The Busby Babe - Manchester United 1-0 Reading FCWhere it's always squeaky bum timehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51377/tbb-fav.png2013-03-20T06:15:18+00:00http://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/rss/stream/38772492013-03-20T06:15:18+00:002013-03-20T06:15:18+00:00A running diary of Alexander Buttner vs Reading
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<figcaption>Michael Regan</figcaption>
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<p>A minute-by-minute look at Alexander Buttner's performance against Reading FC. </p> <p>On Saturday evening, if someone gave me the choice of being stabbed in the eye with a rusty nail or re-watching <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United's</a> tepid (but important) 1-0 defeat of the soon-to-be relegated Reading FC, I likely would have pondered my options for awhile. In the past few days, though, I found myself curious* about Alexander Buttner<i> </i>because he's still a player I don't really have a feel for as his appearances have been limited due to the incredibly durable Patrice Evra. Therefore, I decided to re-watch the game and do a minute-by-minute observation of the Dutch left-back, <a href="http://www.thebusbybabe.com/2013/2/18/3998968/wilfried-zaha-crystal-palace-vs-middlesbrough-running-diary" target="_blank">Wilfried Zaha style</a>. This may or may not teach me more about Buttner. Nonetheless, here I go:</p>
<p>* <i>You know the proverbial warning 'curiosity killed the cat'? Well if you replace 'killed the cat' with 'lulled me into a near unconscious state due to the extreme boring nature of this match'', then it works in this case. </i></p>
<p><b>Pre-game:</b> Buttner is making just his 2nd Premier League start of the season and his 10th overall appearance in all competitions. He's the left-back in United's typical 4-4-1-1ish shape.</p>
<p><b>1' -</b> It takes Anderson literally 9 seconds to throw his weight around and draw a foul. I just remembered this running diary isn't about the <s>rotund</s> jovial midfielder.</p>
<p><b>1' -</b> United start with a spell of possession and slowly work the ball up the pitch. Buttner is involved in a few simple passing sequences down the left touchline but he eventually loses possession when his short pass for Robin van Persie spills out of play near the corner flag. A few simple movements in the passing sequence - Buttner went up the touchline when left-winger <span>Ashley Young</span> went inside and the former darted towards the box when the latter received again near the touchline.</p>
<p><b>2' -</b> Buttner wins the second-ball after a Reading throw-in. He immediately tries to dart into attack before a challenge causes him to be knocked over. No foul given (rightfully), but the resulting loose ball leads to a <span>Ryan Giggs</span> (as a central-midfielder) pass out wide for Young. The winger eventually hits a cross that finds no one and trickles out for a goal-kick.</p>
<p><b>10' -</b> There's not a whole lot going so far down Buttner's side of the pitch. Overall, the tempo of the game is very slow and both sides have stayed organized in their shapes. United just had a long spell of possession and the likes of Buttner, Young, Giggs, and Robin van Persie all continuously formed passing triangles for each other. Buttner does appear comfortable on the ball in attack and even when a defender is tight on him, he doesn't panic.</p>
<p><b>12' -</b> A little bit of possession, finally, for Reading. Still not much going on in regards to Buttner. Positionally, he's been very cautious and has stuck quite close to left-center-back Nemanja Vidic whenever the Reds are out of possession. The United back four have been fairly flat with neither Buttner nor right-back <span>Chris Smalling</span> looking to get forward much. This has contributed to a static attack thus far for the league leaders.</p>
<p><b>15' -</b> Reading right-back <span>Stephen Kelly</span> is playing quite narrow and by my count, United have already targeted 3 long right-to-left diagonals into the wide areas where Kelly is not guarding. <span>Rio Ferdinand</span> rakes a 40-50 yard diagonal out to Young just outside of the box before the winger unsuccessfully tries to curl an attempt into the far-post. Young is continuously in an inside-left position - perhaps this is why Kelly keeps positioning himself so narrowly - but Buttner is reluctant to get forward into the available space down the touchline. As a whole, with <span>Danny Welbeck</span> playing relatively narrow as the nominal right-winger, United need their full-backs to bomb forward in order for any sort of proper width to be provided. It's not happening so far.</p>
<p><b>19'-</b> United transition forward through Giggs - who is positoned as the left-sided central-midfielder - for a 5 v 6 break. RvP trails the play and eventually fires a shot that is blocked. United's front four were very narrow and Reading were organized, tight, and compact. They only needed to hustle back and defend the width the of the box. Buttner could have surged forward to offer an outlet wide on the left -- but he didn't. The young Dutchman is clearly focused on his positioning and not being caught out when the transitions go the other way. It's almost as if the United full-backs are focused only on defending.</p>
<p><b>22' -</b> Another patient build-up by United against a well-organized and narrow Reading defense. RvP drops deep between the lines and with Young in a narrow position, that leaves space out wide. Buttner ghosts a run in from the left-touchline and into the box. RvP tries to thread a through ball for his fellow Dutchman but Reading right-winger <span>Hal Robson-Kanu</span> recovers, slides, and barely blocks the pass. That incisive run was needed after an uneventful build-up. United's movement is mostly static up front and their wingers are not offering width.</p>
<p><b>25' -</b> Buttner is very, very focused on staying goalside of Robson-Kanu. A long diagonal is played out wide for the Reading winger but when the ball arrives, Buttner is there to quickly close him down for a tackle. Perhaps the relatively poor long diagonal ball by <span>Mikele Leigertwood</span> bought the United left-back some time.</p>
<p><b>27' -</b> I sometimes wonder if the ball is going to pop when Vidic tries to annihilate it with his head. Okay, back to Buttner...</p>
<p><b>28' -</b> A cross is sent in by Leigertwood - aka Wayne Rooney's man-marker thus far - but Buttner does well to clear it at the far-post 7 yards away from goal. Vidic was near but he backed off so Buttner must've communicated to him that it was covered. Nothing spectacular about that play, but it was good, solid defending nonetheless.</p>
<p><b>30' -</b> United have a mini-break forward after Young receives the ball in a cenral-position between the lines. The front four were all very narrow (again) and the attacking move eventually leads to a RvP 35-yard shot that doesn't trouble Reading goalkeeper Stuart Taylor. There was acres of space for RvP to slide Buttner into the attack near the touchline if the latter was willing to make a run into a very dangerous area. The left-back, though, never got forward.</p>
<p><b>32' -</b> Buttner receives on the touchline about 20 yards into the Reading half. He sees Rooney make a half-hearted run into the box and tries to deliver an early cross. It's under-hit and the decision was poor in the first-place. A more conservative pass would have been prudent.</p>
<p><b>32' -</b> Reading build an attack through their left-side. Smalling dives in trying to an intercept a pass near the touchline but he is woefully unsuccessful. Reading left-winger Garath McClearly skips free and eventually finds Robson-Kanu making a diagonal run towards the top of the box. Buttner, during the entire sequence of the play, is goal-side of the Reading right-winger but he's given him way too much space that near the goal and he is not tight enough to instantly close him down. Robson-Kanu is free to fire on goal and he only misses by half-a-yard.</p>
<p><b>34'-</b> Buttner is loosely tracking Robson-Kanu and allows him space to receive <i>and turn</i> near the touchline. The Reading winger beats the Dutchman before unsuccessfully crossing from the byline. It's been a shaky few minutes for the United defender.</p>
<p><b>40' -</b> Buttner is a bit tighter to Robson-Kanu in a Reading build-up and he cuts in front of him to intercept a pass. That was a <span>Gael Clichy</span> sort of defensive move. It eventually led to an unsuccessful United break. About 2 minutes ago, there was shouting from the United coaching staff -- perhaps it was them instructing the Dutchman to get tighter on Robson-Kanu.</p>
<p><b>42' -</b> A terrible backpass from Buttner near the touchline is intercepted by <span>Jobi McAnuff</span> and the Reading midfielder bursts towards goal. Fortunately, Vidic and Ferdinand are well-positioned while Giggs and Young spring back to challenge McAnuff as he attempts a wayward shot on goal. If I were Rio, Vida, or goalkeeper David de Gea, I'd be giving Buttner the hairdryer treatment right now.</p>
<p><b>HT:</b> A quiet opening half-hour for Buttner, which is often a good thing for a defender. He's clearly focused on not being caught out. Although, this has hindered his attacking ambition - something that is probably a strength of his and it would be useful with United's front four so narrow and not nearly incisiveness enough in attack. In the final 15 minutes, Buttner was a liability and half-time couldn't have come at a better time for him so that he can regroup.</p>
<p><b>47' -</b> On defensive corners, Buttner guards the far-post -- Rafael's usual role.</p>
<p><b>48' -</b> McClearly beats Smalling to the byline and sends in a cross to the far-post. Buttner doesn't clear it but he was well-positioned. No Reading attacker was available to get on the end of the cross.</p>
<p><b>50' -</b> Buttner makes two challenges on Robson-Kanu when the winger comes deep to receive. After the first-challenge, Mike Phelan (I think) is yelling to Buttner "no foul, no foul!" The Dutchman does well to win the second challenge. Seconds later, though, after the throw-in, Buttner clatters into Robson-Kanu and referee Lee Mason warns Buttner. The Dutchman has been tighter on his counterpart since sitting off of him so much in the opening half-hour.</p>
<p><b>55' -</b> Slow, slow build-up for United. And again, no width. Buttner makes a run down the left but Giggs over-hits the pass. This game could really use a <span>Michael Carrick</span> or <span>Paul Scholes</span> pulling the strings. That's not an indictment on the Giggs, though, he's played well.</p>
<p><b>58' -</b> Buttner plays in Young near the touchline in attack. The United winger is doubled up by Kelly and a Reading central-midfielder. Buttner cleverly makes a run in behind Robson-Kanu and Young finds him before the United left-back darts into the box. <span>Jem Karacan</span> makes a last-ditch tackle on Buttner just before he was about to slide a cross in front of goal. Very well done by the Dutchman.</p>
<p><b>62'-</b> <span>Noel Hunt</span> has to change shirts. I wonder if he's aware that a 5-year-old child has scribbled all over his back with permanent ink. I suppose, though, those could just be awful tattoos.</p>
<p><b>66' -</b> Reading try to counter from a United corner. The last two defenders - Buttner and Ferdinand - do well to sniff out the brief attack.</p>
<p><b>69' -</b> Buttner with a good slide tackle on Robson-Kanu after a restart. The aggression levels of the Dutchman have gone up.</p>
<p><b>70'-</b> Robson-Kanu has been taken off and McCleary has now switched to the right-side.</p>
<p><b>74'-</b> Young comes off for Michael Carrick. This results in Rooney now being Buttner's left-sided partner. The Buttner/Young partnership seemed to gain some understanding as the game wore on.</p>
<p><b>82' -</b> United already look much more balanced with Carrick on. With him being a pivot from deep, the full-backs and Anderson seem more liberated to get forward. Buttner is scampering forward more often now and Carrick slides the ball out for him when he does. There's been little happening on <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/reading">Reading's</a> right-side in attack and the Dutchman has been more willing to join the United attack this half. The Reds still aren't playing that well, but they do have better balance than they did earlier.</p>
<p><b>88' -</b> Not a whole lot going on down Buttner's side in the past 20 minutes. Or maybe I just fell asleep for a few minutes. This hasn't exactly been a thriller.</p>
<p><b>90'+4 -</b> Maybe Buttner put on a <span>Callum McManaman</span> shirt because Reading won't attack down his side anymore.</p>
<p><b>FT:</b> United win 1-0. I am instantly going to delete this recording so that I never have to watch that football match again.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>CONCLUDING THOUGHTS</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Well if I had to give Buttner a player rating for this match, I'd probably go with a 5. He was decent enough for about 75 minutes -- although he didn't do anything significant during that time -- but he was woeful for the final 15 minutes or so in the first-half. Overall, I don't think we learned too much about Buttner in this match because his attacking instinct seemed to be shackled. The energy of the 24-year-old was never on full display and I would have been curious to see how he defended while still having the license to get forward. Perhaps though, that's something the coaching staff did not want to see. Maybe the slow tempo of this match and the defensive solidity is what was needed after two recent exhausting clashes against Real Madrid and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">There's a good chance we'll see more of Buttner during the run-in so hopefully these upcoming matches provide more insight as to what kind of player the Dutchman is. If I were a scout, I'd report back to my employers that this outing did not provide much knowledge about the player. A long-term replacement at left-back will soon be needed for the 31-year-old Evra. Perhaps Buttner is in contention or maybe he was just brought in as cover this season as Fabio continues to develop with regular playing time while on loan to QPR. Thus far though, I've seen nothing yet that suggests to me that Buttner is a better prospect than Fabio. Then again, I still feel like I haven't seen enough of the Dutchman.</p>
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https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/2013/3/20/4125824/alexander-buttner-manchester-united-reading-running-diaryGene Um2013-03-17T07:00:01+00:002013-03-17T07:00:01+00:00Statistics & Post-Match Quotes: United 1-0 Reading
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<figcaption>Michael Regan</figcaption>
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<p>Statistics & post-match quotes from Sir Alex Ferguson, Nemanja Vidic, Wayne Rooney, and Eamonn Dolan. </p> <div align="center">
<span style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><b>TE</b></span><b style="font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">AM STATISTICS</b>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; max-width: 100%; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A','Mercury SSm B',Georgia,Georgia,serif; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;">Shots (on target)</p>
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<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-style: none inset inset none; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; line-height: 16px; width: 81pt; margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="81"><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">243</span></font></td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; max-width: 100%; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A','Mercury SSm B',Georgia,Georgia,serif; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;">Passing Accuracy</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; max-width: 100%; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A','Mercury SSm B',Georgia,Georgia,serif; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;">Ball Possession</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; max-width: 100%; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A','Mercury SSm B',Georgia,Georgia,serif; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;">Tackles won</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; max-width: 100%; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A','Mercury SSm B',Georgia,Georgia,serif; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;">Interceptions</p>
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<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-style: none inset inset; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; line-height: 16px; width: 1.45in; margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="104">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; max-width: 100%; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A','Mercury SSm B',Georgia,Georgia,serif; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;">Fouls</p>
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<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-style: none inset inset none; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; line-height: 16px; width: 112.5pt; margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="113"><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">6</span></font></td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-style: none inset inset none; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; line-height: 16px; width: 81pt; margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="81"><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">16</span></font></td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; max-width: 100%; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A','Mercury SSm B',Georgia,Georgia,serif; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;">Corners</p>
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<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-style: none inset inset none; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; line-height: 16px; width: 112.5pt; margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="113"><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">5</span></font></td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-style: none inset inset none; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; line-height: 16px; width: 81pt; margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="81"><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">4</span></font></td>
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<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-style: none inset inset; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; line-height: 16px; width: 1.45in; margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="104">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; max-width: 100%; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A','Mercury SSm B',Georgia,Georgia,serif; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px;">Offsides</p>
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<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-style: none inset inset none; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; line-height: 16px; width: 112.5pt; margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="113"><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">0</span></font></td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; border-style: none inset inset none; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; line-height: 16px; width: 81pt; margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="81"><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">1</span></font></td>
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<p> </p>
<p align="center"><b>MUFC PLAYER STATISTICS</b></p>
<p align="left"><b>* David de Gea (goalkeeper): </b>6/12 passing (50%), 0 goals conceded, 0 saves</p>
<p align="left"><b>* <span>Rio Ferdinand</span> (right-center-back): </b>61/65 passing (94%), 3 chances created, 6/7 long balls, 1 tackle, 4 interceptions, 9 clearances (6 effective), 0 shots blocked, 0 fouls, <i><b>1 assist</b></i></p>
<p align="left"><b>* Nemanja Vidic (left-center-back): </b>37/43 passing (86%), 0 chances created, 5/5 long balls, 1 tackle, 1 interceptions, 18 clearances (10 effective), 0 shots blocked, 0 fouls</p>
<p align="left"><b>* <span>Chris Smalling</span> (right-back): </b>38/45 passing (84%), 1 chance created, 1/4 crosses, 2/4 long balls, 0 successful dribbles, 1 tackle, 2 interceptions, 5 clearances (2 effective), 0 shots blocked, 0 fouls</p>
<p align="left"><b>* Alexander Buttner (left-back): </b>34/42 passing (81%), 0 chances created, 0/1 crosses, 2/3 long balls, 1 successful dribble, 4 tackles, 3 interceptions, 6 clearances (4 effective), 0 shots blocked, 1 foul</p>
<p align="left"><b>* <span>Ryan Giggs</span> (central-midfield): </b>54/64 passing (84%), 0 chances created, 0/3 crosses, 2/7 long balls, 0/1 through balls, 1 successful dribble, 3 tackles, 1 interception, 0 shots</p>
<p align="left"><b>* Anderson (central-midfield | substituted off 85'): </b>51/53 passing (96%), 2 chances created, 0/1 crosses, 5/6 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 1 tackle, 0 interceptions, 0 shots</p>
<p align="left"><b>* <span>Danny Welbeck</span> (right-winger): </b>29/33 passing (88%), 2 chances created, 0/2 crosses, 0/0 crosses, 0/0 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 1 successful dribble, 2 fouls won, 1 tackle, 0 interceptions, 4 shots (0 on target)</p>
<p align="left"><b>* <span>Ashley Young</span> (left-winger | substituted off 74'): </b>20/21 passing (95%), 1 chance created, 0/2 crosses, 1/1 long balls, 0/1 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 3 fouls won, 1 tackle, 2 interceptions, 2 shots (0 on target)</p>
<p align="left"><b>* <span>Wayne Rooney</span> (striker): </b>30/35 passing (86%), 3 chances created, 1/3 crosses, 5/6 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 2 fouls won, 4 shots (2 on target), <i><b>1 goal</b></i></p>
<p align="left"><b>* <span>Robin van Persie</span> (striker): </b>15/19 passing (79%), 0 chances created, 0/5 crosses, 0/0 long balls, 0/1 through balls, 1 successful dribble, 1 foul won, 5 shots (2 on target)</p>
<p align="left"><b>* <span>Michael Carrick</span> (central-midfielder | substituted on 74'): </b>22/25 passing (88%), 0 chances created, 0/0 crosses, 2/2 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 2 tackles, 0 interceptions, 0 shots</p>
<p align="left"><b>* <span>Shinji Kagawa</span> (central-midfielder | substituted on 85'): </b>6/6 passing (100%), 1 chance created, 1/1 crosses, 0/0 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 0 tackles, 0 interceptions, 0 shots</p>
<p align="left"><b><span>Sir Alex Ferguson</span> | MUFC manager </b>(courtesy of <i>MUTV</i>)</p>
<p align="left">(On now being 15-points clear in the title-race...) "You don't get points and medals for being complacent and we won't be. <a href="http://www.manutd.com/mutv"><i></i></a>I think the players are conscious of the importance of the games now and that concentration, which has improved, has helped us do that [in terms of keeping clean sheets]. I think, before the game, we always thought that winning was the important thing today. It wasn't a great performance but where we are now is not down to today, but the last six months. The team has shown great consistency and played a lot of great football. Our goal difference is big over [Manchester] City now - 13 goals. It's a great position to be in, but the only thing we can do is win our next game."</p>
<p align="left">(On the upcoming international break...) "The problem I've got is a lot of players are away on international duty and play two games. They come back and then we've got a lunchtime game against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/">Sunderland</a> on Saturday [30 March] and then it's lunchtime again against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> on the Monday [1 April]. We have a squad to use it and that's what we did today.</p>
<p>(On the club paying for private jets for some players about to go out on international duty...) "We are making arrangements for some players to fly home by privately hired jet after their matches to make sure they get home as quickly and as smoothly as possible. Tiredness is a great leveller but we'll do our utmost to make sure we field the freshest possible teams. Private planes are going to cost the club an awful lot of money but it is something we feel we have to do."</p>
<p><b>Nemanja Vidic | MUFC defender </b>(courtesy of <i>MUTV</i>)</p>
<p>(Overall thoughts...) "We will take the three points but we didn’t get them easily. <a href="http://www.manutd.com/mutv"><b></b></a>You want to win your games and play for your country during the international break without any bad feelings and we have done that. Now, we just have to think about the next games that are coming."</p>
<p>(On the title-race...) "If you look at the 15-point lead, you have to say that it is a big gap and we shouldn’t let anything change. We have the title in our hands but we have games still to play and some especially tough away games that are traditionally hard for us. Nothing is finished yet, but we’re in a good position. Sometimes you can feel the fans in the stands getting nervous because they think about last season. I don’t think we should allow that to happen again. We are in a good position now. We should relax and enjoy playing football. It is a good time for us."</p>
<p>(On getting the clean-sheet...) "It’s important. Today we didn’t play good football but we got the three points because we defended as a team and a group. I think the team worked well. Maybe it wasn’t a good performance attacking-wise, but I have to give the attackers credit as well because they fought for the team and helped us keep a clean sheet which is why we got the three points."</p>
<p><b>Wayne Rooney | MUFC attacker </b>(courtesy of <i>ESPN</i>)</p>
<p>(Overall thoughts and on the title-race...) "You have to be professional. <i></i>We know we're in a fantastic position - nine games to go and 15 points clear - but as professional players, we have to do our job week in, week out and try to win football matches. Whether we're top of the table, second or if the league's won, we have to keep going and try to win our games. We knew three points was the most important thing today, especially after City dropped points, but it was a tough game. It's always nice to score, deflection or not, it's a goal and, thankfully, it's won us the game. It was great, obviously, that City lost but we had to back that up with three points.</p>
<p align="left"><b>Eamonn Dolan | RFC caretaker manager </b>(courtesy of <i>ReadingFC.com</i>)</p>
<p align="left">(Overall thoughts...) "I'm just disappointed to lose. We put in a very good performance, the players gave everything as they always have done, but it just didn't go our way. To play Manchester United at Old Trafford is a daunting task, but that's the league we're in. And if you want to stay in the league you've got to equip yourselves well and today we did that. You look at the game in context. They had Rooney, Van Persie, Vidic, Ferdinand - just take a look at the players on their bench! But our boys really gave a good account of themselves and that's what Reading Football Club is about. I thought we had a clear penalty when Vidic pushed over Mariappa and that's the sort of luck you need to get a result here. I've seen it again on the replays and it's a clear penalty. Vidic and Mariappa are watching the ball, Vidic looks at him and pushes him - it's a clear penalty. But it's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> away, so you don't get it! We worked very hard for four days on the best way we felt would be to get a result. With a bit of luck, we could have got a draw. We made them work really, really hard for the win, that's for sure. If we'd come into today with four wins behind us, I think we would have got a result - that's the way football works sometimes."</p>
<p>(More on referee not awarding Reading the penalty...) "It was a clear penalty but I think the referee thought I was on work experience and, 'perfect a little 1-0 loss for Reading' and would be fine. I wouldn't have expected that from the referee but what can you do?"</p>
<p align="left">(On the away supporters...) "I wanted to go over to the fans, I love the fans - I love to see their passion. The fans have spent all that money, come all this way, at the end, you see their reaction, they could see that the players had given everything. You can't ask for more than that."</p>
<p align="left">(On the squad and the club's desperation to avoid the drop...) "They're good footballers and they're really nice people. We've got eight games to go, and it looks tough at the moment. But we can do it. We've targeted the games we can win, and if we win them we'll stay in the league. This is a great football club. Personally, I'm desperate for it not to take a little step back. There are lots of positives from tonight, but we've got to build on them very, very quickly. Everyone wants to be back here next year, not in the cup, but in the Premier League. It's a big task, but we believe we can achieve it."</p>
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https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/2013/3/17/4113286/statistics-post-match-quotes-manchester-united-1-0-reading-fcGene Um2013-03-16T19:48:21+00:002013-03-16T19:48:21+00:00United go 15 points clear
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oylf9eCeZzCkf-JMit0WbKBkPjA=/0x83:4000x2750/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9870183/163802342.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Michael Regan</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It was not exciting. It was efficient. A 1-0 win was enough to see United go 15 points clear after Everton had dispatched Manchester City 2-0 at Goodison Park</p> <p>If you were looking for passion, vibe and exciting football, this was not the game for you.</p>
<p>However if you love seeing your team 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League, then waive your hands in the air like you just don't care....</p>
<p><span>Wayne Rooney</span> scored the sole goal of the game, with thanks to a rather large deflection that saw it go past the impressive <span>Stuart Taylor</span> in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/reading">Reading</a> goal. In comparison, I am struggling to remember a Reading shot on target. The basement club of the Premier League had good spells throughout the match where they had decent possession, and should have had a penalty in the opening minutes of the second half when Nemanja Vidic pushed Marriappa (I believe) from a corner. But replacement ref did not see fit to point to the spot. Other than that, the makeshift United defense performed admirably, with <span>Chris Smalling</span> at right back and Alex Buttner on the opposite flank.</p>
<p><span>Ashley Young</span> could have opened the scoring early on. Recalled to the England team earlier in the week, <span>Rio Ferdinand</span> played a searching cross field ball for his England teammate. Young, making a rare start, cut into his stronger right foot and flashed a shot across the face of goal.</p>
<p>The goal came soon after. Again it was Rio Ferdinand who took it upon himself to be play maker. He made a run forward, committed a blue hooped shirt and lofted a delicate ball about ten feet forward for an open Rooney. He himself ran forward and shot. The defender made the block but the ball looped over Taylor and into the top left corner. It doesn't matter how they come people....</p>
<p>The second half played out much the same as the first. <span>Ryan Giggs</span>, playing in the center of midfield continued to pull the strings. Watching him these past few months have been so refreshing. It defies belief how a 39 year old can continue to play at such a high level.</p>
<p>Robin Van Persie could have broken his recent duck, but Taylor dived low to his left to divert a powerful free kick from upwards of 25 yards.</p>
<p>Other than that, I can't really think of much more action. It was a boring game if truth be told.</p>
<p>But I really don't care. We are 15 points clear and are certain to lift the League title.</p>
https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/2013/3/16/4112892/post-match-reaction-manchester-united-1-0-readingRB19902013-03-16T16:30:04+00:002013-03-16T16:30:04+00:00Live Match Thread: Manchester United vs Reading
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ahfnG4sakK_34lMpUi8IM9W4mok=/56x0:3840x2523/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9824831/163168571.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jasper Juinen</figcaption>
</figure>
<p align="center"><b>KO: </b>5:30pm GMT, 1:30pm EST | Old Trafford</p>
<p align="center"><b>LIVE TV: </b>ESPN (U.K.), FOX Soccer (U.S.)</p>
<p align="center"><b>WEATHER: </b><a target="_blank" href="http://uk.weather.com/weather/today/UKOL0028:1:UK">Manchester, England</a></p>
<p align="center"><b>PREVIEW: </b><i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.thebusbybabe.com/2013/3/15/4105818/manchester-united-vs-reading-preview">The Busby Babe</a></i></p>
<p align="center"><b>REFEREE: </b>Mark Clattenburg</p>
<p align="center"><b>ODDS: </b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> 1/7, Draw 13/2, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/reading">Reading</a> 18/1</p>
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https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/2013/3/16/4110138/manchester-united-vs-reading-live-match-threadGene Um2013-03-15T18:46:20+00:002013-03-15T18:46:20+00:00Preview: Manchester United vs Reading
<figure>
<img alt="A struggling Reading side might be the opponent Manchester United needs right now. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/43Pb30omV7rODTq_Frxbmjddei0=/50x0:3950x2600/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9760475/163161009.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>A struggling Reading side might be the opponent Manchester United needs right now. | Alex Livesey</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A preview of Manchester United's Premier League clash with Reading FC: form guide, team news, lineup projections, TV info, referee appointment, and odds. </p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> turn their attention to the Premier League on Saturday evening when they host <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/reading">Reading</a> FC at Old Trafford. This will be the third meeting between these two sides this season. In early December at the Madejski Stadium, during the reverse league fixture, the Reds and Saints crazily combined for 7 goals in the opening 34 minutes prior to things calming down for a 4-3 victory by the visitors. Just shy of a month ago, Sir Alex Ferguson's side defeated Brian McDermott's side -- the then Reading manager prior to being sacked earlier this week -- 2-1 during a FA Cup tie at the Theatre of Dreams.</p>
<p align="center"><b>MANCHESTER UNITED</b></p>
<p align="left"><i><b>Form Guide</b></i><b>: </b>Things had been going very smoothly for United until very recently. In the past tumultuous week-and-a-half, the Reds have been controversially knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Real Madrid while they also blew a two-goal lead on Sunday to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> during a FA Cup quarter-final tie. A replay with the Blues will occur on April 1 at Stamford Bridge. In league, Ferguson's side enjoys a 12-point advantage in the title race over <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a> with 10 fixtures left.</p>
<p align="left"><i><b>Team News</b></i><b>: </b>Nani and <span>Phil Jones</span> have been ruled out while <span>Paul Scholes</span> is also expected to be unavailable. [<a target="_blank" href="http://www.thebusbybabe.com/2013/3/15/4108330/mufc-team-news-for-reading-nani-and-jones-will-not-feature">Full Team News Report</a>]</p>
<p align="center"><b>READING</b></p>
<p align="left"><i><b>Form Guide</b></i><b>: </b>To put it simply, things look bleak for Reading at the moment. They sit joint-bottom of the table with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/queens-park-rangers">Queens Park Rangers</a> and they have lost 5 successive matches in all competitions. As previously mentioned, their manager -- McDermott -- has been sacked and Eamonn Dolan will take over for the weekend as caretaker manager. A permanent replacement isn't expected to arrive until the upcoming international break.</p>
<p align="left"><i><b>Team News</b></i><b>: </b><span>Jimmy Kebe</span>, Adam Federici, and Jason Roberts have all been ruled out due to injury while <span>Pavel Pogrebnyak</span> is unavailable as well due to suspension. <span>Alex McCarthy</span> has returned to training but he isn't expected to start.</p>
<p align="center"><b>PROJECTING LINEUPS</b></p>
<p align="left"><i><b>United</b></i><b>: </b>David de Gea is the clear No.1 at the moment. In central-defense, Nemanja Vidic and <span>Rio Ferdinand</span> seem probable but <span>Jonny Evans</span> is certainly possible. Rafael and <span>Patrice Evra</span> are the clear first-choice full-backs.</p>
<p align="left">In midfield, <span>Michael Carrick</span> is expected and he likely will be partnered by either <span>Tom Cleverley</span> or Anderson. In-form <span>Ryan Giggs</span> is also possible in the center of the park and also on the wing. Other players in contention out wide include <span>Antonio Valencia</span>, <span>Ashley Young</span>, <span>Shinji Kagawa</span>, and <span>Danny Welbeck</span>. The latter two are also possible up front along with <span>Robin van Persie</span>, <span>Wayne Rooney</span>, and <span>Javier Hernandez</span> (Chicharito). There are a plethora of possibilities for Ferguson.</p>
<p align="left"><i><b>Reading</b></i><b>: </b>With a caretaker manager in place, that makes it a bit of a guess as who might start. Reading, though, don't have a deep squad so Dolan is likely to stick with many of the same players that McDermott was regularly using. With Federici injured and with McCarthy's lack of recent playing time, that means <span>Stuart Taylor</span> is expected in goal. <span>Ian Harte</span>, <span>Stephen Kelly</span>, <span>Adrian Mariappa</span>, and <span>Alex Pearce</span> have been the first-choice back four as of late but <span>Sean Morrison</span> might be in contention at center-back.</p>
<p align="left">With Pogrebnyak suspended -- the only Reading striker that is trusted to play up front by himself -- that likely means Dolan will use a 4-4-2 rather than a 4-5-1. That, at least, is what McDermott likely would have done. In central-midfield, <span>Mikele Leigertwood</span> and <span>Hope Akpan</span> have been the first-choice players but all of <span>Jem Karacan</span>, <span>Jobi McAnuff</span>, and Danny Guthrie may be in contention. McAnuff is also possible for a wide role as are <span>Nick Blackman</span>, <span>Hal Robson-Kanu</span>, and <span>Garath McCleary</span>. Up front, <span>Noel Hunt</span> and Adam LeFondre are most likely.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="left"><img src="http://this11.com/boards/abEqJNiafE.jpg"></p>
<p align="center"><b>TACTICS</b></p>
<p align="left">My guess is that Reading won't deviate too much from their normal style of play -- pushing the ball down the wings then trying to whip in crosses for the forwards -- although drastic changes shouldn't be ruled out. The sacking of McDermott is an obvious sign that at least <i>some </i>change is desired. It would really be a futile exercise at this point in time in trying to provide a detailed tactical preview. Instead, I'll refer y'all to our preview coverage from a few weeks ago when United last faced Reading.</p>
<p align="left">This <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thebusbybabe.com/2013/2/16/3994228/manchster-united-vs-reading-fa-cup-q-a-the-tilehurst-end">Q&A with <i>The Tilehurst End</i></a> -- SB Nation's Reading community -- has some good tidbits while <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thebusbybabe.com/2013/2/17/3994274/manchester-united-vs-reading-preview-fa-cup">our preview for the FA Cup meeting</a> might have something useful as well. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thebusbybabe.com/2013/2/19/4003234/manchester-united-2-1-reading-fc-post-match-quotes-fa-cup">Here are post-match quotes</a> from some of the players and managers from that day.</p>
<p align="center"><b>KO: </b>5:30pm GMT, 1:30pm EST | Old Trafford</p>
<p align="center"><b>Live TV: </b>ESPN (U.K.), FOX Soccer (U.S.)</p>
<p align="center"><b>Referee: </b>Mark Clattenburg</p>
<p align="center"><b>Odds: </b>Manchester United 1/7, Draw 13/2, Reading 18/1</p>
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https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/2013/3/15/4105818/manchester-united-vs-reading-previewGene Um2013-03-15T16:23:06+00:002013-03-15T16:23:06+00:00MUFC Team News : Nani and Jones out
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<img alt="This will not happen this season, and given Reading's form probably not next one either" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FVZCKMydnt4OKYthHAlflTKmR6Q=/0x162:4000x2829/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9796651/162045644.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>This will not happen this season, and given Reading's form probably not next one either | Alex Livesey</figcaption>
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<p>Sir Alex Ferguson's weekly press conference wasn't exactly a cheery affair</p> <p>After hints to the contrary, <span>Sir Alex Ferguson</span> was true to form, disclosing that neither <span>Phil Jones's</span> ankle nor Luis Nani's hamstring were feeling up to facing <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/reading">Reading</a> at Old Trafford on Saturday.</p>
<p>There were hints that Nani's hamstring injury that forced him off against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> last week was not a serious one. However, it looks like things got worse for the unlucky winger, although it still fell under 'slight' for Sir Alex:</p>
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<p>"We will keep him out for a couple of weeks. We thought it could have been another bad hamstring injury. It is a slight one. He won't be ready for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/">Sunderland</a> but certainly the game after that."</p>
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<p>That game, of course, comes on the 1st of April - the replay of the FA Cup Quaterfinal at Stamford Bridge. Still, thanks to the international break, the tricky winger misses only two premier league games.</p>
<p>The only other player mentioned was Phil Jones. He, however, looks likely to feature at some stage against the Black Cats next week:</p>
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<p>"Jones should start training next week. He is coming on."</p>
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<p>Initially forced off against the Royals (again, in the FA Cup at home) Jones has since missed a number of games. The combative youngster has struggled with injuries this season, so given his style of play (read: Zest/Craziness/Passion) it seems a good idea to ease him back, particularly given the immense recent form of <span>Rio Ferdinand</span>, Nemanja Vidic and Johnny Evans. This is in obvious contrast to Nani's case - he has consistently looked the most lively of our wing-men, while <span>Antonio Valencia</span> has struggled - and his ability to provide width and trickery may be missed against teams that set their stall out to defend deep.</p>
<p>Conspicuous by his absence, however, was <span>Paul Scholes</span>. The veteran had been missing for the past month or two due to a knee injury suffered in training, so this is welcome news. One feels that an extended time out may have dampened his enthusiasm to continue next season. As it stands, his ability to close games out will be vital in the run-in.</p>
<p>All things considered, these should not really inconvenience us against our relegation-threatened opponents. The squad is deep enough to deal with these injuries, and hey - it's (yet) another opportunity to see if Valencia can play himself into form!</p>
https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/2013/3/15/4108330/mufc-team-news-for-reading-nani-and-jones-will-not-featureSilentRed