Post by Busby Boy on Sept 2, 2007 14:21:15 GMT
Super Sub Saha plays Ole football
Before the game kicked off Roy Keane's return to Old Trafford for the first time in his managerial career was overshadowed, and rightly so, by the guard of honour given to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer by players, managers, coaches and officials and a standing ovation by the full house at The Theatre of Dreams.
Solskjaer specialised in coming off the bench when times were going tough for the Red Devils and grabbing important goals, how fitting that Louis Saha, going through his own injury nightmare, came off the bench to rescue three important points for United in their race to remain English Champions.
The first half was dominated by United who enjoyed the vast majority of possession, Anderson buzzed around the pitch in his debut for the Reds but was for most part frustrated by Dwight Yorke, who sat in front of the Sunderland defence.
There were no clear cut chances with Hargreaves, Nani and Tevez all having efforts saved from long distance.
What seemed to be United's problem was the lack of a striker who would hold his ground right up top and allow Tevez or Anderson to drop deep between midfield and the one up top - Louis Saha's introduction at half time allowed this as Anderson made way.
His entrance brought a huge sigh of relief from all associated with United, when fit he's proven that he can score goals and has impressed but too many times injury has got the better of him - he come on and changed the game and it says something when a player involved in only 45 minutes of the game was my man of the match.
He gave the midfielders a target and allowed Tevez to drop deep - Tevez looked livelier and United looked far more of a threat and the goal was imminent.
Saha's first real mark on the game came from absolutely nothing, the ball was played at his chest and with a great control, turn and volley brought a fantastic save from Keane's record signing Craig Gordon. United now had something about them and with Cristiano Ronaldo returning from ban - we WILL score more goals.
Then came the moment that we'd waited for, a corner whipped in and Louis Saha nodding home from six yards as he bravely put his head between two defenders. 1-0 United and Sunderland's brave resistance was broken.
The remainder of the game was played out by United's fans singing tribute to Keane and Solskjaer - two footballing legends, two players that'll never be replicated and two players who will never be forgotten at United.
Saha's performance not only gave United three points but brought back memories of Solskjaer and what he was about. Fighting injuries, remaining hungry and grabbing vital goals.
We've now got a couple of wins under our belts and got through a sticky patch, with Ronaldo, Anderson and Saha now available for selection and our football without them looking reasonably good there's no doubt we will score goals, we'll win a lot of games and we need to go on a fantastic run - I've got the feeling we're ready to do that and no one will stop us!
Written by me for SoccaCritics.
Before the game kicked off Roy Keane's return to Old Trafford for the first time in his managerial career was overshadowed, and rightly so, by the guard of honour given to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer by players, managers, coaches and officials and a standing ovation by the full house at The Theatre of Dreams.
Solskjaer specialised in coming off the bench when times were going tough for the Red Devils and grabbing important goals, how fitting that Louis Saha, going through his own injury nightmare, came off the bench to rescue three important points for United in their race to remain English Champions.
The first half was dominated by United who enjoyed the vast majority of possession, Anderson buzzed around the pitch in his debut for the Reds but was for most part frustrated by Dwight Yorke, who sat in front of the Sunderland defence.
There were no clear cut chances with Hargreaves, Nani and Tevez all having efforts saved from long distance.
What seemed to be United's problem was the lack of a striker who would hold his ground right up top and allow Tevez or Anderson to drop deep between midfield and the one up top - Louis Saha's introduction at half time allowed this as Anderson made way.
His entrance brought a huge sigh of relief from all associated with United, when fit he's proven that he can score goals and has impressed but too many times injury has got the better of him - he come on and changed the game and it says something when a player involved in only 45 minutes of the game was my man of the match.
He gave the midfielders a target and allowed Tevez to drop deep - Tevez looked livelier and United looked far more of a threat and the goal was imminent.
Saha's first real mark on the game came from absolutely nothing, the ball was played at his chest and with a great control, turn and volley brought a fantastic save from Keane's record signing Craig Gordon. United now had something about them and with Cristiano Ronaldo returning from ban - we WILL score more goals.
Then came the moment that we'd waited for, a corner whipped in and Louis Saha nodding home from six yards as he bravely put his head between two defenders. 1-0 United and Sunderland's brave resistance was broken.
The remainder of the game was played out by United's fans singing tribute to Keane and Solskjaer - two footballing legends, two players that'll never be replicated and two players who will never be forgotten at United.
Saha's performance not only gave United three points but brought back memories of Solskjaer and what he was about. Fighting injuries, remaining hungry and grabbing vital goals.
We've now got a couple of wins under our belts and got through a sticky patch, with Ronaldo, Anderson and Saha now available for selection and our football without them looking reasonably good there's no doubt we will score goals, we'll win a lot of games and we need to go on a fantastic run - I've got the feeling we're ready to do that and no one will stop us!
Written by me for SoccaCritics.
