his arms up like a spoilt child . Throws in the odd decent pass r shot.
He’s been a revelation since signing for Everton and become a key player and fan favourite try quickly. I was uncertain about him signing but he’s had a good attitude and good work ethic and fitted in well with the team.
You’d swear Gibson was Messi the way some people are going on. This is the same player who has struggled for fitness and consistency at United, Everton AND Ireland over the years. Don’t want to play? Then don’t. We’ll plough on and get behind the guys who actually want to play for their country. Not liking this prima donna nonsense from very average players.
Damn right
The move to Everton has done his career wonders, he’ll be a loss to Ireland. Odd attitude though after choosing to play for the Republic. He’s obviously lost faith in Trap, because I’d imagine he would have been a starter.
If you are blessed with enough football talent to be a professional footballer at this level , you should take pride in playing for your country. If you have some issues with the manager or team mates at international level you shouldn’t compare them to the day job where in this day and age you get very well paid.Throwing toys out of the pram smacks of primma donna which has been a noticeable bad trend from highly paid players when dealing with the various different challenges faced at international level , pity to see Gibson adding his name to the list.
Only positive about this is that Gibson was honest about it and said it straight, traps days are numbered! Bring back jacko
sorry pauli & donal,thumbed both of ye down in error.thought at first that u were referring to gibson and not that money grabbing chancer!
I blame both Trap and Gibson. Trap should expect people to walk out when he plays lesser championship standard players (cox, green ward) and doesnt even have certain personnel in the squad, (wilson, stokes, stephen reid,) It doesnt help when he continues to go with his unattractive football
But at the same time, Gibson and others should act like a professional and at least agree to play when selected.
The writings already on the wall for Trap in my book, expect HIM to walk out before the end of the qualifiers due to negative public pinion.
In my opinion Ireland has as large a pool of talent as its ever had at the moment with players like Robbie Brady about to come to prominence in the next year, so the next manager will have an exciting job on his hands.
If only Trap could see that and trust these irish players to play a style of football they can.
Gibson is silly in pulling out though. He needs as much exposure as he can get, as he’s still very unproven at the top level.
It won’t matter who will play’ they Have’nt got a chance ‘ and not one bit against GERMANY
Gibson was wrong to withdraw from the squad. Like many others commenting here, I believe a call up for your country is an honour not to be snubbed regardless of slight felt. However, he has every right to stage some form of protest. Just wish he had chosen a more appropriate one. I normally wouldn’t advocate mutiny but it is obvious that Trapattoni has lost the respect of many of the players, and judging by comments across many fora, the fans too. His latest incredulous statement re use of substitutes V the Italians demonstrates he has completely lost the plot. Too many players are falling out with him. Can they all be wrong? Time for his resignation.