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A pleasing performance. If you win by two goals and keep a clean sheet in a European two legged tie, away from home, you're always going to be happy. A goal each for Ashley Young and Javier Hernandez (Chicharito)and a good performance (Especially second half) put Manchester United firmly in the driving seat and I for one cannot see any way back for Ajax based on that performance.
A goalless first half was contested at a decent pace and both teams had their chances. David De Gea made a couple of great stops in the United goal while Hernandez was causing the Dutch team's defense endless problems with his intelligent movement.
Not sure what Sir Alex Ferguson said in the dressing room, but we really turned it up in the second half. We passed the ball very well, the returning Phil Jones was endlessly charging down the right flank and the breakthrough came when Nani crossed the ball (Maybe the only decent thing he did all game) and found Ashley Young on the left hand side of the box (Via a deflection.) The England winger stepped inside and fired his shot low and hard through the legs of the Keeper.
United continued to dominate and save for a Christian Eriksen run and shot (Straight at De Gea) the only team that looked like scoring were the away side. And it duly came as Rooney found Chicharito who found the net. A goal that his performance warranted in my opinion. The match ended two nil.
Other plus points included the return of Tom Cleverley, Phil Jones and Nani from injury. Fabio got some much needed time deputising for Patrice Evra, and he put in a very solid performance, as did the whole of the backline.
Negatives? Antonio Valencia came on as a late sub, but then went off as he got injured in the build up to the second goal. He has been in such good form that it really would be a sucker punch if he were to be out for any considerable length of time. Also, Nani really was poor today. He got in numerous good positions and made poor decisions time after time. The one that sticks out was when he entered the 6 yard box and completely mishit, causing the ball to balloon high and wide. He also found himself in a great shooting opportunity early in the second half and shot very tamely.
But all in all a good night. We are next in action next Thursday. On Channel 5 in the return leg at Old Trafford. Maybe a chance to blood some youngsters and rest some key players. Share any thoughts you have here!