FT: Manchester United 3-2 Sporting Braga
A very impressive individual performance from Javier Hernandez helped Manchester United to get within touching distance of the knockout stages in this season’s UEFA Champions League.
The Mexican scored a double on a rare start, as United charged back from 2-0 down to defeat Sporting Braga 3-2 at Old Trafford.
However, this is just papering over the cracks after another dismal start at home, which almost cost them on the night and will do so over the season if it carries on.
Another slow start
Before the match began, Sir Alex Ferguson had insisted that his team make a quick start for an expectant crowd.
However his side clearly weren’t listening, as they put in a diabolical show in the first 20 minutes, making the worst possible start to proceedings.
The Scot’s decision to rest Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra looked to have backfired against a Portuguese side that showed they were no mugs at this level.
Braga scored inside 90 seconds as their skipper Alan got infront of second choice left back Alexander Buttner and powered a fantastic header past a helpless David de Gea.
The away side played with so much conviction early on. In fact, they looked like an experienced European side – not one only enjoying their second ever Champions League campaign.
The second goal arrived on 20 minutes. Emergency centre back Michael Carrick was turned far too easily by Eder and once again, Alan stole a march on Buttner and drilled the cutback past de Gea.
At half-time, Ferguson told ITV: “Can’t believe it. You’re on the backfoot right away.”
It is becoming a very bad habit for the Red Devils. Only Wigan and Galatasaray have failed to score at the Theatre of Dreams out of seven visiting sides in all competitions.
In 12 games this season, they have now conceded the first goal on eight occasions.
The diamond gamble abandoned
It is a worrying trend and although you couldn’t question their resolve in fighting back to win on Tuesday night, better sides in Europe will unquestionably punish sloppy starts opposition will make.
One interesting concept was the diamond formation Ferguson elected to start with.
With Carrick deployed in an unusual role, Darren Fletcher was left to anchor the midfield, with more support in the centre of the park from Tom Cleverley and Shinji Kagawa.
However, the lack of width in a home game was startling in the first 45 minutes.
The diamond formation was abandoned at half-time for a more conventional 4-4-2 formation, which did work in the second half.
Although playing this system is an understandable tactic in foreign land, it seemed a curious decision by Ferguson to start with this system at home.
Ryan Giggs can play in the centre of midfield and Paul Scholes continues to shine but if he persists with the system for the campaign, the likes of Nani, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young will have a long and frustrating time on the bench.
Kagawa was replaced at half-time with a twisted knee and while the club await scan results about the extent of the damage on Wednesday, Nani’s introduction at the interval finally gave some much needed width to the game.
Hope was rekindled before half-time, when the Serbian referee played advantage brilliantly after Robin van Persie had been fouled.
A limping Kagawa managed to play in a lovely cross for Hernandez to header home and make sure it was only a 2-1 deficit at the break.
Hernandez spearheads the fightback
Another strike for the little Mexican (pictured) was wrongly chalked off for an offside in the build-up and Ferguson let the officials know about this at half-time.
In his half-time interview with Gabriel Clarke from ITV, he went on to say: “I am disappointed in the referee’s performance to be honest."
If he had been watching, it was the referee’s quick thinking that allowed an avenue back into the contest regarding Hernandez’s first goal.
The second half saw better creativity and an increase in tempo meant it was only a matter of time before the comeback was complete.
Jonny Evans recorded his first European goal for the club, hooking in a scrambled effort from a fairly average Van Persie corner and the spearhead of the attack all night, Hernandez smashed a header past Beto with 15 minutes left from Cleverley’s great cross.
While they showed great resolve in producing the fightback, there will be some concern around Old Trafford about the regular chances that seem to be given to visiting teams.
The likes of Fulham, Stoke City and Braga have scored early goals and still lost but Tottenham were given a useful headstart in late September at the Theatre of Dreams and as better opposition, ended their hoodoo of not winning at the famous ground.
With two matches against Chelsea, Arsenal at home and a tough assignment in Braga coming up over the next two weeks, better defending is required or United’s season may well start unravelling.
While their attacking football is a joy to watch, there needs to be a balance and I’m sure there will be some extra defensive drills taking place in the coming days at their Carrington training ground.
By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
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