We're about to lose this semi final against a better Manchester City side. They've earned it. Another 90 seconds and they'll be at Wembley again in three weeks or so to face either Bolton or Stoke. We were not the better side and I'm so agitated with our attitude. We underestimated our opponents.
There it is the final whistle. And I could not be happier that this is over. There's a scuffle between Ferdinand and Balotelli. Whatever it is, I doubt anyone from City will give a damn. And rightly so. Where was I? Ahh yes, We took very City.
We were the softer of the two teams I have to say in general. City looked a little more positive in their attack and when Yaya Toure scored, I'm sure Ben Foster, somewhere in Birmingham closed his eyes and saw what was to happen next. I'm quite sure he'd twitter as soon as possible to tell everyone that that wasn't him in goal. Carrick returned to his usual best by gifting the ball away to the opposition. He should've at least brought the guy down and been yellow carded for it. I don't know why we looked out of sorts. We worked so hard to get here to this stage beating off Liverpool and Arsenal. We've had similar games here in the recent past, one in particular against Everton two seasons ago, and we got punished for it.
Scholes' red card was fully deserved and Berbatov just didn't show up. We only had one shot on target that I can remember! Against City's four or five! Thats how defensive both teams were. I thought Ferguson should've benched Giggs at least. I understand the strains of the Champions League and that Giggs probably needed a break, but you know that your best players should get a chance against Man City in the Semi-finals of a Cup competition. Otherwise, just lose in the third or fourth round or something ya. Irritating.
To come so close and throw it all away is just pissing off. It felt like Ferguson gambled on this competition out of fear for his team's fitness. But why when you're so close?! Just one more game!!! Is that too much to ask for? Manchester United fans will leave Wembley in acknowledgement knowing that we were second best tonight. Aside from the red card, an embarrassing number of shots on target, a striker who maybe, is not shot on goals, but on confidence at the moment, there was nothing else to be happy about. Hernandez, Fabio and Anderson would've probably had a better impact on the game had they started but it's over now. No use complaining.
The positives? We didn't play extra time and tire ourselves further... Even if we did, I'd still see us on the losing side. I'm not being pessimistic, just real. I know when we're capable of getting something out of nothing and this wasn't one of them.
Evra was Manchester United's top player with two shots - off target.
Well, that's it.
The drawbacks? Scholes has picked up a 3 match ban. Only wish It had come at a time when Ferguson and Rooney were both banned. Or do I? No, not really. But it's a sad thing, so close to the end of the season.
We looked sad and uninspired.
Overconfident in defense. And stupid, stupid defending to concede that first goal.
This reminds me of the semi final against Everton in 2009. Let me rewind a bit. At the same stage, we were in pole position for the League, and facing the prospect of meeting Barcelona in the Finals of the Champions League. We bagged the Domestic Championship. Like this time around, Fergi took a chance keeping in mind the Barca game which sadly, we were dispelled of. I don't think the same fate awaits us now - thinking the exact opposite - that would be pessimistic. But I certainly hope that history doesn't repeat itself.
We need to kick on. The League is far from over. and We still got to travel to Shalke in Germany and face them at home - all within the next three weeks with another three Premier League games.
The good thing about losing a game you deserved to lose is, that you can quickly put it behind you. Even if it was against Manchester United's greatest local rivals. I wont wish them for the finals thats for sure. I hope Bolton or Stoke put up a good fight against a decent City side who will no doubt, be pumped up for the finale which, should they win it, will end a dry spell of 33 years without a trophy. They ought to have a trophy for that achievement too.
Time to look forward to a Barcelona / Real Madrid game. Should be much more interesting than what I just witnessed. Ex United stars Pique and Ronaldo face off for their respective clubs.
The final whistle beckons.
There it is the final whistle. And I could not be happier that this is over. There's a scuffle between Ferdinand and Balotelli. Whatever it is, I doubt anyone from City will give a damn. And rightly so. Where was I? Ahh yes, We took very City.
We were the softer of the two teams I have to say in general. City looked a little more positive in their attack and when Yaya Toure scored, I'm sure Ben Foster, somewhere in Birmingham closed his eyes and saw what was to happen next. I'm quite sure he'd twitter as soon as possible to tell everyone that that wasn't him in goal. Carrick returned to his usual best by gifting the ball away to the opposition. He should've at least brought the guy down and been yellow carded for it. I don't know why we looked out of sorts. We worked so hard to get here to this stage beating off Liverpool and Arsenal. We've had similar games here in the recent past, one in particular against Everton two seasons ago, and we got punished for it.
Scholes' red card was fully deserved and Berbatov just didn't show up. We only had one shot on target that I can remember! Against City's four or five! Thats how defensive both teams were. I thought Ferguson should've benched Giggs at least. I understand the strains of the Champions League and that Giggs probably needed a break, but you know that your best players should get a chance against Man City in the Semi-finals of a Cup competition. Otherwise, just lose in the third or fourth round or something ya. Irritating.
To come so close and throw it all away is just pissing off. It felt like Ferguson gambled on this competition out of fear for his team's fitness. But why when you're so close?! Just one more game!!! Is that too much to ask for? Manchester United fans will leave Wembley in acknowledgement knowing that we were second best tonight. Aside from the red card, an embarrassing number of shots on target, a striker who maybe, is not shot on goals, but on confidence at the moment, there was nothing else to be happy about. Hernandez, Fabio and Anderson would've probably had a better impact on the game had they started but it's over now. No use complaining.
The positives? We didn't play extra time and tire ourselves further... Even if we did, I'd still see us on the losing side. I'm not being pessimistic, just real. I know when we're capable of getting something out of nothing and this wasn't one of them.
Evra was Manchester United's top player with two shots - off target.
Well, that's it.
The drawbacks? Scholes has picked up a 3 match ban. Only wish It had come at a time when Ferguson and Rooney were both banned. Or do I? No, not really. But it's a sad thing, so close to the end of the season.
We looked sad and uninspired.
Overconfident in defense. And stupid, stupid defending to concede that first goal.
This reminds me of the semi final against Everton in 2009. Let me rewind a bit. At the same stage, we were in pole position for the League, and facing the prospect of meeting Barcelona in the Finals of the Champions League. We bagged the Domestic Championship. Like this time around, Fergi took a chance keeping in mind the Barca game which sadly, we were dispelled of. I don't think the same fate awaits us now - thinking the exact opposite - that would be pessimistic. But I certainly hope that history doesn't repeat itself.
We need to kick on. The League is far from over. and We still got to travel to Shalke in Germany and face them at home - all within the next three weeks with another three Premier League games.
The good thing about losing a game you deserved to lose is, that you can quickly put it behind you. Even if it was against Manchester United's greatest local rivals. I wont wish them for the finals thats for sure. I hope Bolton or Stoke put up a good fight against a decent City side who will no doubt, be pumped up for the finale which, should they win it, will end a dry spell of 33 years without a trophy. They ought to have a trophy for that achievement too.
Time to look forward to a Barcelona / Real Madrid game. Should be much more interesting than what I just witnessed. Ex United stars Pique and Ronaldo face off for their respective clubs.
The final whistle beckons.
This was a fitness game for Fergie. It's quite clear he doesn't want the FA Cup as bad as he does the league and CL. Can't blame any of the players really they were mismatched across the pitch. Vidic and Evra were tired - Ferdinand and Oshea did just enough; Scholes was lacking fitness and his age shows when he's not had a run of games, Carrick did well except for the mistake which was very stupid and complacent. Berbatov would have put both those chances in if he had a run of games behind him but Fergie's lack of faith in him (which I dont understand after he's played brilliantly in the first half of the season) has broken him and he is back to being the 2009 Berba. Also, he can not play the lone striker role it is just not his game.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, positives to take from this game are that even down to 10 men, we were piling on the pressure and didn't give up. Fergie didn't look too bothered which I wasn't happy to see but at least the players still believed.