David Moyes could finally breathe a sigh of relief when the referee blew the final whistle at Old Trafford on the Saturday night. It was finally a victory for Manchester United. They needed it badly after three consecutive losses. The 2-0 win over Swansea City yesterday was an important victory for United keeping in mind the current results and the fixtures coming up in the next few weeks.
Well it was a clinical 2-0 victory ion the end but it was not at all a victory in the Manchester United-way. In the first half United looked like a team down with confidence and lacking the spark as the Swans capitalized on the depleted United side. They kept the United defense busy right from the very beginning, especially in the later part of the first half. United did get some golden opportunities but Danny Welbeck failed to put the ball in the back of the net from hand-shaking distance. Luck was also not United’s side as Adnan Janujaz saw his free-kick crashing on the post in the fourteenth minute of the match.
As the two teams went into the second half locked at 0-0, the fear of losing further points in the home ground was looming large over the Red Devils. However there was stark change in the players as they came running out of the dug-out after the lemon break. And looked more like what we are used to. There was sudden spring in the step of every United player as they tried to make use of every opportunity. They did not have to wait long for the reward. Just two minutes after play had resumed Antonio Valencia put the home side ahead after collecting the rebound from the Swansea goalkeeper who kept Kagawa’s first time header out of danger. There was an air of relief that covered the whole stadium as slowly United began to look all the more dangerous. United did not have to wait long to extend the lead as Danny Welbeck, who was the culprit of missing a sitter in the first half, showed great presence of mind in guiding the ball over the line with the outside of his boot when it came his way of Patrice Evra’s mistimed shot. It calmed all the nerves. And the rest of the match was played out in the way Manchester United had done over the years. Adnan Janujaz was named the man-of-the-match for his excellent performance. It was Janujaz, whose great understanding with Evra made the difference between the two sides.
In the end it was United’s first victory in 2014. All the fans will be looking forward to such spirited performances in the upcoming matches as well. And once Rooney and Van Persie joins the side within a few days, United are looking good for a top four finish which looked like an impossible task even two days ago.
Tags: Adnan Janujaz Antonio Valencia Danny Welbeck David Moyes english premier league EPL news Manchester United Manchester United beat Swansea City Patrice Evra Swansea City Van Persie Wayne Rooney
